Black Arts and Culture
Bridge Corner: October 19, 2017
Hello and welcome to the Tidewater Bridge Unit.
The last few articles in the Bridge Corner covered the three major uses for the “double,” No Trump opening and responses, Stayman, and Jacoby Transfers.
Now, let’s review Major Suit Openings & Responses, Weak Two’s, and Minor Suit Openings:
Major Suit Openings
1.) 12 HCPs or rule of 20 (if HCPs + total number of cards in your two longest suits = 20, then open. (S)AKJxx (H)QJ84 (D)xx (C)xx –in this hand there are 11 HCPs + 5 spades + 4 hearts = 20, so open 1 spade).
2.) With two 5-card suits, bid the higher ranking suit (not the better suit)
3.) In 3rd seat, open with 10 good HCP, especially if you have spades (Rule of 15: if HCP + number of spades = 15, then open. (S)KJxx (H)AQJ84 (D)xx (C)xx –in this and there are 11 HCP + 4 spades = 15, so open 1 heart.
Response
• Simple raise – 3 or more in suit, 6-9 HCP plus distribution.
• Limit raise – Qxx or better, 10 to 12 HCP (most insist on 4 card support).
• Change of suit at two level requires 10 HCP and 5-card suit.
• 1 No Trump Forcing:
a) Cannot support partner’s opening major suit; does not have 10 or 12 points to go to the 2-level to bid own suit. Bids 1 NT forcing.
b) Partner rebids 6-card suit or bids second suit. With neither, he bids clubs (may have only two or three). If diamonds or hearts, promises at least 4.
c) If partner has not bid responder’s suit, he may bid it now (drop dead bid) or return to opener’s suit with two
d) Responder may raise if opener’s second suit improves his hand (distributional points).
Weak Two’s
• Open 2♦ , 2♥ , 2♠ with six in a suit, 5 to 11 HCPs, and 2 of the top 4 honors.
Should not have a void or other 4-card major unless partner is a passed hand.
• Responses to weak two bids:
a) Two NT – forcing, asks for ace or king in outside suit. If none, opener returns to his suit at cheapest level
b) New Suit – forcing one round. Shows 5-card suit. Opener raises with 3-card support, returns to his suit if no support.
c) Raise – nonforcing, preemptive (more difficult for opponents to enter bidding). Not an invitation to game.
d) Jump raise – to play
Minor Suit Opening
1.) You and partner must decide if you are opening convenient minor with three diamonds or if you are going to use the “short club” convention. If the latter, opener may have as few as two clubs and promises four diamonds when he bids diamonds. In “short club,” opener’s partner must announce “could be short” when the club suit is bid. If a “short club” is opened, responder must have five clubs to raise.
2.) As minor suit games do not score well, strain to find a no-trump game.
Winning Pairs
October 11, 2017
Section A Game
Lillye Holley – Harold M Kiefer
Barbara Whitfield – Jennifer Douglas
Delores J. Burney – Gloria Maddux
Aldis Raymond – Leon Ragland
Oneida R. Lacey – Rosemary Whitehurst
Evelyn Brooks – Cindy Burrell-Jones
TIDEWATER BRIDGE UNIT UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Tuesday, October 24
Cooke-Suburban
Bridge Game
10:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$4 – $5
Wednesday, October 25
Bon-Ton Bridge Game
10:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$4 – $5
All activities, unless otherwise noted, are located at the Berkley Senior Center, 925 S. Main Street, Norfolk, VA. For additional information on classes, games, or tournaments, please call Jennifer Douglas at (757) 701-0640.
