12 HCP, not enough pts to overcall Pass overcall opponent s 1NT bid. opponent s 1NT bid S. 10 HCP, enough pts for game, no 5-card 2

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "12 HCP, not enough pts to overcall Pass overcall opponent s 1NT bid. opponent s 1NT bid S. 10 HCP, enough pts for game, no 5-card 2"

Andra Nelson
5 years ago
Views:

Lesson 2- Practice Games - Opening 1NT and Responses Note: These hands are set up specifically for beginners to practice bidding following the lessons from the website:.

Using those two conventions will often give a better outcome, but it is simpler for new beginners to bid without them.

1 Lesson 2- Practice Games - Opening 1NT and Responses Note: These hands are set up specifically for beginners to practice bidding following the lessons from the website:. For these practice games, bidding is shown both with and without using the conventions for Stayman & Jacoby. Using those two conventions will often give a better outcome, but it is simpler for new beginners to bid without them. These boards have been set up to give all positions (NSEW) an equal opportunity to be the Declarer (playing 4 out of the total 16 boards), but it is very difficult to create that equality using the same boards without the Stayman & Jacoby conventions, though it is still relatively balanced in respect to sharing the Declarer opportunities between the 4 players. Board #1 None vulnerable, Dealer North Bidding: (East and West pass throughout.) With Stayman: Without Stayman: N 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand E Pass 12 HCP, not enough pts to 12 HCP, not enough pts to overcall Pass overcall opponent s 1NT bid opponent s 1NT bid S 10 HCP, use Stayman, 8+ pts, 10 HCP, enough pts for game, no 5-card 2 3NT asking for a 4-card major major, somewhat balanced hand W Pass 2 HCP All pass Final Contract is 3NT by North N 2 4-card spade suit, denying 4 Lead card is Q by East (top of touching hearts honors). S 4 8-card major suit fit has been found, with 10 pts + 15 pts min from N = game pts so bid Game Results: It could be difficult to take 9 tricks in a NT contract. North may go down 1. Contract: 4 by North Lead Card: Q by East (lead the top of touching honors) Expected Results: Count losers: 1 spade, 2 diamonds. North, after pulling trump twice and realizing West is out, will recognize that he has the 4 highest trump remaining. North will need to cross-ruff the 2 losing clubs to make 10 tricks. East may decide to play a trump and then North could be in trouble. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 1 of 16

2 Board #2 N/S vulnerable, Dealer East Bidding: (South and North pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: E 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand S Pass 14 HCP, not enough pts to bid over opponent s 1NT opening, no 5+-card suit to bid Pass W 2 7 HCP, 5-card major, use Jacoby transfer to hearts, E immediately says Transfer 2 N Pass 4 HCP Pass 4 HCP Transfer is completed, now up E 2 to Captain West to show points W Pass With 0-7 pts, pass. Contract: 2 by East 14 HCP, not enough pts to bid over opponent s 1NT opening, no 5+-card suit to bid 7 HCP and a 5-card major, bid the major at the 2 level All pass. Contract is 2 by West. Strong hand is exposed on table as dummy. Lead Card: 6 by North (4 th highest from longest/strongest unbid suit). It could be difficult for West to take 8 tricks and make the contract Lead Card: Q by South (first option - singleton) Expected Results: Count losers: 1 club, 3 diamonds, 1 spade. Contract should make. East should be able to take 8-9 tricks. After the Q is taken by the K, East may be tempted to play the A. That s when beginners often get a surprise! It s better to pull trump first. The Ace will win a trick later. Always consider why the opponent is leading a particular card. In a trump suit contract, it is always possible the lead is a singleton. East might expect that South would likely have the Jack and be leading from the top of touching honors. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 2 of 16

3 Board #3 E/W vulnerable, Dealer South Bidding: (East and West pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: S 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand W Pass 9 HCP Pass 9 HCP N 2 12 HCP, two 5-card majors, use Jacoby transfer to spades, South immediately says Transfer E Pass 3 HCP Pass 3 HCP S 2 Transfer is completed, now up to North who is the Captain Enough pts for game, definite 8- N 4 card fit in major (S must have at least 2 spades to open 1NT), N must take it to game The one who knows, goes! Contract: 4 by South 4 12 HCP. Enough pts for game. North knows there is an 8-card fit in spades. (South must have at least 2 spades to open 1NT.) All pass. Contract is 4 by North. Strong hand is exposed on table as dummy, but, in this case, both hands are quite strong so not as important. Lead is Q by East (top of touching honors). Should take 12 tricks. Lead Card: 3 by West (4 th highest from longest and strongest unbid suit, the 2 bid was used as transfer to spades and did not mean hearts) Expected Results: Count losers: just 1 spade loser. South should be able to take 12 tricks. Note for future bidding: Most competitive and experienced players would bid to Slam with this hand using Blackwood convention (upcoming lesson). Two long suits and a void make Responder s hand more powerful than just the 12 HCP would indicate. Counting 4-5 Dummy pts for the void would raise the value to pts. As above, North would first transfer South into spades, and then would initiate Blackwood by bidding 4NT. In this game, even though one Ace and one King are missing, the contract should end up in 6 and it is makeable. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 3 of 16

4 Board #4 All vulnerable, Dealer West Bidding: (North and South pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: W 1NT 17 HCP, balanced hand 17 HCP, balanced hand worthless 1NT worthless doubleton is not a doubleton is not a concern on opening concern on opening N Pass 6 HCP Pass 6 HCP 12 HCP, 5-card major, Jacoby transfer 12 HCP. Showing game level E 2 to spades, West immediately says 3 points and 5 spades. Opener can Transfer choose 3NT or 4. S Pass 5 HCP Pass 5 HCP W 2 West transfers to spades 3NT E W 3NT Pass Showing enough pts for game and giving West a choice between a NT contract (if W has only 2 spades) or 4 contract (if W has 3 or 4 spades) With only 7 cards total in spades (no 8- card fit), West prefers 3NT Prefers NT to spades because he has only 2 spades (7 trump together). Contract is the same with or without using Jacoby Transfer. Contract: 3NT by West Lead Card: 8 top of nothing (North avoids leading from spades, since it was bid, or hearts because of the tenace* K/ J). South will play high and West should play the A and not duck it for one round, since in this case, either the J or 10 will be a stopper and will win one more trick later. Expected Results: Count winners: 4 spades, 4 clubs, 1 heart and 1 or 2 diamonds. West should be able to make the contract and take some overtricks. West should try the finesse (play the Ace first, then back to W s hand, lead a low spade towards the K/Jack and play the J if the Q does not arise, or cover it with the K if it does). The finesse will work this time resulting in 5 spade tricks. *tenace (pronounced tennis ) Definition: Two honor cards with a gap (e.g., A/Q, K/J). It s better to have the lead come around towards a tenace. It s not usually a good strategy to lead away from a tenace. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 4 of 16

5 Board #5 N/S vulnerable, Dealer North Bidding: (East and West pass throughout.) With Stayman: Without Stayman: N Pass 11 HCP Pass 11 HCP E Pass 6 HCP Pass 6 HCP S 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand W Pass 8 HCP Pass 8 HCP N 2 Use Stayman, asking for a 4-card 11 HCP, enough for game, no 5-card 3NT major major, so bid NT at appropriate level S 2 No 4-card major In this game, the final contract is the same No fit in a major, with 11 pts, N 3NT whether using Stayman or not. should take it to game in NT Contract: 3NT by South Lead Card: 5 by West (4 th highest from longest and strongest unbid suit. Usually, against a NT contract, it is advisable to have 3 touching honors to lead from the top, but it might be a better lead to play the King. It s a matter of judgment.) Expected Results: Count winners: Once the first trick is taken by the 9, South can see 7 more quick tricks, and 8 if the diamonds split evenly 1 spade, 2 hearts, 1 club and 3 diamonds. South should play diamonds first and will be pleased to see the nice split, taking 4 tricks. South is now certain to get the 9 tricks needed to make the contract. Still holding stoppers in the other 3 suits, South could gamble on playing the 10 to see if another trick is possible. It will depend on which cards/suits the opponents have discarded. South must be careful that he takes his winners before he loses control in any suit. The contract should make, plus some overtricks. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 5 of 16

to invite game at 3NT, must jump a level as 2 means Stayman Has stoppers in all suits, though the Jack is not the best; 3NT gives a higher possible score than 3 gives Contract: 3NT by West Lead Card:

6 Board #6 E/W vulnerable, Dealer East Bidding: (North and South pass throughout.) With or without conventions (none used in this game): E Pass 9 HCP, plus 2 for length S Pass 3 HCP W 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand N Pass 12 HCP, no 5-card suit to compete E W 3 3NT 6 clubs, enough pts to invite game at 3NT, must jump a level as 2 means Stayman Has stoppers in all suits, though the Jack is not the best; 3NT gives a higher possible score than 3 gives Contract: 3NT by West Lead Card: 7 by North (4 th highest from longest, strongest unbid suit; S should play high, taking it with the Q, then play the 10 which is now playing high/low from a doubleton) Expected Results: Count winners: 6 clubs, 2 spades and 2 diamonds. West should notice that he has all the top cards in clubs. Therefore, he may have to overtake the J in Dummy by playing the Q. However, if he still has the K entry to Dummy, it may not be of concern. West should be able to take 9 tricks. If defence plays well, West could lose 4 hearts immediately at the start but should be all. With any other lead, West would take 10 tricks. This game shows why the lead card can have an important bearing on the results. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 6 of 16

7 Board #7 All vulnerable, Dealer South Bidding: (East and West pass throughout.) With or without conventions (none used in this game): S Pass 8 HCP W Pass 9 HCP N 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand E Pass 7 HCP S 2NT No 4- or 5-card major. With all 8 pts in one short suit, S may prefer to pass N Pass With 16 HCP, it s a difficult decision. Does S have 8 pts or 9 pts? Bid game or not? As a beginner, it is probably best to play it safe and pass. Contract: 1NT or 2NT by North Lead Card: 9 from longest, strongest suit (lead top of nothing ) Expected Results: Count winners: 1 spade, 2 clubs and 2 diamonds. North needs 2 or 3 more. If North tries the finesse and plays the J, he will lose a trick immediately. West will take the trick with the Q. West s Q would fall on the A/ K, but there s no way of knowing that. Seeing the A/ K in the Dummy hand, West might not lead back a diamond. He may switch to a low heart. North should be able to make 7-8 tricks, maybe even 9, but it could be very difficult. Many players will go down 1 trick with this hand if they bid above 1NT. Best strategy for North is to take the diamond trick immediately with either the A or K, then play his long suit first (clubs). Lead the 2 and take the trick with A then play the K. Play the 8 and lose it. Dummy s hand still has an entry in diamonds so the rest of the clubs will take tricks. Lead a small spade over to the A/Q/10. Use only the highest card to cover, e.g. the 10 if the J does not appear from West s hand; the Q if it does. (Lots of strategy required to play this hand well.) Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 7 of 16

Board #8 None vulnerable, Dealer West Bidding: With or without conventions (none used in this game): W 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand N Pass 9 HCP E 3NT 11 HCP, no 5-card major, no 6-card minor, bid to

gone. South will likely play high, the K, then West should play the A and take the trick knowing that either the J or 10 will stop the clubs later, once the Q is out.

8 Board #8 None vulnerable, Dealer West Bidding: With or without conventions (none used in this game): W 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand N Pass 9 HCP E 3NT 11 HCP, no 5-card major, no 6-card minor, bid to game S Pass 4 HCP Contract: 3NT by West Lead Card: 5 by North (4 th highest from longest, strongest suit) Expected Results: Winners: 3 spades, 2 hearts, 1 club and no diamond winners until the A is gone. South will likely play high, the K, then West should play the A and take the trick knowing that either the J or 10 will stop the clubs later, once the Q is out. Then West should lead the 10 towards Dummy s hand. If the A does not appear, play the 8 next. Once the A is out, 4 tricks will be made in diamonds, 2 in clubs, 3 in spades and 1 in hearts for a total of 10 tricks, possibly more, depending on how the hands are played. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 8 of 16

HCP 3NT card major from East, must bid to game) E 2 Showing 4 hearts, could also have 4 spades Contract: 3NT by East. W 4 An 8-card fit has been found in hearts, See analysis below.

9 Board #9 E/W vulnerable, Dealer North Bidding: (North and South pass throughout.) With Stayman: Without Stayman: N Pass 5 HCP Pass 5 HCP E 1NT 17 HCP*, balanced hand 1NT 17 HCP*, balanced hand S Pass 5 HCP Pass 5 HCP W 2 13 HCP, use Stayman to ask for a 4-13 HCP (based on HCP 3NT card major from East, must bid to game) E 2 Showing 4 hearts, could also have 4 spades Contract: 3NT by East. W 4 An 8-card fit has been found in hearts, See analysis below. so will bid to game level *Do not be concerned about a worthless doubleton (i.e., no stoppers or points in spade suit here) when opening 1NT, but you should be concerned about that suit when bidding higher in NT, (e.g., 2NT or 3NT), unless partner has shown a stopper in that suit. Final Contract: 4 by East Lead Card: Against a suit contract, South may wish to lead the unsupported Ace. South s other choice would be the 4 th highest ( 5) from his longest/strongest suit. Expected Results: Count losers: 1 club, 1 diamond, 1 spade. East should be able to take at least 10 tricks. Final Contract (without Stayman): 3NT by East. South should lead from longest/strongest suit which is spades, 4 th highest = 5 East must play his King to win, but this is not an easy choice; it s a gamble. If he ducks it, North can take the trick with the Queen and lead a low spade back to South. Then South can run his spades, taking 5 tricks immediately. If East plays the King, he must then take his winners. East should be able to take 9-10 tricks. Do not gamble on the club finesse. Play the diamonds last, watch to see if the Queen is discarded; otherwise North may discard his Jack and either the clubs or the diamonds could take another trick. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 9 of 16

Board #10 All vulnerable, Dealer East Bidding: (North and South pass throughout.

suit, longer major, transfer to spades, East immediately says Transfer (2 ) 4 South may decide to overcall, but it is not usually a good strategy with only one honor card in that suit 9 HCP with 7

E 2 Transfer to spades Lead card is 5 by North or 8 (if South W 4 Take it to game. overcalls 2 ) or 9 (top of nothing) *Here is where good judgment should prevail.

10 Board #10 All vulnerable, Dealer East Bidding: (North and South pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: E 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand S Pass 10 HCP, plus 2 for length (South may choose to overcall 2 ) W 2 * 9 HCP, 5-card major suit, longer major, transfer to spades, East immediately says Transfer (2 ) 4 South may decide to overcall, but it is not usually a good strategy with only one honor card in that suit 9 HCP with 7 spades. Bid 4, whether South overcalls or not. Having 7 spades ensures that together they have at least 9 trump. N Pass 6 HCP Contract is 4 by West. E 2 Transfer to spades Lead card is 5 by North or 8 (if South W 4 Take it to game. overcalls 2 ) or 9 (top of nothing) *Here is where good judgment should prevail. West could use Stayman to ask for a 4-card major, to see if East has 4 cards in either major, but it is not logical. It s highly unlikely that East has 4 cards in either spades or in hearts, but West knows with certainty that East has at least 2 cards in spades, so they absolutely must have 9 cards or more in spades. If East has 4 cards in hearts, they may also have a 9-card fit in hearts, but they have a 9-card fit in spades guaranteed. Contract: 4 by East Lead Card: J by South (top of interior sequence) or J (top of touching high cards). Expected Results: Count losers: 1 or 2 hearts and 1 spade. East/West should be able to take 10 or 11 tricks. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 10 of 16

Board #11 None vulnerable, Dealer South Bidding: With or without conventions (none used in this game): S 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand W Pass 4 HCP N 3NT 12 HCP, no 4- or 5-card major, balanced hand E

11 Board #11 None vulnerable, Dealer South Bidding: With or without conventions (none used in this game): S 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand W Pass 4 HCP N 3NT 12 HCP, no 4- or 5-card major, balanced hand E Pass 9 HCP Contract: 3NT by South Lead Card: 3 by West. Hearts is West s longest, strongest suit. When opponents jump from 1NT immediately to 3NT, a lead from a major can be a good strategy. However, if West leads a diamond, the contract should go down, but a diamond lead is not as likely to be chosen. Expected Results: Count winners: The 10 will take the first trick. That gives 9 or 10 immediate tricks 3 hearts, 3 spades, 3 clubs, maybe 4. South should try the clubs first (his longest suit) and see if they split evenly, which they do. Then he knows for sure he can make the contract so should take the tricks and run. South will not want the opponents to get the lead back because they might discover their diamond strength and run them. What a difference the lead can make in this game. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 11 of 16

12 Board #12 N/S vulnerable, Dealer West Bidding: (East and West pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: W Pass 6 HCP Pass 6 HCP N 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand E Pass 4 HCP Pass 4 HCP S 2 15 HCP, 5+-card major suit, transfer to hearts, North immediately says, Transfer N 2 Bid hearts as demanded. S 4 Contract: 4 by North With 6 hearts, do not give an option for NT. Bid to game HCP. Enough pts for game, with 6 hearts, North must have at least 2 to open 1NT, so that makes 8, a guaranteed fit in hearts. Take it to game. Contract: 4 by South. West should lead c, but any spade lead is good in this case. Lead Card: 7 by East (4th highest card from longest and strongest suit) or 9 or 9 (top of nothing) Expected Results: North will take 11 tricks. Only 2 losers East/West should win 2 spade tricks and that s all. Interesting hand South might think that a slam is there, and he would be almost right, unless the opponents lead spades. It s tempting to bid a slam! This is a very good example of how the lead card can make quite a difference in the score. Here s a thought: If East leads any suit but spades, could North play the hand and take all 13 tricks? If so, how? Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 12 of 16

Jacoby Transfer to hearts, North immediately says Transfer 4 * W Pass 6 HCP Contract is 4 by South. N 2 Transfer to hearts S 4 Take it to game.

13 Board #13 All vulnerable, Dealer North Bidding: (East and West pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: N 1NT 17 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 17 HCP, balanced hand E Pass 6 HCP Pass 6 HCP S 2 11 HCP. Jacoby Transfer to hearts, North immediately says Transfer 4 * W Pass 6 HCP Contract is 4 by South. N 2 Transfer to hearts S 4 Take it to game. With a singleton, it may not be a wise strategy to give North the option of 3NT. 11 HCP. South has enough points for game and will take a chance that North has more than 2 hearts. With a singleton diamond, the low hearts will have more strength as a trump suit. Lead card is 6 by West (4 th highest from longest/strongest unbid suit). It s not usually the best strategy to lead away from a tenace (see definition/explanation on Board #4), but West does not have many good options. *May instead bid 3 and let North choose hearts or NT. Final Contract: 4 by North. Lead card: Jack by East (top of touching honors, though a 10 is not always considered to be an honor) or 4 (4 th from top of longest, strongest suit) Expected Results: Count losers: 1 heart and 1 diamond. North should be able to take 11 tricks. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 13 of 16

Jacoby Transfer to hearts, East immediately says Transfer Pass 7 HCP E 2 Bids hearts W 4 Take it to game. The points are close enough to try it. 4 8 HCP + 2 for length.

14 Board #14 None vulnerable, Dealer East Bidding: (North and South pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: E 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 15 HCP, balanced hand S Pass 10 HCP Pass 10 HCP W N 2 8 HCP + 2 for length. Jacoby Transfer to hearts, East immediately says Transfer Pass 7 HCP E 2 Bids hearts W 4 Take it to game. The points are close enough to try it. 4 8 HCP + 2 for length. West has enough points for game and will take the chance. West knows that East must have at least 2 hearts, so an 8-card fit in a major suit has been found. A 3NT contract is not usually a good idea with a singleton. Contract is 4 by West. Lead card is Q by North, top of touching honors. Final Contract: 4 by East. Lead card: Ace by South. Top of touching honors. Expected Results: Count losers: 1 heart, 1 spade, 1 diamond. East should be able to take 10 tricks. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 14 of 16

15 Board #15 N/S vulnerable, Dealer South Bidding: (East and West pass throughout.) With Stayman: Without Stayman: S 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand W Pass 0 HCP Pass 0 HCP N 2 14 HCP, using Stayman, asking for a 4-card major 3NT E Pass 10 HCP Pass 10 HCP S 2 Showing 4 spades Final contract: 3NT by South. N 4 Fit in spades is found; must now bid to level of point count (game) 14 HCP. North has more than enough pts to take it to game, but no 5-card major, so will bid 3NT, hoping South has stoppers in clubs (a King singleton is not a stopper) Lead 10 by West (longest suit, top of nothing ) Count winners: 4 hearts, 1 spade, 1 diamond, 3 clubs. South should take his winners immediately and will take 9 tricks, making the contract. Final Contract: 4 by South. Lead Card: 10 by West (longest suit, top of nothing ) Expected Results: Count losers: 2 spades, 1 diamond. A problem will become evident as soon as East trumps the heart lead. However, West cannot get the lead again to cross-ruff another heart. Depending on how the cards are played, South could lose another spade. South should be able to take 10 tricks and make the contract. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 15 of 16

length, showing 5 spades, West immediately says, 3 giving West the option of 3NT or 4 Transfer. S Pass 5 HCP Pass 5 HCP W 2 Bid spades as demanded.

16 Board #16 E/W vulnerable, Dealer West Bidding: (North and South pass throughout.) With Jacoby transfer: Without Jacoby transfer: W 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand 1NT 16 HCP, balanced hand N Pass 10 HCP Pass 10 HCP E 2 9 HCP, 5 spades; use Jacoby transfer to spades, 9 HCP plus 1 for length, showing 5 spades, West immediately says, 3 giving West the option of 3NT or 4 Transfer. S Pass 5 HCP Pass 5 HCP W 2 Bid spades as demanded. 4 E W 3 4 Showing a 5-card spade suit and a 4-card heart suit. Let West decide. With 3 spades to support and 16 pts, will take it to game. With 3 spades to support (8 trump together), will take it to game in spades. Contract: 4 by East Lead: Ace by South. If leading from a long suit headed by an unsupported Ace, best to lead the Ace. Another option is the Jack (touching top cards in an interior sequence). Final Contract: 4 by West Lead Card: King by North (top of touching honors) or 2 (4 th highest from longest/strongest suit) Expected Results: Count losers: 1 heart and 2 clubs. West should be able to take 10 tricks and make the contract. Lesson 2 Practice Games Page 16 of 16

ATeacherFirst.com. S has shown minimum 4 hearts but N needs 4 to support, so will now show his minimum-strength hand, relatively balanced S 2

ATeacherFirst.com. S has shown minimum 4 hearts but N needs 4 to support, so will now show his minimum-strength hand, relatively balanced S 2 Bidding Practice Games for Lesson 1 (Opening 1 of a Suit) Note: These games are set up specifically to apply the bidding rules from Lesson 1 on the website:. Rather than trying to memorize all the bids,