Pass, Bid or Double Workshop

Pass, Bid or Double Workshop PASS, BID OR DOUBLE DETERMINING FACTORS In competitive auctions (both sides bidding), the make or break decision is whether or not to PASS, BID or DOUBLE? This Workshop is designed to fine-tune your judgment regarding competitive decisions at the two, three, four and five level. In general, the same factors are used to determine whether to Pass, Bid or Double regardless of the auction level at the time the decision is required to be made. Let s say you hold the following hand sitting and see the following auction develop in front of your eyes: Q 10 9 5 2 A 7 3 2 A 8 5 2 Pass 1 1 Dbl. 2 Pass Pass 3 3 Pass Pass? / Vulnerable You are thinking, WOW, now what do I do? Pass 3, Bid 4 or Double 3. Good thing you signed up for this Workshop! The factors involved in these decisions, including the following: Law of Total Tricks (Trump) Holding in the Opponents' Suit Vulnerability Distribution Location of High Cards Option #1 - Pass: This is a bit wimpy. opened the bidding 1, so / have at least 22 combined points. should not give up so easily so the decision will be between doubling or bidding 4 Option #2 - Double: This could work, but the opponents are non-vulnerable, and it will take a two-trick set (+300) to beat a plus 130 score (4 making). As the opponents have shown at least a nine-card fit in hearts in the bidding, setting 3 two tricks might be a little tough to accomplish. (In general, nine trump = nine tricks). Option #3 - Bid 4 : Partner does not have many hearts, and has denied four spades, so it seems fair to assume that he has at least five diamonds. Hopefully the 9-card fit, the heart shortness and the good controls will be enough for ten tricks. Therefore, bidding 4 would be the winning call! Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 1

FORCING PASS SITUATIONS When both sides are bidding and you know it is your hand (at least 23 combined points) and you have to decide whether to double or bid one more. If there is no clear answer, perhaps PASS is the answer when you can be sure partner will bid again i.e the Forcing Pass. But, it's only a Forcing Pass if both you and your Partner BOTH realize that this is your hand, and not merely a competitive situation. 1 1 2 2 2 = Limit Raise or Better in Clubs and Forcing to 3.? Option #1: Pass - Shows extra values (usually balanced). When Responder makes a bid which forces your side to the three-level, then pass by Opener is FORCING to the three level! Option #2: Double - Penalties lots of trump! Option #3: Bid 3 - Shows a minimum hand with more distribution. Any other bid including PASS would be forcing and show extra values. Guidelines to Determine if a Pass is Forcing If the partnership is in a GAME FORCE, then a forcing pass situation applies. If our side has shown INVITATIONAL values (23-24 combined points), then forcing pass situation applies through the three level. Forcing Pass Not a Forcing Pass 1 Pass 2 4 1 2 2 4? = In a Game Force.? = If bid 3, then PASS is forcing. 1 Pass 2NT 4 1 3 3 5? = In a Game Force.? = Direct raises do not create a forcing Pass situation. 1 2 Dbl. 2 1 3 4 5 3? = s 2 call? = North s 4 cuebid created a forcing forced / to 3, pass situation. creating a forcing pass situation. Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 2

PREEMPTIVE AUCTIONS CREATE A FORCING PASS SITUATION 1 1 2 3 4 4? North/South Vulnerable 1 1 2 4 5 5? North/South Vulnerable Clearly North/South s hand and / is not vulnerable North s 2 bid forced North/South to the three level or higher / are preempting and therefore, ultimately sacrificing JACOBY 2NT, SPLINTERS & CUEBIDS CREATE A FORCING PASS SITUATION 1 Pass 4 4? North s 4 is a Splinter bid showing four or more hearts, a singleton or void in clubs and 13-16 points A GAME FORCE! DEFENSIVE VALUES VERSUS OFFENSIVE VALUES A 7 5 K Q 10 4 2 J 7 5 3 K 1 2 2 3 4? Both Sides Vulnerable Option #1: Pass s 3 forced the / partnership to at least game level; therefore, a PASS by is forcing. After the 4 call by South, may pass to say I am not sure whether we to declare or defend this hand, you must DOUBLE or BID but you can t PASS! Option #2: Double Doubling shows DEFENSIVE VALUES. Your hand has more defensive values than offensive values: Defensive Values HCP in Opponent s Suits Balanced Hand Length/Control in Opponent s Suit Offensive Values HCP in Your Side s Suit Distribution Hand Singleton or Void in Opponent s Suit Option #3: Bidding 5 - Bidding in this position, shows OFFENSIVE VALUES Usually based on extra distribution rather than HCP. Answer: s hand is definitely leaning towards defending; and, therefore DOUBLE! Remember, partner is not required to pass your double. Partner can make the final decision of passing or bidding on. Let s look at the factors that leads us to the decision to DOUBLE: No extra heart length (Overcalled 2 and only have five hearts) Singleton K Control in the opponent s trump ( A) i.e. time to get club ruffs. Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 3

LAW OF TOTAL TRICKS (SIMPLIFIED) There are two methods for figuring out the LAW: the complex method and the simple method. The simple method is discussed below: THE PREMISE There are only so many tricks available on a deal. THE LAW Total Number of Tricks = Total Number of Trumps. On most bridge hands the total number of tricks will be approximately equal to the total number of trumps. APPLICATION In a competitive auction, you should bid to the level of the number of trumps your side holds. If you have 8 trumps, bid to the 8-trump level (the two level) If you have 9 trumps, bid to the 9-trump level (the three level) If you have 10 trumps, bid to the 10-trump level (the four level) QUALIFICATIONS If you have enough points for game or slam, then bid it! The LAW is used to decide how high to compete if the opponents are forcing you to bid to a certain level. Sometimes you should take the vulnerability into account ( gut check ). Other factors include adjustments that sometimes cause us to not always follow this rule of bidding to the level of our number of trumps. If they have 8 trumps, don t let them play on the two level! Let s See Who Can Make What? Find the best fit for N/S and E/W, then find the # of trump and the # of tricks for each side. North 8 6 4 4 3 2 K 10 9 7 A Q 6 Q J 10 5 2 K 9 7 3 Q 10 9 5 A K J 5 4 8 3 7 5 8 4 3 2 South A 8 7 6 A Q J 6 2 K J 10 9 North/South / 9 Trumps? 9 Trumps? 10 Tricks? 8 Tricks? Number of Trumps = Number of Tricks Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 4

BALANCING SEAT PASS, BID OR DOUBLE When the opponents open the bidding and do not investigate game, it indicates the opponents have between 18-22 combined points. There are only 40 high card points in the deck, which means the points are split between the two sides. Therefore, it is usually a good idea to get in the bidding and push the opponents up another level! Balancing After One of a Suit 1 Pass Pass? o A Takeout Double may be made with as few as 10 points. o Notrump ranges are different in the balancing seat 1NT shows 12-14 points. You must double and bid 1NT to show 15-18 points. 1 Pass Pass Dbl. In the direct seat (), 1NT would show 15-18 points. However in the balancing seat, 1NT now shows 12-14 so must double and then bid 1NT to show 15-18 points. A J 4 K Q 4 K 6 5 K J 8 6 A jump to 2NT shows 19-21 points o Suit bids show the following: Balance at the one level with 8-15 points Balance at the two level with 10-15 points (non-jump) Balance w/ a double and originate with 16+ points Balance w/ a jump bid to the two level with 12-16 points & six-card suit Balance w/ a jump bid to the three level with eight tricks & seven-card suit Having listed out all of the different choices for balancing with one of a suit There is no law that says you MUST balance. With length in the opponent s suit and shortness in the unbid major, you should let it go. The hand is usually a misfit and with misfits we prefer to defend! Responding to One of a Suit in the Balancing Position. When partner bids a suit in the balancing seat, you should respond as if partner overcalled in the direct seat EXCEPT add two points to all of the point ranges! Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 5

Balancing When a Fit Has Been Found by the Opponents 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass? o Double for takeout when you can support at least two of the unbid suits. Note: Scrambling 2NT would come into the picture. 8 5 K 10 5 4 A J 8 7 5 6 4 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass Dbl. Pass 3 Pass 3 doubles hoping will bid hearts. then corrects to 3. This would not be a Double and Originate situation because passed South s 1 bid originally. A 7 4 5 3 Q 6 4 K 10 7 5 3 o Bid 2NT for takeout in the balancing seat with the following: 4-4 in the minors NOT vulnerable with the wrong 3-2 major holding. 5-4 in the minors vulnerable. 7 5 K 3 A 10 9 8 Q J 5 4 3 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass 2NT Pass 3 Pass Pass s 2NT bid in the balancing seat is a type of unusual 2NT bid for the minors - 2NT cannot be natural - would have bid over South s 1 opening bid. Q 8 3 A 9 8 7 4 Q J 4 3 2 o Bid your longest suit usually this shows a five-card suit but it could be only a four-card suit if there are no other options J 9 7 5 2 Q 8 3 A 7 Q 7 5 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass 2 would not overcall in the direct seat because his spade suit is so awful! However, facing defending 2 when the opponents have a known eight-card fit K 10 3 J 5 K Q 6 3 J 8 6 3 Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 6

Balancing on only a four-card suit YIKES! 5 2 K Q 10 3 A 7 5 4 9 7 5 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass 2 does not want to double because he knows will bid SPADES. So takes matters into his own hands and bids his strong four-card heart suit! K Q 6 4 J 9 4 2 9 8 6 2 8 o The player with shortness in the opponent s suit should be the aggressor 7 5 2 K 8 3 A 9 7 5 Q 7 5 1 Pass 2 3 s 3 is a pre-balancing call designed to ensure North/South do not play 2 in their known eightcard fit. When the opponents show minimum values in the auction, the player with shortness in the trump suit and at least a six-card suit needs to pre-balance! 3 A Q J 10 6 5 Q 6 3 8 6 3 o Remember You don t have to bid! K Q 4 J 6 5 J 6 4 A 8 5 4 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass Pass! s strong spade holding looks more like a defensive holding rather than an offensive holding. Therefore, defends 2 by passing. 5 2 Q 7 4 Q 8 7 3 K 9 3 2 Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 7

Balancing When a Fit Has Not Been Found by the Opponents 1 Pass 1 Pass 1NT Pass Pass? 1 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass? If the opponents stop in 1NT or two of a suit without finding a fit, then balancing is a risky proposition. The deal is most likely a misfit which brings out the penalty doubles! Therefore, the normal action is to PASS! o Bid with a six-card suit or longer K 7 6 5 10 4 Q J 5 4 K J 9 1 Pass 1 Pass 1NT Pass Pass 2 Since North/South has not found an eight-card fit, is less likely to want to balance. However, is sure partner will lead a diamond against one notrump so he might as well take a chance with his six-card suit! A 10 3 Q J 7 5 3 2 9 6 Q 8 Note: If the opponents are vulnerable and sitting in 1NT Your tendency should be to defend. +200 is golden at Matchpoints! o Double a suit bid for takeout with at least four cards in two of the unbid suits and partner will be responding at the two level. K 5 Q J 10 4 Q 5 4 A 9 7 5 1 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass Dbl. Pass 2, holding at least four cards in the two unbid suits either of which partner may bid at the two level, gets in the auction! bids the longest of the two unbid suits which is his three-card diamond suit. A 10 3 2 5 3 2 A 10 9 6 3 8 Pass, Bid or Double Workshop P a g e 8