Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Reverse Bidding - Part 2

How Reversing Changes Your Life

Don’t reverse with under 17 points.

North
A J 4                         North             South
K Q 9 8                    1                  1
 A 6 5 4 3                  2*  
6

*2 is not a new suit! Bidding 2 would be a reverse.

North cannot bid 2 – a reverse – with only 15 points. However, not to worry, North. South probably doesn't have 4 hearts; with 4 hearts and 4 spades, South would have responded 1 first. 

North raises South to 2♠, even though North has only 3 spades (it’s better than rebidding diamonds or 1 NT with a singleton!)

West
4                                 West              East
 A Q 7 6                      1                 1♠
 K 9 8 3 2                    ??
K 10 6

West has several bad choices:
  • The worst is to pass. East has an unlimited hand, so West cannot leave him in 1.
  • Bid 2. This is definitely a "reverse". West has put East in jeopardy. He may be forcing East to take a preference on the 3-level with only 6 points. 
  • Bid 2. You should have at least 6 cards to rebid your first suit. 
  • Bid 1NT. Not great either, but at least your singleton is in partner's suit.
No option is great, but with the above hand, 1NT is the lesser of evils.