tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88050867935589499352024-03-08T12:13:16.053-05:00Roberta's Bridge BlogAn informative collection of bridge ideas by renowned bridge expert Roberta Salob. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-12944571373924115352014-11-12T19:41:00.000-05:002014-11-12T19:41:00.086-05:00Reverse Bidding - Part 3<div class="p1">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Other Big Bids By Opener</span></b></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Never reverse with a 5-5 hand. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />With equal-length suits, always open the higher ranking suit first, even with 17+ points. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />There are other ways to show big hands:</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="p4">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North</span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♠</span> K J 7 6 5<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="s3"><i>North<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> South</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="s4">♥</span> </span>A K Q J 9 <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1<span class="s2">♠<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span>1NT</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span> A 6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 3<span class="s4"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> 6</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don’t open 1</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and then bid your spades just to reverse. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That would show longer hearts than spades. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A jump shift shows it all. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other strong bids by opener: A jump in his suit or partner's suit (17-18 points) or a jump in NT (18-19 points).</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-7633587058298821372014-11-05T19:35:00.000-05:002014-11-05T19:35:00.892-05:00Reverse Bidding - Part 2<div class="p1">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How Reversing Changes Your Life</span></b></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don’t reverse with under 17 points.</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North</span></i></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> A J 4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span><i>North<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> South</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> K Q 9 8<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s1">♠</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> A 6 5 4 3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 2<span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s4"><sup>*</sup></span><sup> </sup> </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♣</span> 6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*</span>2<span class="s5">♠</span> is not a new suit! Bidding 2</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> would be a reverse.</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s6"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s7">North cannot bid 2</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s7"> – 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</span><span class="s8"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span><span class="s9"> </span><span class="s7">first. </span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s10"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s10">North raises South to 2</span><span class="s11">♠, </span><span class="s10">even though North has only</span><span class="s12"> 3 spades </span><span class="s13">(it’s better than rebidding diamonds or 1 NT with a singleton!)</span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">West</span></i></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> 4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span><i>West <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>East</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> A Q 7 6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1♠</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> K 9 8 3 2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> ??<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♣</span> K 10 6</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s6"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">West has several bad choices:</span></span></div>
<div class="p5">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="s14" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The worst is to pass. East has an unlimited </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hand, so West cannot leave him in 1</span><span class="s1" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bid 2</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span>. 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.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bid 2</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. You should have at least 6 cards to rebid your first suit.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bid 1NT</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Not great either, but at least your singleton is in partner's suit.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No option is great, but with the above hand, 1NT is the lesser of evils.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-24516484264693556272014-10-29T19:25:00.000-04:002014-10-29T19:25:00.438-04:00Reverse Bidding - Part 1<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A "reverse" is part of standard bidding. All bridge players use it, whether they realize it or not. Understanding reversals is good for your bridge, your health and your safety.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So What is a Reverse?</span></b></div>
<div class="p2">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><b>Opener:</b></span> Provided your partner has responded at the 1-level, the requirement to bid a new suit at the 2-level that ranks <b>higher </b>than your first suit, is 17+ points.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Reversing implies greater length in your first suit (usually 5-4, but maybe 6-4 or 6-5.) Reverses are forcing for one round.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All of North’s second bids are reverses:</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>North<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> South<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> North</i><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </i><i>South</i><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </i><i>North</i><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </i><i>South</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1<span class="s2">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1NT<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s2">♠</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>2<span class="s2">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>2</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">_________________________________________________________________________________</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s5"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here, North’s rebids are <b>NOT</b> reverse bids:</span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>North<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> South<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> North</i><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </i><i>South</i><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </i><i>North</i><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </i><i>South</i></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1<span class="s2">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 2<span class="s2">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s2">♠</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1<span class="s2">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>2<span class="s2">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>2<span class="s2">♣</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North’s 2<span class="s6"><sup>nd</sup></span> suit<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>South's 2<span class="s7">♣ </span>bid<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Clubs rank lower </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is on the 1-level. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shows 11+ points. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">than hearts. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-15364697218919484942014-10-22T19:17:00.000-04:002014-10-22T19:17:00.075-04:00The Second Negative - Part 2
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">The Second Negative gives opener no hope for slam, </span>and he might be passed out if he repeats his first suit.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Partner <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>You</span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ Α Κ 10 9 6 2<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span>♠ 5 4 </span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> A K Q<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 8 4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span> 7 4 <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="s3">❏ <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> J 9 8 6 5</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> K Q<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="s4">♣</span> J 6 4 3</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p5">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Partner<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> You</span></i></div>
<div class="p6">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> 2<span class="s4">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 2</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span></div>
<div class="p7">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> 2♠<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 3</span>♣</span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> 3<span class="s4">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> Pass</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s5"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When partner just repeated his suit, he indicates a minimum hand – pass is just right for you. What if partner was stronger?</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Partner </i><i> </i><i>You</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ Α Κ<span class="s1"> Q J</span> 6 2<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span><i> </i>♠ 5 4 </span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> A K Q<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <i> </i></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 8 4</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 7 4 <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="s3">❏</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> J 9 8 6 5</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> K Q<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="s4">♣</span> J 6 4 3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p5">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="p5">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i><i><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>Partner<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> You</i></span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><i> </i>2<span class="s4">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 2</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span></div>
<div class="p7">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><i> </i>2♠<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 3</span>♣</span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><i> </i>4<span class="s4">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> Pass</span></div>
<div class="p8">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Partner makes sure he is not passed short of game. If he is not as sure of the trump suit, he’ll bid a new suit which is forcing:</span></div>
<div class="p8">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Partner </i><i> </i><i>You</i></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♠ </span>A Q J 10 9 6 <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="s4">♠ 5 4 </span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> A K Q 5<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 8 4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 7 <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="s3">❏ </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> J 9 8 6 5</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> A K<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="s4">♣</span> J 6 4 3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p9">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="p9">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Partner<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> You</span></i></div>
<div class="p10">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>2<span class="s4">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 2</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span></div>
<div class="p11">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>2♠<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 3</span>♣</span></div>
<div class="p11">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>3</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span>3♠</span></div>
<div class="p7">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4♠</span></div>
<div class="p12">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="p3">
<span class="s5"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your job, after the second negative bid, is to steer partner into the best trump suit. You prefer spades to hearts (partner bid spades first), so a simple preference is in order.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-56257934063131232542014-10-15T19:10:00.000-04:002014-10-15T19:10:00.205-04:00The Second Negative - Part 1<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The “second negative” is also called the “double negative.” Don’t confuse it with the “negative double” – they are totally different bids.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Partner opens 2</span></b><span class="s1">♣</span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When partner opens 2<span class="s2">♣</span> and you have a crummy hand, you first respond 2<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span>. This is just a negative bid, showing 0 to 7 points. But if you are truly dreadful, you need to turn partner off from his lofty dreams by giving him a “second negative.”</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">If you have zero (zippo, nada, 0000000) to 3 points, with no king (kings are good; you are bad), first bid 2</span><span class="s1"><span style="color: red;">♦</span> and then bid 3</span><span class="s3">♣</span><span class="s1">. The cheaper unbid minor (almost always it will be clubs) is the second negative after 2</span><span class="s1"><span style="color: red;">♦</span>… it shows you are broke.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You</span></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4"></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4"></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i></i></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i></i></span></div>
<div class="p5">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♠</span><span class="s5"> 3 2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span><i>Partner<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> You</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> Q 9 8 6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2<span class="s2">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 2<span style="color: red;">♦</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">♦</span> 9 8 7 4 3 2<span class="s2">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 3<span class="s2">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> 9 7<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">Your first response, 2</span><span class="s4"><span style="color: red;">♦</span>, showed 0 to 7 points. But there is a big difference between the bottom half – zero to 3 – and the top half – 4 to 7.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your second bid, 3</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, is the second negative.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-63547567025362374802014-10-08T19:04:00.000-04:002014-10-08T19:04:00.606-04:00Fourth-Suit Forcing and Artificial - Part 2<div class="p1">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Opener’s Next Bid</span></b></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You opened and then bid your second suit. Responder bids this “convention” by bidding the fourth suit. What next?</span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>North</i><span class="s2"><i>:</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">♠</span><span class="s2"> J 8 7 6 </span><i>North South</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> K 9 1<span class="s3">♣ </span>1<span style="color: red;">♥</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4"><span style="color: red;">♦</span> </span>K Q 5 1<span class="s3">♠ </span>2<span style="color: red;">♦</span>*</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">♣</span> A J 9 8 ?? </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s5"><i>*Fourth-Suit Forcing</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North’s best bid is <b>2 NT</b> showing a minimum opening bid with a stopper in diamonds.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s another hand for North:</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">♠</span><span class="s2"> A 8 7 6 </span><i>North South</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> K J 2 1<span style="color: red;">♦</span><span class="s4"> </span>1<span style="color: red;">♥</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">♦</span> A J 9 8 7 1<span class="s3">♠ </span>2<span class="s3">♣</span>*</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">♣</span> 9<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> ??</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s5"><i>*Fourth-Suit Forcing</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North’s best bid now is 2<span class="s4">♥</span>. North had denied four hearts by not raising immediately, so 2<span class="s4">♥</span><span class="s6"> </span>now shows exactly 3-card support. If South has a 5-card heart suit, he will be ecstatic. If he only has four hearts, he’ll bid something else.</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="p3">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North:</span></i></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">♠</span><span class="s2"> A 8 </span><i>North South</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span><span class="s6"> </span>K Q 9 8 6 1<span style="color: red;">♥</span><span class="s4"> </span>1<span class="s3">♠</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">♦</span> 2 2<span class="s3">♣ </span>2<span style="color: red;">♦</span>*</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">♣</span> A Q 5 4 3 ??</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s5"><i>*Fourth-Suit Forcing</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s7"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s7">North’s best bid is 3</span><span class="s8">♣</span><span class="s7"> showing five hearts and five clubs. 3</span><span class="s8">♣</span><span class="s7"> denies a NT hand and it denies 3-card spade support for South.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s7"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Fourth Suit Forcing and Artificial</span></b></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Used when responder has 13+ points. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Responder may not have the fourth suit.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Opener now describes his hand - bidding NT shows a stopper in the fourth suit.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>The convention is cancelled if RHO bid.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s7"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Opener <i>alerts </i>the fourth suit at duplicate.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-74735955035515575782014-10-01T18:58:00.000-04:002014-10-01T18:58:24.673-04:00Fourth-Suit Forcing and Artificial - Part 1<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is an important convention that comes in handy. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Responder’s Second Bid</span></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Modern bidding has a problem-child:</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>South</i><span class="s1"><i>:</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♠</span><span class="s1"> Q 8 7 </span><i>North South</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> A Q 9 8 7<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span> K J 6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>1<span class="s2">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> ??</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> 5 4</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South has a problem: He wants to bid NT, but not without a stopper in clubs, the only unbid suit. He should not jump in his 5-card heart suit (only perverts do that), and he should not raise opener’s second suit with only 3-card support. There is a nice solution to this dilemma:</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="p3">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Fourth-Suit Forcing </span></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">South simply bids the fourth suit, clubs. He bids 2</span><span class="s5">♣</span><span class="s4"> which is forcing (actually any new suit responder bids is forcing), but all-important, it is artificial. Responder does not need anything in the fourth suit. It simply says, <i>Partner, I have a hand good enough for game (13+), but I have no convenient rebid to make, so I’m tossing it back to you.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>South</i><span class="s1"><i>:</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♠</span><span class="s1"> K 8</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>North</i></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>South</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> A J 5 4 3 2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s5">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span> 9 6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>1<span class="s2">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> ??</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> K J 6</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South should bid 2<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♦</span></span> - fourth-suit forcing and artificial.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="p5">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Again, South has a problem. Now he can rebid his 6-card heart suit, but a jump to 3<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> would only show 11-12 points and could be passed by North. Jumping to 4<span class="s3"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></span> when North might be void in hearts is not appealing.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-6124906616099071862014-07-08T19:40:00.000-04:002014-07-08T19:40:00.450-04:002/1 Game Force: Responder's Second Bid – Part 6<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If Opener rebid a new suit:</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s7">After a 2/1 response, opener can bid a new 4+ card suit (not 3 cards) on the </span>2-level, so responder should raise the new suit with 4-card support. With less support, try NT, or rebid a 6+ card suit, or bid the fourth suit (artificial – called <i>"Fourth Suit Forcing"</i>) to get more information from opener.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> 3 2 </span><i><b>South North</b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> A 4 1<span class="s4">♠ </span>2<span class="s4">♣</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> A Q J 2<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>2<span class="s5"> </span>NT*</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> Q 8 6 5 4 3 </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s8"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">* North: don’t rebid your crummy club suit. Your 2 NT rebid guarantees a diamond stopper, the only unbid suit. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
</div>
<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If Opener raised responder’s suit:</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s7"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Terrific! You have a trump suit and now should decide if it will play in game or slam. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s7"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> A 4 </span><i><b>South North</b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> Q 5 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>2<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> A K 9 8 7 3 3<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> </span>4 NT*</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> K 5 4</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s7"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s8"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">* North: it is your decision to look for slam.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-21765557263328766922014-07-01T19:40:00.000-04:002014-07-01T19:40:00.447-04:002/1 Game Force: Responder's Second Bid – Part 5<h3>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Responder’s Second Bid After a 2/1 </span></b></h3>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your partner opened the bidding and you gave him a game-forcing 2/1 response. Now it is your second bid and you are responsible for placing the final contract. You have all the information (two bids from opener), so you decide.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you have 3-card support for opener's major, now is the time to show it.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> A 3 </span><i><b>South North</b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> K J 4 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>2<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> K Q 9 8 6 2 NT 3<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> 9 7 6 </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North, with only 3-card support for South’s hearts, had to bid a 2/1 first. Returning to South’s major shows 13+ points and exactly 3-card support.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If responder has a 6+ card suit, rebid it.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
</div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><b>If Opener rebid 2</b></span><span class="s2"><b> </b></span><span class="s1"><b>NT:</b></span></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With no major support, try for 3 NT.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> 3 2 </span><i><b>South North</b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> A Q 6 1<span class="s4">♠ </span>2<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> A Q J 5 3 2<span class="s5"> </span>NT 3<span class="s5"> </span>NT</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> 9 8 6 </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you really hate notrump, rebid your </span>6+ card suit or show your second suit.</div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
</div>
<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If Opener rebid his first suit:</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s6"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Opener should have 6+ cards. With 2 cards in opener’s suit, you can support:</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> Q J 9 </span><i><b>South North</b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> K 5 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>2<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> A Q 7 5 2 2<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>3<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> J 8 7 </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South's rebid of 2<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> shows 6+ hearts. </span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i></i></b><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">♠</span><span class="s2"> K 4 </span><i><b>South North</b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> 9 2 1<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>2<span class="s4">♣</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> K J 5 3<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>4<span class="s3"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♣</span> A J 7 5 4 3 </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South's jump in his first suit shows a solid suit. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-22298131935396912532014-06-24T19:40:00.000-04:002014-06-24T19:40:00.026-04:002/1 Game Force: Opener's Second Bid – Part 4<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Opener rebids his 6+ card suit:</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♠</span> A K 10 9 8 7 <span class="s3"><i><b>South North</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> 8 5 1<span class="s2">♠ </span>2<span class="s2">♣</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> A Q 7 2<span class="s2">♠</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> 5 2 </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South’s 2<span class="s2">♠</span> bid after the 2/1 response shows a 6+ card suit.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">However, if opener jumps in his original suit, it shows a <i>solid </i>6+ card suit.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Opener rebids 2</b> <b>NT:</b></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is not a "vague" bid. You must have the right stuff:</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">• No 6-card major; a balanced hand</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">• Points: 12-14 or 18-19 <span class="s7"><i>(with 15-17, open 1 NT)</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> West East</b></span></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2"> ♠</span> K 8 7 <span class="s2">♠</span> A J 9</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> A J 6 4 3 <span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> 8 5</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> 6 4 <span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> K Q J 9 8</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2"> ♣</span> K Q 9 <span class="s2">♣</span> A 7 6</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span class="s5"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span><i> West East</i></b></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> 1<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>2<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> 2 NT 3 NT</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If West had 18-19, then after East bid 3 NT, West would look for slam.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"><b><i>Note: </i></b></span><i>Opener's second bid of 2 NT does not require stoppers in the unbid suits. This is controversial – some play opener's 2 NT rebid does require stoppers.</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-31070181158414901032014-06-17T19:40:00.000-04:002014-06-17T19:40:00.098-04:002/1 Game Force: Opener's Second Bid – Part 3<h3>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Opener’s Second Bid After a 2/1 </span></b></h3>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You have opened the bidding and your beautiful partner bid a new suit on the two-level. This 2/1 response is forcing to game. Opener describes the shape of his hand. Extra strength can be shown later. Your options are as follows:</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
</div>
<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Opener raises responder’s suit:</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If responder bid a 2/1, opener can only count on a 4-card suit (5 if responder bid 2<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span>). Opener raises responder with 4-card support or 3 good ones.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♠</span> A K 9 8 7 <span class="s3"><i><b>South North</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> Void 1<span class="s2">♠ </span>2<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> Q 9 6 4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> 3<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> K J 7 3<span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Raising responder's suit is South's best option.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Opener can jump in responder's suit with 5-card support.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
</div>
<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Opener bids a new suit:</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After a 2/1 response, opener can bid a new 4+ card suit (not 3 cards) on the 2-level:</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s4">♠</span><span class="s5"> 3 </span><i><b>South North</b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> A Q J 6 4 1<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span>2<span class="s2">♣</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> K Q 7 5 2<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> Q 8 6 </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s6"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South’s bidding shows 5 hearts and 4+ diamonds. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If opener’s new suit is on the 3-level, he must have "extras"– either 15+ HCP or a 5+ card suit:</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♠</span> A Q 9 8 7 <span class="s3"><i><b>South North</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span> 9 8 1<span class="s2">♠ </span>2<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span> 6 3 3<span class="s2">♣</span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">♣</span> A K Q 10</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-19165548490545896282014-06-10T19:40:00.000-04:002014-06-10T19:40:00.743-04:002/1 Game Force: The Exceptions – Part 2<h3>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">The Exceptions</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If responder is a passed hand, </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the game force is off:</span></b></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>South:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ A J 4 <b><i>South West North East</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 9 8 Pass Pass 1<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> Pass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K Q J 7 6 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♣ 9 8 7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South’s 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> bid is not a game-forcing bid. It shows 11-12 points. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If there is an overcall or double after the opening bid, 2/1 is not a game-forcing bid:</span></b></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ A 2 <b><i>South West North</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K 9 7 1♠ 2♣ 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span>*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K J 8 5 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♣ 4 3 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">* Not Game-Forcing - North's 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> bid is only forcing for one round; it can be made with 11+ points.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ A 3 2 <b><i>South West North</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 8 2 1<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> Dbl 2♣*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦ </span>7 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♣ Q 9 8 7 6 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">* Not forcing at all - North would show 10+ points by redoubling.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-39266117774978027542014-06-04T19:41:00.000-04:002014-06-04T19:41:26.334-04:002/1 Game Force: Responding 2 in a New Suit – Part 1<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is the crown jewel of the system. 2/1 (read Two-over-One) refers to responder’s first bid of a new suit on the two-level. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In Standard American it shows 11+ points (or a good 10). Now, most of the bridge world plays it as a game-forcing bid, at least 13+ points (or a good 12).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The advantage is simple: by telling the opener immediately that the hand is good enough for game, the partnership has plenty of room to explore the best contract without jumping needlessly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Note:</b> Game level is defined as 3 NT or 4 of a suit. If your trump suit is a minor, you are not forced all the way to 5♣ or 5<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span>. Even if you've made a 2-over-1 response, your auction can end at 4♣ or 4<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> if that's your agreed suit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All 2/1 responses are forcing to game:</span></b></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="p2">
<span class="s2"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(See definition of "game" above)</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1. 2. 3.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>West East West East West East</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 2♣ 1<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 1♠ 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Forcing to </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">game</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Forcing to </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">game</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Forcing to </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">game</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>East:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ 7 4 <b><i>West East</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 8 1<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> A K Q J 6 4 3 2 NT 3<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span>*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♣ A 7 6<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>* Shows a 6+ card suit.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Without the game-forcing 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> bid, East would have a difficult problem describing his hand without excessive jumping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As discussed in the prior blog on Major Raises, we use the 2/1 Game Force to distinguish between 3-card and 4+ card support:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ A 4 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K Q 5 1<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 2♣</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q J 8 7<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 2 NT 3<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♣ Q 9 8 7 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">North’s "raise" shows exactly 3-card support with 13 to 16 points. Of course South must go to game, but perhaps 3 NT would be better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For South to consider a slam, he would need something extra: either a solid 33 points in the partnership (not a wishy-washy 31) or a good distributional hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><b>All 2/1 responses show 4+ card suits except for a response of 2</b></span><span class="s2">♥</span><span class="s1"> <b>which shows 5+ hearts:</b></span></span></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> North South</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 1♠ ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>South 1. South 2.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♠ K 4 ♠ 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A 9 7 6 3 <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A Q 7 6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> A Q 7 3 <span style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K 9 3 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">♣ 8 6 ♣ K Q 4 3<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South 1: Bid 2<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span>. You have just promised 5+ hearts and 13+ points. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">South 2: Bid 2♣. You have just promised 4+ clubs and 13+ points.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Note:</b> With 4+ spades, responder should first bid 1♠ after a 1<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> opener unless he has a longer minor suit. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-35308968671675287332014-01-19T15:51:00.000-05:002014-01-19T15:51:00.439-05:002-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part Four<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>With 13-16 Points and 4-Card Support</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many advocates of the 2/1 system use the "Jacoby 2 NT Forcing Raise" and "Splinter Raises". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Jacoby 2 NT Forcing Raise:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">• 4+ card support</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">• 13+ support points</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">• no void, no singleton</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Opener, if he has a void or singleton, will bid 3 in his short suit after the 2 NT bid. With no short suit, opener will either bid a second 5-card suit on the 4-level or go back to the original trump suit. To go back to opener's original suit: bid 4 with 12-14 points (<i>good</i>); bid 3 NT with 15-17 points (<i>better</i>); bid 3 with 18+ points (<i>best</i>).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 8 6 ♠ 7 3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A Q J 4 3 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> K 10 9 8</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K 9 8 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Q J 7</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K 5 4 ♣ A Q J 3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i> West East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥ </span>2 NT (Jacoby 2 NT Forcing Raise) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥ </span>Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you respond with a Double Jump into a new suit, you are making a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Splinter bid:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The Splinter Raise:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">• 4+ card support</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">• 13+ support points</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">• a void or singleton</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Double jump into your short suit</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Responder's double jump shows support for the major opening and helps opener figure out if the slam is possible with less points than usual.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> East</i></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A Q J 4 2 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ K 9 8 7</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 7 6 5 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 4</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> A K 6 3 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♦</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Q J 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 8 ♣ A J 7 6 5</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i> West East</i></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 1♠ 4</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> SLAM!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>* Splinter bid: void or singleton heart.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Note: Opener must alert the Jacoby 2 NT and Splinter bid responses.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>©2014 Roberta Salob</i></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-78404637452361865602014-01-12T15:44:00.000-05:002014-01-12T15:44:00.158-05:002-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part Three<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>With 13 to 16 points and 3-card support, first bid 2 in a new suit, then support opener’s major:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">North:</span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ Q J 8 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A 3 1♠ 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K Q 5 3 2 2 NT 3♠</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ J 7 6 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Using the 2/1 system, North took two bids to show support. This shows 3-card support and 13+ points.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Weak Freak</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With 5+ card support and a weak hand, jump to 4 in opener's major. You should have a void or a singleton someplace in your hand. Use this jump to keep your opponents out of the bidding. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 6 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K 9 7 4 3 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q 5 3 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 9 7 5</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stay tuned for Part Four!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">©2014 Roberta</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-3420878465274535372014-01-05T15:38:00.000-05:002014-01-05T15:38:00.470-05:002-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part Two<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Responder Has 3- or 4-Card Support</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With 11-12 points and 3-card support, first bid 1 NT then jump in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">opener’s major:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A 6 4 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K 8 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 8 4 3 2 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 3♠</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K J 7 6</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a convoluted route, but the attraction is that North showed 11-12 points and exactly 3-card support.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With 11-12 points and 4+ card support, jump immediately to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 in opener's major:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This is a "Limit Raise")</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">♠ </b>8 3<b style="font-style: italic;"> South</b> <b><i>North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K Q 8 7 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> A Q 6 5<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 8 6 5</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This will be great news to South: North has 11-12 points (limit raise) and 4+ trumps. South can bid games and slams with less points since he knows there is a 9+ card trump suit.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stay tuned for Part Three!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">©2013 Roberta Salob</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-37601201761047408252013-12-29T15:31:00.000-05:002013-12-29T15:31:00.301-05:002-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part One<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Responder Has 3- or 4-Card Support</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you use 1 NT Forcing, you now have a superb method of pinpointing your major suit support for opener. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With weak responses you can show raises that are "very weak" (5 to 7 points) or "constructive" (8 to 10 points). With 11+ points, you can pinpoint 3-card or 4-card support.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These goodies are available to responder by bidding according to these guides:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>With 5 to 7 points, first bid 1 NT then bid two in opener’s major:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A J 9 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 8 7 3 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥ </span>1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 9 8 6 5 4 2♣ 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 8 5 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">North’s "raise" shows either 3-card support with a dreadful point count — </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5 to 7 — or just 2-card support with 6 to 10 points. It doesn’t matter which it is, it is bad news either way:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 8 5 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 6 2 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">♦</span> K J 8 7 6 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥ </span>2♠</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K 4 3 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>With 8 to 10 points and 3+ card support, raise opener’s major immediately:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>(This is a "Constructive Raise")</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 9 7 6 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A J 6 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥ </span>2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 8 5 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ Q J 9 8 7</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">North shows a better point count than bidding 1 NT and then raising. North may have 3 or 4+ card support.</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stay tuned for Part Two!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">©2013 Roberta Salob</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-59678587766814742192013-12-22T15:20:00.000-05:002013-12-22T15:20:00.231-05:002-Over-1: Responder’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part Two<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Pass opener in his second suit:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 8 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A Q 8 7 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 6 5 3 2 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 9 7 6 5</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yuk! North's pass indicates a singleton spade. With two spades, North would bid 2♠. North should not bid 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> — bidding 2 in a new suit shows 5+ cards after a 1 NT response. Also note, if South repeated his first suit, North can easily pass.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Bid 2 NT:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ Q 8 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A Q 8 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> J 7 6 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 2 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ Q 6 5 3 2 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">North shows a nice balanced hand. He should have 10-12 points, and probably a doubleton in South’s major. Don’t bid 2 NT with 6 to 9 points. Remember, 1 NT Forcing has a point count range of 5 up to 12.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With weak hands, it is usually better to play in a 2-level trump suit than in 1 NT. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is responder’s job to make sure the partnership lands in the safest contract.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">©2013 Roberta Salob</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-61230330359956683662013-12-15T15:15:00.000-05:002013-12-15T15:15:04.668-05:002-Over-1: Responder’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part One<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Responder Has Less Than 3-Card Support</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If partner opened in a major and you responded 1 NT, it will be assumed you have less than 3-card support. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>For exceptions, s</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>ee upcoming post: Major Suit Raises.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>If you have a 6+ card suit, bid it:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>(a strong 5+ card suit may be bid on the 2-level)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 3 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> Q J 9 7 6 5 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K 7 6 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 8 5 4 Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is called the "drop dead" bid. North showed 5+ hearts and crummy points. South is expected to pass, even with a singleton heart, unless he has something important to say. With 10-12 points, North would have jumped to 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Raise opener’s second suit:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 7 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A Q 6 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K J 8 6 4 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 8 7 4 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since South’s second suit may be only 3 cards, North needs 5 cards to raise. If South’s rebid was 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span>, then North needs only 4 hearts to raise. This bid shows top of the 1 NT range (9-12 points).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Return to opener’s major with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2-card support:</span></b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North:</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 9 6 4 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K 8 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q 8 7 6 2♣ 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ J 4 3 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don’t support the minor as it might be only 3 cards. Bidding 1 NT Forcing, then returning to opener’s major, shows 2-card support. It is called "taking a preference" and shows a minimum point count.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Note: </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>For exceptions, s</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>ee upcoming post: Major Suit Raises.</i></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stay tuned for Part Two!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">©2013 Roberta Salob</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-26461677899095911872013-12-08T15:05:00.000-05:002013-12-14T11:45:07.996-05:002-Over-1: Opener’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part Two<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With only a 5-card major and 12-14 points, bid a second suit, even if it is only a 3-card(!) minor:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">South</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ K 8 7 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K Q 8 5 4 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 7 6 2♣</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K Q 4</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is not at all like Standard American! In Standard American, South would have passed the 1 NT response, for better or worse. But playing 1 NT Forcing, South must bid.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since South cannot rebid a 5-card major after a 1 NT response, and he doesn’t have a 4-card suit to bid and raising to 2 NT is definitely out, he has no choice but to bid a 3-card minor. (never bid a 3-card major).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is only necessary when opener has 12-14 balanced points (with 15-17, open 1 NT; with 18-19, he can rebid 2 NT). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jump shift with 19+ points:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">South</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A 6 5 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K Q J 6 5 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 2 3♣ </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ A K Q 3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is just like Standard American – forcing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Try Your Hand</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ K 6 5 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K Q 9 6 5 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> A 4<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> ? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ J 7 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bid 2♣. Don’t even think of passing, or worse, bidding 2 NT.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">_______________________________________________________________________</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A Q 9 8 4 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K J 8 7 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 3 ? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ A 7 3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">South bids 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span>. This promises 4+ hearts. Only a minor suit can be bid with 3 cards.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 23px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">©2013 Roberta Salob</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 15px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px;"></span></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-88196814850187543962013-12-01T14:56:00.004-05:002013-12-14T11:45:27.290-05:002-Over-1: Opener’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part One<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>After a 1 NT response to a major, opener must bid again:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>If you have a 6+ card major, rebid it:</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A K 9 8 4 2 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 2 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K 7 6 2♠</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K 9 8</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is just like Standard American.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rebidding opener’s suit guarantees 6+ cards.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>With only a 5-card major, bid </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>a new four-card suit:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A J 9 4 3 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K 8 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 7 6 2♣</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K Q 5 4</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is just like Standard American.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Bid 2 NT with a balanced 18-19 points:</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ A K 9 4 3 <b><i>South North</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K Q 2 1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q J 9 2 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K 5</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is just like Standard American. This leaves room for North to describe his 1 NT response. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Note: 2 NT is not a "catch-all" bid. You need 18-19 points! </i></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tune in next time for Part Two!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">©2013 Roberta Salob</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-19071609866481041262013-11-26T19:10:00.000-05:002013-11-26T19:10:46.432-05:002-Over-1: The Forcing 1NT… Part Four<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Don’t Use 1 NT Forcing If …</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>If you are a passed hand, a 1 NT response is not forcing:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 8 7 ♠ A Q 9 6 4</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A Q 6 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 10 5 4</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q 9 8 7 6 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> J 10</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 10 9 8 ♣ K J 7</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West North East South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pass Pass 1♠ Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 NT Pass Pass Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">East opened a little light in 3rd position. West, a passed hand, bids a standard 1 NT response, which is not forcing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">East has no reason to continue.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Therefore, a passed hand should raise opener's major with 3+ card support: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ 10 7 3 ♠ A 5</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K 9 8 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> Q J 10 6 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 4 3 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 7 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ Q 9 7 4 2 ♣ A J 8 6</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West North East South</i></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pass </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pass </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> Pass Pass Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If West was not a passed hand, he would first respond 1 NT, then he'd go back to 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span>, showing 5-7 points. But as a passed hand, he may not get a second bid, so 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> must now cover 6-10 points. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Note: A variation is to make a 1 NT response to a major as "semi-forcing" whereby opener, with a minimum balanced hand, can pass a 1 NT response. This book is based on 1 NT as a forcing response. Make sure you and your partner agree whether you play 1 NT responses to a major as "forcing" or "semi-forcing"! </i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-22927087463400541062013-11-19T19:17:00.002-05:002013-11-19T19:17:45.339-05:002-Over-1: The Forcing 1NT… Part Three<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Don’t Use 1 NT Forcing if …</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If opener bids 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then responder, holding 4+ spades, should bid 1♠:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ Q 9 8 2 <b><i>North South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 7 6 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> ??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> A K J 10<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ 9 8 6</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bid 1♠, not 1 NT. South should first show a 4-card major.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After an overcall or double, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 NT is not forcing: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">("off in competition")</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ J 9 6 ♠ K 10 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> A J 10 4 3 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 9 6</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> K 8 7 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q J 4 3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K 4 ♣ Q 6 5 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West North East South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 1♠ 1 NT Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">West should pass. With only a minimum hand, West can pass the 1 NT response. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If South overcalled, West could still pass. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tune in next time for Part Four!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-46792732934653445732013-10-15T16:37:00.000-04:002013-10-15T16:37:47.472-04:002-Over-1: The Forcing 1NT… Part Two<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">How To Use 1 NT Forcing</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Use it only after a major opening bid. 1 NT is not forcing after a minor opening:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. 2.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>North South North South</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 1 NT 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> *</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>*North must make *North may pass with a</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> another bid. balanced minimum hand.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>A 1 NT response is 5 to 12 points:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unlike Standard American, which required only 6 to 10 points, 1 NT Forcing uses a bigger range.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You usually have less than 3 cards in opener’s major:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These hands both respond 1 NT to an opening bid of 1♠:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ void ♠ K 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K J 9 7 4 3 2 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 4 3 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q 4 3 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> Q J 9 8 7 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ J 9 6 ♣ 8 5 4</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Duplicate Players: Opener says "Forcing" after responder bids 1 NT</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tune in next time for part three!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462791078054045249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805086793558949935.post-3283618560396973412013-10-08T18:49:00.002-04:002013-10-08T18:52:37.751-04:002-Over-1: The Forcing 1 NT…Part One<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While you weren’t looking, Standard American became a dinosaur. 4-card major openings were replaced with
5-cards; 1 NT can now be opened holding a 5-card major and a worthless doubleton; weak 2’s replaced strong 2’s, and on and on. But the loudest crash is the fall of the non-forcing 1 NT response to a major and its kissing cousin, 2-over-1 (2/1) as forcing only one round. Now, 1 NT is forcing and 2/1 is forcing to game.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Why 1 NT Forcing?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>West East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♠ K J 6 4 3 ♠ void</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> 4 2 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> K J 8 7 5 3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> A Q 2 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♦</span> 7 5 4 3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♣ K 6 5 ♣ Q 3 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take a look at Standard (old-fashioned) bidding:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>West East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yuk! 1 NT is certainly not the best contract. But West can’t be faulted for passing 1 NT. Opener, with a balanced hand, routinely passes a 1 NT response.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Enter: 1 NT Forcing</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you play that a 1 NT response to a major suit opening is forcing for one round, then the responder has a chance to explain his hand. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With the same hands as above, playing 1 NT Forcing:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>West East</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1♠ 1 NT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2♣* 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* Playing 1 NT Forcing, sometimes opener's second bid will be a 3-card minor. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now the contract is comfortable. East was able to describe his low point count (1 NT) and his long suit (5+ cards) and still stop on a dime.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since the 1 NT responder usually has two or less in opener’s major, 1 NT is usually not a good place to play. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
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Tune in next time for Part Two! </div>
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