The Game of Bridge

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 117, 20 May 1939, Page 19

The Game of Bridge

TO BID OR NOT TO BID?

"Approach Bid."

' The answers given by examinees to two of the questions set by Mr. Culbertson in his bridge examination show very clearly the need for explanation of the points involved. The following summary of Mr. Culbertson's analyses should be found most helpful .to [players. » Question. —Both sides vulnerable, the bidding has proceeded: .North. East. South. West. ■ Pass Pass . 1 Pass '' 1 £ Pass - ? . ' You are South and hold: 4 10.8.4. Q 7%. 4 A.K.Q.9.5. Jf, Q.S.L What, call do you make now? . Answer.—You * should pass. You* partner passed originally, hence his one-spade response is not a force. There is no prospect of a game and any further bidding on your part may result in a set. The answers to this question pro vided a surprise for Mr. Culbertson. Many of the examinees prefaced theif replies by stating they, would not dream of opening on the South hand* bu tah ti fthey did open with one diamond they would respond after', a one spade take-out. 1 Mr. Culbertson, in explaining the bidding, asks why, if they consider the hand not up to standard for an opening bid, they would respond to a one spade take-out, which is in no way forcing. North had passed originally, therefore his one-over-one response could not possibly be construed as forcing. South could stand one spade holding 10.8.4, and therefore could have no reason for rebidding his diamond suit. Even if North's one spade bid were based on a four-card suit, the very low level of the contract would eliminate any element of danger, from' the situation. : Contracts based on only seven trumps are not usually dangerous at the one level —it is when the bidding is carried to higher levels that extra trump strength is so vital. slf South could rebid his diamond, suit in the assurance that North would take no further action, there would be no harm in his doing so, but a rebid may cause his partner to become optimistic and to proceed further, when the-part-nership will be in difficulties. If South passes to one spade and the opponents then,enter the bidding, at .least North, will not. be misled into thinking, that South had a sound and solid opening, bid, as well as a rebid. Question.—With only East-West vut nerable, the bidding. proceeds: J, West. North. East. South. 1 £ Pass Pass 1 You are South and hold: 4 10.5. 9 A.J.S. 4. X.10.9.8.4. Jf, X.10.3. What call do you make? . . ' Answer.—You should double.. True, you have only two-plus honour tricks, but these are sufficient for a, double in this particular ' position, i.e., after the one-spade bid has been passed all round. It is quite possible that partner (North) is anxious to play against one spade doubled, and since the opponents are vulnerable, if he chooses to convert your double into a.penalty double by passing, a substantial penalty should result. Contestants did not. do very well with this question, only 20 per. cent., of them giving the. correct answer. Most players do not.realise that there are shadings and compromises which must be made if we are to arrive at even a fair approximation of our resources, and perhaps the r most important of all influences on bidding is the influence of position. The Gold Book makes quite a point of the difference between a .take-out double which unmistakably shows strength and a take-out double made tor the purpose of reopening the bidding. South has only two plus honour tricks with a weak-five-card suit. If, this hand had been held by North, 'sitting directly over the opening spade bid, North, with only four and a half plus winners would not even have the values for a two diamond overcall. In the actual sequence of the bidding, however, the position is entirely different. East has not even kept the , bidding open. The overwhelming inferende to, be drawn by South from this fact is that North has some strength, he may even.be lying in wait for the spades. If South passes (as most examinees, did) he abandons three separate possibilities in favour . of one small safety policy. He gives up the chance to make a part-score ot, game himself; he overlooks the possibility that a bid from him may induce West to rebid to his disadvantage; he shuts his eyes to the fact that North may be eager to play against even one spade doubled. If South bids two diamonds, he retains two of his opportunities, but loses the last If h« doubles, he retains all his chances and makes it possible for his partner t© co-operate on a decision. ' A SLAM PROBLEM. . , , 4 Q. 10.6. 9 K.Q.6.2. , . ♦ A.K. . ; Jj, A.Q.10.5. " ' ▲ 8.7.3. North! I Jk 5-4>2" m 8.5.3. . t S * J-9.7. ▲ 8.6.5.4.2. . | W +. Q-J-7. JL T. 3. I South. IJ^ K.J.9A. A.K.J.9. A.10.4. . 10,9.3. South is playing a contract of six no-trumps. West leads the seven of clubs. The solution will be givett* next week.