Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - November 1, 2021 - 1NT or a take out double (TOX)

 

Question:   Should W double instead of bidding 1 NT? Result as played was 3 NT W, down 3.

Glenna:

The 1 NT bid was the correct call—Shows 15-18 and a stopper in the opponents suit! You cannot make a take out double (TOX) if you do NOT have at least 3 cards in the unbid suits!!

That is so important to know for competitive bidding.

  East does NOT have enough points to bid (needs 9 and have only 5) so will pass. S should pass as they’ve shown their opening hand and their partner should lead a ♦️. E’s J9 is “pickled” meaning if 9 is played south will play the T and if E plays the J, S will play the Q. When partner opens the bidding, you need 6 to answer, 11 poinrs to go to the 2-level and 11 or 12 to make a limit raise. Just remember these numbers and you will see better results.

Thanks and hope to see you at the tables,

Glenna

 

Hand Analysis - Vic Johnson - November 1, 2021 - Quacks

 

Observation: 

This hand posed some issues regarding the bidding. Any ideas? Opener opened light and then did not rebid C to indicate 5. Result as played was 1 NT N down 1

Vic:

The standard I use for opening light in 1st/2nd seat is the “Rule of Twenty Plus Two”. The board in question here meets that standard, so I also would have opened that hand 1C. I would never have even dreamed, however, of rebidding clubs to promise five. 

Since minor suit opening bids can commonly be as short as three, many inexperienced partners agree you can subsequently rebid that minor to promise five. The vast majority of experienced players would consider that agreement “bad bridge”. Experienced players typically agree that if you rebid any suit, partner has a right to expect at least six. Period. 

 So, good for South for not rebidding clubs holding only five. 

Good also for South to Pass & end the auction. South opened light. The 1NT bid by north promises 10 points maximum which means NS hold half of the 40 points at best. South needs to cross their fingers & end this auction at the lowest available level. It is reasonable to expect they might even be able to take seven tricks. 

Making the right bid (in this case opening light) is no guarantee of a good result. North did have 9 HCPs & good spot cards. The bad news is the 9 HCPs were all “Quacks” (Queens & Jacks). The opponents held most of the “control” cards (Aces & Kings). Worse yet, distribution from the NS point of view proved to be a nightmare. Looks to me like, if both sides get the tricks they deserve, North will be down one. But it is a difficult hand to play on both offense & defense. I would guess the actual results were all over the place. 

Ain’t bridge a great game!

Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - October 25, 2021 - Don't strand the responder

 

Question: Because East bid a heart after West’s Club does that not require West to bid again?

Glenna: 

  A Golden Rule of Bridge: All NEW suits by responder are forcing. Before you open the bidding, make sure you have a good idea of what your rebid will be. The fastest way to loose a partner is to open the bidding and then pass responder’s bid. If you don’t have a rebid, don’t open. Only a NT bid is not forcing.

  We need to carry this a step forward. The 2nd fastest way to loose a partner (as responder) is to make a forcing bid to opener and then pass their rebid. The single biggest fault of -Standard American Bidding is this problem.  Your partner opens the bidding 1 ♥️ or 1 ♠️ and you make a forcing bid of a new suit at the 2-level, partner bids again and you pass!!!!!!

You simply must bid again or do NOT make a 2-level bid to start with; rather just bid a NT as that is not forcing,

  These two items are not difficult to remember because if a friend says hi, you respond. So, when you are bidding, remember that your partner is your friend and respond!!!!

Good luck,

Glenna

Hand Analysis - Vic Johnson - October 25, 2021 - Go for game with less than 26 HCPs?

Question: Most people make 4 hearts on this hand.  For this hand, West had 10 points and 3 trump.  East had 14 points plus 1 length point.  The total of 25 points is under 26 points for a game.  Should you always bid your hand according to the points or assume an extra point based on the heart suit and go for game?

Vic:

High card points (HCPs) are universally accepted as the starting point for hand evaluation. But they are the starting point ONLY & absolutely NOT a criterion that demands rigid adherence. 

If you were dealt all 13 cards of the same suit, you could make grand slam in that suit with your 10 HCPs hand. Ya think there might be a message there? The odds of that happening must be astronomical, but I would be shocked if it never has. I had a bridge playing Aunt who was once dealt 12 of the 13 spades. In her hyper excited state she bid 6NT instead of 6S & never took a trick, because she was of course not on lead & spades never got led. 

After determining HCPs, there are two other aspects of hand evaluation you should routinely be doing. One is Quick Tricks, the other is  Loser Count. If you do not know how to evaluate your hand for these two criteria, I would encourage you to learn how ASAP. And if you do know how, but are routinely neglecting them, you are blowing off a major bidding tool. In addition to Quick Tricks & Losers there are numerous other aspects of hand evaluation that can either compliment or diminish the importance of point count.  

On the hand shown it looks to me like EW deserve to make 4H, although I believe many EW would not. I see no reason, however, for EW to bid to 4H. In fact, the only problem I have with the auction is the raise to 3H by East . Holding the East hand, I would Pass 2H, unless the auction became competitive.  

It is true that East has 1 length point. It is also true that many experienced players count the value of a singleton King (diamonds in this case) as 2 points not 3 points. Baring specific partnership agreements to the contrary, the 2H bid by west could promise as few as 6 HCPs & only 3 card heart support. East has no more than the standard opening hand they promised with their first bid. East also has 7 Losers (standard) & only 1.5 Quick Tricks (substandard). I see no compelling reason for East to raise to 3H. When they do so, they are promising extra values that they do not have.

 Is it shocking that a hand with less than 26 points might deserve to make game? Not in the least. I see hands on a regular basis with less than 26 points that are cold not only for game but for slam. Trying to identify these hands is what keeps the experts awake at night. Ain’t bridge a great game?

 

Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - October 18, 2021 - Responsive Doubles

 

Question:  The BBO robots use “responsive doubles”.  Are responsive doubles part of Standard American bridge?  If so, when are they used?

Glenna:

  1st thing you should know is that VERY few people in Madison play the convention. I have only 1 partner who likes them. At any rate, the answer is:

Opponents opens the bidding                  

  Your partner makes a takeout double     

Your RH opponent raises their partner’s suit        

Your bid is below

 

Your bid:

 A responsive shows both majors (4-card suits) if the opponents have bid and raised a minor 

A responsive X shows both minors (4-card suits)  if the opponents bid a raised a major 

Any time you just want to know about a convention, go to Bridgebum.com and they write about almost everything know to players in the bridge world!

Weekly Hand Analysis - Vic Johnson - October 18, 2020 -Describe a hand first

 Question:   Should North and South stick with minor suits or try to get a game in spades with a distribution like this?

[Editor's Note:  One round has been played on this hand and that is why you are only seeing 12 cards.]

Vic:

General Comment: In any auction neither partner should ever be “trying” to get anywhere. They should simply focus 100% on describing their hand to partner & see where that takes them. This probably sounds like a "word police” issue to you, but I assure you it is not. Having a preconceived notion of the contract  you want to “try” to reach is a recipe for disaster. 

General Comment: If in the process of describing your hands to each other you discover you have a golden fit in both a minor suit & a major suit, your first choice should normally be to play in the major suit. Major suits score better & also require one less trick to earn the game bonus. The one exception to this rule would be if you have reason to believe you can make slam in the minor suit, but not in the major suit. The same would be true if you decide you have the option to play in either a minor suit or in no trump. No trump scores better & requires two less tricks to earn the game bonus. The only reason to choose to play in the minor suit would  be if you have reason to believe you can make slam in the minor suit, but not in no trump.

Convention Card Videos - September to October 2021 - Vic Johnson - September 27, October 4, October 11, October 25

Example convention card - Click Here

September 27, 2021 - Introduction to Convention Card

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/C-Pc1fgnu88

                                                                          Content

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October 4, 2021 - General Information

YouTube Link:https://youtu.be/Syu5FG-WHOw

Content

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October 11,  2021 - Major and Minors

YouTube Link:https://youtu.be/b9-jUE1bMNM

Content

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October 25, 2021  - Remainder of Convention Card

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/akw2QdJD-LM

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Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - October 11, 2021 - A 4 bid

Question:  Here’s a hand  that certainly has slam potential. Should declarer have opened 1H and then increased bid when responder supports the Hearts?

Glenna:

 Another great hand. We need to start by explaining an opening 4-bid. A 4-bid opening shows at MOST a very bad opening hand—11 or 12 points and it is called a preemptive bid. Preemptive in that you think the opponents are cold for a game somewhere so you open 4 to prevent that. It also shows an 8-card suit whether it’s a minor or a Major.

  The current hand is beautiful. It should be opened 1 ♥️ and game will be found and some will find slam. Responder has the obligation to get the partnership to game and he has a couple of choices. If he knows Splinter Bids, he should bid 4 ♣️ and that may prompt opener to look for slam. The splinter shows an opening hand with 4-card support and a singleton in the suit he bid at the 4-level.  Opener can bid 4 ♥️ or his cheapest Ace with a good hand. 

  If the partnership does not play splinter bids, responder should make sure to get them to game. Start with making a forcing bid and then if necessary, bid 4.

  By the way, with a 9-card minor you should still open only 4—opponents have trouble doubling at the 4-level, but the 5-level is pretty easy!

See You At The Tables,

Glenna

Weekly Hand Analysis - Vic Johnson - October 11, 2021 - 3 Clubs or 3 NT?

Question: I know your mantra is to avoid the minors and play No Trump but this was a hand that went south pretty early with the robots gorging themselves on diamonds.  We went down 3.  I think we should have been better playing in clubs.

Vic:

Bad Bid by North. 

Second bid by South of 2C promises at least 6 clubs & a standard opening point count. It also denies 4 hearts. This description is accurate on all counts. South has now finished describing their hand which makes North the Captain of the auction. South should not bid again unless North encourages them to do so. 

Holding only 10 HCPs, a reasonable decision by North would be that there are not enough points for game. With no sure stopper in either hearts or spades, it would also be reasonable for North to accept the distasteful conclusion that this hand would best be played in a minor suit (club) contract at the lowest available level. Having reached the above conclusion, North should Pass 2C.

Should East decide at this point to overcall & turn it into a competitive auction (a good defensive bidding strategy), I would encourage North to feel free to subsequently compete in Clubs to the four level if need be. 

Bad Bid by South 

The raise by North to 3C is encouraging to game, overselling the strength of their hand. The Captain Hat has now been passed to South. Given the encouragement by North, if South had stoppers in both spades & diamonds, their 3NT bid would certainly be appropriate. South does NOT, however have a diamond stopper, nor are they strong enough to imagine game in clubs which requires 11 tricks. I would encourage South to also knuckle under to the harsh reality of playing in a minor suit & set the contract by Passing 3C. 

Note (BUT)

 The second bid by South of 2C strongly suggests to North the very real possibility of six tricks in clubs. That should make the thought of a NT contract very appealing. South did open the auction & they do not have the club King or the diamond Ace. Surely they must have some points in hearts and/or spades. 

 Holding the North hand, I would be very tempted to bid 2NT on my second call (rather than Pass 2C), even with only 10 HCPs. A 2NT bid by North is not encouraging & South should Pass. East would now have the opening lead & would probably lead the spade four (longest suit - 4th highest). That would allow declarer to set up the Club suit, making 2NT.

Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - October 4, 2021- Bidding Progression to Go to Slam

 

Question: Bidding progression to get to slam. Should responder just jump to 6 NT when point count indicates slam potential?

Glenna:

The answer to this hand is rather complicated and I wish we had an opportunity for me to host a 2-hour class on how we handle 5-4 hands when partner opens 1 or 2 NT.  If responder’s hand is extremely weak, he would transfer to the 5-card suit and pass.

  When he has an invitational or game going hand, he must use Stayman. This gives him a picture of his partner’s hand and he immediately knows if they can play 4 ♠️ , 4 ♥️,  Major suit slam  or some number of NT.

  On this particular hand, North would bid ♠️  and South could bid 5 ♠️ saying I don’t have an A to show, but I have enough points that we are in Slam range.  If South should transfer by bidding 3 ♥️ and North should jump to 4 ♠️.  When partner asks if you have 3 ♠️ and you have 4 and a maximum, you MUST jump to game, Now South knows N has 4 ♠️ and 21 points and South can bid 5 ♠️.  

  This hand only makes slam because of the ♦️ suit and very few people would find the slam. The main point of this hand is to learn when to transfer and when to use Stayman. Hope this explanation raises questions and maybe a thought of playing this way. It will get you better results.

See You At The Tables,

Glenna

 

Weekly Hand Analysis - Vic Johnson - October 4, 2021 - Opener's Second Bid

 

Question:

You know you want to be in hearts but the second suit is clubs.  The procedure is to bid your first suit because it has five and the second because it has 4.  Do you bid the clubs or again bid the hearts even though you do not have six hearts?

Vic:

You are getting ahead of yourself here. You should NOT YET be thinking about where you want to play the hand. That is Step Two. 

At this point you should be thinking ONLY about describing your hand to your partner. That is Step One. Until Step One is accomplished, you need to keep a completely open mind with regard to Step Two. 

Your hand is not balanced. It is a two-suited hand with a standard opening point count. That is what you need to focus on telling partner. You should bid hearts first because it is the longer of the two suits. 

West overcalls 2S & partner Passes. If partner had 3 hearts & at least 10 pts, they should have raised your hearts. If partner had at least 10 pts & a suit of their own, they should probably have  bid that. If partner had at least 10 pts & a spade stopper they should probably have bid 2NT. Partner’s Pass tells you they do NOT have what it takes to make any of those bids. 

You have minimal values to bid at the three level. On the other hand, West was showing a weak hand, so their must be points somewhere. A good guess would be that East has them. It is aggressive to be sure, but aggressive is good in bridge & you are not vulnerable. So I support your decision to bid clubs at the lowest available level. By doing that you have now finished describing your hand. There is nothing more to tell. 

That makes partner Captain of the auction.  It is now up to partner to think about Step Two & decide where you want to play the hand. You need to stop bidding unless partner forces you to continue. 

Partner tells you they think you will be better off playing in 3H than 3C. Partner is NOT encouraging you to bid again, they are performing their duty as Captain & setting the contract. Unless partner has misbid their hand, I expect them to be weak with not more than 2 hearts. Be that the case, you will be fortunate to take nine tricks. 

I wonder who has the five unaccounted for spades.