Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - March 6, 2023 - Game or no game

 

Question:  East passes the first round. West opens with 14 HCPs.  Should West pass after East's 3 heart bid or was it reasonable for West to go to game in hearts?

Glenna:

To really know what should happen I would have to know their agreements let’s talk about two different possibilities. 

E was right to pass the 1st time but if 2 ♥️ showed a weak 6-card suit, W must pass and NOT bid 2 ♠️  and must pass. That’s the main reason for using weak jumps!!!

  If they are NOT playing weak jump shifts, E must bid only 1 ♥️ which promises 6+ points and 4 ♥️.  Now W can bid 1 ♠️ and E can bid 2 ♥️ and the bidding is finished. But let’s say the bidding was a little crazy and W must decide what to do when E bids 3 ♥️ :  N made an overcall so he has points, E passed  originally AND  W has only 14 points so it’s doubtful there is a game. 

Bidding makes our hands an open book for deciding when, what and how to bid or not. Successful players listen and absorb all those telltale signs and make good decision. There is no game West so pass 3 ♥️!

Hope this helps,

Glenna