Weekly Hand Analysis - Mark Olsky - December 4, 2023 - Forcing

 Question: 

Should South’s bid of 1S in response  to North’s opening bid be considered forcing?

Mark:

Yes, it is forcing since S is not a passed hand. South could potentially have 25 points and have a hand that makes the combined partnership holding sufficient to make 7 NT.

  Each time the bidding progresses, you have more information. You then have to ask yourself what is the range of partner's points, based on the bidding so far. You then add your points to both ends and the middle of partner's range. If it's over 25, there is a good likelihood that game can be made in NT or a major suit where there are a combined 8 cards or more.If it's at least 33, slam is likely. If it's 20 to 24 potential total for both hands of the partnership, a part score is advisable. 

  In this case, North should bid 1NT or 2 clubs to show a minimum opening bid, a pretty good description, leaving it up to South to decide what the combined holding indicates. South, with an opening bid strength hand facing an opening bid, should drive to game, but should be mindful of the danger of a wide- open diamond suit. The simplest bid for south is 3 spades. Experts might try 2 hearts when it is forcing, both partners are aware it doesn't promise a 4 card suit and that it is forcing and expressing doubt about diamonds. It happens that 4 spades, 4 hearts and 5 clubs are all easily makeable, while 3NT is a disaster. Some pairs will bid 3NT and 1 spade making 4 will be better than a minus score so it will not be a total flop, though I expect it to fetch a below average score.

Weekly Hand Analysis - Rich Nordeng - December 4, 2023 - Yarborough

 

Question: North has nothing!!  How often does this happen?

Rich:

Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - December 4, 2023 - Weak 2 bid

 

Question: Should E have opened this “undisciplined” weak 2H bid?

Glenna:

 I agree to opening this hand. It’s the weakest hand that qualifies because the suit is weak. But look at how effective it was—north should bid 3 ♣️ and didn’t so EW won the board.

Weekly Hand Analysis - Rich Nordeng - November 27, 2023 - Take out double

 Question: 

E bids a T/O double, should W have bid something?

Rich:

A good case can be made for West to bid 1 spade over South’s 1 NT. The ten of S and the fifth S are pluses opposite a partner who made a T.O. Dbl of hearts, thus strongly inviting spades. In my opinion 1NT by E is better than double (16 hcp , flat distribution and H doubly stopped ). Over East’s 1NT W should compete to 2 spades.

Weekly Hand Analysis - Mark Olsky - November 20, 2023 - Game

 Question:  

N/S  have a combined 29 hcp but they stopped short of game. How could they have gotten to game?

Mark:

Both partners need to be aware of the number of points required for game, slam or even a relatively safe level of part- score below game. 

  Let's look at what North should do after South responds 1 heart. Ask yourself how many points does the partnership have? South will have a minimum of 5 or 6 points, but could have many, many more. North has a wonderful 17, really 18 or 19 opposite 4 or more hearts. Is it enough for game if South has the absolute minimum? It's close, but slightly against the odds. Give South the slightest extra point or two and game is very high probability. The way to let South know that is for North to bid 3 hearts. South would surely accept and go to 4. Some   players would go straight to 4 hearts, but that's a bit aggressive. In any case, bidding only 2 hearts is a mistake.

  Now, to what should South do after North bids 2 hearts. Ask yourself how many points does the partnership have and how many are needed for game? South has 12 wonderful points, which re- value to 13 or 14 once you learn partner has a heart fit with you. Most players would go straight to 4 hearts after North bids 2. North has promised between 12 and 15 points. This adds up to at least 25 points. If South bids only 3 hearts, inviting game if North has more than a minimum, it's extremely cautious, but it's a clear mistake to pass. 

  Ironically, some aggressive bidders might get to slam. If the hearts break 3-2 (a 67% probability) you can very likely make 6 hearts. N-S are lucky that they beat the score of those who bid slam.

  In summary, both partners made mistakes of undervaluing their hands and failing to add the total points of the partnerships and bidding accordingly. 

Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - November 27, 2023 - Slam

 

Question: 

E has opened 1H and partner has responded 2C to indicate 10+ hcp. Would a bid of 2NT by W been a better bid? In NT the hand made 6NT, is this slam biddable?

 Glenna:

 I seem to not be able to convince people they do NOT go to the 2-level with 10 points—6-10 is considered a minimum hand. You need 11 or more points to bid at the 2-level either as responder or as overcaller!!

 On this hand, 2 ♥️ is the perfect response—it’s always important to show partner when you have a 6-card Major. With only 5 ♥️, 2NT would be the correct response.

Weekly Hand Analysis - Mark Olsky - November 27, 2023 - Preempt

 

Question: 

N has opened with  an undisciplined weak 2S. S has opening count and 3 spades. What is needed to raise a weak 2 bid to game?

 Mark:

This is a common situation and I recommend this rule highly. If your partner has opened a weak 2 bid in a major suit, add your high- card points to the number of cards in the opened suit. If it's less than 16 total, pass; you're done for now. The only exception is this: If you have 4 cards(or more)  in the suit and a really weak hand, consider jumping to game, not in expectation of making it, but as an advance sacrifice, since the opponents are sure to have a game and possibly a slam. 

  Now for the rest of THE RULE OF 16: If your HCP + cards in the suit = 16 or 17, invite game by bidding 3. With 18 to 20 BID GAME NOW. With 21 plus, consider a jump shift to suggest a possible slam.

  In this case, our "rule of 16 points" are 16. I would invite game, bidding 3 spades. How should North  act? I would decline the invitation. The N hand is really minimum for a 1st position weak 2 at unfavorable vulnerability. I wouldn't characterize it as undisciplined, just quite optimistic. Let's call it "enterprising." The invitation asks:  in the range of possible strengths of the original bid are you at the upper or lower end. We can all agree it's the lower, hence you pass.

  I'm guessing that 10 tricks were made and N-S might have thought they made a mistake. No, it's the coincidence of the location and distribution of the E-W cards, combined with the fact that the best defense is difficult, that might allow N-S to get 10 tricks. An opening club lead or a club shift after W wins trick 1, will hold the contract to 9 tricks. Careless play might even result in making only 8 tricks. The east holding makes it unlikely anyone would lead a club. A heart lead from E makes sure that declarer will lose only 1 heart. After taking the A of hearts, an expert West would normally lead a club, so the club losers in the North hand can't all be discarded on diamonds.

  The main tip is to learn the Rule of 16 over partner's opening weak 2. Another very important tip is that there is often confusion when one partner opens a weak 2 and responder bids a second suit. Some players play that a new suit is absolutely forcing and doesn't deny support in partner's suit. Other players play that a new suit indicates a very poor fit for opener's suit and no desire to explore a game. Both approaches are favored by many good players. It's critical that both partners discuss it and are on the same page. The situation is so common that failing to keep it straight can cost you many march points or IMPs.