Dubious Logic

The Jump Rebid

Life imitates art they say, or is it the other way around? Whichever, we look for patterns everywhere. But when two hands recently struck the same note and then I found the same theme in a book, I was getting suspicious. Let us work backwards; Jeff Rubens in Swiss Match Challenge presents a number of problem deals where you eventually match your efforts with fictional team-mates as in a real Swiss match. This was the hand in question:

Your task concerned how to play four hearts (and to get the answer to that, you'll have to buy excellent book or, as I did, get it free with a subscription to The Bridge World, which Rubens edits). However there was a rider; the auction above – who was at fault? When you have an answer to that, consider this:

• 874
• K92
• A96
• Q974

Partner opens one diamond, you bid one no-trump, partner rebids two clubs, what now? They passed at the table – what do you think of that?

It is something of a paradox that the simple change of suit over a one level response is unlimited yet not forcing. Thus it can hide quite strong hands which have no clear direction until a fit is established. In the second example, partner might hold ♠x ♥Axx ♦KQJxx ♣AKxx when, even on an ordinary day, you have a club slam. Partner cannot bid more less you hold an unfitting ♠KQx ♥Qxx ♦xxx ♣Jxxx when two clubs might be a struggle. Three clubs seems the least you can do and you might try two hearts or three diamonds, maybe not the most accurate but all better than pass.

I must say, I would probably bid again with the East hand over two clubs but Rubens is pretty square with the blame; West should bid a game forcing three clubs over one heart. That looks a little much but, on hands with potential, it's the responsibility of the hand that first knows about the fit to communicate it. That goes for the second example too – there responder knew about the great minor cards and he should tell partner.

Odd how reluctant players are to make the jump forcing rebid, the last hand is from a recent Suffolk league match:

East decided that West, having eschewed all conventions, had described a three suiter with playing strength. So he backed his judgment and raised with the heart ace for comfort. What happened in the other room? Well, West only bid two clubs at his second turn and over his partner's forcing two heart call, contented himself with just three clubs, waiting to get the full power across later. Unfortunately he's still waiting. Fearing a misfit, East passed this - perhaps contrary to partnership agreements, but, you have to say, he wouldn't have harboured those doubts had West rebid three clubs.

Published Saturday 31.Mar.2007