Counter Measures (2)
I received more correspondence than usual over my last piece about dealing with the opponents' artificial bidding. Rather than let the subject hang for a while, I will carry on.
To recap, I stressed the importance of getting a proper explanation from the opponents. That means not being fobbed off with a name you don't know and being given information that is relevant to the situation at hand. So don't accept "Asptro" as a description of two clubs over your partner's one no-trump and don't accept "Five plus hearts, three to eleven points" for a weak two - check that the vulnerability and the seat at the table have been taken into account. If you don't, you're effectively allowing the opponents to profit from, well if we are charitable, laziness, if we are not, then private understandings.
I also suggested that you keep faith with your normal methods; if you double natural weak bids for take-out, double any suit they promise (even if they promise another) for take-out. Or both for penalty if that's your choice - but keep consistent.
As an example, say you face this situation: dealer opens two clubs, alerted and explained as "Either a game forcing hand any shape or a weak two in diamonds". Should you worry about bidding?
One reasonable thing to ask is how frequent the weak types are in the strong/weak combinations - they should tell you. Generally the weak option is the more common and more likely when you have enough to consider action. So, don't be afraid to get involved but bear in mind you must look after your stake in the deal - you don't have the luxury of making pre-emptive action, so:
Two hearts and spades should be natural as should two no-trump (for range, think after a weak two diamonds, say 15-18). The same goes for three clubs and jumps to three of a major (stronger). I suggest a double (of two clubs) is take-out of diamonds - much like
| West | North | East | South | |
| 1♦ | Pass | 1NT | X |
What about diamond bids? If you really have diamonds then they have a strong hand (unless you've stepped on a mine). By all means bid diamonds with diamonds but if these comedians play at the club each week, then you might like to consider diamonds means the majors and three diamonds a strong major two-suiter.
What about passing and coming in later? You can either treat this as not-strong-enough-to-act-first-time (my choice) or as default action for take out, using the double to show a few values - like a weak no-trump. Remember, you only have this choice when they cannot play in the current contract.
Of course we are not just considering opening bids, as west you see:
| West | North | East | South | |
| Pass | 1♦ | 3♦* | ||
| ?? | ||||
| ♠ 10865 | |||
| ♥ AQ109 | |||
| ♦ K2 | |||
| ♣ 862 | |||
Three diamonds is "A solid suit, looking for a stop in diamonds for 3NT". Remember to check if they can have high cards outside (they can) and if they can hold any suit other than diamonds (no, it's always a minor). What are your options?
Bidding a new suit at the three level should show a good hand; enough to force to game as it will surely be impossible to stop with certainty. The chief worry is what should double mean? You should support with diamonds so, as they get higher with their frivolity, it leaves it for 'double' to show a few values rather than any specific distribution. Here you have just about enough; you sit nicely over south's possible heart honours and either a penalty double of four (five?) clubs or bidding your contract could be your best score. What you must avoid is passing - especially slowly when your partner might be compromised.
There's usually one impossible bid to which you can speculate a meaning. Here it's 3NT - with the club suit out against you, what can it mean? I suggest it shows a good raise in diamonds without a club control (else four clubs). But if you don't think your partner will work it out - don't bid it! You can always talk about it for next time - and everyone knows there's a dividend for keeping it simple.
Published Saturday 12.Apr.2008