"To bid.." Etc.

"To bid or not to Bid" – I suppose you've heard that one. What about, "Sometimes it is more dangerous to pass than to bid"? That is an oft repeated mantra to which many subscribe though no-one seems to have their name attached to it. In the modern game, more people bid and bid, after all, "It's a bidder's game..". But let's say your left-hand opponent opens one heart at game all and two passes follow:

What do you fancy?

These days a 'balancing' or 'protective' one no-trump doesn't promise much, sometimes not even a heart stop, and can be a wide range (with a two club response to establish point-count), but is it appropriate here? Those are eleven unattractive high-card points; not in your long suits, one of which you know will not provide length tricks anyway.

If you do choose one no-trump, how do you feel if opener doubles and it comes back to you? My partner chose discretion over valour and retreated to two clubs where, despite some useful holdings, including king-queen-low of trumps, he had to fail by a trick. One heart couldn't succeed and should have been down two on ordinary defence.

Small beer you say? Try another example, this time you are vulnerable but they are not and one club is followed by two passes to you:

Can I tempt you to a tiny one diamond?

All the warning signs are out. This time you are weaker and game is very unlikely with no obvious candidate (unlike the first hand where partner could have had hearts too with 13-15 HCP and 3NT be a proposition). Partner is likely to be short in clubs and long in the majors yet did not bid and lastly, a one diamond overcall will cause them no obstruction.

So pass is in order. What happens if you try that wafer-thin overcall?

  • Q6
  • J7
  • AQ1042
  • 6432
  • J10952
  • 1064
  • J85
  • 98
N
W
E
S
  • AK43
  • AK53
  • ---
  • KQJ107
  • 87
  • Q982
  • K9763
  • A5

One North did keep it open with one diamond and a few rounds of bold bidding later, was writing down -980 as East-West scored up six spades. Of course, hands like this convince some to change their system but a quiet one club seems best on the East cards; too complicated to start explaining at the three level after an artificial strong two club opener. "If I get past this round I'll be all right" – I'm pretty sure Al Roth said that.

Published Saturday 9.Feb.2008