What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for February 2005

The best submission for February came from Edna Matheson.

Hand: Dealer South N/S Vul

	QJ742  A105  A8  963

Comments: We play Acol.  We also play that partner will raise the 2S bid to 3S with minimum or maximum points and three spades. On this occasion partner had 14 HCP and we missed a vulnerable game in a team’s event.  What should I do with five spades and 11 HCP?  the 2C bid by West was Cappelletti.

And Peter’s Response:

Hi Edna,

Your methods seem to me to be a mish mash of two entirely different concepts that do not combine well.

I presume 2S was natural, non-forcing.

Raising to the three level in some fashion after partner makes a non-forcing bid at the two level. ought to be done with enough trumps to guarantee a nine card fit, not just an eight card fit. How the raise is made (directly or indirectly) allows for the distinction between minimums and maximums. Here the raise shows hands with four card support, not three.

 
With eight trumps in a competitive hand the two level will do. With nine trumps we should be prepared to get to the three level.

That is the basis for modern competitive bidding. All the literature about the Law of Total Tricks relates to this principle.

Whether 2S is the right bid with the given hand is a matter of bidding judgment and how sophisticated the available alternatives.

Also partner's style with the 1NT opener is relevant. If partner opens all twelves and at least a sprinkling of elevens, I would bid 2S and hope to make it. If partner thinks opening twelve is a bit daring and 14 HCP, possibly inclusive of a five card suit, are appropriate, then I would want to bid more strongly with this hand.

Either way, I would certainly want to have an invitational bid in my armoury to drag out under these circumstances.

Regards
Peter Fordham

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