What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for March 2005

The winner for the month of March was Irene Purcell.

Hand: At all vulnerable, sitting North, you hold:

	A10532  QJ9  KJ98  A

Comments: After partner responds 2D what should I rebid?

And Peter’s Response:

Hi Irene,

You don't say much about your bidding method so I shall I assume that change of suit would be forcing and that a simple rebid in spades and a simple raise to 3D would be non-forcing.

Presumably, your concern is to reach 3NT if that is the right spot, while not losing sight of 5D, 6D or 7D.

Since partner bid 2D rather than, say 2C or 2H, we know that partner has four or more diamonds and has at least as many diamonds as hearts. With four hearts and four diamonds partner would bid 2D. Partner also has more diamonds than clubs as with four clubs and four diamonds the bid would be 2C.

Consequently, it is quite safe to bid 2H. Yes 2H, a three card suit! Should partner raise hearts you can revert to diamonds, and if that is below game, it will be forcing. Similarly if partner rebids 2NT you can now bid 3D which, again, would be forcing.

While it is unusual to bid a three card major there are some auctions where it is quite safe to do so. This is one example.

You have managed to keep the auction forcing and low, awaiting further information from partner.

Even if partner jumped to 4H you can always bid 5D or, for that matter, pass and play that contract with reasonable assurity that four card support will be present in dummy.

Should partner do something extreme such as jumping to 4NT setting hearts as trumps, a slam in a 4-3 trump fit is by no means silly.

Regards
Peter Fordham

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