What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for August 2006 

The best submission for the month of August was made by Arie Meydan.

 Hand: South was dealer at nil vulnerability and sitting East I held:

AK752  Q64  963  42

Bidding:	West	North	East	South
				Pass
	1	Pass	1	2
	2	Pass	?

Comments:    Playing 4-card Acol with a casual partner, we were not playing Blackout. Following a reverse, what would be responder's most informative bid, particularly after the opponents enter the bidding?

Would 3 (false preference) show a minimum?

Would 2 be forcing? Does 2 show extras?

At the table I bid 3 which was raised to 4. This Moysian fit failed by one trick. After 3, would 4 be forcing? Opener was short in diamonds and 5 was easy and 6 cold after trump behaviour.

Peter's Reply:

Hi Arie,

I don't think Acol is very definite concerning bidding after reverses, whether or not interference occurs. For that matter I don't think Standard American is either. That is why conventions such as Blackout have been devised.

I would expect all non-jump bids in either of partner's suits or your own suit to be non-forcing. Probably 2NT would be non-forcing for that matter. Any available jumps below game would be forcing. The only other forcing bids would be 4th suit (in this case the opponent's suit). Some of this is not particularly sensible or even logical which is why Blackout is utilised in an effort to fill the gaps.

I think I'd bid 3. We must have enough for game. The only time partner is not full weight here is when a partial fit for responder's suit is held and partner can describe further.

Incidentally, given the availability of the double here to show hearts, 
2 ought to show five hearts and thus six clubs but I wouldn't trust many partners with that.

After 3 would 4 be forcing? Yes, because logically 3 has set hearts as trumps. Responder ought to have four hearts here - hence my preference for 3 with this hand while 3 would be correct with weaker hands not suitable for other bids.

My guess, given the nature of the questions, is that 2 was not the right bid at the time. Might Double or 3 have been better?

The full deal was subsequently provided:

	J1096  J872  J105  73
3  AK105  Q  AKJ10965		AK752  Q64  963  42
	Q83  93  AK8742  Q8

Regards
Peter Fordham

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