Page 19 - ABF Newsletter February 2026

BRIDGE INTO THE
21st CENTURY
Paul Lavings, plavings@gmail.com
YOUR ACTION AFTER OPPONENTS BID 1NT-2]
What would you call on the following hands, neither side vulnerable? West’s 1NT opening is 15-17, and East’s 2] response is a transfer, showing 6+ clubs.
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1NT 15-17 pass 2] clubs ?
1. ]K7653 [K10 }AK64 {54
2. ]AKQ65 [54 }8654 {53
3. ]K7532 [A84 }KJ2 {62
4. ]KQ10983 [A82 }A65 {5 5. ]62 [K32 }AQJ1072 {32
6. ]KQ7 [KJ8643 }2 {764
7. ]AQ7 [K1064 }K1042 {A10 8. ]KQ43 [K1042 }KQJ6 {2 9. ]AK762 [AK10654 }— {53 10. ] 8 6 [ K Q 10 4 3 } A Q J 8 7 { 2
SOLUTIONS
1. Double. You don’t have much of a spade suit, but you are calling to compete rather than indicate a lead. Yes, your double is best used to show 5+ spades.
When this deal came up partner held only 6 HCP, but ]QJxx and an outside void and 4] was cold for ten tricks. There is some risk in bidding but it is winning strategy in the long run.
2. Double. Only 9 HCP but you want to be in the auction and partner is now free to compete at the three-level. Better to show your suit while you have the chance.
3. Pass. A balanced 11-count with a broken suit is not quite enough to encourage partner into the auction at the 3-level. Don’t forget there is a 15-17 balanced hand sitting over you.
4. 3]. Always bid as high as you can at your first opportunity, to deprive opponents of space and de- scribe your assets. You have a chunky hand full of controls, and you need very little opposite to make nine tricks in spades. To double instead of bidding 3] is an error that should cause some self-examination.
Australian Bridge Federation Ltd. Newsletter: February 2026
5. 3}. Only 10 HCP but good enough to compete with 3}. The secret is in your powerful diamond suit, which will provide at least five tricks and make it very difficult for opponents to double you for penalties.
6. Pass. Too dangerous to bid 3[ with your broken suit. If the bidding comes back to you with opponents passing out 3{, you can consider balancing with 3[.
We were taught in our infancy to look right and left before crossing the road. It is the same in bridge, if you are contemplating a 3[ balance look to your left and right first to see how safe it is.
7. Pass. Wow, you have 16 HCP, but don’t get too excited. Perhaps instead of 9 HCP each you have 16 HCP and partner has 2 HCP. Also, the doubleton club is not as promising as a singleton, or a tripleton when partner could well have a singleton.
If the bidding comes back to you and opponents have passed out 3{ you could consider balancing with a double but with such a balanced hand I would pass and hope to defeat 3{.
8. Pass. You can’t double because that would show a five-card spade suit. You must wait and later double 3{ for takeout, showing club shortage.
If opponents finish in 3NT you have poor chances in defence since they most likely have six club tricks and three aces.
9. 3{. Clearly a Michaels Cue Bid showing at least 5-5 in the majors. You have a powerful hand, so you are worth a takeout double later if opponents outbid you to 4{.
When this deal came up partner held a doubleton spade and [Qxx so 4[ easily makes ten tricks. Part- ner could equally be short in the majors in which case you want to defend 4{.
10. 2NT. Logic is the glue which holds winning part- nerships together. From Question 7, you are not going to bid 2NT with a strong balanced hand, so what should 2NT be? The direct cue of 3{ is 5-5 in the majors. What is remaining?
Yes, 2NT must logically show 5-5 with diamonds and a major. How else can you show this hand. Full marks if you worked out the meaning of 2NT in the heat of battle.
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