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Quiz: Barrier-Reversing

Quiz: Deal # Thursday
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Basic
strategy
0000). How to use 0001). Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25" 0002). 28 for minor 0003). 33 for NT slam 0004). Suit slam 0005). Importance of length 0006). Convention card 0007). ACOL and American Standard, differences 0008). A-Z Glossary 0690). A-Z Glossary
Hand
evaluation
0010). Balanced-Unbalanced 0011). How strong is your hand, HCP 0012). Distribution points 0013). Losing trick count 0014). Barrier-Reversing 0015). Selection of opening suit 0016). Showing shape 0017). 4441 distribution 0018). The skip over principle 0019). Rule of 20 Opening 1 of a suit 0019a). Rule of 25 Opening 2 of a suit 0019b). Rule of 500 Max penalty risk on preempt if doubled 0019c). Law of total tricks 0019d). Rule of Protective bidding
Opening
bids
0020). Plan of attack 0021). Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT 0022). Bal, 20+ points 0023). Bal, 15 to 17 HCPs, strong NT 0025). Unbal, 12 to 19 HCPs, 1 suit 0026). Unbal, Strong 2s 0027). Unbal, Pre-emptive 0028). Unbal, Gambling 3NT 0029). Benji Strong 2s
Responder
1st bids
0030). After 1NT, General principles 0031). After 1NT, Weak 0032). After 1NT, Getting out of trouble 0033). After 1NT, 11+ balanced 0034). After 1NT, 11+ 4-card major 0035). After 1NT, 11+ unbalanced 0036). After 1NT, 19+ 0037). After 2NT 0038). After 1NT, and Enemy has interfered 0039). 1 NT responses 0040). After 1 Suit, With fit 0041). After 1 Suit, No fit, but alternative suit 0042). After 1 Suit, No fit, no new suit, probably balanced 0043). After 1 Suit, 6 points, nothing to bid 0044). After 1 Suit, Very strong 0045). After 1 Suit, Weak freak 0047). After 2 Suit, Strong 2s 0048). After 2 Suit, Weak 2s 0049). After 3 Suit, Responding to preempt
Openers
rebid
0050). Unbalanced, The general idea 0051). Unbalanced, You are weak 0052). Unbalanced, You are strong 0053). Unbalanced, Partner replied with 1NT 0054). Unbalanced, Delayed support 0055). Balanced
Responder
rebids
0060). Responder rebids, The general idea 0061). Choice of two suits 0062). Responders reverse 0063). After 1NT rebid
Basic
Convention
0080). Stayman 0081). Transfer 0082). Transfer after 2NT 0161). Minor suit transfer
Slam
bidding
0090). Slam, Spotting the chance 0091). Blackwood 0092). No-trump slam 0093). Gerber 0094). Extra slam techniques
Interfering
bids
0100). Overcalls, the basic idea 0101). Overcalls, in a suit, over a suit 0102). Overcalls, in a suit, over 1NT 0103). Overcalls, in NT, over a suit 0104). Overcalls, Jump overcall 0105). Overcalls, Double then bid a suit 0106). Overcalls, Bidding opponents suit 0107). Overcalls, Balancing (protective) 0108). Overcalls, Overcall a preempt 0109). Overcalls, Preemptive double jump 0110). Overcalls, To overcall, or to double 0111). Overcalls, Response to 1NT after suit overcall (Lebensohl) 0115). Defence after 1NT 0116). Competitive bidding 0117). Be cautious sometimes 0118). Sacrificing Be bold when non-vulnerable 0119). Sacrificing 0120). Doubles, Double a 1NT 0121). Doubles, Double for takeout 0122). Doubles, Doubling after opponent overcall 0126). Doubles, Protective double
Doubles

0120). Doubles, Double a 1NT 0121). Doubles, Double for takeout 0122). Doubles, Doubling after opponent overcall 0123). Doubles, Negative double 0124). Doubles, Double a 1NT overcall 0125). Doubles, Double a suit over 1NT 0126). Doubles, Protective double 0127). Doubles, Responsive double 0128). Doubles, Double then bid a suit 0129). Doubles, Penalty 0130). Doubles, Support double 0131). Doubles, Lead directing double 0132). Doubles, Maximal double 0133). Doubles, Redoubling - coded meanings 0134). Doubles, Forcing Pass 0135). Doubles, Re-opening double 0139). Doubles, Index of doubles
Advanced
Convention
0150). Majors Jacoby 2NT 0151). Majors Splinters 0152). Majors Weak 2s 0153). Majors Weak 2 defence 0154). Trial bid 0160). NT and minors 4th suit forcing 0161). Minor suit transfer 0162). DONT Bidding When Opponents open 1NT 0163). Game tries 0166). Grand Slam Force 0167). Roman Keycard Blackwood 0168). Cue bidding for controls 0170). 2-suited Overcall Unusual 2NT 0171). 2-suited Overcall Michaels cue bid 0172). 2-suited Overcall Landy over 1NT 0173). Overcall Unassuming cue bid 0179). Very advanced

Quiz How much do you know about this page? Quiz

<= find/hide more deals exploiting this aspect

Quick summary

You have <8 points.

Partner bid 1NT, enemy doubled.

With a 5-card suit, 7-card fit is guaranteed for your team:

get into it, by re-doubling
partner will automatically bid 2 Clubs
you can then adjust this bid to 2 of the correct suit

With two 4-card suits, "wriggle" to find a 7-card fit

bid the lowest ranking of the 2 suits
if partner passes, he has 3 or more cards in this suit. Job done;
if partner's is a 2-card suit, he goes up the line,
if you've got 4 of this new one, Job done!
if you don't have 4 of them, then bid your next highest 4-card suit,
it must be a 7-card fit.

Always end up with a 7-card match at the 2 level. Sometimes 8 or 9-card.

Partner's view of a "pass" from you:

you may have as many as 10 points, or
you are happy with a 1NT doubled bid, or
you have a 4333 hand with any points

. . worth a game-winning redouble?

Print cribsheet

Bridge Venue

+	West
	A 9
	K Q 9
	K 5 2
	J 8 7 6 3

	North
	K Q J 3
	10
	A Q 9 4
	A 10 5 2

+	East
	10 6 5 2
	J 8 7 6 2
	8 7 6
	9

+	South
	8 7 4
	A 5 4 3
	J 10 3
	K Q 4

Example Deal

You: North
Dealer: South
Vuln: all

# 126023

Doubling 1NT and its consequences
..
Go to quiz (& full page) of deal # 126023
***

Click the + buttons to peep

Click on "q1" below to see question 1, and on "A1" to see the answer.

Question 1

South is dealer and passes. You at North are strong, and would like to bid. But West has stolen your thunder with an irritating 1NT opening. Can North overcall ?

Question 1

South is dealer and passes. You at North are strong, and would like to bid. But West has stolen your thunder with an irritating 1NT opening. Can North overcall ?

Answer

Yes. The best bid is to double, which North should do with 16 HCP or more, or a strong 15+. EW are quite likely to be in trouble.

Question 2

Assuming that E and W use Stayman and Transfers, whatever should East do with his 1 point ?

Question 2

Assuming that E and W use Stayman and Transfers, whatever should East do with his 1 point ?

Answer

Haha ! Many (but not all) teams cancel Stayman and Transfers after an intervening double for penalty. Bid a good old-fashioned weakness takeout in your 5-card suit, by bidding 2 Hearts.

Better still, if your team uses exit transfers, bid the suit one rank below your 5-card suit, and your partner will transfer as commanded - keeping your better cards hidden from the doubling enemy... (To bid one rank below '2 clubs', use the only bid remaining - 'redoubled'.)

Best of all, if your team uses the 'wriggle' after a doubled weak 1NT, then not only can you tell your partner about your 5-card suit - but also you can still find a 7-card team fit if you don't have a 5-carder (as long as you don't have the nasty 4333 flat hand).

Question 3

Should South also double ? He's got 10 HCP, so it really does look as if EW are in trouble, and they're vulnerable.

Question 3

Should South also double ? He's got 10 HCP, so it really does look as if EW are in trouble, and they're vulnerable.

Answer

Well, perhaps. But they may only go down 1 or 2. In that case you'd earn 200 to 500 points if you double them.

On the other hand, since you know your partner has 16 HCP, then you've got enough between you to reach game, worth 600 since your team is also vulnerable, just like them.

Your partner must be strong across the suits, and you've got the Heart bid from East stopped. So you could bid 3NT. That 600 is looking more tempting than getting them down a couple. So only double them if you are confident you'll get them down by at least 3 tricks, worth 800 in penalties.

. . . .

Some subjects to follow up on
Doubles, Double a 1NT
After 1NT, Getting out of trouble
Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25"
Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT
Doubles, Double then bid a suit

#1	+	<-- click the + to show/hide one possible Bidding Sequence
West			North	East	South
-			-	-	p
1NT			???
			X	2H	3NT
p			p	p
-			System: Acol (Benji)
suggest a different Bidding Sequence

bid	explained at....
#2	+	<-- click the + for explanation of relevant Bidding Techniques
1NT	Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT
1NT X	Doubles, Double a 1NT
2H	After 1NT, Getting out of trouble
3NT	Doubles, Double a 1NT


			Hand evaluation

#3	+	<-- click the + for ideas on the Opening Lead
Opening Lead: West , K Reasons, when playing in No Trumps: 1. partner's suit 2. top of touching honours

OK, What's Your Plan for trying to make the contract ?

Only after you've thought about your plan for a short (but important) while, click the + to show/hide Card Play questions.

« 0032 »

After 1NT, Getting out of "double" trouble

"We'd better wriggle out of this"

You're very weak.

And the enemy have doubled your partner's opening "weak 1NT".

Time to panic if vulnerable? Just going "two off" is going to cost you 500 points. (Don't even think about 3-off or 4-off).

Partner opened a weak 1NT, promising 12-14 HCP. If you have fewer than 8 points, then your team might only be guaranteed 12 points at worst, and 19 at the very best. Staying in a 1NT contract will be especially painful if the enemy have a suit with 8 cards or more - and you haven't got any trumps to stop them running away. The enemy will have you for dinner, especially if you are vulnerable. So, if you have an unbalanced hand, it's time to get out of NT.

But how do you find a long suit between you to select as your trumps? Your partner has given you no long-suit clues in the 1NT opening, and the bidding investigation must now start up at the 2 level, even though you might have terribly weak hands.

So, here's a method of guaranteeing to find a suit, in a 2-level contract, with at least a 7-card fit:

If you have a 5-card suit, this is the one you should be in. So, bid "redoubled". Partner must blindly respond "2 clubs", and you'll adjust this to the right suit, as required.
With two 4-card suits, bid the lowest one. Having opened 1NT, partner cannot have more than one suit with 2-cards: the method below shows you how to link one of his three longer suits (3+ cards each) together with one of your two 4-card suits.
If you're happy to be in 1NT, or if you have a 4333 hand, just pass.

5-card suit

When you have a 5-card suit, you don't care any more. You see, your team is assured of 7 trump cards, because all partner's suits have at least 2 cards (she's balanced, remember).

But don't bid the suit! (That would be a signal to your partner that you have two 4-card suits, see below). Instead:

bid "re-double".
- that's the signal that you have a 5-card suit;
- partner must not pass your "re-double" (unless of course the enemy bids, as they often will);
partner will simply reply "2 clubs";
- if that happens to be the right suit, you can pass;
if clubs is not the right suit, you can now simply bid your 5-card suit; thereafter partner will pass.

Job done. Very simple.

Two 4-card suits

In this case, there must always be at least one 7-card fit. You can't ever be certain of finding an 8-card fit, but you frequently will do.

This system works because not only do you have two 4-card suits, but your balanced partner must have at least three suits with 3-cards or more. (She's balanced, remember. In other words she has no more than one doubleton). Therefore one of your two 4-card suits will correspond to at least one suit of hers that has 3-cards.

Your actions are:

bid the lowest ranking of your two 4-card suits;
- that's the signal to start hunting for the 7-card fit;
- unless the enemy bids, partner now has duties to perform!
if partner passes, then this must be a 3-card suit for her, and the job is done;
if your 4-card response suit had been a 2-card suit in partner's hand then she'll bid a new suit, and if you've got 4 of this new one, then you've found your 7-card fit, so pass!
if you don't have 4 of this newly bid suit, then carry on "up the line", bidding your next highest ranking 4-card suit, which MUST be a 3+ carder with your partner, so job done.

1NT Opening bidder's view of the your actions:

having bid the opening weak 1NT that started the 'double' trouble, and hearing her responder's proposed suit, Opener can pass if this suit is a 3+ card suit in her hand;
if, instead, it's a 2-card suit, she should bid the next highest ranking suit (which must at least be a 3-card suit);
if partner passes, then great, you've found a 7-card fit;
if instead partner then bids a new higher-ranking suit, and Opener has 3 of them (which she surely will), then great, pass. You've found your 7-card fit.

You always end up with at least a 7-card fit, and you don't have to go beyond the 2 level. You'll also find 8-card fits, or even 9-card fits sometimes (and is you're dead jammy you'll even find a 10-card fit).

Stayman and Transfer bidding

Whether or not you normally use Stayman and Transfer bidding, it doesn't matter: after the enemy's "double", these systems can be ignored if that's what you and your partner choose, so that your partner will interpret your bidding differently.

(Beware: there are some people, not many, who still use Stayman and Transfers in replying to a 1NT bid that has been doubled by the enemy).

What if you (the responder) are happy to be in 1NT doubled?

Just pass!

And look forward to the extra prizes.

What if you actually do want to re-double?

1NT, doubled-redoubled, if it makes, scores "game" bonus points.

That's why opening bidders in some partnerships take a "pass" from responder as a hint to "RE-double", provided the opening bidder is at the top of their 12-14 point range.

If 1NT doubled-redoubled-vulnerable does make 7 of the 13 tricks, the score is very very very high. Altogether you get 760. Plain, good old weak 1NT would have got you only 90.

(The largest possible score you can achieve in bridge is not for a Slam, it's actually 3160 points for a very improbable 1NT contract! 1NT doubled and redoubled, then making six vulnerable over-tricks: 160 for 1NT redoubled, 500 game bonus, 100 redouble bonus and 6 lovely over-tricks worth 400 each).

What if they bid ?

Shut up!

Let them play their contract. You've got out of the disastrous "1NT doubled and vulnerable".

Other stuff about Dealing with the pre-emptive 1NT opening

They open 1NT:

0115. Defence after enemy opens 1NT
0102. Overcalling a suit after enemy opens 1NT
0172. Bidding two Majors after enemy opens 1NT ("Landy")
0120. When to penalty double an enemy opening bid of 1NT
0162. Bidding when enemy opens 1NT ("Dont")

We open 1NT:

0111. Response after the enemy overcalls your partner's 1NT ("Lebensohl")
0125. When to Double for penalties after enemy overcalls your partner's 1NT
0032. What to do when the enemy penalty doubles your 1NT opening bid

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Quiz: Barrier-Reversing

Quiz: Deal # Thursday