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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

Have you got 25 HCP for a 3NT game with your 15-17 balanced partner?

If you too are balanced, then, adding points for extra length (not shortage):

add 15 to your HCP to find out. If yes, bid 3NT
if not, add 17 HCP, and if that's 25 or more, invite to game with 2NT
failing that, give up on NT

If you're unbalanced:

Same applies if partner's first bid suit cover's your short suit.
Otherwise keep exploring an 8-card fit by describing your hand

(Advanced players can use Checkback Stayman to find a Major fit)

After a 2NT opener's rebid, forced by our 2-of-a-suit first response

partner already knows game is on (min total = 25-27)
thus, if you're v unbalanced, now's the time to escape NT

Print cribsheet

Bridge Venue

+	West
	A J 9 8
	A 6 3
	8 5 3
	10 5 4

	North
	K Q 10 6 2
	K 10 9 2
	7
	9 8 2

+	East
	4
	J 8 7
	A J 10 9 6 2
	Q 7 3

+	South
	7 5 3
	Q 5 4
	K Q 4
	A K J 6

Example Deal

Dealer: South
Vuln: E-W

# 4141214011

How to respond to a 1NT re-bid.
..
Go to quiz (& full page) of deal # 2441211020
***

Click the + buttons to peep

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

Question 1

Your partner at South deals and opens 1C, so with your 8 points you reply with your longest suit, bidding 1S. The enemy are all too weak to bid, or they're asleep. Your partner re-bids 1NT. What should you now bid? pass, 2C, 2D, 2H, 2S, or 2NT?

Question 1

Your partner at South deals and opens 1C, so with your 8 points you reply with your longest suit, bidding 1S. The enemy are all too weak to bid, or they're asleep. Your partner re-bids 1NT. What should you now bid? pass, 2C, 2D, 2H, 2S, or 2NT?

Answer

Well, partner's got a balanced hand with 15-17 HCP, and you've got 8 HCP at North, making 23-25 in total, plus a "shape" point in Spades. So game could be on, provided partner's not at minimum. A logical bid might be to invite to game with 2NT, but....

I just hope the singleton in diamonds is not going to be opposite a short suit in South's cards: on average she'll have 3.5 cards in this situation, let's hope it's not 2, but either way I fear there's too much exposure in diamonds for a NT contract.

And just look at those lovely long Spades. Maybe she might have 3 of them, which is arithmetically the most likely number. I wonder how I could tell her about them. Do I rebid them? But then that promises 6 doesn't it? I know: if bid 2 Hearts it will describe my hand perfectly - 5 and 4 shape.

Question 2

Have a peep at South's hand. What should she now rebid? pass, 2NT, 3NT, or a suit?

Question 2

Have a peep at South's hand. What should she now rebid? pass, 2NT, 3NT, or a suit?

Answer

Well, since she's on minimum, and being a sensible duplicate player, she'll avoid higher risks. But can we leave it in Hearts? North has only promised 4 of them, so no 8-card fit. Seems like No Trumps is a better option than a Major game try - as we've got cover in all 4 suits.

But should we got to 2 or try for a game with 3? Well, I'm on minimum, so let's leave it to partner to decide, since partner knows I have at least 15 HCP, but I don't know how strong she is.

Question 3

Would the bids be different if, rather than using duplicate bridge scoring, you were playing either "teams" or rubber bridge with nothing below the line ?

Question 3

Would the bids be different if, rather than using duplicate bridge scoring, you were playing either "teams" or rubber bridge with nothing below the line ?

Answer

Yes, possibly. There is a slight argument for North going straight to 3NT, given his 8 HCP plus a "shape point" in Spades. As long as his partner South has a stopper in the terrible diamonds, then 2 out of 3 times you'll be on 25+. And then you might get a game bonus, which scores better on riskier hands when you're not playing duplicate. Conversely, South might be argued to be weaker than her 15 HCP implies, having a 4333 shape, which I quite like to downgrade by a point.

Some subjects to follow up on
After 1NT rebid
Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT
After 1 Suit, No fit, but alternative suit

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

bid	explained at....
#2	+	<-- click the + for explanation of relevant Bidding Techniques
1C	Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT
1S	After 1 Suit, No fit, but alternative suit
1NT	Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT
2NT	After 1NT rebid


			Hand evaluation

#3	+	<-- click the + for ideas on the Opening Lead
Opening Lead: West , 8 Reasons, when playing in No Trumps: 1. unbid suit 2. top of rubbish

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.

for	click on....
#5	+	<--click the + for notes on relevant Play & Defence methods
lead
plan	Plan for a No Trump contract
play
play
play
defence	Which signal to send?
defence

Related			Communication and entries
Overview

« 0063 »

Responder rebids. After opener's rebid of 1NT

Could game be on here? Is it your decision, or is it your partner's?

With his re-bid, partner has promised you a balanced hand and 15-17(1) HCP.

Think back: was your response bid at the one-level, or at the 2-level? (We're assuming it was a change-of-suit).

One-level change of suit

A one-level change promised 6 HCP minimum, but could be much more.

You now need to do the arithmetic:

if you've got 10+HCP, then your total team power is 25-27HCP+, and providing you've got no extreme weaknesses in an unbid suit, then a 3NT game-bid should be on;
but if you've only got 8HCP, and a 23-25HCP team total, you'll be looking for some shape to make up for the weakness; failing that you can invite your partner to go for game if he's at the top end of his 15-17 HCP range - by bidding 2NT;
with 6-7HCP, you'll generally pass (since 25HCP can't be there), but...
if your suit was a 6-carder then this means you've got a guaranteed 8-card fit. If it's a Major, then you'll probably want to re-bid it, especially if either

your 'shortage' points take you up to 25 points total, or
you've got a very short and unstopped suit

if your 6-card suit is a minor, then it might be better to steer the auction to No Trumps (long suits usually bring extra tricks, and making 3NT is two tricks easier to making than 5/).

A Two-level change of suit

At the two-level your partner can no longer re-bid 1NT, of course.

Your two-level change of suit will have alerted your partner to your stronger hand, 10+ HCP, guaranteeing sufficient HCP for a 3NT game-bid. So a re-bid by partner of the minimum NT at the 2 level, but not 3, must mean your partner wants to explore an alternative game bid, presumably in a Major.

How could that be ?

Perhaps he has an unbid 3-card Major (), concealed by his 4-card 1 opening bid, and hopes you might have 5s?

But in that case, you'd have bid them in your first bid.
That's because a change by you to a Major at the 2-level also guarantees a 5-card suit, so your knowledgable partner wouldn't need to re-bid NT if he had 3 of them. He could just bid game (4).
Unless he's trying to get the team an extra 10 points by playing to 4 in NT.

And, of course, if partner had both 4-card Majors, being a wise and experienced player (!) he would have opened 1, so as not to obscure the suit with a 1 bid.

The other possibility is that he wants to use the spare bidding space to give you a chance to get out of any dangers, and move to a 6-card suit, if you have one, by re-bidding it.

What if your first bid suit was a 5-card Major, not 4-card?

How can we tell partner about that nice long suit?? - after all, he might easily have 3 of them.

One method is to switch to your 4-card suit, so your partner might deduce that your first suit was longer.

There can be problems with this, and you need to avoid going through the responder's barrier with fewer than 12 HCP.

Stayman and Transfers are used in response to a weak 1 No Trump (12-14 HCP) opening, in order to reveal 4-card and 5-card Majors. Similarly, there are techniques for finding 8-card Major fits after the opener's 1NT re-bid, but beware: - fewer players use them.

For the more accomplished bridg-ers, read the next bit...

Advanced: How to explore a Major fit after opener's 1NT re-bid ?

Use something called "Checkback Stayman".

You're responder. After partner's second bid of 1NT, 'Checkback' covers three types of hand of yours that might contain:

an unbid 3-card Major (hidden by your first response in a 4 or 5-card minor).
an unbid 4-card Major (hidden by your first response in a 5-card minor).
a 5-card Major (your first bid only promised 4).

For each of these in turn, you might be asking yourself: is it possible that your partner has

a 5-card 'same' Major
a 4-card 'same' Major
a 3-card 'same' Major

You know your partner has 15-17 HCP. If you can find an 8-card Major fit, then 8+ points in your hand could lead to 'game' in a Major, and 10+ certainly will. So let's 'checkback', with 2.

Using the same numbers as in the list above, your partner will reply, depending on your previous 1st bid. If your first bid was:

a minor, he'll bid a 5-card major if he has one
a minor, again, he'll bid a 5-card major if he has one
a Major, he'll support it now with only 3 cards

In all other cases he'll deny with diamonds .

If he responds positively by bidding a/the Major, but chooses the 'wrong' one, you can then correct back to 2NT.

In case 2, where you had a 4-card Major (hidden by responding at first with your 5-card minor, with a bid of 1): if your partner did have a 4-card Major fit, he would all-the-same have responded to your 'checkback' 2 with a 2 dimaond denial, since he didn't yet know that you had 4-cards. So after case 2 only, you can now re-bid with 2 of your 4-card Major. Your partner will then know that you have 4-cards, not just 3. He'll support if he has 4, but revert to either 2NT or 3NT if he doesn't. 3NT if he has 17HCP, 2NT if only 15.

(1) Not 15-16 HCP, unless your partner likes living in the past.

Now try the quiz

Can you put all this into action ? Try the quiz for this subject by clicking on the link at the top left of the page, just below the main menu.
(You can try quizzes for any other subjects too while you're there. Look out for the thin red line).

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Quiz: Barrier-Reversing

Quiz: Deal # Thursday

Quick summary

Bridge Venue

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

Question 4:

Answer 1:

Answer 2:

Answer 3:

Answer 4:

Responder rebids. After opener's rebid of 1NT

One-level change of suit

A Two-level change of suit

What if your first bid suit was a 5-card Major, not 4-card?

Now try the quiz