Friday, May 05, 2006 2:04 AM

5 Level Q Bids

PITBULLS:

Every Bridge player knows that Q bids are the most ambiguous bids in Bridge. The context of the auction has to sort out the meaning and even that does not work in all cases. I feel that the 5 level should be a special case for Q bids . The stakes are so high at this level , grand slams and sacrifices at the 7 level come into play. There should be no ambiguity in a 5 level Q bid. It must show first round control in the suit Q bid ( void in most cases) . Later high level decisions depend on it.

Two hands came up tonight that really drives this point home. Vulnerable partner opens 1♦ and RHO overcalls 4♥ . You hold AQJ10x void xxx AKJ109 so what do you bid ? A 4♠ bid is hideous as partner will always give you a great deal of leeway as you are under pressure from the 4♥ bid. Partner will pass with many good hands that a grand slam will be lay down. The opponents are bidding your void at the 4 level so the 30 HCP deck rule is probably in effect. You have 15 and if partner has 15 you make 7 of almost anything. The best bid is a 5 heart Q bid and partner bids 5♠ and you carry on to 6♠. If partner held Kxxx xx AKQxxx x , she should carry on to 7♠ with confidence knowing that you have 1^st round control in hearts.

The same night both BJ Trelford and Kiz Fung held this hand everybody vulnerable. Void Q1098xxx AKxx Kx and partner opens 1♦ and LHO bids 4♠ . The 30 HCP rule in effect again so you have 12 and if partner has 13 HCP outside the spade suit you are probably cold for a small slam. What if partner has extra ? Leaping to slam is single handed and takes partner out of the picture. Since slam at the 6 level is probably cold , why not put partner into the picture with a 5♠ Q bid ? If all partner does is bid 6 you pass and you have done your duty. Partner had a huge hand herself so over your 5♠ bid partner will bid 5NT saying pick a slam. You bid 6♥ or 6♦ and partner will carry on to 7 knowing that you have 1^st round control in the opponents suit. Bidding 6♥ is very single handed as partner could hold Kxx void QJ1098x AQJ10 and 7♦ is cold and good opponents will let you wallow in 6♥ down 4. A Q bid brings partner into the picture while a leap to a 6♦ or 6♥ slam does not.

On the first hand , a very experienced player made the atrocious bid of 4♠ and Kiz held xxx Jxxx Kxx xxx . With the poorly located diamond King and 4 card fit for partners 8 card suit , she knows something they do not. They are cold for a grand slam in spades. Is there anything she can do about ? A psychic 4NT bid probably will not work and a 5♥ bid is rather futile as it just confirms for the opponents that they have a 30 HCP deck. I suggest a penalty double of 4♠ !! This will certainly get redoubled but if it does not it’s a lot less then a vulnerable grand slam 1390. A redouble will bring 5♥ but doubt now creeps into their mind and they might not bid 6 let alone 7. Sometimes it pays to be a terrorist.