Monday, May 07, 2007 1:25 PM

D.S.I.P. – Jumps

PITBULLS:

Looking at bidding from the top down viewpoint , all Bridge hands are either defensive or offensive. Defensive , meaning the flatter hand patterns with HCP’s measured in quick tricks or offensive hands with the distributional hand patterns and softer values suitable for taking tricks on offense. The double is usually used to describe the defensive hands & bidding or Q bidding for the offensive hand types.

Standard bidding confuses the two hand types. They define a jump bid that could mean either a defensive hand with 16-18 HCP or an offensive hand with a nice suit & a good offensive distribution. We did not like this treatment ( ambiguity ) & we stay away from this standard bidding as much as possible . We define a jump bid to show distribution with a good suit(s) rather than HCP’s even when left alone.

In competition , we redefine jump bids. When you overcall or the opponents are in the bidding , we have two new tools in which to work. We have the D.S.I.P. double & the Q bid. This in my mind anyway , leaves the jump bid as extinct to show HCP’s. The jump bid describes distribution with a good suit(s). The Q bid shows offensive strong hands and the D.S.I.P. double describes strong defensive hands. Do not mix the concepts !

The D.S.I.P. double is the most flexible bid in Bridge. The bid gives partner way more options including the ability to convert for penalty. The bid also describes your HCP’S and the defensive nature of your hand. The double also buys you time as you can clarify your hand later by bidding a 2^nd suit or rebidding your first suit. Jumping takes away two of partners options which is converting for penalty or bidding a lower ranking suit.

Jump bids to show strength rather than good suits rescue the opponents whereas D.S.I.P. doubles do not. Jump bids are not a very effective tool for turning on forcing passes. Since they are ambiguous , partner may go wrong in high level decisions. Do not waste jump bids to show HCP’s as these jumps are redundant to D.S.I.P. doubles & Q bids. This understanding will impart more discipline to the partnership. As Garazzo says , Bridge is a game of suits so describe them to partner.

BJ Trelford used D.S.I.P. theory with this hand . ♠AQx ♥x ♦Kxxx ♣AKxxx and he opened 1♣. LHO overcalled 1♥ and I made a negative double. His RHO bid 2♠ which shows hearts with shortness in clubs. BJ Trelford doubled rather than jumping to 4♦ to show the defensive nature of his hand and left open the possibility of the spade Moysean. If I held ♠KJ10x ♥xx ♦xxx ♣QJxx we have a good chance at a 4♠ Moysean rather than an 11 trick game in the minors. Bidding 3♠ directly over 2♠ would have shown the 4^th spade.