Monday, January 24, 2005 1:24 PM

Hand Evaluation – Balancing Concepts

PITBULLS:

An article on Balancing found on the Internet . Even experienced players have difficulty with

balancing concepts.

THE ART OF BALANCING

A. BALANCING DOUBLES, BIDS, OVERCALLS AND NOTRUMP

W: 1© N: P  E: P   S: ?

Do you want to let your opponents play in 1© ?  By looking at balancing bids, doubles and the balancing notrump, we shall see what options you, as South, may have.

1. BALANCING  TAKEOUT DOUBLES

Here we take liberties we would not take with a direct takeout  double such as

W: 1©  N: Dbl  From this sequence, we would expect partner to have either an opening hand, ideally 4-4 in the majors and tolerance for clubs, a 17+ HCP wherein North will double and then bid her suit or a double followed by an 18-19 HCP 1NT bid showing a balanced hand with stopper(s) in hearts.

Let us look at some hands, from Bill Root's "Common senese Bidding" and Mike Lawrence's "The Complete Book on Balancing" to see what may constitute a double when the bidding has gone W:1§/¨/©/ª  N:P  E: P  S:?

a) W: 1§  N: P  E: P  S:?

As South you hold 

ª: QT87

©: K954

¨: AJ3

§: 42

Here in the PASSOUT seat, with both majors covered, tolerance for diamonds and 10 HCP, you have a CLEAR DOUBLE. This hand brings us to an important guideline offered

by Root: "Provided the auction is right, a good rule of thumb is to overbid by 3 points [ in pass out seat] ; pretend you have an extra King in your hand and bid accordingly to the rest of the auction."

b) W: 1¨ N: P E: P  S: ?

As South you hold

ª: AJ6

©: A94

¨: 732

§: QT75

While you would never contemplate doubling with this hand over a direct 1♦ bid, in the passout seat, again the rules change and partner, as we shall see, will take into account that you are making a balancing double. (Remember North may hold:

ª: KQx  ©: KQxx  ¨: KJxx  §: xx and NOT be able to bid over 1¨ as we shall see later.)

c) Do we always double only with weak hands? NO!

Here is a hand from Root's "Commonsense Bidding".

W: 1¨ N:P  S: P N: ?

As South you hold

ª: AQJ93

©: 72

¨: 84

§: AKQ5

As Root say, " You must OVERBID your strong hands too." While in the direct seat over 1¨ you would overcall 1ª, when you add 3 HCP, you are know looking at a 20 HCP hand. Thus it is too strong for a simple overcall in the balancing seat so you would first double with the intention of bidding you long suit after.

Thus we come to an important point regarding balancing doubles. With STRONG hands, adding our 3 HCP, we first double and then bid just as we do with regular takeout doubles where one holds 17+ HCP and first doubles then bids. Only in this way will partner know that your balancing bid is indeed based on SOLID VALUES.

d) Now here is another example when you hold a fairly good hand but DO NOT DOUBLE!

W: 1§ N: P S:P S:?

As South you hold

ª: AT6

©: K5

¨: 732

§: KQJ98

While a bid of 1NT in the balancing seat is conceivable, take your sure plus? You are likely to beat 1§.  You cannot double though for this would be for TAKEOUT, not a penalty double.

2. BALANCING TAKEOUT BIDS- OVERCALLS

a) Here again we add the magic 3 HCP to give us the liberty to overcall with less in the balancing seat than over a direct bid.

W:1§  N: P  E:P  S:?

As South you hold

ª:  83

©: AJT82

¨: K85

§: 974

Over a direct 1§ by West you would NOT overcall 1© as this would promise 5+ hearts and 10+ HCP. Here as South you have 8 HCP, but with the magic 3 HCP you add to your hand, you are safe to bid 1©.

b) With overcalls in the pass out seat, Lawrence cautions that the less HCPs you have, the better you suit must be. As well, he distinguishes between an overcall at match point scoring and IMPs. For example:

W: 1§ N: P  E: P  S:?

As South you hold:

ª : AJ875

© : 72

¨ : Q97

§ : 742

Why would you pass this hand at IMP scoring and as an "aggressive player, according to Lawrence, bid 1ª with this same hand. Here we venture into the territory of SOLID OVERCALLS being that much more important at IMP scoring as the risks in being doubled versus 1§ making are just not worth it at IMP scoring. The swing is +70 for 1§ making and a minimum of -100 non vul and - 200 vul for 1ª going down. A gain of even +170 ( as your opponents in the team game are free to make their simple 1§) is 5 IMPs , a nice gift to your opponents!  Indeed just imagine West making a re-opening double over your 1ª and East sitting with:

ª: KQT964

©: T8

¨: 83

§: 876

When West makes her re-opening double, East may be delighted to sit for 1ª doubled and with now let's make it even more disastrous by peeking into West's hand!

ª: 32

©: AKJ2

¨: AJT

§: AQT9

This is not a pretty picture for South at all!

3. BALANCING NOTRUMPS

Typically our notrump range is 15-17 HCP. We use this when opening a notrump, add a HCP 15-18 when overcalling a notrump (W: 1♦ N: 1NT) and to show an even stronger notrump, a takeout double followed by 1N shows a strong 18-19 HCP. Now we come to our fourth category of notrumps, the balancing notrump.

a) W: 1§  N: P  E: P  S: P

As South you hold

ª: Kxx ©: Kxx  ¨: KJx  §: QJxx

Here with 13 HCP you would never dream of opening 1NT or making a direct notrump overcall with this hand. But, alas, in the balancing or takeout seat, our range now becomes (although by partnership agreement it varies) 12- 14 HCP.

b) What do we do in the passout seat when we have our regular 15-17 HCP notrump?

W: 1©  N: P  E: P  S:?

As South you hold:

ª: AJx  ©: KQx  ¨: QJxx  §: Kxx

Now in the pass out seat we hold 16 HCP with stoppers in West's suit. Thus we first double and then bid 1NT. In this way we show our regular 15-17 HCP notrump.

4. THE UNSUAL NOTRUMP AND THE BALANCING SEAT

Welcome to the new world of balancing where there is NO SUCH ENTITY AS THE UNSUAL NOTRUMP IN THE BALANCING SEAT!

W: 1© N: P E: P  S:?

As South you hold:

ª:  AJT

©: KJ2

¨: AQ98

§: KQ5

While as North you would double with this 20 HCP hand and plan to bid again, here we bid 2NT in the balancing seat. The Unusual Notrump is NOT used in the balancing position; rather 2NT now shows a balanced hand, stopper(s) in the opponent's bid suit with 19-21 HCPs.

Do we always have to balance with a double, overcall or bid in the balancing seat?

W: 1§ N: P E: P S: ?

As South you hold:

ª: 98

©: A7

¨: T9652

§: J87

With 8 HCP, even after the imaginary additional 3 HCP, you do not have the strength to overcall your ratty diamond suit, to double or dare contemplate a balancing 1NT. Here you have a clear, smooth pass - the hardest bid in bridge!

RESPONDING TO PARTNER'S BALANCING BIDS

When your partner overcalls or doubles in the balancing seat, remember she is consistently overbidding by 3 HCP. Thus as responder to such a bid, you must underbid by about 3 HCP.

1. RESPONDING TO A BALANCING DOUBLE

In responding to a balancing takeout double there are some options, including one that wasn't really viable until now.

Bidding over partner's double should normally mark you with a decent hand, some values, but not enough to have opened the auction. You did pass at your first turn, didn't you?
But consider this:

1♣     P     P     DBL
 P      ?

If you hold:  S Kx  H KTx  D xxx  C AQTxx

With tolerance for the OPPONENT'S suit, PASS! What you have done here is CONVERT your partner's BALANCING DOUBLE to a PENALTY DOUBLE.

1♦     P     P     DBL
 P      ?

You hold:  S KQxx  H Jxx  D xxx  C AJx

Root suggests a 2♠ bid. You should have 10 -12 points to jump to the two level. Holding a king less (7-9 points) you bid 1♠.

2. RESPONDING TO A BALANCING 1NT

1♠     P     P     1NT
 P      ?

The 1NT bid shows 12-14. There may be a chance for game but not with your typical 8-9 HCP invitational hand over a strong notrump. Rather, you will need 12-14 to invite; thus, you have passed with an opening hand because you had no convenient bid. For example, West opened 1♠ and holding S: AKxx H: Qxx D: KJxx C: xx, you could not bid over 1♠.

There is good reason to keep systems on over a balancing notrump. However, remember that "systems on" is ALERTABLE and also remember the balancing notrump isn't 15-17 in this auction. Maintaining systems over balancing 1NT is BY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.

However,
1♣     P     P     DBL
 P     1♥    P     1NT

Shows a stronger hand by partner, more like 15-17 HCP. Doubling followed by a bid  is considered a stronger action than bidding first, then doubling, as in the case of an initial double followed by a 1NT bid.  Thus over partner's 1NT bid after a double, you now re-evaluate your hand and with 8-9 HCP can invite, or bid game with 10+ HCP. Note that partner's 1NT denies a holding of four hearts in this auction. Again "systems on" over such a 1NT is both ALERTABLE and by PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.

3. RESPONDING TO A BALANCING OVERCALL

In the following auction:

1♣        P            P         1♠
 P        2♠

Root suggests a range of 7-11 HCP for a single raise. A typical maximum hand looks something like this:

S    Q 10 7 5
H    K 5 4
D    K 9 5
C    K 8 3

While a minimum would look like:

S     K 8 7
H     A 10 9 5
D     4 2
C     Q 9 7 3

Note that each of the hands has at least 3-card support for partner.

A double raise shows 12-14, and in this case FOUR card trump support.

Responding to a balancing suit bid by bidding notrump shows the following ranges:
1NT      shows between 9 and 12 points;
2NT      shows 12-14
3NT      shows a bigger hand than 2NT (15+)

All of these bids SHOULD have a stopper in the opponent's suit, and tolerance for partner's suit.

As always, if you suspect a misfit auction, get out as quickly as possible.

So far, we have dealt strictly with constructive auctions (only your side is bidding). In real life, you will have opponents at the table, and many auctions will be competitive. Both sides may have a share of the high card strength and/or a good suit. Accuracy in competitive bidding is the lifeblood of success at bridge.

You should be familiar with your possible actions when the bidding is opened by your right hand opponent: the overcall, the jump overcall, the preempt, the 1NT overcall, the takeout double, the cue bid, and finally, but by no means the least important, pass.

There are many possible benefits from entering the opponents' auction, but there are obvious dangers as well.

We will discuss entering the auction even though the opponents have made the first bid. We will also talk about how high you should compete if the auction becomes competitive.

First, let's examine an important concept called "balancing."

WHEN THE OPPONENTS STOP BIDDING AT A LOW LEVEL, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY FIND A GOOD TRUMP SUIT, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BACKING INTO THE AUCTION EVEN IF YOU WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE ANY DIRECT ACTION BEFORE.

There are two aims:

a) To find a makeable contract of our own.
b) To drive the opposition one level higher so we have a better chance to defeat them.

4.WHEN YOU SHOULD BALANCE?

The safest time is when the opponents have found a fit and do not even make a game try.

 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
     P        1♥        P        2♥
     ?

North has 12-15 HCP and South has 6-9. With 16+ North would make a trial bid (a bid looking for help in a particular suit other than trump - a HELP SUIT BID) in case South has 9. Therefore the opponents have between 18 and 24 HCP. The average is 21, so that we also could have about half the points. We should then strive to compete for the part score.

A "balancing" action is often very safe; your side must have a share of the high card strength when the opponents stop low; and the fact that they have a trump suit makes it likely that your side has one also. If they have 8 hearts then we have 5 among our combined 26 cards. That leaves 21 cards to be distributed among 3 suits: 7-7-7, 8-7-6, 9-6-6, etc… We have at least at least a 4-3 fit in our trump suit with good chances of an 8-card fit. All we have to do is find it.

IT IS LOSING TACTICS TO LET THE OPPONENTS PLAY IN COMFORT AT THE ONE OR TWO LEVEL. A BALANCING BID OR (TAKEOUT) DOUBLE BY YOU MAY GET YOUR SIDE TO A MAKABLE CONTRACT OR DRIVE THE OPPONENTS TO A LEVEL WHERE YOU CAN SET THEM.

Look at this situation:

        EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
          1♥      Pass       2♥      Pass
         Pass       ?

You, South, must choose an action with:

1. S QJxxx  H xx  D Kxx  C Qxx

You weren't strong enough to overcall with 1♠ immediately, but now it is correct to balance with 2♠.The opponents have shown no interest in game, so they have at most 23 HCP and might have as few as 19 or 20. Partner, therefore, is marked with some values, perhaps as much as an opening bid! (Why didn't North act over 2♥ if her hand was worth opening? With a defensively oriented hand containing scattered points, especially points in the opponents' suit, but lacking tricks, she might choose to wait.) It is, in fact, safer to bid 2♠ now than it would have been to overcall at your first turn. And you may drive the opponents to 3H, where your chances for a plus score will be greater. Or you may make 2♠, if they let you play it.

a)         EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
              1♥      Pass     2♥      Pass
             Pass        ?

You hold: S Ax H Axxx D KJ10xxxx C void

Bid 3♦. A 2♦ overcall would have been dangerous, but this is relatively safe.

b)                  S KJ10x  H Axxx  D Jxx  C xx

Bid 2♠. You would rather have five spades. However, partner is short in hearts
(assuming they have an 8 card fit), so she probably has some spade length.

c) S Kxxx  H xx  D Axxx  C Qxx

Double. This double is for takeout (even though it is not your first turn to
double a heart bid). When the opponents stop low and you reopen the bidding
with a balancing double, your double is not for penalties. This is an exception to the rules about doubles for penalty vs. takeout.

d) S xxx  H QJx  D Kxxx  C: Kxxx

This time you must pass. You have more than enough points to balance, but your points are the wrong ones. The HQ and HJ will be worthless to your side if you declare, and since you possess those cards, your chances of finding partner with some values that will be useful are decreased. It is too dangerous to balance.

e)  S x  H Ax  D Kxxxx  C QJxxx
Bid 2 NT. This is a conventional bid. You couldn't want to bid 2NT to play here. You would have overcalled 1NT before, or you would now pass and settle for a small profit if you had a balanced hand with heart strength.

2NT here is played as "Unusual," and it asks partner to take her choice of the minor suits.

WHEN PARTNER BALANCES. REMEMBER THAT HE COUNTED ON YOU FOR SUBSTANTIAL VALUES. YOU MUST NOT COMPETE FURTHER, TRY FOR GAME, DOUBLE IF THE OPPONENTS BID ON, OR TAKE ANY AGGRESSIVE ACTION UNLESS YOUR HAND CONTAINS EXTRA HIGH CARDS OR UNUSUALLY GOOD DISTRIBUTION.

Let's look at some examples:

1. EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
      1♥       Pass     Pass      1♠
    Pass         ?

S AJx  H Jxx  D Kxxx  C Axx
Pass. If partner had overcalled in the direct seat, you would have tried for
game. But she could have as little as 7 HCP for her balancing overcall.

2. EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
       1♥      Pass   Pass     Double
      Pass       ?
S AJxx  H Axxx  D Qxx  C xx

Bid only 1♠. You would have jumped in response to a direct takeout double,
but here partner could be very light. Remember, she expects you to have at
least a fair hand.

3. EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
                            1♥       Pass
     2♥      Pass     Pass       2♠

     3♥         ?

S AQx  H Qxx  D Kxxx  C Jx

Pass. Partner bid your hand when he tried 2♠. Be grateful that you now get to
defend 3♥ instead of 2♥. Partner's balance has accomplished its purpose,so
you must not punish her by taking action.

5. WHEN NOT TO BALANCE

We have already seen a couple of times when it may be wrong to balance:

- when you have a strong holding in the opponents' suit
- when you fear they may find a better suit if you balance
- when you have values in their suit that will be wasted if your side declares the hand.

Another situation is when the opponents stop low, but the auction suggests they do NOT have a fit. In that case, the deal may be a misfit all the way around, and any balancing action is very dangerous.

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
  1♦      Pass      1♠        Pass
  2♦      Pass      2♠        Pass
Pass        ?

As South. you hold: S Kxx  H KJ9xxx  D Qxx  C x

The opponents could have as many as 24 HCP. They could have stopped bidding
in fear of a misfit. Furthermore, you have no reason to believe that your side has any fit.Opener could have six diamonds and four hearts, responder could have six spades and three hearts, and North could be void in hearts!

The time to balance freely is when the opponents have a good fit. Here a balancing action could get you heavily penalized.

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
  1♦      Pass     1NT      Pass
Pass       ?
S x  H Axx  D Qxx  C KJ9xxx
Pass. West should have length in clubs since she failed to raise diamonds or bid a major suit. Partner's length is in spades, since the opponents failed to find a fit in that suit.

Let's review the principles of balancing:

WHEN THE OPPONENTS STOP BIDDING AT A LOW LEVEL, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE A FIT, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BALANCING WITH AN OVERCALL OR A TAKEOUT DOUBLE. IF YOUR PARTNER BALANCES, REMEMBER THAT SHE IS BIDDING YOUR CARDS. TAKE NO STRONG ACTION UNLESS YOU HAVE AN UNUSUAL HAND.

If the opponents' auction goes: 1♣ - 2♣ or 1♦ - 2♦, you will probably balance about 80% of the time; and you will often balance if they open and raise in a major suit and stop at the two level.
Another common situation is when an opening bid on your left is passed around to you. Let's list the possible balancing actions and compare them with the requirements for the same action in the direct position.

Action                 Balancing (Passout seat)                Direct Seat
Overcall              Less than an opening bid,               About an opening bid, maybe

                            as little as 7 HCP.                            a little more.
Jump                  Good six or seven card suit;           Good suit, poor high card strength.

                           about an opening bid in high

                           cards.
1NT                   10-14 HCP, balanced pattern,         16-18 HCP, balanced pattern

                           usually a stopper in the                      always a stopper in the
                           opponent's suit.                                  opponent's suit.
XTakeout          8-9 HCP or more. Close to an

Double              opening bid in high cards or
                           more.
Cuebid              A freakish one or two suited hand      A hand that would have opened

                           that will probably produce game.        with a forcing two bid. Great

                                                                                           defensive and playing strength

Avoid balancing actions when:

- - when you have such a strong holding in the opponent's suit that you are willing to defend (vulnerability is a consideration);
- when the opponents may be better off in some other suit;
- when the opponents have stopped low but the auction suggests they do not have a fit; or, in close cases
- when you have values in the opponents' suit that will be useless if your
side declares the hand.