2007-08-15 02:49

Hand Evaluation – Tactics ( Either/Or Bids )

PITBULLS:

In forcing to game 2/1 auctions , we have the understanding that 2NT by either partner is an either/or bid. 2NT may be the 12-14 HCP range or the 18-19 HCP range. The reason we have this 2/1 understanding is so that a leap to 3NT can always be a hand that evaluates to the strong NT range of 15-17. We are quite comfortable with this range playing strong NT opening bids. If we are going to pre-empt the auction, this range is easiest to handle.

Playing either /or bids of course introduces ambiguity which needs to be resolved. A push by either side to 4NT shows the dual nature of the 2NT bid. There also must be some fit understandings & KCB understanding associated with this duality. An auction in the minors , quite often introduce the dual nature of the 2NT bid. My partner & I had a disaster in the Calcutta due to not hashing out these sequences in advance.

1♦-P-2♣-P

2NT-P-3♦-P

In a 2/1 auction playing 5 card majors where 3 card minors are allowed , a 3♦ bid is a question to partner . Do you have diamonds or not ? If partner has diamonds , we may have a slam or game in diamonds rather than NT. If partner has 4♦ , she must Q bid whether she is minimum or maximum to answer the question , yes she has diamonds. A 3NT or 4NT bid says we have a flat hand with only 3 diamonds. Minor suit length is another ambiguity that must be handled. Can opener bid 4♦ after 3♦ ? Not with the minimum range 2NT bids , she cannot. She must Q bid. However, if you have the upper range hand , you can take control of the auction by bidding 4♦ which is KCB. Huge hands have KCB rights via the very nature they are strong in a forcing to game auction. If 2NT were always 12-14 , 4♦ would be just agreeing the suit at the 4 level & 4♥ by partner would be Kickback.

At first glance , it would appear that the 2NT bidder is “violating captaincy’ by taking control of the auction with KCB after describing her hand with 2NT. Not so , due to the dual nature of the 2NT bid. “Might is right” when it comes to KCB so on some hands taking control can be justified. Sometimes responder in these auctions does not remain captain.

Our entire system of 2NT bids by responder is an either /or bid now. If responder bids 2NT in non 2/1 auctions , directly or in competition , 2NT is a different type of either/or bid. The 2NT bid shows limit raise plus values. With this either/or structure , you just leave an escape hatch. Opener returns to the minor in case you have the 11 HCP, otherwise all bids by opener are forcing to game. This is similar to Jacoby 2NT allowing 3♣ as an escape hatch for the limit raise hands or inverted minors being limit raise +. The godfather 2NT by responder is a “new suit” showing limit raise or better values. 2NT by responder can never be passed playing this system. You do not get bonuses for playing 2NT in IMPS.

Your system should not have too many “either/or” bids as ambiguity is not a good idea. The dual nature of the bid always needs a way of escaping or clarification later. “Limit raise or better” is another ambiguity that needs to be resolved but it is quite workable. 2NT is the other most common systemic ‘either/or” bid. Be careful when you have ambiguous bids though.