Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:39 AM

Hand Evaluation - HCP’s ( Soft Values )

PITBULLS:

As every Bridge player knows , not all HCP’s are created equal. Controls ( quick tricks ) are more suitable for suit contracts . Soft values (queens & jacks ) & combinations thereof are more suitable for NT. In fact , this is another way of classifying hand types in Bridge. This HCP classification is still another advantage of playing new suit 2NT as an alternative to 4^th suit forcing. The new suit 2NT can show the softer value hands with a fit for partners minor & the 4^th suit can show a more control orientated hand with a fit for partners minor. A new inference for 4^th suit forcing has appeared. 4^th suit forcing now shows controls as opposed to soft values suitable for NT.

Here is a hand that shows this advantage of playing 2NT as a ”new suit” and forcing one round. ♠Jx ♥10x ♦AKxxx ♣AJ9x opposite ♠A10xx ♥Axx ♦xx ♣KQ10x . Partner opens 1♦ , you respond a spade. Partner rebids 2♣ so now what ? This is the wrong hand to bid 2NT as a “new suit”. You are all controls so if partner has Qxx of hearts , it is better that she bid the NT. I would bid 2♥ as a 4^th suit. Partner can not bid NT so you end up in 5♣ for +600 when 3NT has only 8 tricks !!

Same opening hand & auction but this time give you ♠A10xx ♥KJ10 ♦xx ♣KQ10x so this time you bid 2NT. With the first hand , partner bids 3NT so this time 3NT makes & 5♣ fails. Note the advantage of controls vrs soft HCP’s as the determining factor in these auctions. Now for the ultimate advantage of new suit 2NT , minor suit slams. Give the opener ♠x ♥Axx ♦AKxxx ♣AJ9x so over 2NT she “patterns out” by bidding 3♥. Responder now knows there is zero duplication of value in spades & that she has extra. 7♣ has chances and 6♣ is virtually untouchable.

I was reviewing some Bridge Worlds from the 1960’s . In those days, 2NT by responder was a game force. In the 1970’s , with the introduction of the dreaded 4^th suit forcing , 2NT by responder became invitational. In the modern era , 2NT as a new suit by responder is forcing one round . A compromise between those two old treatments. Playing 2NT as a one round force is obviously the best treatment for IMPS. Stopping in 2NT on a dime in IMPS is a bigger gamble than carrying on to 3NT.

There is no advantage to 2NT in IMPS being non forcing & invitational unless you want to play in 2NT as a contract. In IMPS , 3 of your minor is a safer contract anyway. The advantages of this treatment outweigh the disadvantages by a country mile.