Saturday, January 28, 2006 12:23 PM

Hand Evaluation – Minors ( The Aborting 4NT )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            Playing a minor rebid non forcing to game after a major opener has a number of advantages but naturally there are drawbacks also . One of the drawbacks is the necessity to play 4NT as a contract instead of 3NT. You have a nice 7 card club suit ( not solid ) with an opening hand . Partner opens a spade so you bid 2♣ with partner rebidding 2♥. You cannot bid 3♣ which is non forcing so you have a choice between 4♣ , 2 or 3NT & the 4th suit diamonds. 3♦ should be a waiting bid on this auction probably meaning you can or do not want to bid NT at the moment. This diamond bid is quite often the forcing 3♣ rebid hand . If partner bids NT in this auction , she must hold the diamond stopper & not you as in 4th suit forcing auctions.

 

            If you have a decent hand & want to suggest a club slam , you will eventually bid 4♣. 4NT by partner is to play which shows a lack of controls. Another bid after 4♣ accepts clubs as trump & is a Q bid. A 4♦ bid is Kickback agreeing clubs.  A direct 5♣ raise is a minimum with some controls. 

 

            I like to play an unnecessary jump in a 2/1 auction as a solid or semi-solid suit which sets the trump suit & is KCB.

 

1♠-P-2♣-P 

 2♥-P-4♣-P      

 

Contrast this minor jump with a jump in a major which may just be a good suit but not a slam try. 

 

            Kantar suggests using 4♦ by opener in these club auctions as Kickback for clubs & if diamonds the agreed suit 4♥ is Kickback . When you have 4NT in these particular auctions as an aborted slam try to play , you need some Ace asking tool. Therefore , the cheapest Q bid is not a Q bid  , but Kickback.

 

            1♠-P-2♣-P

           2♥-P-3♦-P

           3NT-P-4♣-P

           4♦                    this is Ace asking as partner made a slam try in clubs. 4♥ or 4♠ would be a Q bid.

 

            When one side “sets the suit” it is no use fighting with her & still insisting on your suits.

 

1♠-P-2♦-P

 2♥-P-4♦-P      KCB  as you did not move slowly with diamonds or bid a 4th suit.

 

 Minors & 4NT as Blackwood are not a good mix . Play 4NT as natural with “soft” values in these auctions.