Friday, February 21, 2003 5:17 PM

Punishing the Balancer

 

PITBULLS:

 

          Balancing in Bridge is an art form . With an ear to the bidding and the mysterious quality called table feel , you pick your double card out of the box . One thing to remember for the partnership is do not bid your hand twice. Partner is already bidding it for you by doubling so leave an escape hatch . Having said that , do not go overboard the other way and assume partner has nothing for her balance. She can still have a good hand .

 

           The Q bid has to have a different meaning in direct action rather than balancing actions. If you double directly and Q bid you are on a game force. Q bidding after a balancing double just means you have a good hand but you are not on a game force . There is an additional responsibility on the balancer to indicate a good hand if she has one rather than a straight balance. This may involve jumping or taking control of the hand to show your strength .

 

          Say the auction goes 2♠  pass pass and then a balancing double. You have this hand :

 

Q

Q

A

A

x

x

J

x

 

x

x

x

 

x

 

x

 

 

 

 

        You decided not to bid directly over 2♠ and now partner balances with a double. You Q bid to show your 13 points and see if partner can bid 3NT or 4 hearts . You hear 4♣ by partner . Now what ? Does she have a good hand and are we on a  game force ?  No , the balancer now has the unknown hand and she must indicate it by leaping to game if there is one . You have to allow an escape hatch for a minimum balance. You should pass 4♣ as the balancer has bid your 13 points already .

 

          If partner balances , you should show your strength immediately by Q bidding and jumping and leave the balancer in control of the auction. This is the concept that one partner knows more about the auction then the other . The balancer knows your hand since you have jumped or Q bid but you do not know the strength of her balance.

 

x

K

K

K

 

J

10

Q

 

x

9

J

 

 

x

x

 

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

        Say you balanced with this hand in the above auction and partner Q bid 3♠ . You  can not just bid 4♣ over the Q bid . Partner shows 13 points or more and you  have enough for game . You must take control of the hand and bid what you think you can make . You can not just bid 4♣ as that will be passed . You can re Q bid but that is aggressive and might get you to a bad slam . Bid 5♣ immediately.