Thursday, November 09, 2006 2:34 AM

The Bully Suit II

PITBULLS:

The spade suit being the highest ranking suit in Bridge tends to “bully” auctions. The spade suit at the 2 level by the opponents forces auctions to the uncomfortable 3 level. Experts are fighting back with NT still even higher ranking in the game of Bridge. You lose something , of course, by using 2NT as scrambling when after a double you scramble over 2♠ with 2NT . Also , the good-bad 2NT happens when they bid 2♠ in the sandwich position so that you can show the difference between just competing or an invitational hand. 2NT used as a club transfer completes the use of artificial 2NT’s. 2NT as natural in competition is becoming extinct.

Eric Kokish says to go all the way and play 2NT in the direct position as artificial also when they bid 2♠ as a weak jump overcall. 1♥-2♠-2NT . After a minor opener , the goal is to get to 3NT so 2NT should remain natural. A major opener complicates things , as you do not want to be shut out of the auction with a single suited minor . You do not want to force to game either or use a negative double to introduce one suit.. 1♥-2♠-3♣/♦ should be a game force but I hate making a negative double with a single suited minor. Jumping to the 4 level with these hands are a little much also.

Borrowing a page from Rubensohl , Kokish says use 2NT as a club transfer over both auctions 1♥-2♠-2NT & 1♠-2♥-2NT . This way , unless partner super-accepts you can just drop the auction there or continue if you have a game forcing hand. 3♣ is a transfer to diamonds so this unleashes 3♦ as a limit raise in hearts and 3♥ as just competitive. Kokish writes make 3♠ as an all purpose splinter with 3NT asking where it is located and play a jump to the 4 level as a fit showing jump.

To get all this you just throw away 2NT directly as natural. As usual , you return the favour & bully the spade suit with NT. These hand types would be described with a point showing double or a bold leap to 3NT. This system defines the negative double narrower as it can not be a one suited minor or support for partner. The double must have both unbid suits or “cards” suitable for NT. This is how we play negative doubles anyway.

The power of transfers are unleashed with Rubensohl and after a T/O double of a major. This is still another area where transfers in competition makes sense. Relays and transfers are used by experts to fix difficult auctions. Contending with the “bully suit” in competition is a difficult challenge.