Saturday, September 13, 2003 9:52 PM

Hand Evaluation - The Opponents Suit

 

PITBULLS:

 

          Opponents open minors on xxx and respond a major on xxxx . Sometimes opponents psyche a suit which belongs to our side . What are the standard expert agreements to re-possess these suits  ?  The first instinct when you bid the opponents suit is that it is a Q bid . All exceptions to a Q bid have to agreed upon by the partnership. Here are the common understandings.

 

1) The Sandwich position . You have doubles and unusual NT to describe the unbid suits anyway so the Q bids are natural suits.  1♦-P-1♥-2♥  is natural as is 1♦-P-1♥-2♦   . You just do not need the Q bid .

 

2) Balancing bids – Why did you not Q bid initially ? 1♦-P-1NT-P   P-2♦     This should show diamonds with the understanding that 2♣ is always for the majors . This has to be discussed of course.

 

3) After a penalty pass – 1♦-X-P-P 1♥-P-P-?     xx xx KQ10xxxxx x   I would bid 3♦ which should be natural and show length.

 

4) Running from a penalty double -  You or your partner have been doubled in your own suit . Their suit is fair game to run to in order to escape.

 

5) Exposing psyches – The standard way is to double first and then bid their suit . There are a lot of standard “Psyche positions” for the opponents. When they pre-empt at the 2 or 3 level , over take out doubles , over our 2♣ bid etc . Double first and then bid the suit . These sequences are never Q bids . I repeat never Q bids.

 

6) Trapping and then bidding their suit shows that you have their suit.

 

7) You do not splinter when partner responds 1NT . A jump in their suit is natural.

1♣-1♠-P-1NT

P-3♣     is natural and invitational values

 

 

          You can not have your own way and describe your suit all the time . RHO opens 1♥ and you have Ax AKJ10xx Axx Kx  . Equal vul I would just pass and see what develops . Doubling later or bidding hearts later shows a heart trap . Doubling first and then bidding hearts does not show this hand. Passing first and bidding with a double does.   1♥-P-1♠-P 1NT-X

If you are vul against nv , double 1st and jump in hearts.

 

          What if you have xx xx xx AKQJ10xx and RHO bids 1♣? Should you bid 3♣ and is it natural? No , again you should pass first and then back in later with clubs if you feel it is a good idea. A direct jump to 3♣ asks partner to bid 3NT with a club stopper !!