Monday, October 13, 2003 3:19 PM

Unassuming Q Bids

 

PITBULLS:

 

          Unassuming Q bids get the name because partner is not to assume that you are showing a control by Q bidding . If there ever was a “depending on context” bid the unassuming Q bid is it . The direct Q bid flashes the dual signal that we have a fit and I have undisclosed values . With a minor fit established , the unassuming Q bid turns into the “Western Q bid” which asks partner to bid 3NT with a stopper .

 

          We all play Q bids to show limit raise or better in partner suit. Like 2nd doubles in Bridge which show extra , the 2nd Q bid does the same thing. Either you had extra or a bid partner made has improved your hand so you inform partner of that by making a 2nd unassuming Q bid.

 

          The unassuming Q bid is a very handy bid to say to partner we have a major suit fit without really supporting partner directly. The most common use for the bid is after takeout doubles where you must confirm we have found a major suit fit . In addition I have values and am maximum for my previous bidding.

 

          Two hands from yesterday really show the usefulness of the unassuming Q bid . First a Maurice and Susan auction.

 

xx J10xx Qx A109xx       1♠-X-P-?         

 

Do you bid 2♥ or 2♣ ? . I think this hand is worth two bids in a competitive situation so I prefer 2♣ . I will back in with hearts later and I have informed partner that I have some  values in light of not jumping earlier. If I had nothing I would bid 2♥ and shut up unless partner forcers me to bid.

 

          Anyway Susan did bid 2♣ and partner now bids 2♥ !! Your hand in support of hearts is a monster considering you only bid 2♣ previously. How do I show partner that he has struck gold ? Unassuming Q bid to the rescue. The only reason I can Q bid now when I did not previously is that we found a major suit fit. A jump to 4♥ should say that we can make game but since we are jamming the auction it should lack a control. You confirm the fit by bidding 2♠ and partner Q bids 3♦ and you Q bid 4♣ which causes partner to bid 6♥ which is cold. If you had a stiff spade with the same hand, you could bid 3♠ instead of 2♠ and partner would get the message.

 

          A Lorna/BJ  auction shows another auction where unassuming Q bid works well. The auction goes

 

                      1♠-X-P-3♦

                       P-3♥-P-?            x J9x J1098xx AKx   

 

 You want to bid 4♥ but you too strong in light of your previous bid to do so . 4♥ sounds like you were forced to bid it by partner. This is not the context where you can bid 4♣ as an advanced Q bid as partner will always think you just bidding a suit without heart support . The unassuming Q bid to the rescue . Bid 3♠ and partner knows that you have heart support and you leave room for Q bidding. Partner bids 4♥ and now you bid 5♣ or 4NT with 6♥ being cold when you get there.

 

          Tom and I had a hand that shows unassuming Q bids in action. .  Tom held Kxxxx A AKxxxx x  and my first Q bid should show a limit raise or better in diamonds

 

1♥-2♦-P-2♥

 X-2♠-3♥-4♥

 p-?   .

 I chose to make a 2nd unassuming Q bid as he must have made a bid that improves my hand further. I probably feel that I am too strong to bid 4♠ . If that’s the case , you can leap to 6♦ giving me a choice of contracts. I convert to 6♠ with A1098 J10x QJ AKxx . The play is simple as the opponents opened a non opener with QJxx KQxxxx x Qx . All this does is locate cards for Tom. Tom and I have 29 HCP between us so its pretty simple to play the vul “opener” for the rest of the HCP’s and play the spades correctly to make our spade slam.

 

          Here is the ultimate unassuming Q bid auction where you use 4NT to show a spade Q bid. 3♠-4♥-P-4♠  P-4NT-P-?      xxx J AKxx AQ10xx

 

When 4♠ is an unassuming Q bid just to show a strong hand ,  use 4NT to show a spade Q bid as it does not change the level of bidding. It can not be Blackwood as partner does not what is going on with partners unassuming Q bid action and he is captain of the ship. The 4♥ bidder held void AKQ10xx QJxx KJx  and a grand slam can be investigated.

 

          The trouble with “depending on context” bids is that partner has to be on the same wavelength as you are . Knowing the difference between unassuming Q bids & control showing Q bids is a bidding skill. That is what established partnerships are all about though. Understandings and treatments enrich the language of bidding. With this increased bidding vocabulary , you paint a better of your hand and exceptional Bridge results follow.