Monday, July 12, 2004 5:18 PM

Balancing over the Minors

PITBULLS:

Balancing after one of a minor gets passed around to you sounds simple but it is not . You need a structure that identifies the majors quickly and not overload the double with too many hand types. Tom Gandolfo suggests the following :

Double 15+ balanced or 4-4-4-1 etc One suited hands stronger than an intermediate jump .

1♠ - 4 or more spades 10 HCP to under intermediate range . This bid covers two suited hands under 15 HCP.

2♠ - probably 6 with an intermediate hand

1♥ - 4 or more hearts 10 HCP to under intermediate range. This bid covers two suited hands under 15 HCP.

2♥ - probably 6 with an intermediate hand

* 1♦ - 10 HCP to under intermediate range . Shows 4-4 in the majors either 4-4-4-1 or 4-4-3-2 under a double range.

- No equivalent after a diamond opener ( pick a 4 card major to bid )

Tom advocates using the same “mapping” idea used by our structure over 1NT bids for balancing also. Clubs means minors and diamonds mean majors when we balance at the two level in a minor.

2♦ over 1 ♣ 5-5 in the majors

2♣ over 1♣ 5-5 in the minors ( includes their suit )

2♦ over 1♦ 5-5 majors

2♣ over 1♦ 5-5 minors ( includes their suit )

1NT - 13-14+ HCP with 4-4 in the majors ( 4-4-3-2 ) prefer a major suit balance rather then 1NT .

- Includes the intermediate club/diamond hands ( flat 5-3-3-2 or 6-3-2-2)

- 2NT invitational

- 2♣ asks to describe hand & 2NT shows intermediate clubs & 2♦ is intermediate diamonds . Bid major if present.

2NT – 18 -19 HCP systems on

3NT – Gambling

Jump Q ( 3♣/3♦ ) Good two suited major hand can be 6-5

Jump in major at 3 level – 6 of major & 4 or longer minor & good playing hand

- 3♠ over 3♥ asks to describe hand

- 4♣ over 3♠ asks to describe hand

- 3NT directly always to play

3♣ over 1♦ - 6 clubs , intermediate hand & too distributional for 1NT balance 

3♦ over 1♣ - 6 diamonds , intermediate hand & too distributional for 1NT balance