Tuesday, November 05, 2002 1:47 AM

Hand Evaluation – Forcing NT ( Improving Partials )

PITBULLS:

Continuing with our discussion on the forcing NT as far the “you do not try to improve partials” mentality in IMPS. Partner opens a spade and you hold :

♠xx ♥xx ♦KQJ10x ♣J10xx You bid your forcing 1NT , partner bids the expected 2♥ – what now ?

In IMPS you do not try to improve partials by going to the 3 level . You are forced to bid 2♠ because you are not strong enough to bid 3♦ .Anyway I have had this “you do not improve partials” mentality in IMPS for a quarter of a century so it works well in practice. Match point hounds may have a different view by playing 3 level “rescue bids” of partials might be the right strategy . Discipline is required in IMPS though , so a pass or a weak preference is the correct bid . This philosophy is something that needs to be hashed out with partner . Tom and I have got around this problem of improving partials after a forcing NT. By playing 2/1 non forcing to game after a major, when the suit is rebid , we can rescue partials. This understanding has an inference now that all bids are for improving partials or we would have made a 2/1 in the first place

♠xx ♥x ♦AKJxxx ♣J10xx Now you are strong enough to bid 3♦ as partner now knows that you have invitational values so with her 15 HCP hand may bid 3NT .

What are the merits of bidding 2NT with this hand thereby saving 3♦ for weaker hands to try for a better partial ? In match points maybe , that is the best way to go about it. In IMPS – do not improve the partial unless you have invitational values . For added re-enforcement partners hand is ♠AKxxx ♥Axxx ♦Qxxx ♣void so you have a good play for 7♦. A 2NT rebid with the above hand would not get you near a diamond slam . A 5NT bid by opener is not out of the question after a 3♦ bid that shows invitational values .

You hold ♠x ♥QJ10xxx ♦xxx ♣KJx and partner opens 1♠ . You bid 1NT and partner bids 2♠ . In IMPS do you bid 3♥ ? No , you are not strong enough . You go with the odds that there is duplication of value in spades so you do not improve the partial by passing 2♠ ( although you can construct hands where 4♥ would be cold ).

Say your hand is improved ♠x ♥KQJxxx ♦xxx ♣Axx so now you have a 3♥ bid . Good thing because you hit partner with

♠Axxxxx ♥Axx ♦x ♣KQx and 1430 in hearts is virtually lay down

How about the 7 card suits that you know your hand would be useless in partners suit ?

♠x ♥xx ♦Jxx ♣KQJxxxx I would like to have an understanding with partner that we can get out with these kind of hands . Partner opens 1♠ so you bid your 1NT . Partner bids 2♥ , you make an overbid of 3♣ . Partner thinks you have something and bids 3NT . 4♣ now should say I was just fooling with my 3♣ bid , please do not punish me . These auctions are for 7 or more cards in the suit . Playing 2/1 non forcing to game , I bid 2♣ going in.

The problem hand that really rears its ugly head is this one below.

♠x ♥KQJ109xx ♦xx ♣xxx Partner opens 1♠ , you bid your 1NT but partner bids 2♠ . Again with the 7 card suit rule I make the overbid of 3♥ . With a totally disgusting hand , partner will pass 3♥ but if she bids 3NT, you convert to 4♥. I think a direct 4♥ jump over a spade with this hand is a little optimistic. Again I would bid 2♥ , 3♥ playing 2/1 non forcing when suit rebid.

. Comments ?