2008-02-14 09:11


Hand Evaluation - Godfather Bids

 

PITBULLS:

 

            Received an E-mail from Steve Lawrence where he said ,  Have you heard of "Godfather Bids"  Its an "invitation that you can't refuse". The answer is yes , but we call them “new suit 2NT” . I guess godfather bids by definition can apply to any invitational sequence ,  but we limit them to the invitational 2NT only , right now. Same idea in that all 2NT bids by responder are invitational or better hands. All encompassing , in that a jump to 2NT by responder is limit raise or better so an invitation you can not refuse (for one round anyway). 2NT by responder after opener makes another bid at the two level , is also a one round force. A 2NT bid directly by responder in competition is also “godfather” & forcing to a rebid of openers minor or other escapes.

 

            Since a Godfather 2NT is forcing one round , you need a way to escape to a partial . We use hand patterns as our basis of escape. There are only a few hand patterns to consider after a response & a 2 level rebid by opener. Grannovetter recommends the 6-4 rule with those 6-4 hand patterns. Opener bid’s non forcing to game 6-4’s by rebidding your 6 card suit first. Forcing to game 6-4’s bid your 4 card suit first.  Forcing to game needs a definition as you only rebid at the two level initially. Opener makes this bidding decision based on whether she would accept a 2NT game invitational bid. OK , That’s easy.

 

            Rebidding your suit by opener for the 3rd time is of course a standard escape. This is of course bailing out to your suit after 2NT. Showing a 5-5 pattern after a 2NT response should also be non forcing,  if the 2NT bid may be invitational. . A forcing to game 5-5 by opener should be shown by jumping in your 2nd suit after 2NT . Patterning out with 5-4-3-1 hands are forcing to game. All other bids are forcing to game. With balanced opening hands , you must raise to 3NT & play them a la Meckwell.

 

1♦-P-1♠-P

2♦-P-2NT-P

3♣                     this is non forcing as it shows a 6-4 bid the “weak way”.

 

1♥-P-1♠-P

2♦-P-2NT-P

3♥                     this sequence is a game force as the 6-4 is shown the “strong way”.

 

♠x ♥xx ♦AKxxx ♣AKQxx         1♦-P-1♠-P

                                                      2♣-P-2NT-P

                                                      4♣-P- 4NT   is to play so 4♥ is kickback agreeing clubs & 4♠ Kickback agreeing diamonds.

 

 1♣-P-1♥-P

  2♣-P-2NT-P

  3♣-P-P-P                      

 

            Patterning out ( 4th suit by opener ) is the strength of this system & is a game force.

 

♠A10x ♥AKJxx ♦K109x ♣x      opposite       ♠KQJxx ♥Qx ♦Ax ♣J10xx

 

1♥-P-1♠-P

2♦-P-2NT-P

3♠-P-4NT-P

5♥-P-6♠-P

 

            Do not recommend “godfather” bids for matchpoints as you must be able to play in 2NT. In IMPS , who cares which partial we play ?