Tuesday, August 01, 2006 1:24 AM

Hand Evaluation – Tactics ( Passed Hand )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            Most experts “show where they live” with 3rd or 4th seat opening bids , by bidding a 4 card major rather than a bad minor. This means instead of opening shaky 3 or 4 card minors , they open 4 card majors for leads when their values are located there. If also follows that the passed hand partner is not under a severe obligation to respond a poor 4 card major. We believe that showing your balanced distribution with HCP’s  is the first goal in bidding. Especially true when you are a passed hand. Finding your 4-4 major fits can come later. As a passed hand , I feel a 2NT bid to a minor can & probably should contain a 4 card major(s).

 

            Partner in 3rd or 4th seat might be opening light , so she does not need you to bid a shaky 4 card major . That contract might be  where you might play the hand as she bails out with a pass. She also quite often wants to judge between a tight game or a partial , so bidding a weak 4 card major might give her the impression that the hands do not fit well,  when in reality they do.

 

            Here is a hand from a Vanderbilt where one pair bid the hand “after my own heart” . All tables passed ♠xxxx ♥Axxx ♦xxx ♣AK  although 3 defensive tricks nobody wanted to open 1♦ first seat vul. Partner opens 1♦ in 3rd seat , so what do you bid ? At most tables they bid their majors up the line. One enterprising player made my bid which was 2NT. I have a balanced hand 11 HCP and 7 HCP in clubs with a partial diamond fit. Partner with ♠Kxxx ♥Kxx ♦AQJ109x ♣void bid 3NT on the basis of the 6 card diamond suit. +600 against 4♠ down 2 vul at the other table for a huge pickup.

 

            Sure this is one hand , but when good 4 card majors are routinely opened in 3rd & 4th seat , the incentive to respond bad 4 card majors is just not there. Show your HCP’s and distribution with a NT bid. You will find your major fit later if opener is strong enough to bid a major. If partner is weak , play it in a NT contract rather than your 4-4 major fit . This is not a disaster in IMPS like it may be in matchpoints.