Sunday, June 25, 2006 8:11 PM

Hand Evaluation – Systemic ( 2/1 Major Fit )

PITBULLS:

One of the strengths of natural bidding is the ability to show distribution by “patterning out”. Artificial bidding & Q bids detract from this one fundamental advantage . There is one sequence that comes up time & time again. One of a major followed by a 2/1 & supporting partners major by the two level. Since the sequence comes up so often , why not have some standard 2/1 understandings associated with this auction at the 3 level ?

The correct game or a good slam is obviously the goal so let’s unleash the power of natural bidding in these auctions. Since the two level bid is unlimited , most of us play courtesy Q bids at this juncture. Instead , lets demand that opener show her distribution at this stage instead. Let’s decree that all bids are natural by the opening bid now at the 3 level. She must bid her fragment to show a 5-4-3-1 or a 6-4-3-0 or rebid her 2^nd suit to show a 5-5 . Since we are at the two level , 2NT can show a 5-3-3-2 or 5-4-2-2 . Opener is not allowed to Q bid at the 3 level initially after the fit is found.. Q bidding can commence at a higher level. The 4 level is reserved for Q bids or slam bids so let’s make that agreement with these 2/1 auctions.

Here is an auction that shows the power of natural bidding instead of ambiguous Q bids.

♠KQJxxx ♥QJ10x ♦A10x ♣void

1♠-P-2♣-P

2♥-P-2♠-P

3♦ 3♦ is not an ambiguous Q bid but opener is “patterning out” . This obviously shows a singleton or void in clubs. This is the default understanding.

Responder has ♠Axx ♥AKx ♦Jx ♣Q1098x so now knows that her cards are pulling full weight. She bids 3♥ , opener bids 3♠ & now a 4♥ Q bid so opener bids 4NT & on to 6♠. A 27 HCP slam with 3 HCP’s wasted !

Shaping out is getting a “free splinter” without having to jump to the 4 level. ♠AKxxx ♥Axxx ♦x ♣Kxx opp ♠QJx ♥Kx ♦xxx ♣AQJxx

1♠-P-2♣-P

2♥-P-2♠-P

3♣-P-4NT

Sometimes you can get to a better slam with this treatment. ♠Jxx ♥KQ ♦xx ♣AQJ10xx 6♣ is far superior to 6♠ so responder can suggest a choice of contracts.

Knowing opener is 5-5 instead of an ambiguous Q bid at the 3 level reaps dividends. ♠AKxxx ♥AQxxx ♦xx ♣x opp ♠QJx ♥Kx ♦AKxxx ♣Axx . Standard auction

1♠-P-2♦-P

2♥-P-2♠-P

3♥ I have the ♥A partner. Our auction – I am 5-5 or 6-5 partner. Responder knows she has the 2-1 covered so KCB & 7♠ awaits.

Knowing that partner is 6-4 is a tactical advantage . ♠AKxxxx ♥x ♦AQxx ♣xx opp ♠Qxx ♥Axx ♦Kx ♣AKJxx

1♠-P-2♣-P

2♦-P-2♠-P

3♠ 3♠ is shaping out rather than denying a control. Armed with this information , responder drives the contract to 7♠.

Forcing partner to show her distribution with this one auction may also drive the contract to 3NT instead of 4 of a major when you do not play the serious 3NT. A secondary minor fit might be found so a dual fit slam might be bid. Knowing partners distribution is a powerful advantage. You can either bid naturally or Q bid. You cannot do both. In these auctions at the 3 level only , you can force natural bidding by a partnership understanding.