2008-06-06 02:54

Hand Evaluation – Forcing NT ( Jump Rebids )

PITBULLS:

Playing the 3♣ multi-purpose strong jump shift has a very nice side effect. Hands in the 16-18 HCP range with poor suits do not have to be bid with a jump rebid in the major at the 3 level or 4 level with even more HCP’s . This is the hand evaluation concept of evaluating good suits rather than totaling HCP’s. You have ♠Axxxxx ♥Axx ♦AKx ♣Kx & open 1♠. Partner responds 1NT , you have 16-18 HCP so in standard bidding you bid 3♠. This is where you play the hand so you miss your +650 in hearts. Our bidding goes a 3♣ jump shift & a relay to 3♦ & a 3♠ bid . Warned that partner has HCP’s rather than a good suit , partner tries 4♥ & that ends the auction . Over 3♦ , opener would bid 4♠ with a good suit in that HCP range. Responders hand was ♠x ♥KJ10xx ♦xxxx ♣QJx . In addition , responder could have broke the relay to 3♥ with a good hand & 6♥ could be reached. A jump rebid in the majors with this understanding , shows a good suit not HCP’s. ♠AKQ10xx ♥KQx ♦xxx ♣x is a 3♠ rebid despite the 14 HCP’s. If we had more HCP’s with that suit , we can evaluate our hand to a 3♣ bid.

This understanding has a trickle down effect. Rebidding 2♠ & 3♠ is a very pre-emptive bid after partners forcing 1NT. Due to the rank of the suit , you consume all the bidding room which forces partner to the 3 level where she does not want to tread. . Kokish says if you have an intermediate hand in HCP’s without a good 6 card suit , rebid 2♣ instead of your 6 card major. Playing BART , this concept is simple. Partner is not allowed to pass 2♣ with a minimum & two of your major. She must give you preference. ♠AK10xxx ♥AJx ♦x ♣Axx so Goren says this is a 3♠ rebid as you have 16-18 HCP , a 6 card suit with invitational values. Kokish disagrees. Since you have an intermediate hand where they may be a 4♥ game or an alternative contract , rebid 2♣. Partner cannot pass 2♣ with ♣KQxx(x) & a doubleton spade. After responders spade preference , you can invite to 3♠ which is where the standard bidders were with the initial rebid. You have left room to get to another strain though , if responder does not have spades. Excellent !!

Chris & Tom went 1 down in 3NT , cold for 5♥ because Chris rebid 3♠ with the above hand. Tom was trapped & virtually forced to bid 3NT. Just have one simple understanding with the forcing 1NT . Responder must keep the bidding open with 2 trump & this style works well. Same with all bad 6 card majors at the two level with a chance of an alternative contract. You have the best of both worlds with this understanding. ♠Q10xxxx ♥Kxx ♦Ax ♣Ax so you open 1♠. Partner bids 1NT so now both a 2♠ & a 3♠ rebid shows a decent suit. With this hand , bid 2♣ & partner must bid 2♠ with a doubleton so you get to your correct 2♠ contract a different way. When partner has a stiff spade , she can bail to her suit or pass 2♣ if that is her suit & you avoided a bad partial swing. Opener should not get carried away though & bid a 2 card ♦ suit or a singleton club. Rebid your 6 card major in that case.

The same reasoning can be used with the heart suit. It all stems for the 3♣ multi-purpose strong jump shift in the first instance & trickles down to a simple rebid in the major. This understanding prevents pre-empting partner in 2 or 3 of a major without a decent suit. Bridge is a game of suits says Garazzo. Rebiding your major suit at the two or 3 level after a forcing 1NT , shows a decent suit rather than the Goren dependence on HCP’s. You play in a partial with a good suit this way . Boy , what a concept !! Points , Schmoints .