2008-04-17 12:10
Hand Evaluation – HCPS ( Dbls )
PITBULLS:
Hand evaluation quite often involves a concept ,
once mastered , can be generalized to all
bidding sequences. Try this one on for size. Doubles equate to
HCP’s measured in quick tricks
when minimum or
a vast number of HCP’s, jumping the bidding
does not. When you double , partner will ask herself
why did you not just bid
instead. Jumping usually shows a long suit
or distribution whereas doubling usually
shows HCP’s with controls. When you do not have sufficient quality
HCP’s ( quick tricks ) for a double , you may use a toy , Q bid , bid or jump bid to show partner the type of
HCP’s you hold ( offensive hands ) . You do not have to commit the modern sin of passing
, just choose the
correct call based on the quality of your
HCP’s. When you have the correct shape
for a double but no defense , you pass.
When you are close to an opening bid in HCP ‘s but no
defense ( quick tricks ) you pass. That’s what a pass means in
Bridge. A pass means you lack HCP’s or quality HCP’s to make a
call. The type of HCP’s ( quick tricks ) you hold will
be a repetitive theme in all aspects of Bridge
bidding not just the opening bid.
The modern notion advocated by some that competing is the essence of Bridge
& with the notion of garbage openers
, overcalls & bad bidding in general gives potential
for good scores never before seen in the
game of Bridge. Established partnerships will reap the rewards by the art of defending . If follows that your Bridge
strategy should be in line with the Bridge scoring
system. Sets are rewarded quite highly 200 ,
500 , 800 ,1100 & even non vul it hurts them more
than the offensive rewards of your game or slam quite often. Playing the
hand should not be your sole goal in the game of Bridge as there are
other ways of getting a plus by defending.
Yes , I know Bergen & Cohen are attempting to brain wash you to thinking that you must play each & every hand , but
it is simply not true. As hockey coaches say , you must pay attention to the defensive
responsibilities of the game also. Your opening bids
should provide for the possible defensive eventualities .
Offensive super stars still must back check as one
dimensional players drag the hockey team down. Those
who say who in the F… needs quick tricks to open
should be sent to the minors until they smarten
up. Arrogant offensive super stars are a pain to a hockey team or a Bridge
partnership.
Osama psyched a strong NT against
two Tormentees in an IMP game & was successful.
The Tormentees eventually rested in 5♣ making 7
instead of 7NT making 7. The culprit was ambiguity
as neither Tormentee was even remotely
aware of the combined assets of the partnership. One Tormentte
held ♠10xx ♥AK109x ♦AKQx ♣x & decided that a pass
adequately described this hand to partner after Osama opened 1NT
. Just 16 HCP’s rich in controls & concentrated HCP’s in suits . As Osama has an honest face , he is to be believed ,
correct ?
LHO opponent bid 2♣ now more ambiguity takes place. You have ♠AKx ♥x ♦10xx
♣AKQJ109 so you leap to
4♣. Partner now visualizes a pre-emptive hand like ♠xxx ♥x ♦x
♣KQJ109xxx or the like so has no idea of the strength of your hand. Bridge bidding is defined as painting an accurate
picture of your hand to partner. Back up & double 2♣ first & see
what happens. A double is a universal tool
to show strength & you have 4 quick tricks
& 17 HCP’s. A double is also
a tool to expose psyches . If the opponents run from 2♣, you now can bid 3♣ which partner now
reads as strength as well as a
good club suit ( why did you not just bid 3♣ initially inference) . Partner realizing that you now have a good hand , takes the 40 HCP in the deck rule into effect &
the psyche is exposed. You will now get to
slam easily.
Bridge bidding , like any language
can not have ambiguity. You
cannot respond 2♠ to a 1♠ opener with ♠xxx ♥x
♦Axxxx ♣Kxxx as opposed to ♠xxxxx ♥x ♦Axxx ♣Kxx or ♠xxxx ♥x ♦Axxxx ♣Kxx as these 3 hand are vastly different.
Although they have 7 HCP in controls , one has only 3
trump , one has 5 trump & the last has 4 trump. You have introduced ambiguity as you have described 3 different strength playing hands with the same bid. This ambiguity results in –12
IMPS repeatedly for your side. The same ambiguity applies with bidding or jumping
. How is partner to resolve the ambiguity that one time jumping shows length & distribution & the other time strength
,measured in HCP’s ? The answer , of course is
that she cannot. Always double first ,
to show your strength when they have bid NT
& show your distribution later. A NT bid is a HCP showing bid ,
so a double clarifies your bids in these NT
based auctions.
A double is not just for penalty or T/O
in Bridge bidding. A double has a 3rd meaning
as just a way of describing a strong hand
to partner. Partner assumes T/O initially
until she hears differently but even T/O promises defense
for the option of converting. There is a huge negative inference with a double.
Partner will infer that when you did not double initially ,
you cannot be strong in the HCP or
quick trick sense. You must be bidding on distribution or
your HCP’s are only in the intermediate range or you lack quick
tricks when minimum. Doubles are a nice tool
to allow partner to have the optimum advantage to do something intelligent. Use the red card more often & Bridge will
become more of a partnership game.
A double is like an opening bid
as both bids promise defense measured in quick tricks. Both doubles
& opening bids are not merely an offensive tool like modern
terrorists would have you believe L. Terrorists want doubles just to mean
I have some places to play the hand without defense or just to keep the opponents
guessing. Sound familiar ? They want no quick trick restrictions to
allow more freedom to make everybody guess.
A pass is a great competitive tool also when
it is right !! Shows no defense
to take auction or stacked in their suit.
I have written in many articles how
to handle psyches (
learned from my extensive rubber Bridge experience + 30 years ) . I cautioned against “fighting
fire with fire” but rather being even more disciplined
in these situations. Defending against garbage openers also needs doubling discipline.
What do I mean by that term ? In a perfect world , where the opponents have full values
for their bids , you could theoretically base your bidding
on theirs. Once they have opened & responded they have the
majority of HCP’s ,so your double can just be based solely on
distribution ( shapely ) so penalty conversions would not be
allowed except in the rare ( impossible ? ) situations where you
have them beat two tricks in your own hand. Advocates of garbage
openers have a religious experience when they open their garbage & responder just barely has enough for a
response. They total 14-15 between them so
the opponents have 25-26 HCP ( game range ) . Playing
against forcing club players ,
it is important to have “double discipline” to counter their garbage openers. You must remove ambiguity for your
side. Shapely
T/O or balancing doubles without defense are a no/no when you do not trust the opponents for their values. Your doubles must have
defense measured in quick tricks plus
a reasonable HCP total or anarchy prevails. Partner needs
to trust you when playing against
garbage openers because things do not add up. Partner can convert for penalty or bid game at her discretion.
All garbage openers by the opponents do for the most part is give your side more options .
You bid your normal game or if
the vulnerability is right the 500 , 800 , 1100
scoring rules come into effect. Remember doubles are more than demanding bid a suit
partner. They promise defense also.
Same concept as for opening bids . You do not subscribe to “garbage doubles” either. Both
garbage concepts make no logical or Bridge sense.
Discipline is a must , especially playing against those who have bought into
the terrorist religion. Somebody must be believed ,
may as well be your side.