2007-09-11 20:11

Hand Evaluation - Opening Lead ( Triggers )

PITBULLS:

Every good Bridge player knows that they should translate the bidding into a pattern before making an opening lead. This “procedure” should be an automatic addition to your selecting an opening lead routine . In order to assist you into acquiring this essential habit , use the bidding to trigger a hand pattern series . What do I mean by that ? Hand patterns are classified by their longest suit in the set of combinations. There are the 4 series , 5 series , 6 series & 7 series of hand patterns which you have memorized by now. Your opening lead is based on these patterns gleaned from the bidding . This is the first piece of the puzzle to assist you in choosing the correct lead.

There are 3 possibilities. The (1) opening bidder can declare the hand , (2) responder or the (3) overcalling side. Let’s just assume the opening bidder becomes declarer. If the opponents open a major , think the “5 series” of patterns before you make your opening lead . The auction goes 1♠ with a 2♣ rebid ,so before your opening lead think the “5 series” of patterns with 5-4 in them. They are 5-4-3-1 , 5-4-2-2 & very rarely 5-4-4-0. Your job is almost complete when the dummy hits as you just need to know one more suit before declarer’s hand is an open book. If the opening major bidder rebids 1NT , bring in 5-3-3-2 pattern.

They open a weak two bid. Before you lead , bring in the “6 series” of patterns. 6-3-3-1 , 6-3-2-2 , 6-4-2-1 & rarely 6-5-1-1 . Again this gives you a jump start to your defensive duties in defending a hand. Weak jump shifts or weak jump overcalls or a rebid opening major, brings in this series of hand patterns before you make your opening lead.

Their pre-empt at the 3 or 4 level, of course brings in the “7 series” of patterns & the 8 card suits. Be aware of these patterns 7-2-2-2 , 7-3-2-1 , 7-4-1-1 are the common ones. This exercise gets you into the correct frame of mind to defend properly.

The last series to contend with are the minor & NT opening bids. Use any information you get from the bidding but bring in the “4 series” of patterns before you make your opening lead. 4-4-3-2 , 4-3-3-3 & 4-4-4-1 . You are ready to play the “fill in the blanks” game when the dummy hits. Use clues & signals to count declarers hand. Only then, can you start defending. Counting HCP’s tricks , signals , information gleaned from the dummy , switches & inferences taken from the line of play guide you through the rest. Counting out the hand i.e. translating the bidding into a hand pattern is the important first step though. Use these bidding opening lead triggers to remind you of your defensive obligation. Patterns are how you think the defensive aspect of Bridge. Better get used to patterns J