Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:37 AM

Hand Evaluation - Serious 3NT ( Unlimited Hands )

PITBULLS:

Serious 3NT theory is based on the premises that Q bidding opposite an unlimited hand when you have a major suit fit does not show extra . You are doing this has a courtesy to the unlimited hand . You can always bid 3NT as a Q bid with a major fit when you had serious interest of slam instead of Q bidding out of politeness . Also with this understanding , the principle of “fast arrival” does not exist opposite an unlimited hand . You are not allowed to jump to game or slam opposite an unlimited hand . You just jam partner out of a higher contract. A jump to slam or game should be a “picture bid” saying you have nothing further to say with no more controls to bid .

I think this treatment can be extended when you have found a major fit vul with nv opponents as long as an unlimited hand exists. The opponents are wrecking havoc on your auction with bids aimed at sacrificing not vul against your vul contract. This understanding should come into play when one hand is unlimited with Q bids by the other hand not showing any extra. The thinking behind this understanding is so the unlimited hand can be better placed to choose the final contract. You are melding forcing pass theory with serious 3NT understandings of Q bidding. Maurice & Susan had an auction in Saskatoon showing this principle in action.

Maurice held ♠K10x ♥AJ9xxx ♦x ♣Axx , vul opened 1 ♥. The non vul opponent bid 2NT , Susan leapt to 4♣ with ♠AQxxx ♥K10xx ♦Axx ♣x . Her LHO bid 5♣ , Maurice passed to show a minimum with interest . A 5♥ bid in their methods shows not much interest in slam so 5♥ should make on distributional values. Susan now bids 5♦ as a definite slam interest . I think Maurice should now be allowed to bid 6♣ saying that on my way to 6♥, I have the club Ace . He has limited his hand already so the Q bid is just politeness as Susan has not limited hers . Maurice is not allowed to jump to 6♥ as Susan’s hand is still unlimited. Susan bids 6♥ as she cannot count 13 tricks without knowing the spade situation.

The opponents now foolishly bid 7♣ giving Maurice one more try to push to 7♥ . He passes 7♣ showing first round control & taking into account his previous bidding , an interest in bidding 7♥. The only way he is not doubling 7♣ is that he must have length in hearts with some spade values. This pass is very similar to a “last train” bid showing a Q bid in spades on the way to a slam. The “last train” concept is by making a bid that shows further interest in slam , you are in effect Q bidding a suit that has never been previously Q bid. The pass must show a spade control as well as the club control already bid. Susan now knows he has the club Ace , heart Ace and a spade control. On the auction when they need the spade queen it has to be in RHO hand . Based on Maurice’s pass of 7♣ , I think 7♥ should be a percentage contract. Partner could easily hold ♠KQx ♥Axxxxx ♦x ♣Axx . Any less than that would partner have passed 5♣ and 7♣ ? Since Susan only bid 6♥ , the pass of 7♣ can not just show the club Ace. Without values in spades a double of 7♣ would be in order even with the club Ace. The pass of 7♣ has to be a two pronged message . I have 1^st round control in clubs & I am interested in you bidding 7♥ . Maurice should double 7♣ with ♠Q10x ♥AJ9xxx ♦x ♣Axx as partner has a right to expect more in spades. With this hand he would not have passed 5♣ & probably have doubled earlier to show such a bad hand.

Sacrificing in a minor at the 7 level without a defensive trick is a dangerous practice. It allows the opponents to make forcing passes at the 7 level & could simply guide them to their cold seven contract. You should be satisfied with muddling up their auction , possibly keeping them out of their cold seven . Your pre-empting has already done its dirty work . Bidding 7♣ which goes for 1400 on this hand against 1470 at the other table game the opponents a chance to win 12 IMPS by being “pushed” or “guided” to a grand slam.

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