Tuesday, January 23, 2007 4:41 PM

Invisible Q Bids – NT

PITBULLS:

What are invisible Q bids ? These are Q bids of the suits that that the opponents imply with their systemic two suiter bids. These can be Michaels , unusual 2NT or a NT toy. Lets discuss some of the NT toys. A common bid by the opponents is bidding 2♦ showing the majors over your strong NT. Lets counteract that bid with a two suit showing bid of our own . An invisible Q bid of their higher ranking suit shows a good hand with the minors and an invisible Q bid of their lower ranking suit shows a competing hand in the minors. A double , of course , means let me at them. Use Rubensohl to show a single suited minor at the 3 level.

Partner opens 1NT and they overcall 2♦ showing the majors. You hold ♠xx ♥x ♦KJxxx ♣ Qxxxx so you compete with 2♥ showing the minors but not many HCP’s. You bid 2♠ with

♠xx ♥A ♦KJxxx ♣KQxxx and you show partner your distribution and strength.

What about toys which show two suits but only the bid suit is specified and the other unknown ? A double is penalty and use Rubensohl for one suiters. A Q bid is a game force probably with interest in the other major or just getting to 3NT as the vulnerability is not right for a set.

Other toys like defending against suction needs preliminary discussion. One recommended defense is to play suction against suction. The bid you make shows the suit above or a two suiter above that. Rubensohl was designed for opponents who play natural overcalls or if a two suiter , the bid made is natural. With artificially , we need to plan a defense on the spot.

Defending over artificial 2♣ bids or artificial doubles is standard. We ignore them and systems are on. A double of an artificial 2♣ bid is Syayman . If it is DONT where the bid shows clubs and another suit , the double reverts to penalty.

Another standard is if they play transfers. If you make an invisible Q bid of their suit , you are showing a T/O for the other 3 suits. This can be by the defensive or offensive side if they play some sort of transfer overcalls.