Friday, September 22, 2006 12:43 AM

Invitational Hands

PITBULLS:

There is an axiom in Bridge that you do not pull 3NT to 4 of a minor from a position of weakness. In other words , you do not “improve the game” so 4 of a minor is KCB . In IMPS ( not matchpoints) , I think the idea should be the same for pulling 1NT partials. You do not improve the 1NT contract to a safer partial . If you bid again after 1NT , you have full values for your opener reaching right into the invitational range.

What this understanding does is limit how often partner is going to jump to 2NT invitational in competition. This 2NT bid should guarantee two stoppers in the opponents suit. A 1NT bid in competition can be pretty healthy if the stopper criteria is not met. We play 2NT directly 13 HCP + except in competition. If opener has a good 14 , the hand already has been opened 1NT. If opener passes 1NT , the hand will invariably be 12-14 HCP. We play jumps in the minors as pre-emptive with 1NT free bids in competition also. Bidding 2 of the minor by opener is virtually the only way to invite to game. Bidding another suit is also invitational. 2NT shows 18-19 and reverses are natural except the 2♥ reverse. This bid is a relay to 2♠ and all bids are now a game force.

Do not over invite vulnerable in the game of IMPS. Sometimes you can let the opponents bidding do the inviting for you. You hold ♠QJxxx ♥J10xx ♦Ax ♣xx and partner opens 1NT . You were planning on bidding Stayman & if partner bid 2♥ you were planning on inviting. What if the opponents doubled 1NT and then bid diamonds which partner had a chance to double and did not ? Your Ax of diamonds has grown up as there is a high probability of no duplication of value in diamonds. Using the opponents bidding as a stepping stone , you leap to 4♥.

In IMPS , I follow the philosophy of one of my old partners. Bidding game is a game try with close decisions !! Inviting is for matchpoints where you are trying to be accurate. In IMPS, you are just trying not to miss games.