Sunday, January 08, 2006 8:11 AM

Q Bids - Choice of Games

PITBULLS:

The opponents pre-empts require established partnerships to have some standard understandings re choice of game Q bids vrs slam try Q bids. The definition of these Q bids depends on the level of the pre-empt. At lower levels a Q bid shows a strong hand and can be a “choice of game” Q bid . At the 4 level and higher we have run out of room for a choice of game Q bid and a Q bid must be a slam try implying a fit. Over pre-empts a T/O double should not be made with a single suited hand. You Q bid or jump to what you feel makes with a single suited hand. Therefore this one hand type is thrown out of the equation.

The opponents open a weak 2♥ bid and you double with KQx A Axxxx AQxx and partner bids 2♠. You Q bid 3♥ to show your big hand and uncertainty where to play the hand unless you subsequently bid spades. A fit is not implied at the 3 level with a Q bid. Partner with xxxx xxx x KJ109x bids 4♣ denying good or long spades and you may reach 5♣. With Axxxx xxx xx xxx partner rebids spades and you get to your spade game. You do not have room to describe the strength of your hand as we are trying to find the best contract. The 3 level gives you some room to probe.

At the one level we have lots of room with our Q bid. Same hand but a one heart opener this time and a one spade response to your double. The Q bid now asks a question with the first priority being the strength of your hand. You make the death response of returning to your suit to show no interest. You still have room to find your best contract later in the auction. A Q bid is forcing until a suit has been raised or bid twice. You now find your best spot and level.

Contrast this to the 4 level where there is no room whatsoever to maneuver. Same hand again but this time they open 3♥ and you double. Partner responds 3♠ and you can not bid 4♥ as a “choice of games “ Q bid as there is no room. A 4♥ Q bid must be reserved for a slam try in spades. OK what is a 4♦ bid then ? KQx A Axxxx AQxx . This is the bid that implies uncertainty to the final contract. You hold xxxx xxx x KJ10xx and you end up in a good 5♣ contract instead of playing in the opponents 5 card spade suit. There is no implied Q bidding with a fit. Suits are bid naturally at the 4 level as finding the best spot is the priority. Bidding 4♠ is just a solo guess by the doubler and is not necessary.

A Q bid is the classic depending on context Bridge bid. This time the context of the auction that defines the Q bid is the level in which the bid was made. Q bids with different meanings for different levels. Nobody said defending against pre-empts was easy.