Tactics Strong 2♣

Saturday, August 03, 2002 4:46 AM

Tactics - Strong 2C

PITBULLS:

For a lot of tactical orientated players a 2♣ opener is like waving a red flag . They will bid to muddle your auctions or psyche to get you to the wrong strain of suit . Therefore partnership understandings are necessary to counter these bids . A general rule can be formulated . All of responders direct doubles are systemic negatives or exposing a psyche when the opponents are in the auction after an initial pass . The 2 club opener has some restrictions with doubles and direct Q bids are rare . Forcing passes are on at all times until game is reached and responder with no clear cut action should pass around to the 2♣ opener for clarification . A pass or bid by responder shows one or more controls and a direct double shows no controls.

The class of NT hands should always be described with a double or a pass ( bid after responder ) and use 2NT for a 2 suited or 3 suited takeout bid . Using NT for takeout makes sense is that partner has some values for her pass but no clear cut action . With wastage in their suit and/or a weak hand she would have doubled directly .

2♠

2♣ P Partner bids 3♦ and you bid 3♥ so you must have a 2 suiter as you bid

the 2NT takeout bid . Dbl would show the NT range .

2NT

x AKQxx x AKQxxx

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3♠

2♣ P Shows the NT range of hands

DBL P

2♣ 2♦ Shows the NT type of hands without great hearts . Pass gives responder a chance to double

Pass 2♥

A pass shows the NT range of hands , a dbl is penalty oriented ( 2NT rebid with lots of hearts ) or exposing a psyche . Bid naturally otherwise . With partnership agreement a 2NT bid can show a 2 suiter in this position also .

Exposing psyches vrs Q bidding . The standard way to expose a psyche is always to double first and then bid their suit . This is not a Q bid after you have doubled first . Generally the opponents will be running to their escape suit to clarify things anyway . Opponents can harm your 2 club sequences by entering the auction so you should use them as a stepping stone if you can . If you do Q bid their suit it should be done directly to show a void and Blackwood later on should be exclusion with partner ignoring controls in that suit.

Responder should use the opponents bid as a stepping stone also . A pass is the equivalent of a 2♦ bid . Points with at leat one control but nothing to say . A direct double should be the negative hand ( systemic ) showing a hand that you would have bid 2♥ neg or just wastage in their suit and nothing else. A direct bid is ignoring the overcall and bidding positively . If the 2♣ bidder jumps in the opponents suit it is not a splinter . I repeat not a splinter . It is exposing a psyche and shows that suit .

2♥

2♣ 3♣ 3♥ is a Q bid by the 2♣ opener but not 4♥

4♥

4♠

2♣ DBL ( partner I have nothing to contribute ) Pass says yes I have some stuff

Exception to the double by responder as negative. A double and then bidding their suit is exposing the psyche .

2♠

2♣ DBL AKQxxx xxx xxx x

3♣ 3♠

I have got a lot of good results with 24 flat and partner doubling showing a systemic negative . I played with Ian Boyd in Red Deer and the auction went

3♥

2♣ DBL xx xxx Jxxx Qxxx

Pass I passed with my 24 HCP and they went 3 down and 3NT went down at the other table !

Anyway , with opponents interfering in your auction, avoid splinters & Q bids after you have doubled . They should be reserved for "psyche exposing" and bidding naturally .

4♥

2♣ Pass

AKQJxx

AKx

Axx Over a pass by partner I would take a shot at 6♠ . If partner doubles 4♥ to show a negative or heart wastage , I will probably leave it in depending on the vulnerability.

Anyway , the theme against tactical bids is partnership agreements. Ensure you are on the same wavelength in these auctions....