Monday, October 13, 2003 2:37 AM

Art of Trapping

PITBULLS:

When you have a big hand with the opponent’s suit it is usually good strategy to “trap” and await further developments . This is because you give them an opportunity to hang themselves and get into serious trouble . Balancing doubles of their NT bids are penalty and describe your “trapped hand” . Direct doubles of rebid suits are penalty & also describe your trapped hand. Another reason you trap is adding discipline to your takeout doubles so that you do not advertise suits you do not have. Belated doubles can describe your hand.

Trapping should not be overdone though . Play the vulnerability . If they are vul and you are not , always trap . If you are vul and they are not , get in there somehow even if you have to manufacture a bid. Equal vul its your call what action you want to take . I favour trapping on equal vul while others prefer to bid.

Lee Barton held KQJ109 AQ109x A xx and I opened 1♠ vul in front of him today. He was not vul so he passed . The balancer held x Jxx J10987x AKx and with this vulnerability bidding 2♦ is just rescuing me. Bend over backwards to make a double and 1♠X goes for 800 to 1100 depending on the defense . If the vulnerability were reversed , I would double directly and bid hearts at first opportunity.

Kiz Fung held AQxx KJ9x AQJx x and heard her RHO open 2♦ . You are vul and the 2♦ bidder is not . Do you trap ? No , Kiz manufactured a 2NT overcall as it is too dangerous to pass on this vulnerability. She hit partner with xx x xx AKQJ10xxx and 6♣ or 6NT makes with the favourable diamond and heart location. If the 2♦ bidder were vul and you not it would be a clear cut pass . 2♦ going down vul enough tricks to compensate for your non vul game if partner does not balance with scattered values.

BJ Trelford held AJ Kxx KQJ10x 10xx and you are vul and they are not. This is the vulnerability that you should avoid trapping. Opponents will try any tactics to talk you out of your vul game and you do not get rich at 50 a pop. I would “manufacture” a bid of 1NT even though I have only 14 HCP . if you pass , responder psyches a 2♠ bid and around to you again. Do you now come in vul forcing partner to the 3 level ? It is not better to risk a bid at the one level rather than the 3 level ? You are cold for +630 but not getting in the auction traps yourself. On other vulnerabilities I would trap going in but not this one. 

You hold x Jxxx AKQxx Q10x and LHO opens 1♠ . Do you trap because you do not have a suitable bid ? I feel you should double going in . If you pass originally , partner is always going to play you for spades and no hearts . Say you back in 2♦ later in the auction and get doubled. Partner is never going to rescue you with her 6 card heart suit as she is playing you for spades and diamonds for not bidding initially . You could be cold for 4♥ and 2♦ could go for –300.

Trapping is an art . Avoid giving the show away with hesitations . Make up your mind in advance and pass smoothly . Let the opponents walk a dangerous tight rope until it is time to strike. A trapped hand usually would rather defend then get into the fray initially . Balancing by partner or a penalty double by you unleashes the weapon .