Bridge Bidding Basics: Strong Hands Homework (Lesson 12)
In this lesson on bidding strong hands in bridge, we explore the crucial aspects of opening bids, specifically the requirements for strong hands and how to respond effectively. You will learn about the significance of hand strength, the importance of announcing or alerting bids, and guidelines for using 2-level openings. With practical questions based on playable hands, you will reinforce your understanding of how to determine your opening bid based on high card points (HCP) and playing tricks. This homework will challenge and enhance your bidding skills.
Bridge Bidding Basics: Strong Hands Homework (Lesson 12)
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Bridge for Beginners Lesson 12 Bidding Strong Hands
Homework – Question 1 AJ76543 876 8 Q5 T763 K4 KQJT876 7 QT98654 Q8 Q65 A76 K6 7 QJT8654 • What is your opening bid? Vul P NV 3 Vul 1 NV 1 Vul P NV P Vul 1 NV 3 754 93 AJ987653 A54 93 AJ987653 AK754 QT98765 3 QT98765 JT5432 Vul 3 NV 4 Vul 1 NV 1 Vul 1 NV 1 Vul 3 NV 3
Bidding Strong Hands • 1 Level is a normal opening strength • 2 level is strong • 3+ level is weak and pre-emptive • Strong means • 20+ HCP or • 8 Playing Tricks
2 Level Openings • In ACOL all 2 level bids are strong • Many other systems are different • Often a 2 level bid is weak and pre-emptive • When the bid is made the opener’s partner should Announce or Alert • An Announcement will indicate a strong or weak bid • An Alert shows a convention bid i.e. not showing the suit bid
Opening 2 Open 2with 23+ HCP Not a natural bid Says nothing about Partner must ALERT The ALERT card shows a convention bid Make sure both opponents see the card Then return it to the box • This is our strongest opening bid. A K 4 J K Q 7 6 A A T 3 K
Responding to 2 Opening • You MUST not Pass • If you have fewer than 8 HCP you bid 2 • Which says nothing about ’s • It tells partner your HCP count • And partner MUST ALERT • Another convention bid • Any other bid shows 8+ HCP • Based on needing 33 HCP for 6NT
Opening 2NT 4 A K Open 2NT with 20-22 HCP Shows a balanced hand But can be bid with 2 decent doubletons In response You may Pass with <3 HCP With 3+ you must bid Responses shortly J K Q 5 7 6 A A T 3 2 J
Opening 2, 2or 2 Open 2 of a suit With 20 to 22 HCP And a good long suit Or 8 playing tricks Partner MUST announce ‘STRONG FORCING’ With this hand open 2 In response You must bid With < 8 HCP respond 2NT A 4 6 5 K Q 6 A A J 3 2 K
Calculation of Playing Tricks • An estimation of likely winners • Count: • Number of top cards • A is 1 • AK is 2 • AKQ is 3 • KQ is 1 • Add 1 for a suit of 5 cards, 2 for 6, 3 for 7 • If you have a total of 8 or more • Consider a 2 level opening bid (Not 2)
Playing Tricks example 4 3 winners in’s 2 winners in’s Plus 2 for length in’s and 1 for length in’s 17 HCP But 8 playing tricks So open 2 Partner will announce ? ‘STRONG FORCING’ 6 5 K Q 6 2 A A J 3 2 K
Remember • An Opening 2 level suit bid is forcing • You must respond • PASS is NOT an option • If you have fewer than 8 HCP • You MUST respond 2NT (negative) • Partner needs to know where to stop • At game • Or slam
What will you Open? Q 4 A K You have 24 HCP 4441 shape Bid is 2 With 23+ HCP Always open 2 NB Partner MUST Alert! J 5 K Q 5 K T A K
What will you Open? Q 4 A K You have 22 HCP 4333 shape Bid is 2NT With 20-22 HCP And balanced shape Always open 2NT J K Q 5 T A K 9 8
What will you Open? Q 4 You have 22 HCP Good’s Bid is 2 With 20-22 HCP Or 8 playing tricks And a good suit Always open 2 of the suit (Except 2) K A J 9 K Q 5 A K 9 8
What will you Open? 5 4 You have 16 HCP Good’s and second suit Playing tricks ? Bid is 2 With 8 playing tricks And a good suit Always open 2 of the suit (Except 2) Partner Announces 8 A J 9 2 K Q Q 5 K J 9
What will you Open? Q J 5 4 You have 20 HCP Good’s and second suit Playing tricks ? Not good enough for 2 Too good for 1 Bid is 2NT Even with 2 doubletons Partner may pass a 1 level bid 5 A J 5 K A K Q 9 4
What will you Open? A J 5 4 You have 20 HCP 5’s and 4’s Playing tricks ? Bid is 1 ’s not good enough for 2 ’s not good enough for 2NT Hope partner has enough to respond 3 6 A K J 5 A K 4 2
Responding to 2 level openings You have 2 HCP Partner has opened 2 What is your response? Response is 2 After a 2 opening Showing a big hand You MUST bid With fewer than 8 HCP Negative response is 2 Q 3 2 5 4 3 2 8 3 2 7 6 4
Responding to 2 level openings You have 2 HCP Partner has opened 2NT What is your response? Response is PASS After a 2NT opening Showing 20-22 HCP You may Pass With fewer than 3 HCP With more you MUST bid Q 3 2 5 4 3 2 8 3 2 7 6 4
Responding to 2 level openings You have 2 HCP Partner has opened 2 What is your response? Response is 2NT After a 2 of a suit opening Showing a big hand You MUST bid With fewer than 8 HCP Negative response is 2NT Q 3 2 5 4 3 2 8 3 2 7 6 4
Positive responses to 2 opening You have 9 HCP Partner has opened 2 What is your response? Response is 3 With more than 7 HCP Bid your longest suit A natural bid Forcing to at least game Q 3 2 5 4 3 8 3 A K 4 3 2
Positive responses to 2 opening You have 9 HCP Partner has opened 2 What is your response? Response is 2NT Showing more than 7 HCP Very balanced hand 4333 And no 4 card major Forcing to at least game Q 3 2 5 4 3 8 3 2 A K 4 3
Positive responses to 2NT opening You have 5 HCP Partner has opened 2NT What is your response? Response is 3NT Showing more than 2 HCP Balanced hand And no 5 card major Forcing to at least game Q 3 2 K 5 4 3 8 3 2 5 4 3
Positive responses to 2NT opening You have 5 HCP Partner has opened 2NT What is your response? Response is 3 Showing more than 2 HCP And a 5 card major Forcing to at least game Opener selects the game NT or ’s Q 3 2 K T 5 4 3 8 3 5 4 3
Positive responses to 2NT opening You have 5 HCP Partner has opened 2NT What is your response? Response is 4 Showing more than 2 HCP And a 6 card major T 3 2 K T 5 4 3 2 8 5 4 3
Positive responses to 2 of a suit openings A J 8 7 Partner has opened2 You have 9 HCP And 5’s Response is 2 Any response other than 2NT Shows 8+ HCP And 4+ of the suit bid 6 Q 8 9 5 4 Q 3 2
Positive responses to 2 of a suit openings A J 8 Partner has opened 2 You have 9 HCP And very balanced hand Response is 3NT 3NT shows 8+ HCP 4333 shape And no 4 card major NB. 2NT would be negative so you must jump Q 8 6 9 5 4 Q 4 3 2
Re-Bids • After the response opener knows whether to aim for game or slam • A negative response usually ends in game • A positive response often ends in slam • 2 is forcing to game • 2 of a suit is forcing for 1 round • But if opener bids a different suit • That is forcing for 1 more round • Rare to pass before game after 2 level opening
NT Re-Bids • After a 2 opener • There are two NT re-bids • Showing specific point counts
NT Re-Bids Q A K You have 24 HCP balanced Opening bid is 2 Partner bids 2 Showing fewer than 8 HCP Re-bid is 2NT Showing 23 or 24 HCP J K Q 5 K T A K 7 6
NT Re-Bids Q A K You have 25 HCP balanced Opening bid is 2 Partner bids 2 Showing fewer than 8 HCP Re-bid is 3NT Showing 25 or 26 HCP J K Q 5 K T A K J 6
Summary • 2 level bids are strong hands • You MUST respond • Except fewer than 3 HCP after 2NT opening • Re-bids are natural to find a fit looking for best contract • Remember the negative bids • Next week • Special bids for getting to slams