Double, Bid or Pass?
Look at the Quacks
by Andrew Robson
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WELCOME to our new editor Lou. To mark her
arrival, I am altering my theme somewhat to focus
on those ever-so-common conundrums of the
competitive auction: whether to pass, double or bid
on. The emphasis will continue to be on
matchpointed-pairs, for that is the form of the game
I expect you mostly play, however not to the
exclusion of teams (and rubber).
This month’s conundrum: You are East and the
bidding proceeds as follows (with neither side
vulnerable):
South
1™
West
1´
North
4™
´
™
´ A632
t
™ QJ2
®
t 93
A632
QJ2
93
8532
Love all. Dealer South.
´
™
t
®
´
™
t
®
KJ875
10
K 10 8
A J 10 9
East
?
Here are two possible – pretty similar – hands for
you to hold and my question is: what, if anything,
would you bid with either – Pass, Double or 4´?
Hand AHand A
Let’s have a look at a typical layout where you hold
Hand A.
HanHand B
´ QJ42
™ 752
´ QJ42
t 93
™ 752
®
A532
t 93
(B)
Q 10 4
8543
AQ752
Q
´
N
™
W
E
t
S
®
´ 9
™ AK976
t J64
® K764
A632
QJ2
93
8532
As long as West leads sensibly – ie not a diamond
or a low club, 4™ stands no chance, losing a trick in
each suit. Four spades (doubled by North) would go
two down, losing two diamonds and a trick in each
other suit.
Now let’s look at a similar layout where you, as
East, hold Hand B.
Clearly it’s a two-way decision – you’ll hardly
double as partner has shown no defensive strength
with their mere overcall. Have you made your
choice yet?
Love all. Dealer South.
´
™
t
®
8
English Bridge February 2016
´
™
t
®
A K 10 7 6
J
K 10 8
J 10 9 8
853
K 10 6 4
AJ752
Q
N
W
E
S
´
™
t
®
´
™
t
®
QJ42
752
93
A532
9
AQ983
Q64
K764
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South’s 4™ makes comfortably, losing a trick in each
suit outside hearts. And 4´ goes just one down,
losing a heart, two diamonds and one club – a very
good sacrifice. You should have passed with Hand A
and bid 4´ with Hand B.
You may say, ‘one deal proves nothing’. However
the point is that the key differences between East’s
hands A and B will have the same effect across every
single comparison. In A, East has a heart holding
that will (almost certainly) be a defensive trick – yet
worth next-to-nothing to partner in 4´. In B, East’s
Q-J will be worth a lot to partner in 4´, yet likely
worth next-to-nothing in defence to 4™.
Of all the point-scoring cards, it is the queen that is
the most volatile. In your trump suit – or a long side
suit – the queen is very valuable offensively and – in
an otherwise marginal scenario – you should bid
on. In the opponents’ trump suit, or a short suit,
you should not bid on.
Do you recall sacrificing over the opposing
contract, thinking they’ll be able to make, only to
realise that your holding of Q-x in a side suit
coupled with partner’s J-x-x – worth nothing to
you – amounts to the defensive trick that defeats
their contract.
The same logic applies to the jack – only less so.
Which brings us to this month’s tip.
Where are your points?
In the competitive auction, it is not how many
points you hold that is important, but where they
are. In general, bid on when your points are in your
side’s trump suit and pass (or double if you think
the opponents are stealing – obviously not the issue
here) when your points are in the opponents’ suit.
Andrew’s Great Tips
With ‘quacks’ (queens and jacks) in your side’s
trumps or long suit, bid on. With quacks in the
opposing trump suit or a short suit, don’t. r
Bridge Ha Ha
Why not send in funny stories, April Fools or pictures to the
editor for consideration in the next issue?
www.ebu.co.uk
February 2016 English Bridge
9