AFTER 1NT OPENING RESPONSES AT LEVEL 3 IS RESERVED TO SHOW 2 MINORS SUITS WITH 10-14 HCP HAVING DISTRIBUTION 5431 OR 5521
CONSIDERATIONS: When partner opens in
1nt 15-17 hcp and we have both minors in 5422 (no singleton) with a limited hand
of 10-14
hcp the chances for Slam
are few. So, unless we have cards in sequence in both suit making it solid
(KQJ108 or AQJ109), it is recommended that we
bid directly 3nt to sign-off the bidding and not try to find a better contract in a minor suit at
level 5 that also could help opponents find the best lead for defense.
Even when our partnership has no stopper in a specific major the chances of
this suit be divided 4-4 (33%) is significant. Thus
only when there is a singleton in a major that is a threat
for our 3nt contract and so we should inform partner about our singleton. On
the other hand out singleton, like in a splinter, may improve
the chances for a Slam with less high cards points needed.
So when Responder's hand is 5521 or 5431 with 10-14 hcp Opener
should be inform by Responder about his shorter major suit. However the information about what minor is 4 cards or 5 cards it
is not so revelant than the information of what is the singleton suit.
Rule#1: After 1nt opening
in any position all suit bidded by Responder at level 3 shows a singleton major with
minors 5-4 or
5-5:
Opener Responder
1nt 3
<= 3
1
??
<=
54 or 54 with singleton
Hearts
3 <=
13??
<= 54 or 54 with singleton
Spades
3 <=
2155 <= singleton
Hearts
3 <= 1255
<=
singleton
Spades
Note: If Responder is a passed hand his range must be 10-11 hcp, but if he
is not passed then his range should be 10-14 hcp.
Let's establish some bids conventions to search more information in
Responder's hand making to Opener the principal captain of the final
contract.
Opener should first observe if hands fits (Axx - x or Jxx - x). In
case there are wasted honors like in KQx - x in Responder's singleton and
the 1nt opening is minimum it is the case to stop the bidding
in a partial score of
4/4. But if hands
fits and Opener has good 4 cards support for one of Responder's minor
then Opener
it is the case that Opener should take charge and search Responder's hand
for maximum or minimum.
But what is a maximum? Can we establish a criterion to help
our decision? Let's propose 2 ways to search Responder's hand:
Rule#2:
The singleton suit can't have A or K as
singleton card. If it has a Ace or King singleton then this hand should not
be use to jump to level 3 to show his singleton.
A) When distribution is 5521 (and hands fits) we may count A=2
controls and K=1 control to search hand's strength. Then if Responder's hand has 5+ controls (2A+1K or 1A+3K)
we may consider his hand
as maximum else as minimum. Of course Queens are very important and
together with jacks they make the hand more solid, but here we are limited
only in emphasize the possession of the Aces and Kings.
Opener also may avaliate his hand by this criterious and for a maximum hand
we should consider 7 controls (3A+1K or 2A+3K or 4A). But as we restricted
the range of Responder's it is more easy to Opener search Responder hand
than the oposite.
Opener controls examples:
a)
Axx
Kx
AJx
AJ98x = 3 A +
1 K
= 7 controls => maximum
b)
AJx
Qx
Kxxx
AKxx = 2 A + 2 K
= 6 controls => minimum
c)
AKx
9xxx
Kx
AKxx = 2 A + 3 K
= 7 controls => maximum
d)
KJx
KJx
KJx
KQxx = 0 A + 4 K
= 4 controls => minimum
e)
Ax
Axxx
Axx
Axxx = 4 A + 0 K
= 8 controls => maximum
f)
QJ09
QJx
KQx
AQx = 1 A + 1 K
= 3 controls => minimum
g)KJ10
AJx
AJx
Qxxx = 2 A + 1 K
= 5 controls => minimum
Responder controls examples:
h)
Ax
x
K10xxx
KQJxx = 4 controls =>
minimum
i)
Jx
x
KJxxx
AK9xx
= 1 A + 2 K
= 4 controls => minimum
j)
xx
x
KQxxx
KQJxx = 0 A + 2 K
= 2 controls => minimum
k)
x
Qx
AKJxx
K9xxx = 1 A + 2 K
= 4 controls => minimum
l)
x
Kx
AJ9xx
AQxxx =
2 A + 1 K
= 5 controls => maximum
m)
x
Qx
KQxxx
AQJxx = 1 A + 1 K
= 3 controls => minimum
n)x
Axx
AJ10xx
Kxxxx = 2 A + 1 K
= 5 controls => maximum
Rule#3: When Responder distribution is 5521,
and hands fits, we use the artificial bid of 4 to search
for controls in Responder's hand, but we assume that in the major 2 cards
can have only A or K never both,
and each minor may have 3 controls (A+K). Considering that range
is limited to 10-14 hcp then maximum controls are 2A+2K = 14 hcp and let's assume a minimum
of 3 controls
(A+K) or (3K) for make a mental evaluation of Responder's hand when
searching for controls.
Opener Responder
1nt 3 or 3 <= shows
distribution 5521
4 <= asking for
controls in 3 suits (excluding the singleton suit)
......... ?
......... 4nt <= 3 controls (1A+1K) or (3K) (rarely less)
......... 5 <= 4 controls
(2A) or (1A+2K)
......... 5 <= 5
controls (2A+1K) or (1A+3K)
......... 5 <= 6
controls (3A) or (2A+2K)
Of course if Opener has both majors aces after 5 or 5 probably he
will be able to bid Slam based in this simple information. So a disciplined response bid to show 5521
controls is very important for a
partnership know what they are bidding.
suppose Opener =
Axx
Axx
K3
KJxxx
and Responder =
Kx
x
AJ1083
A10xxx
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton Heart (so hands fits)
4
5 <= 5
controls (partnership has all controls)
7
pass
Hands fits and with a 10 cards fit and all controls we bid Grand Slam.
Note that when we have a 10 cards fit the trump's Queen has only 22% in be
third against 52% in be second and 26% in be singleton.
B) by searching keycards and Queens in the minors in steps.
The minors suits together have 4 keycards (A A K K)
and 2 Queens
(Q
Q) so now we
build a list or relationship of steps assuming that Responder's hand needs
10-14 hcp and a minimum of 2 keycards in the minors.
Rule#4: When distribution is 5431 Opener search for honors in the 3 cards major
bidding a relais (next suit) and the responses are:
Opener Responder
.... Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Hearts 1nt
3 <= singleton
Spades
3 <= relais to
search Spades 3 <=
relais to search Hearts
........ ?
..................
?
........ 3 <= Ace
Spades ..........
3 <= Ace Hearts
........ 3 <= King
Spades ..........
3nt <= King or Queen Hearts
........ 3nt <= Queen Spades ..........
we lose a response step
........ 4 <= no honor and
5 cards
4 <= no honor and
5 cards
........ 4 <= no honor
and 5 cards
4 <= no honor
and 5 cards
Rule#5: Only after apply the Rule#3 Opener may search for keycards in the
minors bidding 4:
Opener
4 <= asking
for keycards in minors with th follow responses:
step1 (4)
=> 2 keycards (2A) or (2K) or (1A+1K) and no Queen
step2 (4nt) => 2 keycards + 1 Queen
step3 (5)
=> 2 keycards + 2 Queens
step4 (5)
=> 3 keycards (3A) or (3K) or (1A+2K) or (2A+1K)
step5 (5)
=> 3 keycards + 1 Queen <= maximum 14 hcp
step6 (5)
=> 3 keycards + 2 Queens <= maximum 14 hcp
step7 (5nt) => 4 keycards (2A+2K) <= maximum 14 hcp
Thus these Rules allow search information to give conditions to Opener
decide to abort possible game, to bid game and also to bid Slam;
suppose
Opener =
Kx
Axxx
Axx
KQxx
and Responder =
Axx
x
KQ1083
A10xxx
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton Hearts (so hands fits)
3
<= relais asking for honors in Spades
.......... 3 <= Responder shows Ace of Spades
4
<= search for keycards in both minors
......... 4nt <= 2 keycards + 1 Queen
Thus partnership has all keycards for minors and all controls in the
majors.
7
pass
REVIEWING
WHAT TO BID AFTER
5431
1- Opener bids 3nt when hands does not fits but Opener has good hand with
stoppers in the Responder's singleton suit and also in the other major suit like:
example1
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Hearts 5431
3nt <=
AJ10
KQ10x
Q83
K52
example2
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Spades 5431
3nt <=
QJ108
AK107
A8
J102
So without 4 cards in a minor try for Slam is out of cogitation
--------------------------------------------------------
2- Opener jumps to the major Responder's 3 cards when he has 5 cards or good 4
cards in this suit and no good option to play 3nt:
example3
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Hearts
4 <=
AK1082
Kxx
K83
K5
example4
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Spades
4
<=
J623
AKQ2
K8
K102
Considering that Responder has 3 cards support in Hearts we can play in 4 even with a 4-3 fit.
--------------------------------------------------------
3- When Opener has good stoppers in the Responder's
singleton major suit but has poor stopper (Jxx or Q2) in the other majoror it is possible search this major in Responder's hand
bidding a relais in the next suit.
example5
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Hearts
3 <=
relais asking for honor in 3 cards major suit (Spades)
and the
responses are:
?
3 <= Ace Spades
3 <= King Spades
3nt <= Queen Spades
4 <= no
third control and 5 cards
4 <= no
third control and 5 cards
?
so now Opener can decide:
- to stop in 3nt;
- try Slam bidding 4 for keycards;
- pass in 4/4 if the hand
loses 3 tricks in the majors;
- sign-off in 4;
- bid 4nt to show 3-3 in the minors asking for Responder to bid his 5 cards
minor;
- bid sign-off in 5 or
5 when have 4
cards minor.
When Responder bids 3 the
relais responses lose one step:
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Spades
3
<= relais asking for honor in Jearts
and the
responses are now:
?
3 <= ace
Hearts
3nt <= King or
Queen Jearts
4 <= no
third control and 5 cards
4 <= no
third control and 5 cards
And then Opener may decide if bids 4 to try Slam in
case hands fits and Opener is maximum.
--------------------------------------------------------
4- When hands fits (Axx - x or Jxx - x) Opener
must first search the major 3 cards and then use 4 to search for keycards both minors (excluding keycards
for the major suit 3 card) like in the follows examples:
example6 When hands fits
opener:
AJ10
J65
A3
KQ1032
Responder:
Q32
5
KJ982
A976
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Hearts 5431
3
<= relais asking for honors in Spades
........... 3nt <= shows
Qxx
5
<= sign-off - Responder will be declarer and lead in Spades no good
........... pass
example7
opener:
A83
KJ3
K3
AQ865
Responder:
2
A85
AJ972
K1092
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Spades
3
<= relais asking for honors in Hearts
........... 3 <= shows
Axx
4
<= RKB (for 2A 2K 2Q)
............ 4nt <=
2 keycards
6
pass
example8 when hand fits
opener:
Axx
AK
QJ5
QJ1052
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <= singleton
Spades 5431
3
<= relais asking for honors in Hearts
............ 4 <= no A or K
or Q in Hearts - 5 cards
4
<= search keycards only for both minors (2A-2K-2Q)
...........
?
.........if 4 <= 2
keycards then 5 - missing 2
keycards (2A or 1A+1K)
.........if
5 <= 3 keycards
then 6 -
missing 1 keycard (A or K)
.........if 5 <= 4 keycards
then 7
---------------------------------------------------------
5- When Opener hands is minimum and hand does not fits Opener try to stop
the bidding at a minor in level 4:
example9
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <=
singleton Hearts
?
4 =>
QJx
KJ543
AQ
KJ2
sign-off but with A and
5 cards support Responder may bid 5
example10
Opener Responder
1nt 3
<= singleton Spades
?
4 =>
KQJx
K6xz
A7x
Qx
sign-off but with
A and
maximum Responder may bid 5
example11 for Opener weak hand after 1nt response 3
a) KQJ
Kxx
K7x
QJ52 <= with
only 1 stopper in Hearts this hand have a great chances in down in 3nt
and without aces have 2 losers in the majors, so only if Responder has
AQ in
Diamonds and
AK in Clubs it
will be possible have success in 5 or 5. For Opener
point of view the hand
should stop at 4. Thus opener
bids 4
letting
Responder decide and with 3 keycards and a Queen Responder may bid game in 5.
b) Kxx
KJxx
KJx
KJx <= here
Opener has a poor stopper in Spades for 3nt and has a sure loser
Hearts without 4 cards fit in a minor. So this hands not fits for his point
of view and Opener must bid 4. Of course Responder with maximum, 5 cards support
(Responder should be aware that Opener may have only 3 cards in Clubs) and a top honor
in the major may try game.
WHAT TO BID AFTER 5521?
6- 3nt is to play - means that Opener has good stoppers in both
majors as we show in some examples;
7- 4 or 4 shows that
3nt is impossible to bid due to the major singleton card, and also shows a
minimum hand that does not fits - of course if Responder has a maximum hand
with Ace in the 2 cards major assuring
that the hand will not lose 3 tricks in both majors he may
try
game;
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <=
5521 with singleton in Hearts
3 <=
5521 with singleton in Spades
?
3nt <= to play
4/4 <=
minimum - Responder decide pass or game
4
<= search for keycards in minors (4 keycards + 2 Queens)
4
<=
asking for controls in 3 suits
5/5 <= to play
- Responder with maximum can't bid Slam
example12:
Opener Responder
1nt 3 <=
singleton Hearts 5521
?
- suppose Opener with maximum:
Kxx
A43
AK
QJ952
Hand fits and the information about Queen it is not so relevant than the
information about controls. Total points in the relevants controls are 11 and
Opener has 6
points-controls, so controls should be serached:
4 <= ask
for controls
?
4nt => up to 2 controls then Opener bids 5 missing 1 ace
and 1 king
5 =>
3 controls then Openr bid 6 missing 1 ace
5 => 4
controls missing
one King then Opener bids 6
5 => 5
controls all relevants controls - Opener bids 7
example13
1nt 3
<= singleton Spades
?
4 =>
KQx
KJxx
AJx
Qxx
sign-off but with maximum (x
Qx
KQxxx
AKxxx)
Responder may bid 5
but if
Opener has no
A or
K the contract lose 3 tricks in the majors.
In cases like this if Vul bid game if nVul pass.
/ / /