Lesson 3Q Main
Defensive Bidding Judgment
by Richard PavlicekLesson 3Q Main |
| by Richard Pavlicek |
This lesson pertains to defensive bidding — auctions in which the bidding is opened by an opponent. It presumes a basic understanding of overcalls and takeout doubles, and the methods of responding to these. The purpose is to explain the strategy and tactics necessary to be successful.
Four Card Suit OvercallsA suit overcall shows a five-card or longer suit and partner should bid accordingly; but it does not always produce one. There are times when your best action is to overcall in a four-card suit at the one level. Look for these characteristics:
A good suit, such as A-K-J-x or K-Q-10-x
Opening-bid values but a hand that is unsuitable for a takeout double
1.  | ||
 9 7 2 A K 9 8 5 9 7 2 8 3 | 
| A Q J 8 4 3 A K 4 3 9 4 2 |
2 | 1 Pass | 1 Pass | Pass |
Notice that partner makes no allowance for the possibility of a four-card suit; he raises routinely with three trumps. This means you will sometimes play a 4-3 fit, for which a good suit is desirable.
| 2. | ||
| A Q 9 7 5 4 3 9 7 6 3 K 5 |
| 3 A K 10 2 A 8 2 Q 7 6 3 2 |
1 | 1 Pass | 1 1 NT | Pass |
A 2 overcall on Q-7-6-3-2 is unattractive. Also note that overcaller does not bid clubs the second time as it might cause partner to give a preference to 2 , resulting in a 4-2 fit.
| Lesson 3Q Main |  | Top Defensive Bidding Judgment |
Shape DoublesA takeout double shows opening-bid values, but it is a good strategy to shade this when you have excellent support for each unbid suit. It may be your only opportunity to get into the bidding and compete.
A takeout double may be made with as few as 9 or 10 HCP with 4+ cards in each unbid suit.
| 3. | None Vul | |
| K J 7 4 3 4 3 Q 9 7 2 4 3 | 
| Q 8 6 5 2 A K 4 3 10 9 8 2 |
4 | 1 Dbl | Dbl | 4 |
The light double leads to an excellent sacrifice that would otherwise be missed. The suggested bidding would be doubtful at unfavorable vulnerability.
| 4. | ||
| 2 K 8 6 4 K 9 5 4 A 8 6 4 |
| A K 8 5 4 Q 9 7 5 3 2 3 2 |
Dbl | 1 Pass | Pass 3 | 1 NT |
The final contract is ambitious (probably down one), but without the takeout double the opponents would have played in 1 NT and probably made it easily.
If only two unbid suits exist, you should have at least 5-4 shape to warrant a “light” double.
| 5. | ||
| 10 2 A 9 7 5 4 7 2 K Q 8 3 |
| A 8 6 4 3 2 K 9 3 J 10 7 2 |
Dbl | 1 2 | Pass 3 | 1 |
The double allows partner to compete in clubs on an auction in which most pairs will sell out to 2 . The light double would not be recommended with only 4-4 shape in hearts and clubs.
| Lesson 3Q Main | | Top Defensive Bidding Judgment |
Two-Suited HandsHands with 5-5 or greater shape are difficult to describe with a takeout double as partner is unlikely to bid one of your suits; thus you will have to guess what to bid at your next turn. Here is the recommended way to show a two-suiter:
First decide if your hand qualifies for the “unusual notrump” or the Michaels cue-bid.
The Michaels cue-bid shows two suits with one bid. If you use it, great! If not don’t worry about it for this lesson.
| 6. | ||
| A Q 8 7 4 3 9 7 2 Q 8 7 2 |
| 2 A K 10 7 6 K J 10 8 3 4 3 |
3 | 1 Pass | 2 NT Pass | Pass |
The unusual notrump always shows the two lowest of all the unbid suits; hence, with clubs bid by the enemy, it shows diamonds and hearts. Partner must not bid his spades but choose between them.
That’s the last time I’ll ever bid that unusual notrump.
If you cannot describe your hand in one bid, it is best to overcall in one suit (usually the higher), even with as much as 20 points.
| 7. | ||
| 3 Q 8 7 6 4 9 6 5 4 J 10 5 |
| A K 7 6 2 3 2 2 A K Q 7 3 |
Pass | 1 2 | 1 3 | 1 NT |
By overcalling 1 , East is well-placed at his next turn to show his two-suiter. Note that if East doubled first, it would take two more turns to show both his suits and that opportunity is unlikely to occur.
| Lesson 3Q Main | | Top Defensive Bidding Judgment |
Trap PassingIf an opponent bids your long suit, you should pass, even with a very strong hand. If the auction is passed out, you will usually get a good score as the opponents are in a lousy contract. Otherwise you will have a chance to act at your next turn.
If you pass an enemy suit bid and later bid that same suit, it is a natural bid — not a cue-bid.
| 8. | ||
| 10 7 2 K J 8 7 4 3 Q 7 4 3 |
| A 8 3 2 A K J 8 7 4 K 10 8 |
Pass | 1 1 | Pass 2 | 1 |
East does not act over 1 since opener bid his best suit. Later he bids diamonds to show a real suit.
Be alert for penalty opportunities after you trap pass. The opponents may be in trouble.
| 9. | ||
| K J 9 7 3 J 10 8 5 A 7 6 3 |
| 10 2 A J 9 8 6 A Q 4 K J 8 |
Dbl | 1 Pass | Pass Pass | Pass |
I often see misguided players overcall 1 NT after the 1 opening, but the winning strategy is to pass. When partner balances with a takeout double, you convert it to penalty by passing again.
| 10. | ||
| 10 4 K J 9 4 10 4 2 Q J 8 2 |
| A Q J 9 7 A 2 K 9 8 3 4 3 |
Pass | 1 Pass | Pass Dbl | 1 NT |
Any double of a notrump bid is penalty oriented once you pass an enemy bid. This suggests a “spade stack” so partner should lead the 10.
| Lesson 3Q Main | | Top Defensive Bidding Judgment |
To Bid or Not To BidWhen considering whether or not to enter the bidding, experience has shown that distribution is more important than high cards. That is, you should be more concerned about the shape of your hand than the exact number of points you have.
Balanced hands, especially with 4-3-3-3 and 5-3-3-2 shape
Poor texture in your trump suit, especially when vulnerable
Secondary honors (king, queen or jack) in the enemy suit
| 11. | ||
| K J 8 7 A 10 2 3 2 9 7 6 2 |
| A 6 4 K 5 4 3 Q 9 4 K Q 3 |
Pass 2 | 1 Pass 3 | Pass Dbl Pass | 2 Pass |
Note the pass over 1 with the dubious Q and flat shape. Later, the reopening double is a routine balancing tactic. You and partner should sell out to 3 .
A singleton or void in the enemy suit or extreme shape
Good texture in your trump suit
No secondary honors in the enemy suit
| 12. | ||
| Q 8 4 A 9 7 4 K 8 6 4 9 3 |
| K 10 9 7 6 3 A 9 7 3 8 4 2 |
3 | 1 Pass | 1 Pass | 3 |
The aggressive 1 bid is warranted by the singleton heart and spade texture. This allows partner to compete to 3 . If the opponents bid 4 they will likely be set.
| Lesson 3Q Main | | Top Defensive Bidding Judgment |
Preempt the MaximumWhen making a weak jump overcall — just as when opening with a preemptive bid — it pays to bid as high as you intend to go in a single bid. Daring bids are often rewarded by stealing the contract or pushing the enemy into the wrong contract. Even experts cannot contend with preempts with any certainty.
To determine how high to bid you should estimate your playing tricks. It pays to think positive; e.g., with a suit holding of K-Q-10-x-x-x-x, I would figure six winners. Then:
Overbid by 2 tricks at unfavorable vulnerability (you are vulnerable, the opponents are not).
Overbid by 3 tricks at equal vulnerability (neither side or both sides vulnerable).
Overbid by 4 tricks at favorable vulnerability (the opponents are vulnerable, you are not).
| 13. | N-S Vul | |
| K 3 A 8 6 4 A 7 5 9 8 5 2 | 
| Q J 10 9 8 4 2 10 8 6 2 4 3 |
| 1 | 3 |
Your hand is worth five playing tricks — four in spades and one likely in diamonds — so at favorable vulnerability bid for nine (5 + 4) to make it as difficult as possible. Partner should pass 3 since his three tricks only add to eight.
| 14. | None Vul | |
| A 8 Q 10 9 7 K 8 7 3 2 9 2 |
| 4 3 2 8 3 4 A Q J 10 8 7 4 |
| 1 | 4 | 4 |
The daring 4 bid (equal vulnerability) causes the opponents to go wrong (they belong in spades, not hearts). Note how easier it would be if you bid only 3 .
| Lesson 3Q Main | | Top Defensive Bidding Judgment |
© 2012 Richard Pavlicek