Essentials

Question 1

What does the following mean:

Opening bid of 2 Clubs

Answer 1

23+points, any shape

Question 2

What does the following tell you?

A 2 Clubs response to your 1NT opening bid

Answer 2

STAYMAN:
Your partner has
a) 11+ pts (usually) and a 4C Major and so wants to know if you have a 4+C major suit fit, OR

b) 0-10 with either 4/5 in majors, or 4441.

You must respond:
- 2D = no 4C Maj (so settle at 2NT or rebid the 5C Major if you have one).
- 2Ht = 4+C in Ht.
- 2Sp = Sp).

Note: With weak but long Cl (say 7), the responder would bid 2Cl and next bid 3Cl. The opener must then pass to stop the bidding there.

Note 2: If responder has only 11-12pts they should indicate this with 2NT.

Question 3

What is the minimum points count you need to respond to an opening bid of 1 of a suit?

Answer 3

6+ to bid at the 1 level.
10+ to bid at the 2+ level.

Question 4

What 3 things do you need to be able to Overcall with 1NT?

Answer 4

If you have a balanced hand with 16-18pts and a stopper in the opener’s suit.

Question 5

When is a Losing Trick Count used and how is it calculated?

Answer 5

In response to your partner’s suit once you have established an 8 card Trump Fit to work out how high you can bid to (18 - your losers+7 = no. tricks likely to be made above 6).

Note: LTC is not suitable for no-trump contracts or misfit hands.

Question 6

What does an opening bid of 1 of a suit show?

Answer 6

Either:
1. An unbalanced hand with 12+ pts (or rule of 20 if 10-11 pts)

Or:
2. A balanced hand with 15-19 pts (which bid 2 NT next time around)

If unbalanced:
(a) 1 Sp indicates the longest suit.
(b) 1 Ht indicates the longest suit, OR the highest ranking of 2 equal length suit, OR Sp or Ht in a 4Sp/4Hts split, OR a singleton Sp in a 4441 hand.
(b) 1 D indicates the longest suit, OR a singleton Ht OR a singleton Cl in a 441 hand.
(c) 1 Cl indicates the longest suit, OR a singleton D in a 4441 hand.

Question 7

When can you support your partner’s opening bid of 1 of a suit (in the same suit)?

Answer 7

If you have 6+ pts AND 4 or more cards in your partner’s suit

       6-9: bid 2
       10-12: bid 3
       13-15: bid 4

Question 8

When can you overcall with a bid of 1NT?

Answer 8

If you have a balanced hand with 16-18 pts and a STOPPER in the opponent’s suit.

Note: If 19+, first double and the rebid NT at lowest level.

Question 9

What is a limit bid and what they indicate?
(shape and points)

Answer 9

1. An OB:
   - 1NT is asking the responder to steer the partnership.
2. Responses to 1 NT or of 1 of a suit:

1, 2 or 3 NT Response = balanced hand with 6-9, 11-12 or 13-15 HCPs.

A response in the opener’s suit:
This communicating a specific range of HCPs/ distribution so the opener can take charge and make an informed decision as to the final contract:

A NT response to 1NT OB:
- 2NT 11-12 HCP; 3NT = 13-18; 4NT = 19-20 (not limiting; invitation to 6NT). (<=10: Pass).

2. Opener’s rebids:
- 1 of a suit rebid in NT = a 15-19 HCPs balanced hand.
- The same suit for the 2nd time:
- 2 = 12-15 HCP + min 5 cards.
- 3 = 16+ HCP + 6 cards.
- 4 = VG long suit & lots of points.

PS: A new suit response is a forcing bid.

Question 10

When can you bid a Suit Overcall?

Answer 10

If you have an unbalanced hand AND always a 5+ card suit with 2 Hons:

(i) 5+C suit and neither (ii) nor (iii) below:
- 6-10 pts: at the 1 level only.
- 11-15 pts: at up to the 2 level if necessary

(ii) 6C suit AND 12-15 pt: Jump Overcall. (if 16+, first double then rebid the suit).

(iii) 7C suit AND 6-10 pts: Preemptive Overcall.

NB: To Overcall 1NT you must have a balanced hand and 11-15 pts.

Question 11

When can you overbid with a Takeout Double

Answer 11

With a very unbalanced 4441 or 5440 hand:
- If 12-15 pts consider a takeout double but only re-bid if partner promises points.
- If a 6 card suit AND 16+ pts, double and then bid your suit the next round.

Question 12

When should you double an opening bid if 1NT and what does it mean?

Answer 12

If you have 16+ pts (any shape) - this is a PENALTY DOUBLE

Question 13

When can you bid weak two’s?

Answer 13

As an opening bid with a good quality 6 card suit but only 5-10 pts.

Question 14

What would you open with a balanced hand and 15-19 pts?

Answer 14

One of a suit before rebidding in NT.

Question 15

When can you Overcall if you have a balanced hand?

Answer 15

If you have a ** 16-19 pts and a stopper in your opponent’s suit**.

Note: If 19+, first double and then bid NT at the lowest level.

Question 16

How should you Overcall with an unbalanced hand?

Answer 16

Suit Overcall:
Good 5+ card suit (2 hons):
- 8-11 pts: If in a suit, Suit Overcall at 1 level only (insufficient to overcall 1NT)
- 11-15 pts: Suit Overcall can be at 2 if necessary or can overcall 1NT.

Jump Overcall:
Good6 card suit (2 hons) with 12-15 pts.

Preemptive Overcall:
Good 7 card suit (2 hons): 6-10 pts:.

Question 17

When can you bid an Overcall?

Answer 17

• ** 6-10 pts** but with a 7+ card suit with 2 Hons: -> preemptive bid (+2 level).
• 12-15 pts if you have a 6C suit with 2 Hons -> jump bid (but if 16+, first double then rebid the suit).
• ** 8-15 pts** with a 5+C suit with 2 Hons** -> Bid at the 1 level only (11-15 could go to 2 if nesc.).
• If ** very short in the opener’s suit** (4441 or 5440) with 12-15 pts -> Takeout double

Question 18

What does it mean if the opener bids one of a suit and then two of the same suit?

Answer 18

That they have 6 cards in that suit.

Question 19

What would be your response to a 1NT OB if you had a balanced hand?

Answer 19

• 11-12 HCP -> 2NT (limiting)
• 13-18 pts -> 3NT (limiting)
• 19-20 pts -> 4NT (not limiting; invitation to 6NT).

Question 20

When can you Overcall with a suit?

Answer 20

Must have a min. of a good 5+C suit (2 Hons)

A. To overcall a 1NT opening bid:
- 5+C suit with 11-15 (if 19+ and balanced, first double then rebid the suit).

B. To overcall a 1 of a suit bid:
- 5C suit: 8-11 pts bid a 1 level only; 12-15 bid at 2 level if you can’t bid at 1.
- 6C suit: 12-15 -> Jump Overcall; 16+ -> first double then rebid the suit.
- 7C suit: 6-10 pts -> pre-emptive Overcall (+2).

Question 21

How would you treat the following hand: 3Sp, 5Ht, 3D, 3,Cl

Answer 21

Treat it as unbalanced and bid the 5C Major.

Question 22

How would you treat the following hand: 3Sp, 2Ht, 3D, 5Cl

Answer 22

Balanced, as the 5C is a Minor. (Only bid the 5C suit if it is a Major).