Tag Archives: Fourth Suit Forcing

Too Aggressive this Time

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My partner opened the bidding one heart in 2nd seat. I held this hand as responder:

agressive

I really like my hand. I want us to end up in at least four hearts. Partner may be able to bring home five spade tricks from dummy. I responded one spade. Partner’s rebid was two diamonds. My rebid was three clubs (4th suit forcing to game).

Partner next bid three diamonds, so I know that she is at least 5-5 in the red suits. I bid three hearts, setting hearts at the trump suit, and partner raised to four hearts.

This is where I went off the rails. I should not have been so anxious to use my new cue-bidding-to-slam tool. Too many warning signs: misfit in diamonds, no second-round control in clubs, none of the top four honors in hearts, no extras shown by partner in the auction.

Undeterred, I foolishly cue bid four spades, showing first round control. Of course, we got too high and missed our easy game. Sorry for falling in love with my hand, partner.

Category: Exercises: It's Your Call | Tags: , , ,

August 7 Bridge Lesson Recap – More Exercises!

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Aloha, Bridge Players!

Yesterday we went over two bidding exercises that we covered in last week’s bridge lesson. Today it’s on to the second set of exercises for last week’s lesson.

Exercise 3: It’s Your Call. The bidding so far.

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You are North holding:

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What is the meaning of your partner’s Double and what is your rebid? Think of your answer before scrolling down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your partner promises at least 6 points and at least 4 hearts. That is the minimum necessary for a takeout double at the one level. You have a huge hand, valuing at 22 points in context of the known fit. Bid four hearts.

Exercise 4: Declarer Play. Plan South’s play at trick one in 3NT after the following auction:

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*Fourth suit forcing

Opening lead is 3♦. Your play?

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Think about your play to trick 1 before scrolling down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Count your tricks in NT contract.

  • It looks like you have nine for sure: 3 spades, one heart, one diamond, and one club.
  • If the spades break 3-3 you will have 12 tricks. But you are going to need that ace of hearts as an entry to your remaining clubs. Go up with the ace of diamonds at trick one and run your nine sure tricks.
  • The danger of ducking at trick one (often recommended for NT contracts) is that opponents may shift to a heart, giving you a problem with your entry to clubs later in the hand.

Tomorrow’s another Bridge Day at the HBC in Kea’au. I hope to see you there!

Harry

Category: Exercises: Declarer Play, Exercises: It's Your Call | Tags: , ,