Some tips for beginners

Tips for the Newer Player

By Bruce Owen and Paul Hobbs

Why Do You Hold Up Sometimes on the Opening Lead?
In no trump play the opponents will normally start by leading a long suit for the defence at trick one, and very often declarer will have only one stopper. The idea of hold up play in to deal with the situation where West will have some established winners in the suit led at trick one, but the lead will be lost to East.

Consider the following simple example with the King of Hearts lead against South’s 3NT contract

AQ7
95
974
KQJT9
J54
KQJ76
K82
84
T932
T42
QT5
A73
K86
A83
AJ63
652

You can see five top tricks and the potential to develop four club tricks. However if you win with the Ace of hearts at trick one your plans will fall adrift when a club trick is lost and the defenders cash four heart tricks. Now try again , but this time refuse to play the ace of hearts at trick one or trick two, playing it only when forced to at the third trick. Now drive out the Ace of clubs and you will see that East's situation is quite different. There are no hearts left and you make your contract!!

Consider the following Hand which South plays in 3NT against an opening lead of the five of spades

K97
AQ7
AQJ86
QJ
AQT53
J5
53
K862
J2
96432
K42
975
864
KT8
T97
AT43

After the opening lead you should be able to count five tricks outside of spades. You should play a low card from Dummy at trick one. East wins with the Jack,. When s/he returns with the two of spades the king becomes established as a trick bringing your total up to six. The diamond suit offers the chance to establish extra tricks. Bearing in mind that East is now the safe hand, you should play the diamonds so that a trick is lost only to East. Cross to South with a heart and lead the 10 of diamonds. When West plays small, play small from Dummy as well. This trick will probably be taken by East, who is unable to do you any damage. You dare not play the Ace of diamonds on the first trick in case West holds the King and gets the lead with it.

However the question arises "How long should I hold up". After all, holding up unnecessarily could cost a trick. Enter the Rule of Seven. This states that in No Trumps you take away the number of cards you hold in the suit, subtract that from seven and the answer is the number of times you should hold up. With the 8, 5 and 3 in dummy and Ace 6 and 2 in hand you have 6 cards, so you only hold up once. However if dummy held just the 8 and 5 hold up twice. The more cards you hold in that suit, the less the opponents have to cause you damage. Another important point here is if, having run East out of the cards in the danger suit, you have a choice of finessing into either hand, be sure to choose the safe hand, i.e. the one that cannot continue the suit.

Why do You Lead The Fourth Highest?

The Rule of Eleven

Many players go through their entire bridge lives leading the fourth highest, because that's what they were taught, but without ever knowing what use it is. What is the purpose of leading the 6 rather than the 2 from K8762? It is all to do with the rule of eleven, a subject of great mystery to many players. In fact it is disarmingly simple to understand. What it means is that when your partner leads the fourth highest you deduct that cards from the value of 11 and the answer is the number of higher cards held by the other three players. Why 11? Cards in effect range from 2 to 14, the Ace being 14. So if a 4 is led you know there are 10 higher cards somewhere. You know three of these are held by the opening leader, so to discover how many there are in the other hands, you deduct not from 14 but from 11. If you don't quite follow this, do not worry - you can still use the rule anyway. A wonderful example it in actual play comes from the old Epson Simultaneous tournament at the Te Awamutu Club a few years ago.

West was declarer in 3NT.

J876
962
A72
T62
432
A74
JT86
AK7
Q95
KJT5
KQ93
Q9
AKT
Q83
54
J8543

Astonishingly several Wests made this impossible contract on a six of spades lead. It is not possible if South applies the rule of eleven. South must deduct the 6 from 11 which means the other three hands have 5 higher cards. Since South can see them all in Dummy and his/her own hand, you must play the 10, knowing it will make. Now you follow with the Ace and King and partner is left with the last spade and the Ace of Diamonds to defeat the contract. It is amazing that in a class field that so many Souths must have gone up with the Ace and King at once to allow dummy's Queen to make.

But remember - just as you can work this out, so can declarer. Personally, if I am on lead and I know that my partner does not apply the rule of eleven, and I am sure that declarer does, I will lead the 3rd or 5th highest just to confuse my opponent.

If systemically you play third highest, you just change the rule to the rule of 12!!

What Is Ducking, and Why Would You Do It?

At times you will be faced with a suit containing the majority of the thirteen cards in the combined declarer/dummy hands, such as 753 in hand and AK842 in a dummy with no other entries, and which can produce 4 tricks, but only if played correctly. Dealer here has to concede a trick, but must do so before playing the Ace and king. Lay out these cards to see what happens if you don't do this. You will take the Ace and King and then concede a trick to leave two winners in dummy. But how do you get there? You don't!! Now try again, but this time play the 3 from hand and the two from dummy whatever your LHO plays. Now when you regain the lead you will under most circumstances make the remaining 4 tricks.

Let’s see this with a full hand. Declarer is in 3NT and the opening lead of the Queen of Spades.

AK
AK754
AK6
653
QJT92
J8
Q832
JT
753
QT32
JT7
Q98
864
96
954
AK742

You have no choice but to win the first trick in Dummy. There are eight top tricks in view with prospects of extra tricks in the club suit which contains eight of the thirteen cards. Because of the lack of entries to the South hand, you must play a small club from each hand (Ducking) at trick two. On regaining the lead in dummy, you can then lead a second club winning with the Ace in the south hand, and then cash the King which will take the defenders last club, and retain the lead in the south hand. The established clubs can then be cashed to take ten tricks.

The Multi-2D Opening Bid by Paul Hobbs This is an opening bid with many possible meanings that has become fashionable since about 1990 at all levels of the game. It is a bid that should be alerted by partner as it does not often refer to the Diamond suit. The bid covers the following types of hand:

1. A weak-two style major suit that is usually at least 6-cards and point range 6 to 11.
2. A strong-two style minor suit with 8-winners.
3. A flat hand with a style and shape agreed by the partners in one of the following categories.
i) 19 to 20 HCP
ii) 20 to 22 HCP with a 5-card suit somewhere. Since there are several possible strong hands included in the choice, and the bid must be forcing for one round at least, the next player at the table will usually pass and wait and see. This is of course not compulsory and you are free to take any alternative action you like. Partner of the user will reply as follows. He or she has no way of knowing the strength of the hand at this stage

1. With a strong game going hand, bid 2NT and find out which alternative partner holds.

2. With slightly less than a game certainty, but a likelihood of game in Hearts, if partner happens to hold a weak-2 in Hearts, bid 2S. You will probably hold at least three Hearts and should be able to stand a 3S bid from partner if that is the suit.

3. In all other cases bid 2H. Opener will rebid as follows:

1. Over a 2H response
i) Pass indicates a weak 2H opener
ii) 2S indicates a weak 2S opener
iii) 3C or 3D promises 8-winners in the minor named
iv) 2NT shows the balanced hand for the system agreement

2. Over a 2S response

i) Bid 4H with confidence if that is your suit
ii) Bid 3S if that is you suit, with slightly less confidence. Partner may be able to make a revaluation and go to 4.
iii) 2NT, 3C & 3D show the strong hands and ask partner to make a further decision.

3. Over a 2NT response
i) 3C shows a weak-2 in Hearts with the upper point range 9 to 11
ii) 3D shows a similar hand in Spades
iii) 3H and 3S show the lower end of the weak-2 range at 6 to 8
iv) If you hold one of the strong hands, you and your partner should be thinking about slam! Don’t forget that the 3-level bids show limited strength. More on the 2NT possibilities included with the 2D opener. The partnership may wish to extend the range of their normal 2NT opener usually 20 to 22 HCP by having 19 - 20 in the 2D opener and bidding 2NT with 21-22 The players then proceed with a Barron 3C asking for 4-card suits to be bid upwards and they may play transfer sequences oriented towards a major suit contract. Other players may make a slightly different use of the possibilities. 2NT rebid after a 2D opener promising a 5-card suit somewhere with partner asking you to identify it with a 3C bid. These players will probably not have a 5-card suit when they open 2NT. Footnote. A. You may come across opponents who play a variation of the system. To them 2D is the equivalent of your game-forcing 2C opener and they will use 2C as the multi-purpose bid with a minimum response of 2D as the only major change. B. As defender against these sequences, there is no need to panic. You just wait a round for the bid to come round to you for the second time if you are sitting over the 2D opener. By then you will know, more or less, what the opposition has. If you are in the 4th seat, you may need to be a little wider awake to the possibility of a sequence between your opponents that could go 2D P 2H P P. This last Pass very likely means that your side has the balance of the strength. You had no idea of the position when you made your Pass and there could be a little greater incentive for you to intervene instead.

The Double. by Paul Hobbs There are several types of double. Most players agree that a double of any suit contract up to the agreed level, which is usually 2S, is for Take-Out. It tells partner that you have a certain limited strength; some authors say 16 points and can support your hand in any of the other three suits. “Take your pick.” If the opening bid was a major, then the strong suggestion is support for the other major or failing that a very strong minor, which he/she will subsequently bid, should you select the other major. Your response will depend on your shape and strength. With 0 to 7 HCPs just take your pick at the minimum level giving preference to the unbid major. With 8 plus HCPs consider a jump bid in your choice. You may consider a Pass to turn the double into penalties with a good holding in the enemy suit, or even some level of NT again with good cover. If your partner changes suit after you have indicated your choice it will cast doubt on the support available for your pick but will indicate a pretty strong alternative.

USE THE TAKE-OUT DOUBLE REGULARLY, it will improve any partnership. If the enemy partner bids after your partner’s double, this changes matters. His/her bid will show one of the following. This is also what you should do when your partner is doubled.

1. A raise of the opener’s bid is pre-emptive. e.g. 1S X 2S shows 2 - 5 HCPs and the appropriate length. 1S X 3S means that you would have said 2S without the double and 1S X 4S probably means that you have at least 5-card support and maybe a few points. A special Acol bid here is 1S X 2NT, which announces that you would have said 3S otherwise. (Partner can then decide whether to go on to game)

2.A bid of a new suit by the partner of the opener is often from fright and suggests a weak hand with no support for partner and protects in advance against the opponent turning the double into penalties. One thing you will know is that there is length but perhaps not much strength.

3. REDOUBLE (XX) shows 9+ HCPs and often no particular liking for the opened suit. It advises opener that between you, you should decide whether to take a penalty off the opponents or go on to game yourselves. Back to you as partner of the doubler.

 Over (1), remember you have been pre-empted. Support your partner if you can but remember that you are now a bit further up the ladder. Over (2), much the same but you have the additional knowledge that the opponents are very likely in trouble. Over (3), it could be your side in trouble. Your partner has another chance so don’t bid a weak 4-card suit out of fright but show a 5-card even with zero points. Double of NT openers is PENALTY. Double of Pre-empts, including weak two bids is TAKE-OUT

What Does Ruffing Out a Suit Mean?

The object of this technique is to ruff a suit enough times to exhaust the opponents of their cards in that suit, but leave you with winners. The key points here are

  1. You must count the number of cards played while ruffing out the suit so not to ruff too many times, and
  2. Make sure that there is an entry in the hand with the established cards before you embark on the process

Let’s look at a full hand to see it in action. South to play in Four Spades, and remember to watch those two key points above

A42
A9532
A92
Q5
T86
QJ7
KQJ
A843
73
T84
T764
KJT7
KQJ95
K6
853
962

There are only eight top tricks, but there is a chance of ruffing out the defenders hearts. The opening lead of the KD knocks out an entry to Dummy, so you will have to use the one remaining entry, the Ace of spades very wisely. Win the diamond, then play the King and Ace of hearts in that order.The lead is now in Dummy so another heart can be led and trumped. Make sure you count the hearts as they are played and you will find that the last two hearts in dummy are now established tricks. Now all you need to do is draw trumps, making very sure the third round is taken in dummy with the Ace so you are in the right hand to play the established hearts as winners.

I was told off for making a "reverse" bid with insufficient points, but I didn't know I had.
What is a "reverse bid".

This is a source of much confusion amongst newer players, especially as different bridge authors define it in different ways. I have always remembered a definition that puts it clearly, and it is is as follows -

"When, as opener, you bid two suits in such a way that you force your partner to go to the three level to support the first suit, you need 16+ points."

Consider the following two hands. In each case you open 1D and your partner replies 1S:

  1. A63
    KJT4
    AKJ53
    8
  2. A63
    KJT4
    A9853
    8

 

When you bid two suits, you have to assume your partner is going to have to make a choice - the worst case scenario if you like. You may get another stronger bid, but don't count on it. Now look to see how the above definition applies in each of these hands. In the first case you can make a second bid of 2H since, although you are forcing your partner to go to the three level to support the first suit, you have the 16 points to do so. Indeed your partner should recognise the fact that you have this many points.
But in the second case you have only 12 pts and have no option but a simple 2D rebid. After all if your partner had the necessary four hearts for a fit between you, then s/he would have bid it straight away. So remember when, having opened, and are about to rebid, ask yourself what level you are forcing your partner to with you second bid, and check if you have the points to "reverse bid". You will keep a smile on partners face if you do.

What are Signals, and How can they help our Partnership?

On some hands you need to take your opportunity as early as possible to get your tricks. Consider the following hand in which South is in four spades.

KQ6
QT6
JT3
KQJ6
J873
2
AKQ75
T82
AT52
874
82
9743
94
AKJ953
964
A5

West leads the Ace, King and then Queen of diamonds. Can the defenders take another trick? It depends on what happens on the fourth trick. West has a choice of a spade or club continuation, but which suit is best? If a club is led then declarer takes it, clears trumps, crosses to dummy's clubs and discards his two spade losers on them. East goes to bed with the Ace of Spades. How can East tell partner about that Ace? On the third diamond lead by West (The Queen), East throws the ten of spades. West should now ask "Why such a high card?". It is to show interest, and when West sees this card, MUST now follow with a spade. Contract defeated. By the same token a low discard will show lack of interest. But this is generally against a suit contract as high cards could be wasted against no trumps.

Suit Preference Signals

Following on from the question of signals, one of the most useful tools can be the suit preference signal. One way in which this can be of immense value is when leading a card for your partner to ruff, lead a high or low card to show which of the remaing two suits (not the one being ruffed, or trumps) partner should continue with to get you in again for a second bite at the ruffing cherry. Confused? Lets look at it in action in the following hand in which South is declarer in 4H. West leads with the diamond singleton.

AQ
QJ73
KT543
K2
J9654
T92
9
J863
T832
65
AJ82
A94
K7
AK84
Q76
QT75

While the lead could be the beginning of a high/low doubleton, East hopes for partner to ruff with a continuation. But which diamond does he play? Here is a chance to choose carefully. If partner does ruff East wants the lead back to give partner a second ruff and defeat the contract. If West returns a spade the contract should make, but if a club comes back then East can return the diamond again. So after taking the diamond Ace at trick one he leads back the two which is calling for the lower of the two remaining suits (clubs or spades). If East had held the Ace of spades then the nine of diamonds would call for a spade return.

Fourth in Hand Light Openers and The Rule of Fifteen

Often you hear players say "I had to open" when a hand is passed round to them in fourth postion, and they open with insufficient points for a normal opener. Rhubarb - there is no requirement whatsoever for you to do so. But how do you decide whether to or not? Enter the Rule of Fifteen

This states if, when fourth in hand, your point count, PLUS the number of spades in your hand do not add up to 15, you should throw the hand in. Why? Because your opponents, while not having an opening hand, may have enough for a part score, especially in spades should you open a heart. So all that happens is that you start the ball rolling, but they wind up with 110 or 140 that they would otherwise have missed out on. It is important to understand that a passed hand does NOT count as an average. It counts as a zero in the score column for both N/S and E/W. So by opening unnecessarily you may get a bottom for no other reason than you opened when you shouldn't have done. So if you don't have it, don't talk about it!!!

I hear about a Ruff & Sluff". What is a Ruff and Sluff?

It is the situation that normally crops up a few tricks from the end of a hand with a defender on lead. What it means is, against a suit contract, a defender leads a suit in which neither declarer nor dummy has any more cards. This allows declarer to ruff in one hand and discard a loser in the other, often resulting in making a contract s/he could not otherwise make. Recently I was given a 3 club contract by a defender error in the following situation with West on lead.

8
73
QJ
9
5
Q
T
5
6
Q

Since I had already showed out in Spades, West knows I have none. However The Queen of Spades was led, which I ruffed in Dummy and threw the losing heart in hand. Had West led the diamond, I could have ruffed in dummy, but I would still be left with the losing heart in each hand. I had been given a "Ruff and Sluff!!"and made an unmakable contract. Sometimes you, as defender, will have no choice, and top players will "endplay" you to manufacture exactly this situation.

What on Earth are "Sputnik" Doubles??

Also called "negative" doubles, these are used by a responder after partner has opened and your LHO has overcalled in a sequence like this

Opener Opponent Responder Opponent

1C        1S               ?

You may be sitting with say:

T87
KQ43
652
KJ5

To bid 2H would be quite wrong since it would be promising a five card suit. A negative double is a way of showing points, (less than an opener, but at least 8 pts) plus a four card suit in the major other than that overcalled by the opponent. So responder's call here is X.

Another example is when, as responder, you are holding the following

QJ73
53
Q52
AJ42

Auction goes 1D / 1H / X

The double again shows a four card spade suit and reasonable values.

It follows that if you bid your suit, opener will know you have a 5 carder and can support you with only three. This system is a good way of differentiating between four and five card suits. Remember, your opponents love to overcall a spade suit because it jumps over your possible 1H reply, and is bid by them just to be a pain. Adding Sputnik, or Negative doubles are therefore an important addition to your system.