Questions tagged [bridge]
A 4 player trick-taking card game where opposing partners try to either take the number of tricks they bid or prevent their opponents from doing so. When asking questions on bidding or play, please specify scoring system (Rubber, Matchpoints, IMPS, ec.), Dealer, vulnerability for both sides, full auction to the point of inquiry, and as complete a description of the visible hands as you can, including spot cards instead of x's.
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Should one only rarely be pessimistic when their side has the balance of points?
An answerer to this question confessed to being overly pessimistic on the first pass when "his" side (the one he was role playing) had more than half the deck.
I can think of a few cases ...
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Theoretically Optimal Bridge System (In the mathematical sense)
I'm wondering from a mathematical perspective, what the best theoretically possible bridge system is.
I know this is a bit of a muddy question, such as what systems are allowed, and what criteria best ...
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When should someone make a minimum bid over a takeout double with 8 or more high card points?
There was this example cited by an expert (Frank Stewart}. On the hand ♠ 943 ♡A52 ♢AQJ ♣ 8732.the SE consensus was that "11" high card points were really more like seven because of the 4-3-3-...
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1 Spade Interference over Precision 1 Club
I have heard that at some point in the past, a common defence against a strong 1 club opener is:
1S: I have 13 cards.
What's the reason this defence has fallen out of favour?
Could it be that it's ...
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Why is the rationale for requiring a minimum 5-4 distribution for an "unusual" 2NT overcall?
At least, that's the understanding I got from this source on conventions (clause 4 of the "overcalls" section).
My preference is for 5-5 in the minors or the two lowest relevant suits, and a ...
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How dominant is the rubber bonus compared to typical scores?
I've been learning the rules and just playing solitaire with bots so far. The scores I'm typically seeing are dominated by the rubber bonus (combined with the implied extra contract points for making ...
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Partner opens 1NT (15-17 HCP) and then your RHO intervenes
My question is about whether or not you play "systems off" if there is an interfering bid by your RHO (right-hand opponent)? I guess that how you will respond to your partner's opening 1NT ...
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Ethical issue about duplicate bridge
I am returning to bridge after playing online for a few years (covid). I am an intermediate beginner. I play with a robot (bridge solitaire). I tried to find a pro bridge player to sit with me while ...
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Opening light in the 3rd position
What requirements do you have for opening the auction light in the third position when you are light ?
vulnerability?
strength?
4-card major?
etcetera?
All responses will be welcome.
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Under what circumstances might some modern experts bid no trump with "offshape" hands?
This question arises from the modern practice of sometimes bidding say, 1 NT with only a singleton ace (or even king).
I would never do this with a singleton king, but might do with a singleton ace. I'...
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Is a 4-3-3-3 shape as negative in a no trump as in a suit contract?
With a "12 point" hand like ♠ QJ2 ♡K64 ♢A42 ♣ Q852, I might pass, rather than open in first or second seat because of its "flat" shape, for which I would deduct a point. It also ...
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Is it OK to refrain from exploring further at matchpoints when you are in a satisfactory contract?
With no one vulnerable, I opened one club in fourth position at matchpoints after three passes with the following:♠ J752 ♡AJ6 ♢A4 ♣ QT52. I did so because people at our club who pass with 12 high card ...
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How should I have dealt with the Capelleti interference to my partner's 1NT bid
With no one vulnerable, partner opened 1NT (15-17) after three passes. The intervening opponent bid 2 clubs (Capelletti, a system I don't understand), except that it could indicate length in any suit.....
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Can you use Stayman (or other means) to rescue an inadequately protected 2NT bid?
This is a followup to a previous question.
Neither vulnerable, I opened 2NT after two passes with the following: ♠ AKQ ♡ Q72 ♢AK872 ♣ Q8. This is a "conventional" holding with the a weak ...
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What is the advantage of bidding to game in Rubber Bridge?
Suppose North-South ("N-S") has a combined hand that can make a contract of 4 Hearts. If they win 10 tricks and make 4 Hearts, then they get 120 points whether they bid 4 Hearts and made ...
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Is it more important for a responder to bid their suit or raise partner under the following circumstances?
With only us vulnerable at matchpoints, I oponed one heart after dealer passed. The second opponent passed and partner had the following for a response: ♠ AQJ74 ♡ 742 ♢K754 ♣ 7.
I would have expected ...
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What does a double mean when made by a partner who has already passed?
The bidding was North : Pass, East : Pass, South (me) : 1D, West : 2C, North : Double.
North had a balanced 10 points including three clubs to the king, four hearts, three spades, and three ...
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Does it make sense to set up a "reverse" bid to advertise extra strength?
At any game type, position or vulnerability, if I had something like ♠ AK642 ♡ AQ973 ♢ 75 ♣ 2, and no one had opened in front of me, I would bid 1 Spade, planning to rebid the heart suit of equal ...
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Could it be right to "convert" a takeout double with a weaker trump holding when it is made from the "balancing" rather than "direct" seat?
In the usual situation, South opens one spade, West doubles for takeout, and North passes. If East wants to "convert" the double, they need a very strong trump holding, in fact one that is ...
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Why is it forbidden to open hands with fewer than 8 high card points?
Source
2.6 Random Openings
It is forbidden to open hands which, by agreement, may contain fewer than 8 high card
points and for which no further definition is provided.
If you open bidding for a ...
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Does it make better sense to open "light" in matchpoints than in rubber?
By "light" I mean with something like 11 high card points and a five card major suit or 10 high card points and a six card major headed by at least two honors. My (limited) experience has ...
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How do good partnerships adjust their systems when overcalling, instead of opening, 1NT?
Over an opening bid of 1NT, responders will use a variety of systems, such as Stayman, (Jacoby) transfers,etc.
But suppose the sequence was South: 1 diamond, West 1NT, North, Pass, and you are East. ...
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Are Moyesian fits more playable at matchpoints than rubber or IMP, bridge?
A 4-3 trump fit is known as a "Moyesian" fit after an expert who liked to play such hands, even with fewer trumps than the standard eight card fits.
Their main downside is that with six ...
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Was I right to pass my partner's two level overcall?
Both sides vulnerable at matchpoints, South opened one spade. West, my partner, overcalled with two clubs. North passed, and I was sitting East with ♠ J854 ♡ AT97 ♢ A843 ♣ 4.
I had no obvious bid, so ...
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In passing opposite a takeout double, is it merely enough to probably be stronger than declarer in his trump suit?
With the other side vulnerable, your LHO (South) opens one of a suit, your partner (West) doubles (takeout), RHO (North) passes. You (East) have KQJ97 of the bid suit and a bunch of small side suit ...
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Are reminders spoken before looking at the cards bad bridge etiquette or ethics?
After the board had been assigned, but before we looked at our cards at matchpoints, my partner announced, "We're vulnerable and they're not." This was a call to bid cautiously because of ...
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Are there times when it is right to underlead an ace against a suit contract?
First, my own example.
With only N-S vulnerable, I was sitting West at matchpoints when South dealt and opened 1NT (15-17). I passed, North bid 2 hearts, and South transferred to two spades, all pass.
...
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Would most modern experts decline to raise one of a major with the following hand?
Vulnerable versus not at rubber, South opened 1 spade. West passed, and North passed with the following: ♠ KJ9 ♡ 63 ♢ 9762 ♣ 8743.
One raises with "six" points. In the old days (50 years or ...
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Does my "six or eight" rule for "raising one" make sense?
I was taught to raise partner's "one of a major" bid to two with six high card points.
A variation of the rule that I learned recently was eight "points" counting distribution.
So ...
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How, and how much do bidders downgrade their hands for weak spots?
Suppose you are the first to speak and have a hand like the following (with all x's being 7 or lower).
♠ Kxxx
♡ Ax
♢ Axxx
♣ AJx
That's 16 high card points, and normally one would bid 1NT (15-17) with ...
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Does a 1st round takeout double always require 3 cards in all the opposition unbid suits?
Does a takeout double in the first round always require 3 or more cards in opposition unbid suits or can a strong hand (18+ points) do a takeout even without the requirement?
After the partner bids in ...
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When is it appropriate to raise opener's one of a major with only a king and four of their suit?
The first example was that of Zia Mahmood, as recorded in Larry Cohen's "To Bid or Not to Bid." Hearing his partner bid one spade, Zia raised, with both sides vulnerable, holding
♠ K974
♡ 82
...
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Is pass correct with 14pts, KQ9H, after 1C,-,1H,-,1S,-,2S,-?
Only us vulnerable at matchpoints, partner opened one club, with the following. I responded one heart, partner bid one spade I bid two spades. (Opponents passed throughout).
♠ AT72
♡ KQ9
♢ 54
♣ AJ95
...
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Would you lead "fourth best from longest and strongest" from the following hands?
With neither side vulnerable at rubber, you are on lead against 3NT (1NT, 3NT bid).
I would refrain from doing the above with a Yarborough like
♠ 983
♡ 872
♢ 76432
♣ 85
Instead, I would lead one of ...
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Is it ok to open a "weak two" with a decent six of a suit and a "weak" four card side major?
With equal vulnerability, and a holding like (s) KQ9753 (h) K432 (d)xx (c) x, I would pass in first or second position, so that others can bid and I can respond or overcall. I don't mind doing this ...
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Would you overcall, double, or do something else with the following strong but "offshape" hand?
You are vulnerable versus not, when your right hand opponent opens one heart. You are sitting on the following "powerhouse," but one that is "offshape" for the calls you want to ...
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Opposite partner's opening bid, should I respond in a long minor or a shorter major?
At matchpoints, vulnerable versus not, my partner opened 1 heart with (s) QT963 (h) AKJ92 (d)Q4 (c)8.
I responded 2 diamonds with (s)A872 (h) 8 (d) KJT753 (c) KQ. Partner rebid 2 spades and we ended ...
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How flexible is the six point response rule in bridge?
If partner opens one of a major, say one heart, I was taught that a responder could raise to two hearts with three of the suit and six high card points, or bid a new suit "one over one" (e.g....
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What is the rationale for a "forcing" 1NT with a range of 6-12 points?
First of all, my understanding is that no trump bids should be made within fairly narrow point ranges (2-3). Therefore, "6-12" looks like an awfully wide range for a single no trump bid.
...
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If you are playing short minors, does the following sequence constitute a "reverse?"
Playing five card majors, I open one heart, partner responds two of a minor, and I bid two spades. That would be a "reverse," showing a five-four pattern, and at least 16-17 points.
But ...
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Did I misbid a slam?
At matchpoints, with both sides vulnerable, my partner opened one club. I bid one heart (one over one) with the following holding: (s) K9 (h) AQ87642 (d) J (c) A62.
Partner then bid one spade (showing ...
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Could leading one of dummy's bid suits be a good idea?
Vulnerable versus not, and sitting West, I held (s) AQ54 (h) K3 (d) T85 (c) KT87. With North opening the bidding, and West and East passing throughout, the bidding went:
North South
1 spade 2 ...
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I opened 1 Heart & my partner promptly responded 2 NT. How many points does my partner have & what is the shape of his hand?
I opened 1 Heart & my partner promptly responded 2 NT. How many points does my partner have & what is the shape of his hand?
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Would you rather play defense than offense with the following hand?
Non vulnerable vs. vulnerable in duplicate bridge, West dealt and opened a "weak two" (hearts), which an expert, Frank Stewart, called "cheesy" with the following hand:
♠ 2
♡ ...
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What are the minimum requirements for a one level overcall?
I was taught that you need at least eight high card points to "overcall" at the one level against an opposing opening bid. In a pinch, "seven" would do if they were all in your (...
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In a bridge auction, what makes an overcall "aggressive"
I'm often told, after a hand has been played, that my overcall in the auction was "aggressive". When I ask them what they mean by that adjective, nobody will give me a direct answer. I ...
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Was I right or wrong to value the following as an opening hand?
At matchpoints, not vulnerable vs. vulnerable, I opened one heart with the following (all X's are 7 or lower).
♠ J9x
♡ A9xxxx
♢ J9
♣ AT
Normally, I need 11, not 10, high card points to open even with ...
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When are good times to "lead dummy's first bid suit?"
This usually happens when your partner, East, doubles (and the double has no other meaning). The double may indicate one of several things. 1) East has a good tenace (e.g. AQ) behind' the dummy's suit....
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When are nine and ten hcp point hands worth opening at the "one" level?
With a holding like AKQTxx in one suit, and no side honors, I could usually open with a "weak two." But suppose the suit were clubs. Then I can't open with two clubs because that is a much ...
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How should the bidding have proceeded in this situation?
A commenter pointed out that the original version of this question was not as interesting as some side issues accompanying it. So I am going to ask a second question to address those "side issues....
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