November 2003

FIVE-CARD MAJORS

Years ago direct raises to game (1 spade - 4 spades) were used to describe hands with lots of trump support (usually 5) and a limit of about 9 high-card points. Those were the days when unbalanced hands were undervalued.

To credit full value, you must add two points for every trump in excess of eight.

S)   x
H)  K J x x x
D)  Q J 10 x x
C)   x x

Fifty years ago Goren used this hand to illustrate the double jump raise when partner opens 1 heart. I value this hand as 7 high-card points, 3 short-suit points (2 for spades and 1 for clubs), and, because the partnership has 10 hearts, 4 more points for the extra hearts - 14 points total.

When you have game values, bid the game - double jump to 4 hearts. Goren's definition was too restrictive, requiring unnecessarily complicated treatments for more balanced, game-strength hands.

FOR THE OFFENSE

THE QUESTION

Dummy:  H) K x x x      You:  H) Q x x x

You have no problem getting back and forth between dummy and your hand.  How do you play these hearts to gain the most tricks?

GIVING UP BRIDGE

VERSE 2

My cards are all rotten

and I have forgotten
Who's played and what's trump
And what's gone on my right!
 

So for now it's all over - I'm off to the backwood
I'm bidding goodbye to Gerber and Blackwood.

FOR THE OFFENSE

THE ANSWER

Decide who is most likely to have the ace. If clueless, pick the opponent who looks most interested in the deal. Lead through that hand to your king or queen.

If you win the trick, now lead and play low from both hands. You are hoping for the ace to fall on the first or second trick. With a 3-2 split and the ace falling on the second trick, you will take three hearts.

This works for everyone but me!

BridgeSnaps newsletter is produced by John S. Thomas, author of Standard American 21.