February 2004

FIVE-CARD MAJORS

Your hand is:

S) K J 6 4 3
H) 7 4 2
D) A K Q
C) A 7

You open 1 spade and partner raises to 2 spades. Your turn? Partner gave you a single raise. She may have just 6 points, leaving you a couple of points shy of game.

On the other hand, she may have 9 points or a poor 10, and then you would certainly want to be in game - I hope.

If you bid again below game it would be logical to assume that you are interested in game but not sure of it. That is good logic and a correct assumption. Bid 3 spades. This is a game invitation, suggesting partner continue to game with 8 or 9 points and pass with less.

GIVING UP BRIDGE

VERSE 5

We're in seven spades and all my hope fades
When surprise, surprise, her bidding pays,
 

We're winning all tricks, the defenders feel sick
And I have to admit my partner's a brick.

FOR THE DEFENSE

OPENING LEADS

When you are on lead, you often want to attack declarer's weakest suit. Also you want to avoid giving declarer an unearned trick.

Sometimes, but not always, these objectives are in conflict. When you have an honor sequence (K-Q-J-x for instance), these objectives merge.

Lead the top of the sequence so as not to confuse partner about the location of higher honors. You should consider a broken sequence (K-Q-10-x) in the same manner; lead the king. This rule applies to lesser sequences too.

Lead the highest card from:
Q J 10
Q J 9
J 10 8

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