SLOW MOTION

 
In 1985 Goren wrote in his book Goren’s New Bridge Complete: “In No Trump bidding, only high cards are assigned numerical values: the opening bidder may not allow any points for distribution . . . Although no points are allowed for distribution, it is conceded that a long suit is a decided asset and that game may be made with a point or two less when a good suit is held.”

Here is a another quote about distribution values in notrump: “The conclusion is that a good five-card suit is an advantage worth two points, but a poor one is of no predictable value.  A good suit is one that contains at least three high-card points.”  Does it sound familiar?  It should.  It’s from Standard American 21, 2004.
 

It took 20 years to move from a reluctant admission to a confident statement.  The bridge establishment still does not recognize distribution values in notrump bidding.  Forward motion is so slow it feels like sliding slowly backwards!
 

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WATCH THE SIGNALS

 

Said the annoyed bridge player to her partner: “you didn’t return my lead.  I thought you certainly would know it was a singleton - I led it with my left hand!”

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THE POWERS OF DEDUCTION

 

You are South, and the bidding is:

 

West              North              East                 South
1 Diamond     Double            Pass                 1 Heart
Pass                1 NT               Pass               

 

Q:  What sort of hand does your partner, North, have?

 

A:  (do not peak until you have thought about it for a bit)

 

The answer is not self-evident, and not subject to pure logic.  When North doubled, you should be thinking “opening strength, good cards in the unbid suits.”  But next North seems to ignore your hearts in favor of notrump.  North is said to have ‘corrected‘ to notrump. 

 

The meaning of this action is that North is balanced and stronger than a 1NT overcall.  Hence she should have 19 to 20 points and good diamond stoppers.