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HOW TO BID


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In a strict up-the-line style (which sayc is) there is a fair amount to be said for responding 1. If partner has a four-card major he will bid it and I can pass. If partner rebids 2, at least we have a 6-1 fit and we're unlikely to be doubled, and may rob the opponents of a game. If partner raises the diamonds, the 4-4 diamond fit should play okay and again we may rob the opponents. The only really awful continuations from partner are 2NT and 3. Assuming partner would normally bid a four-card major if he had one instead of 2NT (this is sayc, but unfamiliar to walsh bidders) the 2NT rebid is not that likely (needs 3334 or (332)5 shape). In any case 2NT might not actually play worse than 1 on this hand (yeah they're both down, but might be the same amount and a double is not all that likely). The 3 continuation is unfortunate, but might still rob the opponents of a making game or partial.

 

Of course the "textbook" bid with less than 6 points and no compensating long suit is pass. But the benefits of bidding 1 are much more significant in an "up-the-line" style than in walsh (where partner will virtually always bypass a major to rebid notrump at the appropriate level, leading to awful contracts if you respond).

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In a strict up-the-line style (which sayc is) there is a fair amount to be said for responding 1. If partner has a four-card major he will bid it and I can pass. If partner rebids 2, at least we have a 6-1 fit and we're unlikely to be doubled, and may rob the opponents of a game. If partner raises the diamonds, the 4-4 diamond fit should play okay and again we may rob the opponents. The only really awful continuations from partner are 2NT and 3. Assuming partner would normally bid a four-card major if he had one instead of 2NT (this is sayc, but unfamiliar to walsh bidders) the 2NT rebid is not that likely (needs 3334 or (332)5 shape). In any case 2NT might not actually play worse than 1 on this hand (yeah they're both down, but might be the same amount and a double is not all that likely). The 3 continuation is unfortunate, but might still rob the opponents of a making game or partial.

 

Of course the "textbook" bid with less than 6 points and no compensating long suit is pass. But the benefits of bidding 1 are much more significant in an "up-the-line" style than in walsh (where partner will virtually always bypass a major to rebid notrump at the appropriate level, leading to awful contracts if you respond).

While bidding 1 sounds good in theory; in practice, I have found that it usually leads to less than desirable results.

 

The weakness of this hand, combined with the shortness in clubs, and the failure of RHO to overcall, increases the odds that you are going to hear either 2N/3N or 3 (and possibly 3) as partners next call. While I can probably withstand a 3 bid, the other two calls will usually be disastrous.

 

If 1 gets doubled and left in back to me, I can either XX (SOS) or bid 1, depending on agreements. Now partner knows I am weak and can't stand clubs, leaving him better placed as to what call to take on his next turn.

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