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Tip No. 37 Commentary

Uncommon Bidding Sequences - No. 4

The commentary on the following bidding sequences is either my own or is based on a Bridge authority, who is credited if I know it.

1.

3C - P - 4D

This bid makes no sense unless it is played as an Asking bid - agreeing on clubs as trump and asking for controls in Diamonds. The 3C bidder shows controls by bidding up the line - 4H shows no control, 4S shows second round control and 4N shows first round control.

Treatment by Hardy, who has a slightly more complicated system of showing controls. 2.

3D - P - 4C

RKC Gerber for Diamonds.

Treatment by Hardy. 3.

3D - P - 3S - P
4S

Shows 3 card support for spades (possibly Ax or Kx).

Treatment by Hardy. 4.

P - P - 1S - P
3C

This is a very useful bid, showing invitational strength with spade support (usually 4 cards) and good clubs - a "fit showing jump".

5.

1H - 1S - P - 3C

This bid shows a weak hand, long clubs and no spade support - a weak jump shift in competition.

Of course, it could also be played as a fit showing jump. 6.

1S - 2D - 4D

This is a game forcing splinter bid - 4 card spade support and a diamond singleton or void. 7.

1N - X(pen) - XX

The re-double is a relay - partner must bid 2C. You have a weak 2 suited hand in the mionors or the majors. You will pass partner's 2C, correct to 2D, or bid 2H (showing a heart spade 2 suiter - partner may correct to 2S).

Treatment by Hardy. 8.

1N - X(not pen) - XX

The re-double here shows 8+ HCP, planning to make 1N redoubled or make a penalty double of the opponents bid.

9.

1N - X(pen) - 2C

Stayman. Even if playing Lebensohl, systems are on after a 2C overcall. 10.

1S - P - 4D - Dbl

The 4D bid is a splinter. The Dbl is lead directing for clubs - the lower unbid suit. If you do not double the splinter bid, there is a modest inference that you would like the higher ranking unbid suit led.

Treatment by Lawrence. 11.

1S - P - 2N - P
4S - P - 4N - P
5C - P - 5D - P
5N

5C shows 1 or 4 key cards, 5D asks about the spade Queen, 5N confirms holding the spade Queen and denies holding any outside King. 12.

2C - P - 2D - P
2S - P - 4N - P
6C

4N is RKC Blackwood for spades. 6C shows 1 key card and a club void. This bidding looks insane - the 2D bid promises at most one King, so it looks like you will play 6S missing at least 2 Aces and maybe the trump King.

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1. 3C - P - 4D This bid makes no sense unless it is played as an Asking bid - agreeing on clubs as trump and asking for controls in Diamonds. The 3C bidder shows controls by bidding up the line - 4H shows no control, 4S shows second round control and 4N shows first round control. Treatment by Hardy, who has a slightly more complicated system of showing controls.	2. 3D - P - 4C RKC Gerber for Diamonds. Treatment by Hardy.	3. 3D - P - 3S - P 4S Shows 3 card support for spades (possibly Ax or Kx). Treatment by Hardy.	4. P - P - 1S - P 3C This is a very useful bid, showing invitational strength with spade support (usually 4 cards) and good clubs - a "fit showing jump".
5. 1H - 1S - P - 3C This bid shows a weak hand, long clubs and no spade support - a weak jump shift in competition. Of course, it could also be played as a fit showing jump.	6. 1S - 2D - 4D This is a game forcing splinter bid - 4 card spade support and a diamond singleton or void.	7. 1N - X(pen) - XX The re-double is a relay - partner must bid 2C. You have a weak 2 suited hand in the mionors or the majors. You will pass partner's 2C, correct to 2D, or bid 2H (showing a heart spade 2 suiter - partner may correct to 2S). Treatment by Hardy.	8. 1N - X(not pen) - XX The re-double here shows 8+ HCP, planning to make 1N redoubled or make a penalty double of the opponents bid.
9. 1N - X(pen) - 2C Stayman. Even if playing Lebensohl, systems are on after a 2C overcall.	10. 1S - P - 4D - Dbl The 4D bid is a splinter. The Dbl is lead directing for clubs - the lower unbid suit. If you do not double the splinter bid, there is a modest inference that you would like the higher ranking unbid suit led. Treatment by Lawrence.	11. 1S - P - 2N - P 4S - P - 4N - P 5C - P - 5D - P 5N 5C shows 1 or 4 key cards, 5D asks about the spade Queen, 5N confirms holding the spade Queen and denies holding any outside King.	12. 2C - P - 2D - P 2S - P - 4N - P 6C 4N is RKC Blackwood for spades. 6C shows 1 key card and a club void. This bidding looks insane - the 2D bid promises at most one King, so it looks like you will play 6S missing at least 2 Aces and maybe the trump King.