September 2008 - 30

The Bidding Box

a range of 17-19 HCP. Without a
guarantee of finding a fit via Stayman,
Jackson had no option but to pass.
McGarry
Pass

Siebert
1NT

McGarry and Siebert play a strong
(15-17 HCP) 1NT, but the result was
the same as their counterparts.
Weak 1NT fans will fare better on
this layout as their auctions will likely
be 1-1; 2-Pass.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1NT-Pass
Scores: 2 11; 3 8; 1NT 6; 2NT
4; 2 3; 4 2; 3NT 1
Jackson-Dawson 16, McGarry-
Siebert 6

Problem 3

South deals. E-W vulnerable.
West
KQ862
QJ65
-
A854

East
73
K7
K872
KJ632

Jackson
1
2
Pass

Dawson
1NT
2

1 was natural and limited (15
HCP maximum). 1NT was semi-forcing, meaning that opener is permitted
to pass with a balanced minimum
opening. Jackson followed up with a
2 rebid. Opposite a limited opener,
Dawson deemed his hand to be unworthy of an invitational try such as
2NT, so he took a simple preference
to spades, ending the auction.
McGarry
1
2
3
Pass

Siebert
1NT
2NT
4

The auction began the same way
as the other pair, but Siebert decided
to risk a slight overstatement of his
values with the natural 2NT, which
typically shows 11 or 12 HCP.
McGarry was delighted to have the
opportunity to show his third suit.
Siebert raised to 4, but McGarry
had nothing extra and passed.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-1NT;
2-2; Pass
Scores: 3 12; 4 10; 2 7; 5
6; 1NT 4; 3 3; 2NT 2; 4 1
Jackson-Dawson 23, McGarry-
Siebert 16

Problem 4

West deals. Both vulnerable.
West
AQ62
KQJ4
72
KQ4

East
 K J 10 8
A62
AJ
A872

Jackson
1
2
3
5
6
Pass

Dawson
1NT
2
4NT
5
7

Over Jackson's strong club
opening, Dawson's 1NT showed a
balanced 12-14 HCP or 17-plus. 2
was Stayman, and over the 2 reply,
3 showed a four-card raise with
a non-minimum opener, in context.
4NT is Roman Key Card Blackwood
(03/14), 5 showed one key card,
5 was the queen-ask and 6
showed the Q and the K.
At this point, Dawson knew that
Jackson held the A Q and the K.
To open 1 (and later bid 3),
Jackson had to hold many more high
cards, including at least one red king.
Dawson took a slight gamble and bid
the grand.

Practice this set and other
pre-dealt sets of boards
at www.biddingquest.com

30

McGarry
1NT
2
6

Siebert
2
4NT
Pass

After the Stayman sequence, 4NT
was natural and quantitative, denying four hearts, but promising four
spades. McGarry, holding a maximum with four spades, leaped to the
small spade slam.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1NT-
6NT; Pass
Scores: 7 12; 6 10; 6NT 9;
7NT 8; 6 7; 5, 5, 5NT 2
Jackson-Dawson 35, McGarry-
Siebert 26

Problem 5

North deals. None vulnerable.
West
8
 Q J 10 7 5 2
 K 10 2
985

East
 K J 10 7 4 2
A9
A3
KQJ

Jackson

Dawson
1
1
4

1
2
Pass

A strong club opening and negative
response. 1 was forcing, promising at least four spades, but possibly
concealing a longer minor. 2 was
natural with six or more hearts and a
maximum (6-7 HCP). Dawson knew
what to do.
McGarry
1NT
Pass

Siebert
1
4

After the more common 1 opening and forcing 1NT response, East
had a difficult rebid. 3 is right on
suit length and values (perhaps 3
is a little heavy), and anything else
(except the direct bash of 4) would
be a distortion.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-1NT;
3-Pass
Bridge Bulletin
http://www.biddingquest.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2008
