November 2012 - 41

Bridge Player's
Survival Kit
A great forcing bid
Dlr: South ࡕ A 10 6
Vul: N-S ࡖ J 9 2
ࡗK8754
ࡔKQ
ࡕ532
ࡕ987
N
ࡖAQ863 W E ࡖK754
ࡗAQ3
ࡗ J 10 9 6
S
ࡔ 10 5
ࡔ86
ࡕKQJ4
ࡖ 10
ࡗ2
ࡔAJ97432
West

North

East

1ࡖ
Pass
Pass

2ࡗ (1)
3ࡖ (2)
5ࡔ (5)

2ࡖ
Dbl (3)
All Pass

South
1ࡔ
2ࡕ
4ࡔ (4)

West led the ࡖA. South made 11
tricks for plus 600.
(1) As soon as her partner opened,
North knew her side should get to
game. But when you don't know the
best contract, you should go slow.
There is no need to jump. Even when
the auction turns competitive, a new
suit by an unpassed responder is still
forcing.
(2) North suspected that 3NT might
be the best contract, but was worried
about her side being able to stop the
enemy heart suit from running. She
cuebid 3ࡖ (the enemy suit) to ask her
partner to further describe her hand.
In this auction, North would have bid
notrump with a heart stopper, so the
cuebid denied having one.

(3) North-South were never going to
play in a heart contract, doubling for
penalty is pointless, but that doesn't
mean East should pass. East's double
of the cuebid is lead directing, asking
West to lead hearts. A pass by East
would mildly warn West against leading hearts.
(4) On this auction, South's priority is
to bid 3NT with a heart stopper. With
no stopper and a fifth spade (and,
by inference, a sixth club) she could
have bid 3ࡕ. With no stopper but
with support for North's diamonds
(remember them?) South could raise
that suit. East's double of the cuebid
meant that North would get another
chance to bid, South could pass with
nothing to add to the auction. Note:
You should not, will not, cannot and must not ever pass your
partner's cuebid if your left-hand
opponent's pass would end the
auction! South thought bidding 4ࡔ
was the best way to describe her
hand.
With a heavy sigh, North raised her
partner to game in a stinkin' minor!
Most players, especially at matchpoints, prefer not to bid game in a
minor, but when you have no stopper

Leslie Shafer
slamhand@verizon.net

in the opponents' suit, you have no
choice.
A cuebid (bidding a suit introduced
by the opponents) is almost always
a situational bid. The context of the
auction is important to understanding the bid. The exception would be
a conventional meaning given to a
direct cuebid over an opening bid - a
Michaels cuebid, for example. In general, cuebids are forcing, show extra
strength and ask for more information
from partner.
My students are understandably
bewildered by the many uses and
meanings of cuebids. Experts sometimes use terms like flexible, catchall
and even nebulous to describe certain
cuebids (usually the ones their partners use).
❒

If your partner cuebids, my advice:
Don't panic and don't pass!
November 2012 Bridge Bulletin

41



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2012

Viewpoint - Brent Manley
Letters to the Editor
From the CEO - Robert Hartman
San Francisco hosts Fall NABC
Zimmermann wins Spingold
Westheimer takes Wagar
Lille World Championships (part 1)
Double Trouble - Larry Cohen
Book Reviews
Club News
Obituary - Carol Sanders (1932-2012)
A Game for All Ages
The Bidding Box
It's Your Call
Ruling the Game - Mike Flader
For Newer Players
Puzzle Page
Ask Jerry - Jerry Helms
Bridge Players Survival Kit - forcing bids- Leslie Shafer
Upgrading Your Game - Lynn Berg
Mike's Bridge Lesson - Mike Lawrence
Play & Learn - Pat Harrington
The Real Deal - Larry Cohen
For Intermediate Players
Boehm on Bridge - August Boehm
Misplay these Hands With Me - Overconfidence - Mark Horton
Better Bridge with Bergen - 5NT pick a slam - Marty Bergen
Chalk talk - Eddie Kantar
East hands for The Bidding Box
Big Games
For Advanced Players
My Bridge and Yours - Frank Stewart
Bidding Matters - 12 habits - Karen Walker
International Fund Game winners
Test Your Play - Eddie Kantar
West hands for The Bidding Box
Mike's Advice - Mike Lawrence
Solutions to Test Your Play
Log on for Bridge
Obituary - Lurs Crossley (1925-2012)
Bridge with the Abbot - David Bird
Dear Billy - Billy Miller
George's World - George Jacobs
World Wide Bridge Contest District Winners
New Life Masters
Lifetime Achievement
Life Master Milestones
In Memoriam
Obituary - Mildred L. Frederick (1906-2012)
Tournament Directory
November 2012 - 1
November 2012 - 2
November 2012 - 3
November 2012 - 4
November 2012 - 5
November 2012 - Letters to the Editor
November 2012 - 7
November 2012 - 8
November 2012 - From the CEO - Robert Hartman
November 2012 - San Francisco hosts Fall NABC
November 2012 - Zimmermann wins Spingold
November 2012 - 12
November 2012 - 13
November 2012 - 14
November 2012 - 15
November 2012 - Westheimer takes Wagar
November 2012 - 17
November 2012 - Lille World Championships (part 1)
November 2012 - 19
November 2012 - 20
November 2012 - 21
November 2012 - Double Trouble - Larry Cohen
November 2012 - 23
November 2012 - Book Reviews
November 2012 - 25
November 2012 - Club News
November 2012 - 27
November 2012 - 28
November 2012 - Obituary - Carol Sanders (1932-2012)
November 2012 - A Game for All Ages
November 2012 - The Bidding Box
November 2012 - 32
November 2012 - 33
November 2012 - It's Your Call
November 2012 - 35
November 2012 - 36
November 2012 - 37
November 2012 - Ruling the Game - Mike Flader
November 2012 - Puzzle Page
November 2012 - Ask Jerry - Jerry Helms
November 2012 - Bridge Players Survival Kit - forcing bids- Leslie Shafer
November 2012 - Upgrading Your Game - Lynn Berg
November 2012 - Mike's Bridge Lesson - Mike Lawrence
November 2012 - Play & Learn - Pat Harrington
November 2012 - 45
November 2012 - The Real Deal - Larry Cohen
November 2012 - Misplay these Hands With Me - Overconfidence - Mark Horton
November 2012 - Better Bridge with Bergen - 5NT pick a slam - Marty Bergen
November 2012 - Chalk talk - Eddie Kantar
November 2012 - Big Games
November 2012 - My Bridge and Yours - Frank Stewart
November 2012 - Bidding Matters - 12 habits - Karen Walker
November 2012 - Test Your Play - Eddie Kantar
November 2012 - Mike's Advice - Mike Lawrence
November 2012 - Solutions to Test Your Play
November 2012 - Log on for Bridge
November 2012 - Obituary - Lurs Crossley (1925-2012)
November 2012 - Bridge with the Abbot - David Bird
November 2012 - Dear Billy - Billy Miller
November 2012 - George's World - George Jacobs
November 2012 - New Life Masters
November 2012 - Lifetime Achievement
November 2012 - 63
November 2012 - Life Master Milestones
November 2012 - 65
November 2012 - Obituary - Mildred L. Frederick (1906-2012)
November 2012 - 67
November 2012 - Tournament Directory
November 2012 - 69
November 2012 - 70
November 2012 - 71
November 2012 - 72
November 2012 - 73
November 2012 - 74
November 2012 - 75
November 2012 - 76
November 2012 - 77
November 2012 - 78
November 2012 - 79
November 2012 - 80
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_01a
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_01
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com