January 2016 - 47
Newer Players
Ask Jerry
BY JERRY HELMS
Hi, Jerry,
I would like your opinion on the
following hand:
♠K ♥K J 9 4 ♦A 7 5 2 ♣A 10 6 4.
With both sides vulnerable, I hear
two passes and decide to open 1NT
(15-17). Unconventional, but I have
seen support for the 1NT opening on
similar hands in The Bridge World
magazine. My partner and I have no
agreement about making this type
of bid. We ended up in 4♥, making.
Upon completion of the play, my opponent called the director to document my bid. He also criticized me
because my singleton king was in a
major suit. What is your opinion of
this situation?
Tom
➤ Bridge Player's Survival Kit
continued
The simplest agreement might be
that the redouble forces the partnership to one of the following:
⦁ Double the opponents for penalty.
⦁ Keep bidding at least until a fit is
confirmed by a suit being raised
(i.e., new suits are forcing).
⦁ Keep bidding until game is
reached.
By the way, we included the grimaces and sighs for your amusement,
but you are not allowed to notice your
partner's body language at the table. ◾
jerryhelms.com
Hi, Tom,
Let me start with a couple of quotes
that will give you an early indication of
my opinion:
"Always plan a second bid before you
choose a first." - Alvin Roth, c. 1958
"The best available bid is often the least
bad alternative." - Jerry Helms
Personally, I think you followed Alvin Roth's advice, making a reasonable
decision to describe a difficult holding - so reasonable that it would have
been my first choice and, truthfully,
my only choice. Your partner will play
you to have 15-17 high-card points,
with no singletons or voids, which is almost exactly what you have. Surely the
singleton ♠K has value equivalent to a
small doubleton.
Although it doesn't matter, I wonder
what alternative auction your opponent would have suggested. I suppose
he would have opened 1♦, but when
his partner responded the probable
1♠, now what? This hand does not
remotely resemble a reverse to 2♥,
which should describe an unbalanced
hand with at least 16-17 HCP, with
most values in the two suits bid and
almost always more length in the first
suit.
Perhaps after 1♦, he planned to
make the "descriptive" 2♣ rebid? This
sequence leaves much to be desired.
Did he intend to rebid 1NT over a spade
response to describe a balanced 12-14?
This rebid both understates values and
brings up the same shape issues your
opponent took exception to when you
opened 1NT.
It appears to me that you chose the
best available - albeit off-shape - bid
as the least bad alternative. I do not
make a habit of opening 1NT with a
singleton, but if the appropriate hand
comes up, I do whatever I think is best.
I endorse the right of your opponent
to call the director when he feels there
has been an infraction. I do not endorse
or condone any opponent attempting
to give lessons at the table. I find it
ironic that those who think they have
been injured and insist upon providing corrective information are often
completely and absolutely wrong. I am
reminded of another quote - a plaque
my brother received many years ago:
"A closed mouth gathers no foot."
Editor's note: Problem 1 in this
month's It's Your Call (pg. 40) addresses this same subject.
◾
Send your questions to
askjerry@jerryhelms.com
January 2016 Bridge Bulletin
47
http://www.jerryhelms.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2016
In First Seat - by Paul Linxwiler
InBox
From the CEO - by Robert Hartman
Reno hosts the Spring NABC
2016 president Ken Monzingo
USA manhandles competition in World Senior Teams
Rocky Mountain Report - Fall NABC winners from Denver
Deals from the Denver NABC
Newly approved transfers help against overcalls
Competition underway in College Bridge Bowl
Club News
Big Games
The Bidding Box
It's Your Call
Mike's Bridge Lesson - by Mike Lawrence
Upgrading Your Game - by Lynn Berg
Bridge Player's Survival Kit - by Leslie Shafer
Ask Jerry - by Jerry Helms
Newcomer Help Desk - by Brent Manley
Play & Learn - by Pat Harrington
Challenge of the Month
Out of Hand
Ruling the Game - by Mike Flader
Chalk Talk - by Eddie Kantar
Misplay These Hands with Me - by Mark Horton
East hands for the January Bidding Box
The Real Deal - by Larry Cohen
Boehm on Bridge - by August Boehm
Better Bridge with Bergen - by Marty Bergen
My Bridge and Yours - by Frank Stewart
Bidding Matters - by Karen Walker
Instant Matchpoint Game winners
Test Your Play
Mike's Advice - by Mike Lawrence
West hands for the January Bidding Box
Solutions to Test Your Play
Dombrowski is new associate editor
Obituary - Mel Marcus 1938-2015
Scott Humphrey wins Jane Johnson service award
Koltnow, Duty honored by their TD peers
Bridge with the Abbot - by David Bird
Dear Billy - by Billy Miller
George's World - by George Jacobs
New Life Masters
New Life Master ranks added
Life Master Milestones
In Memoriam
Obituary - Malcolm L. Smith 1948-2015
Obituary - Morton Pierce 1923-2015
Puzzle Page
Tournament Directory
January 2016 - 1
January 2016 - 2
January 2016 - 3
January 2016 - 4
January 2016 - 5
January 2016 - In First Seat - by Paul Linxwiler
January 2016 - InBox
January 2016 - 8
January 2016 - From the CEO - by Robert Hartman
January 2016 - Reno hosts the Spring NABC
January 2016 - 11
January 2016 - 12
January 2016 - 13
January 2016 - 2016 president Ken Monzingo
January 2016 - 15
January 2016 - USA manhandles competition in World Senior Teams
January 2016 - 17
January 2016 - 18
January 2016 - 19
January 2016 - 20
January 2016 - 21
January 2016 - Rocky Mountain Report - Fall NABC winners from Denver
January 2016 - 23
January 2016 - 24
January 2016 - 25
January 2016 - 26
January 2016 - Deals from the Denver NABC
January 2016 - 28
January 2016 - Newly approved transfers help against overcalls
January 2016 - 30
January 2016 - 31
January 2016 - Competition underway in College Bridge Bowl
January 2016 - 33
January 2016 - Club News
January 2016 - 35
January 2016 - Big Games
January 2016 - The Bidding Box
January 2016 - 38
January 2016 - 39
January 2016 - It's Your Call
January 2016 - 41
January 2016 - 42
January 2016 - 43
January 2016 - Mike's Bridge Lesson - by Mike Lawrence
January 2016 - Upgrading Your Game - by Lynn Berg
January 2016 - Bridge Player's Survival Kit - by Leslie Shafer
January 2016 - Ask Jerry - by Jerry Helms
January 2016 - Newcomer Help Desk - by Brent Manley
January 2016 - Play & Learn - by Pat Harrington
January 2016 - Out of Hand
January 2016 - Ruling the Game - by Mike Flader
January 2016 - Chalk Talk - by Eddie Kantar
January 2016 - East hands for the January Bidding Box
January 2016 - The Real Deal - by Larry Cohen
January 2016 - Boehm on Bridge - by August Boehm
January 2016 - Better Bridge with Bergen - by Marty Bergen
January 2016 - My Bridge and Yours - by Frank Stewart
January 2016 - Bidding Matters - by Karen Walker
January 2016 - Test Your Play
January 2016 - West hands for the January Bidding Box
January 2016 - Obituary - Mel Marcus 1938-2015
January 2016 - Scott Humphrey wins Jane Johnson service award
January 2016 - Koltnow, Duty honored by their TD peers
January 2016 - Bridge with the Abbot - by David Bird
January 2016 - Dear Billy - by Billy Miller
January 2016 - George's World - by George Jacobs
January 2016 - New Life Master ranks added
January 2016 - Life Master Milestones
January 2016 - 69
January 2016 - Obituary - Morton Pierce 1923-2015
January 2016 - Puzzle Page
January 2016 - Tournament Directory
January 2016 - 73
January 2016 - 74
January 2016 - 75
January 2016 - 76
January 2016 - 77
January 2016 - 78
January 2016 - 79
January 2016 - 80
January 2016 - 81
January 2016 - 82
January 2016 - 83
January 2016 - 84
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