February 2021 - 43

opened shows a hand with significant
extras: between a solid, super-upgraded
16 to just shy of a strong two-club
opener. What happens when there is an
intervening bid?
" Let the debate begin. " Cohen leads
off with his argument in favor of 2.
" In my opinion, there is no universal
answer as to how much extra this
'in-comp' reverse promises. I expect to
hear claims on both ends of the range
spectrum. In my book, this hand with
all the points in the long suits is good
enough. "
2 by Lawrence, who wrote the book
on overcalls. Literally. " In my book, I
mention that a 2 bid by East on this
auction can create problems. Well it
did. I can't double - that shows three
spades. Whether support doubles are
a wonderful convention, they have the
merit of being nearly unanimous [also
they're on the system card]. I could
bid 3, losing the hearts. I could bid
2, which I expect would not do much
harm, but if partner expects me to have
a big hand, he could be disappointed.
Perhaps the discussion should be what
partner bids over 2. I could pass,
which opens up the problems that come
if West raises to 3. I'm going with
2. I'm familiar with a suggestion that
double of two-level overcalls shows this
hand. Could be useful, but it feels too
expensive. What does the panel think? "
[They might think that support doubles
are still on the system card.]
Robinson bids 2. He thinks that
2, in theory, is a reverse, " and I think
this hand is worth it. "
Weinstein simply decides to rewrite
what's standard. " 2. My definition of
a reverse is that it forces partner to a
higher level to take a preference to your
first suit. Because we have to go to the
three level anyway to compete in clubs,
we can safely show our hearts along the
way without showing significant extras.
This isn't standard, but I would like it
to be. "
Meyers casts her vote for 2, " the
definition of which is likely 4=6 with

playing strength. In competition, I don't
believe one needs traditional reverse
high-card point values. "
Korbel is on the same wavelength.
" 2. I don't think this promises great
extras in competition, just a solid opener
and some shape. This is definitely scraping the bottom of the barrel, but I just
can't bring myself to bid 3 when I have
four nice hearts I can introduce cheaply. "
Donn's 2: " A reverse in competition
should be lighter than otherwise, exactly
because of hands like this. Even so, this is
a stretch, but letting the opponents play
in 2 is giving up too easily. "
2 by Grossack. " It wasn't until
recently that I learned that reverses in
competition promise very little extra.
When the opponents interfere, we like
to try to uncover our fits, and we give up
on pure reverses in the sense that my 2
promises 17-plus points or so. With such
a prime hand, it feels too uncomfortable
to pass and wait. "
Lee finds middle ground in 3. " Right
or wrong, I can't bring myself to defend
2 with this hand. 2 would, at a minimum, show about a queen more to me. "
Meckstroth isn't ready to pass, but
the reverse is a little rich for him, too.
" 3. We may have a heart fit, but I'm not
strong enough to bid 2. "
Molson bids 3. " Yes, I would love
to bid 2, but even if that is not a full
reverse (is it?), I don't have the values. "
3 by Rigal, who agrees the hand isn't
worth a 2 call. " 3 doesn't guarantee
the same extras. Note: A good/bad 2NT
[not on the BBS convention card] would
be consistent with a purely competitive
hand in clubs. "
3 by Sanborn. " This is almost a good
enough hand to bid 2. Just make the
Q or J the king - it's that close. Plus,
would it be better positionally for partner
to be playing the hand instead of me? "
Pass, says Boehm. " 2 shows extra
values in my book. The auction isn't over
yet. "

NEXT MONTH'S PROBLEMS
1. IMPs. East-West vulnerable.
9 4	 Q 10 8 6	 A 3	
West	
North	
1NT(1)	 2(2)	
(1) 15-17 HCP
(2) Natural

East	
Pass	

A K 5 3 2
South
?

2. IMPs. Both vulnerable.
A 5	

7 6	

A J 8	

West	
North	
		
1	
1	

East	
Pass	
1	

A K J 9 8 5
South
1
?

3. IMPs. None vulnerable.
K Q 9 7	

2	

West	
Pass	
2	

North	
1	
Pass	

A 7 4	
East	
Dbl	
Pass	

Q J 8 4 3
South
Redbl
?

4. IMPs. North-South vulnerable.
A J 4	

A K 4	

A 7 6 5 3 2	

West	
North	 East	
			
Pass	
Pass	
1	
Pass	
1	
2	

A

South
1
Dbl
?

5. IMPs. North-South vulnerable.
A 10 6 3	

A 6	 J 10 8 6 5	

West	
North	
		
1	
Dbl	

IT'S

YOUR
CALL

East	
1	
2	

A J

South
Dbl
?

December Top Online
Scores. See page 70.

February 2021 | Bridge Bulletin | 43
February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2021
