March 2021 - 57

Intermediate Players

Better Bridge with Bergen
Secrets of accurate hand evaluation - part 20
When you first see your hand, every
knowledgeable player would much prefer that the majority of their strength
be located in their long suit(s). Do you
think in those terms?
Take a look at the following examples:
1 	9 7 5 2	 K 10	 J 6 4 3	 A Q 8
2 	K Q J 8	 6 4	 A 10 9 7	 5 3 2

In many respects, these hands are as
similar as any two could be.
In addition to having the identical
distribution, both examples have one
each of the eight possible spot cards
and five honors. Obviously, they each
have 10 HCP.
Too many players would consider
them as equivalent. Would you?
In my opinion, there is no comparison! I would rate example 2 as at least 2
points stronger than example 1! Why?
Location, location, location.
The two longest suits in No. 1 are very
weak. If your side buys the contract,
whether you end up in a suit contract
or notrump, that flaw will not be good
for developing tricks. And although
most players focus on points, you
should never forget that the success or
failure of any contract is determined
not by the number of high-card points
held, but by the number of tricks that
are won.
In addition, if you end up on defense
and have to make the opening lead,
how much happier will you be with
hand 2!
In fact, although I know I am on my
own island, I believe that hand 2 is
definitely a stronger hand than the following 12-count:
3 	J 5 4 2	 K J 6	 Q 6 4 3	 K Q

Hand 3 has no aces, no intermediates,
two weak long suits, but two strong
short suits. In a word - yuck!

Actually, I consider example 2 to be
stronger than this 13-HCP hand:
4 	Q J 2	 Q J 2	 K Q J	 J 4 3 2

Being an honest man, I'll confess that
example 4 was carefully but unfairly
constructed to be the worst hand possible with 13 HCP.
Specifically, how do I regard a hand
such as example 2?
I've always maintained that when
you're dealt a suit with three-plus
honors and four-plus cards, that is
definitely upgradable. Many years ago,
I referred to that relatively rare holding
as a " quality suit, " and advised adding 1
HCP for it.
Although a suit such as A-10-9-x
does not qualify as a quality suit, it
definitely is almost the equivalent of
A-J-x-x. So, you can see why I regard
this hand as closer to 12 HCP than 10.
Occasionally you are fortunate
enough to get a suit with four or even
five honors. I refer to that as a great suit.
How do I feel about great suits? Take
a look at these examples:
5 	5 3	 A K Q J	 7 5 4 3	 Q J 2

I play five-card majors, but with the
great heart suit. I would not hesitate to
open 1 in any seat.
6 	A Q J 4	 K Q J 10 8	 5 3 2	 2

Unless playing Flannery 2, everyone
would open 1 here. But after a 1NT
forcing (or semi-forcing) response
from partner, although 2 promises
a six-card suit, rather than the textbook 2, I'd rebid 2. I love very
strong suits. Do note that a suit such
as A-K-Q-J-x or K-Q-J-10-x is so
strong that you would not hesitate
to play in 4 or 4 (or even a slam)
opposite a small doubleton. In fact, it
even could be right to play in a game or
slam opposite a singleton deuce!

BY MARTY BERGEN

martybergen.com

7 	8 4	 6 2	 K Q J 10 7	 8 5 3 2

As dealer nonvul, a normal player
would pass in tempo. As you know,
color me very abnormal. Since these
diamonds truly sparkle, I definitely
would open 2. My opponents will
not like being preempted, and I am
now assured that if my LHO becomes
the declarer, my partner will make the
opening lead I am dying for.	
In summary, Marty Sez: Any suit
headed by four honors should be
treated as if it had an extra card.

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March 2021 | Bridge Bulletin | 57
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March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2021
