November 2022 - 55

Newer Players
Bidding Basics
BY LARRY COHEN
larryco.com
L
ast month, the takeout doubler
bid a second time. What
should we do if our partner (the
takeout doubler) doubles and then
bids again?
The doubler bids notrump:
Opener Overcaller Resp. Advancer
(Partner)
(You)
1l Dbl
Pass
1NT
Pass 1k
Pass ?
The doubler is showing a notrump
hand with the opponent's suit
stopped and about 18-20 HCP (with
only 15 to a bad 18, he would have
directly overcalled 1NT). We, the
" advancer " (the player who bid 1k),
can now pass with a weak hand or
bid a new suit (or raise notrump) or
repeat the hearts (with five or more).
Nothing now by the advancer would
be forcing (except for cuebidding the
opponent's suit - not very likely).
Notice that Stayman and transfers do
not apply here. So, after the auction
above, advancer would:
Pass with:
A 5 k10 7 5 3 l9 6 4 '8 7 3 2
Invite (2NT) with:
K 6 kQ J 6 3 l10 8 5 4 '6 5 3
Raise to game (3NT) with:
8 5 kA K 3 2 l10 9 8 5 '6 3 2
Bid 2' (natural, not forcing, not
Stayman) with:
5 4 kQ 8 5 3 l5 2 'J 10 8 5 3
Bid 2k (weak/to play) with:
9 5 4 kQ J 10 6 2 l9 '10 8 4 2
If the doubler doubles then jumps
to 2NT, he is showing about 21-23
HCP. Advancer bids accordingly and
naturally (pass is possible).
Note that in the following aucAfter
the takeout doubler bids again
tion, the doubler hasn't jumped, so is
showing about 18-20:
Opener Overcaller Resp. Advancer
(Partner)
(You)
1 Dbl
Pass
2NT
Pass 2l
Pass ?
Again, everything is natural and
pass is surely possible. Advancer
would pass with something like:
9 6 5 4 k8 5 lK 9 6 3 '10 5 2,
retreat to 3l (nonforcing) with
7 6 3 k5 4 lJ 10 9 6 3 2 '8 6,
and raise to 3NT with
Q 9 k8 7 5 lK Q 10 6 5 '5 3 2.
The doubler bids a suit
If the doubler bids his own suit (not
a jump), he shows a five-card or longer
suit and about 18-21. Advancer is
allowed to pass. All bids are natural.
Nothing is forcing except bidding the
opponent's suit (not very likely). So,
after:
Opener Overcaller Resp. Advancer
(Partner)
(You)
1l Dbl
1
Pass
Pass with:
8 4 kK 7 6 3 l8 4 2 '9 6 5 3
Bid 1NT with:
9 5 kK 8 6 4 lQ 10 5 4 '9 6 5
Bid 2' with:
8 5 kK 8 5 3 l7 3 'Q 10 7 4 2
Bid 2k with:
6 kK 10 8 5 2 l9 5 3 2 'Q J 6
Raise to 2 with:
K 5 4 kQ 10 6 3 l8 6 4 3 '6 2
Pass 1k
Pass ?
Raise to 4 with:
A 8 5 4 kQ J 10 2 l9 6 4 '3 2
If the doubler doubles then jumps,
he is showing a very strong hand, but
it still isn't forcing. The advancer can
pass with real garbage.
Opener Overcaller Resp. Advancer
(Partner)
(You)
1l Dbl
Pass 2
Pass 1k
Pass ?
The doubler has a huge hand, and
you should try to make a noise, unless
you have something like:
5 4 kJ 7 6 5 l6 3 2 '7 6 3 2.
The only way the doubler can force
is to double and then cuebid the opponent's
suit (this won't happen very
often).
What if we, the advancer, have
shown values? This is a different
story. For example:
Opener Overcaller Resp. Advancer
(Partner)
(You)
1l Dbl
3k
Pass
Pass 2k
Pass ?
Our 2k bid showed about 9-12.
Opener is now inviting (asking if it is
closer to 9 or to 12). We can pass if we
have a minimum.
Similarly,
Opener Overcaller Resp. Advancer
(Partner)
(You)
1k Dbl
Pass 2NT
Pass 1NT
Pass ?
2NT would be invitational (looking
for something closer to 10 points as
opposed to maybe only 6 or 7).
November 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
continued on page 57
55
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November 2022

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