Newer Players Startup Bridge BY LYNN BERG lynn7ntxx@icloud.com A lot of players think defense begins when you are on lead. That's an ineffective approach. Instead, sometimes you should get into the bidding to protect your side's interests, both to suggest what to lead and to use up the opposition's bidding room. Here are some options to compete effectively. 1 Overcall to let partner know what to lead. These days you don't have to have a good hand as long as you have a good suit. sK Q J 9 7 h8 3 d9 6 5 2 c8 3 Imagine how much trouble a 1s overcall creates with this hand: You've devoured most of the one level and you surely want a spade lead if your side defends. 2 Preempt. Open at the two level in any suit but clubs to show a decent six-card suit and fewer than opening points. A good precaution is to have no more than one high honor in the side suits. sK Q J 9 7 2 hK 9 d9 6 5 2 c8 The three level shows a seven-card suit (except perhaps with six good clubs). 3 Make a preemptive jump overcall. Say they open 1h. Overcall 2s with a hand like the one above. 4 When partner has overcalled at the one level, bid as if partner has an opening hand. Raise their suit with 6-9 points and three-card support. Jump to the three level with those values and a four-card suit. If you have a hand worth 10+ points, cuebid the opponent's suit. The best defense may be a good offense Partner 1h 1s You 2h 3h The 3h bid shows at least threecard support and 10+ support points. 5 Be careful about raising partner's major to the four level with five-card support unless you also have good shape. A hand like: s9 7 5 4 2 hA 7 6 dK 10 9 5 c6 is a good example of a four-level raise when partner has opened 1s, especially when your RHO didn't bid. His partner may have a great hand and you have defended your side's interests with your preemptive raise. In fact, an even weaker hand should still bid 4s with better shape: s9 7 5 4 2 hA 6 dJ 10 9 7 5 c6. 6 You should have a clear policy about what you do when partner has overcalled and you change the suit. For instance, 1d was opened on your left and partner bid 1h. You're not thrilled with: sK 9 7 5 h6 d9 7 6 2 cJ 10 8 5. Try not to look pained when you pass. Don't forget: Partner's overcall did not invite you to the party. You could be passing just because you don't have enough points to raise even with four of partner's suit. We give away too much with body language sometimes! One sane approach is that you have tolerance for partner's suit (a doubleton), some points, and a suit of your own to offer as an alternative. You might have: sK J 10 7 5 h6 2 d8 3 cA Q 9 2. You bid 1s and certainly can tolerate a 2h rebid by partner. It is not your job to make life easier for the opponents. Develop clear agreements for defensive bidding and you'll have a lot more fun competing. 2 West hands for the March Bidding Box Bid these hands with a partner. The East hands are on page 55. The North- South players are silent unless otherwise noted. Scores on page 38-41. Problem 1. North deals. None vul. sK Q 4 hQ 4 dA Q 3 cK Q 9 4 3 Problem 2. East deals. N-S vul. sA K h8 5 4 d9 7 6 cA Q 10 8 6 Problem 3. South deals. E-W vul. sK J 10 8 4 h4 2 dA 10 8 cK Q 5 Problem 4. West deals. Both vul. sQ hA K 9 8 3 dA J 6 cA K Q 7 Problem 5. North deals. N-S vul. sQ J 10 3 2 hJ 10 d- cA 10 9 8 3 2 Problem 6. East deals. E-W vul. sQ 10 6 h3 d10 8 4 cA K 10 7 6 2 Problem 7. South deals. Both vul. s10 6 4 h- dA Q J 9 2 cQ J 10 7 3 Problem 8. West deals. None vul. sJ 8 6 hA K J 5 dQ 10 8 3 cA 8 March 2025 | Bridge Bulletin | 49