Bridge Life - 15

What Should Opener Do Next?
or Have I Already Said It All?
BY B A R B A R A S E AG R A M

You are South on all the following hands. It is your turn to bid again.
What will it be?
♠4
♥K Q J 10 4 3 2
♦8 7
♣Q 6 5
South West North East
3♥ PASS PASS 3♠
?
♠5
♥AQ10952
♦Q85
♣765
South West North East
2♥
2♠
3♥
3♠
?
♠ KJ3
♥AQ10
♦K52
♣KJ32
South West North East
1NT PASS PASS 2♥
?
♠ K8
♥AQ764
♦K83
♣Q32
South West North East
1♥ PASS 1NT* PASS
?

* 1NT = 6-9 points, standard

ANSWERS:
I sure hope that your rebid for all of these was that
underused word "PASS." Let's talk a bit about this.

1. The preempter must never bid again, unless his partner

makes a forcing bid. For a preempt at the three level, he
would only bid again if his partner bids a new suit, as
this is 100% forcing (most players play it this way). It is
up to responder to the preempt to determine how high
to go. He is free to bid again; you are not. The decision
as to whether to sacrifice or not must not be made by
the preempter. Your first bid has already described your
hand perfectly.

2. See No. 1. You may not bid again unless partner makes a

forcing bid. A raise of your Weak Two bid from 2-3 is not
invitational ever. It shows a weak hand and is designed
purely to compound the preempt. Responder is saying:
"You have trash, I have more trash." If responder bids
2NT, this is forcing, as would be a new suit by responder
(for most partnerships). You may only bid again as the
preempter if you now bend down and find an ace on
the floor.

3. With your 1NT opening bid, you have already told

partner that you have 15-17 HCP and a balanced hand.
He chose to pass. If you now bid 2NT, you are essentially
saying: "You idiot, didn't you hear me the first time? I
still have 15-17 HCP." You still have the same hand and
you have already advertised what you have. Your next
call is Pass.

4. Once you know that game is impossible, now you must

decide the best partscore spot. Partner has 6-9 points,
you have 14. You have a balanced hand. 1NT is the best
spot. Don't bid any more. (He already knows about your
five-card heart suit and denied having three of these.)

In bridge, it is imperative that you consider whether you
have already described your hand fully with your very first
bid. As less experienced players, we have this burning urge
to bid on forever and we never know when to put the brakes
on. Ask yourself over and over: "Have I already said it all?"
If the answer is yes, then Pass.

Barbara Seagram, a well-known ABTA Master Teacher and bridge club owner in Toronto ON, teaches more than 1000 students
each year and runs a large Intermediate/Newcomer program. She won the Kate Buckman Award for "the person who contributes
most to others' enjoyment of bridge" as well as the Audrey Grant Award for teaching excellence. For more articles and other
information, visit www.barbaraseagram.com or email bseagram@universe.com.
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