A car passes by and a dog chases after it, barking madly. What should the dog do if it catches the car?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ♠ | Q J 6 4 2 |
| ♥ | Q |
| ♦ | A K |
| ♣ | Q 10 9 7 5 |
|
| West | North | East | South |
| | Pass | 1 ♠ |
| Pass | 2 NT* | Pass | ? |
You caught a 2 NT call (Jacoby 2NT) from partner, promising a game-forcing raise
with at least four spades. As 14 HCP hands go, this one leaves much to be
desired. Now what?
ANSWER: Bid 4 ♣ showing the secondary five-card suit.
THE PRINCIPLE: When responding to a Jacoby 2 NT major suit raise, the
conventional rebids are,
in priority order:
- 4 of a new suit = secondary five-card suit
- 3 of a new suit = singleton or void in that suit
- 3 of the major = no shortness, extra values (17+) and slam interest
- 3 NT = good 13-15, balanced
- 4 of the major = signoff with no extra values or shortness
If you have a secondary five-card suit, that is the most important
characteristic of your hand. Perforce you must also have a singleton or void in
another suit. Tell partner about the five-card suit, and she can usually work out
the rest.
If you instead rebid 3
♥ to show shortness in hearts here, partner may likely think that
her
heart values are all wasted and not move beyond game. If you tell her about your five-card club suit, she can
easily find the way to the very good 6
♠ contract.
East Deals
N-S Vul |
| ♠ | A K 10 5 |
| ♥ | K J 10 9 4 |
| ♦ | 7 |
| ♣ | A K 3 |
|
| ♠ | 9 8 |
| ♥ | 8 6 3 2 |
| ♦ | J 9 5 4 3 |
| ♣ | J 2 |
| |
|
|
|
| ♠ | 7 3 |
| ♥ | A 7 5 |
| ♦ | Q 10 8 6 2 |
| ♣ | 8 6 4 |
|
|
|
| ♠ | Q J 6 4 2 |
| ♥ | Q |
| ♦ | A K |
| ♣ | Q 10 9 7 5 |
|
