Contract Bridge
Partner bids One Diamond with neither side vulnerable, and the next player passes. You have a partscore of 60. What would you bid with each of the following four hands?
1. ♠ A93 ♥ KJ7 ♦ J84 ♣ AQJ2
2. ♠ K7 ♥ 85 ♦ KQ75 ♣ AJ943
3. ♠ K84 ♥ K2 ♦ K73 ♣ Q9542
4. ♠ AKQ75 ♥ QJ ♦ K962
♣ K3
***
1. Two notrump. A twonotrump response to an opening bid of one of a suit ordinarily indicates a balanced hand containing 13 to 15 points with stoppers in the three unbid suits. The bid is forcing, and the auction must continue until game is reached.
But when there is a partscore of 60, two notrump has a different meaning. Since a response of one notrump would be sufficient to complete a game, the two-notrump bid amounts to a slam try and is usually based on 16 or 17 points. However, opener need not bid again, and, in fact, he is expected to pass with minimum values.
2. Three diamonds. The same principle applies to a jump-raise that is one level higher than necessary. Such a raise also carries with it a slam suggestion. And, as before, the jump-raise is not forcing. It is also important to note that a two-club response — which completes the partscore — is not forcing, and opener is free to pass. For this reason, the value bid of three diamonds, which immediately confirms a fit and alerts partner to slam possibilities, is preferred.
3. One notrump. Without the partscore, you would respond two clubs as a normal exploratory move. But it is inadvisable to bid such a weak suit under partscore conditions at a time when partner is not obligated to bid again. There is a real danger that he will pass with two or three small trumps, and this could result in the loss of a game if the trumps are banked against you.
A one-notrump response is superior because it allows the contract to be made on highcard strength alone, even if you run into an unlucky distribution of the clubs. With 11 high-card points facing an opening bid, you should not worry about making one notrump if partner accepts that contract by passing. Seven tricks should be a breeze.
4. Two spades. A jumpresponse in a new suit (jumpshift) is 100 percent forcing and compels the opener to bid again regardless of the nature of his hand. The jump-shift differs from the jump-raise or the jump to two notrump, which are merely mild invitational moves toward a slam. There’s no ceiling on the strength implied by a jump-shift. The sky’s the limit.