BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

NOT vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, you decide to get your word in first by opening 1 ♠ . Partner bids 2 ♦ and you rebid 2 ♥ , after which he bids 2NT. What do you bid? THIS is the hand you held yesterday, except that partner’s response then was 2 ♣ , and now it’s 2 ♦ . A big difference.

Whatever count or distribution you start with, this seldom remains static. It varies as the bidding develops. A king (3 points) loses its value if the suit is bid over it and gains in value if that suit is bid on your right.

So here, with partner bidding diamonds, of which you have three, instead of clubs, in which you are void, you are able to take a much happier view. you no longer pass 2nT in the fear that you’ll make matters worse, but you give partner a preference — not a raise — to 3 ♦ .

This is a completely non-forcing bid and merely says that with no particular wish to insist on a spade or heart contract, you prefer diamonds to no Trumps.