Contract Bridge

1. Three hearts. Responses by a player who has previously passed are in an entirely different category from those made by a player who has not passed before. Obviously, a player who previously passed has denied the values for an opening bid. A player opening in third or fourth position is consequently not obligated to bid again if, in his opinion, there’s no reasonable chance for a game opposite a passed partner.

In the given case, a twodiamond response, showing 10 or more points, therefore would not compel partner to bid again, as it would if South had not passed initially, and the last thing you would want your partner to do is to pass two diamonds.

By the same reasoning, the jump-raise to three hearts is not forcing. Partner can pass whenever, in his judgment, he feels four hearts cannot be made. However, the raise to three hearts is much more likely to induce him to continue bidding than a two-diamond response.

2. Two hearts. This deliberate slight underbid is preferable to two clubs or one notrump, either of which partner might pass. The heart raise has a better chance of coaxing another bid from him because the announced trump fit will increase the overall value of his hand.

3. Two notrump. Ordinarily, this would indicate 13 to 15 points, but after passing, the jump to two notrump shows 11 or 12 points, balanced distribution and stoppers in the unbid suits.

4. Two clubs. The practice of naming your longer suit first is followed here, as usual. You intend to bid spades next over partner’s expected heart rebid. Partner is thus apprised that you have only four spades and greater length in clubs. Game is very unlikely if partner passes two clubs.

5. Four hearts. It would be unwise to risk a three-heart bid that partner might pass, since your hand is much more likely to produce 10 tricks than nine.

Reappraised in support of a heart bid, your hand becomes worth at least 13 points. This gives you the requisite 26 points needed for game, but only you know the combined total. If you play “splinter” bids, a jump to four diamonds, indicating heart support and a singleton or void in diamonds, is an alternative call.