Contract Bridge
You are South and the bidding has gone:
East South West North Pass Pass Pass 1 ♥ Pass?
1. Two diamonds. After passing originally, it might be tempting to respond three diamonds to show values close to an opening bid, but the fact is that partner’s heart bid has depreciated your values somewhat instead of elevating them. It’s true that he might pass two diamonds, but if he does, you probably haven’t missed a game.
It’s important to recognize that the two diamond response shows 10 or more points and that partner will give full weight to this in choosing his next action.
2. Three diamonds. Prospects for game are better this time because you have three hearts rather than two. This one factor adds greatly to the promise of the hand, because a possible game in hearts looms more strongly on the horizon. The jump-response in diamonds implies at least a tolerance for partner’s hearts.
3. Three hearts. The jump to three hearts after passing initially indicates that you have nearly an opening bid with strong support for hearts. Partner might pass if he holds a skimpy opening bid, but if he does pass, he is unlikely to make 10 tricks. Remember that he is just as eager as you are to score a game, so if he passes, you’re probably high enough.
Many players these days would also bid three hearts even if they were not a passed hand, showing the same type of hand (a limit raise) and inviting game. Be sure to check with your partner as to whether you play limit or forcing jump-raises by an unpassed hand.
4. Four hearts. Here you should grab the bull by the horns and jump to game. You shouldn’t test your luck to see whether partner will bid again over a response of three hearts. When you feel confident that your side has a game — and you should certainly feel that here — you shouldn’t give partner an option to pass. For those who play “splinter bids,” a leap to four diamonds (strong support for hearts, singleton or void in diamonds) would also be an acceptable choice.
5. Two notrump. After an initial pass, this indicates 11 or 12 points, notrump distribution and stoppers in the three unbid suits. That’s exactly what you have, so you bid two notrump and let partner carry on from there.