Low Count Hands

Lately we have had a plethora of low count hands which are challenging to bid. In the December 2014 edition of the Bridge Bulletin, I came across an article by Leslie Shafer about this problem. Her advice is, if partner opens with a major suit and you have 6-9 points and 3 of his suit, quickly raise his suit one level. By bidding another suit at this time you tell partner you only have 2 in is suit making only a 7 card fit which discourages a game bid. By letting partner know the partnership has an 8 card fit he is free to pass with minimal points or change suits inviting a game bid. If you hold a 6-9 point hand here is her checklist, in order, for responses: 1) Raise partner’s major suit with 3 in that suit; 2) Bid your 4 card major at the 1 level; 3) Raise partner’s minor suit opener with 5 card support, or 4 Bid 1 NT.

The Dec. 5 Evergreen winners were: First, Andra Cozart and Jan Glover; second, Marie Pugh and Ruth Bowles; third, Ron and Shirley Jeffers; fourth, Fern Albracht and Betty Bills.

Featured is board # 10 from Friday’s game.  All Vulnerable        East Dealer

 

NORTH:

S  K T

H  A 8 7 6 4

D  Q 3

C  K J 3 2

WEST: EAST:

S  8 5 2                S  A Q J 9 7

H  K                     H  Q 9 5

D  A K T 6 5       D  4

C  A 8 7 4            C  T 8 6 5

SOUTH:

S  6 4 3

H  J T 3 2

D  J 9 8 7 2

C  Q

 

The Jeffers had the best N/S score defeating their opponent’s 5CW bid 2 tricks while Fern Albracht and Betty Bills had the best E/W score bidding 2SE making.

Tuesday’s Women’s Club winners: First, Ron and Shirley Jeffers; second, Maggie Canup and Wayne Pegram.

Congratulations all.