Bridge
14 June, 2026
Hands that just don't fit
Sometimes you hold a hand that just doesn't fit with anything that's part of your system.
Sometimes you hold a hand that just doesn't fit with anything that's part of your system. Consider this:
What's the problem, you ask? Wouldn't you just open 1♦️? Yes you would, if that was an option, but you are in fourth seat, your left-hand opponent opened 1♠️ and then there were two passes to you. What are going to do now?
There isn't a systemic answer, because you can't bid 2❤️ with only 4 cards in the suit and can't double with only a singleton club. A 1NT bid in the "pass out" or balancing seat is supposed to show 11-14 high card points with a balanced hand and a stopper. However, this might be the "least worst" bid available – at least your short suit includes a top honour and no one has yet bid clubs!
If you did decide to settle for a 1NT bid, that would have worked out very well, because this was the full deal:
Recognising that South has at most 14 points for a balancing 1NT bid, North must pass. With a combined 24 points between them, North-South can make at least 8 tricks in notrumps. However, West has a very difficult hand from which to lead and if he chooses a fourth-highest ♠️5, dummy will win the first trick. Now declarer can finesse twice in hearts and later play a low diamond towards the queen, finishing with two overtricks!
If you have to improvise, the bid that is the least of lies is usually a reasonable choice.
Rakesh Kumar
The Southern Highlands Bridge Club runs three duplicate sessions every week (Mon 1:00 pm, Wed 6:30 pm, Sat 1:00 pm) at the East Bowral Community Centre. Highlands players and visitors welcome!
For more information: https://shbc.bridgeaustralia.org
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