Control the Bidding_The Right Way to Secure the Battleground in Bridge by Paul Mendelson

Author:Paul Mendelson [Mendelson, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472141712
Goodreads: 36873402
Publisher: Robinson Press
Published: 2017-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

ADVANCED RESPONSES TO 2C

When partner opens 2C he holds either a balanced hand with 23 points or more, or a distributional hand with the potential for 10 playing tricks. In standard Acol, the responses do not take into account the fact that the vast majority of 2C openers are made on 1 or 2-suited distributional hands with pronounced shortages in the remaining suits. Because of this, the opener is not generally interested in the number of points held by the responder, but rather where any source of tricks may lie.

These improved responses to 2C reflect these needs, while making all auctions after 2C easier to develop.

In response to a 2C opening bid:

• 2H is an instant double negative, denying any cue-biddable values (aces and kings) and showing a very weak hand with a point range of 0-4 points. Indeed, you would only be as strong as 4 points if your hand contained all four jacks – useless cards for a partner hopeful of a slam.

• 2D becomes a relay bid, promising 4 points or more, but denying a definite source of tricks in any one suit. There is no upper limit in points for this bid. If the opener rebids 2NT, it will be easy to make a limit or quantitative raise. If the opener rebids a suit, and subsequently signs off, you can re-open the bidding with a cue-bid or further raise to indicate extra values.

• 2S, 3C, 3D, and higher are positive responses, showing a 5-card suit or longer, headed by two of the top three honours. When you make one of these bids, your partner will know that there is a reliable source of tricks available in that suit.

• 2NT shows a positive response in hearts, as 2H is now taken as the instant double negative response.

Notice that you have lost the old-fashioned 2NT and 3NT responses to show a scattering of points. These were quite unnecessary, as it was impossible to judge the value of your hand until you knew what type of 2C opener your partner was holding.

These responses also have an important and beneficial side effect on the opener’s rebids:

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