Last month, we discussed two systems of thinking our brains use at the bridge table. System 1, which is always “on”, relies on instinct and experience to make fast, easy decisions. System 2 is the more rational function that turns on when you need to analyze clues and use logic to solve a problem.
In a bridge auction, we tend to stop at System 1 when we have an obvious call. If you’re opener, a 1H bid is automatic with ♠A4 ♥QJ1065 ♦K84 ♣K63. With borderline values, though -- ♠A4 ♥J10654 ♦K84 ♣K63 -- you move on to System 2 to evaluate your hand and weigh the pros and cons of opening.
Many bidding mistakes are caused by a failure to recognize which choices are truly clear-cut and which have alternatives that should be evaluated. To make that distinction, you’ll often need to overrule your intuition and consciously turn on System 2, even for simple decisions early in the auction.
Partner opens 1C and your RHO makes a takeout double. What’s your call holding ♠6 ♥Q943 ♦K10876 ♣KQJ ?
Many players will reflexively redouble to show their point-count. If you stop to consider the rest of the auction, though, you’ll see the problems. A redouble suggests penalizing the opponents’ eventual contract, which will surely be their 8-card (or longer) spade fit. You have no desire to double spades, and the auction may be at 2S or higher before you can show your suits. A 1D or 1H response now will leave you better placed to find a good contract later.
Conventions can create similar traps. Suppose you open 1C with ♠83 ♥J52 ♦AJ ♣KQJ1084 and the auction proceeds Pass by LHO, 1H by partner, 1S by RHO. If you play support doubles, you can double here to show 3-card support for partner’s hearts.
The System 1 thinking is “Support doubles are on the card, this hand qualifies, so that’s my call”. System 2 draws your attention to other choices. It tells you that a double not only hides your strong clubs, but may force partner to retreat to 2H with a weak 4-card suit. Your hand isn’t strong enough to “correct” 2H to 3C, so it must be better to emphasize what rates to be your best trump suit. That logic should persuade you to rebid 2C instead of making a support double.
Support doubles can be handy tools, but their use is not mandatory. If your partner believes that failing to make a support double or redouble absolutely denies 3-card support for his suit, try to talk him out of it.
“Always” and “never” rules can interfere with your ability to use your reasoning skills when they’re needed most. This can happen when applying the Law of Total Tricks, popularized by Larry Cohen. Its general advice is that in competitive auctions, you can safely bid to the trick level equal to the number of trumps you and partner hold. This guideline has become such a staple of modern building that some treat it as a virtual command.
Both vulnerable, partner opens 2H and your RHO passes. What’s your call holding ♠Q974 ♥J62 ♦Q9 ♣K763 ?
Blind followers of The Law won’t get past System 1. They’ll automatically raise to 3H because there’s a 9-card fit, they know the opponents have the balance of strength and they want to further the preempt immediately.
If you can suppress your first impulse and think objectively, you’ll pass 2H.
Your soft honors and dubious ruffing value are drawbacks, but the clearest
evidence comes from imagining a typical hand for partner. A count of losers and
winners suggests 3H could easily go down two, which is likely to be a poor score even undoubled. System 2 to the rescue again.
© 2016 Karen Walker