An old bridge partner had a theory that we all have a finite number of brain cells available for a session of bridge. Use them up too fast and you fall victim to the bad bids and sloppy play that often occur in the last few rounds of a session.
There’s no science behind that idea, but most of us have experienced this “brain drain”. The more problems we have to solve, the more difficult it is to stay alert and process information. In the previous issue, we looked at bidding strategies that reduce the number of tough decisions partner has to make. Here are more guidelines that can help you simplify auctions and conserve mental energy:
Give partner easy options for his rebid.
You open a strong 2C and partner responds 2D (waiting). What’s your call holding ♠AQJ4 ♥AQJ9 ♦AKQ10 ♣6 ?
Unless you have a gadget for showing a 4-4-4-1 game-force, your rebid is going to mislead partner. When faced with a choice of lies, go with the one that will simplify partner’s choices. A 2NT rebid isn’t ideal, but it pinpoints your strength and allows partner to use your notrump structure to find the best contract.
Don’t investigate impossible contracts.
Be realistic when considering “just in case” bids. Unless you judge that there’s a real possibility of a higher-level contract, don’t complicate the auction with a fatuous control bid on the way to game, the extra “picture bid” on the way to 3NT or a game-try that you know partner won’t accept.
Partner RHO
You LHO
Pass 1D Pass 1H
1S Pass ?
What’s your call holding ♠K74 ♥52 ♦QJ63 ♣AJ102 ?
Your hand has the strength for a 2D cuebid raise, but the main purpose of that advance is to find a possible game. On this deal, you have little hope of making what is at best a 22-point game, especially with your dubious diamond values. Searching for 4S is pointless, so just raise to 2S.
The 2D advance may seem safe, and on a rare deal, it could land you in a miracle short-point game. On the majority of deals, though, it will put you at a disadvantage. Besides forcing partner to make another bid, 2D gives LHO the chance to double or rebid his hearts at the two-level. There’s also the possibility that partner will assume you have more strength to be inviting game opposite his passed hand.
Don’t put off the inevitable.
LHO
Partner RHO You
Pass Pass 1H DBL
2H 2S Pass ?
What’s your call holding ♠AK6 ♥5 ♦A974 ♣KQJ102 ?
You may have doubts about your spade fit, but if you want to be in game, all auctions lead to 4S. A 3H cuebid or a natural 3C are stalls that require partner to make another decision and may mislead him about your strength. Whatever he comes up with, you’ll eventually go back to spades, so you might as well bid 4S now.
Pick up the pace.
Slow play is exhausting to everyone at the table. If you haven’t decided on the
“right” bid after 15 seconds, more time is unlikely to bring divine inspiration.
Stop agonizing, relieve partner of the suspense and bid something.
© 2017 Karen Walker