Sunday, October 26, 2014

Do you have imagination?

In 1st seat, you have:



You're too weak for 2, you say?  Well, a weak 2 is a weak 2.

You don't open 2 if you have a 4 card major, you say?   Gee, when are you going to bid ?

If you wait for all the conditions they told you about (2 top honours, not even 3 cards in a major, etc.) you will wait a long time.  A little secret here: all those teachers (but mostly those who are not), they tell you "Don't do this," and "Don't do that," "Wait for this" and "Wait for that."  In the end, they don't want you to bid, especially when they play against you.

As I said, a weak 2 is a weak 2, and more so in 1st position.



2NT is the only forcing bid after a weak 2.  A new suit without jump is non forcing, simply saying I would prefer to play in my suit.  It is, IMO, the only way to play.

Let's say Partner opens 2 and I have:



and I have to pass because 2♠ is forcing?  Not for me, thank you.

A jump in a major at 3rd level is highly invitational.  So 2NT is the only force.  Opener has to show what he has.



Here are the options:

3♣ : good hand with at least one 3-card major
3 :  all bad (even with a 3 card or 4 card M)
3 : good hand, 4 spades
3♠ : good hand, 4 hearts
3NT : no M, max with good diamonds

If you bid 3♣, saying good hand with at least one 3 card M, responder bids 3 to ask.

3 : 3 spades
3♠ : 3 hearts
3NT : 3 in both M

All above is from Marty Bergen.  We have been playing that for 20 years at least.  Easy, fun to play, as are most of Bergen's contributions.

So:



WOW!  Your hand just got much, much better.  4 points, you say?  I don't think so.

So you bid 4♠?  Are you asking me?  I will say: NO‼!

Think.  How can you tell partner you like his spades VERY MUCH?  Is there some information you can give him about your hand?  How can I know this info will help him, you ask?  The fact you know or you don't know is not the point.  The point is: tell partner something he doesn't know about your hand, something that might help him.  Yeah, right, you say, like we will go to slam with my BIG 4 points  Do you know partner's hand?  NO.  So what do you bid?

It is a new bid I just invented yesterday, so it is not surprising you don't know anything about it.  Where did I find it?  In the department called Imagination (In French, "Imagination" is called: La folle du logis.  Well, actually, this bid exists, but it is the first time it will be used this way.  What is it?



Make a splinter!  What?  Yes, splinter.  I know, I know, they told you a splinter is a double jump.  Then you grew up and you learned that it can sometimes be a single jump, when obvious.  Now, with this hand, you don't even have to jump. 

WHAT?  You want me to believe I can splinter without jumping?
Yes, bid 4‼! 

What can 4 be in this sequence?  Certainly not a suit.  It is a control bid, saying I don't have 2 quick losers in that suit.  As we don't open a weak 2 with 2 aces, 4 has to be shortness, showing ace of diamonds by inference.

You don't play inference either, you say?   Well…

What can we call this splinter without a jump?  I created the phrase Invisible Splinter.  We already have "Invisible cue-bids" in bridge, so why not "Invisible Splinter"?

And I don't think you have to alert this.  How can we alert something invisible?? If opponents ask what is 4, answer Splinter and watch the look on their face...

Check this out:



They lead the Ace of hearts, you put dummy down and see partner shake his head.  Is he disappointed?  Mad at you?  After one round of trumps (Jack falling), he ruffs his 3 losers in dummy and claims, still shaking his head.  Cold slam with 22 points.

"What's the matter?"  you ask.
"Bridge is a wonderful game," he says, "and you are the most wonderful partner."

Always try to help partner, never be sloppy or negligent or in a hurry.  Think‼!  Take your time, use your imagination.  Sometimes you will become the gift from the gods of bridge: a good partner.

(On a trump lead, it's another story!)