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Literary
August 31, 1933
The Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck, Mandan, Burleigh County, Morton County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
Article discusses common bidding errors in contract bridge, especially with misfit hands, advising against rescue bids and overbidding; illustrates with tournament examples where poor bidding led to heavy penalties.
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CONTRACT or the BRIDGE EXPERTS PLAY IT
By WM. E. McKENNEY
Secretary, American Bridge. League
Systems are fine for the majority of hands in contract, but freak hands will upset every system. However, you should never get into much trouble if you are always on the lookout for a misfit hand.
I believe one of the most serious mistakes that the average beginner at contract makes is in trying to rescue his partner. Always remember this= when your partner makes a bid, he assumes a definite responsibility. Don't throw a monkey wrench in by making a rescue bid-it may only get you into deeper waters.
One of the worst misfit hands played in the recent national tournament was the following, in which the following interesting bidding took place at one table.
South and West passed. North opened the contracting third hand with a bid of one heart. East made a negative double. South bid one spade. West bid one no trump to show stoppers in both hearts and spades. North passed and East bid two clubs. South passed and West bid two hearts.
Here North made the mistake of doubling. While in the constructive one over one system of bidding you are allowed to make a weak third hand bid, you should be cautious about entering the bidding again. You have done all that is required of you to keep the bidding open in third position. The very fact that the opponents have bid hearts should let you know that you will probably have a good score on the board because they have bid your suit. However, the distribution may allow them to make the contract, and if you double, you are sure to receive a bad score.
When this hand was doubled, you can see that East and West can make three hearts on a lay-down.
At another table North and South kept over-bidding each other until finally South arrived at a three-spade contract, which was doubled. East and West, by good defense took eight tricks, setting the contract four tricks doubled. Of course, to arrive at a three-spade contract with a misfit hand of this type is very poor bidding.
When your partner bids one heart, you should overcall with one spade. Then, if your partner shows another suit, you are entitled to re-bid your spades. However, any further move on the part of your partner should be final, so far as you are concerned.
Of course, if the opponents enter the bidding, that is a warning for you to stay out.
(Copyright, 1933, NEA Service, Inc.)
By WM. E. McKENNEY
Secretary, American Bridge. League
Systems are fine for the majority of hands in contract, but freak hands will upset every system. However, you should never get into much trouble if you are always on the lookout for a misfit hand.
I believe one of the most serious mistakes that the average beginner at contract makes is in trying to rescue his partner. Always remember this= when your partner makes a bid, he assumes a definite responsibility. Don't throw a monkey wrench in by making a rescue bid-it may only get you into deeper waters.
One of the worst misfit hands played in the recent national tournament was the following, in which the following interesting bidding took place at one table.
South and West passed. North opened the contracting third hand with a bid of one heart. East made a negative double. South bid one spade. West bid one no trump to show stoppers in both hearts and spades. North passed and East bid two clubs. South passed and West bid two hearts.
Here North made the mistake of doubling. While in the constructive one over one system of bidding you are allowed to make a weak third hand bid, you should be cautious about entering the bidding again. You have done all that is required of you to keep the bidding open in third position. The very fact that the opponents have bid hearts should let you know that you will probably have a good score on the board because they have bid your suit. However, the distribution may allow them to make the contract, and if you double, you are sure to receive a bad score.
When this hand was doubled, you can see that East and West can make three hearts on a lay-down.
At another table North and South kept over-bidding each other until finally South arrived at a three-spade contract, which was doubled. East and West, by good defense took eight tricks, setting the contract four tricks doubled. Of course, to arrive at a three-spade contract with a misfit hand of this type is very poor bidding.
When your partner bids one heart, you should overcall with one spade. Then, if your partner shows another suit, you are entitled to re-bid your spades. However, any further move on the part of your partner should be final, so far as you are concerned.
Of course, if the opponents enter the bidding, that is a warning for you to stay out.
(Copyright, 1933, NEA Service, Inc.)
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What keywords are associated?
Contract Bridge
Misfit Hands
Bidding Mistakes
Rescue Bids
National Tournament
What entities or persons were involved?
By Wm. E. Mckenney Secretary, American Bridge. League
Literary Details
Title
Contract Or The Bridge Experts Play It
Author
By Wm. E. Mckenney Secretary, American Bridge. League
Subject
Misfit Hands In Contract Bridge Bidding
Form / Style
Instructional Prose On Bridge Strategy
Key Lines
Systems Are Fine For The Majority Of Hands In Contract, But Freak Hands Will Upset Every System.