What’s your call?
| 1NT | ||||
| 2♣ | 2♦ | 2♥ | 2♠ | 2NT |
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass | Dbl |
We’re going to break with form on this problem and present the panel’s responses in ascending order of diamonds, partially because it makes for an interesting strategic comparison, but mostly because it’s more fun.
2♦ by Korbel and nobody else. “I can’t think of a descriptive bid that comes close to describing this hand. The best I could come up with is 3♠, which should imply a long running minor and not enough hearts or defense to double 1♠. However, I think partner will always bid 3NT holding a spade stopper, regardless of his heart holding, meaning we would play in 3NT opposite, say,
♠A x x ♥x x x ♦ Q x x ♣K 10 x x.
So I will start slow, confident that given my major-suit holdings, somebody will take a call.”
Cohen springs to 3♦ . “I am on the heavy side (this balancing jump shows an intermediate hand), but I prefer this to double, which might get left in. I would be much more in range if the ♦ 2 were the ♥2.”
Hampson says he feels “fairly HCPweak” for an intermediate jump. “I have an extra diamond or two, and I want to keep 3NT in the picture and also block a 2♥ rebid.”
Kennedy, too. “3♦ . I don’t want to get past a possible 3NT contract.”
And Sanborn: “I’m always frightened of pushing the opponents into 4♥ when I reopen with heart shortness here, but there is just too much playing strength not to reopen. So 3♦ may be a little under, but it is the best description of ‘where I live.’”
Stack sticks to the system notes. “3♦ shows a good six-card suit and an opening hand. This is what we have, but there is tremendous trick-taking potential in the diamond suit. In real life, it is probably worth a 3♠ call, asking partner to bid 3NT with a spade stopper. While this isn’t part of Bridge Bulletin Standard, it is a bid to be admired.”
Meyers leaves room for partner to bid 3NT. “3♦ is intermediate. I hope that, with some minor diamond fit and values, partner will bid 3NT. Of course a minor diamond fit could be two small. My other choice is 3♠, asking for a spade stopper. But partner would also have to have hearts stopped, and if partner has all that, she just might bid 3NT over 3♦ .”
Colchamiro bids just enough diamonds to bypass 3NT. “4♦ . Sometimes having a little in reserve isn’t so bad. By the way, I’m going to 5♦ over 4♠.”
4♦ by Lawrence. “Clearly a good hand. 2♦ or 3♦ won’t keep them out and 5♦ is an overbid. Having bid 4♦ , I can accept a double from partner if the opponents find another call. If I make a takeout double, I won’t get a chance to show this hand. Second choice: 3NT. I wish I had the ♥J.”
Falk bids 4♦ , too. “Sure, we could be on for 3NT, but how would I ever know that’s the right contract? I can’t let LHO back in cheaply with a major two-suiter by bidding only 2♦ . 3♦ is not strong enough – I’m heavy by at least a diamond. As for defending 1♠ doubled, feh! Not that I’m making a takeout double with a singleton heart anyway. But 5♦ is a bit too much. I just hope that partner does not suddenly decide that 4♦ is leaping Michaels and do something absurd.”
Robinson makes the big skip bid to 5♦ . “It’s preemptive and I’m bidding to make. LHO could have lots of majorsuit cards, so I’ll put it to him.”
Boehm also jumps all the way to 5♦ . “Double might work better if partner is all majors, but in case the opponents passed out a major-suit game, the big leap gives us a classic two-way shot.”
The convention card be damned! You’re playing with an intelligent partner – what else could 3♠ possibly mean?
Rigal explains: “Solid minor (they always split, of course), looking for a spade stopper for notrump.”
Meckstroth: “3♠. I’m willing to gamble that the diamonds are running.”
3♠ by Lee. “3♦ doesn’t do this hand justice, so I will go big and just ask for a spade stopper.”
Weinstein: “3♠. I have too many tricks for 3♦ . I wish I didn’t have a stiff heart, but hey, if I had:
♠x ♥A x ♦ A K Q J x x x ♣Q J x,
it probably wouldn’t be in It’s Your Call.”
Analyzed like a bona fide Bridge Winner.
