Find The Error

3♠ Opener’s jump raise invites game and shows about 16-18 in support. West’s hand is a minimum opening bid and his correct rebid is only 2♠. Inexperienced players often get confused or careless and think of West’s 3♠ as “limit.” East has a perfectly normal acceptance to 4♠ (which has no play).

Pass. West’s jump to 4♠ is not a “close out” bid. It shows a huge hand — about 19-20 in support. How could he jump to 4♠ with less —responder could have a lousy 6-count. East has 13 HCP and is facing 19-20 in support. That is a total of 32-33, so slam is in the picture. East should use Blackwood — and the only issue is how to reach the excellent grand slam.

Both 2♥ and Pass are errors. West cannot reverse into 2♥. Such a bid shows at least 17 points. I have heard students say: “I don’t play reverses.” This is not an option!  A reverse is a reverse — like it or not. To read more on the subject, click the link. A reverse is forcing! Not to game, but for at least 1 round. East is not allowed to Pass. So, that is also an error. But, who says “2 wrongs don’t make a right?” In this case they do. West and East are a good partnership — as they both made mistakes which cancelled each other out and led to an okay contract.

3♥. To raise opener’s second suit, responder should have 4 cards. Here, East got lucky, because West happened to have 5 hearts. East should bid 2NT at his second turn. Then, West can bid 3♥ and East, knowing that opener has 5, can raise. What about West’s 2♥ rebid? It is correct. He is not strong enough to jumpshift to 3♥ (which would be game forcing).

1♥ (& 1NT). The 1♥ opening caused the problem. West had no way to show 15-17 balanced with his next bid. I suppose if I had to fill in for someone who erroneously opened 1♥, my rebid wouldn’t be 1NT. What would it be? Well, nothing fits (2NT would show 18-19). I suppose I’d lie with 2♣ — but why have to go there? Just open balanced 15-17 point hands 1NT to begin with. East would use Stayman and end up in the normal 3NT.