Page 102 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat

4-4-4-1 hands are difficult. Here we open 1Ì and when partner responds -
Í 10
1Í or 1NT bid 2Ê now and try to find your fit (if you Ì A K 7 5
have one). Do NOT bid 1NT over 1Í because while this Ë Q J 8 6
shows your points, partner will assume that you have at least 2 Ê A J 8 5
spades unless you specifically agree with partner that it might
be this shape.

Just so you do not think you always open 1Ì and always Í A 8 5
have a simple bid over 1Í look at this. You, of course, open Ì 5
1Ë and over 1Í you should rebid 2Í. Yes, I know it is only 3 Ë A K J 8 3
card support but if you had bid 2Ê and partner bids 2Ë you Ê J 10 5 3
would not know what to do as 2Í now would show a
stronger hand.

Now look at this similar hand - Í A 8 5
Ì 5
You still open 1Ë and partner responds 1Í. Ë A K Q 8 3
Ê A 10 9 3
Bid 2Ê. Partner, even with a weak hand will, almost certainly,
put you back to your known 5 card suit by bidding 2Ë. Now bid 2Í
showing 3 cards in spades, 5 in diamonds and 4 in clubs and extra values
(16 or so). Partner ought to be able to work out that you have at most 1
heart.

Type 2 hands.

Now, we have extra strength, although not enough to bid game. We
should make some forward move if possible. These include the notrump
rebids we have already covered.

Sometime we find a fit early and we can limit our hand, Í A Q 10 5
like this - Ì A K 7 5 4
Ë Q 8
You open the bidding with 1Ì and partner bids 1Í. You Ê 10 5
are too good now to bid 2Í and you must jump to 3Í. If

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