Bridge - The Scotsman 03/04/13

A Suggestion from a reader was to write a series on “Things I Do Not Know”. Unfortunately he was unable to tell me what he did not know, but the idea appealed.

For the time being the Wednesday column will be devoted to Things Not Everybody May Know.

We start with a few bidding concepts. Your bidding system aims to find the best denomination – suit or no-trump contract – and the best level – part score, game or slam. Each bid contributes to partner’s knowledge of your strength and distribution. But you cannot give a complete picture of a hand when your language is confined to 35 possible bids, plus Pass, Double and Redouble. The exchange of information must be confined to things partner needs to know.

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Sound Acol bidding is founded on the principle of the Limit Bid. A limit bid is one that defines your strength within narrow limits, giving partner the information he needs to decide the best level. The archetypal Limit Bid is a 1NT opener, limited to a 3-point range, and showing a balanced distribution. Playing a weak no-trump South should not consider any other call. If he fears the diamond weakness and opens 1C what can he rebid over a 1S response? Opening 1NT does not mean you must play there – partner may steer you to a better spot.

North may be tempted to tell partner about his diamond suit – but how could partner use that information? He will see your source of tricks when you put down the dummy in 3NT.

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