Book a Course

View all the latest courses going on at the bridge club and book yours now...
View Courses View Playing Schedule

After responder has bid the dustbin lNT

Weak 6-9 responding hands will often have to bid 1 NT - unable to bid a new suit at the two-level, failing the Rule of 14 (points plus no. of cards in longest suit not getting to 14). This is often referred to as the dustbin One Notrump, as it is the bid made with those weak responding hands that don't fit anywhere else.

Say opener introduces a second suit, showing a five-four shape. What now, for these dustbin responders, after: 

1 - 1NT - 2♣ - ??

Hand i) Hand ii) Hand iii)
♠ 2
K 9 4 3 2
Q J 8 2
♣ 4 3 2
♠ J 3
A 7 6 2
K 7 5 4
♣ 7 6 2
♠ 2
K 6 4
Q J 9 8 4 2
♣ 9 4 2
  • i) Pass. 2 may not be especially pretty, but bidding 2 is likely to be worse. Given that partner holds at most four red cards, you'd not be surprised if he held a singleton heart. As we'll see in (iii), if you introduce a new suit after bidding the dustbin lNT, you should have six cards.
  • (ii) 2. There are two very good reasons why you should bid 2, even though you have more clubs (a). A 5-2 fit normally plays more easily than a 4-3 fit. (b). Bidding 2 (as opposed to passing 2•) gives partner another bid, should he hold say 17 points (perfectly possible). Bidding 2•, even though you prefer clubs, is termed 'false preference'.
  • (iii) 2. This is not a suggestion. It is virtually a command for partner to pass, based on a six-card diamond suit. With a diamond fewer, you'd go with one of partner's black suits.
North Deals
None Vul
K Q 4 3 2
Q 4
A 4
A Q 9 3
8 7
K J 10 9 5
10 9 6 5
K 6
 
N
W   E
S
 
A 10 9 6
8 7
Q J 7
J 10 8 4
 
J 5
A 6 3 2
K 8 3 2
7 5 2
West North East South
  1  Pass 1 N
Pass 2  Pass 2 1
Pass 2 N2 Pass 3 N
Pass Pass Pass  
  1. False preference - a 5-2 fit 2 rates to be easier than a 4-3 2 . Plus, partner might be good and game might be on ...
  2. Showing about 16-18 and balancedish within the framework of being 5 - 4

West led J, top of his interior sequence. Rising with dummy's Q a finesse he was forced to take, declarer led 2 to J, then 5 to Q, East won A and returned 8, declarer ducking to West (who overtook with 9) and winning West's K with A. 

Declarer crossed to A and led K, hoping for a 3-3 split and an easy ride. No - West discarded and he gave up 3 to East's 10. He won East's Q return with K and needed one extra trick. 

Given the 4-2 spade split, the club finesse was a necessary risk. He led  2 to  Q - success. He could now cash 4 and  A to bring his trick tally to nine. Game made.

 

ARBC: 31 Parsons Green Lane, London SW6 4HH
Call NOW: 0207 471 4626