MAKING HIGH PERCENTAGE 5 LEVEL DECISIONS

1. Improve your defense; have to make fewer 5 level decisions; get the opening lead right when you or partner preempts.

LHO lC  Pard 2S  RHO X  You?

a. Jxx, Jxx, KJTx, QTx

b. Txxx, Kxx, Axxx, xx

c. void, Axx, QJT98xxx xx

Rules for McCabe:

a. If pard preempts & RHO doubles, all suit bids are lead-directing raises.

Example: Pard 2S  RHO X  You bid 4C holding xxxx, xx, Axx, KQTx.

b. XX asks pard to bid next higher denomination, including NT preparing for a signoff. Redouble with either void, QJx, JTxx, AKQTxx or with x, xxxx, QJT9xxx, x.

c. With a good hand, pass and await the opportunity to penalize; e.g., x, KT9x, AQJx, AKTx.

d. 2NT has same meaning as before RHO’s double.

e. If you are a passed hand, all suit bids in response to pard’s preempt or jump overcall are lead-directing raises. You Pass  LHO 1C  Pard 2S  RHO X  You bid 3D holding xxx, Axx, QJT9, xxx. Don’t let pard make the wrong lead against NT; if pard has KQJxxx, he doesn’t have to follow your suggestion!!

2. Don’t encourage pard to save when most of your hand is in the opponents’ suit.

Pard 1H  RHO 1S  You ?

a. KT9x, xxxx, x, xxxx

b. KT9xx, xxx, x, xxxx

c. AQxx, xxxx, x, QJxx

3. Don’t always give a “tell” to your opponents.

LHO 1C  Pard 1S  RHO X  You?

a. Axxxx, xx, AJ9xx, x

b. Qxxx, x, KQJTxxx, x

c. Kxx, QJTx, Axx, JTx

4. Give your pard shortness in the opponents’ suit if there is likelihood that he is short.

You 1C  LHO 2S  Pard 3H  RHO 4S  You??

a. xx, Kxx, Ax, AQJxxx

b. x Kxx, Kxx, KQJxxx

c. xx, Qx, KJTx, AJxxx

5. When have you created a forcing pass at the 5 level?

If any of the following have occurred:

a. Both opponents passed in the first round of bidding

b. Responder cuebids the opponents’ suit

c. After the first opponent passes, the second opponent makes a 3 level preempt or preemptive jump overcall

d. After the first opponent passes, the second opponent makes a 4 or 5 level preempt or jump overcall at favorable vulnerability

e. You open weak NT and partner uses forcing Stayman

f. You open strong NT and partner uses Stayman

g. You begin an unimpeded 2/1 auction

h. You open 2C (strong), LHO jumps to 4M or 5m; pard’s X promises a least 2 of opponent’s suit and a maximum of 1 king

i. You open 2C (strong), LHO passes, and pard makes a waiting call, RHO jumps to 4M or 5m. Your pass is forcing on pard to do something intelligent. Here your selection of a pard is an important condition precedent!!

Partner 1H  RHO 2C  You?

a. AKx, Kxx, KJTx, xxx

b. Kxx, xxxxx, xxx, x

c. AKxx, xxx, Kx, KJ9x

6. Pass and Pull: potential danger ahead.

Many partnerships play that pass and pull (after partner’s X in a forcing pass situation) is the strongest hand possible, inviting slam or grand slam. Be sure it’s on your card. The risk is that partner hesitates before doubling; when you pull, the director arrives in no time! It is very difficult to overcome the presumption of UI!! (Unauthorized Information)