M J Bridge
♦
♠
♥
♣
Bidding
Short suit
Note that this page is about a specific style of trial bid -
Follow this link for an overview of trial bids and alternative options.
In this style of trial-
♠
♥
♦
♣
A K Q 8 7
8
A J 5
Q J 7 5
You have an eight-
The least you can do is bid 3♥. Partner will reassess his hand in the light of this information.
Alternatively, with a five-
You |
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
1♠ |
- |
2♠ |
- |
? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Responder’s hand will be enhanced if he holds weakness opposite the announced shortage, but if he has a good high-
♠
♥
♦
♣
J T 5 4
7 6 4
K Q 6 3
J 2
You have more than a minimum (just) and partner’s heart shortage works well with your three small cards.
Bid 4♠.
Facing the hand above you would expect to lose just two clubs and one heart.
You |
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
|
|
1♠ |
- |
2♠ |
- |
3♥ |
|
|
|
|
|
♠
♥
♦
♣
J T 5 4
K Q J
7 6 3
6 4 2
You have more than a minimum (just) but your heart honours are wasted opposite partner’s shortage.
Bid 3♠. Facing the hand above you would expect to lose one heart, two clubs and at least one diamond.
You |
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
|
|
1♠ |
- |
2♠ |
- |
3♥ |
|
|
|
|
|
This section last revised 28th Jan 2021
Context -
You will almost certainly include this style of trial bid as one of the options when partner makes a game-
In other situations, although effective when it is available, it will leave you at a loss when not holding a suitable shortage.
On grounds of frequency of use alone I would recommend a natural trial bid or a long-
Opener |
Overcaller |
Responder |
Advancer |
Opener's rebid |
Responder's rebid and beyond |
Overcaller's rebid and beyond |
The continuing auction |