II Original Declarations by the Dealer
The Dealer, in making the initial declaration, obtains a valuable strategic position whenever his hand justifies an offensive bid (i.e., anything but one Spade); but when he is compelled to assume the defensive, this advantage passes to his opponents. By any declaration which shows strength, he materially aids his partner and places difficulties in the path of his adversaries. A No-trump is naturally his most advantageous opening.
There are many hands in which the strength is so evenly divided that the advantage of playing the Dummy enables the player who “gets to the No-trump first” to make good his declaration, and frequently, in such equally balanced hands, one No-trump is the only bid that can be made. One No-trump eliminates all adverse calls of one, and sometimes when the strength of the opponents is considerable, but divided, results in shutting out a productive declaration. The Dealer, therefore, whenever his hand warrants it, should grasp his good fortune and declare his strength.
He should not, however, rashly assume the offensive. There is no way in which he can more thoroughly deceive his partner, create greater havoc with the bidding of the hand and cast deeper distrust upon his future declarations than by using the keynote bid to announce strength which his hand does not contain.
He must thoroughly understand the conventional declarations, and when in doubt should bid one Spade, as the damage which is apt to result from an overestimation by his partner of his winning cards is much greater than any benefit gained by starting the attack.
THE BID OF ONE NO-TRUMP
The Dealer is justified in basing his declaration upon the assumption that his partner has one-third of the high cards not in his own hand. He may, therefore, bid one No-trump with any holding better than the average whenever he has
(a) Four suits stopped.
(b) Three suits stopped and his hand contains an Ace.
(c) Three King suits, all of which contain in addition either Queen or Knave.
(d) A solid five-card Club or Diamond suit and another Ace.
The first question to determine is what, from the standpoint of the Declarer, constitutes a guarded or stopped suit.
That an Ace comes under that head is self-evident.
So also must a King, if accompanied by one small, because the lead comes up to the Declarer, and the King must either be able to win the trick or be made good.
A Queen and one other manifestly will not stop a suit, and a Queen and two others is not apt to do so unless the leader hold both Ace and King. Queen and three others is, however, comparatively safe, and Queen, Knave, and one other is a most satisfactory guard.
Knave, Ten, and two others surely stops a suit, but Knave and three small is about as unreliable as Queen and two small. It, therefore, becomes evident that the Dealer, to count a suit as stopped, must have in it one of the following holdings:—
Ace.
King and one other.
Queen and three others.
Queen, Knave, and one other.
Knave and four others.
Knave, Ten, and two others.
Some experts, with three suits stopped, bid No-trump with exactly an average hand, but experience has shown that this is advisable only when supported by exceptional skill, and cannot be recommended to most players. The average holding of high cards is one Ace, one King, one Queen, and one Knave. From the average standpoint it is immaterial whether they are all in one suit or divided. Any hand containing a face card or Ace above this average is a No-trumper, whenever it complies with the other above-mentioned requirements. When the average is exceeded by holding two Aces, instead of an Ace and King, a No-trump should be called, but two Kings, instead of a King and Queen, or even a King and Knave, is a very slight margin, and the declaration is doubtful for any but the most expert. A hand with two Queens instead of one Queen and one Knave, while technically above the average, cannot be so considered when viewed from a trick-taking standpoint, and does not warrant a No-trump call.
In bidding No-trump with three guarded suits, it does not matter which is unprotected. For example, the minimum strength of a No-trumper composed of one face card more than the average is an Ace in one suit; King, Knave, in another; and Queen, Knave, in a third. This hand would be a No-trumper, regardless of whether the suit void of strength happened to be Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, or Spades.
The above-described method of determining when the hand sizes up to the No-trump standard is generally known as the “average system,” and has been found more simple and much safer than any of the other tests suggested. It avoids the necessity of taking the Ten into consideration, and does not involve the problems in mental arithmetic which become necessary when each honor is valued at a certain figure and a total fixed as requisite for a No-trump bid.
The theory upon which a player with possibly only three tricks declares to take seven, is that a hand containing three sure tricks, benefited by the advantage derived from having twenty-six cards played in unison, is apt to produce one more; and until the Dummy refuse to help, he may be figured on for average assistance. The Dealer is expecting to take four tricks with his own hand, and if the Dummy take three (one-third of the remaining nine), he will fulfil his contract. Even if the Dummy fail to render the amount of aid the doctrine of chances makes probable, the declaration is not likely to prove disastrous, as one No-trump is rarely doubled.
It is also conventional to declare one No-trump with a five-card or longer Club or Diamond suit,2 headed by Ace, King, Queen, and one other Ace. This is the only hand containing strength in but two suits with which a No-trump should be called.
As a rule a combination of high cards massed into two suits does not produce a No-trumper, although the same cards, divided into three suits, may do so. For example, a hand containing Ace, Queen, Knave, in one suit; King, Queen, Knave, in another, and the two remaining suits unguarded, should not be bid No-trump, although the high cards are stronger than the example given above with strength in three suits.
Admitting all the advantage of the original No-trump, even the boldest bidders do not consider it a sound declaration with two defenseless suits, unless one of the strong suits be established and the other headed by an Ace. The reason for this is easily understood. When the adversaries have a long suit of which they have all the high cards, the chances are that it will be opened; but if not, it will soon be found unless the Declarer can at once run a suit of considerable length. When a suit is established by the adversaries, the Declarer is put in an embarrassing position, and would probably have been better off playing a Trump declaration. It is a reasonable risk to trust the partner to stop one suit, but it is being much too sanguine to expect him to protect two. Should he fail to have either stopped, the Declarer’s loss is so heavy that only with a long and apparently established suit and an additional Ace is the risk justified. It is realized that the case cited, namely, Ace, King, Queen, and two others, may not prove to be an established (or solid, as it is often called) suit. If however, the division be at all even, as it is in the vast majority of cases, the suit can be run, and it is cited as the minimum holding which may be treated as established.
With the present value of Clubs and Diamonds, either suit presents an effective original declaration. There is, therefore, much less excuse than formerly for a reckless No-trump bid, based upon five or six Club or Diamond tricks and one other suit stopped. When, however, an Ace of another suit accompanies the unusual Club or Diamond strength, the advantage of being the first to bid No-trump makes the chance worth taking.
The hands above cited as containing the minimum strength to warrant the call are all what are known as “weak No-trumpers.” This kind of bidding may not be conservative, but experience has shown it to be effective as long as it is kept within the specified limits. A No-trump must, however, justify the partner in acting upon the assumption that the bidder has at least the stipulated strength, and it merely courts disaster to venture such a declaration with less than the conventional holding.
A few examples may possibly make the above somewhat more clear, as by that means the various “minimum-strength” or “border-line” No-trumpers, and also hands which fall just below the mark, can be accurately shown. It will be understood that an effort is made to give the weakest hands which justify the No-trump declaration, and also the hands which fall short by the smallest possible margin. In other words, the hands which puzzle the Declarer. With greater strength or greater weakness the correct bid is plainly indicated.
The suits are numbered, not designated by their respective names, in order to emphasize that it does not matter where the weakness is located.
HANDS IN WHICH THE NO-TRUMP DECLARATION IS DOUBTFUL
| Suit 1 | King, Knave, X | Does not contain an Ace, but is above the average and has four suits stopped. It is a No-trump bid. |
| Suit 2 | King, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | Queen, Knave, X | |
| Suit 4 | Knave, Ten, X, X | |
| Suit 1 | Ace, Knave, X | Has an Ace, three suits stopped, and a Knave over the average. It is a No-trump bid. |
| Suit 2 | X, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | King, X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | Queen, Knave, X | |
| Suit 1 | Ace, Queen, X | Has an Ace and two face cards more than the average, but, not having three suits stopped, is not a No-trump bid. |
| Suit 2 | King, Queen, Knave | |
| Suit 3 | X, X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | Knave, X, X | |
| Suit 1 | King, Queen, X | Has three suits stopped, but is without an Ace, and is one King short of three King suits all with another face card. It is not a No-trump bid. |
| Suit 2 | King, Knave, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | Queen, Knave, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X, X | |
| Suit 1 | King, Knave, X | Has three King-Queen, King-Knave suits. It is a No-trumpor bid. |
| Suit 2 | King, Queen, X | |
| Suit 3 | King, Knave, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X, X, X | |
| Suit 1 | Ace, X, X | Has three suits stopped and is above the average. It is a No-trump bid. |
| Suit 2 | Ace, X, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | Queen, Knave, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X, X | |
| Suit 1 | Ace, X, X | This is the border-line hand mentioned above. It may be a No-trump bid for an expert, but the moderate player is hardly justified in risking it. The presence of one or two Tens would add materially to the strength of this hand and make it a No-trump. |
| Suit 2 | King, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | X, X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | King, Knave, X | |
| Suit 1 | Ace, X, X, X | Only above the average to the extent of a Queen in place of a Knave. No-trump is not advised unless Declarer is confident he can outplay his adversaries. |
| Suit 2 | King, Queen, X | |
| Suit 3 | Queen, X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X | |
| Suit 1 | Ace, Knave, X | An average hand. With this holding only an expert is justified in bidding No-trump. |
| Suit 2 | King, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | Queen, X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X, X | |
| Suit 1 | Ace, X, X | Below the average, and, therefore, only “one Spade” should be bid. |
| Suit 2 | King, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | Queen, X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X, X | |
| Clubs or Diamonds | Ace, King, Queen, X, X | Has the weakest “solid” suit that with one other Ace warrants a No-trump bid. |
| Suit 2 | Ace, X, X | |
| Suit 3 | X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X | |
| Clubs or Diamonds | Ace, King, Knave, X, X or Ace, Queen, Knave, X, X | Absence of Queen in one case, and of King in the other, keeps the suit from being established. Even the presence of the additional Queen in Suit 2 does not make this a No-trumper. |
| Suit 2 | Ace, Queen, X | |
| Suit 3 | X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X | |
| Clubs or Diamonds | Ace, King, Queen, X, X | Absence of additional Ace makes a No-trump inadvisable. |
| Suit 2 | King, Queen, X | |
| Suit 3 | X, X, X | |
| Suit 4 | X, X |
It is realized that in the last three cases cited the margin is unusually close; the last one, should the partner happen to have either Suit 3 or 4 stopped, and the Ace and some length of Suit 2, would be very much stronger than the example justifying the bid. It is also true that a fortunate drop of the King or Queen of the long suit, with a little help from the partner, would make the next to the last the strongest of the three. It is idle, however, to speculate on what the partner may have. In such close cases it is most important to invariably follow some fixed rule. The player who guesses each time may always be wrong, while the player who sticks to the sound bid is sure to be right most of the time. Experience has shown that, when only two suits are stopped, it is not wise to bid No-trump without both an Ace and a solid suit, and experience is the best teacher.
WHEN TO BID TWO NO-TRUMPS
An original bid of more than one No-trump is rarely advisable, as it is important that the partner be given the option of bidding two of a suit. With great strength such a call should never be made, as in that case there is no good reason for attempting to shut out the adversary. The only character of hand which justifies starting with two No-trumps is the rare combination in which a long, solid suit of six or seven Clubs or Diamonds is held, accompanied by an Ace or guarded King in at least two of the remaining suits, the idea being to shut out adverse Royals or Hearts.
Some players believe in bidding two No-trumps with “every Ace and not a face,” but that sort of an effort to “steal” the 100 is not justified as the partner’s hand may make a game, which could not be won at No-trumps, obtainable in a suit declaration. A game with the incidental score is worth much more than “one hundred Aces” and only two odd tricks, or perchance an unfilled contract. It is also important that the bid be limited to the one case mentioned, as in that way it gives the most accurate information.
EXCEPTION TO THE NO-TRUMP RULE
There is one important exception to most of the No-trump bids above described, and that is when the hand, which otherwise would be a No-trumper, contains as its strong suit five or more Spades or Hearts. It takes only one more Royal or Heart than it does No-trump to win the game, and with a suit unguarded, it is far safer and wiser, with such a holding, to bid the Heart or Royal than the No-trump. For example, with Ace, King, Knave, and two small Clubs; King, Queen, Knave, and one Diamond; Queen, Knave, and one Heart; and one Spade, the bid would unquestionably be No-trump. If, however, the Club and Spade holding be transposed, a Royal should be declared. When there is a score which places the Club or Diamond within four tricks of game, these suits become as valuable as the Heart or Royal, with the score at love, and should be treated accordingly.
The Declarer should bear in mind that as the game is the desideratum, the surest, not the most glorious or enjoyable, route of reaching it should be chosen. When No-trump is declared with a hand containing a defenceless suit, there is a grave chance that the adversaries may save game by making five tricks in that suit before the Declarer can obtain the lead. With five or more strong cards of a suit and two other suits stopped, four tricks are more probable with the suit declaration than three with No-trump, but three with the No-trump are more likely than five with the suit. It, therefore, depends upon which suit be held whether it or No-trump should be bid. The inclination which many players have for a No-trump bid should be firmly curbed, when the holding is of the character mentioned and the strength is in Spades or Hearts.
A very different case arises, however, when all the suits are stopped; the Dealer is then, the game being probable with either declaration, justified in bidding either the No-trump or the suit, as he may prefer, and the value of the honors he holds should be an important factor in guiding his decision. When he has more than five Spades or Hearts, the suit declaration is generally to be preferred, even with all suits stopped, unless the hand contain four Aces. A few examples follow:—
| Spades | Ace, King, Queen, X, X | While this hand contains three Aces, it is more apt to score game with Royals than without a Trump. With the Spade and Club or Spade and Diamond suits transposed, it is a No-trumper. |
| Hearts | Ace, Queen, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, Knave, X, X | |
| Clubs | X | |
| Spades | Ace, King, Queen, X | Not having five Spades, this hand is a No-trump bid. The fact that it contains a singleton is an argument in favor of a suit declaration, but with only four Spades it is safer to risk the Clubs than long adverse Spades with one more trick required for game. |
| Hearts | Ace, Queen, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, Knave, X, X | |
| Clubs | X | |
| Spades | Knave, Ten, X, X | A No-trumper, as it has three suits stopped and contains an Ace. A transposition of the Clubs to Spades or Hearts would make it a Trump declaration. |
| Hearts | Ace, Queen, Knave | |
| Diamonds | X | |
| Clubs | King, Queen, Knave, X, X | |
| Spades | King, Queen, Knave, X, X | Can be declared either Royals or No-trump, as four suits are stopped and it has five strong Spades. The 30 Aces as compared with 18 honors in Royals and the absence of a singleton make the No-trump more attractive. If, however, the Ten of Spades be substituted for a small Spade, the 72 honors would make it a Royal. |
| Hearts | Ace, Queen | |
| Diamonds | Ace, X, X | |
| Clubs | Ace, Knave, X | |
| Spades | King, Knave, X | While the four Suits are stopped, the length in Hearts makes the suit call the more advisable. |
| Hearts | King, Queen, Ten, X, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, X | |
| Clubs | Ace, X | |
| Spades | King, Queen, Ten | The Diamond is tempting, as a score of 56 honors is compared with possibly 30 adverse aces. If, however, the three missing Aces be held by the adversaries, game cannot be scored in Diamonds, and a game is always worth more than 100. It is therefore a No-trump. |
| Hearts | King, Knave, Ten | |
| Diamonds | Ace, King, Queen, Knave | |
| Clubs | King, Queen, Knave |
SUIT DECLARATIONS
For some reason the Dealer is more apt to make faulty suit bids than unwarranted No-trumpers. It seems as difficult for the old Whist and Bridge player as it is for the novice to realize that even excessive length does not justify an original suit call, unless the suit contain either the Ace or the King. It, also, is just as important to remember that if the suit does not contain both the Ace and the King, the hand must in addition have at least one other honor in the suit named,3 and one other sure trick. By “sure trick” in this connection is not meant merely a suit stopped, but a trick that can be won not later than the second round; in other words, either an Ace or a King and Queen, or King and Knave, of the same suit.
Stating in another way the combination of high cards requisite for an original suit bid, it may be said that a suit should never be originally declared unless the hand contain two sure high-card tricks, one of which must be in the suit named. These sure high-card tricks must be either two Aces or their equivalent in value for trick-taking purposes. The reason is obvious. The declaration of a suit by an informatory bidder tells the partner, not only that the bidder is satisfied to have that hand played with the suit named as the Trump, but also that his holding will be helpful to the extent of at least two tricks, one of which is in his suit, should the declaration be shifted to No-trump. This is one of the simplest and most vital rules of bidding, yet it is probably the most frequently disregarded. Innumerable points have appeared in the adverse honor column because a partner has properly assumed that an original suit call showed the high-card strength just mentioned, only to find out too late that the bidder, with perhaps a couple of Kings, had yielded to the lure of length. Even at the risk of seeming repetition, it is necessary to be a little more explicit upon this subject.
When the Dealer bids a suit, he says: “Partner, I have great strength in this suit; it is probable that I have both the Ace and King, but if not, I have either the Ace or King, supported by at least one other honor,4 and the Ace or the King and Queen, or King and Knave, of some other suit; you can bid No-trump or double any adverse declaration, positively assured that I will support you to the extent named.”
The holding in the suit which is declared, is vital. Take, for example, such a hand as Queen, Knave, and five small Hearts; and the Ace and King of Clubs. Of course, the Dealer wants to play this hand with Hearts as Trump, but he should not bid a Heart at the start, as he has not the Ace or King. The fact that he has both the Ace and King of Clubs does not justify a Heart call without either the Ace or King of Hearts. With the hand cited there will be plenty of time to bid Hearts later.
The rule which governs this case is the foundation of modern bidding; it is without exception, is not affected by the score, and is the most important of all Auction conventions.
Every player should resolve that, whatever his other shortcomings may be, he will treat it as a veritable law of the Medes and Persians, and that never, as Dealer, will he call a suit unless he hold the Ace or King of it, and the other requisite strength.
The combination of high cards above mentioned, however, is not in itself sufficient to justify a suit declaration. There must, in addition, be length in the suit. This is just as essential in Clubs or Diamonds as in Hearts or Royals. The partner may have great strength, and yet be unable to stop the adverse suit. A No-trump being thus eliminated, he, acting on the assurance given by the original call, may carry the suit to high figures. This is sure to prove disastrous, unless the original bidder has length as well as strength.
As a general rule, five is the minimum length with which a suit should be called, but with great strength, such as Ace, King, Knave; Ace, Queen, Knave; or King, Queen, Knave, in the suit, coupled with another Ace; or a King and Queen, a bid with a four-card combination may be ventured. A four-card suit, headed by Ace, King, Queen, may be called without other strength.
A short suit, that is, one of three cards or less, should never be bid originally, regardless of its strength. Even the holding of Ace, King, Queen, does not justify the naming of such a suit.
While the doctrine above enunciated as to the minimum strength required for a Trump bid is unquestionably logical and is now regarded as conventional by a very large proportion of the expert players of Auction, it is only natural that there should be some dissent. There is a certain character of mind that always desires to carry any sound theory to dangerous extremes, and, consequently, some players and writers have seen fit, while adopting the theory which has altered the old system of always starting with one Spade into the modern informatory game, to advocate extensions which would practically eliminate the defensive declaration.
These extremists desire to permit a Dealer to bid whenever he has a long suit, regardless of whether it be headed by high cards, and also whether it would aid a No-trump. One system suggested is that a Trump be called whenever the Dealer holds any suit which counts 7, on the basis of an Ace or face counting 2, and any lower card, 1. The believers in this doctrine would, therefore, bid a Club from such a hand as Queen, Knave, X, X, X, without any possibility of another trick; or even from Knave, X, X, X, X, X. The absurdity of this becomes obvious when it is remembered that the only real object in bidding a Club or Diamond is to show strength which will justify the partner in declaring one of the three game-going declarations. Any such holding as that mentioned not only does not help any other declaration, but as a matter of fact is a hand so far under the trick-taking average that, if any method could be devised by which weakness could be emphasized more strongly than by making the defensive declaration, such a hand would fully justify employing it. It is difficult to conceive what benefit can result to a partnership from any such weakness being, for the purpose of the declaration, changed into alleged strength. If a player declare with any such combination, his power to give information when he really possesses strength of course immediately ceases to exist, and the entire structure of informative bidding thereby drops to pieces.
The system of suit declarations above outlined, and upon which all that is hereinafter suggested in relation to bidding is based, must be followed by players who wish to give their partners accurate data, and while it may be tempting at times to depart from the conventional, the more frequently such exception is made by the Dealer in his bid, the more often does misunderstanding between the partners ensue.
VARIOUS IDEAS OF THE TWO SPADE BID
Every game of the Whist family has some point upon which experts disagree, and which, consequently, produces apparently interminable discussion.
In Auction, it is the two Spade bid, and no less than four recognized factions have widely divergent views concerning it. These views may be briefly stated as follows:—
(a) With the border-line No-trumpers now in vogue, a hand not strong enough to bid No-trump is too weak to warrant any call but one Spade. The two Spade bid is, therefore, useless and should never be made.
(b) The two Spade bid should be used as a No-trump invitation with any hand not quite strong enough to justify a No-trump call. Having this meaning it does not matter whether the hand contain any Spade strength.
(c) The two Spade bid should be used as a No-trump invitation, but must also give the additional information that the hand contains at least one trick in Spades.
(d) The two Spade bid should be used to tell the partner that the hand has the high-card strength to bid one Royal, but not sufficient length. It thus becomes either a No-trump or Royal invitation.
All these systems have their advocates, most of whom refuse to see merit in any plan but their own. It is only fair, however, before reaching a definite conclusion to accord to all a fair and dispassionate consideration.
(a)
The argument that, as long as light No-trumpers are conventional, any hand not sufficiently strong to call No-trump is too weak to justify declaring more than one Spade, has considerable force. Beyond question, many followers of plans “b” and “c” call two Spades when their holdings do not warrant such action, but the fact that a declaration is at times abused is far from being a sufficient reason for wiping it off the Auction map, and saying to those who desire to use it rationally, “No, because some players see fit to make this bid with two Knaves and a Queen, it is not safe to allow you the privilege of using it sanely, wisely, and at the appropriate time.”
The supporters of “a,” however, go further, and say that the hands in which a No-trump cannot be called, but with which the invitation should be extended to the partner to bid it, are so rare that the retention of the two Spade call merely encumbers the catalogue of the Declarer with a bid that is practically obsolete.
This, if it be true, would be most convincing, but it is so surprising a statement that it should be examined before being accepted.
Every hand that class “d” would bid two Spades would be similarly called by “b” and “c,” and at least ninety-nine per cent. of expert Auction players concede that such a bid is sound. For example:—
| Spades | Ace, King, Knave |
| Hearts | X, X, X, X |
| Diamonds | X, X, X |
| Clubs | Ace, Queen, X |
has strength which deserves, if possible, to be shown.
This is merely a sample of a hand which would be a Royal, if length in Spades accompanied the strength. Such hands come within the “d” classification, and are not rare. This must be admitted when it is considered that three- or four-card suits are much more frequently held than suits of greater length. Therefore, two Spades should be bid more often than one Royal. With the single exception of No-trump, Royals is the call most frequently played; consequently, as a preliminary call, two Spades must be used more constantly than any declaration, except No-trump.
Experience bears out this argument, and it, therefore, seems that the “a” allegations are not supported by examination.
It is obvious that the more original calls with which it is possible to equip a Dealer, the more accurately can he distinguish for the benefit of his partner between the different classes of holdings. It therefore seems absurd to contend that the bid of two spades should be eliminated.
(b)
The argument presented by the “b” school is also at first quite convincing. Take such a hand as
| Spades | X, X, X |
| Hearts | Ace, X, X |
| Diamonds | King, Knave, X |
| Clubs | Knave, X, X, X |
It is just too weak for a No-trump, but at first glance seems too strong for a Spade.
Why, however, should it be too strong for a Spade? It is under the average, which means the holding of the partner must be quite a bit better than the average to get one odd. If he have such a hand he will declare it in any event, and the dealer can then help. Furthermore, this system does not point out any one suit as stopped, and, therefore, gives the minimum degree of information. It is practically saying, “I bid half a No-trump.” It is quite doubtful whether the holding essential for such a bid can be properly limited and whether it will not tempt bidding with too great weakness.
Furthermore, it must be taken out. The Third Hand cannot allow his partner to play two Spades, and if he be weak, all he can do under this system is to call three Spades, which only makes matters worse, as it is sure to be doubled, and the dealer must in turn take that out. To do this with the hand above cited, he must either call two Clubs with four to a Knave, or one Diamond with three to the King, Knave.
The trouble is evident—the result apt to be unfortunate. If the partner with average strength accept such a No-trump invitation, the contract cannot be fulfilled; while if he be strong, he will bid in any event, so where is the advantage of the call?
For one purpose, however, this system of bid seems sound. If the dealer be a poor player and the Third Hand an expert, it is for the benefit of the partnership that the Third Hand be the Declarer. When the Dealer holds a real No-trumper, but wishes his partner to become the Declarer, the two Spade,—not invitation, but command,—has real merit, but as few players either concede their own inferiority or are willing to allow their partners to play a majority of the hands, this apparent argument in favor of the plan will not appeal to many, and will, therefore, seldom prove of service.
(c)
This comes nearer being logical, as it shows one Spade trick, and, therefore, indicates help for a partner’s Royal, but with that exception, it is subject to the same objections as “b.” It is troublesome to take out, and when compared with “d” gives extremely limited information.
It may, however, be of distinct advantage for a player who does not approve of light No-trumpers. Followers of the theory that the call of one No-trump means four or five sure tricks will certainly find “c” or even “b” an advantageous system, but the advantage of “getting to the No-trump first” is so manifest that the light declarations have become generally popular, and but few of the “I-will-not-declare-unless-I-have-the-‘goods’” bidders are now to be found.
If a player believe in calling No-trump with the minimum strength now considered sufficient, he has little use for either “b” or “c.”
It is self-evident that “c” cannot be used as often as “b,” so the Declarer who likes always to say something will prefer “b,” but the bidder who wishes, when he calls, to have distinct value attached to his announcement, will elect in favor of “c” rather than “b,” and for the same reason will find “d” the best system of all.
(d)
It is toward this system that the evolution of modern bidding is turning. True, two Spades cannot be declared as frequently when “d” is used as when “b” or “c” is employed, but the “d” bid conveys information so comprehensive and important that one call is of greater value than several “b” or “c” bids, which, at best, furnish the partner with indefinite data.
It makes the weakness take-out of the partner, namely, one Royal, easy and logical, and in every way seems the soundest, safest, simplest, and most conducive to game-winning of all the plans suggested.
It invites equally the two most important declarations, makes easy the position of the partner when he holds long, weak Spades, and is doubtless destined, in a short time, to be the only two-Spade system in use, unless it be found advisable to include in the repertory of the original declarer both “b” and “d.”
This can be readily accomplished by calling two Spades for “b”; three Spades for “d”; and four Spades for the combination hereinafter given, for which the declaration of three Spades is suggested.
No serious objection can be advanced to this plan, except that it is somewhat complicated, and for a light No-trump bidder, possibly unnecessary. It is a totally new idea, but believed to be of sufficient value to entitle it to a trial.
As it is impossible to declare or play intelligently when any doubt exists between partners regarding the convention employed, and as it is wise not to follow unsound theories, no further reference will be made to “a,” “b,” or “c” plans. The “d” system will be fully described, and all suggestions that hereinafter appear will be based upon the supposition that it is being used.
THE TWO SPADE BID5
The bid of two Spades is a showing of Spade strength, with a hand which does not contain Spade length sufficient to justify the bid of one Royal.
The latter is the more advantageous declaration, and should be made whenever five Spades with the requisite high-card strength are held. When, however, the hand contains the strength, but not the length, for a Royal call, the bid of two Spades is a most useful substitute.
It may be made with three or four Spades in any case in which, with five, one Royal could be declared, except the solitary instance of holding Ace and King of Spades without another trick of any kind. A Royal may be called with five, headed by Ace, King, as, should the bid stand, the three small Trumps would surely take one trick. Every original offensive declaration is based upon a minimum of three tricks. This principle applies to the bid of two Spades, and, therefore, a hand containing less than five Spades, headed by Ace, King, and no other winning card, is a one Spade call, as it is one and one-quarter tricks below the average.
When a player bids two Spades, he sends his partner a message which gives information about as follows: “I have three or four Spades with two or three high honors, and in addition, unless I have Ace, King, and Queen of Spades, I have one other suit well stopped. My hand does not warrant a No-trump, because I have only two suits stopped. As I have not more than four Spades, I do not wish to bid a Royal; I am too strong to be satisfied with one Spade, so I bid two for the purpose of encouraging you to call No-trump or Royals.”
Such a declaration certainly gives very accurate information, and should be used whenever such a hand occurs, but not under any other circumstances.
THE THREE SPADE BID6
The declaration of three Spades by the Dealer is a very recent idea and is also most informatory. It says: “Partner, I am anxious to have Royals the Trump, but I cannot make that declaration now, as I have not the requisite high cards. I probably have not the Ace of Spades, and the chances are that I am without the King also. Either because the balance of my hand is so strong that I fear I will be left in with one Spade, or for some other reason, I do not wish to open with the defensive declaration and wait for a later round to show strength. You can count on me for five or more (probably more) Spades and other strength.”
WHEN TO BID TWO IN EITHER ROYALS OR HEARTS
Another case to consider in bidding by the Dealer is when more than one of any game-scoring suit should be declared.
The original theory of declaration was to withhold from the table as long as possible all information regarding the strength of the hand; therefore, to start with one in the real suit was regarded as most unwise, and to bid two would have been deemed the act of a lunatic.
Now, however, the original suit declaration of more than one is generally acknowledged to be an important part of the finesse of the skilled bidder, and such bidding, when justified by the hand, is recognized as eminently wise and proper.
When the “two” and “three” original Trump bids first came into vogue, they were used indiscriminately with great length, regardless of whether or not high cards headed the suit. The meaning of the bid was “Do not take me out,” and it was made under widely divergent conditions. No distinction was drawn between a hand which might be trickless as an aid to, or defense against, a No-trump declaration, and one which would produce seven or eight tricks under such circumstances. This kind of bidding was found to be much too confusing for the partner, and prevented him from rendering intelligent support.
It is now realized that it is far wiser with length, no matter how great, but without commanding cards, to start with a Spade and then bid the long suit on the succeeding round, thus practically photographing the hand for the partner and energetically waving the red flag for any declaration but the one suit.
Take, for example, such a hand as seven Hearts, headed by Queen, Knave; Ace, Knave, and two Clubs; two small Diamonds, and no Spades. An original two Heart or one Club call would grossly mislead the partner without being of any real advantage, but one Spade followed by two Hearts, or even three, if necessary, shows the exact situation. As long as the hand containing a long suit is not so strong that there is grave danger of its being left in with one Spade, it should be started with the defensive declaration. When such great strength exists, a sound opening bid invariably presents itself.
It, therefore, becomes apparent that an original suit bid of two or three, just as necessarily as a bid of one, should demonstrate the underlying principle of original suit declarations—namely, strength, as well as length.
The incidental object in bidding more than one originally is to warn the partner that the Dealer prefers to play the suit named rather than a doubtful No-trump; the main reason, however, is, if possible, to shut out adverse bidding. When there is great length in either Spades or Hearts and distinct weakness in the other, a two or three bid is most advisable. In that case, the strength in the other suit may be entirely with the adversaries and may be divided between them. They could readily find this out, if allowed to start with a cheap bid, but it frequently happens that neither is sufficiently strong to make a high declaration without assistance from his partner.
When the Dealer has sufficient strength in either Royals or Hearts to bid more than one, and, in addition, has considerable strength in the other suits, it is as a rule advisable to bid but one, as in that case he does not wish to frighten off adverse bidding, but prefers to encourage it with the hope that it may reach a point which will give him a safe and profitable double.
Six sure tricks with the possibility of more is the minimum strength for an original call of two Hearts or two Royals.
WHEN TO BID THREE IN EITHER ROYALS OR HEARTS
An original bid of three Royals or Hearts is justified by a hand in which sufficient strength exists to make it probable that the declaration will be successful, and which nevertheless cannot effectively defend against a high bid by the adversaries in the other suit. As a rule this is a two-suit hand, and in a genuine two-suiter it often happens that one side may be able to win eleven tricks in Royals or Hearts, while their adversaries can capture a similar number in the other.
The three bid is, of course, a “shut-out” measure, and should be employed for that purpose only.
Seven sure tricks, with the possibility of more, is the minimum strength for an original call of three Hearts or three Royals.
THE TWO BID IN DIAMONDS OR CLUBS
The original bid of two in either Diamonds or Clubs with the score at love is a totally different character of declaration from two Hearts or two Royals. The Dealer does not with this declaration say, “Let me stay in and make game,” but he does say, “I have a long suit (at least five cards) headed by Ace, King, Queen, with no considerable support on the side. (If I had another Ace, I would bid No-trump.) Now you know my exact hand.”
When there is a score which places Diamonds or Clubs within four tricks of game, the original bid of two or more in either suit is of exactly the same significance as a similar call of Royals or Hearts, with the score at love.
HOW TO DECLARE TWO-SUIT HANDS
The only remaining case of original declaration by the Dealer is the hand with two suits, both of which are of sufficient strength to bid. As a general rule, it is wiser first to call the lower in value, and then to declare the higher on the next round. This gives the maximum amount of information, but should only be attempted when the hand clearly indicates that there will be another opportunity to bid, as otherwise the Dealer may be left in with a non-game-producing declaration.
The Dealer must determine from the composition of his hand whether a second opportunity to bid is assured. When he is not very strong, the chances are that some one else will declare. When he is without a suit or has a singleton, it is a reasonably safe assumption that some one will be strong enough in that suit to call it.
A few examples follow of hands which have the minimum strength to justify the various Trump calls and also of hands which, by a small margin, fall short:—
HANDS IN WHICH A TRUMP DECLARATION IS DOUBTFUL
| Spades | Ace, King, X, X, X | Has five Spades headed by Ace and King. With Royals Trump has two high-card tricks, and can take at least one with small cards. It is, therefore, a one Royal bid. |
| Hearts | X, X, X | |
| Diamonds | X, X, X | |
| Clubs | X, X | |
| Spades | King, X, X, X | Has not high-card strength sufficient for either a Heart or two-Spade bid. One Spade is the correct call. |
| Hearts | King, Knave, X, X, X | |
| Diamonds | X, X | |
| Clubs | X, X | |
| Spades | X, X | Complies with all the requirements of a Heart bid. |
| Hearts | King, Queen, X, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, Knave, X | |
| Clubs | X, X, X | |
| Spades | X, X, X | Has only four Hearts; is, therefore, a one Spade call. |
| Hearts | King, Queen, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, Knave, X | |
| Clubs | X, X, X | |
| Spades | X, X, X | Has only four Hearts, but has sufficient high-card strength to justify a Heart bid. |
| Hearts | Ace, Queen, Knave, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, Queen, X | |
| Clubs | X, X, X | |
| Spades | Ace, Queen, X, X | A two Spade bid; with one more Spade, it would be one Royal. |
| Hearts | X, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, X, X | |
| Clubs | X, X, X | |
| Spades | Ace, Knave, X | A two Spade bid. With two more Spades, it would be one Royal. |
| Hearts | X, X, X, | |
| Diamonds | King, Queen, X | |
| Clubs | X, X, X, X | |
| Spades | Ace, Knave, X, X | Either two Spades or one Club could be bid, but the Club is distinctly preferable. |
| Hearts | X, X | |
| Diamonds | X, X | |
| Clubs | Ace, Queen, Knave, X, X | |
| Spades | King, X, X, X | A one Spade bid, as it has not two honors in Spades. |
| Hearts | Ace, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Knave, X, X | |
| Clubs | Knave, X, X | |
| Spades | Queen, Knave, Ten, X, X, X, X | A three Spade bid; cannot be started as a Royal without Ace or King, and so strong, one Spade might not be overbid. |
| Hearts | Ace, Queen | |
| Diamonds | King, Knave, X | |
| Clubs | King | |
| Spades | None | A two or three Heart bid. |
| Hearts | Ace, King, Knave, Ten, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Queen, Knave, Ten | |
| Clubs | Ace, X, X, X | |
| Spades | Ace, King | A one Heart bid. So strong that a higher call is unnecessary, as adverse bidding is desired. |
| Hearts | Ace, King, Knave, Ten, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Queen, Knave, Ten | |
| Clubs | King, Queen | |
| Spades | Ace, King, Knave, Ten, X, X, X | A three Royals bid. Important to shut out adverse bidding. |
| Hearts | None | |
| Diamonds | X, X | |
| Clubs | Ace, King, X, X | |
| Spades | X, X | A two Diamonds bid. |
| Hearts | King, X, X | |
| Diamonds | Ace, King, Queen, X, X, X | |
| Clubs | X, X | |
| Spades | Ace, King, Knave, X, X | Should either be bid one Club and subsequently Royals, or started at two Royals to shut out other bidding. |
| Hearts | X | |
| Diamonds | X, X | |
| Clubs | Ace, King, X, X, X | |
| Spades | King, X | While this hand has more than sufficient high-card strength to justify an offensive bid, it is only a Spade. Two Spades would mislead the partner as to length and strength of Spades and might induce him to bid high Royals; one Heart would mislead him as to length of Hearts; having, however, called one Spade, the hand can advance any declaration of the partner and if the partner bid either Clubs or Diamonds, can call No-trump. |
| Hearts | Ace, King, Queen | |
| Diamonds | X, X, X, X | |
| Clubs | X, X, X, X | |
| Spades | King, Knave, X, X, X, X, X | Should not be bid one Royal, as that deceives partner as to high-card strength; two Spades invites a No-trump, which is not wanted. Either three Spades or one Spade should be called. The hand, outside of Spades, is so weak that the latter is the wiser bid. |
| Hearts | X, X | |
| Diamonds | X, X | |
| Clubs | X, X | |
| Spades | Queen, Ten, X, X | Spade honors are too weak for two Spades. One Spade is the only sound bid. |
| Hearts | Ace, X, X | |
| Diamonds | X, X, X | |
| Clubs | X, X, X | |
| Spades | X | One Club should be bid, followed, regardless of the partner’s declaration, with Hearts. |
| Hearts | Queen, Knave, Ten, X, X, X, X | |
| Diamonds | None | |
| Clubs | Ace, King, X, X, X | |
| Spades | Queen, Knave, Ten, X, X, X | Three Spades, and on the next round, Hearts, unless the partner has bid two Royals. |
| Hearts | King, Knave, Ten, X, X, X | |
| Diamonds | None | |
| Clubs | X | |
| Spades | Knave, Ten, Nine, X, X, X | This very interesting hand affords a number of correct original bids. One Club, three Spades, and one Spade are all sound; the latter is not apt to be left in, as a Heart call is most probable, the long hand in that suit containing at least five. Three Suits being stopped, with more than an average hand, one No-trump is also technically correct. The chances are, however, that the hand will produce better results if the Trump be Royals, and as the call of one No-trump may stand, it is not wise to open the bidding that way. Three Spades seems the most advisable declaration, as it gives the information most important for the partner to receive. The risk in calling one Spade, while slight, is totally unnecessary, and one Club does not warn the partner not to bid Hearts, if he have anything in Spades. Should three Spades be called and the partner declare one Heart, the dealer on the next round could try No-trump, but one Club, followed by one Heart from partner, would necessitate a Royal from the dealer, as the absence of Spades in the partner’s hand is not then announced. In the event of the small Club being transposed to a Diamond, so that the hand contain four Diamonds and three Clubs, three Spades would unquestionably be the most advantageous original call. |
| Hearts | None | |
| Diamonds | Ace, Knave, X | |
| Clubs | Ace, Queen, Knave, X |