# Bridge: 7 No Trumps baby! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 9, 2016, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229 "2016-08-09T09:47:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/141 "2017-05-05T03:55:19Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > However 4H over 2D is a double jump not a jump. I’d certainly play it as a splinter. 3H would be a weak jump A double-jump is still a jump. You wouldn’t say “I opened 1NT and partner quadruple-jumped to 6NT”, you would just say “jumped”. I agree 3H is a weak jump. While I think my regular partners would take it as a splinter, as per my original post on this hand, an Internet search suggests that this is not the most common meaning. For example (emphasis mine): [QUOTE=Larry Cohen] A jump above 3-of-opener’s major is a Splinter Bid. This includes 1-3 and 1-4. Splinter bids are assumed to be approximately 12-15 points in support (and 4+ trump). **Splinter Bids are not used in Competition. They are off after a double or an overcall.** A jump to 4-of-the opponent’s suit is still (always) a Splinter bid. [/quote] See [MAJOR OPENINGS -- Part 2 - Bridge Articles - Bridge with Larry Cohen](https://www.larryco.com/bridge-learning-center/detail/532) ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/142 "2017-05-05T09:22:11Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > (In practice you get a Diamond lead and take 13 tricks.) How do you avoid losing a trick to the Ace of Spades? ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/143 "2017-05-05T09:29:17Z")
On the original question, I like the idea of cue-bidding 5C to show first round control in clubs. It puts partner in a tricky spot, but if he can find the reply of 6D (to show second round control in diamonds - it’s irrelevant to you but he doesn’t know that), you can bid 6H knowing you only have a spade loser. If partner had replied 5S you can push on for the grand. Or is this all too optimistic? I usually play that a change of suit is always forcing, but presumably this is really only true up to game, and once game is bid that no longer applies? ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/144 "2017-05-05T09:47:09Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Holding > ♠ 5 > ❤ KT9876532 > ♢ 7 > ♣ 65 Out of interest, what were the other hands? They have 11 good clubs yet never mentioned them. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/145 "2017-05-05T09:48:28Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > How do you avoid losing a trick to the Ace of Spades? Discard the losing spade on the second round of diamonds and take ruffing finesses. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/146 "2017-05-05T11:36:55Z")
Of course, I see it now - thanks. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/147 "2017-05-05T12:45:05Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > Out of interest, what were the other hands? They have 11 good clubs yet never mentioned them. West, in fourth chair, would have had to first introduce clubs at the five-level: ♠ J93 ❤ J ♦ J9 ♣ KJT8732 East, the 2D overcaller, held ♠ AT ❤ Q ♦ QT8632 ♣ AQ94 [The hand came up at PlayOK](https://www.playok.com/en/handplay.phtml?pid=79058464), not noted for expert-level bidding or cardplay. :smack: The 20 results, ordered by score, were 6HX= 6HX= 6H+1 6H= 4H+3 5H+2 5H+2 5H+2 4S+2 4H+2 4S+1 5H= 4S+1 4S= 5DX-2 5CX-2 4S-1 6H-1 6H-1 6S-3 (At the table where 5CX was played, the bidding started just like at ours, but West _did_ bid 5C over 4H.) How does 6H go down? At both tables where 6H failed, a diamond was led, declarer won and cashed the other high diamond but pitched a _club_ instead of spade, and then led a spade honor to East’s Ace. East returned a diamond; declarer didn’t guess that he needed to ruff up with the Heart King. Dopers: please come join us at PlayOK! The interface is much better (IMHO) then Bridgebase. PM me your PlayOK login-name if you do join! ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/148 "2017-05-05T13:01:24Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > 6HX= > 6HX= > 6H+1 > 6H= > … > > Dopers: please come join us at PlayOK! The interface is much better (IMHO) then Bridgebase. PM me your PlayOK login-name if you do join! I just looked at the auctions where North-South got to 6H. You will see why PlayOK may not be the place to pick up a new partner. At one table the auction began like ours, but North bid 6H instead of 5H. This seems reasonable: North can count 12 easy tricks if South has eight good hearts. At another table the auction started like ours, but North bid 4NT Blackwood. After Pass - 5C - Double - 5S- Pass, South bid 6H. At another table, North opened 1C (presumably Precision or Polish) with his void and jumped to 6H immediately over South’s 4H response. At another table, North opened 4C (Gerber) with his void! North signed off in 4S when South showed no Aces. South then jumped to 6H when East doubled 4S. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/149 "2017-05-05T13:21:01Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > At another table the auction started like ours, but North bid 4NT Blackwood. If you play that 4H shows long hearts and not much else (i.e. will not have AS or AC), that’s not a bad idea as long as you play key-card. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2017, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/150 "2017-05-09T09:41:02Z")
Here’s one from the worldwide simultaneous pairs competition last night. I held SAxxx HAKxxx DKx CAK. I decided to be bold and opened 2NT. Partner bid 3H - transfer to Spades - and having four card support and the Ace and useful doubletons, I jumped to 4S. Partner then used ordinary Blackwood to check for Aces and Kings, and we ended up in 7S. Partner held SKQJT9x Hx DATxx CJx. That got us a top at the club, but I rather suspect that better pairs will end up in 7NT. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2017, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/151 "2017-05-09T10:49:42Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Here’s one from the worldwide simultaneous pairs competition last night. > > I held SAxxx HAKxxx DKx CAK. I decided to be bold and opened 2NT. Partner bid 3H - transfer to Spades - and having four card support and the Ace and useful doubletons, I jumped to 4S. Partner then used ordinary Blackwood to check for Aces and Kings, and we ended up in 7S. Partner held SKQJT9x Hx DATxx CJx. That got us a top at the club, but I rather suspect that better pairs will end up in 7NT. Well done, but there’s only 12 tricks in NT. so you were in the best spot. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2017, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/152 "2017-05-09T11:20:04Z")
I must have remembered one of the hands incorrectly because 7NT was cold. Maybe partner had the Queen of Hearts. ---
**Author:** ![merrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@merrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merrick)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/153 "2017-05-09T22:39:01Z")
For the flip side, I picked up (I think) my biggest hand ever in a casual game the other day: S AKQxx H AKxx D AKx C A Trouble was, I was so busy counting points that I mis-sorted one of my small spades as a club and (playing Acol) after 2C - 2D - 3NT (what else do I have?) there it stopped. Partner put down: S x H Qx D JTxxx C Jxxxx. Opening lead was a small diamond, Jack, RHO discards a Heart and I’m thanking my fool’s luck for keeping us out of 6D… ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/154 "2017-05-09T22:46:09Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Here’s one from the worldwide simultaneous pairs competition last night. > > I held SAxxx HAKxxx DKx CAK. I decided to be bold and opened 2NT. Partner bid 3H - transfer to Spades - and having four card support and the Ace and useful doubletons, I jumped to 4S. Partner then used ordinary Blackwood to check for Aces and Kings, and we ended up in 7S. Partner held SKQJT9x Hx DATxx CJx. That got us a top at the club, but I rather suspect that better pairs will end up in 7NT. 7NT can only make on a very unlikely heart/diamond squeeze. Or some amazing luck in diamonds. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/155 "2017-05-12T23:57:05Z")
> [@merrick](#): > > For the flip side, I picked up (I think) my biggest hand ever in a casual game the other day: > > S AKQxx H AKxx D AKx C A > > Trouble was, I was so busy counting points that I mis-sorted one of my small spades as a club and (playing Acol) after 2C - 2D - 3NT (what else do I have?) there it stopped. > > Partner put down: S x H Qx D JTxxx C Jxxxx. > > Opening lead was a small diamond, Jack, RHO discards a Heart and I’m thanking my fool’s luck for keeping us out of 6D… Edited to remove: Never mind ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/156 "2017-06-04T21:20:20Z")
Anyone play the robot rebate games on BBO? $1 to play, but $1.50 back for scoring 55% plus. The standard is pretty sharp it seems - best I’ve encountered on BBO. Normal MP robot games you bid something sensible and make your contract, you’ll be fine. Misplay a suit and slip an overtrick might get you an ave minus, but won’t be fatal. It is on the rebate, though - some good players. Finding it excellent practice for cardplay. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/157 "2017-06-06T02:09:29Z")
Bad hand from tonight. We play pretty much SAYC. Sitting 4th seat East I hold: ♤: K ❤: AKQT3 ♢: A6 ♧: AKQ84 South opens 2♤. Partner passes. North raises to 3♤ I double. East passes, partner bids 4 ❤. West passes. What should I bid now? ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/158 "2017-06-06T02:22:36Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > Anyone play the robot rebate games on BBO? $1 to play, but $1.50 back for scoring 55% plus. The standard is pretty sharp it seems - best I’ve encountered on BBO. > > Normal MP robot games you bid something sensible and make your contract, you’ll be fine. Misplay a suit and slip an overtrick might get you an ave minus, but won’t be fatal. It is on the rebate, though - some good players. Finding it excellent practice for cardplay. I’ve not played the rebate games, although I regularly play robot tournaments - mostly free. I went to check out the rebates and noticed that the two free daily robot tournaments (MP and IMP) have just been reduced to 3 per week. There is also a weekly free instant tournament. You can play that and then check out Australian expert Pete Hollands who plays the same hands with commentary and posts to Youtube. His channel is [here](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOaZnFbFH1OlbhVm25z4rLQ). He normally plays Monday evening/Tuesday (depending on where you live). ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/159 "2017-06-06T08:40:11Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > East passes, partner bids 4 ❤. West passes. > > What should I bid now? Remember that you have forced a bid from your partner. However, you are extra strength. You have 25 HCP, LHO has 6-10, RHO has something, so that doesn’t leave much for your partner. So just pass. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229/160 "2017-06-06T09:43:56Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Remember that you have forced a bid from your partner. However, you are extra strength. You have 25 HCP, LHO has 6-10, RHO has something, so that doesn’t leave much for your partner. So just pass. If RHO is a point counter where 3S actually means something, then pard is marked with a broke hand and passing at MPs is prob wise. 3S could mean zero points and three small spades, though. Prob seems to be that the KD looks like the key card on this deal, and no way of asking for it without committing to 6. Not really arsed about the ace of spades as 7 doesn’t seem realistic over the pre-empt. In light of that, I would prob just bid 6H direct. Pard will forgive my enthusiasm when it’s wrong because it’s not every day that you get dealt a shapely 25. Thanks for that link **Amarone** , I’ll check it out. Like to see how the experts bash the bots around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-7-no-trumps-baby/762229.md?page=9)