Last time we talked about the bidding slam. It is more exciting because the stakes are very high, requiring a total of 33 points between your two hands … or a really fantastic distributional fit (37-plus points for a grand slam). The real key to slam bidding is communication between the two partners. One of the better tools to get to game (or slam) is the 2-over-1 convention, which is recommended by Larry Cohen and Audrey Grant.
The main purpose of 2-over-1 is to quickly communicate to partner (who already opened) that you have an opening hand … and possibly more.
Let’s say that partner opens with one diamond – you know that partner holds at least 13 points. Let’s say that you also hold an opening hand. Wouldn’t it be great if you could somehow tell partner about your nice hand? That is exactly what 2-over-1 does.
Here’s how it works: Since partner opened one diamond, all you have to do is bid at the two-level, or, in this case, two clubs. Your two-level bid automatically communicates to partner that you hold an opening hand. Furthermore, the partnership may NOT stop bidding until you at least reach game. In this case, you have not yet agreed on what suit (or notrump) you will play in, but at least you both know that you will reach game.
In a second example, let’s assume partner opens one heart. In this case you could respond two clubs or diamonds and convey the same information. True, you have not yet agreed on a suit, but you both know that you will reach a bid of at least game. Even if you hold three supporting hearts (making the “golden eight”), you still have the bidding space to tell your partner about your hearts by (eventually) bidding four hearts … or more.
In a third example, let’s assume partner opens one spade. You could respond two clubs, diamonds or hearts and convey the same information. Again, you both know that you will reach a bid of at least game. Very importantly, you leave room for investigating slam.
How do you know if you should stop at game or proceed to slam? Usually, one of the partners will hold a stronger hand, and that is the hand which usually starts exploring slam. If neither hand is strong, one of you will usually be satisfied with “just” game.
We will explore additional game- and slam-going conventions in the next few columns.
Good luck and good bridge.
For entry level instruction or formal play, contact Al at [email protected] or (408) 779-7122.
