Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-24
BRIDCETALKS
nv MRS. JOHN MUNcE. yR

In our last talk we finished the bid
ding of third hand, and we will now
take up the question of fourth-hand
bids.
There are any number Of situations
which present themselves to fourth
hand. OF the more usual the first
might be called, when there have been
three passes and fourth hand becomes
the original bidder. This we will dis
cuss more fully later.
The second, when dealer passes, sec
ond hand bids. third hands passes or
bids, then fourth hand in reality be-
comes third hand, and what we have
stated previously about third hand bid
ding could be generally applied.
The next situation Is when dealer
bids, second hand bids and third hand
bids. Fourth hand is then presented
with the problem Of assisting or deny
in general the accepted conventions Of
third hand bidding apply.
Each one of these becomes q study
in itself. The more advanced stages
Of this are really the result of expert
ence and experienced judgment, and
almost automatically relegate them
selves into the class of advanced bid
ding. For the purpose of this discus
sion we will cover only the most salient
features and begin the discussion with
fourth hands position after three
A fourth hand bid after three passes
is an original fourth hand bid, not an
initial bid, as his partner has pre-
viously passed and in doing so has told
fourth hand that his had most likely
does not contain two tricks. 1t does
not necessarily mean that he has no
high cards, but that his holding did
not warrant bid. With an average
holding, fourth hand after three passes
must realize that there Is fairly even
distribution of cards and that no one
legitimate bid. Therefore, with an
average holding, or one no stronger
than necessary for an initial bid of one,
it is much wiser to pass and get a
new deal than 1t is to struggle for the
presumed one odd trick, which the
hand is, supposed to yield. However,
when only one odd is needed to go
game, the situation Is somewhat
changed and hand slightly better
than that required for an initial bid
justifies a one bid in fourth hand.
as experience has shown that you will
lose 10 times to the l you will win
when you bid only an average holding
fourth hand. This Is primary due to
the even distribution of cards between
the other three players.
It. is difficult indeed to give up good
cards or promising cards, and there Is
always the temptation to take chance,
but experience shows that it is much
better to pass a hand that is doubtful
and get a new deal than risk almost
| certain loss.
| After three passes fourth hand has
| the privilege of closing the bidding by
passing, but II fourth hand bids every
one else at the table has another bid,
| and the results are often very disas-
trous to fourth hand, as defensive or
lead-directing bid by dealer may COM
bine the strength of dealer and third
| hand to the exclusion of fourth hand.
The following hand is one that would
| justify a bid by fourth hand of one
spade after three passes as only one
| trick Is needed to 60 game:
| Spades-Ace, king, Z. S. 3.
Hearts-Ace, 4.
DiamondS-Jack, 5. f.
Clubs-King, queen. 3.
1t is well to bear in mind that in
| making a fourth hand bid after three
| passes you should be in a fair position
to prevent the opponents from going
| game from the defensive combination
referred to above and the hand which
| justifies the spade bid by fourth hand
| contains more or less strength disable
against almost any defensive bid by the
opponents.