The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-22
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by VIM. Z. MCAENNEy
Secretary, American Bridge League
The success Of the constructive
one-over-one system OF contract bid
ding is due to the ease and simplicity
Of arriving at the correct contract.
1t is true that Jump forcing bids are
made in the constructive one-over-
one system Of bidding only when the
forcing bidder holds q commanding
hand.
Therefore, the questions frequently
asked by players who have Just taken
up the one-over-one are: how do
you bid for game? When do you
know that your partner will not pass
your response? How do you stop be-
fore arriving at game II there Is no
game in the hand?
I will answer these by stating first
that the foundation Of the one
Overcome system Of bidding is based
on its constructive bid. When you
open the bidding originally, you are
making constructive bid.
Why? Because you could have
passed. Now as long as you do not
elect to pass, your bid must be con-
structive. In other words, you state
to partner. especially when bidding
first or second hand, that you have
the foundation on which to build for
game or contract.
The fact that you open with one
bid clearly states that you do not
think it is possible for you to 90 to
game without some assistance from
partner. Otherwise. If you could 60
game regardless Of what your part
ner held, your proper opening declar-
alton would be either a forcing two
or three bid.
Now let us assume that partner
opens with bid Of one heart. #
your hand is worthless, naturally you
will pass, as this Is the first of the
slgn-off bids.
However, due to the fact that part
her never opens with anything but q
one bid unless he has an absolute
game in his own hand. you must not
pass unless you know that your hand
is absolutely worthless to your part
rer.
Let us assume that you hold an
equal Of two queenS-or king and
a queen. These may be just what
your partner needs to enter your
hand and take q finesse in order to
establish q suit. Or he may have q
two-suit hand and the second suit
that he will name will fit your hand
better.
You should make what is termed
In this system as "sign-off" bid.
In other words, bid one no-trump.
This bid says to partner. MY
hand may contain nothing but q
couple of queens-however, I am
willing to give you chance to name
q second suit: but have no further
interest in the hand. can see NO
way OF going game unless you hold
tremendous hand"
BY the way, this bidding Of one
no-trump In response to partners
original suit bid OF one. in addition
to showing a weak hand, also denies
holding four trump.
II you hold four Of your partners
suit, your proper sign-off Is to bid
two in his suit. For example: part
ner bids one heart-you can sign Of
by bidding two hearts.
This simply states to partner: n
have four Of your trump. However
I cannot see any way Of making
game unless you hold quite = little
additional reserve strength. Is . mat.
ter OF fact, it might be somewhat
doubtful II you can even make thu
contract at two"
After q sign-off bid, partner pro.
ceeds at his own peril and ever
though he makes another construct
i've bid, you are not forced to respont
unless he gives you Z Jump shift
forcing bid.
For example: II partner bids on,
heart and you reply with one ~
trump, signing the hand Oft. tn
partner now bids three diamonds
you would be forced to respond. Il
bid either one OF these suits NOV
would not Be showing additiona
strength but would be simply show
ing q preference.
Summing up today's article, VI
find that al original bids are con
structive. That the three sign-of
bids are first, . pass; second. the re
spending to partners bid with on
no trump at the first opportunity
and third, the simple support o
partners suit, for example, one hear
two hearts.
In tomorrow's article We win con
tinue our discussion OF constructiv
bidding.