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Bridge Brief Broadcast Archive
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June 25, 2000
Can You Make 6NT? and Hand Evaluation - Shortness
Can You Make 6NT?
If you counted the number of times a player that picks up 30 HCP points and winds up
getting a minus score, I am sure it more often that not. When you hold a good hand, human
nature and emotion tend to get in the way. This problem (devised by Paul Lukacs of Israel)
falls into that category. South (with fire in his eyes) drives the hand to 6NT. If you
were South, would your play live up to your bidding? Can you guarantee 12 tricks against
any distribution?
| North |
 J10964 |
 109642 |
 Q64 |
 |
|
| South (you) |
| AQ |
| AKJ |
| AKJ10 |
| AKJ10 |
The opening lead is the 9. Before you get carried away, a comment. You must assume
that the opponents are not dummies. They will not be very cooperative. For example, here
is a possible solution:
You win the diamond in hand (retaining the Q as an entry) and lead the A and then
the Q.
Easy hand. You say, "After the defenders win the K then I have 12 tricks. What an easy
problem!"
You are right, if a defender wins the K then you have 12 tricks (4 spades, 2
hearts, 4 diamonds, and 2 clubs). What is wrong with your solution? The defender will
not win the K! Now where are you?
You must find a solution that will work against any distribution and against any defense.
If you think you have it, then test it by considering what the opponents might do to
thwart your efforts. If your solution depends a successful finesse then I promise it is
not correct.
These types of problems are great training for your thinking process when playing the
game. Your mind set should always be how can I make this hand against any distribution and
against any defense?
The answer:
I gave you as much of a hint as I could! Win the opening lead in hand (leaving the Q as an
entry). Lead the Q. The defenders cannot win this or you will have your 12 tricks. After the Q holds, lead
the J!
They cannot win this either or you will have 12 tricks (2 spades, 4 hearts, 4 diamonds, 2
clubs). Now lead the A, K, and another club to establish your 12th trick!
The secret lies in maintaining control over both spades and hearts while you establish
your tricks. cashing the top honors first in either suit only opens you to losing two
tricks.
Easy game this bridge. You just have to learn to think outside of the box!
-----------------------------------------------------
Hand Evaluation - Shortness
A couple of questions from Bridge Companion readers about the use of shortness count in
hand evaluation:
Question:
I notice that in your publication you have opener using the shortness counting method
after a fit has been determined. Should opener be allowed to use the "shortness"
method for hand evaluation? Isn’t this something reserved only for dummy or
responder?
Answer:
You are right, in that the emphasis in some texts is on allowing only dummy to evaluate
using the shortness method. I slightly disagree. Why should a singleton diamond in
declarer's hand be worth any less than a singleton diamond in the dummy (as long as we
have a trump fit)? The basis for the "dummy only" point of view is that trumping
losers in the short hand gains a trick. Trumping a card in declarer's hand rarely gains a
trick (because declarer has already counted the tricks for length in the trump suit). I
think that this approach is a little too simplistic. The basis for my point of view is
that the trump suit really provides two significant things. First is the ability to trump
losers. Second is just the ability to control the play. The trump suit can provide a
control over a side suit and gives declarer the time needed to establish the required
tricks. If declarer has singleton diamond, the defense cannot take more than one diamond
trick before declarer gains the lead. Using my method of both partners counting for
shortness means that you and partner will bid a little more aggressively when you have a
trump fit. Truthfully, that is exactly the time when you should be aggressive. Hands with
a fit usually play at or above their potential. A trump fit enables declarer to
potentially use all five of the trick development methods to his or her advantage.
| North |
| KJ54 |
| 5 |
| A96 |
| 107543 |
|
| South (you) |
| AQ10732 |
| A764 |
| J32 |
| |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
|
1 |
| Pass |
3 |
Pass |
??? |
If only North is allowed to use the shortness method then South will never accept the
invitation to game (hand still values 13) and an easy game will be missed. If allowed to
use the shortness method, South re-evaluates to 15 and readily accepts the game
invitation. Game is easy with 6 spades, 1 diamond, 1 heart, and 2 hearts ruffs in the
dummy.
Question:
I have a question in regard to the Bidding Challenge on page 6 of your sample newsletter.
The hands in question are:
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| 1 |
Pass |
1 |
Pass |
| 2 |
Pass |
3 |
Pass |
| 4 |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| 1 |
Pass |
1 |
Pass |
| 2 |
Pass |
4 |
Pass |
| Pass |
Pass |
|
|
In hand [1][C] East, the responder, rebids 4. It seems to me that he should rebid 3 inviting
opener to go to game just as he rebid 3 in [1][B]. In both cases the responder
has 10 high card points and in both cases the opener indicated he had a minimum hand 13-16
points. Apparently there is an explanation. Would you enlighten me?
Answer:
Hand evaluation using the Work Point Count can be calculated two ways. There are two
features of a bridge hand that carry with them the potential for taking tricks. The first
and foremost is honors and the second is distribution. You can measure distribution either
by adding for your long suits or by adding for your short suits. Length and shortness in
any hand are really the same thing. Since the hand must contain exactly 13 cards, you must
make one suit shorter if you are to make another suit longer and vice versa. When should
you evaluate based upon length and when should you evaluate based upon shortness? Note
that you cannot count for length and shortness at the same time. That would be counting
the same feature twice. The length feature is of value in both no trump contracts and in
trump contracts. The shortness feature is of value only in trump contracts. The answer is
to count based upon the length feature until that point in the auction when you become
aware that you and partner have a clear trump fit. At that stage you should re-evaluate
your hand based upon the shortness feature. This applies to both opener and responder. The
recommended adjustments are as follows:
Length Method
Add 1 point for each card over four in each and every suit.
5 card suit = 1 pt.
6 card suit = 2 pts.
7 card suit = 3 pts.
Shortness Method
For each side suit (not trumps!) Add as follows:
Doubleton = 1 pt.
Singleton = 3 pts.
Void = 5 pts.
Hand B
Length Method 10 HCP + 0 for distribution = Total of 10 points
Shortness Method 10 HCP + 1 for distribution = Total of 11 points
Hand C
Length Method 10 HCP + 0 for distribution = Total of 10 points
Shortness Method 10 HCP + 3 for distribution = Total of 13 points
As you can see, at the point in the auction when Hand B bids 3, the hand is
worth 11 points and an invitational bid. At the point in the auction when Hand C bids 4, the hand is
worth 13 points and a commitment to game. Both hands improved in potential during the
auction. Hand B by 1 point and Hand C by 3 points. Hope this explanation helps.
Thanks!
Gary King
�2000 The Bridge Companion. All rights reserved.