Find the Error

Bridge is a game of errors. Avoiding obvious mistakes is much more important than learning fancy new conventions. In this quiz, each problem contains a major bidding error. Your job is to spot the error and vote for it.

  • Vul:Both
    Dir: West
      
    ♠ KQ82
    ♥ A2
    ♦ QJ764
    ♣ 65
     ♠ AJ76
    ♥ K43
    ♦ 82
    ♣ J842
    WestNorthEastSouth
     1♠Pass1♠Pass
     3♠Pass4♠Pass
     PassPass  

    Which bid is wrong?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    3♠

    4. -

    4♠

    5. -

    More than one of the above.

    Answer: 3

    3♠. Opener's jump raise invites game and shows about 16-18 in support. West's hand is a minimum opening bid and his correct rebid is only 2♠. Inexperienced players often get confused or careless and think of West's 3♠ as "limit." East has a perfectly normal acceptance to 4♠ (which has no play).

    Your result so far:
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  • Vul:Both
    Dir: West
      
    ♠ KQ76
    ♥ A2
    ♦ AK865
    ♣ K5
     ♠ AJ932
    ♥ K43
    ♦ J2
    ♣ A82
    WestNorthEastSouth
     1♠Pass1♠Pass
     4♠PassPassPass

    Which bid is wrong?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    4♠

    4. -

    Pass

    5. -

    More than one of the above

    Answer: 4

    Pass. West's jump to 4♠ is not a "close out" bid. It shows a huge hand -- about 19-20 in support. How could he jump to 4♠ with less--responder could have a lousy 6-count. East has 13 HCP and is facing 19-20 in support. That is a total of 32-33, so slam is in the picture. East should use Blackwood--and the only issue is how to reach the excellent grand slam.

    Your result so far:
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  • Vul:None
    Dir: West
      
    ♠ 52
    ♥ AQ72
    ♦ QJ764
    ♣ A3
     ♠ AJ76
    ♥ K43
    ♦ 82
    ♣ 9842
    WestNorthEastSouth
     1♠Pass1♠Pass
     2♠PassPassPass

    Which bid is wrong?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    2♠

    4. -

    Pass

    5. -

    More than one of the above.

    Answer: 5

    Both 2♠ and Pass are errors. West cannot reverse into 2♠. Such a bid shows at least 17 points. I have heard students say: "I don't play reverses." This is not an option!  A reverse is a reverse--like it or not. To read more on the subject, click the link. A reverse is forcing! Not to game, but for at least 1 round. East is not allowed to Pass. So, that is also an error. But, who says "2 wrongs don't make a right?" In this case they do. West and East are a good partnership--as they both made mistakes which cancelled each other out and led to an okay contract.

    Your result so far:
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  • Vul:None
    Dir: West
      
    ♠ KQJ65
    ♥ A8752
    ♦ Q4
    ♣ A
     ♠ A2
    ♥ 843
    ♦ K965
    ♣ K842
    WestNorthEastSouth
     1♠Pass1NTPass
     2♠Pass3♠Pass
    4♠PassPassPass

    Which bid is wrong?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1NT

    3. -

    2♠

    4. -

    3♠

    5. -

    4♠

    6. -

    Pass

    7. -

    More than one of the above.

    Answer: 4

    3♠. To raise opener's second suit, responder should have 4 cards. Here, East got lucky, because West happened to have 5 hearts. East should bid 2NT at his second turn. Then, West can bid 3♠ and East, knowing that opener has 5, can raise. What about West's 2♠ rebid? It is correct. He is not strong enough to jumpshift to 3♠ (which would be game forcing).

    Your result so far:
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  • Vul:None
    Dir: West
      
    ♠ K2
    ♥ AQJ72
    ♦ QJ4
    ♣ K32
     ♠ A1086
    ♥ 103
    ♦ K82
    ♣ QJ97
    WestNorthEastSouth
     1♠Pass1♠Pass
     1NTPassPassPass

    Which bid is wrong?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    1NT

    4. -

    Pass

    5. -

    More than one of the above.

    Answer: 5

    1♠ (& 1NT). The 1♠ opening caused the problem. West had no way to show 15-17 balanced with his next bid. I suppose if I had to fill in for someone who erroneously opened 1♠, my rebid wouldn't be 1NT. What would it be? Well, nothing fits (2NT would show 18-19). I suppose I'd lie with 2♠--but why have to go there? Just open balanced 15-17 point hands 1NT to begin with. East would use Stayman and end up in the normal 3NT.

    Your result so far:
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  • Vul:None
    Dlr: West
     
     
    ♠ KQJ987
    ♥ K82
    ♦ 98
    ♣ 43
     ♠ 654
    ♥ A743
    ♦ Q652
    ♣ J8

     

    WestNorthEastSouth
     2♠ Pass 3♠ Pass
     4♠ Pass Pass Pass

    Which bid is wrong?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    2♠

    2. -

    3♠

    3. -

    4♠

    4. -

    Pass

    5. -

    More than one of the above

    Answer: 3

    4♠ is wrong. West has a maximum preempt, but 3♠ is NOT invitational. 3♠ is a way for East to continue the preempt and make life hard for the opponents, it could have been done with even less than East holds. Do not preempt and bid again unless partner makes a forcing call (like 2NT or a new suit). 

    Your result so far:
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