| Reopening with a jump, fourth in hand* |
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Which South hand fits the bidding best?
Solution This jump is special, since South reopens the bidding: he bids fourth in hand over two passes. South 1 has the perfect hand for the jump bid fourth in hand. He shows opening strength (possibly slightly weaker) and six hearts. Pairs will perhaps disagree about the exact points range, but about 11-15 HCP seems to be reasonable. South 2 is a heart short and has a spade too many to bid 2♥. With this point strength he does best to start by doubling. If partner bids spades (or hearts!): fine. If partner bids something else, South bids hearts cheaply. In that case — he doubles first and cockily bids his own suit next — he shows a hand that is too strong for an immediate 1♥ overcall (1♥, yes: after all, he has only five hearts, so a jump in hearts is out of the question, whether immediate or after doubling first). Fourth in hand this sequence is a little less strong (from about 15 HCP) than in the direct position, second in hand (then it shows 18-up). South 3 is too strong for the jump to 2♥. He does better by bidding an unorthodox direct 4♥. True, NS may miss a slam this way, but the chance of that is slim after West's opening and North's pass. South should be wary of EW finding a spade fit, which they very well may have in view of South's singleton. |
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