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 LOTT on 3 Level by Larry Cohen

In a competitive fight for the partscore, the general LOTT (Law of Total Tricks Guideline) is:

With 8 trumps, compete to the 2 level, but with 9, compete to the 3 level.

This rough guideline doesn't take into fact vulnerability (be a little more careful if vulnerable), shape (4-3-3-3 is a danger sign), or honor location (be wary of queens/jacks in the opponents' suit).

In this quiz, you can test your judgment (assume matchpoint scoring) on five 3-level decisions.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 K 6 5 4 3
 Q 7 6
 K 7 6
 A Q
 
Q: 1 - As South, what would you bid?
SouthWestNorthEast
1223
??


 Your choice:
A: Pass - At these colors, with this flat hand, with poor trumps, with an honor in their suit, with only a known 8-card fit, don't even dream of bidding 3. As to double, try to avoid top-bottom actions.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 K 7 6 4 3 2
 4
 K J 6
 A 7 6
 
Q: 2 - As South, what would you bid?
SouthWestNorthEast
1223
??


 Your choice:
A: 3 - With 3 fewer HCP than on question 1, this time you should compete to the 3 level. You have 9 trumps, shortness in their suit, no honor cards in their suit, and you aren't vulnerable. How does partner know you aren't inviting 4? This 3 bid has to be available to compete for the partscore. If you insist on having a way to invite game, you need to play/learn the "gametry" or "maximal" double. That convention is used when you've bid and raised a suit and the opponents bid on the 3-level in the suit immediately below your suit. Double is not for penalty, but shows an invitation to game.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 8 7 6 5
 K Q 10 6 5 4
 A Q
 5
 
Q: 3 - As South, what would you bid?
SouthWestNorthEast
1pass22
??


 Your choice:
A: 3 - With a known 9-card suit, compete to the 3-level. You have nothing wasted in their suit and could easily have 140 your way (you can't settle for 50 a trick on defense--or worse, -110). Lack of extra HCP is not a factor. This bid does not invite partner to go to game. If you had game interest, you could have made a game try such as 3 or 3.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 K 2
 A 4 3 2
 K J 7 6 5
 J 2
 
Q: 4 - As South, what would you bid?
SouthWestNorthEast
1122
??


 Your choice:
A: 3 - For his raise, partner will usually have 4 diamonds, giving your side 9. Even though your K is poorly positioned, you should compete to the 3 level. You don't want to leave them in 2 (almost surely making). Either you'll make 3 (good), go down (better than -110), or maybe push them to 3.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 6 5 4
 A 10 8 7
 Q 6 5
 K 10 2
 
Q: 5 - As South, what would you bid?
SouthWestNorthEast
-111 No-trump
23passpass
??


 Your choice:
A: Pass - In spite of your being at the high end for your 2 raise, you have nothing more to say. You expect only 8 trumps and the opponents are already on the 3 level. Furthermore, your trumps are lousy and the 1NT bidder is poised over partner--he might easily double 3.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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