Balancing after the opponents fit at the two-level by Linda J Green

One of the biggest errors in bidding at the bridge table is leaving the opponents at the two-level when they have found a fit! If they fit we fit! It is our duty to push them up one level to go down one than leave them in a comfort zone to play.
If we go down one that is good bridge, if they can make a part score!
After all we are bidding on our partner's hand. High Card Points are not the main criterion. We are BALANCING!
Remember : IF THEY FIT WE FIT!

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 8 7 6 5
♥ A 6 5
♦ K 5 4 3 2
♣ 9

Q: 1 - What do you bid after the bidding has stopped at the two-level and partner balances with a "Take-Out" double?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Pass	2♥	Pass	Pass
Double	Pass	?

A: 2♠. It is always better to bid a major even though the minor is longer. Also it keeps the bidding at a lower level. If they fit , you will fit. It is better to bid and push them one level higher in anticipation that they go down one, than leave them at a comfortable level making their contract.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 7 6
♥ A 3
♦ K Q 9 6
♣ J 9 8 7 2

Q: 2 - What action do you take after the opponents have found a fit and you are in the balancing seat ?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Pass	2♥	Pass	Pass
?

A: 2 No Trump. One cannot pass. One cannot make a "Take-Out "double as we do not have tolerance for the unbid major - spades. This is the only bid showing both minors and asks partner to choose one of them. We cannot guess which one and bid a bad 5-card suit when partner may have a better diamond suit.
Remember: Partner did not take an action over 1♥. So balancing for the minors is either 4/4 or 5/4 or a bad 5/5 hand. If they fit we fit!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 3
♥ K J 6 5
♦ A 6 4
♣ 9 8 7 6

Q: 3 - What action do you take after the bidding has stopped at the two-level and they have found a fit?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
Pass	1♠	Pass	2♠
Pass	Pass	?

A: Double. Once they have found a fit and the hand has tolerance for the unbid suits , a double is automatic. If they fit we fit! High Card Points are not that important. Push them up one to go down!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 8 7 6
♥ K 7 6
♦ K 3
♣ Q 10 9 7 6

Q: 4 - What action do you take when the opponents have not found a fit , but have stopped at the one-level in a No Trump contract?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	1 No-Trump	Pass	Pass
?

A: 2♣. One cannot double as there is no tolerance for the ♦ suit. We require at least 3 cards to an honor. Therefore, bid the 5-card suit in anticipation that a fit is found and partner is rated to have something once the bidding has ended.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 8 7
♥ K 7 4 2
♦ Q 4 3
♣ K J 8 5

Q: 5 - What action do you take after the bidding has ended at the one-level?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	1No-Trump	Pass	Pass
?

A: Double. Here the double is "Take-Out" and one has tolerance for three unbid suits and although they have not found a fit, we must balance to push up the bidding to a higher level.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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