Leicestershire Contract Bridge Association

 

Strong Two Bids

In Bridge as in life the meaning of a word depends on the context in which it is used, and in most cases “strong” is used as a relative term without specifically defined meaning. Consequently it is not surprising that some Bridge players have experienced difficulty in coming to terms with the precision of the meaning in the context of “a strong opening bid”.

A good example was given in a letter in the August English Bridge Magazine. Holding seven spades to the A-K-Q and an outside ace, a lady opened the bidding with 2C (Benji Acol, Strong). In actual fact this hand is not good enough to be called Strong and so the Director cancelled the actual result of 7NT making – an expensive outcome in Teams bridge.

The problem is that over the years, many players have gradually eroded their understanding of “Strong”. Classically it meant a hand of power and quality. Now, some pairs think it covers any hand where 8 tricks is reasonably certain, barring bad breaks.

The Orange Book regulation (which we play to in LCBA events) tells us what hands may be called “Strong”. Any one of these three will do as the minimum strength:

Hands meeting the Rule of 25

Hands with 16 HCPs

Hands with 8 Clear Cut Tricks and of normal opening strength

How do we calculate Clear Cut Tricks? The recipe is to assume (a) that partner turns out to be void and (b) that the missing cards are divided in the second most favourable way possible for our side. So in the example given above, with 7 spades the opener should first assume that her partner is void. The missing six cards could then be divided 3-3 (the most favourable way possible), 4-2 (the second most favourable way) 5-1 or 6-0. 4-2 is the one that the rule stipulates. If the missing Jack is held with 3 small cards then it must make a trick so the spade suit counts for 6 Clear Cut Tricks and the outside Ace provides one more – therefore one short of the requirement.

What should partnerships do about all of this? Well, if you really want to open a hand such as the above with a two bid, you are allowed to do this so long as

(a) you use a natural bid (2S in the above case) and

(b) your partner announces it as “intermediate to strong” together with “and forcing” or “and not forcing” [according to what you have agreed to do]

But if you want to use an artificial bid such as 2C or 2D you have no choice but to mend your ways and adhere to the Orange Book formula. If you are caught out (as the letter writer was) the Director will not countenance a claim that you decided to deviate from partnership method, you will simply be ruled against for using a non-permitted method.

The formal position on strong bids is given in the Orange Book You can view our summary of Orange Book alterations by clicking this link. Section 10.B.4 applies; some examples of counting clear cut tricks are given there.