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For Junior and Intermediate players (maybe not Novices)..it’s Fri  day!

Reverse…and go forward!

There is a continuous debate among bridge teachers as to whether the concept of “reversing” should be taught to new players. It seems now we consider it too hard. Somewhere along the way, players then will need to learn that the following is not the way to bid this North hand:

 

 To start with a lower suit and then freely bid a new suit above it (here, hearts) should show a strong hand, no less than 16 hcp and usually 17-19 hcp. North should simply rebid 2 with the above hand. The heart fit, if there is one, will not be lost.

This concept of reversing was demonstrated in this recent deal when few South players seemed to appreciate the strength shown by their partner:

 

North has shown a strong hand by bidding 2after their initial 1. Note that after a reverse, it is best to play responder’s suit rebid (here 2)as forcing for at least 1 round showing at least a 5-card suit. When North bid 3, they had shown 5 diamonds and since they had started with 1, at least 6 clubs (with 5 of each minor, they should start with 1).

If it was not clear yet what South should bid, then they might try 3 (4^th suit forcing, artificial) first. North’s reply would be 4. South now knew it all. It was almost certain North had 2 hearts, 5 diamonds, 6 clubs and at least 16hcp. Where were all those points? In their minor suits. So, although South could not tell which minor was the stronger, they should try for slam in a minor. A 5-3 diamond fit might be fine. If there were bad breaks, then a 6-2 club fit might be safer. Yet, because of the reverse, South should try for slam…and would not be disappointed!

 

On this day, 6 was better than 6 because there was an unavoidable trump loser in 6. In 6, declarer could ruff the opening spade lead, draw trumps, play a heart to the South hand and take a successful club finesse. Back to dummy with a second heart and the fall of J gives declarer 5 heart tricks, 5 diamonds and via a second finesse, 3 club tricks..all 13! Indeed, those same 13 tricks are available if hearts are trumps, a great result in 6 playing Pairs.

While the opposition could have made life harder by over-calling and raising spades, reaching any slam seemed beyond most North-South pairs. Understanding what a reverse bid shows may well have been a problem for many. Reverses do not occur that often but when they do, the strength of such a bid is so important.

Reverse..and go forward..to slam!

Richard Solomon

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