SECOND HAND DECLARATIONS
The Second Hand bids under two totally
dissimilar conditions. The Dealer of necessity
has declared and, either by a call of one Spade, shown
comparative weakness, or, by an offensive declaration,
given evidence of strength.
It is obvious that whether the Dealer
be strong or weak materially affects the question
of how the Second Hand should bid, as it makes quite
a variation in the number of tricks he has the right
to expect to find in his partner’s hand.
This, however, is not the only, and, possibly, not
the most important difference.
When the Dealer has called one Spade,
it is practically certain, should the Second Hand
pass, that he will have another opportunity to enter
the bidding. When, however, the Dealer has declared
a suit or No-trump, it is possible, if the Second
Hand fail to declare, that no other bid will be made,
and the declaration of the Dealer will stand.
It is, therefore, readily seen that,
in the first case, the Second Hand is making an initial
declaration; in the other, a forced bid.
BIDDING OVER ONE SPADE
When Auction was in its infancy, the
authorities advised the Second Hand, regardless of
the character of his cards, to pass a declaration
of one Spade. The reason given was that the Third
Hand would have to take his partner out, which might
prove embarrassing, and that a bid by the Second Hand
would release his left-hand adversary from this, possibly,
trying position.
Modern Auction developments have proven
the futility of this idea. The Third Hand of
to-day is not troubled by any obligation to take the
Dealer out of “one Spade,” and will not
do so without considerable strength. Should the
Second Hand pass, with winning cards, the Fourth Hand
may be the player who finds himself in the awkward
position, and if, adopting the conservative course,
he allow the Spade declaration to stand, a good chance
to score game may be lost by the failure of the Second
Hand to avail himself of his opportunity.
Second Hand silence is not now regarded
as golden, but there is still some question as to
the amount of strength required to make a declaration
advisable. Some authorities believe the Second
Hand should pass, unless his cards justify him in
expecting to make game. This theory was for a
time very generally accepted, and even yet has a considerable
following. Experience, however, has convinced
most of its advocates that it is unsound, and it is
being rapidly abandoned.
It is now conceded that the deal is
quite an advantage, because of the opportunity it
gives the Dealer to strike the first blow. It
follows that when the Dealer has been obliged to relinquish
his favorable position, it is the height of folly
for the Second Hand, when he has the requisite strength,
not to grasp it. Furthermore, the Dealer having
shown weakness, the adverse strength is probably in
the Third Hand. Should the Third Hand call No-trump,
the Fourth Hand will be the leader, and it will then
be important for him to know which suit his partner
desires opened. On the first round of the declaration,
this can be indicated by a bid of one, but after the
No-trump, it takes two, which, with the strength over
the bidder, may be dangerous.
The bid of the Second Hand, furthermore,
makes the task of his left-hand adversary more difficult
and may prevent a No-trump. It certainly aids
the Fourth Hand indeed, it may be just the
information he needs for a game declaration.
It seems clear, therefore, that the
Second Hand should show his strength when he has the
chance. He should not, however, carry too far
the principles above outlined. It is just as fatal
for the Second Hand as for the Dealer, to deceive
his partner.
WHEN TO BID NO-TRUMP
The rules governing an original offensive
bid by the Dealer apply to the Second Hand, after
the Dealer has called one Spade, in practically every
instance. The only possible exception is the holding
necessary for a border-line No-trump. When the
Dealer, with the minimum strength, declares “one
No-trump,” he figures on the probability that
his partner holds one-third of the high cards not
in his own hand. When the Second Hand declares
after “one Spade,” it is reasonable for
him to count upon his partner for a slightly greater
percentage of strength; therefore, he may bid No-trump
a little more freely.
To justify a No-trump by the Dealer,
he should have slightly better than average cards.
The Second Hand, with exactly an average holding,
may make the bid. The No-trump requirements, namely,
four suits stopped, three suits stopped and an Ace,
three King-Queen or King-Knave suits, or at least
five solid Diamonds or Clubs and an Ace, which
limit the declaration of the Dealer, apply, however,
with equal force to the Second Hand, and should never
be disregarded.
WHEN TO MAKE A TRUMP DECLARATION
The Dealer, having declared one Spade,
a Trump declaration of one, two, or three by the Second
Hand is subject to exactly the same rules as in the
case of the original call by the Dealer. Precisely
the same reasoning holds good and the same danger
is apt to arise, should the Second Hand digress from
the recognized principles of safety, and bid a long
suit which does not contain the requisite high cards.
The Second Hand will have an opportunity to declare
his weak suit of great length on the next round, and
there is no necessity for deceiving the partner as
to its composition by jumping into it with undue celerity.
THE DOUBLE OF ONE SPADE
The question of when the Second Hand
should double is covered in the chapter on “Doubling,”
but as the double of one Spade is really a declaration,
rather than a double, it seems proper to consider it
here, especially as it is of vital importance that
it be accurately distinguished from the Second Hand
bid of two Spades, with which it is very frequently
confused. Many good players treat the two declarations
as synonymous, although by so doing they fail to avail
themselves of a simple and safe opportunity to convey
valuable information. The reason for this apparent
carelessness on the part of many bidders is that no
scheme of declaring that accurately fits the situation
has hitherto been generally understood.
The idea that follows has been found
to work well, and while as yet not sufficiently used
to be termed conventional, seems to be growing in
favor with such rapidity that its general adoption
in the near future is clearly indicated.
The Second Hand doubles one Spade,
with practically the same holding with which the dealer
bids two Spades, not with the expectation or wish
that the double will stand, but as the most informatory
action possible, and as an invitation to his partner
to bid No-trumps or Royals. In a general way
his bid of two Spades has the same significance, except
that it more emphatically suggests a call of Royals.
By accurately distinguishing the two, the partner may
declare with much greater effect.
The double shows short Spades (two
or three), with at least two high honors in Spades,
and one other trick, or the Ace of Spades and two
other tricks.
THE BID OF TWO SPADES
The bid of two Spades shows exactly
four Spades and the same high-card holding which justifies
doubling one Spade.
The Second Hand, when he doubles one,
or bids two Spades, says: “I have not three
suits stopped, so I cannot bid No-trumps. While
I have sufficient high-card strength to call one Royal,
I have less than five Spades, and, therefore, am without
sufficient length. I can, however, by this declaration,
tell you the exact number of my Spades, and I expect
you to make the best possible use of the exceptionally
accurate information with which you are furnished.”
As much care should be taken in selecting
the correct declaration, when in doubt whether to
bid two Spades or double one, as when determining
whether to call a Royal or a Heart. Many a player
doubles one Spade with five or six, headed by Knave,
Ten, apparently never realizing that with such a hand
he wishes the trump to be Royals, and yet, by his bid,
is inviting his partner to call No-trump; or he bids
two Spades with the Queen of Spades and a couple of
Kings, and after his partner has declared a Royal,
or doubled an adverse No-trump, counting on the announced
Spade strength, says: “I realize I deceived
you in the Spades, but I had two Kings about which
you did not know.”
That sort of a declarer makes it impossible
for his partner to take full advantage of any sound
bid he may make.
Every Second Hand bidder should remember
that when he doubles one Spade or bids two, he tells
his partner he has short or exactly four Spades, as
the case may be; that he has not three suits stopped,
and that his minimum high-card holding is one of the
following combinations:
SPADES |
MINIMUM STRENGTH IN OTHER SUIT |
|
Ace, King, Queen |
No strength required |
|
Ace, King |
Queen, Knave, and one other |
|
Ace, Queen |
King, Knave |
|
Ace, Knave |
Ace, or King and Queen, or King, Knave, Ten |
|
Ace |
Ace and King; Ace, Queen, Knave; or King, Queen, Knave |
|
King, Queen |
Ace, or King and Queen, or King, Knave, Ten |
|
King, Knave, Ten |
Ace, or King and Queen, or King, Knave, Ten |
|
King, Knave |
Ace and King; Ace, Queen, Knave; or King, Queen, Knave |
|
Queen, Knave, Ten |
Ace and King; Ace, Queen, Knave; or King, Queen, Knave |
In order that the distinction between
the various Second Hand Spade declarations may be
clearly marked, take such a holding as
Spades |
Ace, King |
Hearts |
Three small |
Diamonds |
Four small |
Clubs |
Ace |
Only ten cards are mentioned, and
the remaining three are either Spades or Clubs.
|
Making the number of Spades in the
Hand |
The Second Hand should |
All Clubs |
Two |
Double |
Two Clubs and one Spade |
Three |
Double |
One Club and two Spades |
Four |
Bid two Spades |
All Spades |
Five |
Bid one Royal |
The method suggested above is not
the only plan for distinguishing between the double
of one and the bid of two Spades.
Some players think the double should
mean a No-trump invitation, without any significance
as to strength in the Spade suit, and two Spades should
show two honors in Spades. The same comment applies
to this as to a similar declaration by the Dealer;
namely, that with the light No-trumpers now conventional,
the invitation without Spade strength is unnecessary
and possibly dangerous.
Those, however, who wish to have the
privilege of issuing such an invitation, are not obliged
to deprive themselves of the undoubted and material
advantage of being able, when strong in Spades, to
distinguish between a holding of short Spades (two
or three) and of exactly four. They can convey
to their partners that very important information by
using the following system:
THE BID |
THE MEANING |
Double of one Spade |
A No-trump invitation. No information as to Spade strength |
Two Spades |
Short Spades with two high honors and one other trick |
Three Spades |
Four Spades with two high honors and one other trick |
Four Spades |
Same as bid of three Spades described immediately below |
This system is entirely new, is somewhat
complicated, and is suggested for what it is worth
for those who wish, without Spade strength, to invite
a No-trump.
As the bid of four Spades can be taken
out by the partner with one Royal, the system is not
subject to objection, on the ground that four Spades
forces the partner to an unduly high declaration.
The scheme is, as yet, merely an experiment, and of
doubtful value except for the purpose of enabling
a poor player to place with an expert partner the
responsibility of the play.
It is not hereinafter referred to,
but the suggestions made regarding Third and Fourth
Hand bidding can be readily adapted to comply with
its self-evident requirements.
THE BID OF THREE SPADES
The bid of three Spades when made
by the Second Hand shows a holding of at least five
(probably six) Spades, almost certainly without the
Ace and probably without the King, but with some side
strength. It says, “I want this hand played
with Royals as the Trump, but I cannot bid that suit
now, as I have not the requisite high-card holding.
Either because the rest of my hand is so strong that
I fear neither the Third Hand nor my partner can bid,
or for some other good reason, I prefer now, rather
than later, to give my partner all possible information.”
This system of bidding differentiates
most accurately between the various lengths of Spade
holdings and enables the partner to elect between
No-trump and Royals, with an exact knowledge of the
situation not otherwise obtainable.
HOW SECOND HAND SHOULD BID AFTER AN OFFENSIVE DECLARATION
When the Dealer has made an offensive
declaration, the Second Hand must bear in mind that
it is possible this may be his last opportunity to
declare. A declaration under such circumstances
being what is very properly termed “forced,”
is of a totally different character from the “free”
declaration heretofore considered, and is not limited
by any hard-and-fast rules as to the presence of certain
cards. For example, should the Dealer bid one
Royal, and the Second Hand hold seven Hearts, headed
by Queen, Knave, he obviously must declare two Hearts;
otherwise, even if the Fourth Hand hold the Ace and
King of Hearts, and other strength, the declaration
of one Royal might stand.
The principle is that an offensive
bid having been made, the declaration of the player
following does not of necessity show high cards, but
does suggest the ability of the Declarer to successfully
carry out the proposed contract.
When the Dealer has called a No-trump,
the Second Hand is obliged either to pass, or declare
two of some suit, or of No-trump. He must remember
that against the Dealer’s No-trump he is the
leader, and as the information regarding his strong
suit will be given to his partner by the first card
played, it is not important that he convey it by a
bid.
The No-trump may be only of minimum
strength, but it may, on the other hand, be of much
more than average calibre. The Third Hand has
yet to be heard from, and if, as is possible, he have
considerable strength in the suit that the Second
Hand thinks of declaring, such a bid will offer an
ideal opportunity for a profitable double. The
Second Hand, therefore, should be somewhat diffident
about bidding two in a suit. He should make the
declaration only when his hand is so strong that in
spite of the No-trump, there seems to be a good chance
of scoring game, or he has reason to think he can
force and defeat an adverse two No-trumps, or the
No-trump bidder is a player who considers it the part
of weakness to allow his declaration to be easily taken
away, and can, therefore, be forced to dangerous heights.
This is an opportunity for the Second
Hand to use all his judgment. The Dealer may
be taking desperate chances with a weak No-trumper,
and the balance of strength may be with his partner
and himself, in which case it is important for him
now to show his colors; yet he must always keep in
mind that conservatism, in the long run, is the main
factor of Auction success. It is the ability
(possibly “instinct” is the proper term)
to act wisely in such cases that makes a bidder seem
inspired.
With a strong Club or Diamond holding
and a reentry, such a hand as, for example,
Spades Two small
Hearts Two small
Diamonds King, Queen, Knave,
and two small
Clubs Ace, Knave, Ten,
Nine
it is generally unwise to bid Second
Hand over one No-trump.
There is little danger of the adversaries
going game in No-trumps, but they may easily do so
in Hearts or Royals. A Second Hand declaration
in this position may point out to the opponents their
safest route to game, and is not apt to prove of material
benefit, as with such hand, eleven tricks against
a No-trump is extremely improbable.
A similar principle presents itself
when the holding is five of any suit, headed by the
four top honors, or even by the three top honors,
and no other strength. With such cards, the No-trump
can almost certainly be kept from going game, and
if the partner be able to assist, the declaration
may be defeated. If, however, two of that suit
be called, the adversaries, not having it stopped,
will not advance the No-trump, but if sufficiently
strong, will declare some other suit in which they
may score game.
THE SHIFT
Holding six or more of a suit, headed
by Ace, King, Queen, some writers have very properly
called it an Auction “crime” to double.
The question arises, however, “What should the
Second Hand do under such circumstances?” A
bid of two in his solid suit will eliminate any chance
of the No-trump being continued, and an adverse call
of two No-trumps is just what the holder of the solid
suit most desires, as he can double with comparative
safety, being assured both of the success of the double
and of the improbability that the Declarer will be
able to take himself out.
There has been suggested to meet this
emergency a declaration called the “Shift.”
It consists in bidding two of a suit in which the Declarer
has little or no strength. For this purpose a
suit of lower value than the solid suit, should, if
possible, be selected. The theory of the bid
is that either the original No-trump declarer or his
partner, having the suit securely stopped, will bid
two No-trumps and that the double can then be effectively
produced. The advocates of the Shift urge that
should the worst happen, and the declaration be doubled,
the player making it can then shift (this situation
giving the declaration its name) to his real suit,
and that no harm will ensue.
The trouble is that a double under
such circumstances is not the worst that can happen.
When the Shift was first suggested, players were not
familiar with nor on the lookout for it. Success,
or at least the absence of failure, therefore, often
attended its use. Now, however, it is generally
understood, and players will not either overbid or
double a declarer they suspect of it. They merely
allow him to meet his doom attempting, with weak Trumps,
to win eight tricks against an adverse No-trumper.
While, therefore, at long intervals
and under advantageous circumstances, the Shift may
be successfully utilized, against experienced players
it is a dangerous expedient, especially for any one
known to be fond of that character of declaration.
The conservative and safe course to
follow with a holding of the character described is
to pass the one No-trump.
WHEN TO BID TWO NO-TRUMPS OVER ONE NO-TRUMP
The bid of two No-trumps over one
No-trump is a more or less spectacular performance,
that appeals to those fond of the theatrical.
There are some hands that justify it, but it is safe
to say that in actual play it is tried far more frequently
than Second Hand holdings warrant.
Such a bid may be made with a strong
suit not of great length and
the three other suits safely stopped, with the four
suits stopped twice, with a long solid Club or Diamond
suit and two other suits stopped, or with some similar,
and, under the circumstances, equally unusual combination.
HOW TO BID AGAINST TWO OR THREE SPADES
With two Spades bid by the Dealer,
if the Second Hand have a suit he desires led against
a No-trump, it is of the utmost importance that he
indicate it to his partner.
Under such conditions, the Second
Hand should declare a suit headed by King, Queen,
Knave, or some similar combination, but should avoid
bidding a long, weak suit, as the No-trump declarer
may hold Ace, Queen of it, and the partner may, by
the call, be invited to lead his King into the jaws
of death. Of course, if the hand contain reentries,
it may be advisable to make such a bid, although even
then it may advantageously be delayed until the second
round, since against a two Spade declaration the Second
Hand is sure of having another opportunity to speak.
With three Spades declared by the
Dealer, the Second Hand expects a Royal from the Third
Hand. He knows that he will have another chance
to bid, but, as he will then probably have to go much
higher, it is just as well not to wait if the hand
contain any advantageous declaration.
WHEN TO BID NO-TRUMP OVER A SUIT
The question of what amount of strength
warrants the Second Hand in bidding one No-trump,
after a suit has been declared by the Dealer, is somewhat
difficult to accurately answer. It goes without
saying that to justify a No-trump under such circumstances,
the Second Hand must have much better than merely
an average holding. The suit that the Dealer
has bid should be safely stopped, and when the declarer
has only one trick in that suit, at least four other
tricks should be in sight.
Occasionally cases arise in which
the Second Hand may bid one No-trump over a suit declaration
without the suit that has been declared being stopped,
but these are rare and such a call should only be made
with unusual strength, as it gives the partner the
right to assume that the adverse suit is stopped and
he may consequently advance the No-trump to dangerous
figures.
It is probably a good rule that a
No-trump should not be called over a declared suit,
that suit not being stopped, with a holding of less
than six sure tricks. Even with one stopper in
the suit bid, it is generally better to declare either
Royals or Hearts in preference to No-trump, provided
the hand contain sufficient length and strength to
warrant such declaration.