This Week in Bridge
(436) More Balancing
© AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 5 of 10 (2 of 6) robert@advinbridge.com
General
Balancing is the act of stretching to keep the auction open and to keep the opponents from winning the contract at a low level. This can be done by different players in many different auctions. Balancing is an important part of modern competitive bidding, especially when playing Matchpoints. Let’s look at some more of these common balancing situations.
Opener Balances by Reopening
Opener can balance in an auction by reopening the bidding when LHO makes an overcall which is passed back around to the Opener.
Example 1
1♠ 2♦ P P
__?
In this auction, Opener should strive to compete in the bidding.
·With shortness in the opponent’s suit and not a tremendous amount of distribution, Opener should balance with a takeout double. This is to protect partner when they have made a “trap pass” with extreme length in the opponent’s suit, hoping to defend.
Common distributions to reopen with a double on this auction are:
o 5-4-1-3
o 5-3-1-4
o 5-4-0-4
o 6-4-0-3
o 6-3-0-4
With more distribution, even with minimum values, Opener should strive to bid another suit – showing unwillingness to sell out to a 2♦ final contract or to defend 2♦ doubled if partner has a “trap pass.”
Balancing by Responder
Responder often is in the balancing seat when the opponents have found a fit at a low level and Opener has passed.
Example 2
1♥ 1♠ X 2♠
P P __?
When the opponents have found a fit at a low level, then in the balancing seat we should strive to compete in the bidding with any excuse at all. With any extra values, more than about 8 points, we should try to not sell out to 2♠. With 2-2-5/4 shape we can stretch to make a second double and see what partner does.
Responder can also balance with 2NT to show both of the unbid suits, commonly both minors, without having shown other values.
Example 3
1♥ 1♠ P 2♠
P P __?
♠ 8
♥ 76
♦ QT954
♣ QJ973
2NT in this auction is just a desire to compete in the bidding, showing the other two suits – both minors.
Other Balancing
Balancing can be done by an Interferer as well, especially when the other side has found a fit at a low level. A common balancing position is to make an overcall, have LHO raise Opener’s suit, and then have that fit passed back around to us.
Example 4
1♠ 2♦ 2♠ P
P __?
In this position the Interferer can stretch (balance) to:
Rebid a good 6-card ♦ suit.
Reopen with a takeout double with 4-5 or 4-6 distribution – with 4-card ♥ and longer ♦.
Bid 2NT with both minors, usually 6♦ and 4♣.
Make other natural bids with more distribution.
Conclusion
Balancing is an important part of low-level competitive bidding. You do not want to allow the opponents to win the contract at a low level. This is especially true when you have a distributional hand with shortness in the opponents’ suit. Consider stretching to bid when you have a distributional hand and the opponents are going to win the auction at a low level. Keep balancing and fighting to win the contract or pushing the opponents a level higher.