Balancing actions after two passes!

Everyone knows pretty quickly that bids in different positions take on different meanings. Take for example the pretty innocuous 1N bid. In opening position it signifies 15-17 hcp and a balanced hand (standard treatment). As an overcall, it denotes 15-18 hcp, as response to a minor 6-9, a major 6-11 and in the balancing chair; voila! 11-14.

There are a whole cadre of bids after the bidding goes 1x P P that take on different meanings when made in this position. One of the reasons we alter these bids is that there is already something extremely significant we know when the bidding goes 1x P P.

1) Responder has less than 5 hcp.
2) Partner could not make a TOX or overcall –what does that mean?
3) Responder doesn’t think the opponents have a huge trump fit.


Given all of that, actions in the balancing chair take on a different flavor from immediate overcalls. These actions can be separated into two categories: 1) unpassed hand 2) passed hand.

Unpassed hand:

Over 1M or 1m openings, a 1N balance means 11-14 hcp. Some people play systems on, other systems off. Make sure to come to an agreement with your pard. Here are some further bids.

1N 11-14
X and 1N 15-17
2N 18-20
X and 2N 21+

Jumps in suits are value-showing. Remember you’re preempting no-one here, rather engaging in your own constructive sequences. So two level and three level bids show six card suits and values. Eleven hcp if a single jump, more if a double jump.

Q bids.

1m P P 2m also shows at minimum constructive values (opening hand) as opposed to the preempt junk you bids in direct seat; Majors 1M P P 2M (same major) is Constructive Michaels showing the other major and a minor.

There are some hands which are terribly difficult to show in this position. Those are the strong one suited or two suited hands (very strong) where passing a TOX might not be optimum. Ex. AKQxxxx,KQJ,Ax,x over 1C or AKJxx,Kx,x,AKJxx over 1D. For these you might manufacture a Q bid then jump in some suit!

Passed hand:

Since we don’t have strong nt hands to show, 2N now is unusual for the lower unbid suits. i.e. P, (1D) P (P) 2N shows clubs and hearts –less than an opening hand. Duh.


Encore Performance

Try not to balance rich in lho's suit. Think our dear instructor Tony Glynne used the word "never" three times when describing this concept. Look at number 2 above, partner, known to be short, did not make a TOX nor overcalled a suit. What makes you think you belong in the auction? Also, if you have a fit with lho and partner has a fit with lho, perhaps opps have a fit elsewhere. Don't balance them into their better fit. Sit back quietly, pass and defend well!

Hope this straightens out some confusion –because without discussion there will be confusion. Trust me, and I've lost the mp, imps and events to prove it. Good luck