Version 1.3 – Second public release
© 2006
In tournament bridge, a considerable number of opponents now use some opening bids that can be nebulous, ambiguous, or quite vexing. This document presents a generic defensive framework to these types of bids, using two primary tools:
The Passable TakeOut (PTO) Double, where the double can be more readily passed than a normal takeout double; and
The Passable Value Showing (PVS) Double, where passing the double is quite viable.
After explaining the framework and tools, the document shows how semi-specific defences can be created for particular opening bids.
Traditional opening bids were about showing a suit or suits, or balanced hands. Over time new categories of opening bids appeared that were not based on suits or balanced hands, and these required special defences. One of the first of the new categories of openings to appear was the artificial strong forcing opening, and most partnerships now have defences to these bids, such as double for the majors over a strong forcing one club opening. Other categories of openings have emerged over time and this section will look at the three main ones, before later sections will examine what generic defences are needed against these, and then how to use these defences.
Nebulous openings are low level openings that cover a range of hand types, including usually some balanced hands. Thus no suit is known at first, and opener’s rebid is used to define the hand type held. The two most common nebulous openings are:
1) Polish One Club which includes a weak notrump hand type;
2) Modified Precision One Diamond, which includes a balanced hand type and can have longer clubs than diamonds.
These bids come in various flavours, for example the version of the Precision One Diamond opening used by Meckwell.
Another category covers openings that show two or more hand types, quite distinct, with at least two of hand types being weak. The most popular of these openings is versions of Multi. We are now seeing a proliferation of these types of bids, including a dangerous sub-type: openings bids that have no strong hand types, and that are either weak in the suit opened, or weak with another hand type. The most commonly used of this sub-type is a Two Heart opening to show a weak two in either major.
The third category is named Vex here to cover a style of openings that are high frequency, are weak or limited hand types only, and suggest that responder consider bidding to find a fit as necessary. The most popular bid in this category has been recently the Ekrens two bid to show 4-4 or better in the majors.
One needs to distinguish between a Vex bid like Ekrens and a normal two-suiter bid. If the prototype hand for opening with both majors is something like:
H KJxxx
D xx
C x
Then this is a traditional suit showing bid, and not Vex. However if opener can often have something like:
H Jxxx
D Ax
C xxx
Then this is a Vex bid.
A rule of thumb is this:
If a grand slam is still possible in any “suit” the opponent has shown, then it is a Vex bid.
Most Vex bids are based on the Assumed Fit Principle, where
by opening with 4-4 or the like, one hopes, or
assumes, that a 4-4 or better fit exists, and if not then a 4-3 or other
playable spot will be found. For
example, simulations of a Two Heart opening for the majors, with 4-4 or better,
predict around a 60% chance of a 4-4 fit.
For a detailed discussion of the Assumed Fit Principle see
http://www.cavendish.demon.co.uk/bridge/weak.two/assumed-fit.htm
The primary tools against the Nebulous, Ambiguous, or Vex category bids are:
The Passable TakeOut Double – the PTO Double;
The Passable Value Showing Double – the PVS Double.
The Passable Takeout Double is for takeout of the suit doubled, but allows partner the option to pass it. Thus it is never made with a void in the suit doubled, nor with a very distributional hand and a singleton in the suit doubled.
A PTO Double of a Two Diamond Opening could be:
S: A872
H: KJ3
D: Q2
C: K974
It would also be possible to double with one less diamond, and one more heart or club.
When a double is a PTO double, another bid is used to show a takeout with a void (in the suit being bid), or with a singleton there and distribution. This bid allows the PTO Double not to be extremely short, and thus passable. This very short takeout bid is by default the cuebid of the suit opened.
Bidding after a PTO Double is just like after a takeout double, except for the use of the cheapest notrump (excluding 3NT) to show two places to play and/or to signoff in a major. This is described below. Doubles by either player after the PTO double show values and some length in the suit doubled, and suggest partner pass if not short or bid otherwise.
The Passable Value Showing Double shows values, and promises at least two cards in the suit doubled (or considerable extra strength), so partner can pass this with length. The hand example given above for the PTO Double is also a PVS Double of a Two Diamond Opening. However this following example is not a PTO Double but is a PVS Double (of a Two Diamond Opening):
S: A872
H: KJ
D: Q922
C: K43
The PVS Double promises at least a good weak notrump in values, unless at the three level or higher, where it promises at least a strong notrump in values.
When a double is a PVS double, another bid is assigned to show a minimum takeout double with shortness in the suit doubled. This bid depends on the opening being faced, and will often be a cuebid in a suit they have shown, or in an unbid minor, or with the cheapest notrump bid.
If the opponents bid a suit over the PVS Double, then the next double by either player is now a PTO double of that suit. This allows the partnership to convert the double to penalties as appropriate, or to find a fit. Once a PTO double is made, bidding follows the PTO approach.
The two-places-to-play cheapest notrump bid used over the PTO Double is also used over the PVS Double, and is discussed next.
The PTO and PVS Doubles provide flexibility in suit length, and thus advancer (partner of the doubler) cannot always pick the right suit to play in. To assist in finding the right spot, the cheapest notrump bid excluding 3NT shows either two places to play, or a signoff in a major that cannot be bid below the notrump bid. Without 18+, the doubler bids the best suit of the two lowest suits (usually both minors, but not including any minor advancer could have passed the double in). After doubler’s reply, suit bids by advancer show two places to play, except in a major that could not be bid below the notrump bid; in that case the major bid is a signoff bid. With 18+ doubler does not bid one of the two lowest possible suits, but instead makes another bid which shows strength. A bid of a suit responder could have passed the double in by either player is a strong bid, and forcing, asking for further description.
Thus the 2Places Notrump often works like Better Minor Lebenshol for those familiar with it.
Here’s an example sequence:
2S-Double(either PTO or PVS)-Pass-2NT-Pass-3C(less than 18, Cs better than Ds)-Pass-?
Now:
Pass: To play
3D: Diamonds and Hearts – two places to play
3H: To play in Hearts. An immediate 3H over the double would be constructive.
3S: Like a cuebid, asks for further description and if a spade stopper.
3NT: To play.
Bidding after a PTO or PVS Double follows normal takeout double patterns, including using the suit opened as a cuebid suit. The reason that this cuebid is available is:
- the partner of the doubler will pass the double with length in the suit opened;
- thus there is no need to bid the suit naturally by either player since no good fit should exist.
However if the opponents bid another suit, this suit becomes the cuebid suit, and bids in the suit opened are natural.
After a PTO or PVS Double if the doubler then freely bids again, it shows:
- If a non-jump new suit bid, it shows about 16 to 20 or so (or equivalent playing value), and implies flexibility with regard to strain, so that partner should explore for a fit if short in the new suit. If partner has bid a suit, with 15 and short in the suit one will strive to bid again, while if less than 15 one will pass and hope for the best.
- If a non jump bid of 2NT, it shows about 19 to 21.
- If 1NT is available, it shows about 18 to 20, with a jump to 2NT then showing about 21 to 23.
- 3NT is generally to play, and is wide ranging if not a jump.
If a PVS Doubler freely doubles again, as a PTO, it shows either extra values and/or shortness in the suit being doubled. The PVS double followed by a PTO double is the most common way of finding a fit or finding the opponents have not found a fit.
When the opening bid is a suit, and is not forcing, and double is PVS or PTO there needs to be a bid that shows shortness in the suit opened, since PVS promises two or more in the suit doubled or considerable extra values, and PTO promises not to be extremely short. If the opponents have shown one or more suits or “suits” (may not be that much of a suit), one of those suits are usually assigned to show a takeout of the suit opened and decent values. If there is no known suit, such as when defending an ambiguous opening, then by default the cheapest minor is used as a two-way bid: either natural or very short in the suit opened (so too short for a double) without extensive extra values. Over this two-way overcall, partner can pass (since the bid is semi-natural at least) or can make the cheapest suit bid to ask for hand type. Over the ask, the cheapest of notrump or a bid in the suit opened shows the very short hand type, and all other bids show the natural overcall hand type. Likewise a jump in the cheapest minor shows extra values and length in the minor, or very short in the suit opened with considerable extras. This jump is forcing so responder usually asks with the cheapest bid to find out partner’s hand type.
For example, over 2H which could be weak in either major:
Double: PTO (or PVS in balance)
2S: Natural
2NT: Natural
3C: Clubs or very short in Hearts (the suit opened), non-forcing. This will always have some clubs so responder can pass. Now 3D will ask hand type, with 3H showing very short Hearts and rest of the bids descriptive with clubs.
3D: Natural
3H: Natural and some extra values, since otherwise pass 2H and await a balancing double by partner.
3S: Natural with values/length to jump to 3S.
4C: Clubs with considerable extra values/length or very short in Hearts and considerable extras (18+). 4D asks hand type, with 4H showing very short Hearts.
Rest: Natural, including 4H.
When the opponent’s opening both nebulous, ambiguous, or vex, and also forcing, or effectively forcing due to containing quite possible hands that could be 18+, then one has the option of passing at first, then bidding. Note that if the strong hand type is quite unlikely (such as 29-30 balanced only) then do not treat the opening as forcing as the opponents likely intend to pass the opening sometime with a low risk of finding the strong hand opposite.
Passing a forcing or almost forcing opening is recommended with:
- Short in the opening suit;
- Long in a minor with extra values.
These hands can then bid on the next round. This style then permits:
- bids in minors to be limited;
- no need to allocate a bid to show shortness in the opening bid.
For example, over 2D Multi that has strong hand types, one can play:
Pass: Could be very short in diamonds, or with a minor and 13/14+.
Double: PVS
3C/D: Limited bids in the minors, about 9-13, which allows these bids to sometimes block the opponents from find their major fit.
Rest: Natural.
If they open One Club or One Double, and we double as PTO or PVS, and they redouble to show 10+, then a pass by advancer (partner of the doubler) asks the doubler to pick a suit to bid. Otherwise on all other PTO or PVS sequences, Opening-Double-Redouble-Pass is a desire to play that contract, and does not ask doubler to bid again.
Unless otherwise defined in specific cases notrump and suit bids are natural. One key exception is when a double is a PTO double, and then a cuebid of the opening bid instead of doubling usually shows a very short takeout double.
Notrump overcalls are the same as usual, with system on if one plays that. When playing against Nebulous, Ambiguous, or Vex bids, transfers etc. are still on, even for suits that opponents supposedly have shown or may have.
Major bids are natural as often as can be. Over these bids, if there is no suit to cuebid then 2NT serves as a replacement cuebid (after a minor suit overcall 2NT is natural). After an overcall new suits are forcing below game, and in some cases are the only way to explore for best spot.
When both a PVS Double is available and a natural 1NT or 2NT overcall is available, one has a choice of bid. In this case, PVS tends to be bid with 13-15 or 19+ balanced, and the natural notrump overcall with 16-18. However with 16-18 if penalty prospects seem particularly good, then still use the PVS Double.
When the opponents end up doubled without a clear good fit and much values, remember that a trump lead is often called for.
Over Nebulous, Ambiguous, or Vex bids, the general strategy is to often pass or double and allow the opponents to clarify their hand type, and then take appropriate action. If the opponents seem to have a found a fit, then one can look for one also. If the opponents seem to be scrambling for a place to hide, it is often better to let them suffer by playing the contract.
Each of the categories of bids suggests a particular tactical approach to handle the bids. We look at each in turn as follows.
Against nebulous bids, the key tactical approach is to employ the PVS double on many hands with values, instead of overcalling with them or bidding notrump. After the PVS double is used, when the opponents attempt to find a fit, a PTO double can be employed to either catch them in a misfit or to look for one’s own fit.
Nebulous bids tend to be balanced hands without concentrated values, and this hand type is generally better off defending (this brings to mind the mantra “balanced hands defend”). Likewise when opposing these bids it is often better to defend their contract instead of playing one’s own contract. The exception is if they find a fit, and then one should endeavour to find a fit. So when possible use a PVS double to start off keeping open the option to defend, and then use a PTO double when they search for a fit.
Ambiguous bids, as defined in this paper, are usually based on long suit possibilities, such as a Multi opening showing a weak two in either major. If the opening bid is not one of the possible long suits, then use a PVS double to start off, and then use a PTO double as they look for a fit. For examples:
a) 2D(Multi)-Double(PVS)-2H(to play in major)-Double(PTO)-etc.
b) 2D(Multi)-Double(PVS)-2H(to play in major)-Pass-Pass(Hs)-Double(PTO)-etc.
A variant that is extremely difficult to handle (to the point, in the opinion of this author, it should be considered highly unusual and restricted to rare events) is when the suit opened can be one of the long suits and the opening bid is made when not vulnerable. Here the opponents can easily risk passing the opening bid with no fit and a weak hand, since it is only going down 50 a trick if opener is not long in the suit opened. Thus when facing such opening bids, and holding values, one is under pressure to take some action. The recommended approach is to use a PTO double in direct seat, albeit often not perfect in suit lengths. In balance seat use the PVS opening, knowing that opener will usually be forced to clarify hand type. For examples:
c) 2H(weak two in either major!)-Double(PTO)-2S(to play in Ss if held)-Double(values, option for partner)-etc.
d) 2H(weak two in either major!)-Pass-Pass-Double(PVS)-2S(spades!)-Double (PTO, since PTO is the first double after a PVS)-etc.
So the rule against Ambiguous is:
Double is PTO if suit opened can be long and the double is directly over the opening bid, and otherwise is PVS.
Another problem with bidding against the variant where the suit opened could be long is that it is necessary to play a cuebid in the suit opened as natural. This “cuebid” promises some extra values since with a minimum overcall it is best to just pass and hope partner can reopen. Since there is no known suit due to the ambiguous opening, the cheapest bid in a minor is played as two-way: either natural or very short in the suit opened, as discussed before (see example above in previous section of playing against 2H showing a weak two in either major). As also described before, a jump in the cheapest minor is two way as well, natural or semi-natural with considerable extra values, and is forcing.
The practitioners of Ambiguous Bids tend not to over preempt, and often have a nine card fit for bidding at the three level, or a ten card fit at the four level, or compensating extra values. This is due, in part, since their opponents often double them at these higher levels, since they do not know if they have a fit or not since the opening is ambiguous. Thus when the opening bid is raised to the three or four level, one has to give equal consideration to bidding on and to doubling them.
The one exception is when the ambiguous bid can be long in the suit opened. In these cases responder with some values may make a bid to avoid playing a terrible spot, and then might get too high. Thus for these cases one should tend to double them and play there more often. For example:
2H(weak in either major)-Pass-2S(to play if Ss, to play at least 3H if Hs)-Double(PTO)-3H(Hs)-Double(values, option for partner)-etc.
When Vex bids are played as high frequency they will often be not too distributional (if they wait for 5-5 the bids will not come up very often). Thus these bids will often be balanced or semi-balanced, and will expose the opening side to a possible no-fit scenario.
Doubles of Vex openings are PVS whether or not the opening bid can be one of the “suits” held by the opener, forcing the opener and/or responder to clarify if they have a fit. If responder looks for a fit, the next double is PTO. For example:
2C(weak with Cs & another, 4-4+)-Double(PVS)-2D(Pass or Correct)-Double(PTO)-etc.
If the opening is passed by responder, often this will be done without a true fit, but no better place to go at the moment. The double in balanced is PVS, again forcing the opponents to clarify and keeping penalty options readily available. For example:
2D(weak with both majors, 4-4+)-Pass-Pass-Double(PVS)-etc.
If responder searches for a fit, doubles are PTO. For example:
2D(weak with both majors, 4-4+)-Pass-2H-Double(PTO)-etc.
The practitioners of Vex bids tend to over preempt, as their opponents often assume they’ve found a better fit than they actually have. The Vex bids often result in 8 card fits on the three level and nine card fits on the four level. Thus the general approach is to often leave doubles in instead of pulling them. For example:
2H(weak with both majors, 4-4+)-Pass-3S(to play)-Double(PTO)-Pass-?
This double should often be left in.
Since the double is PVS, if the Vex opening is a suit opening then one needs to have a bid that shows shortness in the suit opened and takeout distribution. By default this is made by bidding the cheapest suit that opener has promised in some form. If there is no such suit, the cheapest minor is used to show this hand type by default (as a two way bid), though specific defenses may decide to use another bid to show it.
After a Nebulous, Ambiguous or Vex opening bid, sometimes responder will bid a new suit as non-forcing and to play. Over these responses, double is PVS, and the cheapest minor suit is non-forcing takeout for responder’s suit. For example:
2H(weak with both majors, 4-4+)-Pass-3C(long clubs, to play)-?
Now double would be PVS, and 3D would be short Cs, like a takeout double, and non-forcing (with 17/18+ and short make a PVS or find another bid besides 3D).
When employing PVS doubles, partnerships can use the following approach to simplify them.
When a PVS double applies, the bidding is at the one or two level, and the cheapest notrump bid is natural, then:
PVS when balanced is 13-15 or 19+
Cheapest notrump is 16-18 balanced
Also at the three level it is possible to play this:
PVS when balanced is 14-17 or 22+
3NT is 18-21 balanced or close to it.
Like any sword one needs practise wielding the defences before employing them in to-the-death battles. Thus the generic defences above will require some trial sessions before using the methods in key matches. One does not need to have practised against all possible agreements that opponents may have, but just to have had some experience utilizing PTO and PVS doubles, and knowing when to pass them.
The Generic Defences given above to Nebulous, Ambiguous, and Vex bids can allow a partnership to have prepared semi-specific defences to the irregular opening bids they may face. These should be prepared beforehand and reviewed just before a match. The advantage of semi-specific defences, compared to detailed custom defences, is they follow the same framework, so the partnership will be relatively comfortable in using them, regardless of the peculiar opening bid by the opponents.
Semi-specific defences can be prepared for the 2005 World Championships if partnerships wish to have them available (they might not use them but just have them available for possible use). Here we present part of a system used in the 2005 World Championship, and how semi-specific defences could be defined for them.
Bid: 1D
Meaning: 9-13 with 4+ hearts.
Category: Vex, since can have longer second suit, and responder is free to pass 1D.
Double is: PVS in Direct or Balance.
Other: If responder bids Hs at any level (1H is a relay), double is PTO while a cuebid shows very short Hs.
1H over 1D shows short Ds, about 12-17 (4-4-1-4/3-5-1-4/4-5-1-3 etc.).
2H is natural, good playing value knowing where the heart length is.
3H and 4H are natural & preemptive.
After 1D-Pass-1NT, double is PVS (note that 1H-P-1NT-D-P-2NT is 2Places).
Other bids are as they are over a natural 1H opening.
Bid: 1H
Meaning: 9-13 with 4+ spades, denies 4Hs.
Category: Vex, since can have longer second suit, and responder is free to pass 1H.
Double is: PVS in Direct or Balance.
Other: If responder bids Ss at any level (1S is a relay), double is PTO and a cuebid shows very short Ss.
1S over 1H shows short Hs, about 12-17 (4-1-4-4/5-1-3-4/5-1-4-3 etc.).
2S is natural, good playing value knowing where the spade length is.
3S and 4S are natural & preemptive.
After 1H-Pass-1NT, double is PVS.
Other bids are as they are over a natural 1S opening.
Bid: 2C
Meaning: 4+ hearts, four or longer clubs or diamonds, 2-8.
Category: Vex, since responder is free to pass 2C and hearts can be awful.
Double is: PVS in Direct or Balance.
Other: 2H is used to show a takeout of Cs, about 12-17, non-forcing.
If responder bids Hs at any level, double is PTO and a cuebid shows very short Hs.
3H asks for H stopper.
Rest are natural, except 4H which shows void in Hs and is a slam try.
Bid: 2D
Meaning: 4+ spades, four or longer clubs or diamonds, 2-8
Category: Vex, since responder is free to pass 2D and spades can be awful.
Double is: PVS in Direct or Balance.
Other: 2S is used to show a takeout of Ds, about 12-17, non-forcing.
If responder bids Ss at any level, double is PTO and a cuebid shows very short Ss.
3S asks for S stopper.
Rest are natural, except 4S which shows void in Ss and is a slam try.
Bid: 2H/S
Meaning: Aggressive weak two bid, can be a 5 card suit.
Category: Natural.
Double is: PTO, to provide more opportunities to play in doubled contract.
Other: 3M is takeout and very short in M.
Rest as over natural weak two.
Bid: 2NT
Meaning: Club preempt.
Category: Transfer.
Double is: PVS, and then if either opponent bids Cs next double is PTO.
Other: 3C is takeout of Cs with very short Cs.
Rest as over three club preempt opening.
Bid: 3C
Meaning: 10/11-13 with 6+ clubs, no four card major
Category: Intermediate.
Double is: PTO.
Other: 4C is takeout of Cs with very short Cs.
Rest as over three club preempt opening.
The Generic Defences can be used to establish specific defences for common bids, although these will likely not be required as most partnerships already have prepared defences to expected bids. Here are four partially completed examples:
Defence to Multi (no strong variant)
Double: PVS, if balanced usually 13-15 or 19+.
2NT: 16-18 balanced.
3C: Clubs or very short in Diamonds (the suit opened), non-forcing. This will always have some clubs so responder can pass. Now 3D asks hand type, with 3NT showing very short diamonds and rest of the bids descriptive with clubs.
4C: Clubs with considerable extra values/length or very short in Diamonds and considerable extras (18+). 4D asks hand type, with 4NT showing very short Diamonds.
Rest: Natural.
Defence to Flannery
Double: PVS, if balanced usually 13-15 or 19+.
2H: Takeout of Diamonds.
2NT: 16-18 balanced.
Rest: Natural, including 2S and 3H.
Defence to Polish Club
Pass: With good values, may be short in clubs, or with long minor, waiting to show hand on next round of bidding.
Double: PVS, if balanced usually 13-15 or 19+.
1NT: 16-18 balanced.
1D: Diamonds, limited to 13 or so.
Rest: As over natural one club opening, but aggressive preempts not-vulnerable to consume space.
Defence to Meckwell Style One
Diamond
Double: PVS, if balanced usually 13-15 or 18+.
1NT: 16-17 balanced.
2C: Clubs or very short in Diamonds (the suit opened), non-forcing. 2D asks hand type, with 2NT showing very short diamonds and rest of the bids show natural clubs.
3C: Clubs with considerable extra values/length or very short in Diamonds and considerable extras (18+). 3D asks hand type, with 3NT showing very short diamonds.
Rest: As over natural one diamond opening.
© 2005
End of Document