Andrew:

The Rules of…. Seven

More rules in BridgeCast this week from Level 3. BridgeCast is Andrew's monthly j subscription service, join him as he presents a daily deal. To find out more click here. It is also Rule Five, in Andrew's "Rules, Acronyms and Ditties" book which is, providing the inspiration, for his current series of Level 3 daily videos on BridgeCast.

The Rule of Seven: With a goodish seven-card suit and a weak hand, plan to make your first bid at the Three-level (unless partner has opened). Then shut up.

Note, the Rule of Seven applies whether you are opening, or making a jump overcall. Also, remember the vulnerability: if you have a marginal call, make it only if non-vulnerable.

Exercise. What would you open with these?

Hand i)	Hand ii)	Hand iii)
♠ J 10 2 ♥ 3 ♦ K Q 10 9 5 4 2 ♣ 4 3	♠ A 9 7 5 4 3 2 ♥ J 2 ♦ Q 2 ♣ 9 4	♠ 4 2 ♥ J 8 3 2 ♦ 2 ♣ K J 10 9 8 3

With the first, happily open 3 ♦ — vulnerable or non-vulnerable.

However, I wouldn’t open the second 3 ♠ at any vulnerability. But you open a Weak Two, perfectly admissable with a seven-card suit that looks too weak for Three.

The third is probably a pass — because there is no Weak 2 ♣. However, if non-vulnerable, I’d chance a 3 ♣ opener — yes, without the seventh card (but only because my suit is stuffed full of intermediates and I like my shape). Note, also, that I’m prepared to pre-empt (Two or Three) with a weakish four-card major on the side.

Exercise. Right-hand opponent opens 1 ♠. What now with these?

Hand i)	Hand ii)
♠ 2 ♥ K J 10 8 5 3 2 ♦ K 4 2 ♣ 4 3	♠ Q 2 ♥ A J 8 7 4 2 ♦ 8 2 ♣ J 9 4

With the first, bid 3 ♥, said to be a weak jump overcall, but really just like an opening 3 ♥.

You really can’t bid 3 ♥ with the second though for the lack of a seventh card (not to mention the complete lack trick-taking potential). A 2 ♥ overcall is also unsound, so I fear you’ll have to make a wise pass.

East Deals
None Vul

♠	6 5 4
♥	A Q J 10 8
♦	Q 5 4 3
♣	6

♠	A Q J 9 3 2
♥	9 4
♦	—
♣	Q 10 8 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10
♥	K 7 6 5 2
♦	K 9
♣	A K 9 4

♠	8 7
♥	3
♦	A J 10 8 7 6 2
♣	J 7 5

West	North	East	South
		1 ♥	3 ♦1
3 ♠	5 ♦2	Dbl3	Pass
Pass4	Pass

Just like an opening 3 ♦, weak with seven decent cards. Note, it would be unsound to bid 3 ♦ with only six cards, so you’d probably have to pass with that.
Raising pre-emptively to the (11-card) level of the diamond fit.
Thinks he has a good defensive hand ...
Reluctantly but can he really overrule partner

5 ♦× by South

Lead: ♥ 9

West found the normal-if-unfortunate opening lead of ♥ 9, his partner’s suit. Declarer rose with dummy’s ♥ A and, based on East’s double, led ♦ 3 to (♦ 9 and) ♦ J, West discarding. Declarer could now cash ♦ A (felling ♦ K),

lead (note) ♦ 6 to ♦ Q, then lead ♥ Q for a ruffing finesse. Ruffing away East’s ♥ K (with ♦ 7), he led his carefully preserved ♦ 2 to ♦ 5 and enjoyed ♥ J108. Eleven tricks made via seven diamond tricks and four heart tricks.

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Andrew:

The Rules of…. Seven