Rules of 17

More rules in BridgeCast this week from Level 3. BridgeCast is Andrew's monthly subscription service, join him as he presents a daily deal. To find out more click here. It is also Rule thirteen, 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 17: In the modern style, you should rebid 1 NT with 15-17 (not 15-16).

There are two reasons for this. First, in the era of bold responding (see Rule of Ten), it is unwise to jump to 17 with 17 flattish points — you may easily get too high facing a weak response. Second, splitting the ranges 15-17 (1 NT rebid) and 18-19 (2 NT rebid) frees up the rebid of 3 NT to show a gambling-type hand based on a long suit. For it is unwieldy to rebid 3 NT with a flat 19-count, losing the chance for Three-level dialogue.

Exercise. You open 1 ♦ and partner responds
1 ♥. What now with these?

With the first, rebid 1 NT (15-17). That’ll be plenty facing a weak response. If partner has a decent eight-count or better, she can move towards game (but note, bids by her of 2 ♣, 2 ♦ and 2 ♥ would be rescue bids, not game-going).

Jump to 2 NT with the second showing 18- 19. Although this bid is non-forcing, any continuation by responder is game-forcing. In this way, the partnership can explore for a possible 5-3 heart fit. The old-fashioned jump to 3 NT would have cut out such dialogue.

With the third, jump to 3 NT— a classic hand for the 3 NT rebid. Note, without this option, you’d have to rebid a heavy 3 ♦, hoping partner doesn’t pass.

West led ♦ Q v 2 ♠, no point in declarer covering with ♦ K as East was marked with ♦ A. East encouraged with ♦ 10 and, at trick two, West continued with ♦ 2 (low from three) to East’s ♦ 9. Declarer ruffed East’s trick-three ♦ A and started on clubs.

Declarer crossed to ♣ AK and ruffed ♣ 3 with ♠ 9. West overruffed with ♠ K (discarding no better) and switched to ♥ 10, covered by dummy’s ♥ Q and East’s ♥ K. Declarer ducked and East continued with ♥ J.

Winning ♥ A, declarer crossed to ♠ A and ruffed ♣ 5 with ♠ J. She then led ♠ 5. Pleasingly, both the opposing remaining spades appeared, East winning Q. Declarer could now ruff East’s ♥ 4 in dummy and cash ♣ J. Eight tricks made — a struggle though.