Blum on Bridge Strengths, Weaknesses of Major Suit Raises - Part 3
	The above heading - plus the words "And How To Fix Them" - is the title of one of the newest paperbacks to come on the market. Its author is Max Hardy, one of the most versatile professionals in the bridge world. Not only has he been an Associate National Tournament Director for 25 years, but also his over 105 regional victories have helped him to accumulate over 10,000 masterpoints. Max, in my opinion, is the most dapper gentleman in bridge, easily recognizable by his colorful sport jacket and tie worn over his approximately 6 foot 4 inch frame. Much of today's column is taken from his text, selling for $8.95 at Baron Barclay Bridge Supplies. The problem with the forcing no-trump used in conjunction with constructive raises is at the least two-fold. After responder bids 1NT over opener's major suit it becomes easy for the opponents to enter the auction at the two-level perhaps finding a fit of their own. Second, it is unknown whether responder has two, three, or four-card support and with interference it becomes even tougher to pass this information to opener without bidding at a higher level. Max suggests the following solutions, which I will condense: (a) If responder has specifically five-card support and 0-6 points he jumps directly to game. This bid is pre-emptive (for you purists 10 cards in the trump suit says you can bid at the four-level, "The law of Total Tricks"). If responder holds either one of two type hands he bids a forcing no-trump. (b) A holding of from 5-9 points with specifically two-card support or (c) a holding of 6-9 points with specifically five-card support. Holding hand (b) after opener bids at the two-level responder returns to opener's major suit. Holding hand (c) responder jumps to game after his original 1NT call. This enables opener to opt for slam with a decent hand and excellent fit. I will use examples from Max's book. Opener bids 1 spade holding AK1042-A83-KQ983-void. Responder should jump directly to game holding J8653-9-1072-Q742 because he has no high card control. Suppose responder instead holds J8653-9-A72-10742, a hand that until now you would also have directly bid game. Following our new rule first bid 1NT. After opener's second call in the club suit, responder must jump to game. Opener, realizing responder has a five-card fit with a control can now explore slam. Had responder bid game directly under the old system opener would not know which of the two hands responder held. Eliminate constructive raises. Holding any hand with 6-9 points and three or four card support raise opener's major suit (opener 1 spade-responder 2 spades). With the use of the forcing no-trump limited to two types of hands when interference occurs after the no-trump call responder by passing indicates he holds hand (b) and by bidding game shows hand (c). For example, opener 1 spade-responder 1NT-rho 2 diamonds-opener 2 hearts-lho diamonds- responder can either pass with (b) or bid game in opener's major suit holding (c). It is far less likely interference will occur when responder holds the values for a limit raise. So after bidding a forcing no-trump, holding three cards in opener's major plus 10-12 points jump to game if partner rebids his major at the two-level. Holding two cards raise to three. Jump to three in that major if opener bids a lower ranking suit at the two-level. If you decide to employ "Reverse Drury" into your system, the necessity to use 1NT as a forcing bid over a major suit opening in third or fourth seat becomes moot. As discussed last week the bid of two clubs by the passed hand asks third or fourth hand if his bid was truly a full opening bid. Thus, it becomes far more advantageous to use 1NT as natural by a passed hand in this situation. TIP: When defending against "splinter bids" (defined last week) it would do no good to make an opening lead in the splinter suit. For example, opener 1 spade-responder 4 hearts, to lead against the singleton or void in the heart suit is useless. Which unbid suit should you lead? Have partner double the 4 heart bid if he has good values in the higher suit; thus, if partner passes he either has the lower suit or shows no interest. Responder bids 4 hearts holding A1073-6- K95-A10754 you should double for a diamond lead with K853-975-AQJ-632. Hopefully you will take three diamonds and a spade. If you don't, partner shouldn't blame you for doubling as the values are there with the right opening lead.