One of the most challenging tasks in bidding is to figure out whether or not to compete, and if so, how high to bid. Other questions relate to whether or not to balance; whether or not to double; and when to simply pass.
Let’s start with the issue of balancing first. Some are proponents of the theory that you should never let the opponents play at the 2-level. As bridge great Mike Lawrence says in the prologue to his book Balancing in Contract Bridge, “That statement is so bad that I feel obliged to pick on it… Balancing is not something you do because of a one-line rule. It is something that you do when you take many factors into consideration.”
Here’s an example of the theory that you should never let the opponents play at the 2-level gone wrong. Several months ago John and I were playing at a local club game, and dealer, to my left, opened with a preemptive 2♦ bid. John doubled; RHO passed. I had a minimal hand, so I simply bid my best 4-card suit, with a 2♠ bid. Not content to let us play at the 2-level, my LHO bid 3♦. (Aside – this violates one of our Golden Rules of Bidding, namely, once you’ve described your hand… PASS!) Result: declarer went down two in 3♦ vulnerable, for plus 200 for us, far better than the 110 we would get for making 2♠, and we got a top board.
Examples such as these abound. So, when do you balance? When do you allow the opponents to play 1NT? When do you pass, double, or bid on? The answer to all of these questions is, it depends. I know, not a very satisfying answer. The reality is, there are no hard and fast rules that answer these questions; however, there are solid principles you can apply in these situations.
Look for our new course coming in the fall about Competitive Bidding that will answer these questions and more.