Class No. 10 – Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010

Modern Major Suit Raises
The priorities of any auction using a 5 card major system is to first find an 8 card major suit fit (6 2, 5 3 or 4 4). A trump suit usually produces at least one extra trick (often more) which makes the major suit game more attractive than playing notrump. In addition, a major suit game produces a higher game score than playing in 3Nt or 5m (five of a minor). When the opening bid is a major, responder needs to show a fit at the first available opportunity. Sometimes this can be done at responder’s first opportunity to make a call. At other times responder makes a forcing response and shows the nature of the fit (3 or 4 card raise) on responder’s rebid.

This workshop address major suit fits and how to describe fits and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:

1. How responder shows fits with poor, minimum, invitation and game forcing values.
2. How responder bids to show 3-card and 4-card fits.
3. How to show 4-card fits and shortness (Splinter Bids).
4. How to bid with 4-card fits and GF values (Jacoby 2Nt).
5. How to show fits by a passed hand (Drury).