Welcome to Javea Bridge Club. The premier bridge club in Javea, Costa Blanca, Spain.

The hand below was dealt on Friday January 5th and is interesting because it shows that even the simplest bidding sequences can be more complicated than they seem at first.

Before you look at the hand think about the (unopposed) sequence 1C-1D-1H-1S. What do you make of 1S?

South opened 1C and the bidding continued 1D,1H,1S and this is the cross-roads.

What does 1S mean?. Clearly it could be standard fourth suit forcing (perhaps with Qx, xxx, AKQTxx, xx) but it is quite likely to be natural. However there are some simple responses which will solve the problem. In our partnership agreement North must have at least 8 points to use the 1S bid (with less and spades) we will bypass the 1D bid and bid 1S over 1C.

The response to 1S on this hand is 3S – forcing, asking partner to choose between 3NT and 4S.

Other responses include 1N minimum,2S promising 4 and better than minimum, 2N showing less than 4 spades but a stop and better than minimum, and 3N less than 3 but a stop and 17+ points.

On the Friday four Norths played in 4S, two Norths in a spade part score ,and, surprisingly, two Souths played in 1NT.

I am not attempting to suggest that everyone should play the 1S as we do but it is important to have an understanding with your partner of the types of hand that may bid 1S and of the meaning of the various responses.