 | Balancing After A Single Raise |
Finally: a no–risk deal (usually).
Cautions
Before you continue with this article, please be sure you have read and understood the first article in this series—Balancing Bids: General Principles.
Before you start to engage in balancing bids, be absolutely certain that your partner understands both the general principles of balancing, and the meaning of the specific balancing bids described below. As discussed in the “general principles” article, the biggest hazard to balancing is your partner (when he doesn’t understand the concepts).
Introduction
This article applies to balancing in situations when the opener has bid one of a suit and his partner has made a single raise (with neither you nor your partner bidding until the balancing position has been reached).
This article applies only after a single raise (ie, to the two level). It does not apply after a limit raise or a direct raise to game, or when either opponent has bid another suit.
A balancing bid in this position is (almost) 100% mandatory. Only pass when, judging by your hand, you think the opponents should actually be in game (or slam) and for some reason they decided not to carry on.
The reason that this balancing position poses virtually no risk is that the opponents only hold about 20 points between them (which means you and your partner have the rest), and you and your partner almost certainly have at least an eight–card fit in another suit. Your bidding is geared towards finding your side’s suit.
Important tip! If a less experienced opponent (either opener or responder) hesitates before bidding or passing, be suspicious that they may have a better hand than they are bidding. Some caution in balancing is advisable. If a good opponent hesitates, be suspicious that he’s trying to “fake you out” and deter you from balancing. Good opponents normally know what they’re going to bid before the auction starts.
Balancing Positions
Here are some common balancing positions when opener has bid one of a suit and his partner has made a single raise:
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | 2♥ | Pass |
| Pass | Balancing |
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| Pass | 1♥ | Pass | 2♥ |
| Pass | Pass | Balancing |
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| Pass | Pass | 1♥ | Pass |
| 2♥ | Pass | Pass | Balancing |
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| Pass | Pass | Pass | 1♥ |
| Pass | 2♥ | Pass | Pass |
| Balancing |
The common factor in each of these auctions is that a pass by you will end the auction.
Here are some “single raise” auctions that are not balancing situations:
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | 1NT | Pass |
| 2♥ | Pass | Pass | ?? |
This is not a balancing situation. The opponents are at the two level, but only opener has bid hearts (responder did not raise).
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♦ | Pass | 1♥ | Pass |
| 1NT | Pass | 2♦ | Pass |
| Pass | ?? |
This is not a balancing situation. Responder has raised opener’s suit to the two level, but they have made other bids in between.
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | 2♣ | 2♥ | Pass |
| Pass | ?? |
This is not a balancing situation. You have made a simple overcall, and partner has passed. You may consider bidding clubs again, but you should have both a good hand and a good suit.
Consider Your Assets
In this situation, it is imperative that both you and your partner realize that your assets are limited. You will normally hold (between your two hands) about 20 high card points. However, keep in mind that neither of you bid during the initial stages of the auction. That means that you and your partner cannot have a hand worth a takeout double or an overcall (either simple, weak, or two–suited).
A good rule of thumb when balancing in this position is: balance with almost any hand holding 8 high card points or more. If you hold less, there’s a good chance that your opponents have underbid (or dropped some of their high cards on the floor).
Consider Your Objective
Your objective when balancing in this position is one of the following:
- Either opponent raises their suit to the three level. This is a good thing for you. If they make three, you haven’t lost anything because they would have made three anyway. However, if they go down one, you have achieved a top (or near–top) board.
- The opponents let your side play the hand. This is usually a good thing for you. If you make your contract, you will get a good result. If you go down less than the value of their part score (ie, if you go down for –50 or –100) you will also get a good result.
The bad news: If your side plays the hand in this balancing position and you go down for –200 or more, you will get a bottom (or very close to it). Therefore, extra caution is advisable when you are vulnerable, or if you think your opponents will double you for penalty (good opponents frequently will).
How Do I Balance?
You have basically two choices when balancing in this position:
- A takeout double.
- Bidding a suit at the minimum required level.
The choices are fairly easy to distinguish:
- Make a takeout double whenever you have adequate support for all three unbid suits. Adequate support consists of four cards in any unbid major, and three cards in any unbid minor. If you’re feeling lucky (and have an understanding partner), you can double with only three cards in an unbid major or two cards in an unbid minor. But only one suit can have support this poor.
- Bid a suit of your own whenever you cannot make a takeout double due to inadequate support for an unbid suit. Your own suit will be at least five cards in length, but is unlikely to be strong.
Sneaky bid: If you happen to hold four or more cards in the two lower ranking unbid suits, you can balance with 2NT (unusual). This asks partner to choose one of the two lower ranking suits (he should bid his longest; with equal length, his strongest). Be sure your partner will understand this bid. If partner thinks you really want to play notrump, you will be in big trouble.
How Do I Continue After Balancing?
You don’t!
- If you have made a takeout double (or the unusual 2NT) and your left–hand opponent passes, partner must pick a suit. Both you and your partner will now pass regardless of what the opponents do.
- If you have made a takeout double (or the unusual 2NT) and your left–hand opponent bids again, partner must pass. You have succeeded in your primary objective: you have forced your opponents up one level.
- If you have bid a suit of your own, partner must pass.
Are you positive I can’t bid again?
Only in very rare cases. If your partner has bid a suit of his own, you can raise partner’s suit to the three level with four–card support, and to the four level with five–card support. Only do this if the opponents continue in their suit, and you have a singleton or void in their suit.