Modern Bidding Box April 2026

The Modern American Bidding Box

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Problem 1

North Deals, Vul: None

BB auction: 1♦-1♠; 2♠-4♥Splinter; 4NT-5♠; 6♠ (6♠ scores 10Mps)

(1) Unbalanced 1♦.

(2) 4-card support doesn't promise extra values.

The advantage: 3♠ raise stronger than splinter?

Everyone gets to 6♠ a push.

MA: 10 Expert1: 10 Expert2: 10

Problem 2

East Deals, Vul: N-S

BB auction: 1♦-1NT; 2♦ (2♦ scores 11 Mps)

(1) Unbalanced 1♦.

Happy with stopping at 1NT. East has described an unbalanced hand, so they will trust that West is willing to play with their singleton club. At least it's an Ace.

1NT scores 7

MA: 17 Expert1: 21 Expert2: 13

Problem 3

South Deals, Vul: E-W

BB auction: 1♦-1NT; 2♦-2♠; 3♣-3♦; 3♥-3NT (3NT scores 11 Mps) 3NT really?, 13 HCP opposite 8 flat HCP

(1) Unbalanced 1♦.

3 unbalanced 1♦ opening in a row? In this case, West can retreat from the No-Trump suggestion and rebid their diamond suit.

2♦ scores only 4 Mps. We agree with one expert pair, and the other pair agrees with the BB auction.

MA: 21 Expert1: 25 Expert2: 24

Problem 4

West Deals, Vul: Both

BB Auction: 1♠-2♠; 3♥-4♥; 4NT-5♦; 6♥ (6♥ scores 11 Mps)

(1) Short suit game try: a singleton or void in clubs.

West would like to double-check that East has more than a minimal 6-7 HCP by making a game try. This didn't work out well for us. Aggressive Wests will bid game instead of inviting.

Missing game scores 0Mps

MA:21 Expert1: 36 Expert2: 29

Problem 5

North Deals, Vul: N-S

BB Auction: 1♦-2♦; 2♠-3♣; 3♦-3NT (3NT scores a rare 1 for BB)

(1) Unbalanced 1♦.

(2) Inverted minor raise: 10+ HCP, 4+ diamonds

East used the unbalanced nature of the 1 to open this -- stronger than HCP suggests -- shapely hand. They know they have an easy 2♦ rebid over any other West response.

Turns out 5♦ is the better game contract, and like BB bidding, we get only 1Mps for this doomed 3NT game.

MA: 22 Expert1: 47 Expert2: 30

Problem 6

East Deals, Vul: E-W

BB Auction: 1♦-1♠; 2♠-4♦; 4♥ (4♠ scores 9Mps)

(1) TACO club.

(2) Transfer

(3) Exactly 4 card support. Doesn't promise extra values

(4) Short suit game try

West loves to hear 4-card support. The game try isn't a game try per se; West intends to bid the game if East declines. West would have explored for slam if East accepted the try.

MA: 31 Expert1: 48 Expert2: 31

Problem 7

South Deals, Vul: Both

BB Auction: 1♥-1♠; 2♠-2♠; 2NT-3♠ (3 scores 7)

Pretty straightforward hand when a partnership is playing weak jump shifts. The 2♠ informs West, "I'm bad and can only play in spades, proceed at your own risk".

Stopping at 2♠ scores well at 11Mps

MA:42 Expert1: 55 Expert2: 42

Problem 8

West Deals, VUL: None

BB Auction: 1♥-2♣; 2♠-3♠; 4♠ (4♠ scores 7 Mps)

A hand West wishes they dare pass. A very poor 12 HCP. Too bad finding the spade fit, the 5-2 heart fit actually plays better. All pairs got to 4♠ though, scoring 7Mps.

MA:49 Expert1: 62 Expert2: 49

Conclusion

Wow, lots of unbalanced 1♦ hands to work through. An opportunity to revisit the aggressiveness level of your partnership.

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Written by Keith Schwols in Rockstar on Wed 01 April 2026.