Hand Evaluation 3: Do More with a Good Suit
Browse topics:
Lets start by analysing hands with good 6 card suits, the reliable rule is Do more when you have a good 6 card suit.
What do we mean by do more? Be more optimistic in the bidding, step out and take risks, bid it up a bit higher. They are powerful things, often far more powerful than their point count.
Why are good 6 card suits so powerful? They provide a huge source of tricks, often 5-6 tricks, and also provide a reliable trump source that will allow you to control the hand. Lets look at some examples.
From the Australian team trial semi finals played in 2022, what would you bid as North?
A high quality 6 card suit, its time to do more. Bid it up to game, despite only having 11 high card points. 4♠ made comfortably.
What about this example?
Some people say "don't preempt over a preempt". I don't see this hand as a preempt, I see it as a very high quality suit with lots of potential. A 2♠ bid looks normal when you look at the rule of doing more with good 6 card suits.
Lets look at an extreme example from Gold Coast congress 2023 where two leading experts made the same bid with these cards
Both bid 3♦ ! While the diamond suit isn't great, the terrific distribution made up for it. Is this the correct bid? I'm sure many experts would disagree, but its certainly thought provoking. The takeaway is - think about doing more when you have a good 6 card suit or highly distributional hand, those hands often have lots of potential.
Where to next
Build the habit with guided practice
Reading helps, but trainer reps are what make bidding decisions automatic under pressure. Use the trainer to train your mind and lock this theme in.
Sign up first, then choose your subscription plan. Includes a 7-day free trial.