 | Balancing After An Opening Bid |
A slight risk.
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 where your left–hand opponent opens one of a suit, and both your partner and your right–hand opponent have passed.
This article does not apply when your left–hand opponent opens 1NT, or when your partner and/or your right–hand opponent has also bid.
The reason that this balancing position poses a “slight risk”, as shown in the subtitle, is that the opening bidder might have quite a good hand, and be happy to have the opportunity to bid again after you balance. This risk is higher when the opening bid is one of a minor suit.
However, do not let this slight risk deter you from balancing with a suitable bid of your own (as described below). You may get the occasional poor result, but you will get more consistently poor results by not balancing.
If you have a hand that isn’t suitable for any of the bids discussed in this article, you should choose Pass instead of stretching to bid.
Balancing Positions
Here are some common balancing positions when an opponent opens with one of a suit:
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | Pass | Balancing |
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| Pass | 1♥ | Pass | Pass |
| Balancing |
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| Pass | Pass | 1♥ | Pass |
| Pass | Balancing |
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| Pass | Pass | Pass | 1♥ |
| Pass | Pass | Balancing |
The common factor in each of these auctions is that a pass by you will end the auction.
How Do I Balance?
You can balance with any of the following bids:
- A double (in this situation, it’s referred to as a “balancing” double).
- A notrump overcall.
- A simple overcall in a suit.
- A jump overcall in a suit.
- A Michaels cue bid.
- An unusual 2NT.
We will examine each of these possibilities in turn.
Balancing Double
Make a balancing double when your hand satisfies all of the following conditions:
- You hold at least nine high card points.
- You have no more than two cards in opener’s suit.
- You hold at least four cards in any unbid major suit.
- You hold at least three cards in any unbid minor suit.
Notice that a balancing double only requires nine high card points, whereas a direct takeout double (ie, one that is made immediately after the opening bid) requires at least twelve. The reason you can double with only nine high card points is that you are “borrowing” three points from your partner. This is an example of bidding on the combined assets of the partnership, which was discussed in the article on Balancing Bids: General Principles.
Here are some examples of balancing doubles:
Example 1
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | Pass | ?? |
| ♠ Q 10 9 4 ♥ 8 ♦ A K 9 8 ♣ A 8 4 3 | This is a perfect double (takeout or balancing) in any seat. You would have made a takeout double had you been sitting East. You have a singleton in opener’s suit, and four cards in each unbid suit. You plan to pass any bid partner makes. If opener rebids 2♥ and the next two players pass, double again. This does not show extra values; it just tells your partner that you want to compete. |
| ♠ Q 10 9 4 ♥ 8 ♦ A K 9 8 ♣ 9 8 4 3 | This is a perfect double in balancing seat (after you borrow three of partner’s points). You would not have made a takeout double on this hand had you been sitting East. Again, if opener rebids 2♥ and the next two players pass, double again. This does not show extra values; it just tells your partner that you want to compete. |
| ♠ Q 10 9 4 ♥ 8 6 ♦ A K 8 ♣ 9 8 4 3 | This hand is still acceptable for a balancing double, even though you only have three diamonds. Partner will try to respond in an unbid major whenever possible. |
| ♠ Q 10 9 ♥ 8 6 ♦ A K 8 6 ♣ 9 8 4 3 | This hand is more difficult, but a balancing double should still work out fine. You may end up in a seven–card spade fit, but that’s life. |
| ♠ Q 10 ♥ 8 6 4 ♦ A K 8 6 ♣ 9 8 4 3 | This hand has to pass. Even after borrowing three of partner’s points, a balancing double is unacceptable since you have only two spades. Also, you cannot bid notrump because you lack a heart stopper (more about that later). |
Once you make a balancing double, partner will respond in the same way that he would had you doubled in direct seat (ie, immediately after the opening bidder). However, partner must subtract three points from his hand before responding, since you may have borrowed these to make your double. If opener makes a second bid, your partner should only respond with a long suit (five or more) and shortness in one or more suits.
Partner should only pass your balancing double (thereby converting it to a penalty double) when his hand fills all of the following conditions:
- Partner does not have an unbid suit that is four cards or longer,
- Partner has a long and solid holding in opener’s suit,
- Partner has a shortage (singleton or void) in an unbid suit,
- Partner is just shy of a sixteen point hand.
If partner does have an unbid suit that is four cards or longer, he should bid it. After all, that’s what your balancing double asked him to do. If not, partner should respond 1NT.
Notrump Overcall
Make a notrump overcall when your hand satisfies the following conditions:
- You have the required number of points (described below).
- You have one or more stoppers in opener’s suit. A good guideline is that you should hold two stoppers when opener has bid a major suit, but you need only one stopper when opener has bid a minor suit.
The point count ranges for a notrump overcall are:
- 11 to 14 points: Overcall 1NT immediately.
- 15 to 18 points: Make a balancing double first, then bid 1NT. This assumes that partner can (or is most likely to) respond to your double at the one level. If your double will (or is most likely to) force partner to respond at the two level, then overcall 1NT immediately instead.
- 19 to 21 points: Overcall 2NT immediately (don’t wait up for this one).
- 22+ points: Double, then bid 2NT (don’t wait up for this one either).
Example 2
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♦ | Pass | Pass | ?? |
| ♠ Q 10 9 ♥ A Q ♦ A 10 8 4 ♣ 9 8 4 3 | This is an acceptable 1NT bid. You have between 11 and 14 points, and you have one stopper in opener’s suit (you only need one, because opener bid a minor suit). Don’t worry about missing a club stopper (you can’t have everything). A balancing double would be wrong on this hand because you have only two hearts. |
| ♠ Q 10 9 ♥ A Q 4 ♦ A 10 8 ♣ A 9 4 3 | Here you can double first, and then bid 1NT over partner’s expected one–level response (partner will try his best to bid a major suit over your double). If partner does respond 2♣ or 2♦, then pass. Do not bid 2NT (that would show a much better hand). Only raise a 2♣ response to three if either opponent bids 2♥. |
Example 3
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | Pass | ?? |
| ♠ Q 10 9 ♥ A Q 6 ♦ A 10 8 ♣ 8 6 4 3 | This is an acceptable 1NT bid. Notice that because opener bid a major suit, you need two stoppers in that suit. |
| ♠ Q 10 9 ♥ A Q 6 ♦ A 10 8 ♣ A 6 4 3 | This hand is a bit of a gamble. You can double first, planning to rebid 1NT if partner responds 1♠. However, if partner responds in a minor suit you must pass (rebidding 2NT would show a much better hand). All things considered, an immediate 1NT bid is probably better. |
| ♠ Q 10 ♥ A Q 8 6 ♦ A 10 8 ♣ A 10 6 4 | Again, an immediate 1NT bid is best with this hand. |
| ♠ Q ♥ 8 6 ♦ A K 10 4 3 ♣ A 10 8 6 2 | This hand is included as a reminder that you cannot bid an unusual 2NT in the balancing seat unless you are a passed hand. With this hand, a 2♦ overcall is probably best. Had you passed previously, you could bid an unusual 2NT. |
Partner will normally not respond to your notrump bids unless he happens to have a good hand that was unable to bid on the previous turn. If partner decides to raise your notrump bid, he should always assume that you have the minimum for your bid (11 points for an immediate 1NT bid, 15 points for a double followed by a 1NT bid).
Make sure that you and your partner agree on whether Stayman and transfer bids apply after a balancing 1NT bid. You’re probably better off if they don’t.
Assuming Stayman and transfers are off, partner should only respond to a notrump bid in a new suit when the suit and the hand are both weak. In other words, partner’s hand and suit were not suitable for an overcall on the previous round of bidding. These new suit responses should be passed.
Simple Overcall
Make a simple overcall (non–jump bid in a new suit) on any hand that is playable only in your suit and has sufficient strength. If in doubt between making a balancing double and making a simple overcall, try to prefer the double. This bid is much more flexible. Balancing auctions are all about finding the safest spot to compete.
Example 4
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | Pass | ?? |
| ♠ A K J 9 4 ♥ 8 6 ♦ 10 8 7 ♣ 4 3 2 | This is an acceptable 1♠ overcall (although a minimum) in either the direct or the balancing seat. You aren’t really interested in the minor suits, and if the opponents continue you would love partner to lead a spade. |
| ♠ A 10 ♥ 8 6 ♦ A K 9 4 3 ♣ 10 4 3 | This is an acceptable 2♦ overcall (although a minimum) in either the direct or the balancing seat. You aren’t interested in spades (the unbid major), and if the opponents continue you want partner to lead a diamond. |
| ♠ J 10 ♥ 8 6 ♦ A K 9 4 3 ♣ 10 4 3 | This would not be an acceptable 2♦ overcall in the direct seat (immediately following the opening bid). A two–level overcall in direct seat should have 10 points or more, with an ace or king outside your suit. However, it is acceptable in the balancing seat because you can “borrow” three points from your partner. |
| ♠ A Q J 9 7 4 ♥ 8 6 ♦ 9 8 4 ♣ 10 3 | This hand is included as a reminder that weak jump overcalls do not apply in the balancing position. Therefore, you cannot bid 2♠. However, using the “borrowing” principle you can certainly bid 1♠. |
| ♠ J 10 ♥ 8 6 ♦ A 10 9 4 3 ♣ 10 4 3 | Pass this hand. Even after you “borrow” three points from partner, it’s still too weak. Also, who has all the spades? Probably not partner, otherwise he would likely have overcalled. The opponents probably have an eight–card spade fit, which they will likely find if you bid. And if they don’t have a spade fit, they probably have enough high cards to make a penalty double rather expensive. |
Partner should respond to your overcall the same way he would if you had overcalled in the direct seat. However, partner must remember to subtract three points from his hand, because you may have “borrowed” those to make your bid.
For more information, refer to the articles on Simple Overcalls and Responding To Overcalls.
Jump Overcall
A jump overcall is not weak in the balancing position.
A jump overcall shows a hand that is suitable for play only in your suit, and is worth at least an opening bid. Typically, a jump overcall shows 12 to about 16 points. If you have more points than that (don’t wait up for it), then start with a balancing double and then jump in your suit.
Since this bid comes up so rarely, one example is enough:
Example 5
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1♥ | Pass | Pass | ?? |
| ♠ A K J 9 8 4 ♥ K 6 ♦ A 8 7 ♣ 2 | This is a typical 2♠ jump overcall in the balancing seat. You aren’t interested in the minor suits or in notrump, and if the opponents continue you would love partner to lead a spade. |
Partner will hardly ever bid after you have made a jump overcall in the balancing seat. The only bid partner could make is to raise your suit with at least four–card support if the opponents bid again.
Michaels Cue Bid
This article won’t describe what a Michaels cue bid is; if you don’t already know, refer to the article on two–suited overcalls.
All you need to know for this article is that a Michaels cue bid does apply in the balancing position. The requirements for the bid and the responses by partner are exactly the same.
Unusual 2NT
The unusual 2NT only applies if you have previously passed. Look again at the auctions at the beginning of this article that illustrate the four balancing positions. In the first auction, you cannot use the unusual 2NT because you haven’t previously passed (a 2NT overcall in this position would show 19 to 21 points). In the other three auctions, you can use the unusual 2NT because you have previously passed.
In direct seat (directly after the opening bid), the unusual 2NT bid requires 5 cards (or more) in each of the two suits you are showing. For some players, 5 cards in one suit and 4 in the other is also acceptable in direct seat (subject to partnership agreement).
In the balancing seat, these rules often have to give way to practicality. Having 5/5 distribution in the unbid suits is ideal, and even 5/4 is acceptable. However (again, subject to partnership agreement), consider using the unusual 2NT with 4/4 distribution in your two suits. Only do this when you have no support for an unbid major suit. You will only regret doing this when partner does not have four–card or longer support for one of your suits (which will happen rarely, hence the necessity of an understanding partner).
In cases where you can’t use the unusual 2NT, but you have the required distribution (let’s say you hold diamonds and clubs, and the opening bid was 1♥), you can try one of these approaches:
- Bid your strongest suit, and if it gets doubled for penalty consider bidding the other suit.
- Bid the lower–ranking suit (ie clubs) first, and if it gets doubled for penalty bid the other suit (ie diamonds). This avoids increasing the level of your contract.