Was the Bidding Correct?

WARNING! The following post talks about Jacoby Transfers. If you do not know what they are then do NOT bother reading this post.

Here is a hand from a few days ago where I was an Opponent.

Your LHO opens the bidding 1NT. ("15 to 17" their Partner announced.) Partner Passes. My RHO bid 2♦. ("Transfer" my LHO announced.) I Passed. 2♥ my LHO bid. Partner Passes. 2NT bid RHO. I Pass. 3♥ my LHO bid. Partner Passes. 4♥ my RHO bid. This ended the auction.

Here's a recap:

LHO	Partner	RHO	Me!
1NT (15-17)	Pass	2♦ (Transfer)	Pass
2♥	Pass	2NT	Pass
3♥	Pass	4♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

The question is WHAT (if anything) is wrong with the bidding?

Show Answer

4♥ is a NON-BID. That means that RHO CANNOT bid 4♥ on this auction if their original 2NT was correct.

2NT showed an invitational hand -- about 8 or 9 points. This is a bid their Partner is allowed to Pass. My RHO should not have enough points to force to game.

But the 2♦ Transfer bid showed that they have a five card ♥ suit. So over the 2NT, LHO bid 3♥. They know they have a ♥ fit BUT if LHO wanted to accept the invite they would have bid 4♥ themselves. They are minimum. But they do have a fit so they should make sure they play in the ♥ fit. However Partner is supposed to PASS this bid.

Partner didn't. Partner misbid. It happens.

Next post you will have to make the killer opening lead. If you make the wrong lead Declarer can make the game.