We all have our bridge issues, often without anybody to ask. Miz Bridge has arrived.

Ask Miz Bridge by clicking here. The questions and answers will be posted anonymously on the Unit website

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October 28, 2014
Dear Miz Bridge,
My Partner and I play 2-way Reverse Drury. Naturally it happens from time to time that someone forgets. I was the dealer and was sitting west. Both sides were vulnerable.
 W  N  Me  S
     Pass  Pass
 1 S  Pass  2 D*  Pass
 Pass  Pass  Pass  

* Two-way Reverse Drury

I had 1S, 4H, 6D, 2C with 9 HCP. and had decided to pass the open because of the 4 card heart suit. When my partner bid 1S I reached for the 2D bidding card. As soon as it hit the table, I realized that I couldn't bid that. Partner alerted the bid and explained that I had a limit raise with 4 spades. I of course kept my mouth shut. Partner bid 2H and I explained that would mean that he had a solid opener and something in hearts. Now for my dilemma:


I knew that whatever I bid, partner was going to bid on almost certainly to a game in spades. So, I decided to just pass his 2H bid thinking that this may be a saving spot to be in. In fact, partner made 3 hearts and we got about half the match points.
But since then I have wondered. Am I allowed to do that? I did know that I had misbid. From my point of view I knew it BEFORE my partner alerted. But the opponents might argue effectively that I took advantage of unauthorized information. i.e. if I had really been confused about 2-way drury and there had been no alert or explanation, would I have really passed 2H and thereby avoided a bad 4S contract.
What is the right thing to do?
I M Confused
Dear Confused but Honest and in a Dilemma,
I do wish you would include the whole hand, but the answer is still such an important point and one that all could learn from! So, great question!
When you are in possession of unauthorized information, you must avoid taking advantage. So in this case, you must bid like you didn't hear the alert. Your question is, "What would you do if you hadn't heard the alert?" If there are choices, then the least successful option should be decided. A poll by the director of other players could determine this. Since we don't know where your values are, but that you have 9 points, you might give a raise to 3 Hearts. The director may still decide to have you make the least successful bid be how he scores the board. It will most likely be a below average score.
This is always a difficult concept to understand and perhaps our minds fight against it! This situation does come up very frequently, so be prepared to "ignore the alert" to stay within the "laws" of duplicate bridge. It is not a crime to forget a convention!
It is often said that Drury is forgotten as much as it is remembered!
You must be a delight at the table, Mr. Ethics!
Miz Bridge

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October 14, 2014
Dear Miz Bridge,
My partner and I got into trouble on hand #19 at the BCA on September 20. The hand record is attached.
I was playing south and got over enamored with my 8-card club suit. The correct place, however, appeared to be in Spades or No Trump. How would you bid this one?
Lover of 8-card Suits
Dear Octo Lover,
Fall in love with your partner or some ice cream, not a suit (especially a minor suit!)!
A possible auction might be as shown below.
Now you have found the right 8 card fit!! What did it take? Good slow bidding, listening to your partner!
Even though your first thoughts are that your Club suit will be trump, be flexible and ready to cooperate with your loyal partner in the auction. Good things happen when you work together!
Miz Bridge
 S  W  N  E
 1 C  Pass  1S  Pass
 3 C  Pass  3 H  Pass
 4 C  Pass  4 H  Pass
 4 S  Pass  4 NT*  Pass
 5 C**  Pass  6 S  Pass

* 1430 ** 1 Key Card

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Dear Miz Bridge,
I am very serious about advancing my game but can't see that happening unless I partner with someone who is better than me. Unfortunately all the people with whom I'd like to partner want to play with someone who is better than them! Help! How can this possibly work?
Ambitious but Frustrated
Dear Frustrated but Ambitious,
So sorry you are feeling "frustrated", but so glad you are "ambitious!"
I may have some help for you! In January a mentor/mentee program starts in Austin. Just sign up and you will get the partner of your dreams!
There is a Lone Arranger Game October 11th at the Bridge Center of Austin. Another chance to "play up"!
Of course, if you are lucky enough to play well with one of these partners, it may be a partnership made in heaven! Let them know if you want to play again and remember that treating this "better player" like royalty is fine! Buy her (okay, might be his) game and bring them a small gift now and then. Let them see you are really trying hard, are open-minded and are studying to become a better player.
"Pay it forward" and make sure you are playing with a newer player than you too!
My, my I do go on!
Miz Bridge

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Dear Miz Bridge
The forcing 1 NT bid is my favorite part of the 2/1 system. I have been taught that I can't use it over interference. I wonder why not over a double. Here is a situation I ran into:
My partner opened 1S. My RHO doubled. I am holding: S: xx H: Qx D: AJxxx C: Qxxx What do I do?
Hopeless Forcing NT Lover
Dear Forcing NT Lover,
When you have a perfect bid available, use it! A regular old-fashioned 1 NT is just right here with your NT distribution and 9 points! If partner's hand is distributional he will bid something else at the 2 level and it will actually be the same as if you had bid a forcing NT.
Can you still play the forcing NT over a double? If you and your partner agree to do this, NO ONE can stop you! If you are playing it on over doubles,then it should still be announced, just as you regularly do without the double.
Thank you lover for such a great first letter!
Miz Bridge