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Free Bid
Free Bids are not a convention but rather a partnership understanding. A Free Bid occurs when partner opens and opponent overcalls and responder bids a suit (the Free Bid) at the two-level or higher (non-jump). Remember, this is not the “Negative Free Bid” convention. The Free Bid, when made, requires no alert.
Note: the “Negative Free Bid” convention is not used, although the “Negative Double” is used in conjunction.
There are three treatments for Free Bids:
1. A non-jump two-bid shows 10+ HCP and always a five-card suit (major or minor).
2. A non-jump two-bid shows 10+ HCP and a five-card suit if a major, or a four-card suit if a minor.
3. A non-jump two-bid would show the same values necessary for a 2-over-1 bid, a minimum of a “good” 12 HCP or more, and always a five-card suit (major or minor).
Max Hardy recommends either Treatment 1 or 3 of the Free Bid and doesn’t recommend the “Negative Free Bid” as an alternative.
I recommend Treatment 1 whether using 2-over-1 or SAYC. Treatment 1 can be described by the "Rule of 10 and 5" ..... you must have 10 HCP and at least 5 cards in your suit to bid you suit at the two-level after opponent has overcalled.
Using Treatment 1 as the preference:
The purpose of the Free Bid is to show a five-card suit;
and, Show at least a game-invite type of hand.
Used in conjunction with the Negative Double. The Negative Double will usually promise the unbid suits, especially the unbid major(s). The Negative Double requires about 8+ HCP at the two-level and 10+ HCP at the three level, with no upper limit.
If the bidding goes: 1D (1S) and you hold:
A5
KJT53
K42
K83
Make a Free Bid of 2H.
A5
KJT3
K965
K82
You have the values for a Free Bid but don’t have the 5-suit requirement. Make a Negative Double.
64
KQ853
Kt5
842
You have the 5-card suit requirement but not the values for a Free Bid. Make a Negative Double.
Q87
65
AKJ98
JT3
Make a Free Bid of 2D.
When you have a one-suited hand but can’t make a Free Bid, you make a Negative Double then rebid your long suit. This warns partner that your Negative Double was an excuse to show your length and that you do not have values for a Free Bid, nor did you promise support in the major(s).
The bidding goes: 1D (2C) and you hold:
KQT984
K6
73
864
You don’t have the values to make a 2S Free Bid. You make a Negative Double, partner assumes you have hearts and spades. If partner rebids 2H (expecting you to have hearts), or 2D, or 2NT -- you rebid the spade suit telling partner you have a one-suited hand in spades with 7 – 9 HCP and no heart suit as initially believed. Of course if partner rebids 2S you jump to 4S (“Fast Arrival”).
Note: There are rare occurrences when neither a Free Bid or a Negative Double can be made when holding some values:
The bidding goes: 1C (1S) and you hold:
875
65
AKJ98
JT9
Can’t make a Free Bid (only 9 HCP). Can’t make a Negative Double (no heart support; if partner rebid 2H, the diamond suit is not long enough to rebid 3D). This is one of those “tweeners” that should be passed. If partner reopens with a double, you now rebid 3D. |
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