What is the purpose of bidding? It’s how partners describe their hands to each other in order to reach the best contract. At least, that would be my answer — but I can already envisage the experts chuckling at my naivety. As any pro knows, describing your hand is just part of the story: almost as important is the ability to misdescribe it. When your side has been dealt poor cards, often the best course of action is to sabotage your opponents’ attempt to communicate. Bidding becomes a tool with which to fool, bully, confuse or harass them — and that’s all part of the beauty of the game.
During the open European championships in Ostend, I felt very privileged to have been conned by the Swedish star Peter Fredin: he opened a strong no trump without a point in his hand, making it all but impossible for my partner and me to bid our slam.
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