What's a "Push". 'Taking the push' occurs when one side bids higher than they want to as a result of competitive action by the defenders. To be competitive, you must push your opponents - preferably to the three level. Of course Spades is the best suit for pushing -- that's why it's the 'Boss Suit'
Competitive Bidding and the Push -- a Lengthy Example
???N E S W
1© P 1NT P
P
East is faced with a balancing decision: Pass and defend? Make a balancing call? or a balancing double?
Follow This Carefully. To understand balancing better, let's first figure out what's going on in this example. (This kind of conversation should go on in your mind during the bidding on every hand.)¨ contracts making 110."North has a minimum opener with 12 - 14 HCP and 5 Hearts. South has 6 to 10 scattered points lacking 3 Hearts and without 4 Spades. Together, they have 18 to 22 points with no apparent long suit, and they need to make only 7 tricks for a plus score at 1 NT. Often, 1NT makes two for a score of 120, which beats all 2ª or 2© or 3§ or 3
. . . East and West also have 18 to 22 points, and what?..... Spades! -- or possibly a minor suit fit. If East passes, N/S will play for 7 tricks and E/W will have to make 1 NT - take 7 tricks on defense to beat them for a positive score their way. If N/S makes 1NT, that's at least 90 for them: if E/W go down 1 not vulnerable, they only lose 50, so they would be better off to bid something - even if they go down one."
A close call - but, this is competitive bridge. So, enter the balancing double by East:
N E S W
1© P 1NT P
P Dbl P ???
The balancing call by East causes a problem for West, who must now find a bid. Obviously, he will pick Spades with any 4 of them. Without Spades, he will pick any 5 card suit other than Hearts. So, we now have:
N E S W
1© P 1NT P
P Dbl P 2ª , 2¨ or 2§ A balance by West.
North has the best hand at the table. But, what now? North is hard pressed to decide:
"Should I let them steal this hand, or should I try to penalize them at the two level, or
- should I pass and hope my partner can do something, or - should I bid something? What? "
- N/S may "take the push", meaning to bid one higher than they intended. (South or North may bid Two Hearts over West's 2§ or 2¨ call ); or
- N/S may pass a 2ª call, gaining 50 for setting it 1 trick instead of earning 90 or 120 for making 1 or 2 Notrump; or
- N/S may double 2ª, set it one for 100, and still lose to the other North/South's making 120 but beating most N/S pairs making plus 90; or
- N/S may double a 2ª call, with East/West making 2 for a plus 670 their way; or
- E/W may make 2ª , 2¨ or 2§ getting a small plus score their way instead of a small minus. Tops vs. bottoms.
- ???
Whatever the outcome, it's real action at the bridge table.
(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998 All Rights Reserved