The value of a void.
Bridge Column for January 18, 2002, Harvey Bernstein
East-West vulnerable.  North deals.
                              North
                              S: A K 3 2          
                              H: J 10 5 3    
                              D: 10 8      
                              C: K Q 10  
            West                             East
            S: 10 8                          S: J 5   
            H: A 7 6 4 2                     H: K Q 9 8    
            D: Q 6 2                         D: A 9 5 4 3         
            C: 5 4 3                         C: J 8         
                              South                         
                              S: Q 9 7 6 4
                              H: Void       
                              D: K J 7     
                              C: A 9 7 6 2
          The Bidding:  
                  North    East    South    West                  
                   1C      Pass     1S      Pass
                   2S      Pass     3C      Pass
                   4S      Pass     Pass    Pass
     It is very difficult to determine how important a void is
during the bidding.  In this example, North has a normal thirteen
point opening bid.  South has ten high card points and a void. 
They bid to a reasonable game contract in spades, and make twelve
tricks.
     The first question that is usually asked when the play of a
hand like this is finished is "Should we be there?"  This, of
course, refers to the fact that the North-South pair made enough 
tricks for a small slam.
     Well, if you have a way to determine that there are no
wasted values in the suit where one partner has a void, you may
have a chance to bid the slam, but it isn't likely.  Look at what
happens to the North-South combination with just a little
tinkering:
                              North
                              S: A K 3 2          
                              H: K Q 10      
                              D: 10 8      
                              C: J 10 5 3 


                              South                         
                              S: Q 9 7 6 4
                              H: Void       
                              D: K J 7     
                              C: A 9 7 6 2
     North is holding the exact same spot cards, just in
different suits, and now South is going to have to play very well
to score his game.  The difference is that North's hearts
are stronger and less useful opposite the void in the South hand,
and the club suit is longer, but weaker.
     By the way, do you think that the bidding would be any
different with the revised holding?  I don't think so.  It is
very difficult to factor in the placement of the void. 
     Concentrate on reaching a "normal" contract and don't worry
about the rare possibility that you are missing a low percentage
slam.
_______________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.