[jillybean]

Hi,

Please could someone explain the term "pattern out" I keep hearing it but dont have a good understanding of what exactly it means...

tyia
jb

[Walddk]

Show your full pattern of the hand. Can be done on various auctions, these two for instance:

1♠ - 2♣
2♥ - 2NT
3♣

Opener has a 5413 pattern. He "patterned out".

1♠ - 2♣
2♥ - 3NT
4♣

Same as before, this time 17-18 hcp, interested in slam if responder doesn't have too many wasted values in diamonds. In both examples opener could conceivably have a 5404 pattern.

Roland

[mikeh]

Patterning out is a term used to describe a bid that expands upon previous descriptions of shape.

Thus, with 5=4=3=1 and a good hand (say 17 hcp or so) opener may bid 1♠ and hear a 1N (forcing response) to which he replies 2♥.

These two bids (1♠/2♥) are showing shape.. or 'pattern'.

Now imagine responder bids 2N.

Opener may bid 3n, of course, but what if the hands are:

AKxxx Axxx AQx x opposite xx Kx KJ10xx Axxx... it would be a shame to play this in 3N rather than a ♦ slam.

So opener bids his 3 card suit.. he completes the description of his shape or hand-pattern... he 'patterns out'.

Or 5=3=1=4, goodish hand: open 1♠, hear 1N, bid 2♣ and hear 2N... now opener can look for the 5-3 ♥ fit (while warning about shortness in ♣) by 'patterning out' with 3♥.

Maybe responder bid 2N with x Kxxxx Axxx KJx

Now, the second example is very clear.. opener cannot hold a 4 card ♥ suit else he would not have bid 2♣. The first example is not as clear because opener might be 5=4=4=0 as well as 5=4=3=1... indeed, he has even more need to be able to get out in 3♦ with a minimal opener and 5=4=4=0 shape than he does to be able to describe a strong 5=4=3=1, since the slam hand will occur infrequently and partner will not usually have the magic hand when it does.. so some may disagree with my first example... but I expect all good players to agree with my second.

[FrancesHinden]

"Patterning out" basically means bidding enough suits naturally that partner knows the exact shape of your hand, or the shape to within one card.

Both the examples given have been on 5431 shapes.
Here's another, just continuing the idea of describing your full hand:

1♠ - 2♣
2♦ - 2♥
3♦ - 3NT
4♣

Opener showed 5+ spades when he opened 1S
He showed 4+ diamonds when he bid 2D
He showed 5+ diamonds when he bid 3D
When he moved over 3NT he now has a 5152 or 5053 (whether you choose bid 3C or 3D over 2H with a 5053 depends on the relative strengths of the suits)

Another common sequence is when responding to 1NT. These can depend a bit on your methods, but an example could be:

1NT - 2♦
2♥ - 2♠
2NT - 3♦
3♥ - 4♥

2♦ = transfer to hearts, showing 5+ hearts
2♠= natural and forcing for a round, 4 spades
3♦ = now I've got diamonds as well, 4531
3♥ =doubleton, doesn't want to bid 3NT
4♥ = well, I'd rather play in hearts, I'm exactly 4630.