BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz:
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
xQ J 10 7 uA 10 8 6 v9 7 w8 5 4
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v Pass 1u Pass
2w Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. We do not much care whether you elect to pass and play in the likely 4-3 fit or correct to two diamonds and opt for the probable 5-2 fit. What we would object to is anything other than one of those two actions.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
xK 7 6 uA 10 7 4 v8 4 3 2 wK 6
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1x 2w Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. To overcall at the two-level, vulnerable, partner must have a pretty good hand, especially when his bid steals very little bidding room from the opponents. Invite game with two no trump.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x5 4 2 uA K 3 vK Q 7 5 4 w8 7
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 1x Pass
?
What action do you take?
A. If you elect to rebid one no trump without a club stopper, we suggest you need a vacation and can recommend a good clinic. We only slightly prefer two diamonds. As far as we are concerned, a raise to two spades is the normal action.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
xA Q uJ 6 4 2 vA Q 10 6 3 wA 5
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v 1u?
What do you bid now?
A. You have to tell partner about your powerful hand and tremendous support for his suit, even if it might only be three cards long. The way to get that across is to start with a cue-bid of two hearts. That is strength- and fit-showing and says nothing about control of hearts.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xA K 7 4 uA J 9 vA K 10 6 5 w7
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
Pass Pass 1v Pass
1u Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. Whether or not partner is a passed hand, you must make sure that your next bid is forcing. One spade (a new suit on the one level) would not be, nor is a jump to four hearts. Jump shift to two spades, forcing under any circumstances.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xA K J 5 uQ 10 9 4 vA Q 5wK 5
The bidding has proceeded:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1w Dbl 4w Pass
Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. It is time to bite the bullet, despite holding half the deck. Another double by you would be takeout oriented, and even if it were for penalties there is no guarantee that you can defeat four clubs. Pass, although another double is a close second.
& copy;2004 Tribune Media Services