BRIDGE

Q. Vulnerable, you hold:
x Q 10 7 6 2 u Q 3 v A Q 9 5 2 w 7
Partner opens the bidding with one club. What do you respond?
A. When responding to partner's one-level opening bid and holding two four-card suits, you respond in the cheaper of the two. With two five-card suits, however, bid the higher-ranking first and rebid in the lower-ranking. Respond one spade.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
x A J u 9 8 5 4 3 v K 8 7 3 w Q 2
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A. No matter what your methods, with such a shabby suit you do not have the values to respond at the two-level. That leaves you just one response -- bid one no trump. If partner can't bid again, you are missing nothing.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x A K 8 7 3 u A J 10 4 v A 6 w 9 5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH EAST NORTH EAST
1x Pass 2v Pass
2u Pass 4u Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You want to make a slam try, but asking for aces would be a mistake -- avoid using the Blackwood convention with two fast losers in an unbid suit. The proper way is to cue-bid five diamonds. North will know you have slam interest and can act appropriately.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x Q J 10 u A K J 5 v A 10 9 w 7 6 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1w Pass 1u Pass
2NT Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. This is a simple matter of arithmetic. Depending on your range for opening one no trump, partner has either 18-19 or 19-20 points. That gives you enough for six no trump but not enough for a grand slam. Don't ask partner to do your work for you. Jump to six no trump.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x K Q J 9 4 u K 7 4 v 6 3 w A 10 7
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1u Pass 1x Pass
2v Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. It depends on your methods. If you play five-card majors, jump to four hearts. If your major-suit opening bids can be only four cards long, you can't jump to game with only three-card support. Make a waiting bid of three clubs and see how partner reacts.
XThis column is written by Tannah Hirsch and Omar Sharif. For information about Charles Goren's newsletter for bridge players, call (800) 788-1225 or write Goren Bridge Letter, P.O. Box 4410, Chicago, Ill. 60680
& copy;2004, Tribune Media Services