Q. As South you hold:

Q. As South you hold:
x J 8 3 u Q 9 5 v K 4 w Q 8 7 4 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST
2w*Pass2v**Pass
2xPass?
* artificial game force
** waiting bid
What do you bid now?
A. This is routine. You know you have at least an eight-card spade fit, so you must tell partner about it immediately. Don't consider two no trump; partner's hand is probably unbalanced. Bid three spades. This shows support and a willingness to investigate slam. Four spades would show a weaker hand.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
x K Q 7 6 u 9 v A J 7 6 3 w 10 9 2
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A. This hand is worth a forcing spade raise, so make whatever bid your methods permit -- be it a jump to three spades, two no trump or a splinter bid of four hearts to show a singleton in that suit.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x A J 6 u A K 9 8 5 2 v 7 6 2 w 5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST
1uPass2uPass
?
What action do you take?
A. You have six losers outside hearts. It is highly unlikely that partner, who could only make a single raise, can cover three of them and in addition hold a high heart. Any bid by you could get your side too high. Pass.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 9 5 u K 8 7 3 v K 7 6 2 w Q 7 3
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST
1uPass2uPass
3wPass?
What do you bid now?
A. Partner's trial bid has asked you to evaluate your club holding for game purposes, and it does not offer much help. However, don't sign off in three hearts. You have a maximum raise to two hearts. Advise partner of this by highlighting your diamond feature. Bid three diamonds now.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x K Q 7 6 u A J 7 6 2 v 7 w A Q 5
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST
1x2w?
What do you bid now?
A. At first glance it seems right to cue-bid three clubs to show your power in support of spades. However, all you are doing is stealing your own bidding space. It is more important to bid two hearts (a new suit is forcing) to allow partner to describe his hand naturally. Wouldn't it be lovely to get a heart raise from partner?
& copy; 2004, Tribune Media Services
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