BRIDGE

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x K 9 6 4 u Q J 9 8 4 v J 7 6 w 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1w Pass 1u Pass
2NT Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. North's jump shows a hand of about 18-19 points, depending on your methods, and tends to deny a four-card major. Therefore, we would proceed to three no trump, and reserve three spades for hands with slam interest.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
x J 3 u K Q 6 3 v A 6 4 2 w A 7 5
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1w Pass 1x ?
What action do you take?
A. With four cards in both unbid suits and the equivalent of a full opening bid, this could be your last opportunity to enter the auction safely. Your hand is perfectly suited to a takeout double, so make it now.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x Q u A Q 6 4 3 v A K 5 w A 10 5 4
Partner opens the bidding with three spades. What do you bid now?
A. If partner's spade suit is good for seven tricks facing your queen, you can count 11 tricks with all sorts of possible combinations offering a chance for a 12th. We suggest you ask partner about his trump quality by jumping to five spades.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
x A Q u K 9 7 3 v A K w A J 6 5 2
What is your opening bid?
A. Certainly your hand is not quite good enough for a demand bid. However, that does not mean you should open one club. Your hand is, essentially balanced, and we would opt for two no trump. If partner complains, as usual tell him you had a heart mixed in with your spades.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 6 u K 10 9 8 5 3 v 8 2 w K 7 5 3
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A. Don't bid two hearts and then three hearts at your next turn to show a below-strength two-over-one response. Respond one no trump, then bid hearts as cheaply as possible over any rebid by partner except two spades, which you should pass.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
x 10 7 6 5 u Q 10 5 4 v J 7 6 w 8 3
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What action do you take?
A. You don't have much. But experience has shown that you should, if possible, avoid passing partner's one of a major with four-card support. Raise to two spades or, if you employ forcing no-trump responses, get to two spades via that route.
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
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