BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz
Q. Both vulnerable, s South you hold:
x A 7 u A K 10 9 5 3 v K J 4 3 w 6
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1u Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. If you elected to jump to three hearts, we would not fault you. However, a better way to describe your holding is to rebid two diamonds now, then bid hearts again over any bid by partner. That describes 6-4 in your two suits and a good hand.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
x 8 6 u A K 8 6 3 v Q J 7 2 w K 9
Your partner opens the bidding with one no trump (15-17). What do you respond?
A. This holding is easy to bid if you use transfers. Bid two diamonds as a transfer to hearts, then rebid diamonds to show your second suit while you are still below three no trump. Using standard methods, jump to three hearts and then try to decide what you want to do should partner rebid three no trump.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x Q 4 u K Q 7 4 v A J 10 9 3 w A K
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
Pass Pass 1v Pass
1u Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. Regardless of whether partner is a passed hand or not, jump to four hearts. Don't bid three hearts -- that is only invitational, not forcing. The last thing you want to hear is partner pass three hearts.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 7 u A Q J 5 2 v Q 6 3 w K 9 7 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1w Pass 1u Pass
2NT Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. You are on the borderline of slam -- the value of your hand is improved by your fit in opener's suit. Start investigating by showing partner your support. Bid three clubs. That is forcing in this sequence.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x A Q 8 3 u 9 5 v A K Q 7 4 3 w 7
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Believe it or not, there is a bid to describe this hand exactly. Jump to four diamonds. That shows a hand with good four-card support for partner's major suit and six solid diamonds while denying high cards in the unbid suits. If you do not have that bid available, a jump to four spades is all you can try.
& copy;2004 Tribune Media Services