BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 8 5 u K J 9 6 v A 10 8 7 3 w J 4
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
Pass 1w Pass 1x
?
What action do you take?
A. You don't have much, but you can describe your holding to partner at a cheap level. Double -- for takeout, obviously. Since you are a passed hand, partner won't expect more than this from you.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x 8 u 8 2 v A K Q J w K Q J 7 6 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1w Pass 1xPass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Two bids come to mind -- a jump to three clubs or a reverse bid of two diamonds. Both show about the same strength, but the first course would conceal your powerful four-card suit. Since a reverse bid guarantees that your first suit is longer than your second, two diamonds is a far more descriptive rebid.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
x J u K 7 5 v A Q J 8 w A 9 6 4 3
What is your opening bid?
A. Suppose you open one club and get the expected one spade response. You have an ugly choice of rebids -- either one no trump with a singleton in partner's suit or two clubs on your moth-eaten five-card minor. You can solve your rebid problems by opening one diamond and bidding a club on the next round, if necessary.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
x K J 7 u A 6 2 v A Q J 10 7 4 3 w Void
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 2w Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Partner is, in all likelihood, short in diamonds and, if you rebid two diamonds, the hand might look to him like a misfit. Assure him of the quality of your suit by jumping to three diamonds.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
x A K 8 7 4 u A v 8 7 2 w A K 9 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v Pass 1x Pass
2w Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. If you play that bidding the fourth suit creates a game force, by all means wheel out that gadget and bid two hearts -- why steal your own bidding space by jumping to four clubs? If not, you have to jump in clubs and hope you end up in the right spot.
& copy;2004 Tribune Media Services