BRIDGE

Answers to quiz:
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xJ 7 6 4 2 u8 vK 8 3 wA Q 7 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
Pass Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Only two bids come into consideration -- three spades or four spades. We feel that to bid only three spades is to assume that partner has a weak third-seat opening bid. We think it is presumptuous to assume that partner is weak and that no one can be sure of exactly how many tricks at spades your side can make. The Theory of Total Tricks suggests that you can make as many tricks as you have trumps and, with no better guide, we would opt or four spades.
Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:
xA Q J 6 3 u9 4 vA Q J 6 wK 8
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1x Pass 2v Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Your hand is probably worth a jump to four diamonds, but you might not be able to afford it -- it bypasses what might be your best contract of three no trump. Make the underbid of three diamonds and see how the auction develops.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x9 5 4 uA J 10 5 3 vA K 8 7 w5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1u Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. We support raising partner's major-suit response with three low trumps, but only on the right hands. This isn't one of them. Your prime cards and distribution make your hand worth three bids. Re-bid two diamonds and see if partner likes that.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xK J 6 u9 5 vA K J 8 2 wJ 7 2
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 1u Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. There is only one bid here with your balanced holding -- one no trump. A rebid of two diamonds would promise a six-card suit and, with a third heart and one fewer card in a black suit, you'd raise to two hearts.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xA Q 7 6 3 u9 4 vK Q 6 2 wK 7
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1u Pass 1x Pass
4u Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. Don't consider passing. Partner has shown a strong hand with a good six-card or longer suit. Ask for aces and even kings if all the aces are there. Decide where to place the slam.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services