BRIDGE

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x A J 3 u A K 9 8 3 v A 9 5 w K 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1u Pass 1NT Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Partner's response shows at least 6 points, not necessarily balanced, and you have a balanced 19. To bid anything less than 3 NT would be pusillanimous.
Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 9 u A K Q 8 7 2 v Q J 2 w Q 6 5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1u Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. For the moment, you can do no more than rebid two hearts (in this sequence it promises a six-card suit).
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
x Q J 10 3 u 9 v A Q 7 6 5 2 w A 5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 1u Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. With a six-card minor, a four-card major and a minimum opening bid, rebid in the major if you can do so at the one-level, but the minor if you have to go to the two-level. Bid one spade.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x A Q 10 6 5 2 u 9 v A Q 8 4 w K 8
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1x Pass 1NT Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. There is a tendency to rebid a six-card major suit when you have one. That would be correct if your hand was weaker -- for instance, change the queen of diamonds to a spot-card. Here, however, you can describe a stronger holding by rebidding two diamonds and then bidding spades again if you get the chance.
Q. East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 8 3 u K Q 10 9 v A 7 3 w Q J 7 2
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1u 2x Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. These days, a jump overcall is almost universally pre-emptive. If those are your methods, you should pass with the South hand -- game is out of the question. If you still play that a jump overcall shows a good hand, jump to three no trump.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 10 5 4 u K J v 7 5 2 w A K J 10 5
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1u Pass 2w Pass
2u Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. A raise to three hearts with your two honors as the only viable option.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services