Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:

Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:
9 6 K Q J 6 3 A J 10 5 2 5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 3 Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You have a dead minimum opening bid. To make any bid other than four hearts, such as four diamonds, would be foolhardy.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
A Q 7 6 3 9 5 Void A K J 7 10 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 3 Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Other than asking bids, we cannot think of a way to establish exactly which cards partner holds. Bid six spades and hope for the best.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
Q 9 5 4 10 8 7 2 J 7 A 10 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1 Pass 2 Pass
3 Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. Partner is asking you to evaluate your diamond holding for game purposes. It is somewhat encouraging, since you have four trumps and two key cards that will be of great value to partner. Bid four spades.
Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:
A K 10 7 3 8 A 10 5 K 9 5 4
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 3 Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. "Where's the problem? I have a minimum 14 points!" Not so, your points are all prime and they are sorely undervalued by the standard point count. Make a mild slam try by cue-bidding four clubs.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
9 5 A K J 6 3 K Q 4 J 3 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1 Pass 2 Pass
4 Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. That depends on your methods. Since you have nothing to cue-bid, raise to five hearts to show a good suit but no first-round control to cue-bid.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
J 7 3 A Q J 6 4 3 A 7 8 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 1 Pass
2 Pass 2 Pass
?
What action do you take?
A. Partner's bid is not forward-going. Expect partner to have a reasonable six-card suit. Pass.
This 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;2006, Tribune Media Services
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