Answers to weekly quiz:

Answers to weekly quiz:
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xQ J 9 uA Q 7 5 2 vQ 7 wA Q 7
Your left-hand opponent's one-club opening bid is passed round to you in fourth seat. What action do you take?
A. In the direct seat your hand would qualify for a one-no-trump overcall. A one-heart overcall could be even weaker, and two hearts would show a good six-card or longer suit and a sound opening bid. That leaves a takeout double as the only viable option.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
xQ 7 uA J 9 8 3 vA Q 8 7 5 wA
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1u Pass 2w Pass
2v Pass 3u Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You are in slam territory, but checking on aces and kings might not provide the answer to the crucial question -- does North have first- or second-round spade control? Jump to five-hearts.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xK 9 6 4 uJ vA K 10 9 8 4 wK 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You can arrive at the correct decision by a process of elimination. The hand is too strong for a raise to two spades but not good enough for a leap to game. That means the invitational jump to three spades is right.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
xVoid uK J 8 vA K 10 5 2 wA 9 6 5 3
Partner opens the bidding with one club. What do you respond?
A. Your hand meets one of the criteria for a jump shift response: a powerful hand with a five-card or longer suit and a good fit for partner's suit. Jump to two diamonds.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
xQ 10 3 uK 7 vA Q J 7 3 w7 6 4
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1x Pass 2v Dbl
Rdbl 2u ?
What do you bid now?
A. Partner's redouble has requested that you give him courtesy pass the bidding round to him. Pass and see what partner has in mind.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
xA Q J 9 8 3 uK 6 3 vA Q 2 w5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1x Pass 2v Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You are in a forcing situation -- game forcing in the modern style. In either case, jump to three spades to describe the quality of your hand and suit -- on this hand diamond support can wait.
& copy; 2006 Tribune Media Services
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