BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x 8 3 u J 9 6 5 v 9 2 w A K 8 7 4
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1NT 2v ?
What do you bid now?
A. East's pesky overcall has robbed you of the opportunity to check for a four-card major with a Stayman two clubs. You can't use a three-level bid to probe for a 4-4 heart fit, since that would be forcing to game. The best you can do is invite game by raising to two no trump.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
x K 8 7 4 2 u 9 5 v 9 w A K 10 6 5
What is your opening bid?
A. You cannot make a high reverse of three clubs -- your hand isn't strong enough -- so you have to rebid two spades with that ragged holding. Better to treat a shoddy five-card suit as being only four cards long and open one club.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x A J 6 u K Q 5 2 v A Q 10 w Q 10 3
The bidding has proceeded:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1v 1NT Pass 2w
Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. Unless you have a specific agreement with partner that your bid asks for a major suit, he is showing a weak hand with club length -- probably six cards. Pass.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x 10 8 7 u 5 v K 9 5 4 2 w J 8 4 3
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1x Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. If you raise to two spades, the opponents will have to get into the auction at the three-level. You are not here to make their lives easy -- raise to two spades.
Q. Vulnerable, you hold:
x K Q J 10 6 5 u 8 v 8 4 w A K 10 6
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A. Jump to two spades.
Q. As South vulnerable, you hold:
x A K J 4 2 u 9 5 v K 10 w A Q J 3
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A. Although this holding is considerably stronger than the one above, it meets neither of the criteria for a jump shift. Start with a simple response of one spade to see what partner does next.
XThis 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. Send e-mail to gorenbridge@aol.com.
& copy; 2006, Tribune Media Services