Q. Vulnerable, you hold:

Q. Vulnerable, you hold:
A 9 4 Void K 10 7 6 4 2 A 10 5 4
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A. Certainly you have the values for a forcing game raise, but lack of a fourth spade is a drawback. Start with two diamonds -- partner's rebid could be illuminating.
Q. Neither vulnerable, you hold:
6 5 A 7 5 4 A 8 3 2 K J 4
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A. It is tempting to bid two no trump, if that is natural in your methods. Your 12 prime points are easily worth 13-14. However, you really have only one tenace that would benefit from a lead up to it, so you really should try to have partner declare. Start by bidding two diamonds.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
A K J 6 8 3 10 9 K 10 8 4 2
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A. Your hand is good enough for game if you can locate a playable spot. Don't distort your shape by making your first response in your strong spade suit. Respond two clubs and then bid your spades.
Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:
A J 8 4 9 5 A K J 4 A Q 8
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 1 Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. If you elected to bid only three spades, you must brush up on your bidding theory. That is invitational and, with a hand worth some 20-21 points in support of spades, you want to be in game even if partner has a dead minimum response. Jump to four spades.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
A 7 5 J 9 5 4 A K 5 4 3 7
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 1 2 Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. On this auction, you couldn't have a better 12 points for partner if you sorted through the deck! It is close between a cuebid of two spades or a jump to game. We'll settle for four hearts, but we will cooperate with any slam effort partner makes.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
K 9 8 6 3 7 A 10 7 K 7 4 2
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
Pass Pass 1 Pass
?
A. We know many who would have opened in first seat. Now you must take care not to underbid. Jump to four spades.
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
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.