Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:

Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
K Q J 7 J 10 5 4 Q 6 A K 7
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one club. What action do you take?
A. Obviously, the choices are a takeout double or one no trump. Switch the ace of clubs for the jack of hearts, and we would favor the double. Here, however, almost half your strength is in the suit opened to your right, so one no trump gets our vote.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
A 5 3 A 10 3 K 9 5 3 Q 8 7
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1 Pass 1 Pass
2 Pass Pass ?
What action do you take?
A. With a balanced hand and only three cards in each major, it might seem that a pass is automatic. However, you don't win at bridge by allowing the opponents to play, undisturbed, at the two-level. Our choice is double.
Q. Vulnerable, you hold:
K J 10 4 9 K 8 7 K 10 9 5 3
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A. Don't even think of bidding two clubs. If partner rebids two hearts what next? More than likely you are in the worst of all spots, but how can you wriggle out? Bid one spade.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
K 10 8 4 8 7 3 6 10 9 5 4 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1 Dbl ?
What do you bid now?
A. You don't have much, but you should make life as difficult as possible for the opponents. Raise to two hearts.
Q. Not vulnerable, you hold:
A K 7 3 A Q J 9 7 5 2 9 A
What is your opening bid?
A. You have only 18 high-card points, but great playing strength. You have a three-loser hand and a king and queen in the majors would make slam almost a laydown. If you play weak two-bids, open two clubs. Otherwise a demand bid of two hearts is in order.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
7 9 5 A Q 10 7 6 3 K Q 9 8
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1 2* ?
*majors
What do you bid now?
A. We are simple souls. This deal could belong to the opponents or you could make anything from a partial to a slam. You need room to investigate, and a simple two diamonds provides that.
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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