Answers to weekly quiz

Answers to weekly quiz
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
A K 7 K Q J 9 8 3 8 7 6 2
After three passes, what is your opening bid?
A. If you play that all opening two-bids are a game force, you open one heart and let the auction take its course. If you play weak two-bids however, you do not open a weak two in fourth seat -- since partner could not open, the opponents hold the balance of power. Bid two hearts.
Q. East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:
Q 10 6 J 6 7 6 2 A Q 8 4 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
Pass Pass 1 Dbl
?
What action do you take?
A. There's no need to become over-exuberant, especially since partner's third-hand opening bid could be a little light, Bid two spades and see how the bidding develops.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
Q 9 5 A 9 8 A 7 A K J 8 5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 1 Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You have the values for an invitational jump to three spades, but your hand is flawed because you have only three-card support. Start with a reverse bid of two hearts (or two diamonds), then bid spades at your next turn.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
J 10 9 7 6 3 A Q 6 K J 7 3 Void
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1 Pass 1 Pass
1NT Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. Despite holding only 11 points, your distribution and good fit for opener's suit make your hand far stronger than its point-count. Start by jumping to three diamonds, to see what that elicits from partner.
Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:
A Q 6 Q 9 6 5 A Q 10 9 5 4
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 1 2 Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. This is clearly a case of the lesser of evils. If you rebid your shabby five-card club suit, you run the risk of playing there opposite inadequate support. If you bid two no trump, you could play there with no good source of tricks. However the latter seems the better of poor choices. Bid two no trump.
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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