Weekly quiz answers

Weekly quiz answers
Q. As dealer, vulnerable, you hold:
K 9 6 6 A K 10 6 J 9 6 5 2
What action do you take?
A. You have just enough to open the bidding if you so desire, but don't think of opening one club. If you find the urge to open irresistible, bid one diamond. That leaves you with a two-club rebid and could get partner off to a diamond lead should the opponents declare.
Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:
A 7 Q 6 5 K J 7 6 2 K J 5
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one club. What do you bid now?
A. You don't have a bid, just a call -- pass. To bid one diamond has no pre-emptive value and little if any lead-directing value -- you do better, should the opponents buy the hand, to let partner choose the lead.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
Q J 5 7 A K 9 4 3 K 8 7 2
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one heart. What action do you take?
A. There is little point to a bid of two diamonds -- if you have a game it is more likely to be in spades or no trump. You have support for all the unbid suits, so start with a takeout double.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
K 10 3 A 6 5 2 K 7 4 Q J 4
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one heart. What action do you take?
A. You have exactly the same high-card holding as in the previous problem, but what a difference in trick-taking potential. You have a flat hand with the only four-card length in opener's suit. Pass.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
7 Q J 9 3 A J 3 A J 7 6 4
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one diamond. What action do you take?
A. Obviously, with shortness in spades you cannot afford to make a takeout double, but an overcall of two clubs is almost as badly flawed. It is quite likely to prevent your side getting to getting to a heart contract should that be partner's suit. Pass. If the bidding develops favorably, you can back in later.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
A K J 9 5 A J 9 9 5 A J 8
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one diamond. What action do you take?
A. While most experts might overcall one spade, they have methods to handle the subsequent auctions. Simpler is to double for takeout. Your hand is just good enough to double and then bid spades at your next turn.
& copy;2007 Tribune Media Services
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