Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
A Q J 7 6 J 9 A J 8 K Q 6
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 4* Pass
?
*splinter bid
What do you bid now?
A. What started off as a promising hand has devalued sharply. Your five points in clubs are worth at most one trick, perhaps none. Sign off in four spades. Any move is up to partner.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
7 K Q J 10 6 5 2 9 8 6 5 7
As dealer, what is your opening bid?
A. Your hand is worth seven tricks at hearts (count any four-card side suit as worth one trick). Open three hearts. Had you been not vulnerable, four hearts would be the correct bid.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
A K Q J 7 6 3 K J 7 8 10 6
What is your opening bid?
A. In first or second seat open one spade -- the side-suit king makes the hand too strong for a pre-empt. In third or fourth seat, however, where partner is a passed hand and hence slam possibilities can be ruled out, open four spades.
Q. East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:
Q J A K J 5 9 8 6 4 10 7 6
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1 1 Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A. An awkward hand. You are too strong to pass but there is no good bid available. With no stopper in either minor suit, no trump can be ruled out and the same applies to a bid of two hearts or a cue-bid. Choose the least of evils -- a raise to two spades.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
A Q 10 Q 9 5 4 3 A K 6 9 5
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one club. What action do you take?
A. You are too good to pass, but you don't want to overcall with such a poor five-card suit. The only course open to you is to double -- your three-card fragments should give you play in whichever suit partner responds.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
7 5 10 8 7 2 A K 7 6 5 2 4
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1 2 Dbl* ?
*penalties
What action do you take?
A. Don't try to be a hero and rescue partner from his folly by bidding two diamonds. Pass.
& copy; 2007 Tribune Media Services
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