Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x10 7 6 3 uA Q vK 8 wA 10 7 6 3

Partner opens the bidding with one club. What do you respond?

A. Bid one spade; otherwise, should partner rebid in spades, you will have a job convincing him you have four-card support.

Q. East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 7 uVoid vA K J 10 8 6 5 3 wJ 9 3

Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one spade. What action do you take?

A. If you pre-empt with four diamonds, what will you do if the opponents are in four of a major when the bidding gets back to you? To avoid the quandary of whether or not to sacrifice at the five-level then, bid five diamonds now and let them guess.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 4 u9 8 3 vA Q 7 5 wK J 9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u Pass Pass 1NT

Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Since a game is at best doubtful, don’t jeopardize a safe partial. Pass.

Q. North-South vulnerable, as West you hold:

x9 5 uJ 10 6 5 v7 3 wA Q 9 6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1x Pass

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass Pass

What is your opening lead?

A. Despite South’s opening bid, lead a club.

Q. Both vulnerable, as West you hold:

x3 uQ 8 4 vJ 10 8 2 wK J 7 5 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2v Pass

2u Pass 3x Pass

4x Pass Pass Pass

What is your opening lead?

A. Shame on you if you thought we were trying to trap you! Make your normal lead in the unbid suit. Lead the five of clubs.

Q. As West, vulnerable, you hold:

x9 6 uK 9 4 vK Q 10 9 5 3 w10 5

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

What is your opening lead?

A. The queen of diamonds. That asks partner to unblock the jack if partner holds that card. If not, East simply gives count in the normal way. That allows you to drop the jack in declarer’s hand should declarer have A J bare and take the ace at trick one.

2008 Tribune Media Services