Answers to weekly quiz

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J 10 7 uA 9 5 3 v7 4 wK 9 8

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

A. In terms of point count, this hand is on the cusp of an invitational raise or a forcing raise. Bid three spades, two no trump or two clubs, whichever is a game raise in spades in your methods.

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

xA K 9 8 5 2 u10 5 v8 wQ 10 4 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

Pass Pass 1w Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Your club fit has improved your hand enormously. A bid of one spade would not be forcing, and there are many even sub-minimum hands from partner that could produce game. Jump-shift to two spades.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA Q 10 7 4 3 uVoid vK 7 3 wQ 10 7 6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 3v Pass

3x Pass 4NT Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Since you have never raised diamonds, partner is agreeing to spades and asking for aces. Respond as you would without the void, unless it’s a working void, in which case bid that suit at the six-level. Bid six hearts.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 7 uQ J 10 9 6 4 2 vK 8 wA 6

After two passes, what is your opening bid?

A. Facing a passed partner, give up any thoughts of slam. You might not even belong in game. Actually, it might not even be your hand. Pre-empt as high as possible. Bid four hearts.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 5 uA K J 7 4 v9 8 5 wA Q 10

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 3u* 3x

?

*forcing

What action do you take?

A. You have a minimum opener, and a bid of four hearts would show that. However, your hand is well suited to defense. Pass and hear what partner has to say.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 uA J 7 4 vK J 10 7 wK J 5 4

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u Pass 1NT Pass

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. You have the strength but not the shape to act. Switch your major-suit holdings and you would have been able to make a takeout double of one heart. There’s nothing you can do with any degree of safety. Pass.

2008 Tribune Media Services