Answers to weekly quiz

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xQ 7 5 4 uQ 8 7 4 2 vA 6 w7 3

Partner opens the bidding with one no trump. What do you respond?

A. Your hand is worth an invitational raise if there is a major-suit fit. The way to accomplish that is to start with a Stayman inquiry of two clubs. Raise either major if partner bids one or bid two hearts if partner denies one. Don’t transfer into hearts.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xQ 7 5 4 uJ 8 7 4 2 vQ 6 w7 3

Partner opens the bidding with one no trump. What do you respond?

A. Your hand is too weak to use Stayman; should partner deny a major, your next bid would be a one-round force.Bid two hearts (or transfer into hearts). You have no safety at the three-level.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK J 8 u7 5 vK 10 7 6 3 2 wJ 3

Partner opens the bidding with one no trump. What do you respond?

A. If you have some means of establishing what opener holds in diamonds, use it. If not, invite game by raising to two no trump, inviting partner to go to game with a maximum and hope your diamonds can be developed into tricks.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x10 6 3 u9 4 vA Q J 9 7 4 w7 3

Partner opens bidding with one no trump. What do you respond?

A. This hand is a point weaker than the previous example, but they are worlds apart in playing strength. This should take five or six tricks even if partner does not have the king. Bid three no trump.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 10 5 uQ J 8 vK 7 wA K J 9 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2w Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. You have a super-maximum one-no-trump opener, including a good five-card minor. However, partner is interested in your major-suit holdings and you have no idea of his strength. Deny a four-card major by rebidding two diamonds, and see what transpires.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 10 9 4 uJ 7 6 3 vA K J wK J

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2w Pass

?

What do you respond?

A. Actually, there are three different camps here. The largest always bids spades first. The middle group always bids hearts here. And the smallest believes in bidding the stronger first. We don’t mind which you do, as long as you and partner are on the same page.

2008 Tribune Media Services