Answers to weekly quiz

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x9 7 6 u10 8 6 2 v9 6 5 2 w7 3

Partner’s one no trump opening bid is doubled for penalties by East. What action do you take?

A. There is no reason to think that a two-level contract will play at least one trick better than one no trump. Pass, and take your medicine.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA J 5 uK J 6 4 v10 9 6 wA 5 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid?

A. To start the investigation, cue-bid two diamonds and await developments.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 5 uK J vA J 10 7 6 5 3 wQ 6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 2x* 2NT Pass

?

*weak

What do you bid now?

A. With an honor card in every suit and a splendid source of tricks, a raise to three no trump is a standout.

Q. Vulnerable, you hold:

xQ J 9 uA K Q J 9 8 5 4 vJ w5

Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one club. What do you bid?

A. With virtually nine tricks in your own hand, you are a little strong for a jump to four hearts. However, since your hand is so weak defensively, make the strongest effort to buy the contract by taking that action.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 9 8 4 2 u8 6 5 vJ 6 wK J 5

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 1x Pass

2u Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Bid two spades.

Q. Both vulnerable, you hold:

x9 7 5 4 u8 3 vK Q 7 6 wA K 6

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

A. Even in these days of five-card majors, partner’s one-diamond opening rates to be a four-card suit — the exception is when opener holds specifically a 4-4-3-2 distribution. That makes it tempting to respond with a jump to three diamonds. However, it is wrong to suppress a four-card major, because, if there is a 4-4 fit, a 10-trick game could prove easier than an 11-trick one. Bid one spade.

2009 Tribune Media Services