BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. East-West vulnerable as South you hold:

xK Q J 10 6 5 2 u9 5 4 vK Q 6 wVoid

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u 4v 4u ?

What action do you take?

A. You should have one of two aims in mind — buying the contract, or directing the defense in the event that you don’t. The cheapest way probably is to make a lead-directing bid of five clubs. If you want to buy the hand, start with bidding five diamonds and then bid spades at your next turn — that should keep the bidding one level lower.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA J 8 7 4 2 uJ 7 vA 10 3 w7 3

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1w 1x Pass 2u

Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Pass.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x9 6 3 u8 4 vK 10 6 5 wK 9 8 3

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

A. You have enough to respond to his opening bid, but anything other than one no trump is insane.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x8 5 uJ 6 5 3 vK Q 10 7 wA 10 9

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid?

A. The main feature of your hand is your strength in opener’s suit and we think you should tell partner about it. Make an invitational jump to two no trump. If partner is interested only in a major-suit contract, he can still probe for one with a diamond cue-bid.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 6 uA 8 5 vK Q 10 7 6 w9 5 4

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

3u Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Your best shot for game is three no trump — you could run nine tricks. Even if you can’t, by ducking hearts twice you might shut out the West hand and have time to develop enough tricks.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA Q 8 uA K 10 9 v7 wA Q 6 5 4

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1v Dbl Pass 1x

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. It would be nice to find out whether partner has a five-card spade suit with some values. You can accomplish that by cue-bidding two diamonds. If partner shows a diamond stopper by bidding two no trump, you can follow up with three clubs. Partner can continue to three no trump with a club filler and a diamond stopper.

SCrt 2010 Tribune Media Services

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