bridge

August 16, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK Q J 2 u10 vA K J 8 5 w10 9 3

West’s opening bid of one diamond is passed round to you. What action do you take?

A. We have always preached that, when an opponent bids your best suit, the right action is to pass, and that is clearly the right call here.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 10 8 5 uA Q 10 7 5 v9 6 4 3 wVoid

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST

1x2w?

What do you bid now?

A. No spade raise is adequate — there are plenty of 13-point hands partner could hold (xA Q, uK and vA, for example) that could produce a grand slam. Start by responding two hearts to see partner’s reaction. A cue-bid of clubs can wait.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA Q J 4 uQ J 7 2 vVoid wK 9 8 3 2

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1wDbl1u2v

What do you bid now?

A. Regardless of the nature of partner’s response, our vote goes to a jump to four hearts!

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA Q 7 3 uA 10 7 v9 5 wA 10 9 6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1wPass1uPass

What do you bid now?

A. Probe for the best spot by bidding one spade. Should partner next bid one no trump, accept his decision since to bid hearts now would show a stronger hand.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK Q 9 3 u8 7 6 2 v9 5 wJ 10 9

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST

1w1x?

What action do you take?

A. Since almost all your values are in the enemy suit and may be of little use to partner, pass. .

Q . Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xVoid uA 9 6 5 2 vA K J 6 4 2 wA 8

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1xPass2vPass

3wPass?

What do you bid now?

A. A bid of hearts now would be fourth-suit forcing and does not necessarily promise a suit. But even if you play it as natural, don’t make that bid. Partner surely has at least 10 black cards on this auction, so it will be of more help to partner to stress the quality of your diamonds. Bid three diamonds.

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