bridge

July 5, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Answers to weekly quiz:

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x8uA K J 7 3 vA Q 9 8 5 w7 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1x Pass

2v Pass 2x Pass

What do you bid now?

A. What better contract than two spades do you think you have? Pass before you get into trouble.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA J 7 3 uA Q 9 7 4 vVoid wK Q 9 8

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 2v Pass

2x Pass 3v Pass

What do you bid now?

A. Given the misfit, it is unlikely you have game anywhere, so pass.

Q. North-South vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J u9 5vQ J 9 8 5 3 wJ 10 5

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

3u Dbl 4u 5v

Pass 6v 6u ?

What action do you take?

A. You have too few controls to proceed to the grand slam unilaterally. However, you do have some values and you can tell partner so by doubling.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xJ 10 7 6 uA 9 6 vJ 8 wA K 10 6

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Cue-bid two hearts and see how partner reacts.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 10 8 5 uQ J 9 5 vA 8 5 w9 3

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1w Pass 2w Dbl

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. You were a whit too weak for a second-seat takeout double, so now you must tell partner he has struck gold. Don’t choose a major yourself. Instead, bring both into play by making a cue-bid despite the fact that you do not control the enemy suit. Bid three clubs.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA K 8 3 uK J 9 6 v6 wK Q 6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w 1v Pass Pass

What action do you take?

A. You are certainly strong enough to compete, but there is no need for you to make a unilateral decision about in which suit to play. Double. Since partner has not yet bid (pass is a call, not a bid), it is for takeout, not penalties, and should steer you to the right strain.

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