bridge

bridge

Answers to weekly quiz:

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA Q J 10 5 4 2 uK 9 8 3 vK 7 wVoid

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x 2w Pass Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. It is simply a matter of how many spades you should bid. By a process of elimination, three spades seems just right.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 10 8 3 uA 10 8 6 v8 3 wK 10 2

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

A. If you play limit raises, you have a maximum for that action, so go ahead with three spades. If you play the jump as forcing, this holding is a nightmare. Theoretically, the best approach is to respond to hearts and then support spades next but, given the prime controls, a jump to three spades would be only a slight stretch.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x5 uK J 10 7 4 vK 8 5 wJ 7 6 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1u Pass

1x Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Our nod goes to one no trump. That is the most encouraging move you can make with your 8-count.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J 7 2 uK 7 v6 5 2 wK J 6 5

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

A. If you play limit raises, this is a textbook hand for that action. If not, start with two clubs and support spades at your next turn.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x8 5 u7 4 3 vA 5 wQ J 10 5 4 2

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

A. Since your hand is not good enough for a two-over-one response, and since responding one no trump with a doubleton in the unbid major is unappetizing, a raise to two hearts with your weak fragment is all that’s left.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA Q 7 6 3 uJ 5 vJ 7 6 2 w9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass 1u 4v ?

What action do you take?

A. This is largely guesswork. All in all, it looks as if your best bet is to double. Partner will know it is a based on a modicum of high cards rather than a trump stack.

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