bridge

June 21, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Answers to Weekly Quiz

Q Both vulnerable, a South you hold:

xA K 10 6 uK 8 6 vA 9 wQ 10 9 6

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1w Pass 1x ?

What do you bid?

A. Pass, and hope the opponents go overboard.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 8 uQ 9 5 vK 10 9 5 4 wA 9 4

The bidding has proceeded:

WESTNORTHEASTSOUTH

1uDblPass ?

What do you bid?

A. With your queen of hearts safe from a lead through and with a source of tricks, two no trump stands out.

Q. East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 6 uA Q J 8 vQ J 6 wK J 9 8

The bidding has proceeded:

EASTSOUTHWESTNORTH

1xDblPass2u

Pass?

What action do you take?

A. First, you must discount your queen of spades, since it is insufficiently guarded. That brings your hand into the minimum range for a takeout double, and since partner has not shown any particular strength for his two-heart response, there is nothing more you can do. Pass.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 7 u10 7 6 v9 6 5 wA 10 7 6 2

The bidding has proceeded:

WESTNORTHEASTSOUTH

1vDblPass2w

Pass2uPass?

What action do you take?

A. At the very least, with your three-card support, an ace, a king and a ruffing value, you should raise to three hearts. Four hearts is a close second.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x8 7 3 u9 6 5 2 vA J 5 3 w9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

WESTNORTHEASTSOUTH

1vDbl3v?

What action do you take?

A. First, don’t think of doubling three diamonds — that will only make sure that your jack of diamonds will get picked off. Pass.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ J 8 uQ 7 vA 10 5 4 w10 8 7 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST

1uDbl?

What action do you take?

A. For the moment, ignore the double and proceed as if East had passed. You would have bid one no trump, so steal some of the enemy’s bidding room and see what develops. Bid one no trump.

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