Answers to weekly quiz

March 1, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA K 9 uA J 8 v8 6 5 2 wA 10 9

Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one diamond. What action do you take?

A. All options are flawed: you are too strong to pass and balance later; you have the strength and shape for a no-trump overcall but lack a stopper in the enemy suit; and you have no length in any of the unbid suits. Despite that, we would opt for a takeout double.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK Q 10 uVoid vA Q 10 7 4 wA Q 9 6 5

Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one heart. What action do you take?

A. Overcall with two diamonds.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK Q 10 uVoid vA Q 10 7 4 wA K 9 6 5

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u 2v 2u Pass

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. This is the time to double. Since partner has not yet bid (pass is a call, not a bid), your double is for takeout, not penalties. Partner should realize that the delayed double suggests that you have fewer than four spades. Don’t bid clubs now — if partner has spade length, your best spot could be in that suit.

Q. As South vulnerable, you hold:

xQ J 7 6 uQ J 6 3 vJ 7 4 w8 5

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

2w* Pass 2v** Pass

2x Pass ?

*Artificial game force

**Waiting bid

What do you bid now?

A. Jump to four spades.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 3 uA 10 7 vK 7 6 wQ 9 7 6 2

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1x 1NT Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Bid three no trump.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

x8 4 uA 10 7 vK 10 6 wA Q 8 4 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w 1u 1x Pass

What do you bid now?

A. Confirming a good five-card minor does not take precedence here. More urgent is to describe a balanced minimum opening bid with a stopper in the overcaller’s suit. One no trump does that nicely.

SCrt 2010 Tribune Media Services