BRIDGE

March 29, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x4 uK Q 6 vQ 10 6 5 wA J 9 8 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u 1x ?

What do you bid now?

A. You have a good hand and, while it is likely that you should aim for game in hearts, there might be a slam in either clubs or hearts. Start with a simple bid of two clubs. That is an absolute force, and leaves you the most room for exploration.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK Q 7 4 u9 vA 10 6 wA K 9 8 4

The bidding has proceeded:

EASTSOUTH WEST NORTH

1u Dbl Pass 1x

2v ?

What do you bid now?

A. You have a very good hand, but bear in mind that partner might have next-to-nothing for his simple response! A raise to two spades is a whit conservative while a leap to three spades is a trifle aggressive. Since the bidding suggests spades are breaking badly, we opt for the slower approach.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA Q 10 7 uA K 10 7 vQ 9 4 3 w7

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

A. If you play splinter bids, this is the perfect hand for a jump to four clubs, promising a singleton club and values for a game-force in hearts. If not, make whatever forcing heart raise you have available.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA K 10 8 7 u9 6 vQ 6 wK 10 5 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2w Pass

What do you bid now?

A. That depends on your methods. If you play that a two-over-one response to your opening bid is a game force, by all means bid three clubs — that promises no more than a minimum opening bid. However, if you play it as invitational, we would prefer to limit our opening bid and rebid just two spades.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 5 u5 vA K Q 7 6 5 wA K 5 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 1x 1NT Pass

What do you bid now?

A. We would take our chances with a jump to three no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 6 5 uA Q J 7 4 vA 9 5 wJ 8

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Dbl 2v Pass

What do you bid now?

A. Pass.

SCrt 2010 Tribune Media Services