BRIDGE

May 10, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK Q J 10 4 uA J 9 8 vVoid wQ 10 6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass ?

What do you bid?

A. Only two bids come into consideration — a simple one spade or a jump to two spades. We prefer one spade, allowing partner to make a natural response without being forced — we can always bid strongly thereafter. As for a splinter bid, we dislike making one with a void if there is any reasonable alternative available.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xJ 8 uQ 6 vA K J 10 4 2 wA J 10

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1u Pass

What do you bid now?

A. Anything less than a jump rebid of three diamonds is a gross underbid.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 9 2 uA 7 5 4 vK 7 wA K 6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1x 2v

What do you bid now?

A. You have a dead-minimum balanced hand with only three-card support for partner’s suit. That is what you want to portray, and only one action fits the bill — pass, before you get into trouble.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J 10 9 5 4 u9 5 vK wA K 7 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Dbl 2NT* Pass

*Limit raise in spades

What do you bid now?

A. Partner has shown a hand weaker than a force to game. You have a six-loser hand. Why on earth should you expect partner to be able to cover five of them? Abandon any thoughts of slam. Bid four spades.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 9 8 6 5 uQ 6 vK Q 5 4 wQ J

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

2x* 3w ?

*weak

What action do you take?

A. Jump to four spades and leave the opponents guessing how the strength is divided.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J 10 9 vVoid vA J 7 6 wA Q 9 7 2

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1x Pass

What do you bid now?

A. There’s no hurry to support partner’s spades now. You can show your strength and keep the bidding low to allow for a full investigation of the possibilities if you start with a reverse bid of two diamonds.

SCrt 2010 Tribune Media Services