BRIDGE

May 17, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

BRIDGE

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. As South, vulnerable you hold:

xA K J 5 4 u9 4 vK 10 6 wQ 7 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 1NT Pass

What action do you take?

A. That depends on your methods. If one no trump is natural, you have a minimum and must pass. If, however, you play it forcing you must rebid two clubs. With two minors of equal length, rebid the cheaper regardless of strength.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA 9 4 u7 vA K J 4 3 w7 6 4 2

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

What do you rebid?

A. Change a low club for the ace of spades and it would be correct to show your second suit. But to treat your shabby clubs here as a suit is the highest form of flattery. Raise to two spades.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA 6 5 uA 10 7 6 3 vA 9 5 wA 10

What is your opening bid?

A. To treat this as a 16-point hand and open one no trump shows a lack of appreciation for the strength of your hand. We would treat this hand as 18+ and open one heart, intending to rebid strongly.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 5 uA K Q 8 3 vVoid wK 9 8 6 5 2

What is your opening bid?

A. Switch your minor suits around and opening one heart would have more appeal. You could comfortably rebid two diamonds should partner respond two clubs. Here, however, a response of two diamonds would force you to distort your shape. Open one club.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 9 7 6 2 u8 5 v9 7 6 wQ 8 2

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

A. Experience shows that it is wrong to suppress even a weakfish five-card major. Respond one spade.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 6 u8 4 vA K Q 8 5 w9 7 6 2

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass 1u 1x 2v

2x Pass 3x ?

What action do you take?

A. You have 3+ defensive tricks (you can expect your right-hand opponent to have the ace of spades) and partner should have 2+ for his vulnerable opening bid. Since you have ruffing values in both hands (partner would surely have raised diamonds with three-card support), the penalty could be most satisfying. Double.

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