bridge

bridge

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 9 5 4 uA K J 9 5 v10 6 wK 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1uPass2vPass

?

What do you bid now?

A. If you play two-over-one responses are game-forcing, we like two no trump to show your stoppers in the black suits. If you play it invitational, we prefer two hearts, leaving two spades open for a rebid by partner if he has four cards in the suit.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 10 7 6 4 2 uA K Q 3 vA 9 w7

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1xPass1NTPass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Since a simple spade rebid would clearly identify your holding as a minimum, we strongly prefer two hearts.

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

xQ 10 9 5 uA 10 6 2 v9 6 wA 10 9

The bidding has proceeded:

WESTNORTHEASTSOUTH

1v1x2v?

What do you bid?

A. A cue-bid of three diamonds is the only way to describe a limit raise to three spades.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA 6 uK 9 8 vQ J 7 5 wA 8 5 4

Your left-hand opponent’s one-diamond opening bid is passed round to you. What action do you take?

A. There is a textbook bid available — one no trump. In the balancing seat, that promises a balanced hand of 12-14 points. With 15-17, you would double first and then rebid no trump as cheaply as possible.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA 10 7 2 uA 9 6 5 2 vA 8 2 wQ

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

A. If 12 tricks are in the cards, partner’s heart holding should be crucial, so the best way to start the investigation is to bid two hearts now, then jump in spades.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK J 9 4 3 uK Q 6 2 v10 2 wA 5

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1xPass3NTPass

?

What action do you take?

A. Partner shows 15-17 points with a 4-3-3-3 distribution, so there is no reason why nine tricks should be in jeopardy. However, your two doubletons suggest a suit contract might be safer and, with a minimum opening bid and an eight-card fit, correct to four spades.

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