bridge

bridge

Answers to weekly quiz

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xJ 8 7 6 4 3 2 uA vK J 6 wK 7

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 1x Pass

3u Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. A really tough problem. Four hearts seems unnecessarily pessimistic when partner announces a near-solid suit. Six hearts is somewhat optimistic. We will pass the buck by raising to five hearts.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 7 uA 10 9 7 4 3 2 vA Q w6 4

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v 1x 2u Pass

3D Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Either three no trump or five diamonds could be the winning action, but do you really want to dismiss your seven-card heart suit so lightly? A pragmatic leap to four hearts will land you in a poor contract only if partner is void in your suit.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA J 10 2 uJ 9 7 6 4 vK Q 9 wK

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1u Pass

1x Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. We don’t think any spade raise does justice to your holding — if partner has first- or second-round heart control, you could be in slam territory. Rebid two diamonds — forcing whether you play fourth-suit forcing or not — planning to support spades vigorously on the next round.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 9 6 5 uA K 10 8 7 3 v9 wJ 7

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

3w Pass 5w ?

What action do you take?

A. The pre-empts have served their purpose and put you in an untenable situation. There is an old maxim: When you are fixed, stay fixed. Therefore, pass. Of the other choices, the only one we would consider is a double.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 10 2 uA K J 7 4 v6 3 2 w10 4

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

A. The best way to show your holding is with a raise to two spades.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 6 u8 7 5 4 2 v6 5 4 wA J 6

Partner opens the bidding with one no trump. What do you respond?

A. Bid two hearts, or transfer to that contract if those are your methods.

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