bridge

bridge

Weekly quiz answers

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA K Q 7 6 4 uVoid vQ 3 2 wA Q J 7

Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one heart. What action do you take?

A. You have a powerful hand, rich in trick-taking ability. The correct way to describe this hand is to start by making a takeout double, then bidding spades, perhaps with a jump depending on partner’s response at your next turn.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xJ 10 3 uK 8 3 vQ 9 7 6 wK 6 2

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

A. This is a matter of style. Four-card major addicts should respond one no trump, because there is no reason to raise partner’s opening bid with a three-card support and no ruffing value. Five-card major stalwarts have an easy raise to two hearts.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J 7 6 uJ 9 3 vK Q 10 2 w6 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

Pass Pass 1x Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Considering you passed initially, you have a good hand for spades, but not quite enough to commit to game. Make a jump raise to three spades. By a passed hand, that is clearly invitational regardless of your methods.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 8 7 6 4 2 u6 v9 5 4 wQ 7 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u 3NTPass ?

What action do you take?

A. Pass.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA Q 10 5 2 u9 2 vQ 10 wA Q 9 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2v Pass

2x Pass 3vPass

?

What do you bid now?

A. These days, North’s bidding shows invitational values with long diamonds. Under those circumstances you have nowhere to go. Pass, since it is most unlikely your combined assets will produce 11 tricks in diamonds.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA 5 uA J 8 7 4 2 v8 5 wA Q 7

Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one spade. What action do you take?

A .You have nowhere near the values to double first and then bid hearts, especially with such a shabby six-card suit. Your hand is worth a two-level overcall, and that is all. Bid two hearts.

2011 Tribune Media Services