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Weekly quiz answers

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 7 4 u8 vK Q J 7 6 2 wA 10 9

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u 2v Pass 3v

3u ?

What action do you take?

A. Pass.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 5 uA K Q J 5 4 v7 6 wK Q 5

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Dbl Pass 2v

?

What action do you take?

A. Your hand is too strong for a simple rebid of two hearts, and to jump to three hearts suggests more offensive strength and less defensive power. The best way to describe your hand is to double. Since partner has not yet bid (pass is a call, not a bid), that is for takeout and, when you subsequently rebid hearts, North should get a better idea of your game ambitions.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 6 3 uA 8 vA Q 7 2 wA 8 7 2

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3x Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Cue-bid four clubs.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA K uK 6 vQ J 8 2 wK Q 6 3 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 2w Pass

2v Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. If you play that your two-club response created a game force, simply raise to three diamonds to set the trump suit and leave maximum space to probe for the right contract. If you do not, you must create a forcing auction by either using the fourth-suit bid of two spades or with a jump to four diamonds.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x6 4 u8 4 3 vK J 9 6 5 4 w5 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x 2v ?

What action do you take?

A. Resist the temptation to double even if you play that as penalties. First, partner might not have the hand to stand for the double and take it out. Secondly, if you pass, partner might double for takeout, and now you can pass with confidence. Playing negative doubles, you have no choice but to pass.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

x8 4 uA K 7 6 3 vJ 8 7 wK J 9

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x Pass 2u Pass

2x Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Be content with a rebid of two no trumps.

2011 Tribune Media Services