bridge answers

bridge answers

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 9 8 3 uQ J 9 2 v7 5 w9 5 4

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1w Dbl 2w ?

What action do you take?

A. You have enough to compete, but if you pick a suit to bid, you could end up in a 4-3 fit. Since it is unlikely that you could want to double for penalties at this level when sandwiched between two hands showing length in the suit, a double by you now should be for takeout, forcing partner to choose a suit.

Q. Both vulnerable as South you hold:

xA Q 8 3 uK J 7 6 vK 8 6 w6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1w Dbl Pass 1u

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Since partner’s simple response to your takeout double shows a maximum of 8-9 points, this hand is going nowhere. Tell partner you have a minimum takeout double by passing.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA K u9 5 vJ 9 8 5 2 wA J 10 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

2w Pass 2NT Pass

?

What action do you take?

A. North’s two no trump is invitational. In terms of point count you have a minimum opening hand and your bare ace-king in partner’s suit is a flaw — it necessitates spending an entry to get back to the suit in partner’s hand. Raise to three no trump.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA K 10 6 5 2 uK 8 v9 5 wJ 6 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass Pass 2u

?

What action do you take?

A. Pass. At the table South decided to bid two spades and, -800 points later, was still trying to justify his action.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA Q 7 6 2 uA Q 8 v9 5 3 wA Q

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass Pass 2v

?

What action do you take?

A. Yes, this hand is considerably stronger than the one above, but the same logic applies. Pass.

Q. Both vulnerable, as West you hold:

xJ 10 9 8 6 3 u7 vQ 10 w7 5 3 2

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 3w 3v

3u Pass 4u Pass

6u Pass Pass Dbl

Pass Pass Pass

What is your opening lead?

A. If partner wanted you to lead his suit, there was no need to double. His action asks for an abnormal lead, and that rules out his suit and the unbid suit. That leaves dummy’s first-bid suit, so go ahead and lead a club.

2011 Tribune Media Services