bridge

bridge

Answers to weekly quiz:

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

x7 3uQ 8 6 5vK 10 6 2 w7 6 4

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Dbl ?

What action do you take?

A. Your wisest course is to treat your holding as if RHO has passed. Applying that principle, raise to two hearts.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 10 7 6 uQ 8 5 3 vA 4 w8 7 2

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1w Dbl Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Jump in the better of your four-card majors — in this case bid two spades. With a minimum takeout double, partner is allowed to pass your response.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

x8 6 5 uA vA K 9 4 3 wK Q 6 2

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

2w Pass 2x Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Partner’s spade rebid does not promise much in the way of points, but it does guarantee at least a six-card suit. Even if you have to lose two trump tricks, you should still have excellent play for 10 tricks. Don’t make partner do your work — jump to four spades.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK 7 6 uA Q 10 5 4 3 vA K Q w6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 3u Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Regardless of whether you play jump raises as forcing or limit, since you hold first- or second-round control of every suit slam depends only on how many aces and kings partner holds. Jump to four no trump (Blackwood) to find out.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xQ 10 5 uA 8 vK Q 9 wA K 8 6 2

What is your opening bid?

A. Open one club and then jump in no trump at your next turn.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK 10 uK Q J 10 6 3 vK 7 6 wK 9

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

A. Despite being aceless, the solidity of your long suit plus second-round control of the other suits makes your hand fully worth a jump shift. Ideally, you want to play in your suit in case you are missing an ace — you want to protect your kings from a lead through. Bid three hearts.

2011 Tribune Media Services