bridge

bridge

Weekly quiz answers

Q. East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:

xJ 7 uA 3 vK 7 6 4 3 wJ 10 9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x 2w ?

What action do you take?

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

x6 5 3 2 uK vJ 9 7 2 wA K 7 3

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

A. Other than the ace of hearts, your hand is virtually trickless. You simply do not have the values either to double for penalties or take positive action. Pass. If partner has a good hand there is still time to get into the auction.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA K J 6 3 uA 8 2 v6 wA Q 9 2

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

A. The rule for responding to partner’s opening bid with two or more four-card suits could not be simpler — you bid your suits up the line. Respond one spade. If you do anything else, you could miss a 4-4 spade fit because, should you respond two clubs and then bid spades, partner will expect your first suit to be at least five cards long.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA 10 9 4 u7 3 vA J 9 3 wK 5 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 2w Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. These days, a simple overcall of one spade can be made on good hands, but we would not take that action here. Not only is the hand too strong, but it could play in any one of the three unbid suits. Make a takeout double, then bid spades over partner’s response.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

x10 7 6 2 uJ 8 5 2 vQ 10 6 wJ 4

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

A. In theory, you do not have the values for a response. However, experience has shown that it is wrong to pass partner’s major-suit opening bid with four-card support. Raise to two hearts, with one no trump as a poor second choice.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK Q 9 7 6 5 4 u9 6 5 vQ 7 4 wVoid

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1x Pass

2v Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Although your club void is no asset, your diamond fragment has become powerful, if partner has some spades and a heart control. To tell him you do not need much help in spades, jump to three spades now.

2011 Tribune Media Services