bridge

bridge

Weekly quiz answers

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J uA 7 vA J 10 8 5 4 2 wQ 9

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 2x* 2NT Pass

?

*weak

What action do you take?

A. Rarely would we suggest that you do not rebid a seven-card suit, but you cannot afford to do so here. A bid of three diamonds would not be forcing, and you might end up playing there. With honor cards in every suit and a splendid source of tricks, a raise to three no trump is a standout.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA Q 6 3 u9 8 5 vA wK J 9 8 6

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 2w Pass

3w Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Bid three spades to see what that evokes from partner.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xQ 10 7 uQ 9 6 5 v9 5 wA 10 9 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT Pass 2w Pass

2u Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Bid three hearts and leave it up to partner to decide.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 10 7 uQ 9 6 5 v9 5 wA 10 9 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w 1v ?

What do you bid now?

A. If you play negative doubles, by all means check for a heart fit with that action. If not, you have a difficult choice. Since freely introducing a four-card major headed by the queen is distasteful, bid two clubs. With a good hand, partner can still show a major, if he has one.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA J 8 5 uK 10 6 vJ 9 5 wK J 6

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1w 1x Dbl* Pass

Pass ?

*Negative

What action do you take?

A. Your one-spade overcall was, to put it mildly, dubious. Try to improve matters by removing to one no trump.

Q. North-South vulnerable, as South you hold:

x9 5 u8 6 vK Q J 9 5 wA Q 6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Pass 2w Pass

2NT Pass 3NT ?

What action do you take?

A. You have a good chance to defeat three no trump, but only if partner leads a club! The way to get him to do so is to double now! That asks partner to lead the suit bid to his left, so that you win with either the ace or queen, depending on dummy’s holding, and switch to the king of diamonds.

2011 Tribune Media Services