bridge
bridge
Weekly quiz answers
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x9 3 u5 vK Q J 8 7 wA K J 9 8
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with four hearts. What action do you take?
A. If you pass with this type of holding, you are giving the opponents license to steal. Bid four no trump — a takeout for the minor suits.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
x9 6 5 2 uQ 10 2 vK 9 wA Q 10 8
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1H 3v ?
What action do you take?
A. If you play negative doubles, this hand is perfect for that action. If you do not, you cannot afford to simply bid three hearts — that will sound to partner as if you are merely competing. Gird your loins and jump to four hearts.
Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
x8 6 uA 5 3 vA 9 wK Q 9 7 6 2
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1w Pass 1u Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. Yes, we strongly recommend raising partner’s major-suit response when holding a three-card fragment in the suit, especially when it is headed by a high honor — but only on hands where there is no better bid available. Here two clubs is a standout, and there is no reason not to bid it.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xA J 9 7 uK Q 9 8 6 vA 9 8 w6
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1u Pass 2w Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You are a high honor away from the strength needed for a reverse bid of two spades. Since you do not want to bid notrump with a singleton in partner’s suit, that leaves you with just one choice — a rebid of two hearts.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
xA 10 6 u5 vK Q 7 4 3 wK J 4 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. You have a minimum opening bid. Raise to two spades now. You are not strong enough to do so at your third turn.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
xA 10 6 5 uK 7 vA K J 5 4 wK 8
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 1x Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A. With 18 high-card points and distributional assets to boot, you want to be is a spade game or higher. The way to get there is to jump to four spades now.
2011 Tribune Media Services