BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Answers to Weekly Quiz

xA K 8 6 5 2 uA Q J v9 5 4 w7

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2u Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. We know many players rebid a six-card major regardless of the rest of the hand, and indeed that would be our choice had the heart and diamond holdings been reversed. But we think that a holding of three of the top honors in partner’s suit is too strong to suppress, and our choice would be three hearts.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK J 9 3 uQ 9 5 4 2 vVoid wA 9 6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u 2v Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. If you were even contemplating bidding no trump, where is your source of tricks? The general rule with a misfit is to get out of the auction as soon as possible, so pass and hope that your scattered values are enough for partner to scramble eight tricks.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA Q 9 6 5 2 uK J 9 5 v6 wA 9

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2w Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. If you are among those who always rebid a six-card major, you have no problem. We prefer trying to distinguish between minimum opening bids and better holdings. We think this virtually all prime hand with 14 high-card points and the ace in responder’s suit is better than minimum, so we would rebid two hearts.

Q. Vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x8 uA 10 9 vA Q 7 6 3 wK Q 9 8

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 1x 2u Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Your hand is too good for an immediate heart raise. Bid three clubs and, should partner then take a preference to diamonds, jump to four hearts to pinpoint your singleton spade.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA Q 8 2 uQ 10 6 5 2 vA 6 w8 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x Pass 1u Pass

2NT Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Slam beckons, but there is no need to do anything more than continue to describe your holding to probe for the best final contract. The obvious way to proceed is to show your second suit. Bid three spades.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 6 u6 vQ 10 2 wK Q J 9 8 5 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

2x* Pass Pass 3w

Pass 3u Pass ?

*weak

What action do you take?

A. Did you think of anything other than three no trump? If so, we can’t think of a reason why.

2012 Tribune Media Services