bridge

bridge

Weekly Quiz answers

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

x8 4 uA K 9 vK 7 vA K J 10 6 5

Your right-hand opponent opens one spade. What action do you take?

A. No club bid will suggest to partner that you have such a powerful holding. Despite the single-suited nature of your hand, start with a takeout double, then bid your suit at your next turn.

Q. Vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J 5 uQ 8 7 vA K J 6 vA J 9

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1x Dbl Pass 2u

Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Since partner might have only four hearts, a raise of his suit is out of order. That leaves three no trump as the only viable alternative. While that might fare poorly if partner has nothing, West’s pass suggests partner might have some help.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xJ 8 uQ 9 8 4 vA 9 6 vQ 8 7 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Dbl 2v ?

What do you bid now?

A. Bid two hearts — notrump can come later depending on how the auction develops.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 8 7 2 uQ 9 3 2 vA 7 6 vA 8

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Dbl 3v ?

A. You want to play game in partner’s better major suit. The way to tell him that is to cue-bid four diamonds. Doubling the opponents can come later should they compete.

Q. As South vulnerable, you hold:

xA 9 5 uK Q J 10 6 5 v9 8 5 4 vVoid

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1x Pass 3v 3u

3x Pass 4x Pass

6x Pass Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Double! That is not a penalty double in the true sense — it is lead-directing, asking partner to lead dummy’s first-bid suit. You will ruff that and score at least the ace of trumps for a one-trick set.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xQ J 9 uA Q J 9 7 6 v8 3 v6 5

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1x Pass 3v 3u

3x Pass 4x Pass

6x Pass Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Don’t double! From the above problem you know that would ask for a club lead, and your heart trick might vanish. If you can bank your ace of hearts, you might well score a trump trick, so pass and let partner lead your suit.

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