bridge

bridge

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA K 7 6 uA K 10 6 v8 wA K 9 7

What is your opening bid?

A. You might make slam opposite the right Yarborough, but that does not mean you should open two clubs — you might not be able to handle the subsequent auction. Bid one club and see what develops.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 10 3 uA J 9 7 6 v8 5 3 w9 4

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w 1x ?

What action do you take?

A. You would like to show your goodish five-card major but you are not strong enough to take any forcing action. For the moment, all you can do is bid one no trump — you might be able to show your hearts later.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x9 7 2 uA Q 8 vK 8 wK J 10 6 2

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

A. What’s the problem — a two-club bid now is forcing? Yes, but not best! Your hand is loaded with tenace positions, and it seems right for you to become declarer. Jump to two no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x9 6 5 2 uK Q 10 5 v8 4 w9 6 5

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 1u Pass

3w Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. The last bid you wanted to hear. You can’t raise clubs, you have no support for diamonds, your hearts are not rebiddable and your spades are not good enough for three no trump, but you must bid something. All you can do is take a false preference to three diamonds!

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK Q J 9 3 uK 7 3 v9 5 wA 10 6

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 1x Pass

2v Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. The best game could be in hearts, spades, or no trump, and even slam cannot be ruled out. Three hearts would not be forcing here. You want to give yourself the maximum room to explore, and the best way is by bidding three clubs. That is absolutely forcing, and partner’s response could point the way.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 9 5 uA K 7 6 2 vA 9 5 w8 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Dbl 1x Pass

?

What action do you take?

A. Partner’s simple bid over the takeout double is not played by all as forcing. However, you have a sound opening bid with support for partner’s suit, so tell him by raising to two spades. That could put him in position to decide what to do should the opponents bid on.

2012 Tribune Media Services