bridge

bridge

Answers to weekly quiz:

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xA 9 3 uA K 10 6 2 vK J 6 w8 5

What is your opening bid?

A. If you are a firm believer that it is a crime to open one no trump with a good five-card major, by all means open your major but tell us what you intend bidding should partner respond one spade or one no trump? We’ll just open one no trump and worry about a rebid later.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x10 7 6 uQ 8 7 6 2 v8 5 3 w9 6

Partner opens the bidding with one no trump. What do you respond?

A. Yes, the hand might play better in hearts, but you will be playing at least one-level higher. Even if you play transfer bids, we would be reluctant to take any action. We would be inclined to pass, although acknowledging that many would bid or transfer into hearts.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x9 5 uA 9 6 5 vK J 9 6 w10 9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT 2v ?

What action do you take?

A. Defending against a diamond contract, you can expect to take three diamond tricks and one in hearts. You surely can expect at least two or three tricks from partner, probably more. Don’t make the mistake of bidding two no trump and end up in an unmakable game. Double.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x9 5 uA K 9 8 3 vK Q 6 wA K 6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 3u Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. You are in slam territory, but asking for aces won’t help because of your doubleton spade. Start with a cue bid of four clubs and see how partner reacts to that.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xJ 7 uQ 8 4 vK J 6 2 wQ 10 7 6

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x Pass 1NT Pass

2NT Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. You have a maximum for your original response, and partner’s rebid asks how good you are. Tell him by bidding three no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 9 7 6 uK Q 6 vQ 6 3 w9 8 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Though it is tempting to show your heart-stopper by bidding no trump, partner’s double promises spades, and game in spades might be there. Bid two spades (partner should have spades for his takeout double), and see what develops — you can still get back to no trump if partner does not like spades.

2012 Tribune Media Services