bridge

bridge

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 10 7 uQ 7 vK 6 5 wA J 7 4 3

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1w Dbl Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. It might seem that a pass is automatic and, if you held better intermediate cards, that would indeed be our choice. Under the circumstances, however, we prefer a jump to two no trump promising 10-12 points and likely two stoppers in opener’s suit.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA Q 10 8 4 3 u4 vK 3 2 w9 7 2

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Dbl Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. A goodish six-card major suit opposite partner’s takeout double is certainly worth 3 or 4 extra points. Therefore, to bid anything less than four spades would be craven indeed.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ 10 7 6 u9 5 vA 9 8 4 wK J 6

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u Pass Pass Dbl

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Partner’s reopening double in the balancing seat does not promise the world. Indeed, with the right distribution it could be made on as few as 10 points. Don’t hang partner for refusing to sell out cheaply. Bid two spades.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x9 8 3 uQ J 9 8 6 2 v8 wK 9 4

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1x Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Adding some four points for your reasonable six-card suit makes your hand worth a jump-shift response to the takeout double. Bid three hearts.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK J 7 6 2 uA 7 vJ 9 3 2 wQ 4

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1x Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. With your poor fillers in the spade suit, there will be days when you cannot score a single trump trick, so don’t even think of converting partner’s takeout double to penalties. Bid two no trump and see how partner reacts.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA J 7 4 uQ 10 6 vA K 8 4 w10 7

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1w Dbl Pass 2w

Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. In response to your takeout double partner has cue-bid opener’s suit. That has created a game force so there is no reason to jump around to find the best spot. Start by showing your cheapest suit to determine the level and suit at which you want to play. Bid two diamonds.

2012 Tribune Media Services