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BRIDGE
BRIDGE
Weekly Quiz Answers
Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
xA J 10 9 8 5 uA 10 9 v8 6 5 w7
What action do you take?
A. While we do not object to opening some weak two bids with an 11-point hand including two aces, this hand is not one of them. Your good intermediates in the major suits are certainly worth a point or two, and we would open one spade.
Q. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
xQ 9 8 7 6 3 2 uQ 10 2 v8 w10 2
What action do you take?
A. While we certainly do not object to opening a pre-emptive three spades with a somewhat weaker hand than normal, this hand is critical. Pass.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
xA 9 5 uA K Q 10 9 6 3 v7 w6 5
What is your opening bid?
A. We would open two clubs before we opened with any pre-emptive bid in hearts! Take away the ace of spades and we would bid four hearts. What’s wrong with bidding one heart? It will be difficult for the opponents to preempt you out of the auction!
Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
xA 9 4 uK Q 10 vQ 9 3 wQ J 8 4
Partner opens the bidding with one club. What do you respond?
A. When we learned bridge more years ago than we care to remember, responder bid notrump whenever possible to describe a balanced hand. So, with a balanced 14, bid three no trump.
Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:
xK Q 10 5 u8 5 4 vA J 8 wQ 9 4
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A. Once upon a time, a raise to the spade game was automatic. However, experience has shown that, when responder has no ruffing value, nine tricks at no trump are easier than ten in the major. Bid three no trump.
Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
xA 6 uA K 10 6 2 vA 9 8 5 w6 2
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1u Pass 2u Pass
?
What action do you take?
A. Your hand is worth a game try, but just getting a count from partner might not be enough. Tell partner that any values in diamonds will be most helpful by making a game try of three diamonds and leaving the decision to partner.
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