BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ J 10 7 4 u2 vA Q 6 4 3 w9 5

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

Pass 1u Pass 2w

?

What action do you take?

A. Make a takeout double, showing the two unbid suits, then retire from the auction — unless partner does something dramatic.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA K Q 3 u6 2 vQ J 8 7 6 w8 3

Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one club. What action do you take?

A. Our vote goes to an overcall of one spade — both for its pre-emptive value and to get partner off to the right lead should LHO declare.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 10 4 u3 2 vJ 9 7 5 wK 10 8 5

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1w Dbl Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. All you can do for the moment is bid one diamond and wait to hear what happens.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xQ 8 3 u7 4 vQ J 10 8 6 wQ 7 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

2w Pass 2v Pass

3NT Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. Partner’s bidding describes a balanced 25-27 points. With 7 points and a reasonable five-card suit, you are worth a move toward slam. Invite partner to bid it if he holds a maximum by raising to four no trump. Since there is no agreed trump suit (the first two bids in the auction were artificial), four no trump is not ace-asking!

Q. Not vulnerable, you hold:

xK uA J 6 5 2 vA Q wK Q 7 6 4

Your right-hand opponent, vulnerable, opens one no trump. What action do you take?

A. Once upon a time, you would double — for penalties. With no good opening lead, whatever attack you chose most likely gave away a tempo and a trick. These days, if you have a takeout bid that shows this two-suiter, by all means, make it. If not, pick a suit and hope for the best!

Q. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK Q 10 9 6 5 2 uA K 9 4 vVoid wQ 4

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w 1v ?

What do you bid now?

A. In the good old days, you could jump to two spades to show a good hand and a long suit, but the modern version of that action is pre-emptive. And you can’t cue-bid two diamonds since that shows a limit raise or better in partner’s suit. However, a simple bid of one spade is forcing. Do that, and bid strongly when the auction gets back to you.

2013 Tribune Media Services