BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA K 5 uA Q 10 6 5 2 v8 7 5 w7

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u 1x 2x Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. With a six-card suit, solid opening bid values but no interest in slam, why put partner under pressure? You want to play in hearts at the game-level, so why not just jump to four hearts now?

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK Q 7 6 uQ vK 6 wA K Q J 9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1x Pass

4x Pass 5u Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Partner’s five-heart cue-bid is a slam try, but denies first-round diamond control. However, your second-round control in that suit is enough to contract for slam, but to protect your king of diamonds from a lead through at trick one, bid six clubs! We would also accept a jump to six no trump.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ 10 8 5 4 u9 7 6 v9 5 2 wA K

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u 2v ?

What action do you take?

A. You have enough to bid, but do not even think of introducing your spade suit — your suit is not strong enough and the bid is not necessary anyhow. You have three-card support for partner’s five-card major and a possible ruffing value in clubs. Bid two hearts.

Q. Vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA 5 uA Q J 10 8 3 v7 wK J 7 6

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

A. Double, and then bid hearts over any minor-suit takeout by partner. Should partner happen to bid hearts, a raise to game is by no means the raving of a lunatic. Who can tell how many hearts this hand will produce?

Q. Vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x9 5 uK Q 8 vK Q 10 wA 9 6 3 2

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

A. The choice lies between an overcall of two clubs or a takeout double. Both are flawed! However, your club suit is so shabby that to do anything other than double, despite the lack of a fourth heart, boggles the mind.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 8 uA Q J vA Q 7 3 wK 8 7 4

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1x Dbl Pass 2u

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. You have a good hand, but it is flawed. You have a doubleton spade and only three hearts. Your holding is unlikely to provide enough for 10 tricks opposite a simple takeout by partner. Pass.

2013 Tribune Media Services