BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 8 3 uQ vK J 10 8 2 wJ 10 5 2

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

A. Even if partner has a maximum no trump and a diamond fit, the hand holding should not stretch to slam. Even 11 tricks might be a danger. Bid three no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x10 9 3 uK 10 8 5 vJ 10 3 wA 7 2

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

A. With two prime honors and a host of intermediate cards, your hand is worth more like 9-10 points than seven. Raise to two no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x9 5 uA K 10 7 6 vK Q 6 wJ 9 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x Pass 2u Pass

4u Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. If partner was interested in slam, he had umpteen ways to investigate the possibilities. You have a minimum two-over-one response, so be happy you are in game. Pass.

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

x9 5 4 uA K 6 vA Q 6 w9 8 5 2

Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?

A. In terms of high cards you have a full opening bid, but your flat distribution and only three-card support for partner is a drawback. However, your prime values compensate for this. We would treat the hand as a raise to game with only three trumps and raise in the modern style, by bidding a forcing no trump and then jumping to game to show game values with only three-card trump support.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA Q 7 5 u8 6 vK 9 7 5 w9 7 4

The bidding has proceeded:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Dbl 2u ?

What do you bid now?

A. You have a fair hand but nothing to get excited about. Bid two spades and see how the auction develops.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA Q 9 5 uK Q 8 3 v7 wK 8 7 3

The bidding has proceeded:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1v Dbl Pass 1x

Pass ?

What action do you take?

A. You have better than a minimum takeout double, but not enough for any drastic action. A raise to two spades describes your hand nicely.

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