BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x8 5 2 uA K Q J 4 vK 10 3 w8 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1x 2w

?

What action do you take?

A. Yes, you have a lovely heart suit. But you also have a minimum opening bid and a balanced hand. Pass.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x7 4 uA K 7 5 4 vK 9 5 wQ J 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 2w Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Desirability of not having to rebid a five-card suit when any reasonable alternative is available takes precedence, so raise to three clubs to allow for an orderly investigation of the hand’s potential.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as North, you hold:

xK Q 7 2 uJ 10 7 6 3 2 v5 2 w6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1u Pass

2v Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. These days, opener’s reverse is forcing to two no trump or three of opener’s first-bid suit. It is tempting to rebid two no trump with such a secure stopper in the unbid suit. However, it is more important to tell partner of your heart length, so we bid two hearts and see what that elicits from partner.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA J 8 5 4 uVoid vK Q 6 2 wA K J 3

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

A. You certainly have the best hand at the table, but where are you going to play? You might need all the room you can muster to find the right spot. Your hand does not meet either of the requirements for a jump shift: a long, self-sufficient suit or a good suit with support for partner. Respond one spade.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA u9 5 vK 8 7 6 4 2 wK Q 10 4

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v 1x ?

What do you bid now?

A. You have a hand that could produce slam opposite even the right dead minimum. The way to get this across to partner is to start with a cue-bid of two spades, then bid strongly, probably by repeating the cue-bid to show first-round control. Your first-cue-bid was simply a strength-showing move and did not promise first-round control.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x4 uK 10 5 4 3 vQ 9 7 6 3 2 w8

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x 2u ?

What action do you take?

A. Pass. Take the same action if you play negative doubles and, should partner double, which is for takeout, removal into your six-card club suit is probably the wisest action.

2013 Tribune Media Services