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BRIDGE

Monday, March 25, 2013

BRIDGE

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 8 5 u8 3 vA K J 7 4 w9 8 3

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. There are those who believe that you should not raise partner’s one-level response without four-card support. They will bid two diamonds and then have a problem if partner then bids two hearts. We would raise to two spades immediately. If there is a game in the hand, spades is the most likely strain.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK J 6 2 u9 6 4 vA K Q 4 w6 5

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 1x 2u Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Bid two no trump.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 3 u10 5 4 v9 7 6 3 wA J 9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 1NT Pass

2x Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Partner’s reverse bid is forcing to two no trump or three of his first-bid suit. If you do not want to proceed beyond three of opener’s first-bid suit, bid two no trump now and pass should partner correct to three hearts. A direct raise to three hearts is game-forcing. Your hand is on the border between these two actions and, while we would force to game with the direct raise, we don’t fault you if you take the pessimistic view and bid two no trump.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xVoid u7 3 2 vA 8 4 3 wA Q 10 9 8 5

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Dbl Rdbl Pass

Pass 1x ?

What do you bid now?

A. Although you have only 10 high-card points, your hand is rich in playing potential. The way to advise your partner that you are interested in game at the very least, with the possibility of bigger things, is to cue-bid two spades now. Do so.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xVoid uK Q 9 vA K Q 10 5 4 wA Q J 5

What is your opening bid?

A. If you play that all two-bids are forcing, you are way ahead of the game. Open two diamonds and rebid three clubs. If you play weak two-bids with two clubs as your only strong bid, opening two clubs and getting a two-diamond weakness response makes it difficult to manage your hand. Open one diamond, planning to jump shift in clubs at your next turn.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA 8 7 u5 2 vA Q 9 wA J 9 7 6

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x Pass 2w Pass

2x Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. Start by bidding three diamonds, then raise spades at your next turn.

2013 Tribune Media Services