BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Weekly Quiz Answers

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA Q 10 9 8 3 2 uA vK 9 w10 3 2

Right-hand opponent opens two hearts, weak. What call would you make?

A. ”When their jumps are weak, your jumps are strong.” This hand is not quite good enough to bid four spades. Bid three spades, showing 14-16 and a good six-card or longer suit.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 7 5 uK v10 6 5 3 wA K Q 7 5

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

2u* 3x Pass ?

*Weak, six hearts with 5-10 points

What call would you make?

A. Partner’s strong jump has essentially set the trump suit. A side-suit bid from you is not an effort to play in your own suit, but a control bid in support of partner. Bid four clubs.

Q. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 8 7 4 uA J 10 7 2 vK Q 5 w8

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1u Pass

1x Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. Should you and your partner use splinter bids, this is a perfect hand for it. Jump to four cubs, showing a game-forcing spade raise with shortness in clubs. This applies even if partner has bid the suit, as here. Without splinters, bid four spades.

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

x9 uQ J 10 9 8 7 6 2 v7 2 w8 3

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. There is not much to be proud of here, but favorable vulnerability is no time to be timid. Open four hearts, proudly.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ 9 7 5 uA K 10 9 7 3 vA 5 4 wVoid

Right-hand opponent opens one club. What call would you make?

A. Doubling first and bidding hearts later would show a better hand. Bid one heart. Should they persist in clubs, you can double next to bring your support for the other suits into play without overstating your hand.

Q. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK Q 10 uA K 10 7 v9 4 3 wA K 9

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1u Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. You would have re-bid two no trump over any other response at the one-level, but here you must raise this response to game. Bid four hearts.

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