BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 7 5 4 uA 8 vK 10 8 7 wK Q 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2w Pass

2x Pass 3x Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. This hand is a minimum, but with excellent cards. Unless partner also has a doubleton heart, game should have good play. Bid four spades.

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

xK Q J 9 7 6 2 u10 vVoid wA 9 6 5 3

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. Opening one spade will work well if partner has a good hand. There are two opponents, however, and only one partner, and we don’t know who has a good hand. Open four spades and let everyone else guess what to do.

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

xA 9 6 5 4 uA 10 vK 8 4 wK 9 6

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

Pass Pass 1x Pass

2w- Pass ?

-Drury, 10-11 points with at least three spades

What call would you make?

A. We always accept invitations when we have 14 points, and these are great cards. Bid four spades.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA Q J 10 9 uJ 9 3 v8 wA 7 6 3

Right-hand opponent opens three diamonds. What call would you make?

A. Double might work well, but we prefer to let partner know where we live. Bid three spades.

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

xA 10 5 3 2 uK 10 7 2 v9 wJ 7 5

Partner opens one club and right-hand opponent overcalls one diamond. What call would you make?

A. The proponents of the negative double say that double, in this precise auction, promises at least four cards in each major. A bid of either major can be made with only four cards in the suit. Assuming you play negative doubles, make one.

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

xA Q 6 4 uK 8 6 5 4 3 vK 3 w7

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u 2v Dbl Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Partner hasn’t guaranteed a four-card spade suit, but he will usually have it. When there is only one unbid major and partner makes a negative double, you should bid that major when you have four of them. Bid two spades.

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