BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x8 7 uA K 7 4 vK J 8 6 4 w6 2

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. Opening one diamond would leave you with no good rebid after a one-spade response. Minimum opening bids with rebid problems should usually not be opened. Pass.

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

xJ 10 7 3 uK 9 5 vQ J 8 4 3 wA

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

A. Two no trump would not be the worst bid we’ve seen, but we prefer to bid naturally with an unbalanced hand. Bid two diamonds.

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

xQ J 9 6 5 2 uA K 10 v7 w9 5 4

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. Pre-empting with two defensive tricks outside your suit is a poor idea, but this hand is too good to pass. Bid one spade.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x10 9 8 6 uVoid vK J 6 3 2 wK 10 8 5

Partner opens two hearts, weak, and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A. Pass, quickly, with an air of supreme confidence. You might have a better spot, but you can’t get there from here.

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

xK Q 4 uK Q 10 8 6 4 vJ 6 5 wK

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. A truly weak hand would just pass the hand out, so a weak two-bid in fourth chair is a pretty good hand. We think it looks something like this. Bid two hearts.

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

xK 9 5 4 u3 vA Q 10 7 4 wA K 4

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1NT Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Two no trump would show 18-19 high-card points, so that’s out. We can’t pass either because game is still possible. This is an unusual problem and we would make an unusual bid. Bid two clubs.

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