BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK J 9 8 7 3 uA 5 vA Q 6 2 w3

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1w Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. A jump shift in the pass-out seat shows a good hand, roughly 14-16 points, with a six-card suit. Bid two spades.

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

xK J 10 9 u3 2 v7 2 wQ J 8 6 5

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

A. A pre-empt at unfavorable vulnerability shows a decent hand. This fits the bill. Bid three spades.

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

xA Q 9 uJ 9 8 5 4 2 vK wJ 10 5

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 1u Pass

1x Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. To show your invitational values, you must choose between two no trump and three hearts. Neither is perfect, but we can’t bring ourselves to jump in that ragged suit. Bid two no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable; as South, you hold:

xA 9 7 4 uA 8 5 3 D-10 7 3 wA 5

Partner, the dealer, passes and so does right-hand opponent. What call would you make?

A. In third seat, you could open in a strong four-card major, but you don’t have one. This is the rare hand that is opened in a three-card diamond suit. As opener in any position, bid one diamond.

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

xK Hu10 6 5 vJ 9 8 7 6 5 3 2 wJ

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. It’s hard to find a hand with an eight-card suit that we would pass as dealer, but this is it. Pass.

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

x4 uA Q J 9 8 5 4 3 vVoid wK J 10 9

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u 1x 2x 4x

?

Limit raise or better in hearts

What call would you make?

A. This hand is too good to just bid five hearts -- there is too much slam potential. We prefer five diamonds, but we don’t mind five clubs. Just don’t settle for a five heart bid.

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