BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA J 5 3 uJ 3 v3 wA 10 7 5 4 2

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 1x Pass

3v Pass 3NT Pass

4v Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. A preference to four hearts isn’t enough. You can guarantee no black suit losers and partner should have an excellent chance to hold the red suits to one loser. Bid six hearts.

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

xA 10 6 4 3 uK 9 4 v10 8 6 wA 3

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1x Pass

1NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. This hand is worth an invitation, but don’t bid two no trump just yet. Bid two diamonds, the ”new minor”, and give partner a chance to show three-card spade support.

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

xK J 9 8 4 uK J vA J 8 2 wA 3

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. It has become fashionable to open one no trump with off-shape hands, but that would be wrong here. It will be easy to bid your suits and the hand is worth 18 points. Open one spade.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK uK 7 2 vK 6 4 3 wK Q J 7 3

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. As opposed to the hand in question three, this hand will be difficult to bid and the best opening bid choice is probably one no trump, despite the singleton king.

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

x5 uA K Q 9 8 5 3 vK 7 6 5 w4

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u 1x Pass 4x

?

What call would you make?

A. We hate problems like this. It is tempting to bid but the vulnerability makes it too dangerous. Pass,

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

x10 9 5 4 2 uJ 9 5 vA wK 7 6 3

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u 1x 2u ?

What call would you make?

A. This is an automatic four-spade bid. Besides the fact that you would never defend four hearts with this hand, game your way should have good play.

Tribune Content Agency