BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA 8 5 uA K 9 3 vA 4 w10 9 6 5

Partner opens four hearts as dealer and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A. Many years ago, there was a convention named a ”Culbertson Asking Bid”, named after a bridge luminary of the time. A five-club bid, for example, would ask partner to bid a slam with second-round (or better) control in the bid suit. Stop dreaming and pass.

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

x8 5 4 uK Q 6 2 v9 6 wA K 7 5

Partner opens one heart as dealer and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A. You have a hand worth forcing to game in hearts, but bidding four hearts now would show a different hand type. Start by bidding two clubs.

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

x7 3 u2 vQ 8 2 wK J 8 7 5 4 2

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

A. A jump overcall shows the same hand you would have had for your bid had you been the dealer. Bid three clubs.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x9 8 7 2 uA vA Q J 5 w9 7 6 5

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Pass 1NT ?

What call would you make?

A. A double after a one no trump response shows a take-out double of the suit bid on your left. Double, as take-out of hearts.

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

xJ 9 uA 5 4 vK 10 8 7 6 5 wA 5

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

A. Had right-hand opponent not bid, we would start with two diamonds. After the overcall, however, there is a fair chance that left-hand opponent will raise spades pre-emptively. We want partner to know we have a good hand with a fit. Bid two spades.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK Q J 9 8 6 4 u8 2 vK 2 wA K

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

A. This hand is too strong for a simple overcall. Start with double, sending the wrong message for the moment. When you continue by bidding your spade suit, partner will know you have a strong hand with spades and not a take-out of hearts.

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