BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x2 uA Q 8 vQ J 9 2 wA Q 9 5 2

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. Whatever you choose, partner will respond one spade -- it’s the law! With stronger diamonds, we would consider opening one diamond and rebidding two clubs. With this hand, we prefer one club and then rebidding our suit. Bid one club.

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

x6 2 u10 9 vJ 10 9 4 wA 10 9 4 2

Partner opens one no trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent bids two hearts. What call would you make?

A. Your side has at least half the deck and you have to stand up for yourself. Bid three clubs and hope for the best.

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

xK Q 6 4 uVoid vA K J 10 9 2 wQ 8 6

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Bid four hearts, a splinter bid showing a hand worth a raise to four spades with shortness in hearts. Should you not play splinter bids, just bid four spades, and make a note to adopt splinter bids before your next game.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ 9 7 5 2 uQ 7 2 v8 6 3 2 w2

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

A. The modern style is to use a cue bid, three clubs here, to show a good hand with a fit and to jump raise with a pre-emptive hand. Bid three spades. Even bidding four spades is reasonable.

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

xJ 7 3 uA K Q 6 vA Q J wJ 4 3

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

A. You are too strong to pass. You can bid one no trump and hope partner has a stopper -- not the worst bid in the world -- but we prefer to double. Who knows -- partner might bid hearts.

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

xK 4 u10 4 vA J 7 6 4 w10 8 5 3

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Dbl 2u ?

What call would you make?

A. Should you and your partner play ”responsive doubles,” this would be a good time to make one. Failing that, just bid three diamonds.

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