BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 8 uJ 7 6 5 2 vA 7 wJ 9 4 3

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT Pass 2v- Pass

2u Pass ?

-Transfer to hearts

What call would you make?

A. Holding two decent suits and two weak doubletons, showing the other suit is a good idea. This hand, with two strong doubletons, should bid three no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA 6 5 2 uQ 10 5 2 vA J 10 6 wQ

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

A. This hand feels too strong for a simple four-heart bid, but it isn’t really strong enough to go past game. Bid four hearts. It’s OK to have a good hand for your bidding once in a while.

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

xK Q J 9 6 5 3 uK 10 5 vJ 6 wA

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 1NT Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. If you chose two spades, you could play the Cowardly Lion in the next performance of ”The Wizard of Oz.” Not quite good enough for four spades, three spades is perfect.

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

xK J 8 7 3 2 u9 vA K 10 2 wQ 2

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT Pass 2u- Pass

2x Pass 3v Pass

4x Pass ?

-Transfer to spades

What call would you make?

A. It’s a poor idea to use Blackwood with two fast losers in an unbid suit. The only move toward slam that makes sense is five diamonds. Should partner have the right hand, he’ll know what to do.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ J 3 uA K 7 4 v7 wA Q J 6 2

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w 2x 3v Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Don’t be in a rush to bid three no trump. Partner has a strong hand with long diamonds, but he could also have a side heart suit. Bid three hearts.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ 5 2 u6 5 vA K 9 5 3 2 wJ 7

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

A. A jump to three diamonds would be natural, but this suit isn’t good enough for that bid. Pass.

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