BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA K Q 7 5 uA 2 vA Q 10 wQ 9 8

Right-hand opponent opens two hearts, weak. What call would you make?

A. This is why they pre-empt. Start with a double, and decide at your next turn whether to bid spades or no trump.

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

xQ J 4 uJ 10 6 4 vK Q 7 5 4 wQ

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Dbl Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. Don’t be tempted into bidding no trump. You have a distributional hand with a pretty good suit. Tell partner by jumping to three diamonds. You can still get to no trump later.

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

xA K Q 9 8 uJ 6 vA wA J 10 8 5

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. This is a very good hand, but it isn’t good enough to open two clubs. Two clubs should almost never be opened with a two-suited hand. Bid one spade.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xQ 6 uA vA K 9 4 wA K Q 8 7 6

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. Opening two clubs and treating this as a one-suited hand would not be terrible. We would still prefer to bid both of our suits and we like a one club opening bid.

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

x10 8 7 4 uQ 9 5 3 2 vK 8 7 w3

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. Keep both majors in play by bidding two clubs, Stayman. Pass if partner shows a major and continue with two hearts over his two diamond response if he doesn’t

Q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK J 5 4 uQ 9 4 vK 4 2 wQ J 6

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. This 4-3-3-3 hand with 12 high-card points does not meet our standards for an opening bid. Many would open with one club, but we would pass.

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