BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 7 2 uA Q 10 9 8 3 2 vK 101 w9

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

A. This hand is worth a game force in spades, but why not describe your hand on the way. Bid two hearts.

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

xA J 8 2 uA 10 9 3 2 vA 9 wA 6

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1NT Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Give up on spades -- partner would have bid one spade with four of them. This is a semi-balanced hand worth about 18 points. Bid two no trump.

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

xJ 10 8 6 u9 8 7 6 2 vQ w10 8 4

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass Pass Dbl

Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. This cannot possibly be a good contract for your side. Redouble, asking partner to pick another suit. Whatever he bids, it has to be better for you than one diamond.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 3 uQ 7 5 4 vK 8 7 2 wK Q 8

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 1x Pass Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Playing negative doubles, as most do today, opener has to re-open whenever short in the opponent’s suit, with a double on any hand where that doesn’t seem like a gross distortion. Even with this dead minimum, double is the correct call.

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

xQ 10 uK Q 8 4 vA 8 7 6 wJ 5 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

1NT Pass 2u Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Partner would have bid two clubs, New Minor Forcing, with invitational values or better and a heart suit. His bid here is non-forcing and you should pass with your minimum.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 9 6 2 u5 v8 7 6 3 wA 8 4 3

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

A. At the one level, ignore the opponent’s double and make the same call you were happy to make absent the double. Bid one spade.

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