BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 5 uQ 5 vA J 9 5 wA 9 6 4 2

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

A. A two-club overcall would not be the worst bid ever made, but it would still be a bad bid. A two-level overcall in a minor should show a six-card suit or a good hand with a decent five-card suit. This hand doesn’t measure up. Pass.

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

xA J 8 6 5 uVoid vK Q 7 4 2 wQ J 4

Partner opens one spade and right-hand opponent jumps to three hearts. What call would you make?

A. Bid four hearts, showing a hand too good to bid four spades. The bid does not show a void. Should partner venture a five-level cue bid, you can show your heart control by bidding five hearts.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA 10 uK 9 v7 2 wA K Q J 10 5 3

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

A. The hand is too good for a two-club overcall. You can’t be faulted if you double and then bid clubs, but we suspect that the winning bid is three no trump.

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

xA K Q J 9 uK 7 3 vA 7 3 wA 10

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. Should your range for a two no trump opening be 20-21, as is common today, this hand is too good for that bid. This hand is easily worth 22 points. Open two clubs and rebid two no trump.

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

x4 2 uA J 4 vA J 7 5 3 wK Q 8

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1x Dbl 2x 3w

Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. The most likely game for your side is three no trump. You can’t make that bid with no stopper, but bid three spades and see if your partner can.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x8 6 uK 10 9 8 6 vK 9 7 4 w5 2

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u 1NT ?

What call would you make?

A - A two-heart bid would likely see the opponents compete in a black suit and you’d have to bid three hearts. Bid three hearts now. You might shut them out.

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