BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x4 u10 8 7 5 2 vK J wA K J 5 4

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 1u Pass

1x Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. Two clubs, of course. Remember that most modern players will treat that as ”fourth-suit forcing” -- an artificial game forcing bid. You will have to bid clubs again to actually show clubs.

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

xA K 4 uA 10 8 7 v2 wQ 6 5 3 2

With the opponents passing, you open one club and partner responds one spade. What call would you make?

A. Two spades is by far the best bid. One no trump, two clubs, and two hearts are all inferior.

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

xK Q J uK 8 6 4 vA 8 4 wA 10 2

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 1u Pass

2w Pass ?

What call would you make?

A - Bid two spades, fourth-suit forcing. Should partner show some signs of life, you can move toward a possible slam rather than settling for three no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x10 7 5 uK 8 5 vK Q J 10 7 2 w10

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1x Pass 2x ?

What call would you make?

A. This is not much of a hand, but your suit quality will make it hard for the opponents to double you. Bid three diamonds.

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

x8 7 6 3 uA K Q v9 8 wQ 10 9 8

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. It might look pretty, but this hand is not quite worth an opening bid. Pass.

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

xA 3 uJ 10 8 4 v8 7 wQ 10 6 3 2

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 2u 3v

Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. A combined nine trumps should make it safe to compete to the three level. Bid three hearts, despite your poorish hand.

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