BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK 2 uJ 3 vA K Q 8 6 5 wA Q 3

Partner opens two hearts, weak, and right-hand opponent bids two spades. What call would you make?

A. Bid two no trump, asking. When right-hand opponent doubles partner’s weak two-bid, or overcalls at the two level, as here, your two no trump bid keeps the same meaning as if the opponent had not bid.

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

xA K Q J 8 u9 3 2 vJ 3 wA K 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Dbl Pass 2u

?

What call would you make?

A. No action is really sound. Bidding two spades would not be the worst bid ever made, but we think that pass is correct.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x9 7 5 3 u9 vK Q 5 4 wA J 9 5

Partner opens one no trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent bids two hearts. What call would you make?

A. In days of yore, double in this position would be for penalties. Today it is more commonly played as take-out. Double.

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

xA K J 8 uQ 7 3 2 vQ wK 10 5 2

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

A. Discount the queen of diamonds as a high-card value, but the singleton is worth three support points. That gives you 16 total points and the values to bid three hearts.

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

xJ 7 2 uA K 7 6 2 vQ 7 6 5 w5

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x Pass 2u Pass

2x Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. Should you and your partner employ splinter bids, this would be a perfect time to bid four clubs. Failing that, just bid four spades.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

S-K J 9 8 3 2 u5 4 vA K 8 6 wK

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u 1x 3u- Pass

Pass ?

-Pre-emptive

What call would you make?

A. There is no sound call available. It hurts, but pass.

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