BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK J uK Q 9 3 2 vA 3 wK Q 9 4

With the opponents passing, you open one heart and partner raises to two hearts. What call would you make?

A. Don’t waste time with an invitation. Anything partner has for his raise should give you a decent chance to make game. Bid four hearts.

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

x9 4 uA 10 6 vA 9 6 4 wA J 9 5

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 1u Pass Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. Playing negative doubles, this auction would be forcing on you if you were short in hearts. You are free to pass when you hold three or more hearts. Pass.

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

xK J 9 7 uQ 9 7 5 v7 wK J 10 7

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

2w Pass 2v Pass

3v Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. The partner of a two-club opener should never be allowed to bid Blackwood. This hand is one of the reasons why. Three no trump is an underbid. Bid four no trump, inviting slam in no trump.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x4 uK 9 7 4 vA K 9 5 4 w9 6 3

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

A. This hand would not be worth a two-diamond overcall, in our opinion, but it is worth a bid. Double, taking advantage of your ability to support all three of the other suits.

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

xK 7 2 u10 vQ 10 8 2 wK Q 10 6 5

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v 1u Pass ?

What call would you make?

A. Your hand is good enough and your suit is long enough to bid two clubs, but we think that a bid of one no trump is better.

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

x9 6 5 uA 10 2 vA K 8 7 wQ 7 3

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

A. A balanced hand worth an opening bid does not have to bid over an opponent’s opening, and this hand shouldn’t. Pass.

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