BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xA K Q 7 4 uQ 10 vQ 10 9 6 w10 9

As dealer, partner opens three diamonds and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A. Despite the massive diamond fit, it is not clear how high to bid. Start with three spades. At least it will get partner off to the right lead if you end up defending.

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

xK J 10 uK Q 6 vA J 6 wK 9 6 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2v- Pass

?

-Transfer to hearts

What call would you make?

A. This hand is certainly a maximum, but don’t do anything aggressive unless you have four-card support. Bid two hearts.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 7 4 3 uQ 9 5 2 v10 5 3 wQ J

Partner opens one spade and right-hand opponent bids three clubs, pre-emptive. What call would you make?

A. You must be aggressive about raising partner after a pre-empt, especially with four-card support. Despite that, with its worthless club holding, this hand should pass.

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

xA 6 4 uA Q vK J 10 7 w7 6 4 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. We like to raise with three-card support and a doubleton, but this doubleton is so strong that we prefer one no trump instead.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xVoid uA Q 7 5 4 2 vQ J 9 5 3 wK 6

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1x Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. This hand has great potential if you find a fit, but not unless you do. Go quietly with two diamonds.

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

xQ uA Q 8 6 vQ 7 6 4 2 wQ 9 3

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. This is as ugly as it gets, but we open all hands with 12 high-card points unless the distribution is 4-3-3-3. Open one diamond. However, you cannot be faulted for passing.

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