BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x10 6 uK J 9 5 vA J 9 2 wQ 10 4

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

Pass Pass 3w 4w-

?

-Both majors

What call would you make?

A. Should you reasonably decide to raise clubs, bid four diamonds ”on the way.” This is a lead-directing bid and it should help if you end up defending the hand.

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

xA 4 uQ J 6 5 2 vK J 5 4 wK 7

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 4v Pass

?

What call would you make?

A. This is a decent hand, but the splinter bid tells you that your diamond strength is probably wasted. Bid four hearts.

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

xA K 9 5 4 2 uK J 9 3 v3 wQ 5

With the opponents passing, you open one spade and partner responds one no trump. What call would you make?

A. It is important to rebid two hearts with this hand. Partner can easily hold four or more hearts and short spades. A two spade rebid, instead, would lose your best fit.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xJ 9 8 7 5 4 2 uA 9 3 vA 7 4 wVoid

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. We think that pre-empting with two aces outside of your suit is a poor idea. It’s a small stretch, but we like one spade.

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

xQ 5 2 uA K 6 vJ 6 3 2 wA Q 8

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1x Pass 1NT ?

What call would you make?

A. There are plenty of values, but there is nothing descriptive to bid. A take-out double would not be the worst bid ever made, but we prefer pass.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

xK J 7 2 uA 10 6 vK 9 4 wJ 6 3

As dealer, what call would you make?

A. Playing Standard American, we like to pass with 4-3-3-3 distribution and 12 points. Unless you play a different bidding system, it’s a good idea. Pass.

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