Q 1 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-K 10 5 H-9 6 2 D-A 9 4 C-J 8 7 3
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1H 1S ?
What action do you take?
A – Switch your major suit holdings around and you would have an easy raise to two hearts. Here, however, you have a borderline one no trump response, which we prefer to a bid of two hearts with three low cards as your support and a dead minimum in points.
Q 2 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-9 8 5 H-7 2 D-K 9 3 C-Q 8 7 4 2
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A – You have five high-card points, a weak five-card minor and your short suit is the one which partner opened. Which of these liabilities do you think qualifies your hand for a response? Pass.
Q 3 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
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S-K Q 9 5 H-10 7 6 2 D-9 5 C-9 8 6
Partner opens the bidding with one diamond. What do you respond?
A – As in the previous example, you have five high-card points and shortness in partner’s suit, but here you have four cards in each major. Your chances of finding a fit have improved dramatically. Respond one heart.
Q 4 – East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-9 H-Q 10 6 5 D-K 9 8 3 C-A 9 8 6
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A – In support of hearts, your hand is worth some 11-12 points so, if you play limit raises, it is clearly worth a jump to three hearts. If you don’t, you have to plan to make two bids, so bid two clubs before supporting hearts.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-9 H-A 10 6 3 D-A Q 7 6 2 C-10 7 4
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A – We would jump to four hearts, for two reasons. We think that, in support of hearts, your hand is worth a full opening bid. Secondly, we would like to make it as difficult as possible for the opponents to compete in spades.
Q 6 – East-West vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-10 7 6 H-A 9 5 D-7 C-K J 6 5 3 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1H Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – Give us a fourth heart and we would jump to three hearts, for its pre-emptive value, if nothing else. With only three-card support, however, we can think of no bid other than a simple raise to two hearts.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Media Services Inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY. 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to
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