Q 1 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-9 6 5 H-K Q 10 2 D-A K J 7 C-Q 6
The bidding has proceeded:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1S ?
What action do you take?
A – You have a good hand but your square shape is a slight handicap. Nevertheless, if you don’t act now, later might be too late. Double.
Q 2 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-9 7 H-Q 10 7 6 2 D-8 7 3 C-A J 9
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1C Pass Pass ?
What action do you take?
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A – Neither your right-hand opponent nor partner could act. Where are all the points and the spades? It looks like opener has a good black two-suiter and, should you bid now, you are giving the opponents a hand. Switch your major suits and you might consider bidding one spade, but missing the spades, stay out of trouble. Pass.
Q 3 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-K 9 7 6 2 H-A Q J 7 D-A Q 8 C-9
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1S 2C Dbl Pass
?
What action do you take?
A – Bid three hearts. You have a strong unbid major, and partner’s negative double suggests strongly that he has heart support. We will even accept four hearts.
Q 4 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-A K Q J 9 7 6 H-A Q 9 D-A 9 C-7
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
3C Pass Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – We can think of all sorts of cue-bids and asking bids and who knows what, none of which will allow us to find out what we need to know to reach the best spot. Under the circumstances, we will go for a rather obvious bid of six spades and hope the card gods are smiling on us.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-9 6 5 H-A J 8 7 5 D-7 5 C-K Q 6
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1S Pass 2H Pass
3H Pass ?
What action do you take?
A – You could hardly have a weaker hand for your two-over-one response. Reverse your spade and diamond fragments and the hand might even be too weak for this sequence. As it is, partner will not be expecting you to pass and could have additional values. Bid four hearts.
Q 6 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-K 9 H-A 8 7 5 D-A K J 8 4 C-10 2
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1D Pass 1H Pass
?
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What do you bid now?
A – You have a good-looking hand, but it still has six losers, so it might not stretch to game should partner have only two cover cards. Jump to three hearts and leave the decision up to partner.
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