By Tannah Hirsch
Tribune Media Services
Q 1 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-K Q 7 6 H-A Q J 8 6 D-7 C-A K 6
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1H Pass 1S Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – An already good hand has increased dramatically in value. No spade raise will come close to doing it justice, not even a splinter bid of four diamonds. The best way to tell partner about your powerhouse is to start with a jump shift to three clubs. This action is perfectly safe — even if partner supports clubs vigorously, you can always correct to spades at the same level.
Q 2 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-8 5 4 H-A K Q 9 D-7 6 2 C-8 7 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1D Pass 1H Pass
1S Pass ?
What do you bid now?
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A – The popular choice would likely be a preference to diamonds or one no trump, and no one can quarrel with the mainstream. However, we have a sneaky admiration for anyone who chooses to rebid two hearts! It is certainly a better suit than many five-carders we have held.
Q 3 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-K J 9 2 H-8 5 4 D-K 7 C-K J 6 3
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A – If you play limit raises, this hand has been lifted straight out of a textbook — jump to three spades. If not, start with two clubs then support spades at your next turn. That does not do justice to your four trumps, but what else can you do?
Q 4 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-A Q 6 5 H-8 5 D-9 5 4 C-A Q 9 8
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1C 1D 2NT Pass
?
What would you bid now?
A – That depends on your methods. Most play that a jump in no trump here is invitational, not forcing but showing 11-12 points. If that is your style, pass. However, if you play it as game force, all you can do with your balanced minimum is raise to three no trump.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-A Q 10 7 6 H-A Q 10 5 4 D-7 C-9 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1S Pass 2NT Pass
3H Pass 3NT Pass
?
What action do you take?
A – Partner knows most everything about your hand except for one thing — your fifth heart! With nothing of value in either minor, insist on playing game in a major. Bid four hearts to complete the description of your holding.
Q 6 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-7 4 2 H-9 3 D-7 C-K J 10 9 6 5 2
Partner opens the bidding with two no trump. What do you respond?
A – This deal is from a match between Italy and the United States. For the U.S., Edgar Kaplan made the sensible bid of five clubs, which could have been made. The Italians landed in three no trump, which had no play at all.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Media Services Inc., 2010 Westridge Drive, Irving, TX 75038. E-mail responses may be sent to
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.)