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player ready...Q 1 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-A 9 3 H-A K 10 6 2 D-K J 6 C-8 5
What is your opening bid?
A – If you are a firm believer that it is a crime to open one no trump with a good five-card major, by all means open your major but tell us what you intend bidding should partner respond one spade or one no trump? We’ll just open one no trump and worry about a rebid later.
Q 2 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-10 7 6 H-Q 8 7 6 2 D-8 5 3 C-9 6
Partner opens the bidding with one no trump. What do you respond?
A – Yes, the hand might play better in hearts, but you will be playing at least one-level higher. Even if you play transfer bids, we would be reluctant to take any action. We would be inclined to pass, although acknowledging that many would bid or transfer into hearts.
Q 3 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-9 5 H-A 9 6 5 D-K J 9 6 C-10 9 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1NT 2D ?
What action do you take?
A – Defending against a diamond contract, you can expect to take three diamond tricks and one in hearts. You can surely expect at least two or three tricks from partner, probably more. Don’t make the mistake of bidding two no trump and end up in an unmakable game. Double.
Q 4 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-9 5 H-A K 9 8 3 D-K Q 6 C-A K 6
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1H Pass 3H Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – You are in slam territory, but asking for aces won’t help because of your doubleton spade. Start with a cuebid of four clubs and see how partner reacts to that.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-J 7 H-Q 8 4 D-K J 6 2 C-Q 10 7 6
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
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1S Pass 1NT Pass
2NT Pass ?
What action do you take?
A – You have a maximum for your original response, and partner’s rebid asks how good you are. Tell him by bidding three no trump.
Q 6 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-Q 9 7 6 H-K Q 6 D-Q 6 3 C-9 8 3
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1H Dbl Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – While it is tempting to show your heart stopper by bidding no trump, partner’s double promises spades and game in spades might be there. Bid two spades (partner should have spades for his takeout double) and see what develops — you can still get back to notrump if partner does not like spades.
(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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