Q 1 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-J 3 H-K 10 7 6 4 D-K 8 3 C-A 7 6
Partner opens the bidding with one heart. What do you respond?
A – Your knave of spades is of doubtful value and your fifth heart could be overkill. If you play limit jump raises, this hand is perfect for that action — bid three hearts. If that is forcing in your methods, make a temporizing bid of two clubs. You are much too strong to even consider a jump to four hearts.
Q 2 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A Q 10 6 3 H-A Q J 9 5 D-Void C-A J 4
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1S Pass 2D Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – Don’t go jumping around squandering your bidding space. You might need lots of room to investigate the possibilities fully, so start with a quiet two hearts. Since a change of suits by opener after a two-over-one response is an absolute force, there is no danger that the auction will get dropped there.
Q 3 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-10 6 3 H-7 5 4 D-A Q 10 6 C-A K 6
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1D Pass 1S Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – There are hands where you would raise partner’s major-suit response with three low cards, but those hands all contain a ruffing value. This hand is square so, despite the lack of a heart stopper, rebid one no trump.
Q 4 – Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-10 7 6 4 H-A K 8 7 3 D-K J 7 3 C-Void
The bidding has proceeded:
More Top Picks The Breville Boss
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1H Pass 3H– Pass
?
–Invitational, not forcing
What action do you take?
A – You have a dead minimum in terms of high cards, but you do have distributional assets. If partner does not have much in clubs, you should have play for game. Since you have no way of determining assets, just close your eyes and bid game. Perhaps a suitable dummy will hit the table.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-Q 9 5 H-A J 7 D-K Q 10 6 C-A K 9
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A – You have a powerful hand and your queen in partner’s suit must be upgraded in value. Tell partner the good news by making a jump shift in your four-card suit. Start with three diamonds and hear what partner has to say.
Q 6 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-9 H-K Q 10 3 D-A 10 2 C-A K 9 8 3
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A – You have a very good hand but no idea where you want to play. Start the exploration with a simple bid in your longest suit. Bid two clubs and see what develops.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses to
.)