Q 1 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A J 7 H-K 10 9 3 D-A J 9 6 2 C-8
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1D Pass 1S Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – A bid of two hearts now would be a reverse, showing extra strength. Since you have a minimum opener, all you can do for the moment is raise to two spades and see how partner reacts.
Q 2 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-8 H-A J 8 6 3 D-K 7 C-Q J 7 4 3
As dealer, what action do you take?
A – Pass! You have no good rebid over partner’s expected one-spade response. To bid two-clubs with such a shabby suit asks for trouble and to bid one no trump with a weak singleton, even though partner has responded in the suit, misdescribes your holding.
Q 3 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-J 8 3 H-A 9 8 6 2 D-9 4 C-J 7 6
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
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1D Pass 1H Pass
1S Pass ?
What action do you take?
A – Partner’s one-spade rebid was not forcing, so take advantage of this to tell partner you have a mediocre hand — pass!
Q 4 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-A Q 9 3 H-K J 5 D-7 C-A 9 6 4 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1C Pass 1S Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – With 14 high-card points, a singleton and no wasted values, your hand is worth more like 18 points than its high-card points suggest. Jump raise to three spades.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-Q 7 6 2 H-A Q 7 4 D-6 C-A K J 6
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1C Pass 1S Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – In support of spades your hand is worth about 19 points. Tell partner the good news by making a splinter bid in your short suit. Jump to three diamonds!
Q 6 – East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S- — H-Q 8 5 4 D-A Q 5 2 C-A Q 8 7 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1C Pass 1H Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – A jump to three spades would show a singleton and a strong hand — theoretically, to show a void you need to jump to four spades. However, that gets you to the five-level. You have to tell a little white lie and treat your void as a singleton — jump to three spades.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses to
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.)