Q 1 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A 9 6 5 H-K Q 8 3 D-4 C-A 10 8 3
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
A – The perfect hand for a splinter bid of four diamonds, showing a good spade fit, a singleton in the suit in which you jumped and slam interest. The rest is up to partner.
Q 2 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-9 5 H-K Q 8 D-A K J 5 C-A Q 8 4
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1C Pass 1S Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – You have 19 points in high cards so you need at least 6-7 high-card points for game. However, partner might be a little short, so we think an invitational jump to two no trump is enough.
Q 3 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-9 5 H-K 8 7 2 D-Q 9 3 C-10 6 5 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1S Pass 1NT Pass
2NT Pass ?
What action do you take?
A – You have a near minimum response, and no help for partner’s suit, so we will be content with trying for a plus score. Pass.
Q 4 – Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-K 9 5 H-8 3 D-J 7 6 C-A K 10 6 5
Partner opens the bidding with one spade. What do you respond?
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A – One no trump. That is forcing. It is your intention to bid three spades at your next turn to show a limit raise with only three-card support.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A Q 9 7 H-6 D-A 9 8 4 C-A J 9 3
Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with one spade. What action do you take?
A – A friendly opponent would have opened one heart! You probably have the best hand at the table but there is nothing you can do for the moment. Pass.
Q 6 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-8 H-Q 9 8 7 3 D-K 9 7 6 2 C-9 6
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1H Dbl ?
What action do you take?
A – All you can do is make life difficult for the opponents. Jump to three hearts and see what happens.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses to
.)