Q 1 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-A K 8 6 5 2 H-A Q J D-9 5 4 C-7
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1S Pass 2H Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – We know many players rebid a six-card major regardless of the rest of the hand, and indeed that would be our choice had the heart and diamond holdings been reversed. But we think that a holding of three of the top honors in partner’s suit is too strong to suppress, and our choice would be three hearts.
Q 2 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-K J 9 3 H-Q 9 5 4 2 D-Void C-A 9 6 3
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1H 2D Pass ?
What action do you take?
A – If you were even contemplating bidding no trump, where is your source of tricks? The general rule with a misfit is to get out of the auction as soon as possible, so pass and hope that your scattered values are enough for partner to scramble eight tricks.
Q 3 – Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A Q 9 6 5 2 H-K J 9 5 D-6 C-A 9
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1S Pass 2C Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – If you are among those who always rebid a six-card major, you have no problem. We prefer trying to distinguish between minimum opening bids and better holdings. We think this virtually all prime hand with 14 high-card points and the ace in responder’s suit is better than minimum, so we would rebid two hearts.
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Q 4 – Vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-8 H-A 10 9 D-A Q 7 6 3 C-K Q 9 8
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1D 1S 2H Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – Your hand is too good for an immediate heart raise. Bid three clubs and, should partner then take a preference to diamonds, jump to four hearts to pinpoint your singleton spade.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A Q 8 2 H-Q 10 6 5 2 D-A 6 C-8 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1C Pass 1H Pass
2NT Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – Slam beckons, but there is no need to do anything more than continue to describe your holding to probe for the best final contract. The obvious way to proceed is to show your second suit, even though partner probably does not hold four spades. Bid three spades.
Q 6 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-A 6 H-6 D-Q 10 2 C-K Q J 9 8 5 3
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
2S- Pass Pass 3C
Pass 3H Pass ?
-weak
What action do you take?
A – Did you think of anything other than three no trump? If so, we can’t think of a reason why. Partner still has a chance to bid if, for any valid reason, he wants to look for another contract.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses to
.)