Q 1 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-Void H-9 6 5 2 D-A Q J 9 5 2 C-Q 8 7
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
2C Pass 2D Pass
2S Pass 3D Pass
3S Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – Your guess is as good as ours. With a misfit looming, you elected not to respond positively. Partner has shown a six-card or longer spade suit and we must choose how to continue. We would flip a coin mentally between four diamonds and three no trump and apologize if we did something wrong.
Q 2 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-J 8 4 H-A K 7 5 D-7 C-K Q 6 5 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
Pass Pass 1C Pass
1D Pass 1H Pass
1S Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – With only 13 points, no intermediates and a likely misfit we cannot see your holding stretching to game. You have shown your two suits and partner has shown no interest in either. Pass, and perhaps the opponents will get into trouble.
Q 3 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-10 7 4 H-9 8 3 D-A K 5 C-J 10 8 2
The bidding has proceeded:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1D Dbl 3D ?
A – The opponents have put you on the spot by their pre-empt, and anything you do might be wrong. However, we do like all those intermediate cards and we would opt for three no trump and see what happens.
Q 4 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-A 10 9 5 H-7 D-Q J 9 5 C-A J 10 6
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1H Dbl ?
What action do you take?
A – When partner opens the bidding, your right-hand opponent makes a takeout double and you have the equivalent of a sound opening bid, tell partner so by redoubling even if you are short in his suit. You might be poised to collect a fair amount from any action taken by the opponents.
Q 5 – North-South vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-Q 9 H-A Q J 7 D-Q J 4 C-K J 9 8
The bidding has proceeded:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1S Dbl Pass 2H
Pass ?
What action do you take?
A – You have a minimum takeout double and, despite your good fit for partner’s suit, it is still minimum, since your queen of spades likely is a wasted value. Pass.
Q 6 – Both vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-J 9 8 H-7 D-Q J 9 6 4 C-J 9 5 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1H Dbl ?
What do you bid now?
A – This is not the time to rush to partner’s defense — you have little enough so don’t give the opponents multiple bites at the apple. Pass. It is more than likely that your LHO will rescue your partner from any trouble he may be in.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Media Services Inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY. 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to
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