Q 1 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-J 9 5 H-K 8 3 D-A K 10 2 C-K 9 3
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1S Pass 2D Pass
3D Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – You have a nice hand but it is still a minimum two-over-one response. Use the Principle of Fast Arrival and jump to four spades.
Q 2 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S 9 4 H-Void D-A Q 7 6 3 C-A Q 10 4 3 2
What action do you take?
A – You are certainly going to open, but in which suit. Should we open one club, we reverse with two diamonds next — an awkward action we probably would have to take since there is no reasonable alternative. So, reluctantly, we will open one diamond and hope we can stay out of trouble.
Q 3 – Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:
S-K Q J 6 H-8 D-A K J 5 2 C-A 10 5
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1D Pass 1H Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – While you have a strong hand in high cards, it is unwise to make a jump shift rebid unless you know where you want to play the hand, and here you have no clue. Bid one spade. Unless partner can act again, we doubt the hand will produce enough tricks for game.
Q 4 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A Q 7 6 H-Q 9 8 4 2 D-A 9 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 5 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-K Q 7 6 4 3 2 H-9 7 6 D-Q 10 2 C-Void
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1C Pass 1S Pass
2D Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – Although your club void is no asset, your diamonds fragment has become powerful — there could easily be a slam if partner has some spades and a heart control. To tell him you do not need much help, jump to three spades now.
Q 6 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-A Q J 10 3 H-A Q 10 9 2 D-A J 4 C-Void
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1S Pass 2D Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – Do not go jumping around, squandering bidding space. You might need all the room to investigate the possibilities fully, so start with a simple two hearts. Since a change of suit by opener after a two-over-one response is an absolute force, there is no danger the auction will get dropped there.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Media Services Inc., 2010 Westridge Drive, Irving, TX 75038. E-mail responses may be sent to
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