Q1 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A Q 9 H-A J 7 D-Q 9 3 C-K 9 5 2
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 4NT Pass
?
What do you bid now?
A – No, this is not asking for aces — it is a non-forcing raise showing 15-16 high-card points. Deduct a point from your holding for all hands with 4-3-3-3 shape, which makes your hand a dead minimum. Pass.
Q 2 – Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-Q 9 8 H-K Q 9 8 4 D-A J 6 C-9 3
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1C Pass 1H Pass
2H Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – Another hand from Bridge 101. With values for an opening bid facing an opener and an eight-card or better fit, don’t waste everybody’s time. You have the values for game. Bid four hearts.
Q 3 – As South, vulnerable, you hold:
S-7 H-A J 3 D-K Q J 9 C-10 8 7 6 2
What action do you take?
A – Reverse your major and minor holdings and you have an easy opening bid in your five-card major. Here, if you open one club and partner responds one spade, you have no good rebid. Pass.
Q 4 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A 9 8 5 2 H-10 7 D-9 5 C-Q 10 6 2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1H Pass 1S Pass
2D Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – No problem — bid two hearts, despite holding a doubleton; partner should know that. You will have shown a weak hand and, if you have three hearts, you would have raised to two hearts immediately.
Q 5 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A K Q J 7 4 3 H-J 7 5 D-9 3 C-2
The bidding has proceeded:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1C Pass 1S Pass
2H Pass ?
What do you bid now?
A – You want to be in the game, so don’t place the burden on partner’s shoulders. Bid four spades!
Q 6 – Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
S-A 10 6 3 H-Void D-K J 7 6 3 C-Q J 7 3
The bidding has proceeded:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1D Pass 1H Pass
1S Pass 2H Pass
?
What do you bid now?
Look for answers on Monday.
A – What would you like to do? You have offered partner a choice of two suits and he has told you he dislikes both. Pass, before the opponents start doubling for penalties — there is no second choice.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses to
.)
