Bid with Barry by Barry Rigal

Five more responses or rebid problems for opener in non-competitive auctions. As soon as opener has defined his hand –with a limited opening bid or response, or a raise of his partner’s suit, or even a rebid in his own suit, captaincy passes to responder. That player can pass or bid game, or return captaincy to his partner with an invitational call. That sounds easy; it isn’t.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q 9 7
♥ J 7 6 5 4 3
♦ J 5
♣ K 7

Q: 1 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1 No-trump	p
?

A: 2♦: Bid two diamonds as a transfer to two hearts, intending to raise to three hearts on the next round. That shows an invitational hand with six hearts (with only five hearts you would rebid two no-trumps at your second turn). Your scattered honors and weak heart spots do not make this hand worth a drive to game.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ J 10 9 6 5 2
♥ Q 8
♦ A 7 2
♣ 8 2

Q: 2 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1 No-trump	p
?

A: 2♥, then 4♠: Bid two hearts as a transfer to two spades, planning to rebid four spades (or alternatively, make a Texas Transfer to four hearts immediately). Your seven-count is reasonably well put together and your spade intermediates suggest game will have play, even facing a doubleton spade.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 9 2
♥ A Q 9
♦ 7 2
♣ J 10 8 7 6 3

Q: 3 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	p
1 No-trump	p	2♦	p
?

A: Bid 2♠: While you have only limited spade support, your clubs are not strong enough to introduce, and additionally they take your side up an extra level. At least you know that in spades you will have the majority of trumps!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A K J 10
♥ 9 5
♦ 7 2
♣ J 9 7 6 2

Q: 4 - As South, what do you bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	p
1♠	p	2♠	p
?

A: Pass 2♠. Partner typically has a balanced 12-14 points; your side may not even have an eight-card trump fit. The three-level is not safe, and unless partner has the perfect club holding, game cannot be great.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K Q 10 7 6
♥ 8
♦ K 10 8
♣ Q 7 4 3

Q: 5 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	p
1♠	p	2♥	p
?

A: Pass. You have an aceless 10-count and no fit for partner. If you go looking for game (two no-trump would be the most sensible way) the most likely consequence will be to turn a chance of a plus score into a minus.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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