Decide on the Correct Level by Frank Stewart

When bidding with your partner, you don't only have to find a fit or decide to play in No-trump, you also have to decide on the correct level. What about these five examples? Should you stay low or go for game or even slam?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A 10 4 2
♥ A 8 2
♦ Q 9
♣ A 6 3 2

Q: 1 - What do you bid next as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
2NT*	Pass	3♣*	Pass
?

2NT: Forcing Raise
3♣: Shortness

A: 3♥: In modern methods, partner's three clubs shows a singleton club, hence all your values look good for slam. Cue-bid three hearts. Even if he signs off at four spades, you will try again by cue-bidding your ace of clubs.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A 10 6
♥ K J 8 7 6 4
♦ A
♣ 7 5 2

Q: 2 - What do you bid next as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1NT	Pass
?

A: 2♦: The hand is too promising to sign off at four hearts (or to "transfer" with a bid of four diamonds). A sound hand for partner such as K Q 4 2, A 9 2, J 6 5, A K 3 would produce a fine play for 12 tricks. One possible approach is to bid two diamonds as a transfer. When partner bids two hearts, jump to four hearts as a mild try for slam.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q 10 4
♥ Q 10 9 6 3
♦ K 8 4
♣ 10 9

Q: 3 - What do you bid next as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♠	Double	Pass
2♥	Pass	3♥	Pass
?

A: 4♥: Partner has substantial extra strength for his raise. Your bid of two hearts was forced; you might have had nothing. Bid four hearts. Even if partner has overbid and holds only 7 6, A J 7 5, A Q 6 5, K 6 5, you will have a chance; finesses through the opening bidder should win.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A Q 10 8 4
♥ A Q 10
♦ 5 3
♣ Q 7 4

Q: 4 - What do you bid next as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♠	Pass	3♠	Pass
?

A: 4♥: Slam is likely. Partner has a hand worth about 17 points with four-card support. His pattern is unbalanced or semibalanced since he would open 1NT with a balanced 17 points. If he has K 9 5 3, 2, K Q 2, A K 10 6 5, six spades will be cold. Cue-bid four hearts to get his reaction.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 8 6 4 3 2
♥ 4
♦ A K 5
♣ K 10 9 3

Q: 5 - What do you bid next as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♠	Pass	2♦	Pass
?

A: 4♣: Partner has "reversed" and has substantial extra strength. Since you have three golden honors, fine club support and a singleton, slam is likely. A typical hand for partner such as A, A J 3, Q J 6 4, A Q 8 6 5 will produce a grand slam. Jump to four clubs to set the trump suit and invite him to cue-bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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