Should you bid on or not? by Frank Stewart

A: 4♥: Imagine how much worse your hand might be. Partner has undertaken to win nine tricks, and he can't know that you have a useful king and queen. Bid four hearts. If the opening bid had been one diamond, you would pass; your queen would probably be a worthless card.

Your result so far:

A: 4♣: Your partner asks you to bid four spades with any sound raise or with a fair raise with help in hearts. Since your hand could not be more suitable, commit to game. Your best bid is four clubs -- an "advance cue bid" to show the ace -- in case he has slam in mind.


Your result so far:

A: Pass: Your 1NT response was correct even though your pattern wasn't balanced. You had to respond since game or slam might have been cold. Partner could have held Q 7 6 5 4, A K 10 4, K 3, A 5. But now that he has limited his strength, a further bid by you would ask for trouble. Pass. Don't fight a misfit.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: To bid two clubs looks normal, but suppose partner next jumped to three diamonds (invitational) or bid 2NT. Then you would want to show your spade tolerance, but you couldn't afford to bid a third time with such minimum high-card values. If an expert panel considered the problem, many would choose a direct raise to two spades.


Your result so far:

A: Double: You show a good hand with length in the unbid suits plus heart length (and perhaps strength) to explain your failure to act earlier. Since your partner has yet to act, your double is for takeout, though he may pass for penalty if he has strength in spades.

Your result so far: