"Not as Easy as it Looks" by Marti Ronemus

A: 1♦: Generally, we bid our four-card suits up-the-line. Sometimes we skip the Diamond suit to get to the major, but most players with this 10 pt. hand would bid the Diamond suit first. You've got an intermediate hand, and there's no need to rush.

Your result so far:

A: 1♠: Yes, we could indeed support the Diamonds, but not until we've ruled out the possibility of a major suit fit. Your bid is forcing and promises at least four Spades. Make the bid that describes your hand.

Your result so far:

A: 1♠: No reason to bid anything else. By the way, shortness in Pard's first-bid suit is not usually a good thing, so we are a little leery of what initially was an exciting responder hand.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠: Most players will bid 3♠ because you've got 10-12 pts and four card support. Your singleton has become a thing of beauty. Incidentally for those who were tempted to bid 2♠ (not YOU of course!), that's the same bid you'd make with 6 pts. You cannot bid the same with 6 pts. that you would bid with this 12 pts. beauty. (Add 2 pts. for the singleton.)

Your result so far:

A: Pass: Responding to No-trumps is amazingly easy if you can count. The most your partner has is 17 pts. You've got 6. The max you've got is 23. And that, friends, is NOT game! Stay out of trouble.

You are going to get to play this hand to see if you've made a wise decision. You will be holding your partner's hand and this hand will be dummy. Have fun!

Your result so far: