The Missing Card by Matthias Huberschwiller

A: ♣A - To open 1 NT, you need 15 points. You have only 11 points, so the missing card must be an Ace.

It cannot be the Ace of Hearts, since with a 2-5-4-2 hand, you would definitely open 1♥. The missing card is the Ace of Clubs.

Your result so far:

A: ♥A - To open 1♥, you need five of them, therefore the missing card is a Heart.

With a small Heart, you wouldn't have enough points to bid again over North's 2♥ preference bid. Therefore, the missing card is the Ace of Hearts. 2♣ is the right rebid even with 18 points.

Your result so far:

A: ♣10 - Your 1♥ bid showed 0-7 points. Therefore, the missing card cannot be an Ace or a King.

With 4-4 in the majors opposite a take-out double, you would have bid 1♠ first, to be able to show Hearts next (if you got to bid again). Therefore, the missing card is the 10 of Clubs.

Your result so far:

A: ♣7 - You cannot have four Spades when you open 2♥, so the missing card cannot be a Spade. With a Heart more, you would have opened 3♥, not 2♥.

The Ace of Clubs would give you 11 points; enough for a one-level opener, so the missing card is the 7 of Clubs.

Your result so far:

A: ♣J - What a terrific and thrilling bidding sequence!

With the King of Spades or the Queen of Diamonds, you would have opened without question, and even with the Jack of Hearts, giving you 11 points and a five-card major, you would have opened.

However, the Jack of Clubs would give you 11 points, and with only two Spades, it would be wiser to end the bidding and pass, rather than give your opponents a way into the auction.

Your result so far: