Stewart0021 by Frank Stewart

How strong is partner? Part II

Did you already show your own strength or should you describe your hand further? Do you want to play game or only a part-score? Or even a slam?

Test yourself in these five examples.

Question 1

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

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
2♣	Pass	2♦	Pass
3♥	Pass	4♥	Pass
?

A: 4♠: Your partner hasn't shown extra strength and may have none, but slam chances are too bright to pass, and even a leap to six hearts would not be a huge gamble. If you prefer to go slow, cue-bid four spades to show the ace and slam interest.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 8 6 3
♥ 7 3
♦ A 7 5 3
♣ A 5 3 2

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

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

A: 3♣: Don't sell out cheaply when your partner has opening values or more and probably has good support for one of the minor suits. Bid three clubs. If the opponents let you play there, you may make it, but your primary goal is to push them to three spades.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A 3 2
♥ A 8 5 3
♦ J 4
♣ 9 8 4 3

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
1♥	Pass	1♠	Pass
1NT	Pass	2♥	Pass
?

A: 2♠: Your partner has substantial extra strength. He wouldn't bid three times with a minimum such as K Q 5 4, K J 2, A 8 6 3, 5 2. Since all of your honors are "working," game is likely. Bid two spades. Partner should treat that bid as a constructive move; you would pass without game interest.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ J 3 2
♥ A 6
♦ K Q 5
♣ Q J 7 6 2

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

South	West	North	East
1♣	Pass	1♥	Pass
1NT	Pass	3♥	Pass
?

A: Pass: Partner's jump-rebid is invitational to game, not forcing. If he had a hand worth 13 or more points with a six-card suit, he could have bid four hearts himself. Pass. You have too many "soft" values -- queens and jacks -- to accept an invitation. Partner may hold A 7, K 10 9 8 5 3, 4 3 2, K 3.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K 7 6 4 2
♥ K 10 9 7
♦ Q 7 4
♣ K

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

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

A: 2♦: In "Standard" methods, a jump to three hearts would be forcing; a bid of two hearts would be discouraging. No good bid is available for this "in-between" hand. Experienced partnerships have gadgets to solve the problem. For instance, they might treat a "new minor" bid of two diamonds as artificial and forcing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

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

Play on ANY Device or Computer

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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