Find the right strain and level by Frank Stewart

A: 4♠: Your partner suggests extra strength with six spades and four diamonds. With a minimum hand such as K J 10 5 4 3, 3, A K 7 6, 5 2, he would have rebid two spades. Bid four spades. If his hand is K Q J 5 4 3, 3, A K 7 6, Q 2, he will usually win 10 tricks.


Your result so far:

A: 2♥: Some pairs treat "advances" of overcalls as neither forcing nor encouraging: With a good hand, advancer starts with a cue bid of the opening bidder's suit. Other pairs treat a new-suit advance as forcing. In either style, I would raise to two hearts with this hand.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥: Slam is likely even if partner has a minimum two-level response. He may hold 2, A 5 4, K J 10 8 7 4 2, 6 4. Your three clubs promised a good hand, so you can raise to four diamonds now, forcing. An option is a "splinter" jump to four hearts to show a diamond fit and heart shortness.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: You would like to show your heart tolerance; partner could have 4 2, Q 8 6 4 2, K Q 7 6, J 3. But you can't be sure of that, and if you bid again, you would suggest extra strength and might induce him to get too high. Pass. With J 6 5 3, A K 8, 9 4, A Q 6 2, you could make a case for raising his one heart to two.


Your result so far:

A: 2NT: South in today's deal had an easy second bid of 2NT, showing a balanced 19 or 20 points, but North had responded one heart. To bid 2NT is less attractive here because of the weakness in hearts, but I believe most experts would bid 2NT anyway as the best descriptive bid. If partner's hand is unsuitable for notrump, he can let you know.


Your result so far: