Talking With Your Partner by Frank Stewart

A: Double: This is another situation that "negative" doubles handle. You can't bid a minor suit at the two level, but if you pass, the next player may raise the spades, and you will never get to show your values. A negative double, by agreement, shows some points and length in the unbid suits. Discuss with your partner.


Your result so far:

A: 2♠: Two schools exist. One treats a new-suit advance after an overcall as neither forcing nor encouraging; with a good hand, advancer must cue-bid the opening bidder's suit. The second school, to which I belong, treats a new-suit advance as forcing. I would bid two spades.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣: Slam at clubs is possible, especially if partner has good trumps and honors such as the ace of spades and king of diamonds. Bid three clubs, which he should treat as forcing. With a weaker hand such as 4, A K 10 6 4, Q 10 9 4 2, Q 4, you would have raised his two clubs to three.


Your result so far:

A: 3♥: Your obligation is to show delayed support for your partner's first suit. Bid three hearts. That action is mandatory here with such a shaky diamond holding, but even if your hand were more suitable for notrump -- A Q 4, 10 5 2, K J 10, A 10 9 8 -- to take a heart preference would be correct.

Your result so far:

A: Double: In many partnerships, the correct action is a negative double, promising enough values to respond but only four cards in spades. A response of one spade would promise five or more. The double also suggests a place to play if partner can't bid spades. Here, if he bids clubs or notrump, you will show your diamond support.

Your result so far: