What have you and your partner shown? by Frank Stewart

A: 5♦: Your preference bid of two diamonds was timid. Your hand was worth a game-invitational jump to three diamonds. Since partner has bid again, you must make sure of reaching game. Bid five diamonds. His hand may be 2, Q 6 5, A Q 10 9 4, A K 3 2.

Your result so far:

A: 3♥: Your partner has "reversed" as responder and hence promises a hand worth forcing to game (at least). You have already shown a balanced minimum opening bid. Your duty at this point is to show your three-card support for partner's first suit. Bid three hearts.

Your result so far:

A: 3♥: A jump to three hearts would suggest six good hearts and 16 or 17 points in high cards, which is a reasonable description of the hand. But if an expert panel considered the problem, opinions would vary. Some players would want a stronger heart suit for a jump. There would be support for a bid of 2NT and a raise to three spades.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: You have barely enough to compete with a bid of two spades. If you pass, your partner may pass also, and you may lose a partscore swing. It may look risky to act with such skinny values, but you can pretend that partner has bid spades. In that case, you have enough to "raise."

Your result so far:

A: 3NT: Your jump-response showed 10 to 12 points and invited game. (If your suit had been a major, you would have committed to game.) Partner's three diamonds may be based on club support, a diamond control and slam interest, but for the moment, you must show your diamond stopper. Bid 3NT.

Your result so far: