You may not be sure what to bid by Frank Stewart

A: 2NT: Partner's "fourth suit" two clubs may merely ask you to make another descriptive bid. Hence, some players would not be willing to bid notrump without a club trick. I would bid 2NT. If partner had a devious reason for bidding two clubs, he'll tell me at his next turn.


Your result so far:

A: 2♠: Your hand is worth about 18 points, and slam is likely if partner has a bit of extra strength. To alert him, jump-shift to two spades. If he bids, say, 2NT next, raise to 3NT, showing a strong, balanced hand with mild slam interest. Don't respond one spade; the auction will be easier if you show slam aspirations quickly.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥: A jump to three spades would not be far off the mark, but you might miss a superior heart fit if your partner held, say, four hearts and a low singleton spade. Bid two hearts. If he next bids 2NT, you can continue with three spades to suggest six spades, four hearts and extra strength.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥: You must rebid two hearts. In most partnerships, this rebid doesn't promise more than five hearts (as would a rebid of two hearts after a response of one spade). Your hand isn't strong enough for a "high reverse" to three clubs, nor is a bid of 2NT attractive with a weak spade holding.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠: The question is how many spades to bid. A raise to two would be conservative. A raise to three would be bold. You can't bid two and a half spades, but because of the strong trumps and the useful queen in partner's first suit, I would take the high road and bid three spades to invite game strongly.

Your result so far: