How strong do you evaluate your hand? by Frank Stewart

A: 3♠: Partner should have opening values to double, even in the "balancing" seat. Game is likely. Cue-bid three spades. If he bids 3NT or four hearts, pass. If he bids four of a minor suit, you must guess whether to raise.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: You have enough values to look for game but not to commit to game -- especially to an 11-trick diamond game. Though partner has a diamond fit, the cheaper game in notrump is most likely. Bid two spades to show values in that suit and game interest and hear how your partner reacts.


Your result so far:

A: Double: A bid of two hearts would promise a five-card or longer suit (or at least a suit strong enough to play opposite three-card support). A bid of 3NT might come to grief when you could make four hearts. The best call is a negative double, conventionally showing length in hearts. Discuss the convention with your partner.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥: This is partly a matter of style. If partner's raise absolutely promises four-card support, you can bid four hearts (or perhaps settle for an invitational re-raise to three hearts if you don't like your high-card structure). If instead partner may have three-card support, bid 3NT to offer a choice of contracts.


Your result so far:

A: Pass: Give thanks that partner bid spades. (If he'd responded in hearts and played there, your trump support would have been a disappointment.) Still, you must pass. Your double promised as many values as you hold, and partner may struggle to take even nine tricks.

Your result so far: