Game? No game? Pass? by Frank Stewart

A: 4♠: This is a close case. Your partner has about 11 points, perhaps with balanced pattern though he may have a singleton spade. Since you have sound high-card values and a good six-card suit, and partner may have the king of diamonds, jump to four spades. He may hold 4 3, A Q 5 4 3, K 7 6, Q 9 3.


Your result so far:

A: 5♦: Partner has a good hand -- he bid again despite your weak diamond preference -- and his hand is short in spades. You hold not only maximum values for your bidding but no wasted spade honors. Bid five diamonds. Partner may have 2, Q 7 6, K J 10 3 2, A K Q 4.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT: Partner's two clubs, a bid in the "fourth suit," may not be based on club length or strength. So some players would rebid two diamonds. I can accept that action, but I would bid 2NT. If partner had a reason for not bidding notrump himself, his next bid will tell me about it.

Your result so far:

A: Pass : This decision is close. Partner's jump invites game; he has about 10 points. Your queen of spades is well placed (worth as much as the king) and you have three tens, but you have neither attractive shape nor extra high-card strength. Pass. If vulnerable, you could risk four hearts.


Your result so far:

A: 1♠: Some five-point hands aren't worth a response, but here you have an ace, a useful jack and three tens. Failure to respond could miss a game and would let the opponents enter the auction too easily. Bid one spade. If partner has K Q 4 2, A K 6 5 4, 3, A K 2, it would be a shame to play at one heart when you might make a slam.

Your result so far: