See if you find the best bid by Bobby Wolff

A: 2NT: The best way to get your values across is to bid two no-trump now. This shows more than an overcall of two no-trump, hence about 18-20 high-card points. Let partner go from there in whichever direction he sees fit. The important thing is that you have transferred captaincy to him by describing your hand accurately.


Your result so far:

A: 2♣: What defense do you have when the opponents open one no-trump? No matter what convention you use, the number-one priority is to be able to show both majors with a method such as Landy, where a call of two clubs is artificial and shows the majors. As a passed hand, I would act -- if necessary bidding two spades, should two clubs not be available to me for the majors.

Your result so far:

A: 3NT: Your spade guard strongly argues for bidding no-trump here. There are two clear downsides to that action: The opponents may be able to cash out hearts against you, and if partner has real extras, you may miss a slam. But you cannot cover every eventuality. When three no-trump looks like a sensible contract, just up and bid it.


Your result so far:

A: 4♥: Where you have huge support for your partner, showing that should take precedence over limiting your hand by defining your high cards. So here I would jump to four hearts, a splinter bid promising short hearts and spade support. If I had only four trumps, I might refrain from making a slam-try.


Your result so far:

A: 3♥: The cue-bid in response to a takeout double is normally looking for a major-suit fit, so I would bid three hearts here, rather than three diamonds. The cue-bid is not a game-force at the two-level, but is forcing to suit agreement. But here, since you can hardly agree on a suit and stay out of game, the cue-bid becomes a game-force.


Your result so far: