Choose the Best Bid by Bobby Wolff

A: 4♣: Playing inverted minors, your three-diamond call was weak, suggesting 3 to 7 or so, and five-plus diamonds. Three hearts from your partner shows at least the values for a game-try, and in context, you now have enough to bid four clubs, showing values in that suit. You should not be ashamed of your hand, in context.


Your result so far:

A: 3♣: Had the opponents bid and raised your singleton, you could double to get both red suits into play; but not here. Equally, you could double with 4-6 in hearts and clubs, but not here. Simplest is sometimes best -- repeat your clubs, expecting partner to have at least club tolerance, since he is relatively short in spades.


Your result so far:

A: 3♥: In competition, I think responder's suit rebid should not be forcing, since he had a cue-bid available to show extras. But I think you have just enough to raise to three hearts, invitational. If you were confident partner was weak, passing would certainly be reasonable.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣: Your partner has shown 18-20 HCP, so you have just enough to move on to game. The best way to check back for a heart fit is to bid three clubs -- a cue-bid that will get your partner to raise hearts with three. Passing two no-trump would be trying to land on the head of a pin.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣: Your hand offers virtually no prospects for slam. Should you bid three no-trump, transfer into spades or use Stayman? Put my vote in the third category, since a 5-3 spade fit might be the only game that won't make here. You have enough high cards to be relatively sure that three no-trump will be safe, but a 5-4 spade fit might still be best.


Your result so far: