Exact Science by Bobby Wolff

A: 1NT: It is a matter of partnership agreement (or dispute) whether an advance by fourth hand into a major shows a minimum of four cards or five. Certainly, one should not bid a bad four-card major here; my belief is that a five-card holding is the norm. Either way, the most practical option is to bid one no-trump and wait for partner to introduce a major if he has one.

Your result so far:

A: 4♣: Your hand may be at or below the minimum end of the range, but you have just enough to show a splinter raise of diamonds by jumping to four clubs. This shows four-card diamond support and a singleton or void in clubs. Since you have no interest in playing no-trump, you might as well describe your hand at one go, then let partner take control.


Your result so far:

A: 2♠: If facing a third-in-hand opener, you should take care when raising with three small trumps and minimum values. Here your cards appear to be working, so I would bid two spades, but with my heart king in the diamond suit, I might judge to pass. If you have a defensive hand, your partner is entitled to assume you have either at least moderate trumps, or a nonminimum, when you raise.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: You may have a decent hand for the auction so far, but you should almost never compete to the three-level with only three trumps. These auctions are always about competing with shape, not high cards, since if partner has a balanced hand, your best shot to go plus is to defend. If partner has shape, he can bid on for himself.


Your result so far:

A: 5♣: Your partner has shown six or more clubs and four hearts, with the values to invite game. You have the ideal hand for him, so jump to five clubs, expecting it to be at worst on a spade finesse. Yes, you have a minimum hand, but your cards are in the perfect places for him.

Your result so far: