Bidding gets more difficult by Bobby Wolff

A: 3♦: With three decent trump you do not have to be over-intellectual and reconstruct the 52-card diagram in your head. Simply raise partner to three diamonds and let the chips fall where they may. Whenever you have trump support, you should have it as your first priority to let partner know that, rather than finding a reason to pass.


Your result so far:

A: 5♦: Your partner has made a slam-try, suggesting short clubs and huge diamond support. When the opponents compete to five clubs, a double from you should suggest real defense to clubs, not just a minimum opener (switch the heart queen and club three perhaps). Since a pass by you would be forcing, it feels right to rebid five diamonds -- suggesting good trumps and low slam interest.


Your result so far:

A: 2♥: Your partner's double is takeout, even though you have shown both majors already. He rates to have extras, probably without a four-card major, but you do not have to second-guess what he has. When you bid two hearts you expect him to advance with a descriptive call, be it a club bid, a cue-bid or a bid in no-trump. So leave him space to tell you what he has.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: At any vulnerability this is a reasonable example of a maximum weak two-bid. When you have a 10-count, you will typically not upgrade to a one-level opening unless you have a 6-4 hand pattern. With an 11-count, look at your controls and whether your honors are guarded. If you have an ace and king, and no singleton honors, open at the one-level.


Your result so far:

A: 1NT: Once your partner passes one heart, you have no reason to assume that your side can make game. (North rates to have 10-13 points and three hearts or so.) You should simply bid one no-trump now, and let partner pass or correct to whatever strain he considers appropriate.

Your result so far: