How strong is your hand? by Bobby Wolff

A: 3♣: Since the two-spade response should be played as natural and forcing, if not to game, you have way too much to sign off with in three diamonds but no convenient call. The best way to suggest your extras is to bid three clubs, describing your values accurately and helping partner to work out what you have. You can support spades at your next turn if convenient.

Your result so far:

A: Redouble: With a 10-count packed with defense you are better off starting with a redouble than raising hearts, since your hand is not strong offensively. If you do opt for a heart raise many play a two-club call here as artificial, suggesting a balanced 7-10 with three trumps. I find this a sensible treatment (effectively playing Drury after a double, even when you are an unpassed hand).


Your result so far:

A: 1♠: Respond one spade, planning to compete to two diamonds if one of the opponents rebids clubs. You should introduce your major here since you are sure to have a fit of sorts, and it is your best chance of game. Paradoxically, if you do introduce diamonds at your next turn, your partner should infer you have equal or better diamonds, since you'd simply rebid a five-card major.


Your result so far:

A: Pass: If you play negative doubles, it is important to agree that any time you pass as responder, then double a natural call at your next turn, it is geared toward penalties, not takeout. It suggests a trap pass of one heart here, since a penalty double was not available. So pass, and plan to lead a top heart if the auction ends here.


Your result so far:

A: 3♥: The most sensible way to play a sequence where your partner doubles and then bids his LHO's suit is for the call to be natural. Thus your partner is showing extras and long hearts. East may well have just a four-card suit to one honor with your partner having six. But you don't have to commit yourself. Raise to three hearts just in case you and your partner are not on the same wavelength.


Your result so far: