What's the best bid? by Bobby Wolff

A: 1NT: Facing a balanced minimum hand, it is undeniably possible that your side might make game. This will happen no more than one time in 10, perhaps, since you are offering your partner no source of tricks and just a 10-count. That being so, respond one no-trump rather than raising clubs with an inverted minor response. Do not jeopardize your plus score in search of the pot of gold.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT: This does not look like a hand where you want to consider defending by starting with a redouble. You can jump to two no-trump to show a limit raise or better for spades, with a view to making a slam try if partner cooperates, but otherwise signing off in game if he suggests a minimum.


Your result so far:

A: 1♠: When dealing with very strong hands, your rebid may be affected by whether your partner's response has improved your hand or made it worse. Here, your partner bidding your shortage has made your hand worse, not better. Settle for a simple call of one spade -- you can show your extras on your next turn, if there is one.

Your result so far:

A: 3♦: Traditionally, the response of two no-trump to a weak-two bid asks for features, and while an ace or king is the desirable holding, queen-fourth (or even queen-third) will do in a pinch. You have enough to drive to game, of course, but who is to say where partner is heading? Don't foul him up by jumping to game, when slam might be in the picture. Bid three diamonds.

Your result so far:

A: 2♣: Since introducing a three-card major is verboten, do you respond one no-trump or two clubs? In favor of bidding no-trump is that partner will have the majors but may not have real club length; against it is that this call should show around 7 to 10. Your hand surely does not qualify in that category. I go for the suit bid, more because I want partner to be able to trust me the next time I bid no-trump here.

Your result so far: