How do you fare when then opponents enter in the bidding? by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♣: You could persuade me that it is right to rebid one no-trump, which limits the hand and protects the heart king, but my strong belief is that this 5-4-2-2 pattern is more suitable for a trump contract than for no-trump. The club suit is too good to ignore, and we might easily belong in clubs (or diamonds) but be unable to get there after a one-no-trump rebid.

Your result so far:

A: 4NT: If I had to guess, I would expect partner (who has made a takeout double and shown extras) to have one spade, and that while we might beat four spades on heart ruffs, we will come close to making a minor-suit game. So I think it is right (especially in teams or rubber) to bid four no-trump to get partner to pick a minor.

Your result so far:

A: 1♥: Your chances of making game in a major suit may not be good, but it would be somewhat cowardly to pass out one diamond here, and raising diamonds or bidding no-trump is certainly unattractive. I'd risk introducing hearts, hoping partner can come again. A cue-bid of two clubs is a plausible, if aggressive, alternative.


Your result so far:

A: 4♦: You might pass, hoping the opponents stop in three spades. In reality, though, the opponents are about to bid (and will be favored to make) four spades. But if you can persuade your partner to lead a diamond, you might well beat this contract. The best way to do so is to bid four diamonds now, meaning this as a heart fit with lead-directing values in diamonds. As a passed hand, this must show heart fit.

Your result so far:

A: 3♦: It looks obvious to pass with such a weak hand. But it is good bidding tactics to raise partner with a weak hand and support. Your failure to make a cue-bid raise suggests strictly limited values -- say, less than 9 HCP. The higher you raise, the harder you make it for the opponents to get together in a major.

Your result so far: