At which level do you think you want to play? by Bobby Wolff

A: 4♣: You have enough to try for slam. As three no-trump is natural and implicitly a minimum for the auction thus far, you could make a quantitative raise to four no-trump, or bid four clubs as a cue-bid for hearts, showing three trumps and planning to follow with Blackwood. You'd surely have raised clubs directly if you wanted to play that suit. I think I prefer the latter approach, despite your bad trumps.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: The choice is between a simple raise to two spades and a three-card limit raise (via one no-trump if that is your style). I prefer the simple raise, especially if you play this as constructive. Yes, you have 10 HCP and a doubleton, but your spades are tiny and the club queen and jack are not pulling their full weight. Additionally, we might belong in hearts.

Your result so far:

A: 3NT: Your partner's double followed by a minimum action in no-trump shows more than a one-no-trump overcall (with a balanced hand and fewer than 15 HCP, he would pass initially). You have a straightforward raise to three no-trump. Your partner may not make it, but he should be allowed to give it a try.

Your result so far:

A: 3NT: After you have transferred to hearts and partner has obediently completed the transfer, you want to offer a choice of games. Diamonds is highly unlikely to be the right spot, so simply bid three no-trump and let partner pick where he wants to play. If your diamonds were better and your spades worse, you might feel differently about bidding your second suit.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥: Your partner has suggested a non-minimum with six diamonds and three hearts. I'd guess that your best game, by some margin, is four hearts. Assuming trumps break 3-3 or 4-2, you may take the same tricks in both contracts. The likelihood of three fast black-suit losers is high enough to gamble that hearts will be the only makable game.

Your result so far: