Evaluating your hands by Bobby Wolff

A: 3♦: The simple option of playing Jordan (also known as Truscott) is to jump to two no-trump to show a limit raise. As a passed hand, I prefer to bid three diamonds, a fit jump promising spades and a real diamond suit. If the opponents bid hearts, this helps paint the picture of your hand to your partner -- he can envisage your values and shape much better now, and judge the competition more accurately.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: Do you think your partner was pre-empted out of bidding his suit? Of course you don't -- and neither do I! If he chose not to bid over the redouble, it must be because he wanted to defend, and you have absolutely no reason to disbelieve him. Pass, and I guarantee one side or the other is going to be having an animated post-mortem when the deal is over!

Your result so far:

A: 3♣: This may be only a 7-count, but the combination of the fifth trump and the side ace is just enough to raise to three clubs. This is partly because your hand falls, barely, into invitational territory, but also because it makes it far harder for the opponents to get their act together and compete in a red suit.

Your result so far:

A: 3♥: Normally with a weak hand and four trumps facing an overcall, you should raise to the three level pre-emptively. You can cue-bid with a high-card limit raise in this seat. But here, your balanced hand argues for a simple raise. There is no need to do any more than that since your hand is so defensive in nature.

Your result so far:

A: 3NT: This sequence should be played as game-forcing with long clubs, suggesting a side four-card major, in this case spades. Your partner should either have slam interest or be worried about no-trump, but since you have the other two suits well guarded and no extra values or black-suit fit, bid three no-trump. Let partner go past three no-trump if he wants to, but don't encourage him to do so.

Your result so far: