Which contract would you like to play? by Bobby Wolff

A: 1♥: Your partner's pass of one diamond redoubled, when "under" as opposed to "over" the trumps, should not suggest playing there. It indicates that he has no clear call (otherwise he would have acted already) and asks you to run to your cheapest real suit. Bid one heart and take it from there. Contrast this position with one where you reopen with a double, and your partner's pass of a redouble would be to play.

Your result so far:

A: 4NT: You could bid either red suit, and commit the hand to one or the other. But on a bad day, partner may have either a doubleton diamond or just three hearts, so if you do make a unilateral decision, you'd better guess well. A better alternative is to bid four no-trump to show a two-suiter, planning to convert five clubs to five diamonds to show the red suits. Then partner makes the final decision.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥: Whether your partner has four hearts, or three hearts in an unbalanced hand, it seems to me that four hearts will be the best game. If partner has only three hearts, he will be short in spades or diamonds, and four hearts may therefore be a better spot, even in a 4-3 fit.

Your result so far:

A: 1NT: After the negative double, South has no especially accurate continuation. A call of two clubs strongly suggests six, or an unbalanced hand, and a call in either red suit is obviously unacceptable. So what is left, given that a pass is not on the agenda? The answer: Rebid one no-trump, showing a balanced hand. What is a full spade stopper between friends?

Your result so far:

A: Pass: Your partner's use of the fourth suit sets up a game force and would have left you with an awkward call if East had passed. But after the double, you have no clear bid, and an easy way to indicate that is by passing now. That should let your partner bid naturally in support of you or by rebidding his suit. Note that if he redoubles, you will put the dummy down.

Your result so far: