Show partner what you have by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♦: You'd never sell out here, but the question is how to convey your minor-suit pattern. Double is for takeout, but that doesn't seem to be what this hand is about, given that you have only three spades. You might bid two clubs and hope to receive preference for diamonds if partner is 3-3 in the minors. But the six-carder persuades me to bid two diamonds, planning to compete with three clubs next.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: One of the hardest tasks in bridge is to re-evaluate good and bad hands. Sometimes you have to prevent yourself from overvaluing your good hands. Here you showed a really good hand, and partner kept the auction open ... just in case. In context, you've told your story and must pass. It is a good hand, but not that good.


Your result so far:

A: 1♠: It is not my task to lead my readers down the primrose path to vice. But I would feel quite strongly here that there is no practical alternative to a one-spade opener in third seat (or even in fourth seat, perhaps). In bridge, one must not only bid one's own cards, but also make the opponents' lives harder. Bidding your best suit while pre-empting the opponents a little is often a good idea, especially here.

Your result so far:

A: Double: When you have transferred into a major, a double by you on your next turn is not pure penalty. It is card-showing, suggesting invitational values or better. Your partner can choose between defending or reverting to hearts, depending on how suitable his red suits are for one action or the other.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT or 3♣: This hand is worth a raise to three spades but is not ideal for a limit raise, which could be shown by the conventional raise to two no-trump. This convention is called Jordan (or Truscott) and is commonly in use all over the world. An alternative would be a fit jump to three clubs, showing this sort of black suit mesh -- though you'd prefer the club queen in addition to your other assets. Either route is acceptable.



Your result so far: