Situations where you could do different things by Bobby Wolff

What would you bid in these five examples?

Not all of them have only one correct answer as these are situations where you could do different things depending on your style.

Make sure you agree with your partner(s)!

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ J 7 4
♥ A K 10 4 2
♦ -
♣ A 10 8 5 3

Q: 1 - What do you bid next as South?

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	1NT	Pass
2♣	Pass	2♠	Pass
?

A: 4♦: The two-spade call is artificial (as partner can't hold spades). It suggests at least a high-card raise to three clubs, a direct club raise being more about shape than high cards. Your extra shape makes your hand worth at least a shot at game, but should you make a splinter jump to four diamonds? That may direct the spade lead, but bear in mind that your RHO didn't double two spades, so I vote for the splinter.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ K 8 2
♥ Q 10 9
♦ A K Q 8 3
♣ K 7

Q: 2 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	Pass	Pass	1♣
?

A: 1NT: There are three sensible choices: You might overcall one no-trump, or one diamond, or double, planning to bid one no-trump on your next turn. For simplicity's sake, the no-trump overcall has my vote. If for no other reason, many players frequently fail to lead clubs when that is their best lead. This call also allows partner to transfer, and for your side to find major-suit fits only when you want to.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q 8
♥ A 8 4
♦ K J 10 9
♣ A 10 9 3

Q: 3 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
1♦	Pass	1♥	1♠
?

A: Double / 2♥: Without the intervention, you would have bid one no-trump. Here, that would be most unsound, so the question is whether to raise to two hearts or pass. Some people play the so-called "support double," which here would show precisely three trumps, and a raise to two hearts shows four trumps. A good hand for the convention? Maybe -- as far as I am concerned, the jury is still out on it.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ J 9 7 2
♥ Q 5
♦ Q 9
♣ A K Q 10 7

Q: 4 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	Pass	1♠	Double
?

A: 2NT: The conventional call of two no-trump after a major suit has been doubled (known as Jordan or Truscott, depending on which side of the Atlantic you live on) shows a limit raise or better in spades and is a good way to start to show your values and fit. Redouble shows strength but typically denies a fit, and many play two clubs here as non-forcing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q 4 2
♥ K 7 4
♦ A 7 5
♣ A K Q

Q: 5 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	Pass	Pass	2♦
?

A: Double: Your plan here should be to double for takeout and cue-bid over a minimum response from your partner. You will then follow up with three no-trump, suggesting a strong, balanced hand -- too strong for a direct bid of three no-trump. Despite your strength, you cannot guarantee even making game, much less committing your hand any higher, unless partner shows signs of life.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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