How is your competitve bidding? by Bobby Wolff

A: Pass: This auction might confuse the non-expert, since if the opponents had not bid, North's jump shift would be game forcing. But this is not a jump shift; it is a jump in response to your major-showing double. North should have four spades in the 13-14 range. (With extras and, say, a 4-1-3-5 pattern, he would perhaps bid three spades as a strong invite.) Similarly, with a game-forcing hand, he would have advanced with a cue-bid. You have a minimum, so you must pass now.


Your result so far:

A: Pass: One school of thought here wants to keep the auction open in case your side can make game. (This seems unlikely to me.) That school gives false preference to two spades, hoping that a 5-2 fit may play better than a possible 4-3 fit. The second school believes that the weak spade doubleton argues for passing and hoping partner has five hearts or needs spade ruffs in dummy. Put me narrowly in that camp.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: Even though your side appears to be outnumbered in terms of high cards, I would not be able to resist competing to two spades. My good spade spots mean I have relative safety at the two-level, and the urge to push the opponents up a little has always been nearly irresistible to me. Plus, I would not be upset to see my partner bid three spades over three of a minor.

Your result so far:

A: 1NT: Your partner does not promise more than a five-card suit for this auction. Rather than leave him to stew in an unsatisfactory trump fit, I would bid one no-trump. With both opponents acting, this is not a try for game showing extras; it is merely an attempt to improve the contract.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥: I can't say I'm wild about it, but I would bid two hearts now, figuring that the opponents have a fit and so do we, and that we should do our best to push our opponents up to the three-level. Of course, if playing with an aggressive partner, I can see why it might be right to pass and let partner take up the slack. But since we are facing a very good hand, we might easily make game somewhere.

Your result so far: