do we have a fit? by Bobby Wolff

A: 3♣: Raise to three clubs, as much to keep the opponents quiet as to make a real try for game. Here, the fact that you raise partner's suit, rather than making a stronger try via a cue-bid, should indicate to your partner that you have more of a courtesy raise than a really strong hand.

Your result so far:

A: 2♦: We haven't discussed inverted minors for a while. Here, a raise to two diamonds by an unpassed hand in a non-competitive auction is natural and forcing for at least one round. Unless either player limits his hand with a re-raise to three diamonds, or with a call of two no-trump, the auction becomes game forcing. This is surely the best way to explore for a possible slam.

Your result so far:

A: 3NT: Did you fall into the trap of raising spades or cue-bidding in a search for slam? You shouldn't, because this auction doesn't really promise spade support -- partner would follow this route with a doubleton. You should rebid three no-trump here, expecting your partner to pick whichever game he considers appropriate. In the context of what you have already shown, you are as balanced as you could be.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: When you bid two clubs, you showed a limit raise or better in hearts, an action that starts at about a 10-count with four trumps, give or take a point. When your partner rejects your game try, you had better have a really good hand to continue the auction -- and this isn't it. You might bid two no-trump to invite game if your diamond four were the queen; but as it is, you have an easy pass.


Your result so far:

A: 4♦: Your partner has asked for help in diamonds, and you have a splendid holding, more than enough to bid game. In fact, there are plenty of hands where you might make slam in either spades or diamonds, and the right way to show that is to bid four diamonds now. Imagine partner with a powerhouse and 5-2-4-2 shape to see why diamonds might be right.

Your result so far: