What does the bidding mean so far? by Bobby Wolff

A: Pass: Normally you bid with good hands and pass with bad ones. But here, although you have a 15-count, you have no guarantee of a real fit, and too much of your hand is in spades to take an aggressive position. You might balance with a double, but why shouldn't partner have a flat Yarborough here?

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: Your partner has made a takeout double of diamonds, suggesting a three-suiter with decent hearts, hence his first pass. I'd expect your partner to have three or four spades, but even facing a doubleton spade, playing spades is surely going to be your side's best result, rather than defending, so I would bid two spades now.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥: Partner has a huge hand with something like eight or nine playing tricks in clubs. You could settle for game, but I think this hand is worth a splinter raise to four hearts. Let partner ask for aces or key-cards, if appropriate. He will be better placed to take control than you.


Your result so far:

A: 2♣: There is some ambiguity about what is a cue-bid and what is natural here. (If your RHO had bid a major, then your call in that suit would be played by many as natural.) But cue-bidding two clubs is safe enough; this must be artificial and should get partner to pick a major. You can then raise and show an invitational hand.

Your result so far:

A: 4♠: When your partner cannot bid more than three spades, your side is highly unlikely to have a good slam. Even if partner has a maximum and the club finesse works, you might run into club ruffs. Just raise to four spades and hope partner can make it.

Your result so far: