How do you evaluate your hand? by Bobby Wolff

A: 3♦: The jump to three clubs sets up a game force, so there is no need to bid more than three diamonds now. Let partner produce his heart raise or probe for three no-trump on his next turn without taking away any space. Jumping to four diamonds might leave him awkwardly placed.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: Even with the knowledge that your RHO holds a spade stopper or two, it seems cowardly to pass here. I'm torn between two spades and three clubs. I'd go for the two spade bid, on the basis that partner can revert to clubs if he has five spades and two clubs -- he knows that you have only two spades and at least six clubs, doesn't he?

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: If you play two-over-one game forcing, you are already in a game force, of course. The two-heart bid suggests weak length with no convenient call. You cannot bid no-trump without a stopper, and raising clubs would show three, so all that is left is a two-spade call. This does not guarantee six, and at least your main values are here.


Your result so far:

A: 3♥: This hand seems to be at the very bottom of the threshold for a jump to three hearts. The spade fragment may be useful facing shortness, and it is easy to imagine making game facing an opening bid with a singleton spade. If you play that your takeout doubles normally deliver shape-suitable openers, as you should, then your hand is just worth this action.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: This answer is partly about style and partly about judgment. I'd like to rebid two spades here, even if it suggests six -- which in my style, it does not. A bid of three of a minor should show either five cards or extras. Even worse, it might lose us our fit in the fourth suit.

Your result so far: