Describe your hand by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♣: I could understand bidding three clubs to pre-empt the opponents out of the auction, but you actually have a fair chance that this is your hand, not theirs, particularly because you have the boss suit, spades. So I would just overcall two clubs, hoping to get a second chance to describe my hand.

Your result so far:

A: 5NT: This is a quantitative sequence; you have shown a balanced 22-24 or so, thus you have maximum hand for the auction and must bid on, despite the uncomfortable feeling engendered by your diamond holding. There is something to be said for bidding five no-trump -- pick a slam -- to get partner to bid suits up the line. He might, after all, have four small in one major.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT: If you learn only one thing today, remember that in almost all auctions where a hand that has already passed balances with a double, a response of two no-trump, as here, is not natural. This call asks partner to bid his better minor. The logic is that if you had a one-suiter, you would bid it; if you had a spade stack, you would defend two spades doubled. So this is a cry for help: "Get me out of here, please!"

Your result so far:

A: Double: You have a good hand, but no clear direction to head in and no real guarantee of a club fit. My instinct is to double, suggesting extras, and perhaps typically three diamonds. This is in the hope that partner will be able to convert the double to penalties or repeat one of the black suits if that is appropriate.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: It was very nice of your RHO to take you off the hook here. Had he passed, you would have been forced to rebid one no-trump, since this is the closest approximation -- or least lie -- to describe what you have. But now you can pass and await developments without having to distort your hand. Redouble here would show a better hand than this, by the way (or three trumps if playing support doubles).


Your result so far: