Competitive situations by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♠: Facing a balancing double, the cue-bid does not normally promise a second call facing any minimum action by the doubler. So here, a call of two spades by you would not be forcing, and since you do not have anything more than a minimum opener, there is no reason to drive to game. With an extra queen you might cue-bid to set up a game force.

Your result so far:

A: 1♣: Everyone has their own set of rules to live by, in life as in bridge. One of my personal principles is that when opening a hand 4-4 in the minors, I bid the suit I want partner to lead. I don't care which suit I bid when I have equal suits, but I feel very strongly that if defending here, I want partner to lead clubs, not diamonds. Does your partner always lead the right thing? If not, help him out!

Your result so far:

A: 2♦: You have enough to force to game, but it seems premature to drive to four hearts, since you might miss slam or end up playing a 4-3 fit when three no-trump is a better game. Start with a two-diamond cue-bid and see if partner produces a heart suit or a diamond stopper.

Your result so far:

A: Double: My suggestion here is certainly not without risk, but if you want to come back into this auction, you can double two spades to suggest a hand like this. Since the auction is still live (in that West could have a decent hand), your double should show an opening bid short in spades. A little pushy, but faint heart never won fair lady.

Your result so far:

A: 1♠: This hand warrants a sensible response of one spade to the takeout double. Your plan would be to compete to two hearts if the opponents bid to two clubs or two diamonds. You do not have a strong hand, but you have just enough to feel comfortable playing a 4-4 major suit at the two-level. You bid spades first so as to get the two suits in efficiently.

Your result so far: