Take the right decision! by Bobby Wolff

A: 2NT: One of the old wives' tales that still circulates from time to time is that a two-no-trump opener must have every suit properly guarded. The problem is that the only way to show a balanced 21-count is to open two no-trump. If you do anything else, you cannot accurately describe your hand at your second turn.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: Facing a direct double, you would bid two hearts now; but the range for a balancing double is somewhat lower, so a free bid here should be a slightly better hand than this. You can pass, relying on your partner to reopen if he has real extras. If the opponents go back to two diamonds, you can balance with two hearts. I'd bid two hearts with the heart king instead of the queen, so it is very close.

Your result so far:

A: 2♦: Had the opponents not bid, your hand would have fallen very awkwardly into a gray area. It is unsuitable for an inverted raise or a pre-emptive jump raise, with a one-no-trump call being right on values but wrong in every other way. Here, though, you can raise to two diamonds and plan to bid on to three diamonds, if necessary.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥: When you have decent values in this position, you should consider giving false preference to two hearts. The logic is that the 5-2 heart fit may play better than a possible 4-3 club fit. But more importantly, when partner has extras, you want to keep the auction open to let him try for game. With the club queen instead of the ace, you might pass two clubs.

Your result so far:

A: 1NT: Your partner rates to be relatively short in both majors, so I can see some logic in raising to two clubs as opposed to rebidding one no-trump. Nonetheless, I think the one no-trump call suggests your values nicely, and lets partner rebid two clubs, if appropriate. He surely won't have six clubs, will he?

Your result so far: