To bid or not to bid? by Bobby Wolff

A: 1♣: I have never been a big fan of upgrading a 19-count into a two-no-trump opening bid. This hand feels rather suit-oriented, so opening one club, planning a two-no-trump rebid, seems like the normal action. Sometimes the opponents will help us steer clear of three no-trump when it is right to do so.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: This hand comes down to the Law of Total Tricks. When you cue-bid two hearts, you showed a limit raise with at least three trumps. (Some pairs might have a way to show a limit raise with four trumps, but we do not.) You should assume your partner does not have enough to bid to three spades, and your balanced hand argues for defending, as you have only three trumps. So pass three hearts.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: Had East not bid one heart, you would probably have bid two spades. As it is, should you bid two spades anyway, or is one spade enough? I think it is right to bid two spades, since you would compete to one spade on the same hand without one of the aces -- that call really doesn't show anything more than four-plus spades, though it denies weakness.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: This sort of deal demonstrates why it is a good idea for the opener to be allowed to break the transfer whenever he has four trumps and anything but a dead minimum, and also perhaps when he has three good trumps and a maximum. The point is that when opener doesn't break the transfer, you can pass two hearts and not risk going overboard, since game is unlikely to be good.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: You showed 15-17 at your first turn. Then completing the transfer showed three trumps. In context, you have a minimum, plus soft cards in the opponents' suit. You have absolutely no reason to think of bidding now. Partner is in control of the auction, and he wants to sell out. Respect his authority.

Your result so far: