Deciding on a call rather than another by Bobby Wolff

Deciding on a call rather than another depends on methods and on style. What would you do in these five situations? And are you and partner on the same page?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ J
♥ K Q 10 8 7 5
♦ 4
♣ K 7 6 5 2

Q: 1 - How do you open that hand as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	Pass	Pass
?

A: 2♥: There is no right answer here, and your action may depend on the vulnerability, but my preference would be to go high rather than low. If non-vulnerable, I might throw caution to the wind and open three or even four hearts. Vulnerable, a call of two hearts seems sufficient.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ Q 6
♥ 4 2
♦ K 10 5 4 2
♣ K 7 6 5

Q: 2 - What do you bid next as South?

South	West	North	East
Pass	1♣	1♥	Double
Pass	1♠	Double	Pass
?

A: 2♦: North's double is for takeout, since the opponents have announced a fit. Your soft cards in the black suits mean that your values may not be pulling their full weight, so I would just bid two diamonds, planning to compete again in diamonds if necessary.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ J 9 6
♥ -
♦ Q 9 6 5 2
♣ A 10 8 5 2

Q: 3 - What is your next call as South?

South	West	North	East
Pass	1♦	Double	1♥
2♣	Pass	2♥	Pass
?

A: 2NT: Do not be fooled into thinking, "That is a cue-bid, so it must be based on club fit." Doubling then bidding a suit, as long as it is one already bid on your left, is natural. So your partner has at least 17 HCP with a good heart suit. You have already shown values, so a simple call of two no-trump here seems right. That leaves room to get back to clubs, if necessary.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 8 5 2
♥ K 7 6
♦ 8 6 5 3 2
♣ 8

Q: 4 - What do you answer as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1NT	Pass
?

A: 2♣: This hand looks ideal for a response of two clubs, Stayman. Your plan is to pass any response partner makes. While you may be able to make a part-score in no-trump, surely both diamonds and spades will play more safely for a plus score, and two hearts in a 4-3 fit looks reasonable enough, too.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 7 6
♥ 10 9 7 5
♦ 10 9 7 5
♣ J 7 4

Q: 5 - What is your call as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1NT	Double
?

A: Redouble: After one no-trump is doubled for penalties, you can pass if you want to play there, and use your methods over one no-trump, with redouble as a way to force a call of two clubs, to escape to either two clubs or two diamonds. My best guess would be to redouble, planning to redouble two clubs for rescue. If partner wants to play two diamonds, he will bid it. If not, he will run to two hearts, you hope.

Your result so far:

Open Question

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