What have you learned about partner's hand? by Bobby Wolff

A: 3NT: Since your partner has guaranteed six clubs on this auction (which wouldn't be absolutely guaranteed over a one-spade response, by the way), you can see you have a good chance of running nine quick tricks facing little more than six clubs to the ace-queen and the diamond ace. Rather than risk missing game, I would simply bid three no-trump now without consulting my partner.

Your result so far:

A: 3♦: North is unlikely to have even as much as the doubleton ace in spades. Since he did not rebid his clubs initially, he might have given preference to spades at his third turn if he could. You have a choice of forcing calls in the red suits to probe: Three diamonds looks best. You can revert to five clubs if partner raises, but you do not want to suggest half a heart stopper, as a call of three hearts might do.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣: This hand is on the cusp of passing, trying to settle for a plus score, or bidding three clubs to show your 5-5 pattern and non-forcing extras. I'd take the latter route -- if for no other reason than that three clubs may be easier to make than two hearts if your partner has two hearts and three clubs.

Your result so far:

A: 5♣: Your double suggested values; your partner's four no-trump call suggests two places to play. It makes sense to bid five clubs now; if your partner corrects that to five diamonds, you can bid five hearts, since the 5-4 fit rates to play better than diamonds.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: This may be an unpopular answer, but facing a pre-empt in first seat (especially a non-vulnerable one), I think it is right to pass and try to go plus there. Yes, there are hands where game will make, but even if partner holds ace-king-seventh of clubs, you still haven't made four hearts or five clubs. Vulnerable at teams, you might persuade me to bid three hearts.


Your result so far: