Do you want to play game? by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♠: Of course this is too good for a pass, so it seems obvious to raise clubs here. But this hand is still too good for a simple raise to three clubs -- you would make that call if the spade ace were the jack or queen. If you trust your partner, you should bid two spades -- a call that shows values like this. You cannot have spades since you bypassed the suit at your first turn.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣: Facing a partner you can trust, the most likely problem you have here is whether to compete beyond three clubs if the opponents find a heart or spade fit at the three-level. Your choice is between a simple raise to three clubs and a two-heart cue-bid to show about a limit raise. I would take the cautious position and let partner take it from there. To do more, I'd need maybe a red king in place of one of the queens.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠: I cannot guarantee that your side can make game here. But the combination of your singleton spade and weak hearts facing a likely shortage (partner did not make a support double) means that your values appear to be working well and your spade shortage will surely prove useful. I would jump to three spades as a splinter agreeing clubs.

Your result so far:

A: Double: Despite holding a minimum opening bid, you must reopen with a double here. This shows short hearts and lets partner describe his hand accurately. I expect partner has a penalty double of one heart -- don't you? Yes, the opponents might have missed a game, but that isn't terribly likely.

Your result so far:

A: Redouble: I would start by redoubling, rather than bidding my suits, planning to double them if they escape to a minor. If my partner doubles the opponents' escape to two hearts, I would sit for it. If two hearts comes around to me, I suppose I will bid three diamonds.

Your result so far: