Pure judgment? by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♣: If you felt that this hand was too good for a raise to two spades (which you might do without the club ace) but not good enough for a limit raise or a redouble -- when you might get pre-empted -- you are right. Modern science offers two solutions, the complex one being transfers after a double of a major suit. The simpler path is to subvert a two-club call to show three trumps and 7-10 high-card points.

Your result so far:

A: Double: The simplest option is to raise diamonds via a cue-bid, but I think it is slightly superior to start with a double. Your plan is to raise diamonds to the appropriate level at your next turn, while letting your partner know you have four spades. You do not want to play in spades unless your partner can voluntarily introduce that suit, but if he has four, you want to let him know about the fit.

Your result so far:

A: 2♦: All three possible solutions to this problem are somewhat flawed. You could show your hand-type by rebidding one no-trump, even if the absence of a spade stopper is disconcerting. You could rebid your diamonds, falsely implying six; to some extent, your intermediates compensate for this. Or you could rebid two hearts, for which you are a heart short. The diamond rebid may be the least of all evils.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠: With prime support and decent values, albeit no aces, you want to tell your partner about this as soon as possible so he can judge how to explore for slam. The best way would be to bid three spades immediately. In any auction where a simple call in spades would be natural and forcing, a jump is a splinter, showing short spades and heart support.

Your result so far:

A: 1♠: If your partner had doubled in direct seat, you might have thought about jumping to two spades -- you are on the cusp for that action. But facing a balancing double, you need a little more to jump. Remember that since partner knows his range starts slightly lower for the reopening call, he will make another bid if he has real extra shape or values -- say a king more than an opener.


Your result so far: