Points are one thing by Bobby Wolff

A: 3♦: You may hate this hand and regret that you responded, but now is not the time to breach discipline by passing out a forcing bid. Give support to three diamonds and hope that you can come to a stop in game in spades, hearts, diamonds or no-trump. What partner does next should help you decide.

Your result so far:

A: 1NT: A call of one no-trump here shows 18-20 and is surely the best way to advance with this hand. Although no-trump might be better played by your partner, the possibility of stopping low facing scattered values is a sound one. Your partner can introduce a second suit, rebid a five-card spade suit or try for game, of course.

Your result so far:

A: 3♦: Should you worry about ace-asking here? No -- the likelihood that your side is missing two aces is infinitesimal. Instead, focus on getting to the right slam, and the way to do that is to transfer to hearts then jump to five no-trump to offer a choice of slams. If your partner prefers either diamonds or spades, you won't argue.

Your result so far:

A: 3♦: You certainly have a maximum hand for a raise to three diamonds, and your three small spades are a positive feature on this auction, in that you can infer most of your cards ought to be working. But it would be overly optimistic to try for game. The rule that "when everybody is bidding, neither side can make game" is a pretty good one. Simply raise to three diamonds for the time being.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠: The Law of Total Tricks may tell you that when you have four trumps facing an overcall, you should commit to the three-level. But its promulgator, Larry Cohen, also warns that you should take into account negative features like weak trumps and defense in the sides. This hand has too many soft values on defense for a pre-emptive raise. Simply raise to two spades, then stay silent unless re-invited to the party.

Your result so far: