Should I stay or should I go? by Bobby Wolff

A: 4♣: An easy one? Assuming partner has forced to game, playing two-over-one, you may not have high-card extras, but what you have is suitable for slam. Cue-bid your club ace with a call of four clubs, and hope partner can take control. This doesn't promise real extras; it just suggests a hand prepared to cooperate for slam. If partner was merely inviting game, bid it.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: This hand shows one of the downsides of playing New Minor Forcing. You cannot sign off in two diamonds -- that call has been subverted to becoming a forcing relay. Pass one no-trump, hoping partner can run the diamonds. With the spades and diamonds switched, it would be much more attractive to bid two spades. Here, though, your weak spots argue against that action.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: When partner competes over a takeout double, you should only join in a second time if you have extras in high cards or shape. Here, you have neither, so you have an easy pass. For the record: You would double if the club two were the king, and you would raise to three diamonds with your minors switched.

Your result so far:

A: There is no need to tell your partner what he has in his hand when you can ask him, hence your delicate invitation to game with the bid of two no-trump. Your partner then indicated he had a weakish hand with four diamonds, unsuitable for an initial pre-emptive raise. Since you have exactly what you promised on your previous turn, just pass now.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥: If playing a forcing no-trump, you have to bid (at least in theory) facing an unpassed hand. While I would always bid a four-card minor (if I had one) before rebidding my five-card suit, here suit quality plays a part in the decision. I am tempted to bid two hearts -- for the honors -- as I will explain to my partner later, even if playing duplicate.

Your result so far: