The Bridge Column

Q1 — Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Q 9 7 ♥ A 10 ♦ K 8 4 3 ♣ Q 5 3 2 Partner opens one club and righthand opponent bids two spades, weak. What call do you make?

A— Three clubs would be an acceptable bid with some problems — partner might not have four clubs and, also, you would bid three clubs with less. Bid two no-trump. That’s about right on values.

Q2 — North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ J ♥ K 4 3 ♦ 8 7 5 4 2 ♣ K Q 6 5 Partner opens one no-trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A— Puppet Stayman, asking for a five-card major, would be a useful tool here. Most of us don’t have fancy conventions for a hand like this, so bid three no-trump and hope for the best. Q 3 — East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Void ♥ A J 7 6 4 ♦ A J 7 3 ♣ K J 9 2 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass What call would you make?

A— If partner’s bid created a game force, then we would have several sensible choices. Failing that, we must show our extra values as a supporting hand. Bid four diamonds. Q 4 — Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q 9 8 ♥ A J 9 2 ♦ K 8 ♣ A 8 6 4 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♠ Pass 2♠ ? What call would you make?

A— No action is completely sound, but we would hate this to be passed out and we end up defending this low-level contract. Double, and pass with a fake smile on your face should partner bid diamonds.

(Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. E-mail responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.)