BRIDGE

YOUR partner, North, opens 1♥, and you naturally respond 1♠. What would you bid next when he rebids 2NT? A VERY simple point to finish the week, yet one that is too frequently overlooked or maybe not appreciated. Partner’s strong rebid shows a good 16 to 18 HCPs, with guards in the unbid suits. You obviously intend to play in game, but the contract may be safer played in a major suit than in NTs.

You should bid 3♥ here, which is unconditionally forcing. It merely shows your threecard support and invites partner to decide the final contract. He will now bid 3NT or 4♥ — or even pass the buck back to you with 3♠, if holding three spades.

Rubber bridge players can forget this costnothing option that is available to bid more accurately and constructively.

In Pairs play, people tend to rebid in No Trumps to show the point range, even with a weakness in an unbid suit.