Contract Bridge

1. Four diamonds. With better than an opening bid facing an opening bid, game must be reached, and slam is not out of the question. Three diamonds, though it has the merit of making a three-notrump contract possible, is totally inadequate, since partner may pass.

The jump to four diamonds is forcing and leaves room for either a four-heart cuebid or a four-notrump (Blackwood) bid by partner. If partner does cuebid in hearts, indicating firstround control of the suit and interest in slam, you should bid six diamonds.

Although a four-club bid (forcing) over two diamonds would describe your powerful club suit, it would not show the excellent diamond support that will make partner take a rosier view of his hand.

2. Pass. The rule of thumb that it takes an opening bid opposite an opening bid to make a game should be applied here. Since partner has made the weakest rebid possible, and your hand amounts to less than an opening bid, it must be assumed that there is no game. When this consideration is added to your lack of support for diamonds, the evidence becomes even more convincing.

The only question remaining is where the partscore contract should be played. It is possible that three clubs might be a better contract than two diamonds, but this is not really worth investigating. A further bid might make matters worse. It’s much wiser to let go of a hot potato.

3. Three notrump. This bid is clear-cut. With 14 high-card points and honor cards in every suit facing an opening bid, game at notrump should be bid without further ado. No other possibility should be considered.

4. Three diamonds. Although your diamond support is nothing to write home about, it is adequate opposite a suit that has been bid twice. The diamond raise encourages partner to bid again, without compelling him to. Your hand is not good enough to do more than invite partner to continue.

If he does not go on, the chances are that the best contract has been reached. It would be incorrect to rebid your clubs when a fit in diamonds has already been found.

Tomorrow: South displays good

technique.