Contract Bridge

1. Pass. Before discussing your rebid, it might be best to consider what is indicated by partner’s notrump response. Partner will normally have six to 10 points in high cards and lack of support for hearts. Partner also denies holding four spades, and may not have balanced distribution.

Once the meaning of the notrump response is understood, it becomes unlikely that there can be a game in the combined hands, since they cannot contain the 26 points usually required for game. As there is no reason to believe that the partscore will play better in a suit contract, you should pass.

2. Two notrump. If partner has eight, nine or 10 points, there are enough points in the combined hands for game, so you extend an invitation to him to carry on to three notrump. The two-notrump rebid in this sequence shows 16 to 18 points. Partner then goes on or not, depending on whether he is on the high or low side of his initial response.

3. Four hearts. Game in hearts is likely to be made once partner has kept the bidding open. Responder needs little more than one or two key cards for 10 tricks to be made. The important thing to avoid is a jump to only three hearts, which is merely invitational and not forcing. Three clubs (forcing) is a reasonable alternative rebid.

4. Two diamonds. Game is unlikely unless partner can voluntarily support hearts. If he passes two diamonds, indicating a relatively poor hand and lack of heart support, the chances are that it is the best final contract. You should have no qualms about mentioning diamonds in preference to rebidding your weak six-card heart suit. Partner should be given a choice in the matter of selecting the best playable trump suit.

5. Three diamonds. The jumpshift forces partner to speak again and commits the partnership to game. Since he did not bid one spade over one heart, he is bound to have satisfactory trump support for at least one of your three suits.

You plan to show all three suits, if necessary. Whichever one partner eventually supports will become the trump suit.

Tomorrow: A delicate operation.