Contract Bridge

1. Three spades. Partner’s double is for takeout, and if you were to bid only two spades, he might think you had a hand that looked something like:

and you could easily miss a game if partner passed.

The best way to represent your actual values is by jumping to three spades, an invitational bid indicating the game-going potential of your hand.

2. Two notrump. It is far better to respond two notrump than three clubs, a bid you could make with no high-card values at all. Two notrump is a forward-going bid that indicates moderate values (about seven to 10 points) and at least one diamond stopper. Partner may or may not carry on, depending on the size and shape of his hand.

3. Three diamonds. It’s hard to imagine any hand partner could have where you wouldn’t have a good chance for game. However, you can’t jump to game in one of your suits because you might choose the wrong one and wind up in an inferior contract.

The best way to locate the proper trump suit is to cuebid the opponent’s suit, forcing partner to make the choice. You plan to raise to game in whichever suit he names.

4. Two hearts. Here you’re not quite strong enough for a jump-response, so the problem is whether to bid two hearts or three clubs. Neither response indicates any highcard strength, but since a twoheart response is far more likely to stimulate a further bid from partner than a three-club bid, the heart response should be preferred. If partner raises two hearts to three, you should gladly bid four, as you have substantially greater values than he has a right to expect.

Tomorrow: All’s well that ends well.