Contract Bridge
1. Three clubs. A basic rule of bidding is that whenever the responder names a new suit, the opening bidder must bid again. In this case, for example, your initial one-heart response is 100 percent forcing, and partner must bid again even if he started with a rock-bottom minimum.
The same principle applies when responder, at his second turn to bid, again names a new suit. However, there is one important exception to this rule, and that is when the opening bidder rebids one notrump on the second round.
In that case, if responder wants to name a new suit and be sure that partner will bid again, he must jump to the three level. Since you have every reason here to believe that your side can make a game in some denomination, you must jump to three clubs to force partner to continue bidding.
2. Three notrump. With 14 high-card points and a notrumptype hand, you should go directly to game. There would not be much point to a three-club bid, as it is unlikely that game in either minor suit would prove a better proposition than game in notrump.
3. Pass. There is no good reason to disturb one notrump. Game is unlikely with only 10 high-card points facing a hand that can contain, at most, 14 points.
The only question to be resolved is whether one notrump or two hearts is the better partscore contract. Seven tricks at notrump figure to be made on high-card power alone, while two hearts runs the risk that partner might have poor heart support, in which case a bad trump break could cost you the partscore.
4. Three diamonds. Again we have an opening bid facing an opening bid, but the best game contract is by no means clear at this point. Partner’s assistance in choosing the best contract should therefore be enlisted by jumping to three diamonds (forcing).
If partner next bids three hearts, indicating three-card support for your suit, you will happily carry on to four, while if he chooses diamonds or notrump as the best denomination, you intend to abide by his decision.
Tomorrow: The sure way is the best way.