The Bridge Column

Q1 — North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q 9 ♥ Q 9 8 7 6 3 ♦ 6 ♣ A J 9 2 Partner opens one no-trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent bids two diamonds. What call would you make? A— Should you play Texas transfers, where you transfer to your major at the four level, the convention still applies over two-level overcalls. Bid four diamonds. Otherwise, bid four hearts. Q2 — Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A K 2 ♥ J 7 4 ♦ K ♣ A K Q 9 6 2 With both opponents passing, you open one club and partner responds one diamond. What call would you make? A— Jump shifting into a three-card major invites disaster, and the hand is too good for three clubs or two notrump. What’s left? Bid three notrump. Q 3 — East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q 10 5 3 2 ♥ K 7 ♦ A J 8 5 ♣ J 4 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass 2♣* Pass 2NT Pass ? *New Minor Forcing What call would you make? A— Partner’s one no-trump rebid showed 12-14 and your “new minor” bid promised at least invitational values. Partner could have bid three no-trump with a maximum. Pass. Q 4 — Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A ♥ J 9 5 4 ♦ K Q J 3 2 ♣ Q J 3 Partner opens one heart and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make? A— Slam is in the air and there is much to do. Start by bidding two diamonds. That will sound like a potential source of tricks when you support hearts later. (Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. E-mail responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.)