HOW TO BID A CHALLENGING HAND THAT OCCURRED DURING ONE OF OUR TOURNAMENTS

YOU are sitting North and as dealer have a number of choices to open the bidding. There are four main options:

1 Heart – A big risk exists that your partner may pass and you miss a game or better.

4 Hearts – You certainly should make 10 tricks on your hand alone but do you risk missing a slam as your partner will almost certainly pass?

2 Clubs – A bid such as this requires 23+ points when on the face of it you only have 15. However close examination of the hand shows that you can add the points for ruffing the Ace + King of Spades plus also the King of Clubs adding an extra 10 points making 25.

4 No Trumps – Route one using Blackwood asking for Aces – is risky (especially if it has never come up before with your partner). 1. The correct bid is 2 Clubs

2. To which your partner replies 2 Spades showing 8+ points and a five card spade suit. 3. Your next bid is 3 Hearts showing a suit with at least 5 cards.

4. Your partner is not allowed to pass and their next bid should be 4 Diamonds.

5. This bid makes your hand very much stronger as they will have at least 4 cards and an honour in Diamonds. At this point you can use Blackwood (4 No Trumps) to ask for Aces.

6. Your partner bids 5 Diamonds showing just one Ace.

7. Now you have a dilemma. If it is the Ace of Spades then you could lose 2 tricks (Ace of Diamonds and Ace of Clubs). If however it is either the Ace of Diamonds or Ace of Clubs (unlikely on bidding) then you can safely bid 6 Hearts. If you are feeling lucky (or need to make up some ground in the tournament) you will risk 6 Hearts.

VULN: Both DEALER: North CONTRACT: 6H by N, LEAD: AC The full hand is set out above and the play is straightforward – the opponents win the first trick and you make the remaining 12. Any other lead than AC gives you an extra trick.