CHRISTMAS COMPETITION BID AND LEAD ANSWERS

NPHILLIP ALDER ow for the answers to the bidding and opening-lead questions in my Christmas Competition.

3. Look at only the South hand. After opening one spade, what would you rebid after partner responds (a) one no-trump? Three spades, game-invitational (but there is a case for four spades, hoping to buy a good dummy).

(b) Two clubs? Three hearts splinter bid, or, if you do not use that gadget, four clubs, which is forcing. You hope partner can control-bid (cue-bid) four diamonds.

(c) Two diamonds? Three spades (or three clubs).

(d) Three spades (gameinvitational limit raise)? Four clubs, control-bid.

(e) Four clubs, a splinter bid showing at least fourcard spade support and game-going values with a singleton or void in clubs? Four hearts, control-bid.

(f) Four spades? Pass (a tad cautious) or five clubs (control-bid) or six spades (throwing caution to the wind).

4. Look at only the West hand. What would you respond after partner opens (a) One diamond? One heart (but there is a case for raising diamonds to try to make it harder for the opponents to bid spades).

(b) One heart? Four hearts (a weak freak) -- sock it to 'em.

(c) Three hearts? Anything but pass! I like four no-trump, Blackwood. I guess my second choice would be six hearts.

5. Look at only the East hand. North opens one notrump, and South raises to three no-trump. What would you lead? Heart six, second-highest from a weak suit when the top two cards are not touching.

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