BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

South ♠ K Q 7 5 4 ♥ 8 6 3 ♦ 10 6 ♣ 8 5 3

N-S Vulnerable

EAST opens 1♥ and his partner raises to 2♥. Your partner (North) now bids 3♥ and East passes; what action would you take on this South hand?

YOUR partner has made the strongest bid of all in this situation. It means that he would probably have opened 2♣ if he’d had the chance.

He has almost certainly got game values in his own hand, as well as first round control in hearts.

You would have had to respond 3♠ if you’d held a Yarborough and only a 4-card suit. So here, you must convey the good news about your values with a jump bid to 4♠.

If partner now makes any further bid, it will be a slam invitation agreeing spades as trumps. He may of course bid 6♠ direct.