BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

You open 1 ♠ on each of these hands, but what would you bid next after partner responds 2NT?

In Acol, this 2nT response still has a valuable use — especially for rubber bridge players. It shows a balanced 11-12HcPs, without a five-card suit and with not more than three spades (possibly only a doubleton). It is strictly a limit bid and is non-forcing. If you subsequently make a further bid at the threelevel, either in spades or in another, you will expect partner to pass, or give simple preference.

clearly, you’re going to play both these hands in a spade contract. Both have a minimum 12-count, but (a) is significantly more shapely and is therefore worth a shot at game. You obviously won’t make this if partner had no ace, but you’ve no means of telling — so why not have a gamble!

Hand (b) requires too much to be right for you to have a realistic chance of game, so simply sign off in 3 ♠ .