BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

What should South bid next? You must understand North’s bid in order to make the right rebid.

In (a) North has shown a minimum of 9 points and a probable willingness to double any final East-West contract. He has asked you to pass, and leave the next move up to him.

You, however, are not under an absolute obligation to pass. You are required to do so if your hand is suitable for defence, but here it most certainly is not. Tell North this immediately by bidding 1 ♠ over East’s 1 ♦ .

(b) is exactly the same position, except that East has taken his option of passing over the redouble, as West is now certain to have a chance to bid.

You are still not interested in defence, so again should tell partner of this by bidding 1 ♠ . Apart from your ‘shape’, you are almost sub-minimum for an opening bid anyway.