BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

You open 1♥ and partner responds with 2♦. What do you bid next? You have a very good rebid of 2♥, or a very bad one to 3♥ — but you are NoT strong enough to show your second suit with a reverse bid of 2♠.

The ability to evaluate hands consistently well is one of the skills needed to become a good player. Your preferred option here is 2♥, because your intermediate cards are poor and your singleton in partner’s suit does not improve your hand.

You need the bidding space to get more information about the hand and, if partner cannot make another bid, you are unlikely to be missing game.

Had partner’s response been 2♣, rather than 2♦, your hand is improved and you are nearer a 3♥ rebid — but I’d still opt for the simple raise with most partners.