BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

♠ - ♥ AQJ972 ♦ 6 ♣ A KQ 9 7 5

What would you respond on this hand ♦ when partner opens 1 ?

You intend to be in game, however minimum and misfitting partner’s hand may be, so you make a ♥ game-forcing bid of 2 . Note the difference from ♠ yesterday, where, after a 1 opening, you needed to force in clubs first in order to preserve precious bidding space. The force does not imply support for partner’s suit, but it does announce slam interest. What you rebid will depend on partner’s ♣ response; I would opt for 4 , which is NOT Gerber, ♦ over anything but 3 . It might be difficult to reach a good slam unless partner can support hearts immediately, but you are sure to reach the six-level.

Readers will know that I advise against using up bidding space with a force, unless you know where you’re going, and you want to tell your partner that a slam is on. Here, you are going to ♥ ♣ play in either 6 or 6 .