Weekly bridge quiz answers

Q 1 — Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

AQ AJ10 87652

♠ ♡ ◇

QJ10

♣

Left-hand opponent opens 1S, pass, pass to you. What call would you make?

A — Double is reasonable, but 1NT in the balancing seat might show as few as 11 points. With almost half of our values in spades, we like 1NT.

Q 2 — North-south vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Q74 AJ102 AQ10 ♠ ♡ ◇

83 5

♣

As dealer, what call would you make?

A — Some experts would open 1♡ to facilitate a rebid. This hand, which could happily raise a1 response to the two level,

♠ should open 1D.

Q 3 — East-west vulnerable, as South, you hold:

KJ86 AK52 J

♠ ♡ ◇ ♣ AQJ3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Pass 1◇ Pass ?

What call would you make? A — It’s a bad idea to jump shift with fewer than nine cards in your two suits, especially with a fourth suit that you might want to play in. Bid 1H.

Q 4 — Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

AJ98 K1095 AQ ♠ ♡ ◇

10 A6

♣

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1◇ Pass Pass 1NT ?

What call would you make? A — Had East bid 2C, this would be a routine takeout double. It’s not routine anymore, but we would still double.

Q 5 — North-south vulnerable, as South, you hold:

5 KQ982 Q986

♠ ♡ ◇

KJ7

♣

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♡ 1♠ 2◇ 3S

?

What call would you make? A — It was a small stretch to open with this hand, but nothing has happened to make your hand worse. Bid 4D.

Q 6 — East-west vulnerable, as South, you hold:

A76 652 AJ82

♠ ♡ ◇

J42

♣

Partner opens 1♠ and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A — Don’t overbid hands with 4-3-3-3 distribution. Bid 2S.