Bidding Quiz BRIDGE

You are South in each of the following three hands. What would you bid at the point where the question mark appears?

1. ♠ AJ8 J9 A92 ♣ AKJ85

South

1 ♣ 1 1

2. ♠ A103 AKJ65 AQ84

South

1 ♥ Pass 1

2 Pass 3

KQJ1085 6 Q84

West

♥

East ♠

East Pass Pass

1. Two notrump. A jump to two notrump, indicating 18 or 19 high-card points, notrump distribution and at least one stopper in each of the opponents’ suits, is the best way to describe your values.

However, the best final contract is still uncertain. Partner might go along with notrump by passing or bidding three notrump, or he might have a hand that he thinks is better for suit play. You will follow wherever he leads, since your values are flexible enough to fit any hand pattern he might have.

2. Six spades. Taking into account your extra values, partner’s jump to three spades (invitational) and your excellent support for his suit, there should be no doubt about making 12 tricks.

If you start by assuming that partner has as least six spades to the K-Q and either the queen of hearts, king of diamonds or ace of clubs, you should have a very good play for the slam. You could stop off along the way and use Blackwood, but since you are not going to bid less than six, and never going to bid seven, you might as well bid six straightaway.

3. Four spades. Simplest is best. The probability of making 10 tricks at spades is overwhelming, and you should make sure of getting there without running the risk of being dropped at a less-than-game contract. There is a difference of opinion among players as to whether a jump to three spades in this situation — opposite partner’s overcall — is forcing or merely invitational. But regardless of which school you come from, you should bid four spades straightaway in the present case rather than risk a partnership misunderstanding.

Tomorrow: One play does it all.