Bidding Quiz BRIDGE

1. Four notrump. Blackwood would certainly seem the most straightforward way to determine the potential of this hand. Partner’s jump to four hearts indicates that he has four-card support for that suit and the values for an opening bid. If he had only a 10- or 11-point hand with heart support, he would have bid three hearts rather than four. Partner might have any of these three hands:

♠ 4 ♥ AJ72 ♦ J63 ♣ AQ852

♠ J5 ♥ J1074 ♦ K8 ♣ AQJ93

♠ Q2 ♥ A952 ♦ 73 ♣ AJ874 and you would surely want to be in six with each of them.

If partner shows two aces by bidding five hearts, you should next check for kings via five notrump, planning to bid a grand slam if he has one or two. Otherwise, you will settle for six hearts. You will also bid six if partner turns up with only one ace. Many players shy away from a slam when they learn the opponents have an ace, but here the missing ace is probably the only trick you will lose.

2. Five diamonds. Partner has at least six diamonds, and A-x therefore constitutes adequate trump support. It is true that his three-diamond bid indicates willingness to play the hand under game, but since you have substantial extra values, including a singleton club, you should raise him to game.

3. Three hearts. Partner does not yet know that you have two five-card suits, so you should rebid your hearts at this point to clarify your distribution. The three-heart bid is 100 percent forcing and asks partner to choose the final denomination. If he raises to four hearts or bids three notrump, you pass; if he bids three spades, you carry on to four.

Tomorrow: Foresight.