Contract Bridge

Partner bids One Spade, and the next player passes, both sides vulnerable. What would you bid with each of the following hands?

1. ♠ 984 ♥ KJ6 ♦ AJ92 ♣ KQ9

2. ♠ A65 ♥ 84 ♦ AJ872 ♣ 643

3. ♠ 10 ♥ QJ762 ♦ AKJ93

♣ Q5

4. ♠ 9852 ♥ 93 ♦ K8 ♣

AQ743

5. ♠ Q87543 ♥ 10 ♦ KJ94

♣ 82

1. Two notrump. Unless you and your partner have agreed to some other meaning for two notrump in this situation, this bid shows 13 to 15 points, a balanced distribution and stoppers in the unbid suits.

Of course, the bid does not irrevocably commit your side to notrump. If partner does anything but raise to three notrump, you will next show your three-card spade support.

2. Two spades. This shows six to 10 points and trump support, which is precisely what you have. It is better to avoid a two-diamond response, because partner might expect you to have a somewhat better hand and would not, for the moment at least, be aware that you had adequate support for spades. By raising spades directly, you place the decision on whether to continue bidding exactly where it belongs — in partner’s lap.

3. Two hearts. This is in keeping with the principle of first mentioning the higherranking of two five-card suits, regardless of the high-card content of the two suits. Bidding diamonds first and hearts next would indicate fewer hearts than diamonds and could result in your winding up in the wrong contract.

4. Two clubs. Here you’re too good to raise to two spades, since with your trump fit and two doubletons, your hand is worth about 11 points.

In-between hands such as this are best described by bidding a side suit first and then raising partner’s suit at your next turn. If you happen to play “limit” raises, as most now do, an immediate jump to three spades, indicating 11-12 points with spade support, is also acceptable.

5. Four spades. The immediate raise to four serves two purposes. First, you should have a good chance for game, even though you don’t have many high-card points. Second, and equally important, is the bid’s pre-emptive value. Given your dearth of high card points and your six-card trump support, there is a substantial danger that the opponents can make a game or find a good sacrifice in hearts or clubs. If all goes well, your four-spade bid might be just enough to block them out.