Contract Bridge
Bidding quiz
You are South, neither side vulnerable. The bidding has gone:
South West North East 1 ♦ Pass 1 ♥ Pass 1 ♠ Pass 2 ♣ Pass What would you bid now with each of the following four hands?
1. ♠ A1072 ♥♦ 5 AKJ104
♣ 632
2. ♠ AKJ6 ♥♦ 6 AQJ743
♣ Q5
3. ♠ KQJ3 ♥ — ♦ KJ952
♣ AQ74
4. ♠ K1093 ♥ Q7 ♦ AQJ43
♣ A5
1. Two diamonds. The only possible choices are two diamonds or two notrump. The more encouraging bid would be two notrump, but this direct step toward game would tend to imply some extra values. Your hand is a real minimum, containing only 12 high- card points, and you’ve not yet identified it as such, since you could have made the very same first two bids with a much better hand.
In view of the two forcing bids partner has already made, it is unlikely that he will pass two diamonds, but if he did, a game contract would probably prove unsound.
2. Three diamonds. Here you have well above a minimum opening bid, and you must show this in one way or another. You have the highcard values for a jump to three notrump, but such a bid would indicate a relatively balanced hand, which you don’t have.
The three- diamond bid implies a 6- 4 distribution as well as extra values and might pave the way for a possible slam in diamonds. You might still wind up at three notrump, if that is what partner bids next, but at least he will know what to expect if he chooses that contract.
3. Four clubs. The value of a hand rises and falls as the bidding progresses. Thus, when you started bidding, the prospect of a game or slam was excellent, but when partner responded with one heart, the value of your hand dropped appreciably.
When he next bids two clubs, however, your original values are not only restored, but also increased. Slam is now a definite possibility, though you should not undertake it on your own. Partner will know from your jump in clubs that you have an excellent hand with good trump support and a probable void in hearts. He will therefore be in good position to appraise his values, discounting whatever strength he might have in the heart suit.
4. Three notrump. With 16 high- card points and a hand well- suited for notrump play, this is the obvious choice. It would be wrong to bid only two notrump, which might be passed.