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#1 HOW DO YOU HANDLE THESE RESPONDING HANDS? YOUR PARTNER OPENS 1H, What action, if any, do you take with the following six hands? 1. S. AJ843 H. 4 D. KJ974 C. 95 2. S. AJ932 H. Q7 D. K743 C. 98 3. S. AQ87 H. 2 d. Q873 C. K843 4. S. A10832 H. K104 D. 2 C. AQ93 5. S. AQJ1074 H. 2 D. A98 C. 874 6. S. J95432 H. - D. A976 C. Q65 SOLUTIONS 1. Pass. 2S on a five card suit is out. 3D showing opening bid values is also out. What's left is the best bid in bridge, PASS! 2. 3H You have enough to invite. That HQ is a big card. 3. Pass 11 HCP is enough to bid 2NT, but the singleton heart reduces the value of your hand a point or two. This could be wrong, but more often than not you will be right. 4. 4D A slam try splinter showing a singleton diamond, three card heart support, and slam invitational values. Perfect. 5. 3S Invitational. With one more spade and one less club, you should jump to 4S. 6. Pass Don't look for trouble with a likely misfit. There's always the next hand. 6. Don't look for trouble with a likely misfit. If your spades were stronger, you would say 2S. #2 A BIDDING QUIZ TESTING YOU ON OPENER'S THIRD BID With both sides vulnerable at IMP scoring the bidding has proceeded: South (you) West North East
What rebid would you make with the following South hands? 1. S. 4
2. S. 5
3. S. KQ
4. S. K7
5. S. 9
6. S. -
SOLUTIONS 1. 4H Your partner has a strong hand and your independent heart suit must be revealed. You can play in hearts facing a void if necessary. 2. 3H You have a minimum opening bid with a possibly wasted DK. Your heart suit is independent, always a plus; 3NT is off the wall. 3. 4S Your hand has improved tremendously on the bidding. Partner figures to have five or six spades. (If partner had four spades, he would have arranged a different auction). There is a likely slam here and you should indicate the strength of your spades; a raise in clubs, partner's second suit, would show four clubs. 4. 3S You have already shown partner six hearts so now is the time to give partner a preference. A raise to 4C shows four card support and rebids of 3H or 3NT are ld both off the wall. 5. 3NT Sticks out like a sore thumb. 6. 4D! You have to have talked this one over! The jump to 4D announces a big fit with partner's last bid suit plus the ace of the jump suit. It's a neat way of showing fitting hands while staying beneath the level of 4NT. The leap is called the " an out of the blue cue". #3 RESPONDER'S REBID AFTER A 1NT RESPONSE Let's see how familiar you are with responder's follow up rebids after having responded 1NT to a 1S opening bid. You are South, neither side is vulnerable, and you are playing matchpoints. South West North East
What is your rebid, if anything, with each of the following seven hands? 1. S. 72 H. A1098 D. J103 C. KJ108 2. S. 432 H. QJ98 D. QJ10 C. 1098 3. S. 43 H. KJ10985 D. Q762 C. 7 4. S. 4 H. A876 D. QJ876 C. 654 5. S. 54 H. Q76 D. 109 C. KQ10943 6. S. 4 H. J1098 D. Q43 C. A8765 7. S. 43 H. 3 D. K108743 C. A976 SOLUTIONS 1. 2NT. This normally shows 10 HCP with the unbid suits well stopped. However, you are allowed to cheat a point holding three tens. 2. 2S. With three cards in each of partner's suits, return to the first suit if you want to keep your partner; pass if you want to get rid of him. 3. 2H. Even with four diamonds you simply cannot conceal a six card major of this strength. 4. 3D. Seems pretty obvious. If you even thought of bidding something else, don't mention it in public. 5. 3C. For the same reason you bid 2H on #3, to show your partner a strong six card suit with few HCP. 6. Pass. Anything else is playing with fire. 7. 4C. The "out of the blue cue". What, you've never heard of it? This jump from outer space shows a magnificent fit with partner's last bid suit plus an ace in the jump suit. What else can it mean? You weren't strong enough to open or respond at the two level after you passed, so you must have been hit big time. However, take full credit if you jumped to 4D, but raising to only 3D is cowardly to the max. #4 BIDDING WITH LOUSY HANDS One doesn't always pick up good hands. Sometimes one has to make do with one like this:
S. 76
You are sitting South playing IMPs with both sides vulnerable. 1. West North East South 2. West North East South 3. North East South West 4. North East South West 5. North East South West 6. West North East South ANSWERS 1. 2C. It's not for you to reason why, it's for you to do or die. Bid your cheaper four card suit and hope for the best. 2. Pass. You are off the hook after the redouble. It is up to partner to rescue himself. Bidding a minor suit at the two level after a redouble suggests a 5 card suit, exceptionally a strong four carder. 3. 2D. Partner's double is for takeout and you are taking it out. Bridge is a simple game. 4. 4C. The other choice is 5C, a bid you might make if your king were in another suit, any other suit. Partner figures to have 10 or 11 black cards with more clubs than spades (possibly 5-5) and there are no words to describe a "pass" at this point. 5. 4H. Having passed partner's 1H opening bid, you could hardly have more. Besides, there is a double fit - always good for taking mucho tricks offensively. Go for it! 6. Pass. Your partner has announced a hand as strong or stronger than the opening bidder. Believe it or not, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your side probably has as many or HCP than they do and partner is on lead. If you remove partner's penalty double of one notrump, you announce a weak hand with a five or six card suit. #5 WHAT'S YOUR AMBASSADOR HOTEL BID? Many years ago I played at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles during the annual Bridge Week tournament. Some of these "Bridge Weeks" outdrew some of the National Tournaments. Here are a few hands I had to deal with. See how your action compared with mine. You are always South. 1. South West North East
South West North East
(1) Strong spade raise WHAT'S YOUR BID?
East South West North
(1) Forcing
WHAT'S YOUR BID?
North East South West
WHAT'S YOUR BID? WHAT WOULD HAVE WORKED 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. #6 WHAT'S YOUR SAN ANTONIO BID? Here are four bidding decisions from a National Championship in San Antonio. Let's see how you would have fared. Assume you are playing matchpoints. You are always South and since you and partner have most of the high card strength, the opponents pass throughout. I know that in real life this never happens, but in this quiz it does. 1. You hold: North South
2. You hold: South North
North South
(1) Most would respond 1H but a follow up bid of 3C would suggest 5 hearts
North South
(1) Regular Blackwood (At that time Key Card Blackwood was not as well known).
WHAT WOULD HAVE WORKED 1. Cuebid 4D. You have nothing to be ashamed of and that DA might be just what the Dr. ordered. In fact it was.
Partner hand:
#7 TEST YOUR MATCHPOINT BIDDING How would you handle this fairly common sequence in the South seat with neither side vulnerable playing matchpoints? South (you) West North East
You hold: 1. S. AJ1087 H. KQ876 D. K2 C. 3
SOLUTIONS 1. 2H You have enough strength and distribution to bid your second suit. If not now, when? 2. Rdbl. Letting partner know you have the best hand at the table at the same time encouraging him to join the party. Incidentally this is not a rescue S.O.S redouble. The S.O.S redouble is used after a takeout double has been left in for penalty: South (you) West North East
3. 2S You have the strength and distribution to bid again, but you must have a strong suit to rebid it in this sequence. 4. 3H Not forcing but highly invitational. You don't need much for game facing this monster. 5. 3S Facing a passed partner this rebid shows a hand that can take about 8-9 tricks and doesn't need much for game. 6. Pass. This is not your hand, stay out of trouble. #8 A QUIZ FOR THE RESPONDER Do you know all the options you have in this sequence? Let's see. Try your hand at the following 6 responding hands and see how many you can get right! Opener Responder (you)
You hold: 1. S. 653 H. Q83 D. 8764 C. KJ9 2. S. K4 H. 876 D. A763 C. Q1065 3. S. J10 H. AJ98 D. K1076 C. 1093 4. S. K7 H. A543 D. 8743 C. J108 5. S. 6 H. KJ983 D. KJ987 C. 98 6. S. 3 H. 76 D. A93 C. K976432 SOLUTIONS 1. 2S Although partner will play you for a doubleton as it is rare to withhold three card major suit support, it is better in the long run to respond 1NT with a balanced 6 count than raise to 2S which "sounds" more encouraging. 2. 3C Forward going. You promise at least four clubs with 8-10 HCP. 3. 2NT You usually have 10 HCP for this rebid, but this 9 count is worth 10 any day of the week. Looks at those intermediates. 4. 2S You have a forward going hand and by bidding 2S you give your partner another chance to bid in case partner has extras. 5. 2H As long as you are going to bid a red suit, bid the major. 6. 3D! Don't count this as wrong if you didn't make this 'obvious' rebid! Just kidding. Many years ago the British writer, Norman Squire, suggested that in this sequence (and some similar ones ) where a jump in a new suit could not logically be natural, it should show a humongous fit with partner's last bid suit plus a control in the jump suit. He labeled the bid "The Out of the Blue Cue". Without that crutch at your disposal, leap to 5C as a jump to 4C would not be forcing. #9 A QUIZ ON LIMIT BIDS In order to better understand bridge bidding, it is important know which bids are limited and which bids are unlimited. A limited bid has a specific range of high card strength, usually a three point range. For example, an opening bid of 1NT which can show 12-14, 13-15, 15-17 or 16-18 depending upon agreement. Other bids such as an opening bid of 1H is considered unlimited because the range is so great. One can open 1H with as few as 10 or 11 HCP or as many as 20 HCP in some cases. The moment either the opener or the responder makes a limiting bid, the partner becomes the captain, at least for the moment. In the following quiz you will be shown 8 sequences and your job is to decide which, if any, of the bids are limited — have a range of about 3 HCP. Assume you are playing a standard system. 1. Opener Responder 2. 1D 1H 3. 1H 1S 4. 1S 2S 5. 1C 1D 6. 1D 1H 7. 1S 1NT 8. 1S 2D SOLUTIONS 1. Neither hand is limited... yet. Opener has 11+ HCP and responder has 6+ HCP. 2. Both hands are unlimited. Opener's 1S rebid goes up to a bad 18 and responder's use of the fourth suit is completely unlimited. 3. Opener is considered unlimited by bidding two suits (though the practical ragne is typically 12-17). Responder is limited. 4. Responder is limited but opener is not. Opener can be trying for game or even slam! 5. Opener is unlimited (bidding two suits) and responder is limited to about 13-15 HCP. Note: Almost all notrump bids are limit bids. 6. Opener is limited (most raises are limit bids), but responder is not. 7. Both hands are limited. Opener has 17-18 and responder has 6-10 8. Opener is considered unlimited having bid two suits, but responder is limited. Playing a system where 2D is not a game force ("two over one"), responder should be in the 11-12 pt. range. #10 TEST YOUR BLUE RIBBON PAIRS BIDDING I have gone DEEP into my files and dug up four bidding problems faced by two world class pairs that took place years ago at the National Championships in Dallas. Assume you are playing in the Blue Ribbon Pairs and let's see how you stack up. (You are South) 1. You hold: S. Q97 H. AKQ65 D. QJ73 C. 2 You are B.J. Becker playing with Dorothy Hayden (now Dorothy Truscott). North East South West
2. You are Lew Mathe playing with Bob Hamman. This is your hand: S. AQ3 H. K10765 D. 3 H. A1076 South West North East
3. Back to B.J Becker- still playing with Dorothy. You hold: S. AKJ73 H. 106 D. K4 C. 10432 South West North East
4. This time you are Bob Hamman still playing with Lew Mathe. This is your hand: S. 10 H. 103 D. A104 C. J1098732 North East South West
WHAT WOULD HAVE WORKED 1. Becker jumped to 5NT, the Grand Slam Force and Dorothy dutifully leaped to 7D holding: S. AJ43 H. 43 D. AK109 C. AK10 The hand broke badly and Dorothy went down one trick. 2. Lew bid 3S and Hamman leaped to 5C holding: S. K97 H. A3 D. J92 C. J8543 Clubs divided 2-2 and the contract was made. They were the only pair to reach and make game on the hand. 3. B.J passed and had to play well to land the contract. Dorothy had: S. Q9 H. K75 D. A107653 C. K5 How did you do? #11 TO BALANCE OR NOT TO BALANCE? When the opponents conk out at the one or two level, it usually means that you and partner have about the same strength as they do. The questions is — should you let them play there, or should you stir up the pot and reopen the bidding? Try this quiz to see how well versed you are at the art of balancing. Assume you are playing in a team game, neither side is vulnerable Decide what you would do in the following six sequences: 1. East South West North 2. East South West North 3. West North East South 4. West North East South 5. West North East South 6. West North East South MY TAKE 1. Dbl. Clear. A reopening double AFTER THE OPPONENTS HAVE FOUND A FIT, can be made with as few as 9 HCP providing you have shortness in the opponents' suit as well as support for the unbids. 2. Pass A double in this sequence shows heart length and strength with opening bid values. Not exactly what you have. Remember, they haven't found a fit in this sequence. 3. Double. Just barely. You have four card support for the unbids (mandatory), but you also have a wasted CQ on offense. 4. Pass. It would be pushing the pencil a bit to double here. Your DK is misplaced and you don't have four card support for both unbid suits. 5. Pass. You hate to sell out, but on the other hand you don't have enough to bid. 6. Double. A double in this position can be shaded down to 9-10 HCP if you have the right distribution-shortness in their suit plus support for the unbids. #12 TEST YOUR BIDDING JUDGEMENT Here is a bidding area which you won't see dealt with too often. Test your bidding judgement in the South with neither side vulnerable in the following sequence: West North East South (you)
1. S. A1054 H. 43 D. 108765 C. 54 2. S. 76 H. 105 D. 1082 C. KQ10832 3. S. 765 H. K54 D. J765 C. 984 4. S. 5 H. K543 D. 653 C. 108432 5. S. A104 H. AJ64 D. 97 C. K976 6. S. KJ8432 H. 65 D. 976 C. 43 SOLUTIONS 1. 1 SPADE. Get the major suit in early before things get out of hand. You aren't promising a rose garden when you bid in this sequence. If everyone is telling the truth, partner knows you can't possibly have a good hand. 2. 3C When the bid to your right is strong (rdbl.) a jump by you is weak. Your jump shows a reasonable six card suit... period. 3. Pass Let partner rescue himself when you have a balanced hand without an unbid four card suit. 4. 1H Preparing for partner's inevitable 1S bid in which case you can bid clubs. 5. 2D Who's kidding who here? Somebody must be psyching. Your 2D bid tells partner you have a good hand and not to believe the opponents. It does not show a bunch of diamonds. With a flock of diamonds you would pass the redouble or bid some number of notrump. Bidding their suit is a cuebid. It is the strongest response you can make. Don't hold your breath. 6. 2S See answer to #2. #13 TEST YOUR BIDDING I.Q What is the meaning of the last double in each of the following sequences. Is it a penalty double or is it a takeout dbl? 1. South West North East 2. South West North East 3. South West North East 4. South West 5. South West North East 6. South West North East 7. South West North East 8. South West North East SOLUTIONS 1. Penalty. Doubles of artificial bids are both penalty and lead directing doubles. 2. Penalty. The double of an opening 1NT bid announces a hand as good or better than the notrump bidder. 3. Takeout. West had a takeout double of 1S, so his hand couldn't have changed during the bidding. He still has a takeout double, only a strong one, a very strong one. 4. Takeout. Doubles of opening bids of 4C and 4D are for takeout. Most play that a double of 4H is also for takeout, but there is no agreement as to what a double of 4S means. Most play it as a penalty double. Something to talk over with your partner. 5. Takeout. East must have the majors. 6. Penalty. After a redouble, any further double by either the opener or the responder is a penalty double. 7. Takeout. After partner makes a takeout double and responder raises, a double by 4th hand shows "two places to play", an effort to land in the right trump suit. East probably has both minors and wants to land in the right one. For example S. 84 H. 1087 D. KJ54 C. A1087 8. Takeout. This double in front of an unlimited responder shows a strong hand with short hearts and good clubs. A typical West hand might be: #14 TEST YOUR RESPONSES TO PARTNER'S PREEMPT With neither side vulnerable, you are sitting South, playing for $$$. How would you handle the following six hands after partner opens 3C and the next hand passes? North East South West
1. S. AQx H. Axx D. xxxx C. AJx 2. S. AQ9xxx H. KQ10xx D. Kx C. - 3. S. x H. xxx D. Axxxx C. Qxxx 4. S. AKxx H. x D. AKQxx C. QJx 5. S. AQxx H. KQxx D. QJxx C. x 6. S. AKxxx H. AKJxx D. - C. QJx SOLUTIONS 1. 3NT and hope they don't run the diamond suit. 2. 3S followed by 4H. On a good day partner will have three cards in one of your suit or perhaps even a doubleton honor. On a bad day, a very bad day, partner will have a singleton in both majors. 3. 5C An advance sacrifice against 5S. Let them guess what to do. 4. 4NT Simple Blackwood. If partner has one ace, 6C can be no worse than a finesse. 5. Pass. If you can't get yourself to pass this hand (no fit, no suit of your own to run), you are one dangerous partner! 6. 5NT The Grand Slam Force asking partner to bid seven with two of the top three honors in the last bid suit. With one honor, partner bids 6C. With no honors, partner will also bid 6C. It is now time to shop around for another partner. #15 TEST YOUR MONTE CARLO BIDDING Each year in Monte Carlo on the French Riviera they hold a big money bridge pairs tournament, over 300 teams entering. Prizes are awarded similar to golf tournaments. In this particular event they paid down 30 places and the winning pair split $10,000. The most prestigious event, however, is the knockout team of four. Here are four problems from this event. The eventual winners were the Lancia team (Belladonna, Garozzo, Vivaldi, Forquet and Omar Sharif). If you make the winning bid on at least three of the following four problems, you might have wound up in the money! You are South: 1. Neither side vulnerable, dealer West You hold: S. J8742 H. 7 D. K32 C. AJ86 West North East South
You hold: S. K83 H. K1093 D. Q743 C. 94 North East South West
3. East-West vulnerable, dealer East You hold: S. 43 H. K98754 D. 2 C. KJ94 East South West North
* Weak Jump Overcall 4. North-South vulnerable, dealer West You hold: S. KQJ93 H. A10876 D. 843 C. - West North East South
WHAT WOULD HAVE WORKED: 1. It was right to either pass or double. You are down one in four spades. Partner's hand: S. 653 H. K102 D. A8765 C. K4 2. It's right to bid on. They can make five or six spades depening upon the lead, and you are down two in five hearts. Partner's hand: S. 2 H. QJ643 D. AKJ85 C. Q6 3. It's right to take the sac. If partner would have had two defensive tricks he would have doubled. One opponent appears to have solid diamonds and the other solid spades. Partner's outside length figures to be in clubs. 4. This one cost us first place. It is right to bid 5S. One player from our team doubled, and the contract was made. You can make five spades. Partner's hand: S. 10865 H. KQ32 D. - C. KJ753 #16 RESPONDING TO THE UNUSUAL NOTRUMP West North East South (you)
Do you play that partner is showing at least 5-5 in the minors with typically 8-11 HCP? If your answer is yes, you play the Unusual Two No Trump Overcall. Assuming you use the convention or are thinking of using the convention, how would you respond to 2NT in the above sequence with the following six hands. (Both sides vulnerable) 1. S. AJ62 H. Q843 D. J43 C. 73 2. S. AK4 H. AK54 D. J94 C. 874 3. S. A874 H. A943 D. QJ104 C. 2 4. S. KQJ9 H. QJ1074 D. 54 C. 42 5. S. K4 H. KQJ1054 D. A43 C. 54 6. S. QJ432 H. A432 D. 43 C. 54 SOLUTIONS: 1. 3D Preferring diamonds to clubs. 2. 3NT Looks like your best shot. 3. 4D Invitational. This is a good hand facing 10 or 11 minor suit cards. 4. Pass You don't have to play it, partner does! 5. 4H Bidding what you are looking at. 6. You like clubs better than diamonds! (just barely). With equal length in the minors, one usually bids the lower ranking minor. #17 ONE HAND, SIX QUESTIONS Vulnerable against not, sitting South you hold this hand: S. KJ10765 H. Q65 D. 654 C. 7 How do you handle this hand at IMP scoring given the following sequences? 1. North East South West 2. East South West North 3. North East South West 4. North East South West 5. West North East South 6. East South West North SOLUTIONS 1. 2H. Not strong enough to bid 2S 2. Pass Two weak for a weak jump overcall at this vulnerability. The HQ is not a good card offensively. 3. 2S Unless you play that a positive response in a suit guaranteed two of the top three honors. If you do, respond 2D, waiting. 4. 3S Rebid your strong six card major-the first priority. 5. Pass What else? 6. 2H Partner has a club-heart two-suiter possibly with four hearts and five clubs. If you get doubled, you might decide to run to 3C. Bid 2H confidently to stave off the double. #18 THEY MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE! Are you familiar with the nuances of the responses in this sequence? North East South (you) West
With neither side vulnerable what would you bid, if anything, with each of the following hands at matchpoints? 1. S. KJ5 H. 32 D. AJ765 C. J43 2. S. KQ10943 H. 2 D. 8765 C. 76 3. S. A4 H. 10765 D. J765 C. 432 4. S. AJ3 H. K54 D. Q87 C. 10876 5. S. 2 H A1065 D. J10765 C. 876 6. S. AK765 H. 3 D. K1087 C. 765 7. S. J87 H. 5 D. QJ876 C. Q873 SOLUTIONS 1. Dbl. You have more high card points than they do and have the notrump bidder surrounded. 2. 2S By not doubling you show a long suit with a less than 9 HCP. 3. 2H Don't let them bully you. Four card support is always worth an extra point or two. 4. Dbl. 2H is for sissies. 5. 3H. Preemptive. Showing four or five hearts with more of a distributional hand than a raise to 2H - and maybe even fewer high card points (4-6). 6. Dbl. Don't tell me you let them off the hook by bidding 2S which shows a weak hand (see problem #2). 7. Pass With nothing to say, say nothing. #19 RESPONDER'S REBID AFTER A TWO LEVEL RESPONSE Assume the bidding has gone: North South
What is your rebid with each of the following 8 hands? 1. S. 543 H. QJ7 D. 54 C. AKJ87 3. S. 73 H. Q4 D. 765 C. AKJ1065 5. S. 63 H. KJ107 D. 75 C. AQ1097 7. S. 32 H. J2 D. K108 C. AK10932 SOLUTIONS The solutions are given in matched pairs to show the difference between similar distributions with varying strength. 1. 2S. Describing a hand with three spades and 10+to 12 HCP. Not forcing. 3. 3C. Invitational. Partner is allowed to pass, particularly with a singleton club and a minimum or near minimum opening bid. 5. 3H. This one is played as not forcing by some and forcing by others. It should be discussed by the partnership. If played as not forcing it shows 10+ to 11 HCP with four hearts. 7. 2NT. Invitational. Better than 3C which is more regressive.
#20 RESPONDER'S REBID AFTER A ONE LEVEL RESPONSE With neither side vulnerable the bidding has proceeded: North South (you)
You, South, hold the following hands; what, if anything is your rebid? 1. S. J54 H. AJ654 D. 2 C. 10764 2. S. 54 H. AJ743 D. KQ105 C. J5 3. S. K108 H. AQJ9832 D. J10 C. 5 4. S 54 H. QJ97 D. AJ87 C. AQ10 5. S. 875 H. AJ832 D. 95 C. K108 6. S. 7 H. Q109743 D. 7 C. K10976 7. S. 10983 H. Q1087 D. AK54 C. 3 8. S. A76 H. KQ876 D. AJ C. 865 SOLUTIONS 1. Pass. Partner's 1S rebid is not forcing and you should pass. 2. 3D, Invitational. Perfect. 3. 4H There really is no second choice; 3H would NOT be forcing. 4. 3NT Once in a while you suppress minor suit support to bid notrump. 5. 1NT This rebid shows 7-10 HCP. Don't even think about rebidding an unsupported five card suit unless it headed by three or four honor cards. 6. 2H. Bidding 2C, the fourth suit, shows opening bid, or near opening bid, values-something you don't have. 7. 3S. Invitational. Better to support partner's major as opposed to partner's minor holding four cards in each suit. 8. 2C. Fourth suit asking for more information. The 4th suit is considered artificial (unless it is rebid). In addition, it is a no-no for partner to bid notrump after the 4th suit unless partner has a stopper in the suit. #21 CAUGHT BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA After partner makes a takeout double and third hand redoubles, there isn't much strength left over for 4th hand. Let's see how you handle this common sequence with neither side vulnerable: West North East South (you)
What action, if any, would you take with the following 8 hands? 1. S. 1096 H. Q32 D. 9854 C. J82 2. S. 3 H. J83 D. Q10654 C. 10876 3. S 54 H. QJ1086 D. 9532 C. 108 4. S. 54 H. KQJ43 D. Q76 C. 874 5. S. 76 H. K1076 D. 943 C. 9765 6. S. K765 H. Q832 D. Q942 C. 8 7. S. KJ9764 H. 1093 D. 54 C. 94 8. S 843 H. 107 D. 109 C. KJ10875 SOLUTIONS 1. Pass. With a balanced hand lacking a four card major, let partner bail himself out in his longest suit. 2. 1D Bidding after a redouble does not show strength, just a little length. Your high card expectancy in this sequence is 2-5 HCP. 3. 2H Preemptive. Jumps bids over a redouble are preemptive. 4. Pass With a "good" (7+ HCP) cuebid or pass and then bid (or jump) to show strength. 2H would be preemptive. See previous problem. 5. 1H Same as #2 6. 2C A cuebid shows 7+ HCP with at least two places to play. 7. 3S Preemptive. (See #3) Typically a half way decent six card suit with little or nothing else. Just what you have. 8. Pass And then bid clubs which shows clubs. Bidding 2C directly is a cuebid. See problem #6. #22 DEALING WITH A PREEMPT Say you are vulnerable against not and your RHO opens 3C. 1. S. A4 H. KQ876 D. KJ765 C. 4 2. S. 53 H. AQJ984 D. AKQ5 C. 6 3. S. 54 H. K4 D. AKQ982 C. A105 4. S. 2 H. QJ984 D. AKQ984 C. A 5. S. AKJ94 H. KQJ54 D. 1097 C. - 6. S. AJ765 H. KQ87 D. AQ75 C. - 7. S. AJ4 H. J32 D. 543 C. AQ109 SOLUTIONS 1. 3H You can't just sit there with this good of a hand. If you get doubled, you might consider running to your other suit. 2. 4H Much too good for 3H which puts undue pressure on your partner. When you need just a little bit to make game, bid it yourself! 3. 3NT Are you a man or a mouse? Solid minor suits were meant to play notrump. 4. 3D Ugh! And pray someone, anyone, bids something. If they do, bid 4H. Making a takeout double with a singleton spade, an unbid suit, is a recipe for disaster. If everyone passes 3D, don't call and don't write, I don't know you. 5. 4C A major suit takeout showing at leat 5-5 in the majors with opening bid values. 6. Dbl. Don't bid 4C which shows the majors. 7. Pass. Not strong enough to bid 3NT and double is for takeout. Pass and hope partner can reopen with a takeout double. #23 TRUE-FALSE SLAM BIDDING QUIZ 1. The proper response to a 4NT Blackwood bid holding all four aces is 5C. 2. When partner asks for aces and you have a void, count the void as an ace. 3. Cue bids always show first round controls. 4. The Blackwood bidder is usually the stronger of the two partnership hands. 5. A direct jump to 5NT bypassing 4NT is a king-ask. 6. When the Blackwood bidder first bids 4NT and then 5NT asking for kings, the responder can leap to seven without answering for kings. 7. The Blackwood bidder will seldom have a void suit. 8. Any jump to 4NT is Blackwood.
ANSWERS 1. True. The 5C response to regular Blackwood ask shows 0 or 4 aces. (Nowadays most play Key Card Blackwood with different responses) 2. False. There are various responses to show a void, but counting the void as an ace is not one of them. 3. False. Not by a long shot. 4. True. The strong hand usually does the asking, the weak hand, the telling. 5. False. It is usually the Grand Slam Force asking partner about trump honors in the agreed suit. 6. True. If the responder can count 13 tricks, he should bid the grand. It is assumed, of course, that the 5NT bid guarantees joint possession of the four aces. 7. True. Say the Blackwood bidder has two aces and a void and gets a one ace response. He may not know which ace partner has. 8. False. If the previous bid was 1NT, 2NT or 3NT, a follow up bid of 4NT by partner is natural, not Blackwood.
#24 SHORT QUIZ (YOU ARE SOUTH) 1. North South (1) Strong and artificial
You hold: S. 843 H. KJ943 D. A5 C. 874 2. South North You hold: S. 4 H. A105 D. AK3 C. AQ7432 3. North South You hold: S. A4 H. AQJ7 D. 94 C. AKJ54 4. North South You hold: S. A104 H. AJ432 D. A75 C. 93 5. South North You hold: S. K9 H. 108 D. AKJ763 C. KJ8 SOLUTIONS 1. 4D. Show your partner your control. It may be just what the Dr. ordered. 2. 2D. A "fake reverse" to force partner to bid again. Next you will support hearts and partner giving partner a pretty good idea of your hand. A jump to 3C is not forcing and might miss a 5-3 heart fit. 3. 5S. A raise to the five level of the last bid major in a sequence where three suits have been bid asks partner to bid slam with a control in the unbid suit. Partner passes lacking first or second round diamond control, bids 5NT with the guarded DK, trots out 6D with the DA and bids six spades with a singleton diamond. 4. 2C. The 4th suit to create a force. A jump to 3D is not forcing and bidding 3NT is bizarre. After the 4th suit, partner usually bids notrump with a stopper in that suit. The bid of the 4th suit has nothing to do with your holding in that suit. It is just a convenient way of foricng partner to bid again, particularly after having made a one level response.
5. 3NT. A 2NT rebid would shows a minimum type hand, typically 12-14 HCP with at least one club stopper. You are too strong to make such a discouraging rebid. Many would open this hand 1NT to avoid the awkward rebidding problems. #25 U.S TEAM TRIALS QUIZ
KQ1086 432 This is your trump suit in a slam contract. The opponents have done no bidding and you have no outside losers. You have unlimited dummy entries. You start with a low card from dummy to the king in your hand which holds. You reenter dummy and lead the suit again. This time second hand plays the 9. Which card do you play? 2. Sitting South with both sides vulnerable, you hold: S. K7 H. KJ75 D. K953 C. J103
West North East South 2S (1) 3H Pass ? (1) Weak
3. Still South, with both sides vulnerable, you hold: S. A5 H. - D. AJ9854 C. Q9754 South West North East 1D Pass 1S 2H 3C Passs 3S Pass ? 4. You are West and, vul. vs. not. S. J4 H. AQ9 D. J4 C. AJ10932 South West North East 4D Pass 5D Pass Pass Pass What do you lead? WINNING ACTIONS 1. Play the 10 it is the % play in case East started with AJ9x. 2. Both South players bid 4H and went down. 3NT was the winning action: Partner's hand: S. J102 H. AQ1032 D. A84 C. A2 3. Billy Eisenberg raised to 4S which was made with the help of a defensive errror. 5D would have been a bit easier. Partner's hand: S. KQ10432 H. 65 D. 732 C. K2 4. Paul Soloway led the Ace of clubs and then gave partner a club ruff. The HA was the setting trick. Actually the lead of either ace defeats the contract as long as you give partner a club ruff. .... #26 AND THE WINNER IS? In this quz you are given a bidding sequence and four possible hands you might hold. Your job is to decide which hand best fits the sequence and what the hands that don't fit the sequence should bid. Ready? Here is the sequence, the four hands beneath. Dlr: South (you) 1. S. AKQ4 H. 10743 D. 62 C. A65 2. S. AJ84 H. AQ3 D. 2 C. A10984 3. S. KQJ4 H. K2 D. 43 C. K8732 4. S. KQ42 H. A2 D. K8 C. J10932 ANSWERS 1. This can't be the right hand. With this hand you raise to 2H directly. 2. This hand is strong enough to jump to 3H over 2D to show extas with three hearts and presumably a singleton diamond. 3. This hand is the winner. This sequence can show a doubleton honor in hearts if no more descriptive rebid is available. One is not supposed to rebid 2NT after the 4th suit without a stopper in the 4th suit. Rebidding a miserable five card suit is also not an option. 4. This hand rebids. 2NT. It has a diamond stopper and 12-14 HCP. With 15-17 HCP and a diamond stopper 3NT is the rebid. #27 AND THE WINNER IS ..... You get a sequence and four possible hands to go along with the sequence. Your job is to select the hand that best describes the sequence, but you still aren't off the hook. You also have to decide what the other hands should bid. (Assume you are not playing the 2D response as a game force.) North East South (you) West
1. S. 4 H. AJ4 D. KJ852 C. Q1084 2. S. 4 H. AJ4 D. AQ1087 C. A862 3. S. 42 H. K7 D. AQ1086 C. KJ97 4. S. KQ H. 76 D. AQ432 C. 10843 ANSWERS 1. The winner! The hand is not strong enough to rebid 3NT and raising hearts, a second suit, promises four card support. If you thought you should bid 3C or rebid diamonds, don't mention it. Just don't! 2. This hand could rebid 3NT, but an even better rebid is 3C to find out if partner has five hearts or diamond support. If partner has five hearts, the hand should play in hearts. If partner has three diamonds and a singleton club, there might be a diamond slam. 3. This hand is too strong to rebid 2NT (11-12) and should rebid 3NT. 4. This hand is best described by rebidding 2S. Partner may think you have three spades, but the KQ doubleton will have to do. Furthermore, the return to 2S shows about 11 HCP and is more descriptive than 2NT with such flaky clubs. #28 AND THE WINNER IS ...... You should know the rules by now. Here's the sequence and you are South: South West North East Which of these four hands best describes your sequence? 1. S. AQ4 H. 63 D. KQ875 C. K54 2. S. A4 H. 42 D. AQJ9643 C. J4 3. S. A4 H. Q63 D. AK7532 C. 84 4. S. K63 H. 2 D. AQ874 C. QJ76 ANSWERS (You may not like these) 1. This hand raises to 2S directly. If it is against your religion to raise with three trump, change churches or rebid 1NT. 2. This hand rebids 3D to emphasize the seven card suit. 3. The winner. Partner should expect a doubleton spade in this sequence though you might have three little ones with strong diamonds. 4. This is another hand that raises to 2S directly. Rebidding 2C and then supporting spades shows a stronger hand. A hand in the 15-17 point range. Something like this: S. AK3 H. 2 D. AQ874 C. QJ76. #29 RESPONDING TO A JUMP REBID North (partner) East West (you) South You have the following hands with neither side vulnerable at matchpoints. 1. S. 653 H. AJ932 D. KQ4 C. 74 2. S. 65 H. AKQJ54 D. 543 C. 93 3. S. AQ4 H. KQ76 D. 832 C. 865 4. S. 92 H. K5432 D. QJ87 C. 54 5. S. J1087 H. K8432 D. Q932 C. - ANSWERS 1. Try 3D. You are hoping partner can rebid 3NT with a spade stopper. 2. 4H A jump after a jump shows a solid suit with no outside strength. Not everyone plays this way. 3. 3S For the same reason you bid 3D on #1; looking for 3NT. Always looking for 3NT. 4. Pass Just not enough to go on. 5. Pass The club void is a big minus and the rest of your hand is nothing to write home about either. If you bid 3NT, do not mention it in public. #30 RESPONDING TO A TAKEOUT DOUBLE AFTER THIRD HAND REDOUBLES West North East South (you)
What is your bid with each of the following eight hands? (Neither side vulnerable) 1. S. 1096 H. Q32 D. 9854 C. J82 2. S. 3 H. J83 D. Q10654 C. 10876 3. 54 H. KJ10863 D. 654 C. 73 4. 654 H. 43 D. 54 c. KJ10986 5. 76 H. K1076 D. 764 C. 9843 6. K765 H. Q765 D. Q1032 C. 3 7. QJ109432 H. 65 D. 7 C. 932 8. 65 H. KQ107 D. Q10932 C. 65 ANSWERS 1. Pass. Let partner rescue himself. Your pass is non-commital and generally announces a balanced hand. With an unbalanced hand a suit is mentioned. 2. 1D After a redouble a suit response does not show strength, merely length. A good partne realizes in this sequence you can't hold much of a hand. 3. 2H Shows a six card suit with about 3-5 HCP. When the bid to your right is strong strong, a jump by you is weak. A 1H response is often made on a four card suit. 4. Pass. And if partner gets doubled when he bids a suit, bid 2C which is to play. An original response of 2C is a cue bid, see hand #6. 5. 1H Contrast this hand with #3. 6. 2C A cue bid showing a moderate hand with support for at least two of the other suits, more likely three. 7. 3S Very descriptive. Very preemptive. 8. 1D. You have a good hand on the bidding and should be planning to bid hearts next to show longer diamonds. #31 RESPONDING TO A 2NT OPENING BID (20-22) You are playing Stayman, three and four level transfers, 3S shows the minors, slammish, and a direct response of 4C is Gerber, ace-asking.Here are 8 practice hands to test you. 1. S. KJ54 H. Q7653 D. 43 C. 43 2. S. 10 H. 1043 D. 1076 C. K108643 3. S. 5 H. J3 D. KJ983 C. AJ943 4. S. AJ4 H. K98 D. K1032 C. 1065 5. S. 5 H. 102 D. KQJ108765 C. A9 6. S. KQ H. AJ4 D. K654 C. 8743 7. S. 4 H. KJ9843 D. 10983 C. 62 8. S.4 H. AQ873 D. 54 C. 10832 ANSWERS 1. 3C, Stayman. If partner bids a major,raise to game. If partner bids 3D, bid 3H to show five hearts and four spades. 2. 3NT Not much you can do with hands like this. 3C is Stayman and you are not strong enough to make a slam try in clubs. 3. 3S Showing the minors with slam interest. The rest is up to partner. 4. 4NT Invitational, not Blackwood. You don't need 4NT for Blackwood when you have Gerber to ask for aces. 5. 4C Gerber. This hand has grand slam potential but you need to find out how many aces partner has. 4C is the way to do it. One set of responses is this: 4D=0 or 4, 4H =1, 4S=2, 4NT=3. 6. 6NT The one who knows, goes. A 13 point hand facing at least 20 HCP should be enough for 12 tricks. 7. 4D A transfer to 4H. If you transfer to 3H and then raise to 4H, that is considered a mild slam try. 8. 3D A transfer to 3H to be followed by 3NT giving partner a choice of games. #32 YOU OVERCALL AND PARTNER RESPONDS TO YOUR OVERCALL WITH A SUIT OF HIS OWN. Now it's back to you again! East South (you) West North What action would you take with the following 6 hands? 1. S. AK654 H. AJ4 D. 54 C. J108 2. S. AK65432 H. A42 D. 64 C. 10 3. S. AQ843 H. 7 D. KQ1085 C. 75 4. S. AQ843 H. K5 D. A1043 C. K5 5. S. AK843 H. A53 D. 76 C. KJ9 6. S. AKJ42 H. 1098 D. KQ5 C. J10 ANSWERS 1. 3C You have a good hand in support of clubs and maybe 3NT will be in your future if partner bids 2NT 2. 3S Invitational. 3. 2D What else? 4. 3NT What else? You are too strong to bid a non-forcing 2NT. 5. 2D Has multiple meanings, but partnere's first obligation is to bid notrump with a diamond stopper. 6. 2NT Invitational, too strong to pass and a good partner will have something in hearts! #33 TEST YOUR CARD COMBINATION KNOWLEDGE (A LITTLE VARIETY NEVER HURTS) Here are 20 card combinations broken up into five sections of four problems each. You will be given your hand and dummy and told how many tricks you need. Then you will be given a 'best' line of play for the required number of tricks. Your job is to answer 'true' or 'false' to the given line of play. If your answer is false, you should know what the correct play is to get full credit. (I'm tough!). Assume a notrump contract with plenty of entries back and forth. Section A THE BEST PLAY FOR ONE TRICK
YOUR HAND DUMMY RECOMMENDED LINE OF PLAY TRUE? or FALSE?
1. XXX K109 Low to the nine, then low to the king. Section B THE BEST PLAY FOR TWO TRICKS 5. AJxx 10xxx Ace and low to the ten. Section C THE BEST PLAY FOR THREE TRICKS 9. xxx AKJx Ace and then low to the jack. Section D THE BEST PLAY FOR FOUR TRICKS 13. xx AKJ10 Low to the ten and then low to the jack. Section E THE BEST PLAY FOR FIVE TRICKS 17. xx AKJ10x Ace and then low to the jack. SOLUTIONS Section A THE BEST PLAY FOR ONE TRICK Section B THE BEST PLAY FOR TWO TRICKS Section C THE BEST PLAY FOR THREE TRICKS
Section D THE BEST PLAY FOR FOUR TRICKS
Section E THE BEST PLAY FOR FOUR TRICKS
RATING SCALE
#34 TEST YOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BIDDING DECISIONS Here's your chance to see how you would have done at the 1975 World Championships in Bermuda. If you can come up with the winning bid on 8 or more of the following 10 problems, perhaps you should have been on the team! (You are always South) 1. Neither vulnerable, you hold: S. AK4 H. A83 D. AKQ4 C. 1075 South West North East
2. Neither vulnerable, you hold: S. K9832 H. - D. K10932 C. 763 West North East South
3. Neither vulnerable, you hold: S. K4 H. J753 D. A106 C. AQ63 East South West North
4. Both vulnerable, you hold: S. KQ1084 H. 953 D. AK C. Q93 South West North East
5. East-West vulnerable, you hold: S. 1095 H. AQ74 D. AK7 C. 963 North East South West
6. North-South vulnerable, you hold: S. 87653 H. AJ8643 D. KJ C. - North East South West
7. Both sides vulnerable, you hold: S. 972 H. 7 D. 10985 C. K10632 North East South West
8. East-West vulnerable, you, hold: S A7 H. AJ6 D. K54 C. AK1063 South West North East
3NT Pass 5D* Pass
? * Signoff 4D would have been stronger. 9. Both sides vulnerable, you hold: S. K64 H. Q4 D. KQ10953 C. J6 North East South West
10. East-West vulnerable, you hold: S. AK10974 H. A83 D. K4 C. Q2 South West North East
WHAT WOULD HAVE WORKED:
1. It was right to return to 4H. I must admit I passed and they rattled off the first five club tricks when partner turned up with: S. Q103 H. KJ1092 D. 1053 C. 64 2. It was ever so right to bid 6S. The opponents can make 6H and you are only down one in 6S. (I passed-no wonder we didn't win that World Championship) Partner had: S. AQJ54 H. 106 D. QJ873 C. K 3. The winning bid was 5H. Bob Hamman passed and when he made the normal heart lead they made the contract. 5H makes. 4. Franco of Italy persisted and arrived at a doubtful 6S contract which made. Hamman-Wolff stopped in 5S, making six. Partner's hand: S. J732 H. AQ10 D. J8 C. AK72 5. Garozzo made the disastrous decision to gamble 3NT. Billy Eisenberg, on lead, had 8 solid clubs not to mention partner's SA! The winning action was to pass. Partner's hand: S. KJ6 H. K1-3 D. Q109842 C. 10 6. Belladonna persisted to 4H and went down two tricks. Hamman-Wolff stopped at the much better contract of 3NT, making. Partner's hand: S. QJ H.Q D. AQ108432 C. KQ6 7. Paul Soloway bid 4C which John Swanson raised to 5C, making. Belladonna-Garozzo languished in 2H! Partner's hand: S. AJ5 H. AKJ64 D. 3 C. AQ54 8. Both Soloway and Belladonna could not the resist the temptation to raise to 6D. Garozzo went down 2, Swanson went down 3. Partner's hand: S. Q10982 H. 2 D. QJ10873 C. 4 9. Hamman raised to 3H and Wolff tried 4H which was doubled and defeated three tricks. The Italians played 3NT making on a defensive error. Partner's hand: S. 105 H. AK732 D. AJ8 C. Q54 10. Soloway rebid 2NT and was raised to 3NT which he passed-and made. Garozzo went down two tricks in the same contract. 3NT turned to be a better contract than 4S which had no play when spades were 3-1. Partner's hand: S. 853 H. K52 D. A108 C. 8764 So, should you have been on the team? # 35 ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER? PART I
The more bids your partner makes, the more he tells you about his strength and distribution. Take this 10 question quiz to determine whether or not you are a good listener. Your job is to determine the most likely distribution the opener has on the first five sequences and the most likely distribution responder has on the last five. Ready? (Read across) 1. Opener Responder 2. Opener Responder 3. Opener Responder
4. Opener Responder 5. Opener Responder SOLUTIONS WITH REASONS 1. Opener shows six spades and four hearts with the first two bids and three diamonds with the third. 2. After the first three bids responder assumes 5-5, possibly 6-5, After the fourth bid, opener must have six or seven spades. 3. Opener has five clubs, five spades (some open 1C at times with this distribution) and three hearts. If you thought opener had a short club under no circumstances mention this in public! 4. Opener is bidding like someone with a likely 2-2-6-3 pattern. With three hearts opener would have bid 3H over 2S and with three spades opener would have raised 3S to 4S. 5. Opener has six clubs, five diamonds and two hearts. The diamond rebid showed five diamonds therefore the club opening showed six clubs. With 5-5 in the minors, the proper opening bid is 1D even if the opener has reversing values. If opener is that strong, opener can always jump shift to 3C and then possibly rebid clubs. #36 ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER? PART II
6. Opener Responder 7. Opener Responder 8. Opener Responder 1D 1S 1C 1H 1D 1S
9. Opener Responder 10. Opener Responder SOLUTIONS WITH REASONS 6. Responder's most likely distribution is five spades, four hearts and three diamonds. The 3D bid, delayed support at the three level is forcing. 7. Opener has six or seven clubs with a minimum hand. Responder has a strong hand with five hearts and four spades, possibly four hearts and four spades, as responder may be looking for a diamond stopper for 3NT. The 3D bid is ambigous and could be looking for a diamond stopper in openers hand. It could be argued that the 3D bid is looking for half a stopper (Qx, Jxx) in opener's hand as the opener apparently doesn't have a full stopper not having bid 2NT over 2S. This is a tricky sequence. 8. Responder is making a slam try with six spades and three diamonds. 4D is a game force. 9. It looks like responder has five diamonds, four spades,three good hearts, and is exploring possible game or even slam contracts. Responder is still unlimited. Had responder four hearts, he would have raised hearts over the 1H bid. 10. Responder should have six hearts, four spades and not all that great a hand as 2S has limited the hand.
#37 BIDDING TRAPS — WILL YOU FALL IN? The following bidding problems all have one thing in common-they are designed to trap you into making an incorrect bid even though the correct one stands out like a beacon! You start this quiz with 150 points to the good, but you lose 10 points with each 'accident'. You are always South, not vulnerable against vulnerable playing rubber bridge for real money. 1. You hold: S. AQ10xx H. Axx D. Axx C. xx (same hand first two problems) North East South West
2. North East South West
3. You hold: S. AKJxx H. xx D. Axxx C. xx South West North East
4. You hold: S. AQ109xxx H. K D. AK C. AKx South West North East
5. You hold: S. AQJ10xxx H. x D. xx C. xxx South West North East
6. You hold: S. Qx H. AQxxx D. xx C. KQxx South West North East
7. You hold: S. AKxxx H. Qxx D. xx C. AQx South West North East
8. You hold: S. AKxxxx H. AKJx D. xxx C. - South West North East
9. You hold: S. KQxx H. KJxx D. AJx C. xx North East South West
10. You hold: S. x H. QJx D. Q9xx C. AQxxx North East South West
11. You hold: S. KQx H. xxx D. Jxxx C. xx North East South West
12. You hold: S. AJx H. KQx D. Axxx C. Qxx North East South West
13. You hold: S. xx H. Jxx D. AKQxx C. xxx North East South West
14. You hold: S. x H. AKQJxxx D. A109 C. xx North East South West
15. You hold: S. xx H. J10x D. AQ10xx C. AK10 North East South West
SOLUTIONS
1. Pass. The trap is to rebid 2S with only five spades in this sequence. You guarantee six. 2. 3NT Partner has 11 HCP and you have a sweet 14. The trap is either passing or bidding 3S. 3. 2D The trap is bidding 2S and not showing diamonds, a lower ranking suit. 4. 7NT The trap is bidding 7S when you have 13 top tricks. If you play 7S, there is always the 5. Pass Partner's knows the vulnerability and knows your hand. You don't know his. If anyone takes the 6. Pass You have a minimum and partner has a chance to bid. The trap is bidding 3C which shows extras. 7. 3C A raise to the three level either shows four card support or extras with strong three card support. 8. 2H With a good 6-4, bid the four card suit second and then back to the six card suit. With a weaker 9. 3NT You are too strong to rebid 2NT (the trap) which is not forcing. 10. 2NT A raise to 3H, a second suit, guarantees four hearts in blood. 2NT is just right. 11. 3H Partner has five hearts and four spades so don't strand partner in spades even if you have to 12. 4NT Invitational. Not strong enough to bid 6NT, too strong to bid 3NT. If you wish to ask for aces 13. 3NT The overcaller seldom has a solid suit. With solid spades he passes and waits to lead the suit 14. 4H You can't risk a double with a singleton spade, a huge no-no. Partner is a passed hand and
RATING SCALE
150-130 What a laugher this quiz was for you.
#38 WHICH ONE WILL IT BE? Here's a bidding quiz that will test both your viualization and imagination. Your job is to study the bidding sequence at the left and then decide which of the three hands to the right comes closest to the bidding that South (you) is doing! Assume neither side is vulnerable.
1. South North (a) S. 10954 (b) S. AK87 (c) S. A1076 2. South West North East (a) S. 54 (b) S. 4 (c) S. -
3. South North (a) S. AKQ76 (b) S. KQ876 (c) S. AK9854
4. North South (a) S. KQ875 (b) S. A6543 (c) S. A8765
5. North East South (a) S. AJ87 (b) S. KJ10932 (c) S. KJ104
6. South West North East (a) S. KQ76 (b) S. 765 (c) S. QJ764
AND THE WINNERS ARE 1. (a) (b) is strong enough to make a jump shift and (c) should bid 3C over 1NT. 2. (c) Both (a) and (b) should pass the penalty double of 3S. 3. (a) (b) should raise diamonds and (c) should rebid clubs. 4. (b) (a) should bid 3NT and (c) should bid 3D over 2C, not 2NT without a heart stop. 5. (c) (a) should bid 4H before the opponents find their diamond fit; (b) should pass because (b) had no #39 HOW WELL CAN YOU PICTURE YOUR'S PARTNER'S HAND? In the following quiz you are playing with an expert who plays almost as well as you do. He will have what he says, and you can count on his distribution to be accurate. Your job is to answer the questions following each problem and then decide what to bid. Assume you are playing in a team game with IMP scoring. 1. Your hand: S. AQ1032 H. AK76 D. J108 C. 2 You Partner
a. How many hearts does partner have?
2. Your hand: S. J104 H. Q984 D. A C. AK765 You Partner
a. How many spades does your partner have?
3. Your hand: S. K854 H. 1043 D. Q4 C. KJ108 Partner You
a. How many spades does partner have?
4. Your hand: S. K76 H. J109 D. A54 C. Q875 Partner You
a. What is partner's most likely distribution?
5. Your hand: S. A10854 H. A109 D. 65 C. Q109 Partner You
a. What do you think partner's 4C bid means and why didn't he jump shift?
ANSWERS 1. a. Three. If he had four hearts he would have supported earlier.
2. a. Five
3. a. Three
4. a. Partner figures to have five clubs, four diamonds, three spades and a heart.
5. a. Partner probably has six diamonds and five clubs, just possibly five diamonds and five clubs, with a hand too strong to make a non-forcing 3C rebid over 2NT but not strong enough to jump shift originally. A hand rich in playing tricks. #40 MATCH YOUR BIDDING WITH DON KRAUSS My good friend Don Krauss has represented the United States twice in World Championship play and has consistently done well at the National Level, the true test. He formed successful partnerships with the legendary Lew Mathe and Bob Hamman, for many years the #1 ranked player in the world. Don was also a successful rubber bridge player in San Francisco. Now retired, Don still plays locally and still keeps on winning. Now, you match wits with Don on the following 10 rubber bridge problems from actual play, sitting in the South seat.
1. Neither side vul, you hold: S. AQx H. x D. A9xxxx C. Axx South West North East
2. Both sides vul, you hold: S. AQ9 H. AK108xx D. Ax C. Ax South West North East
3. East-West vul, you hold: S. KQ H. xxxxx D. AQ9xx C. Q West North East South
4. Neither side vul, you hold: S. AKxxxxx H. QJx D. - C. Kxx South West North East
5. North-South vul, you hold: S. 10x H. KQ10x D. KQxx C. Axx East South West North
6. Both sides vul, you hold: S. J9xxx H. AKJxxx D. x C. x North East South West
7. Neither side vul, you hold: S. J9x H. A9x D. KJx C. Kxxx South West North East
8. Both sides vul, you hold: S. x H. Kx D. KQJ10 C. AQxxxx South West North East
9. Both sides vul, you hold: S. QJ10x H. x H. AKxxxx C. Ax South West North East
?
10. North-South vul, you hold: S. x H. KQxx D. Q10x C. AQxxx North East South West
DON'S ANSWERS
1. 2S Playing with Mathe I don't worry much about these hands. He seems to find another bid whenever we can make game and he always seems to think we can make game! 2. 3H We tend to make positive responses to 2C openings when we have something clear to bid (overlooking one time when I opened 2C, Lew responded 2S and I had the AKQJxx of spades!) Maybe I can find out if partner has any heart support. If he does not I will bid 7S as there cannot be a possible loser outside of hearts. The only thing can maybe beat a grand slam is three small hearts in partner's hand and that is what I am trying to uncover. (I find this reasoning admirable) 3. Pass I would bid if I had honors in hearts rather than spades. 4. 3S Forcing. Hoping partner's next bid will help m decide which major should be the trump suit. 5. Dbl. to tell my partner I had a sound original double. 6. 1H I am going to start bidding my suits before the opponents preempt in diamonds. 7. 2S Asking for more information and looking for the best game contract. There must be a game-I am playing with Mathe. 8. 4C Need more information from partner. I see nothing else clear to bid. 9. 5C Tough hand. Maybe this will suggest a singleton heart and partner can make an intelligent decision. (I would have bid 4NT) 10. 4NT for takeout after a 4S overcall. All suits are in the game. #41 MATCH BIDS WITH MARSHALL MILES My first serious partner and lifelong friend was and is Marhall Miles. Nobody I have ever met loves the game of bridge more than Marshall. Marshall has written some of the classics in bridge literature, is a National Champion many times over, and well known for his theories and imaginative bidding. Everybody, including Marshall's partners, have to be alert at all times! Things are not always what they seem to be when Marshall is at the table. Here's your chance to test your bidding skills against those of Marshall Miles. You are South and you are playing rubber bridge. 1. Both sides vulnerable, you hold: S. KJ10954 H. K8643 D.10 C. J East South West North
2. Neither side vul, you hold: S. K84 H. AK10743 D. 63 C. A8 South West North East
3. Both sides vul, you hold: S. KJ943 H. KJ D. KQ4 C.Q105 North East South West
4. North-South vul, You hold: S. A105 H. AJ1032 D. 3 C. A1054 South West North East
5. Neither side vul, you hold: S. KQJ10432 H. Q83 D. 4 C. A9 North East South West
6. East-West vul, you hold: S. AQJ43 H. 97 D. 1043 C. 1054 North East South West
7. Neither side vul, you hold: S 53 H. K843 D. K65 C. AJ54 West North East South
8. Both sides vul, you hold: S. - H. AK642 D. A1043 C. A1043 South West North East
9. Neither side vul, you hold: S. A9653 H. 1054 D. Q5 C. AKQ South West North East
10. Neither side vul, you hold: S. J654 H. 10943 D. 9843 C. 6 West North East South
MARSHALL'S ANSWERS 1. 4S My spades are so strong that I don't care if I miss a heart fit. Unless partner has all the wrong cards there should be a good play for game. 2. 3H A good suit and a reasonable amount of controls on the side. A jump will be necessary to reach slam if partner has S. xxx H. Qx D. AJx C. KQJxx 3. We may or may not make this one. Partner should not have an ace on the side, but he may have the CK or a singleton club. 3NT would be dangerous since we are missing three aces. (I was sure Marhall was going to bid 3NT) 4. 3H. Unless I rebid the suit, partner can't very well support the suit with a doubleton honor and a single diamond stopper. If he now bids 3NT, I can pass with confidence. 5. 1S No problem. Too much side strength for a preempt, not strong enough for a jump shift. 6. Pass Game is unlikely so I pass in the safest partscore contract. (I thought Marshall would bid 2H) 7. Dbl. At this level a double simply shows high cards. If partner has a balanced hand, he should pass. If he is distributional he can bid knowing I have high card strength. 8. 2D Since I hope to bid all three suits, I do so in the normal order. With a weaker hand I might bid 2C planning not to show the diamonds unless partner bids them first. 9. Dbl. I have as good a defensive hand as partner can reasonably expect. His redouble shows a good defensive hand. 10. Pass. If I raise, partner may take a sacrifice for one trick too many. Or he may double. When my hand is this weak, I believe in staying out of the bidding so as to avoid a disaster. (Good advice-wish I had taken it more often).
#42 PICK A WINNING HAND Here we go again. You are given a bidding sequence and then shown three possible South hands. Pick the one that closest describes the sequence. Also think of what you would bid with the other two. Neither side is vulnerable and you are playing at IMP scoring.
1. South North (a) S. AJ65 H. KQ87 D. 2 C. A876
2. South North (a) S. KQ4 H. A8763 D. 76 C. A87 3. South North (a) S. KQ86 H. 2 D. AK1087 C. AQ8
4. South North (a) S. KQJ H. 2 D. AK876 C. AJ107
5. South North (a) S. AJ764 H. AJ32 D. K8 C. 87
6. North South (a) S. 54 H. AJ3 C. KJ4 C. Q10865 * Not a game force.
7. North South (a) S. 76 H. AK983 D. QJ C. 7654
8. North South (a) S. AKJ43 H. QJ6 D. K76 C. K10
9. North South (a) S. 54 H. 104 H. K1098 C. AQ763
10. North South (a) S. AQ5 H. K8 D. J9832 C. AJ4 THE BEST CHOICE 1. (b) fourth spade or no fourth spade, the hand 'reeks notrump. (a) should clearly rebid 1H, (c) should raise to 2D. 2. (c). First of all the sequence promises 6H or five very good ones (KQJ9x, AQJ10x) so that eliminates the other two. (a) should raise to 2S and (b) should rebid 1NT. 3. (a) With a singleton heart the 2NT bid should show about 17-18 points (16 with a poweful side suit). (b) has the fastest pass in the world. (c) is at least in the ballpark because of the heart fit. 3H is another possibility, but both bids would be stretches. 4. (c) stands out like a beacon. All you really want to know is partner's ace count. Facing none, play in game, opposite one With one play in 6C, facing two shoot the works! (a) is a clear-cut 4S bid and (b) should cuebid 4H hoping to hear 4S. If partner does bid 4S, try 4NT. If partner bids 5C over 4H, bid 6C hoping partner has the CA. Sometimes you have to take a chance. 5. (b) best fits the sequence. (c) is the worst because even a coward gets to game with that one. With (a) it would be a stretch to bid over 2S. With both major suit 10s it wouldn't be much of a stretch. 6. (a) is perfect. (b) is the worst and is from outer space or even further away. (c) should rebid 3NT with those great intermediates. Surely that hand is worth at least 14 points. 7. (b) is about what the sequence shows. (d) should jump to 3H, invitational, (a) should raise to 3D and (c) must be made with a man with lots of money because disaster is tight around the corner. This sequence is supposed to show six reasonable hearts or five very good ones (KQJ9x, AQJ10x). You get the idea. 8. (c) is clearly best, the others are all flawed. (a) should raise to 3NT; (b) should rebid 3S. 3D shows four card support, minimum. (d) should not jump shift in the first place. (d) has three things to tell partner and should not waste a level starting the description. One does not jump shift with a two-suiter unless the second suit is partner's suit. 9. (b) is what the bid is supposed to show-a huge diamond fit with the CA. (a) should raise to 3D, invitational. Some play that in this sequence 2S is a stronger diamond raise than 3D, a good idea. (c) should either start with 2C and then bid 3C, invitational, or bid 3C now. 10. (a) is best for obvious reasons. (b) is the worst as you are almost certainly on for a slam. (c) should bid 3D hoping partner can bid 3H showing a stopper in that suit. If partner does bid 3H, (c) should bid 3S so partner can bid 3NT with the HK and play the hand from the right side.
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