Q. 1 — Sitting South and dealing, with no one vulnerable, you hold:
♠ A 2
♥ K J 5 4
♦ A Q 10 6 5
♣ J 2
What do you bid?
A. — 1NT. This is the exception to the standard of not bidding 1NT with two doubletons. If you bid 1♦ and partner responds 1 ♠ , you would have to reverse into 2 ♥ , a bid that shows at least 16 high-card points. You’re not quite that strong, so compromise with 1NT. By the way, if you open 1 ♦ and partner bids 1 ♠, rebidding 1NT would show 12-14 points. You’re too strong for that.
Q. 2 — Sitting South, with North dealing and East-West vulnerable, you hold:
♠ K Q J 2
♥ 10 9 6 3
♦ Q 7 4
♣ 4 3
North bids 1♣, and East passes. What do you bid?
A. — Resist the temptation to bid your strong spades and instead respond 1♥. You don’t want to miss a 4-4 heart fit. If partner rebids 1♠, raise to 2♠.
Q. 3 — Sitting South, with West dealing and both sides vulnerable you hold:
♠ K J 10 8 5
♥ Q 9 5 4
♦ 8 7 4
♣ K
The bidding has proceeded as follows:
West North East South
Pass 1♠ Pass ?
What do you bid?
A. — A textbook 4♠. Any time partner bids one of a major and you have five-card support, 0-9 HCP and a singleton or void, you should be in game. In bridge argot, 5-5, come alive! Even if you go down, you typically keep East-West out of the auction.
Q. 4 — Sitting North, with West dealing and both sides vulnerable, you hold:
♠ A Q 9 6 4 3
♥ A 6
♦—
♣ A J 5 4 3
The bidding has proceeded as follows:
West North East South
Pass 1♠ Pass 4♠
Pass ?
What do you bid?
A. — This is no time to be scientific. Partner probably has a singleton or void in hearts or clubs. (With all 13 diamonds, East-West would likely compete.) With first-round control of all four suits, go right to 6♠. You might go down, but you’ll feel a whole lot worse if you pass 4♠ and make 12 tricks.
P.S.: Last weekend hands 3 and 4 appeared together on Board 15 at the Bridge Club of Martha’s Vineyard. As you can see, 6♠ should make.
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