Hand of the Fortnight

Number 23

Bidding Quiz

Ex. 1: Dealer: East. N/S are vul. Bidding has begun

E S W N

1D X ?

You are sitting West with

S: A 3

H: -

D: J 9 8 6 5 2

C: Q 8 7 4 3

What do you bid? (ANSWER BELOW Ex. 2)

 

Ex. 2: Dealer: East. All are vul. Bidding has begun

E S W N

1S X ??

You are sitting West with

S: K T 7 6 3

H: -

D: Q J 7

C: 9 8 6 4 2

What do you bid?

Answers:

Ex. 1: 5D. This takes the bidding space away from N/S. A Heart or Spade contract looks likely for N/S (judging from the Double and esp. your Heart void). Your success depends a lot on partner’s Club holding so you won’t always make the contract but even if doubled, you may score –300 vs –620 or more.

 

Ex. 2: 4S Your HCP is only 6 but

(a) you have 5 trumps and

(b) the Heart void is an enormous aid to partner

As in Ex. 1 you are pre-empting the opponents and cutting down on their bidding space. Many Norths would pass the 4S in this situation (not bidding at the 5 level).

 

 

 

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