Show B Better etter r B ridge Bridge r d ge By Charles H H. H Goren Q 1 Partner opens pens with 2 no trump 10 6 9 93 3 9 5 2 Q 10 7 6 5 What is your response Answer Strictly speaking you have not the required four points t to justify a raise but a bid of three no trump is a good gamble in that there is a reasonable chance of bringing In the club suit Even if f it should develop that partner has las only to clubs and is unable to run the suit the damage should not be great and on this sequence of bids the opponents can hardly ever bring themselves to double There is nothing to be gained by bidding Idding three clubs and we veto this bid Q 2 As South you hold A Q J O 5 Q 52 J 10 A 10 2 The Tho bidding has proceeded South West North East 1 spade Pass 3 diamonds Pass ass 3 spades Pass 4 spades Pass 1 What do you bid now Answer An ace showing bid of ot five ive clubs is recommended When partner makes a first round slam try as in this case cae and then supports supports supports sup sup- ports your suit anything at all above a minimum Justifies the takIng taking tak talc ing tog of further action ac You haven't much above a minimum but the fact that your your hand contains two controls is sufficient reason for forgiving forgiving forgiving giving partner one ono more chance Q 3 JJ Partner op opens ns with 1 club lub I 10 1042 2 Q J 10 1073 7 I What is your response Answer You have Just enough for or one bid and should make an effort to o r reach ach the best score part-score contract This Thi should be done by responding with one heart Th This is s superior to one spade which wo would ld be be the better response if it you were strong enough to show both oth suits intending to bid hearts later ater The point is that if you respond with one spade partner may find it awkward to show a four card heart suit if he has a mediocre hand But if it you choose to o bid one heart partner may raise your bid if he has hearts and may show a four-card four spade suit at the c level of one if he happens to hold it Q Q 4 As South you hold The Tire bidding has preceded North East South West Pass Pass 1 club Pass 2 i no trump Pass What do you bid now Answer r Since partner has previously previously previously pre pre- passed his response is not forcing nevertheless you should proceed to three no trump Your hand land despite its meager honor trick holding has prospects of developing a number of tricks Inthe Inthe in the he play The sixth club Is Is' a most Important consideration and the wealth of intermediates argues in inot favor avor of ot aggressive action You have lave only 12 points and partner probably has about about 12 12 or 13 which brings the total to somewhat less I than the required 26 points for tor a ano ano ano no trump game But with a six six- I card suit nine tricks can usually be developed with less than the normal high high card card content conten Q 5 As South you hold 10 5 4 Q J 3 K Q J 9 7 J 4 The bidding has proceeded North East South West 1 club Pass 1 diamond p Pass Passi s 1 i spade Pass 7 What do you bid now Answer One no t trump mp Inasmuch Inasmuch Inasmuch Inas Inas- much as you had a perfectly sound response e you should reply to your palmers palmer's showing of a new suit even though it is not a force torce It ItIs Itis Itis is better to show the balanced nature nature nature na na- na- na ture of your hand and the heart stopper than to indicate a dable diamond suit Q 6 As South you hold 45 5 A 10 3 2 J 10 7 A J 9 5 3 The bidding has proceeded North East South West 1 1 heart 2 clubs 2 spades 3 diamonds Pass 7 What do you you bid now 1 Answer Three hearts This bid is primarily intended to permit partner to contract for game at atno atno atno no trump if his hand is Is suited for forthe forthe forthe the purpose If It not there should be no serious doubt about the desirability of contracting for for game in diamonds since partner has made a at the eve of lOt three If he bids a slam yo your il hand should not nat be pointing Q 7 As South you hold 4 The bidding has proceeded North East South West 1 spade Pass 2 spades Pass 3 clubs Pass What do you bid now Answer You should return to partners partner's f first suit by bidding three spades This is not another raise it is a mere return to the agreed suit and announces possession of ofa ofa ofa a rather weak raise If your assist had been a go good d one you would at this point be obligated to bid for game A pass cannot be considered considered consid consid- ered for your partners partner's three club bid after spades have been supported supported supported sup sup- ported is a one rou round one one force Q 8 As South you hold 47 7 Q 10 9 7 A J 54 A Q 9 4 The bidding has proceeded West North East South 1 spade Double 2 spades 7 What do you bid Answer A white lie He Is in hi order in the form of a three spade bid There is no other adequate call With almost 3 honor tricks and a favorable distribution opposite a partner who is strong enough to double you should seriously contemplate contemplate contemplate con con- template the possibilities of a slam in one of your three suits The best procedure is to force partner to Select by making a cue bid even though it involves a little poetic license about your spade holding |