Q. 1 — Sitting South, with North dealing and no one vulnerable, you hold:
♠ 8 5
♥ K 10 7 5 4 3
♦ 10 3
♣ 10 6 2

The bidding has proceeded as follows:

North         East         South         West
2NT*         Pass         3♦**           Pass
3♥              Pass         ?

* 20-21 high-card points
** Transfer to hearts

A. — Though holding only three HCP, I’d bid 4♥. For one thing, you know you have the desired eight-card fit in trumps; your sixth heart makes that possible. And you have two doubletons.

Q. 2 — Sitting South and dealing, with North-South vulnerable, you hold:
♠ Q 7 5 4
♥ Q 9 3
♦ Q J 6 2
♣ A Q

The bidding has proceeded as follows:

South         West         North          East
1♦              Pass          1♥               2♣
?

What do you bid?

A. — Here’s a chance to learn a new convention. When you open in a suit, your left-hand opponent passes, partner bids a new suit and your right-hand opponent overcalls in another suit, a “support double” by you shows three-card support of partner’s suit. Establish with your partner how high you’re willing to use support doubles.

Q. 3 — Sitting South, with West dealing and both sides vulnerable, you hold:
♠ A 7 6 4
♥ J 7 6
♦ A K
♣ K 10 6 5

West opens 5♦, North bids 5 ♥

and East passes. What do you bid?

A. — Partner must have considerable strength to overcall vulnerable at the five level, and you hand is no slouch, either. You can confidently bid 6♦ to show first-round control and heart support. You may be headed for a grand slam.

Q. 4 — Sitting South, with North dealing and no one vulnerable, you hold:
♠ A K J 5 4
♥ J 10 7 5 4 2
♦ 8
♣ 6

North bids 1♥ and East passes. What do you bid?

A. — No need to bid spades first, then raise hearts. You’ve found a fit, and there’s a good chance you belong in slam. Bid 4NT.

Q. 5 — Sitting South, with East dealing and East-West vulnerable, you hold:
♠10 9 8
♥Q 10 5 2
♦Q 8 5 3
♣ 5 4

The bidding has proceeded as follows:

East         South          West         North
1NT        Pass             6NT        All Pass

What do you lead?

A. — Your partner probably has no more than three HCP. This is no time to lead away from a queen, which may succeed only in finessing yourself. Lead the safer ♠10.

The Bridge Club of Martha’s Vineyard will open play on Saturday, June 18, at the Tisbury Senior Center. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and play at 9:30 a.m.