Here are some decisions that arose from casual and Internet play.
Q. 1—Sitting South, with North dealing and no one vulnerable, you hold:
♠ A J 7
♥️ Q 8 3
♦️ Q J 2
♣️ J 8 6 2
North and East pass. What do you bid?
A.—Though I’ve always bid something other than pass with 11 high-card points in the third position, I’d make an exception with this hand. It has five quacks (jacks and queens) and only one quick trick. I’d re-evaluate it at nine or 10 HCP. Pass.
Q. 2—Sitting South, with North dealing and both sides vulnerable, you hold:
♠ 9 8 7 6
♥️ A Q J 4
♦️ 10 8
♣️ J 7 3
North opens 1NT and East passes. What do you bid?
A.—Unlike the previous hand, this one can be upgraded. Add a point for three honors in South’s four-card heart suit, while giving the ♣️ J maybe half a point. The presence of two four-card majors increases the likelihood of a fit. Bid 2♣️. If North bids a major suit, raise to the three level. If North bids 2♦️ to deny a four-card major, bid 2NT.
Q 3.— Sitting South, with North bidding and East-West vulnerable, you hold:
♠ A 7 5 2
♥️ 6 4
♦️ K J 8 6 3
♣️ 8 4
A,—North opens 2♣️, and you bid a waiting 2♦️. Now partner bids 3NT. What do you say?
A.—For partner to bid 2♣️ and then 3NT shows 25-27 HCP, with 33 HCP enough for a slam. Bid a slam-dunk 6NT.
Q. 4—Sitting South, with East dealing and East-West vulnerable, you hold:
♠ A J 10 8 4 2
♥️ J 8 6 5 4 3
♦️ J
♣️ —
East bids 1NT. What do you say?
A.—Believe it or not, you’ve got good values for a major-suit overcall: 6-6 distribution with seven HCP and only six losing tricks to go with favorable vulnerability. There are ways to describe your distribution depending on system. Playing Cappelletti, I’d bid 2♦️. to show both majors.
Q. 5—Sitting South, with East dealing and no one vulnerable, you hold:
♠ K Q 6 5
♥️ 10 9 8
♦️A K 5 4
♣️ 5 4
East opens 1♣️. What do you say?
A.—Traditional bidders wouldn’t double without two four-card majors. Recent investigation says don’t be a stick-in the-mud: double. Modern style recommends at least three cards in each unbid suit, unless you have a monster hand that you can explain on another bid after the double.
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