Here are some bidding questions that may involve strategy unfamiliar to many players:

Q 1—Sitting South, with North dealing and none vulnerable, you hold:

♠️ A J

♥️ Q 10 9

♦️ A K Q 7 6 5

♣️ 4 3

North opens 1♦️, and West passes. What do you bid?

A—Some Souths would bid 3♦️, but that’s not forcing. Others play a strong, inverted-minor 2♦️ as forcing, but that’s news to many players.

Any other choice? I would bid 3NT despite the club weakness. I have stoppers in three suits. Even if they lead clubs, partner might well have a club stopper. You’re usually better in 3NT than five of a minor.

Q 2—Sitting South, with West dealing and East-West vulnerable, you hold:

♠️ A Q 7 4

♥️ 9 8 6

♦️9 2

♣️ A 8 5 3

West opens 1♦️, followed by two passes. What do you bid?

A—It’s O.K. to double in the fourth seat with about a king short of an opening hand. You don’t want to pass, and given East’s pass partner is bound to have value. Your side is likely to have the balance of power.

Q 3—Sitting South, with North dealing and North-South vulnerable, you hold:

♠️ Q J 10 8

♥️ 7 5 4 3

♦️K J 4

♣️ K 4

North opens 1♣️, and East overcalls 1♠️. What do you bid?

A.—This decision comes up a lot when you’re forced to choose either 1NT or a negative double showing heart support. Examine the suits. With your poor hearts, plus spades showing two defensive stoppers, I’d bid 1NT.

Q 4—Sitting South, with North dealing and both sides vulnerable, you hold:

♠️ 5 4 3 2

♥️ 5 4 3 2

♦️ 5 4 3 2

♣️ 2

Partner bids 1NT, and East passes. What would you bid?

A.—You have the worst possible hand, don’t you? Don’t pass.

Bid 2♣️ — “garbage Stayman” — and pass whatever bid partner bids: 2♦️, 2♥️, or 2♠️. Your hand would be worthless in NoTrump, but with a fit in a suit it could worth a trick of two in your hand. Think about ruffing a club.