Answers:

Answer 55

Three possible hands are given for South but only one is consistent with bidding. Which one? What should the other iands have bid? Neither side is vulnerable

North		East		South		West
2 ♣		3 ♠		4 ♣		1♠

Hand a)

♠ Q J
♥ Q 6 5 2
♦ A J 2
♣ 9 8 3 2

Hand b)

♠ 2
♥ 9 7
♦ Q J 6 4 3 2
♣ K J 10 8

Hand c)

♠ 2
♥ 9 8 3 2
♦ Q 6 4 3 2
♣ A Q 10

Answer:

(c) is correct.

What’s the point of bidding 4 ♣ with Hand (a)? You don’t really want partner bidding 5 ♣ over 4♠ and you certainly don’t want to encourage partner to lead a club v 4♠. Just pass.
Hand (b) is very offensive. So much so, that you should jump to 5♣. If partner is using the Suit Quality Overcall Test (number of clubs plus number of club honours reaching the eight tricks he’s bid for) he must have six+ cards (for he can have at most two honours); you love your shape, you hate your defence. Don’t bid 4♣, then (over 4♠) 5 ♣ - the dreaded two bites of the cherry. Who knows, your immediate jump to 5 ♣ may elicit a 5♠ bid – which may be a level too high.
That leaves Hand (c), the correct answer. You love your singleton spade and will not mind if partner bids on to 5♣ over 4♠. However, the main reason for bidding 4♣ is to make sure partner leads a club (from an otherwise attractive ♣KJxxxx or similar) v 4♠.

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Answers:

Answer 55