Answer to Beginners Questions

Exercise: Partner opens 1♣. What would be your response holding these?

Hand a)	Hand b)	Hand c)	Hand d)
♠ Q 6 4 2 ♥ KJ 4 3 ♦ 93 ♣ 9 6 4	♠ A 9 4 2 ♥ Q 4 ♦ J 9 7 3 ♣ 10 5 2	♠ K 5 2 ♥ Q J 7 5 4 ♦ 5 ♣ 9 8 5 2	♠ A 9 8 5 2 ♥ Q 9 6 3 2 ♦ K 2 ♣ 2

Answers:
(a). Respond 1♥ – cheaper of fours. If partner does not now bid spades, nor will you. Further note that it is a common misconception to respond 1NT “to show weakness”. This is a big mistake, for you will miss many major-suit fits. Bid a suit to a suit.
(b). Respond 1♦, cheaper of fours. Don’t worry, you won’t miss a fit in spades, for if partner has spades (say 5♣-4♠), he can bid 1♠ now.
(c). Respond 1♥. You do have a fit in clubs, but it is correct to withhold support for a minor when you have a worthwhile major to introduce. Note that if your ♥QJ754 were ♦QJ754, you would bid 2♣ rather than 1♦.
(d). Respond 1♠, “high fives”. Plan to bid 2♥ next, keeping the bidding more economical than bidding 1♥ then 2♠ (forcing partner to the three-level to give a preference back to hearts).

Click here to return to question