Try this hand
For bridge hands of interest
Splintering to slam
One of the most useful conventions for slam bidding is the splinter bid, whereby an "unnecessary jump" shows a singleton or void in the bid suit, a fit for partner, and values for game at least.
How should you bid these North cards after South opens the bidding 1D and the opponents are silent?
Dealer E, NS vulnerable
NORTH
♠ A743
♥ 7
♦ 963
♣ AQ942
Avoidance the key
On the deal below, North opened 1C, East made a takeout double, and South responded 1H. This relieved West of the obligation to answer the double but there was no reason not to show the spades anyway, as the bidding was still at the 1-level. North's jump raise showed a heart fit and 16-18 total points, so South accepted the invitation to game.
NORTH
♠ Q3
♥ A532
♦ AQ
♣ KJT98
WEST EAST
♠ JT982 ♠ K654
♥ 4 ♥ K76
♦ 862 ♦ KJT9
♣ 7632 ♣ A4
SOUTH
♠ A7
♥ QJT98
♦ 7543
♣ Q5
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1C Dble 1H
1S 3H Pass 4H
All pass
West leads the SJ, and declarer tries dummy's SQ, but is not surprised when East contributes the SK. What are your prospects? How should you proceed?
Exploration is the key
Partner opens 1D (the opponents are silent throughout), and you have the following hand:
NORTH (you)
♠ AQJ2
♥ QT65
♦ A5
♣ AQ6
A new suit by responder is forcing, so there is no need to do more than a quiet 1H at this stage. Opener rebids 1NT. How should you proceed?
Understanding the unusual
At favourable vulnerability, you pick up the following:
SOUTH (you)
♠ A7654
♥ KT9
♦ 543
♣ K5
Your left hand opponent opens 1H and partner overcalls 2NT. This is the Unusual 2NT, showing at least 5-5 in the minors and (usually) a weak hand. East jumps to 4H and you decide to pass, due to the lack of a clear alternative. When it goes back to your partner, however, she backs in with a bid of 4NT, passed back to you for a decision.
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1H 2NT 4H Pass
Pass 4NT Pass ?
More than just preference
This hand from a duplicate game at the local club has a few tips to offer. The first problem was for South, in deciding what to open:
SOUTH (you)
♠ AKT75
♥ J
♦ AT
♣ AQJ87
A Ruff Time
You have the following hand. What do you do when you hear your right hand opponent open 1S:
SOUTH
♠ QJ973
♥ 542
♦ A
♣ AK86
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