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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

Read more: Splintering to slam

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?

Read more: Avoidance the key

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?

Read more: Exploration is the key

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  ?

 

Read more: Understanding the unusual

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

Read more: More than just preference

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

Read more: A Ruff Time