You have to evaluate your hand! by Frank Stewart

A: 3♥: Your hand is worth a bid of five diamonds, but partner has not denied a six-card heart suit and may hold 3 2, A Q J 8 4 3, K 6 2, Q 3. Bid three hearts to show a tolerance for that suit. With better heart support, you would have shown it earlier or would bid four hearts now.

Your result so far:

A: 1NT: This is an uncomfortable problem, but you must respond. For all you know, your partner opened with a hand such as A Q 10 2, A 3, A Q 10 9 5 3, 2, and you would have an excellent chance at five diamonds and a fighting chance at six diamonds. Bid 1NT. A raise to two diamonds would overstate the quality of your trump support.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠: Much depends on your partner's temperament. If he is willing to act over a three-level preempt with good distribution but minimum high-card values, you might respond only three spades. With most partners, jump to four spades. A typical hand for a sound partner would be K Q 9 4, 3, A J 10 6, A J 6 5.

Your result so far:

A: 2♦: To pass might be a winning call, but you have three useful honors, and game is still possible. A bid of 1NT with such weak clubs isn't attractive, and a raise to two spades would suggest four-card support or at least a better hand. Bid two diamonds to give partner another chance.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: Partner has a strong hand and is trying for game despite your weak preference. If you had an eight-point hand such as Q 7 6 4 3, Q 5, A 10, 7 6 5 2, you would cooperate. As it is, your king of clubs is probably wasted opposite partner's singleton, Pass.

Your result so far: