How strong do you evaluate your hand (II)? by Frank Stewart

A: 3♥: Your partner has at most nine high-card points, but if he has a singleton spade, a good diamond fit and a heart honor, you may make a slam. Bid three hearts. If partner is encouraged with 2, K 7 6 5, J 9 7 6 3, A 6 5 and jumps to five diamonds next, you'll bid six diamonds.

Your result so far:

A: 3♥: Partner seems to have six hearts and four clubs, though he could have a 5-5 hand. In any case, his values are minimum, as his two-heart rebid suggested. Bid three hearts. If you had more values in partner's suits, you might try four hearts, but you must not bid 3NT.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥: I know successful experts who would open one heart with even fewer values. They would not open a weak two-bid, in part because the hand has two Quick Tricks -- a bit too much defense in their view. (Some of their weak two-bids are strikingly weak.) I would open two hearts. This hand looks to me like a sound weak two-bid.


Your result so far:

A: 3♥: Your partner has opening values with support for the unbid suits, and you have nine points. To sell to two spades would be too timid. Since partner is likely to have good support for the other major, bid three hearts. If the opponents go to three spades, you'll try for a plus on defense.


Your result so far:

A: 4♠: Your partner has five or more spades. He may have no high-card strength, but you need almost none to make game. Bid four spades. You will have a fine chance if partner holds Q 10 8 5 2, 7 6 5, 6 3 2, 3 2.

Your result so far: