How strong do you evaluate your hand? by Frank Stewart

A: 3♥: Your partner's rebid promises six or more hearts. He would never be obliged to rebid a five-card suit here. If his pattern were 2-5-3-3, for instance, he would bid 1NT. You have enough values to invite game, but a bid of 2NT with no club stopper is unappealing. Raise to three hearts.


Your result so far:

A: 2♥: You have 10 high-card points: too many, in theory, for a single raise. Nevertheless, two of your points are unsupported jacks, and your distribution is as flat as a pancake. Raise to two hearts. If two passes follow, and your right-hand opponent balances with a double, you can redouble to show your maximum strength.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥: If your partner wanted to play a game, he would have bid it. His four clubs is an ace-showing cue bid to try for slam. Cooperate by cue-bidding four hearts. If he signs off at four spades, you will have a close decision whether to pass or cue-bid five clubs.

Your result so far:

A: 3♦: You have plenty of values to compete. The issue is what to bid. If the diamond suit offered a better prospect of running five tricks, I would try 2NT. As it is, the ragged diamonds may take time to establish, and there is probably only one heart stopper. Bid three diamonds.


Your result so far:

A: 2♠: Bid two spades. You must not risk selling out to two hearts when your side probably has an eight-card spade fit and a fair share of the high-card strength. It's unpleasant to bid with such a ratty suit, but what you are really doing is "supporting" the suit your partner's double implied.

Your result so far: