Bid a Hand 2 by Ben Norton

A: 2♣. You have the values to force to game and should bid your lowest four-card suit at the two-level. 2♥ would guarantee a five-card suit.

Your result so far:

A: No. Since the auction is forced to game, there is no need for partner to jump to show extra values (indeed, 2♥ should be forcing for one round even in Standard American methods).

Partner could be minimum, but he could also have extra values.

Your result so far:

A: 3♥. Just as partner has no need to jump the gun with extra values, neither do you. Issue a gentle raise to 3♥, conserving bidding space for slam exploration.

Your result so far:

A: 4♣. Given that you've agreed a Heart fit, partner's 3♠ was a cue-bid, showing a first- or second-round Spade control (Ace, King, singleton or void, although the latter two are not possible here).

You should continue the cue-bidding process, and even though you hold a first-round Diamond control but only a second-round Club control, you should bid the cheaper suit first; Clubs.

Your result so far:

A: 5♠. Partner's 4NT bid is Roman Keycard Blackwood, asking how many of the five keycards you have (the four Aces and the King of trumps).

5♣ would show zero or three keycards, 5♦ one or four, and 5♥ would denote two keycards without the ♥Q. Your bid is 5♠, showing two keycards with the ♥Q.

These are known as 3041 responses. Some partnerships play 1430 responses to RKCB, thereby reversing the 5♣ and 5♦ bids. It doesn't really matter which way around you play them; just make sure you've agreed it with your partner!

Your result so far:

A: Pass. Your partner knows how many keycards your side has, and he has chosen to play in 6♥. You cannot overrule him.

Your partner's hand is:
♠ A K Q J 2
♥ K 6 4 3
♦ K 2
♣ 6 3

Partner can ruff a Spade in dummy if necessary. He bid 3♠ in order to find out if you had a Club control, and your 4♣ bid was just what he wanted to hear.

Your result so far: