Strong Raises 2 by Paul Bowyer

A: 3♥. When in doubt, support your partner!

You know North has five Hearts, so you don’t need four-card support to raise him. 3♥ shows a minimum hand (roughly in the 12-14 point bracket) and some Heart support.

That's a decent description of your hand; the ball is now in his court.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥. With a combined minimum of 25 points and a fair Heart fit (at least 5-3) you have sufficient to bid the Heart game.

Partner's 2♥ response reply promises at least 10 points and at least five Hearts. A 3♥ rebid at this point would show a minimum opener (you are too good for that) and what would 3♣ achieve?

Your result so far:

A: 3♠. You are far too good for 2♠ but certainly not good enough for 4♠.

Holdings such as ♥Q × and ♦J × × in the side suits need to be treated with caution as they are not pulling their weight – there may be too many losers there.

Also, too many of your points (half of them, in fact) are tied up in the trump suit.

If North Passes 3♠ you can expect 4♠ to have no chance. Even 3♠ may fail.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥. You are too good for 3♥ now, and should bid game with a song in your heart.

Sure, you have the same 18 points as in Q3 but what a difference! You now only have two top losers (those useless Clubs) and you have a good source of tricks in the guise of that Diamond suit.

Further, your Spades are likely to worth something for partner; he may well be able to generate a couple of tricks there.

In support of Hearts this hand is worth many more tricks than Q3 is in support of Spades.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠. You may only have 13 points but you have lovely hand pattern (6·4·3·0) and a fine source of tricks in the guise of that Club suit.

2♠ (showing a minimum opening bid) would not do justice to this hand; partner may easily Pass and miss an easy 4♠.

Voids and long suits play an important role in this game.

Your result so far: