Balancing After an Opponent's Opening by Matthias Huberschwiller

In this quiz, your left-hand opponent will have opened and two passes will follow.

If you don't bid, the auction will be over.

Will you act?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A 6 5 2
♥ K 8 5
♦ 6 2
♣ Q 9 5 2

Q: 1 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	Pass	Pass
?

A: Double - In the balancing position, you can bid with approximately 4 points fewer than in the direct seat.

You can make a take-out double with as few as 8 points (with shortness in their suit and support for all the other suits).

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 5 2
♥ 6 4
♦ A Q J 9 8
♣ K 5 4 2

Q: 2 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	Pass	Pass
?

A: Pass - You have 10 points but a long Diamond suit. You should not balance. Let them play 1♦. They will probably go down.

Your partner is short in Diamonds and could not bid, so he can't have that strong a hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 5
♥ A Q 2
♦ 9 8 5 2
♣ K 6 5 3

Q: 3 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Pass	Pass
?

A: 1 NT - You should balance with 1NT, which is natural, but shows 12-14 instead of 16-18 points (always 4 points fewer).

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A Q 8 5 2
♥ 6 2
♦ A K 8 5 2
♣ 5

Q: 4 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Pass	Pass
?

A: 2♥ - Unlike the Unusual 2 NT, which does not exist in the balancing position, the Michaels cue-bid still shows five of the other major and a five-card minor.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q 5 4 2
♥ 6 2
♦ A 6 2
♣ K Q J

Q: 5 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Pass	Pass
?

A: Double - Everything is 4 points down. Therefore, the strong-hand double starts at 14 points. Double, then bid your Spades on the second round.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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