System or judgement? by Bobby Wolff

A: 1♥: The answer here may be more about style than judgment. I would respond one heart, hoping to find a major-suit fit. I tend to use the one-diamond response as natural but tending to deny a major unless in a game-forcing hand. So in response to one diamond as opener, I would tend to bypass rebidding a major if balanced. Thus, the one-heart response helps us find our side's fit.


Your result so far:

A: 1♥: I can certainly see the logic in concealing the hearts and raising diamonds here; I might do that with a very minimum response (change the diamond king to the two, perhaps). Here, however, I have the values to think that this will be our hand, so my plan is to bid hearts then raise diamonds. Yes I'd rather have a better suit, but quantity often outranks quality.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠: Hearts cannot be the right place to play here, but should you bid three spades and try to maneuver partner into three no-trump, or just revert to four clubs? I think the former action is more flexible, though it may be easier for partner to bid three no-trump.

Your result so far:

A: 4♣: The three-spade call is forcing here (the only non-forcing action is to pass three hearts). Your hand looks suitable for slam, but your partner hasn't promised a good hand yet. Cue-bid four clubs and be prepared to give up over a sign-off in four spades.

Your result so far:

A: 2♣: An expert colleague of mine, in discussing this sort of situation, asked, "Would you rather rebid two clubs and show nine of your cards, or two diamonds and show six?" When put in those terms, the rebid of two clubs looks clear, and I would still make that call if the clubs were slightly weaker and the diamonds stronger.

Your result so far: