Do you see anything specific? by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♥: One of the critical debates in two-over-one bidding is whether opener's rebid of his suit in a game-forcing auction should promise six. If you believe that, you are occasionally required either to rebid two no-trump with a flawed hand or to raise responder's suit with three trumps and a balanced minimum. If you can rebid two hearts here without promising six, that is clearly the right course of action.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥: The fact that your right-hand opponent has shown four spades shouldn't stop you from simply raising to two hearts, the value call on your hand. Although your trumps are weak, your defensive values aren't that remarkable and your overall hand is just fine for the simple raise of hearts. Don't pass and back in later; that lets the opponents establish their optimal fit and level too easily.

Your result so far:

A: 3♦: A double here is card-showing (typically a strong no-trump equivalent or better, with no clear alternative action). It is not for penalty, but closer to takeout than optional. You should simply bid three diamonds and let your partner take a further call if appropriate.

Your result so far:

A: 2♣: Creeping or Crawling Stayman allows you to bid two clubs here and correct a response of two diamonds to two hearts to offer a choice of the majors. Opener tends to pass unless he has three spades and two hearts, so this way you can remove yourself from one no-trump and find a reasonable partscore whatever your partner has.


Your result so far:

A: 3♣: It isn't clear whether you belong in diamonds or three no-trump, but you don't really have any slam ambitions yet. Bid three clubs to show where you live and let partner help you decide what strain to end up in. When in doubt, it is always better to let partner tell you what he has, rather than deciding for him.


Your result so far: