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North’s 2H is a Weak Two, showing six hearts and 5-9 points. Partner’s double is for take-out.
Answer Whenever partner makes a take-out double, you have two duties. You must choose a trump suit (or no-trumps) You must also indicate your strength, so partner can judge whether game is possible. With around 0-7 points you respond at the minimum level. With around 8-10 points, you respond with a jump bid. The same applies against a Weak Two. Here you should suggest a spade game by responding 3S. Awards: 3H-10, 3NT-6, 3S-4, 4D-3, Pass-2. |
I
recently played in an exhibition match on the Internet bridge system,
‘e-bridgemaster.com’. Marc Smith, my intended partner, had a broken
modem on his computer and I was therefore facing world-class opposition
with an unknown Israeli as my partner! Shall we play Standrad American
Yellow Card? he tapped in. I agreed, although my knowledge of this
system is hazy. On the first deal he responded 2NT to my 1H opening bid.
I had no idea whether this showed 11-12 points, as in Acol, or perhaps
13-15 points as in some American systems. Some players use the Baron 2NT
response, showing 16 points upwards. Others employ 2 NT as a forcing
raise in the opener’s suit. I marked time by biddihg 3C and was
relieved to see my partner bid Blackwood, then raise to a heart slam.
With a certain loser in clubs, as you see, 11 depended on picking up the
trump suit without loss. After a trump to the queen, the necessary play
as the cards lie is to lead the jack on the second round of trumps. I
did manage to make the slam (he said proudly). True, I was given some
assistance by a trump lead!
What
will you bid now?