A quiz to test empathy across the table
To find out just how good your present bridge partnership is, you and your partner should separately answer the questions in this quiz. If you agree in your answers, it will not matter that you disagree with mine. However, even if your partner agrees with you instead of me, the point awards must stand as given with the answers on page 120. I think you will find the awards reasonable, if not generous.
1 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Queen of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Jack of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[2 of Clubs]
[4 of Diamonds]
SOUTH
1 [Club]
?
WEST
PASS
NORTH
1 [Heart]
EAST
PASS
What do you bid now?
2 North-South vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Queen of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[King of Clubs]
[Jack of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[8 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
NORTH
1 [Club]
2 [Spade]
EAST
1 [Diamond]
PASS
SOUTH
1 [Spade]
?
WEST
PASS
What do you bid now?
3 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[King of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[10 of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[5 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[7 of Diamonds]
SOUTH
1 N.T.
?
WEST
PASS
NORTH
3 [Spade]
EAST
PASS
What do you bid now?
4 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Ace of Spades]
[King of Spades]
[Queen of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[9 of Hearts]
[8 of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[4 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[Queen of Diamonds]
[Jack of Diamonds]
NORTH
1 [Spade]
EAST
PASS
SOUTH
?
WEST
What do you bid?
5 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[King of Spades]
[Queen of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[King of Hearts]
[10 of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[Queen of Clubs]
[Jack of Clubs]
[10 of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[5 of Clubs]
[4 of Diamonds]
SOUTH
1 [Heart]
?
WEST
1 [Spade]
NORTH
2 [Heart]
EAST
PASS
What do you bid now?
6 Both sides vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Ace of Spades]
[King of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[7 of Diamonds]
[6 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
[Ace of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
SOUTH
1 [Spade]
?
WEST
PASS
NORTH
2 [Diamond]
EAST
PASS
What do you bid now?
7 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[King of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[Queen of Hearts]
[Jack of Hearts]
[10 of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[Queen of Clubs]
[King of Diamonds]
[5 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]
EAST
1 [Club]
PASS
SOUTH
1 [Heart]
?
WEST
PASS
NORTH
1 [Spade]
What do you bid now?
8 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[King of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[King of Hearts]
[Jack of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[Jack of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
NORTH
1 [Club]
3 [Heart]
EAST
PASS
PASS
SOUTH
1 [Heart]
?
WEST
PASS
What do you bid now?
9 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[10 of Spades]
[7 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[7 of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[2 of Clubs]
[King of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]
NORTH
1 [Spade]
2 [Heart]
EAST
PASS
PASS
SOUTH
1 N.T.
?
WEST
PASS
What do you bid now?
10 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Jack of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Jack of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[Jack of Clubs]
[8 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[King of Diamonds]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[10 of Diamonds]
[9 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
NORTH
1 [Club]
DBL
EAST
1 [Spade]
PASS
SOUTH
PASS
?
WEST
3 [Spade]
What do you bid now?
11 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Ace of Spades]
[4 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[2 of Clubs]
[10 of Diamonds]
[7 of Diamonds]
[5 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
WEST
1 [Spade]
NORTH
PASS
EAST
1 N.T.
SOUTH
?
What do you bid?
12 Neither side vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Ace of Spades]
[King of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[6 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Jack of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[King of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
SOUTH
1 [Spade]
?
WEST
2 [Club]
NORTH
3 [Spade]
EAST
5 [Club]
What do you bid now?
13 East-West vulnerable. As South you hold:
[4 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Queen of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[4 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[10 of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[8 of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
NORTH
PASS
DBL
EAST
1 [Diamond]
REDBL
SOUTH
PASS
?
WEST
1 [Spade]
What do you bid now?
14 North-South vulnerable. As South you hold:
[King of Spades]
[Queen of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[6 of Spades]
[5 of Spades]
[Jack of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[Jack of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[King of Diamonds]
[9 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
EAST
4 [Diamond]
PASS
SOUTH
PASS
?
WEST
4 [Heart]
NORTH
PASS
What do you bid now?
15 Both sides vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Ace of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[7 of Spades]
[5 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[6 of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[10 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[King of Diamonds]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[7 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
WEST
4 [Heart]
NORTH
DBL
EAST
PASS
SOUTH
?
What do you bid?
16 Both sides vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Queen of Spades]
[2 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[Jack of Hearts]
[10 of Hearts]
[4 of Hearts]
[7 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
NORTH
2 N.T.
3 [Spade]
4 [Heart]
EAST
PASS
PASS
PASS
SOUTH
3 [Heart]
3 N.T.
?
WEST
PASS
PASS
What do you bid now?
17 Both sides vulnerable. As South you hold:
[Ace of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[6 of Spades]
[2 of Spades]
[King of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[Jack of Clubs]
[10 of Clubs]
[8 of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[2 of Clubs]
NORTH
1 [Diamond]
DBL
EAST
1 [Spade]
PASS
SOUTH
PASS
?
WEST
2 [Spade]
What do you bid now?
18 Both sides vulnerable. As South you hold:
[King of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[2 of Hearts]
[7 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[King of Diamonds]
[Queen of Diamonds]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[10 of Diamonds]
[6 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
NORTH
1 [Heart]
EAST
PASS
SOUTH
?
WEST
What do you bid?
HERE ARE BIDS YOU SHOULD HAVE MADE
1
2 HEARTS—5 PTS.
1 SPADE—3 PTS.
2 CLUBS—1 PT.
While I prefer a holding of four trumps, I offer the raise in this hand as best describing its approximate strength. A rebid of one spade, my second choice, would place me in the position of having to raise hearts next and might create in partner's mind an impression of greater strength than I actually have. A rebid of two clubs is not at all in keeping with my principles, but I have given it a token award.
2
3 CLUBS—5 PTS.
3 SPADES—3 PTS.
3 HEARTS—2 PTS.
4 SPADES—1 PT.
Though we have tentatively agreed on spades as trumps, a three-club rebid may lead to a better game contract in clubs or in no trump. A bid of three hearts, somewhat irregular, might make it easier to reach a contract of three no trump. A bid of four spades is apt to result in an inferior contract if partner has supported my free response with only three trumps.
3
4 CLUBS—5 PTS.
4 SPADES—3 PTS.
3 NO TRUMP—1 PT.
The bid of four clubs serves a dual purpose. It implies a satisfaction with spades as trumps and earmarks the ace of clubs, suggesting at the same time a willingness to talk in terms of slam. A bid of four spades is inadequate, and I consider that my award of one point for three no trump is the result of a very generous nature.
4
2 HEARTS—5 PTS.
2 DIAMONDS—4 PTS.
3 SPADES—3 PTS.
4 NO TRUMP—1 PT.
Three spades might be the choice of many readers, but this hand is worth too much—19 points in support of spades—for a jump raise.
5
4 HEARTS—5 PTS.
3 HEARTS—3 PTS.
3 CLUBS—1 PT.
With anything that resembles a free raise a four-heart contract should be a virtual lay-down. However, there is still the chance that the opposition will offer a contest in diamonds as well as spades, and while the bid of three clubs is given some credit, it provides additional space for opponents to maneuver in finding a fit of their own. I have been rather liberal in my award of three points for the three-heart bid.
6
6 DIAMONDS—5 PTS.
4 CLUBS—4 PTS.
4 DIAMONDS—2 PTS.
4 NO TRUMP—1 PT.
The maximum award is given for the immediate leap to a slam in diamonds. I recognize that a defense to this contract may exist, but it is important to conceal the situation from the enemy. It is true that a bid of four clubs might-result in reaching a grand slam, if partner has just the right cards, but the direct leap to a slam discloses the least possible vital information. I consider the four-no-trump bid the wrong approach to a slam when a void is held.
7
2 SPADES—5 PTS.
PASS—3 PTS.
2 HEARTS—1 PT.
Top billing goes to the single raise of partner's takeout, a very low award to the re-bid of two hearts. I do not subscribe to the view that a six-card suit should be rebid willy-nilly. This hand has distinct merit in support of a spade call, and it is to be borne in mind that partner is under no pressure to bid. The pass is preferred to two hearts, for spades should be the better contract.
8
3 SPADES—5 PTS.
5 HEARTS—4 PTS.
4 HEARTS or 4 NO TRUMP—1 PT.
As the old axiom says, "an opening bid facing an opening bid plus a jump indicates a possible slam." So I favor a bid of three spades, though five hearts is acceptable. Four hearts does not express the power of the hand.
9
3 HEARTS—5 PTS.
2 SPADES—2 PTS.
PASS—1 PT.
A pass is craven; two spades at least gives partner a chance to go on. Three hearts is properly encouraging, and partner can bow out if he has little more than a minimum.
10
4 DIAMONDS—5 PTS.
4 CLUBS—3 PTS.
5 CLUBS or 5 DIAMONDS—1 PT.
You could make this bid with less strength, or with more in high cards, though not enough for a free bid. Four diamonds is more apt to encourage partner than four clubs, for a return to the original suit always sounds weak. It might be tempting to jump to game, but that might in a sense be punishment for partner who may merely have been looking for a sacrifice.
11
2 NO TRUMP—5 PTS.
2 CLUBS—3 PTS.
PASS—1 PT.
When an overcall in no trump cannot have its usual meaning, it should be recognized as "unusual," requesting partner to choose between the minor suits. A bid of two clubs may shut out a diamond fit. A pass is at least one point better than a takeout double.
12
DBL.—5 PTS.
PASS—3 PTS.
5 SPADES—1 PT.
A double of five clubs warns partner against competing at a higher level. Five points of the hand's strength is in the enemy's suit, where it may be of little use in a spade contract, since partner very likely holds a singleton. The pass is not recommended, for it says in effect, "Partner, I will be happy if you go on to five spades."
13
5 CLUBS—5 PTS.
4 CLUBS—3 PTS.
3 CLUBS—2 PTS.
2 CLUBS—1 PT.
Partner has shown interest in both clubs and hearts, leaving the opponents loaded in spades and diamonds. The situation begs for interrupting enemy communication. You may not make five clubs, but the cost, even if doubled, should be far less than letting the opponents win the contract. All other actions, except a pass, must be given some credit.
14
PASS—5 PTS.
DOUBLE—3 PTS.
4 SPADES—1 PT.
East has shown a weak hand, but West may have a powerhouse, so that any action you take can be expensive. The double gets a few points because it can lead to the best result—either by a pass or a bid from partner.
15
PASS—5 PTS.
4 SPADES—3 PTS.
It is poor policy to forgo certain profit in hopes of making game. I recommend that doubles of preemptive openings at the four level be allowed to stand unless doubler's partner has a highly distributional hand. Perhaps we can make game here, but the penalty should be comforting. This applies to hands where we cannot make game as well as to those where we can.
16
5 SPADES—5 PTS.
4 NO TRUMP—4 PTS.
6 HEARTS—2 PTS.
PASS—1 PT.
Partner has announced his interest in slam by first rebidding spades and then raising the heart suit; he should be assured that your three-heart bid also showed an interest in bigger things. Bidding the slam directly is not recommended, but four no trump (not Blackwood, of course) is also an acceptable move toward slam.
17
3 SPADES—5 PTS.
4 HEARTS—3 PTS.
4 CLUBS—1 PT.
Partner has announced a good hand with at most one spade. Your hand is worth the equivalent of an opening bid in support of clubs or hearts; a cue bid will alert partner to this fact. Four hearts bypasses a possible game in clubs. Four clubs, on the other hand, may dismiss a heart contract.
18
3 DIAMONDS—5 PTS.
2 DIAMONDS—3 PTS.
3 NO TRUMP—1 PT.
Your point count does not seem to justify a jump-shift response, but a solid eight-card suit warrants powerful action. The jump shift alerts partner to the slam potential; at the same time it eliminates problems that will arise if a simple two diamond response is followed by the to-be-expected rebid of two hearts.
ILLUSTRATION