December 2010 - 32

The Bidding Box

Thompson had the option to open
the East hand with a strong 1,
but decided to begin with a canape
1 instead. The 2 rebid shows at
least nine cards in hearts and clubs.
Zwerling's 2 is natural and invi‑
tational; Thompson's 3 strongly
suggests four hearts and six clubs.
The 3 probe received a nebu‑
lous 3 response, so Zwerling just
blasted to the contract he thought he
could make. With a prime maximum,
Thompson went for the slam bonus.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-1;
2-2 (one‑round force); 3-4;
4-4 (control bids); 4NT-5 (key
card ask; two key cards, no Q);
6-Pass
Scores: 6 11; 4NT 7; 7 6; 5 4;
4 3; 6NT 2; 5NT 1
Tacchi-Horton 12,
Zwerling-Thompson 14

Problem 3

South deals. E-W vulnerable.
South opens 2 (weak). North
bids 3 if possible.
West
 A 10 3
A4
J975
 A 10 9 2
Tacchi North
Pass
6

(3)
All Pass

East
-
Q5
AKQ864
KJ765
Horton South
(2)
4NT
(Pass)

The jump to 4NT shows a two‑
suited hand. Tacchi, who could play
in either minor, jumped to the club
slam. If Horton had held a red two‑
suiter, he would have continued with
6, allowing West to pick the better
contract.
Zwerling North Thompson South
(2)
2NT
(3) 4
(Pass)
4NT
(Pass) 5
All Pass

32 Bridge Bulletin December 2010

Overcalling a weak two‑bid with
2NT usually shows strong notrump
values. Zwerling, despite holding a
13‑count, upgraded the hand for its
aces and 10s. Thompson cuebid the
opponents' suit to show values and
emphasize the minors. Zwerling com‑
manded Thompson to pick a minor
with 4NT, and Thompson chose dia‑
monds.
Bridge Bulletin auction: (2)-Pass-
(3)-4NT (minors); (Pass)-6-All
Pass
Scores: 6 10; 6 9; 7NT 8; 7 7;
6NT 5; 5NT 4; 5 3; 5 2; 3 1
Tacchi-Horton 21,
Zwerling-Thompson 17

Problem 4

West deals. Both vulnerable.
West
A854
AK87
98
842

East
KQ972
93
7642
AJ

Tacchi
Pass
2NT
3
4

Horton
1
3
3
Pass

Whether you open the West hand
is a matter of taste and partnership
style. Tacchi passed originally but
then drove to game after Horton
opened 1.
The 2NT rebid shows a good raise
with four trumps. Horton tried to sign
off later with 3 but Tacchi wasn't
stopping.
Zwerling
1
2

Thompson
1
Pass

With 4-4 in the majors, this duo
opens 1. Zwerling raised spades
(a three‑card raise is possible), but
Thompson had nothing more to say.

Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-1;
2-Pass
Scores: 4 10; 3 8; 2NT 4; 3NT 1
Tacchi-Horton 31,
Zwerling-Thompson 25

Problem 5

North deals. None vulnerable.
West
Q87
6
J984
 K Q J 10 4

East
 K 10 4
KQJ84
K
A932

Tacchi

Horton
1
2
Pass

1NT
3

This is similar to Problem 1. Over
the non‑forcing 1NT response, East
tried 2. West raised, but Horton,
unable to tell if the K was working,
gave up on bigger things.
Zwerling
2
3
3
Pass

Thompson
1
2
3
3NT

1 is strong, artificial and forcing,
and the 2 response is game‑forcing
with five or more clubs. 2 is a relay
requesting more information; 3 re‑
veals four diamonds and exactly five
clubs. Another relay (3) allowed
West to show a 3=1=4=5 pattern.
Without a suit fit, Thompson chose
3NT.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-1NT;
2-3; 3NT-Pass
Scores: 4 10; 3NT 6; 2NT 5; 2 2;
5 1
Tacchi-Horton 41,
Zwerling-Thompson 31

Problem 6

East deals. E-W vulnerable.
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2010
