An Interesting Bidding Hand
By Mike Lawrence

North

1S
 South
Pass
?
Passed hand bidding is not easy. Many of your forcing bids are no longer available and what few substitutes you have are not adequate. Of the six choices, the only one that makes sense is four clubs. Here are my objections to the other choices.

Three spades - This is just plain inadequate. Even if partner has a dog, there should be some kind of play for game.

Four spades - Also inadequate. This will get you to game so it is a better bid than three spades, but it does nothing to help partner look for a slam.

Two diamonds is too scary to contemplate. It might get passed out.

Three diamonds has merit since it is a jump shift. It has merit, though, only if it promises a spade fit.

Drury can work, but it will be hard to convince partner that this is your hand.

It is the splinter that gets my attention. It tells partner you have four or more super trumps plus it identifies a major aspect of your hand. Partner won't know that you are void in clubs, but he will know you have a singleton along with other features.

North

1S
4D
 South
Pass
4C
?
Partner thinks enough of his hand that he cue-bids four diamonds. Do you bid four spades or do you think enough of your hand to do more? Here are your choices.

  1. Four spades
  2. Five spades
  3. Five clubs

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