14 OCTOBER 1995, Page 63

MADEIRA

BRIDGE

Well done!

Andrew Robson

THE REID'S HOTEL quiz attracted con- siderable interest (30 September). Here are the answers and explanations: 1. Hand (c) is correct; (a) should bid 34 over 31,; (b) should bid 3NT. Many entrants failed to realise that 3NT is an excellent gamble on (b), given the expected heart lead. The lack of a fourth spade should deter (a) from stronger action than 34.

2. Hand (a) is correct; (b) should pass 2•; (c) should bid 2V over 2♦. Many select- ed (b) — yet South's double is for take- out as partner has not made a positive bid. In such light, (a) clearly fits the auc- tion perfectly and (b) should prefer to defend 2* undoubled than bid 2NT with no trick source.

3. Hand (c) is correct; both (a) and (c) should rebid 24 not 2*. It is clear to support spades immediately with (a); though 34 looks tempting; you only just had an opening bid, your trumps are poor and the opponents' silence suggests partner has wasted strength/length in clubs. Between (b) and (c): partner's 2V bid shows a weak hand and he may have given heart preference with a doubleton. It is clear to tell partner of our spade support, yet (b) is simply not strong enough to bid 24 over 2V and would do better to raise 14 to 24, leaving his dia- monds unbid.

4. Hand (b) is correct; (a) should bid 44 over 34 and (c) 3NT over 34. The best answered problem; most correctly understood 4* to show ♦A and a slam- suitable hand agreeing spades. (c) must bid 3NT over 34 — he only has four spades. (The alternative 1♦ opening for (c) was accepted — though I strongly advocate opening a major wherever pos- sible). Between (a) and (b), the quality of the trumps and the control in hearts make (b) much more powerful and therefore worth the slam try.

5. Hand (c) is correct; (a) should bid 64 over 61,; (b) should pass 61,. The key here was to identify South's double of 6V as 'Lightner', asking for an unusual lead, clearly a club on this auction; this makes (c) a stand-out: the 4A is almost certain to cash at trick two. (b) has dete- riorated during the auction — the ♦K is sitting under West's ace. (a) might also defend 6V, but a sacrifice is certain to be cheap. Bidding 64 shows six-five and gives partner an option.

First (of the very few) correct entries out of the hat was Dr J.H. Merz of Norwich. Congratulations, and enjoy the holiday!