Contract Bridge - Lesson 8 : QUIZ ANSWERS

Partner opens 1NT. How many cards does he at least has in any suit ?
With a balanced hand Opener has at least 2 cards in a suit (a singleton or void would make it an unbalanced hand).
What is a 'Rescue bid' ?
A response of 2 in a suit after a 1NT opening. This shows a very weak unbalanced hand with a 5 card or longer suit. Opener must pass.
After a 1NT opening : is a response of 2S a Rescue bid ?
Yes.
After a 1NT opening : is a response of 2C a Rescue bid ?
Not if you include the Stayman Convention in your bidding System.
After a 1NT opening : is a response of 3H forcing to Game ?
Yes. The opener must bid 4H with three or more Hearts, or 3NT with only a Heart doubleton.
After a 1NT opening : is a response of 3C forcing to Game ?
Yes. The opener must bid 5C with three or more Clubs, or 3NT with only a Club doubleton.
What is the purpose of the 'Stayman Convention' ?
Finding a 4-4 trump fit in one of the two major suits.
Partner opened with 1NT.
What is your Response with the following hands ?
1. S - K J 10 9 8 3 H - 6 2 C - A 10 9 7 D - 10
  4S
  You have at least a 6-2 trumpfit in Spades and enough points for a Game contract.
2. S - 6 4 3 H - Q 10 9 6 4 2 C - 2 D - 9 3 2
  2H (Rescue bid)
  You are very weak, unbalanced with a long Heart suit. Opener must pass.
3. S - A J 4 3 2 H - 9 7 C - A J 10 5 D - 9 3
  3S
  Opener must bid 4S with 3 card or better support, or bid 3NT.
4. S - A 4 2 H - A K Q J 10 8 3 2 C - A 5 D -
  7H
  A very strong freakish hand, counting 22 points (including shortage points).
5. S - H - K 10 9 C - A 8 7 5 D - A Q 10 8 7 2
  5D
  Enough points for Game bid in a minor suit and 3NT could be dangerous with the void in Spades.
6. S - Q J 3 2 H - K Q 5 2 C - 8 D - K 8 3 2
  2C (Stayman Convention)
  If Opener bids a major suit raise it to Game.
  If opener replies 2D : bid 3NT.
7. S - A Q 9 3 2 H - A 10 8 4 C - 4 D - 10 9 4
  2C (Stayman Convention)
  If Opener bids a major suit raise it to Game.
  If opener replies 2D : bid 3S showing a 5 card Spade suit (as well as 4 Hearts).
8. S - K 9 8 7 3 2 H - 9 3 C - 4 D - J 10 9 4
  2S (Rescue bid)
  You are very weak, unbalanced with a long Spade suit. Opener must pass.
9. S - A K 9 6 2 H - A 10 8 C - 3 D - 8 6 5 4
  3S
  Opener must raise to 4S with 3 card support or bid 3NT with a Spade doubleton.
10. S - K 10 3 H - A 10 8 2 C - D - A Q 9 8 3 2
  2C (Stayman Convention)
  Investigate a 4-4 trump fit in Hearts first. If Opener replies with 2H : raise to 4H.
  If Opener replies with 2D or 2S : bid 5D. You have a trump fit in Diamonds.
You opened 1NT, partner responded as shown (in bold) below.
What is your reply with the following hand ?
S - K Q 10 H - A 8 C - A Q 2 D - Q 10 9 5 4
1. 1NT - 2C - Your reply = 2D (Stayman) : you have no 4 card major suit.
2. 1NT - 2H - Your reply = Pass : Responder made a Rescue bid.
3. 1NT - 2S - Your reply = Pass : Responder made a Rescue bid.
4. 1NT - 3H - Your reply = 3NT : You have only Doubleton support in Hearts but must bid Game.
5. 1NT - 3S - Your reply = 4S : you have 3 card trump support.
6. 1NT - 4H - Your reply = Pass
7. 1NT - 2NT - Your reply = 3NT : Bid Game with a maximum 1NT opening (17-18 pts).
You opened 1NT, Partner responded as shown (in bold) below.
What is your reply with the following hand ?
S - A J 10 H - A 10 9 4 C - K 9 2 D - K Q 10 9
1. 1NT - 2C - Your reply = 2H (Stayman) : you have a 4 card Heart suit.
2. 1NT - 2H - Your reply = Pass : Responder made a Rescue bid.
3. 1NT - 2S - Your reply = Pass : Responder made a Rescue bid.
4. 1NT - 3H - Your reply = 4H : You have 4 card support in Hearts.
5. 1NT - 3S - Your reply = 4S : you have 3 card trump support.
6. 1NT - 4H - Your reply = Pass
7. 1NT - 2NT - Your reply = 3NT : Bid Game with a maximum 1NT opening (17-18 pts).
You opened 1NT, Partner responded as shown (in bold) below.
What is your second reply with the following hand ?
S - K Q 10 8 H - A J 7 5 C - A 2 D - K 10 9
1. 1NT - 2C - You reply 2H - 3H - Your next bid = 4H
  Responder shows a 4 card Heart suit with 8-9 points. Raise to Game with a maximum (17-18 pts).
2. 1NT - 2C - You reply 2H - 3NT - Your next bid = 4S
  Responder must have at least one 4 card major suit to bid Stayman. If it is not Hearts it is obviously Spades. Bid therefore Game in Spades.
3. 1NT - 2C - You reply 2H - 4H - Your next bid = Pass.
What is the difference between an Indirect and a Direct Finesse ?
In an Indirect Finesse a low card is played from one hand, up to a high card in the other.
In a Direct Finesse a high card is played from one hand, up to a higher card in the other. .
To make a Direct Finesse, which cards should you as a rule normally hold ?
At least 4 of the top 6 cards in a suit (A K Q J 10 and 9).
Is there an exception to this rule ?
When you only need to make 2 tricks with A x x opposite Q J.
Should you finesse for the Queen of Hearts in the following situation ?
West = H - A K 6 4 2 East = H - J 10 9

Yes. Lead the Jack from East, hoping to catch the Queen if it is held by South.
Should you finesse for the Queen of Hearts in the following situation ?
West = H - A K 6 4 2 East = H - J 10 9 5

No. With 9 cards in the combined hands in general play Ace, then the King hoping to drop the Queen.
Rule when to finesse the Queen = 8 ever, 9 never.

Answer to Question in Lesson 8.6
Play an encouraging signal on trick 1 in Deal 2 by discarding the 7 of Clubs (instead of the 2 as shown), and in Deal 9 by discarding the 7 of Hearts (instead of the 2).

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