Deal 2	♠   ♥   ♦   ♣		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1NT pass  BID        North's 1NT opening shows 15-17 points. What is your bid?
	♠ Q 8 7 6 4 ♥ Q 4 ♦ K 6 3 ♣ J 9 2

 

Deal 2	♠   ♥   ♦   ♣		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1NT pass 2♥ pass 2♠ pass  BID      With 9 points you have an invitational strength hand. With a 5-card ♠ suit you should transfer partner to ♠s by bidding 2♥. Partner dutifully responds 2♠. What do you say now?
	♠ Q 8 7 6 4 ♥ Q 4 ♦ K 6 3 ♣ J 9 2

 

Deal 2	♠   ♥   ♦   ♣		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1NT pass 2♥ pass 2♠ pass 2NT pass 3♠ pass  BID    With this next bid you must tell partner you only have invitational strength, and inform him that you have only 5 ♠s (remember, your transfer promised AT LEAST 5). The bid that says both of these facts at once is 2NT. Partner comes back with 3♠. What say you?
	♠ Q 8 7 6 4 ♥ Q 4 ♦ K 6 3 ♣ J 9 2

 

Deal 2	♠ K 10 6 ♥ A 5 ♦ Q J 8 4 ♣ K Q 7 3		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1NT pass 2♥ pass 2♠ pass 2NT pass 3♠ pass pass pass You say pass. Partner did not accept your invitation to game so he must have a minimum hand. His correction to 3♠ indicates he has three of the suit and wants to play in ♠s rather than notrump. You might revalue your hand up to 10 points now that an 8-card fit has been discovered, but it is a really poor 10 points. Also, remember the warning about Responder revaluing for short suits. As you can see, a 4♠ contract would have no chance, losing 1 trick in each side suit and at least 1 ♠.  Deal 3
	♠ Q 8 7 6 4 ♥ Q 4 ♦ K 6 3 ♣ J 9 2