What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for January 2006 

The best submission for January came from Craig Mietzke.

Hand: At nil vulnerable, I was dealer at North and the partnership held:

	AKQ9  A95  K10763  9
	8  QJ7  AJ42  AKJ103

Bidding:	West	North	East	South
	1	P	2	P
	2	P	4NT	All Pass
	5	P	6NT	All Pass

Comments: Hi Peter,

My 2 was a reverse showing extra values and the 5 reply to RKB was based on spades as trumps. When the diamond Queen fell doubleton and the finesses were successful we made all thirteen tricks. However, 6 is a safer contract and my question is how would be the best way to bid it.

And Peter's Response:

Hi Craig,

Responder needs to exercise patience. Once opener reverses after responder's two-over-one response, a game force is established. Consequently all subsequent bids below game are forcing.

Responder's jump to 4NT is symptomatic of a variety of bidding ailments. One principle issue is knowledge of the status of bids. It is quite important that partners know and agree what bids are forcing and those that are not. Important matters such as trump agreement can then be safely negotiated without fear of playing a slam hand in a partscore.

The first matter responder needs to address is to announce the trump suit, in this case by supporting diamonds. A bid of 3 or 4, with the latter being emphatic and slam suggesting, should be responder's second bid.

After that, your hand is suitable for a straightforward continuation of RKB for diamonds and once in possession of the appropriate information, you can settle in the best contract, 6. 

Regards
Peter Fordham

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