Answer to Prize Quiz:

• (a) is correct. You are in the Protective position, the “Cheat Seat”, such that if you pass, the bidding is over. In the Cheat Seat, all bidding guidelines are relaxed. Partner should know your hand is flawed, as you did not act at your last turn. You’d like a fourth spade [on Hand (a)], but it would be losing Bridge to let the opponents play a measly 2♥.

• With Hand (b) you should protect with 2♠ - holding a fifth card in the suit. Partner will know your suit is poor, as you did not bid 1♠ over 1♥.

• With Hand (c) you should pass. Regrettably (as you hate to let them play at the Two-level), but your heart holding is much more suited to defence and, lacking spades, any protection will presumably result in a Three-level (mis)adventure. There’s a world of difference between protecting to play a contract at the Two-level and at the Three-level.