Answer #67
                                        
	Three possible hands are given for South but only one is consistent with the bidding. Which one? What should the other hands have bid? Neither side is vulnerable
	 
	
		
			| North |  | East |  | South |  | West | 
		
			| -- Dbl
 3 ♥
 |  | -- P
 P
 |  | -- 2♥
 4 ♥
 |  | 1 ♠ P
 | 
	
	
		
			
				| Hand a) | 
			
				| ♠ 6 3 2 ♥ A K 6 3 2
 ♦ Q 4
 ♣ 7 6 3
 | 
			
				|  | 
			
				| Hand b) | 
			
				| ♠ 9 6 3 2 ♥ K J 10 8 2
 ♦ 2
 ♣ 7 3 2
 | 
			
				|  | 
			
				| Hand c) | 
			
				| ♠ Q J 3 ♥ K 9 5 3
 ♦ 8 5 2
 ♣ 9 8 2
 | 
		
	
	
		 
		
			Answer:
			(b) is correct.
			
				- 
					Your 2♥ response to partner’s take-out double showed up to about eight points – with more you should jump. 
- 
					Hand (a) is incorrect, because you should have jumped to 3♥ with your first bid. After your 2♥ bid, which is consistent with no points at all, partner has invited game with 3♥ – knowing you could have nothing. In other words, you don’t need much to accept the invitation.
- 
					With Hand (c), you have six more points than you might have but the shape is so grotty and three of the points (♠QJ) are probably useless. It’s probably wise to pass 3♥ – indeed if you bid anything, you should try 3NT rather than 4♥ – one fewer trick and at least ♠QJx will be worth something. The correct answer, however, is 
- 
					Hand (b). You have only four points but they’re all in hearts (working big time), you have a fifth heart which is massive, and the 5431 shape looks very powerful. Picture partner with, say, ♠x, ♥AQxx, ♦AJxx, ♣KQxx and 4♥ will probably make 11 comfortable tricks.
 
	
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