1. Two spades. The partner of a player who passed originally is not bound by the same rules that govern many other bidding sequences. For example, if South responds with only one spade after passing initially, North is not forced to bid again, since he knows South lacked the values for an opening bid. North may therefore decide that game is impossible and pass.

For this reason, it is best to jump-shift to two spades with the given hand to inform partner that there is a good chance for game despite your previous pass. A one-spade response would be correct if partner had opened with one diamond, which would diminish the value of your hand, but opposite a one-heart opening, your chances for game rise tremendously. The two-spade bid, which can be passed if partner has minimal values, shows five very good spades and implies some heart support, since with poor heart support your hand could not have improved enough for a jump-response. Partner then does whatever his hand calls for.

2. Four notrump. The number of tricks you can make depends solely on how many aces partner has, so this is an ideal time for Blackwood. If partner bids five hearts, showing two aces, you will pass. If he bids five spades, showing three aces, you’ll bid six hearts. And if he happens to bid five clubs, which in this sequence would indicate all four aces, you’ll bid a grand slam.

Partner’s actual point count (or yours, for that matter) is not the critical factor in unbalanced hands. Once he indicates four-card support by jumping to three hearts, the number of aces he has will tell you just how far to go.

3. Three notrump. Partner has 18 or 19 points with balanced distribution, so there is a game in the combined hands. It is not necessary or desirable to show your diamond support by now bidding three diamonds. You have a notrump type of hand and partner has one also, so the best thing to do is to take the short route to game in notrump. Five diamonds would probably be harder to make than three notrump, and a slam is very unlikely, so no effort in that direction should be made by bidding three diamonds.

Tomorrow: Silence is golden