1. One Club. Despite your 16 points and 4-4-3-2 distribution, which suggest opening one notrump, it is better to bid a suit when you have two suits unstopped.

2. One spade. Game is certain, but that doesn’t mean you should jump to two spades. A jump-shift would indicate a probable slam, and this hand is not in that class. Change one of your hearts into a spade, and you would have an acceptable two-spade response. One spade is 100% forcing.

3. Double. This shows the values for an opening bid and support for the two unbid suits. It would be wrong to bid one spade, which would suggest greater spade length and less high-card strength.

4. Redouble. This promises 10 points or more in high cards and says nothing about support for partner’s hearts. Your plan is to get to a game eventually or double the opponents for penalties.

5. Four clubs. A small slam is certain, since partner’s jump-shift indicates at least 19 points in high cards and distribution. Your real goal at this point is a grand slam. Four clubs is a waiting bid that forces partner to reveal the nature of his jump-shift. He might have:

or similar holdings. You’ll have to wait to see what partner does over four clubs.

6. Pass. The value of a hand nearly always changes as the bidding progresses. Before the bidding started, you were hoping to find partner with spade or club length, but that possibility is now greatly reduced. The best strategy is to play possum and hope the opponents climb too high.

Tomorrow: The one and only chance.

King Features Syndicate Inc.