1. Two hearts. Partner’s double indicates the values for at least an opening bid and also implies good support for the unbid suits. Because you are required to answer the double regardless of the strength of your hand, you must distinguish between a forced response based on possibly no high-card points, and one where you hold values that could potentially produce a game.

In general, you respond by bidding the cheapest amount of your longest suit with zero to eight points; jump to the next level (as in the present case) with nine to 11; and leap to game or cuebid the opponents’ suit with 12 or more points. The single jump-response is highly invitational but not forcing.

2. Two notrump. This hand also has game potential — you have 11 points and might have had none — so again you make a jump-response. The only genuine suit you could have bid was clubs, but there’s not much point in aiming for an 11-trick game when a nine-trick game offers better prospects. True, you lack strength in spades and hearts, but partner is virtually certain to have both suits well covered.

3. One spade. There’s little hope for game unless partner bids again, so all you can do for the moment is bid one spade. Note that you respond in spades rather than clubs even though the clubs are much stronger. If there is a game, it is much more likely to be in spades than clubs.

4. Four hearts. The short route to game is the best route. You should expect to make at least 10 tricks, and the simplest way to express that conviction is to leap directly to game.

5. Two diamonds. Since you have an opening bid and partner has the equivalent of one, you should assume that your side can make a game. However, a jump to three notrump is risky with only one diamond stopper, and so is a jump to four spades with such a shabby suit.

You can best show your strength, and at the same time your uncertainty about where to play the hand, by cuebidding West’s suit, and partner’s response will very likely help you find the best final contract. There is no good reason to make the decision unilaterally when you have a partner who can light the way.

Tomorrow: Once in a lifetime.

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