What’s your call?
| 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT | |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass |
Weinstein explains the popularity of a 3♥ cuebid. “I want to show a great hand and offer a choice of strains. A direct 4♠ wouldn’t suggest anything more than a hand that got much better because of club fillers. The two-step approach of cuebid then 4♠ suggests honor–doubleton of spades and a good club fit, and gives partner a choice of strain.
The Sutherlins agree. “Rather than guessing how many spades or clubs to bid, it’s better to cuebid and see where that takes us. Even 6♣ is possible opposite:
♠K Q x x x ♥x ♦ A x ♣A K x x x.”
Hampson: “My hand has grown into a monster! I want to show the biggest club raise that I can have.”
Meyers: “My hand sure has grown on the auction! If partner bids 3♠, I will raise. Otherwise, I will get us to 5♣.”
Boehm, similarly: “Now that I’ve suddenly come to life, the cuebid must imply clubs. If partner can rebid spades, I’ll raise.”
3♥ by Korbel, who ponders, “Why didn’t partner bid Michaels the first time? In any case, 3♥ should get the message across: a big raise of clubs (what else could it be having passed 1♥).”
Meckstroth, 3♥. “I’m going to drive to game. It’s just a question of which one.”
3♥ by Rigal: “I’m not going to stop short of game now. Yes, I may be hanging partner, but I’ve done it before. All right, I might pass 4♣ … but otherwise, my target is 6♣ facing:
♠K x x x x ♥x ♦ A x ♣A K x x x
(going down when spades are 5–1).”
Lawrence, too, likes 3♥. “This must show a club fit. 3♥ by me keeps 3NT and 4♠ alive, which 4♣ does not.”
On this hand, it’s Robinson who sees the glass as half empty. He suspiciously drags his feet with 4♣ and demands, “Where are the red suits? Partner could have:
♠K Q J 10 x ♥x ♦ x x ♣A K J x x
and we have three red-suit losers.”
Stack, too: “What a hand we have after our original pass. Let’s make a move toward game with the club raise. 4♣ may not be enough, but it is straightforward.”
What an inventive 4♥ call by Sanborn! It will be especially effective if partner is on the same page. “4♥ is probably a solo vote here, but how could this not be a choice of games?”
Handley bids 4♠. “Partner heard me pass 1♠, so he shouldn’t get too carried away. This uninspiring collection got exponentially better with his second call, so it looks right to bid game, and it’s much easier to take 10 tricks than 11. I think this auction should show a doubleton spade honor and a big club fit. Partner is a favorite to hold six spades.”
Falk raises to 5♣. “I do not know how to tell if 4♠ is right – North would need at least ♠K–Q and running clubs (after heart leads tap him). Sure, we might be off two fast losers, but often, we’ll have decent play. And I have no invitational bid that expresses 4.5 clubs worth of support.”
