One of the first things new players learn is how to count points. An ace is four, king is three, etc... But as experienced players, we know that those points aren't really accurate. Is a doubleton queen really worth two points? What if your left hand opponent has preempted in that suit?
As an auction develops, your hand can grow or decrease in value. See if you are properly evaluating what your hand is worth based on the auction rather than first impressions.
If you enjoy this quiz, be sure to check out the other editions of the same title here.
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For the entirety of this quiz, you will have the same hand. This one:
A852 
K98 
872 
A102
Learn to love it. You won't always treat it the same way, though.
We'll always be playing matchpoints, but the auction and vulnerabilities will change.
First up. None vul.
West North East South Pass Pass ? Choose One:1. -Pass
2. -1
3. -1
4. -Other
Answer: 21
. This hand is close to an opening in 1st and 2nd seat in the modern style. In third seat, though, we should definitely be aggressive in opening this hand. If parter responds 1, I'll raise to 2. If partner responds anything else, I'm passing. Your result so far: -
For this entire quiz you will be playing matchpoints and your hand will be:
A872 K42 942 A93
First up,
None vul.
West North East South Pass Pass ? Choose One:1. -Pass
2. -1
3. -1
4. -Other
Answer: 21
. This is close to an opening bid in modern bridge anyways. In third seat, you should be extra aggressive. My plan is to raise a response of 1 to 2 and pass any other response partner would make. Your result so far: -
Your hand is still:
A852 K98 872 A102
This time, NS are vul.
None vul.
West North East South 2 Pass ? Choose One:1. -Pass
2. -2NT
3. -3
4. -4
Answer: 33
. Trust that your partner has a good preempt here. Raising will help keep the opponents out. Don't overthink yourself. Your result so far: -
Again your hand is:
A852 K98 872 A102 This will be a 2-parter. First, a problem as responder:
None vul.
West North East South 1 Pass ? Choose One:1. -1
2. -1NT
3. -2
4. -3
5. -Other
Answer: 11
. We'd like to make a limit raise in this case (our hand is better for having a fit with partner). We can jump in hearts later to show a three-card limit raise. An immediate jump to 3 typically promises 4-card support. Bidding 1NT would deny holding four spades. Your result so far: -
Your hand is:
A852 K98 872 A102Part 2, The next call:
None vul.
West North East South 1 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass ? Choose One:1. -2NT
2. -3
3. -3NT
4. -4
5. -Other
Answer: 44
. While our plan had been to invite game, partner's holding a sixth heart changes things. We now have a 9-card fit and aces outside. This hand is worth jumping to game. Partner could have any number of hands which would make game excellent: 6 AQ10765 QJ10 K53
for instance (assuming no diamond ruff).
Your result so far: -
Again, our hand is:
A852 K98 872 A102 Both vul
West North East South 1 2 *Pass ? *Michaels Cuebid showing 5-5 (at least) in hearts and spades
Choose One:1. -2
2. -2NT
3. -3
4. -3
5. -4
6. -Other
Answer: 54
. Your hand is great opposite a partner who has both majors. You should know that partner won't mess around at this vulnerability. If partner has K9643 Q7643 65 5
, he would have passed 1. Instead, we expect something like: KJ943 AQ1062 53 8
and we are likely to take 10 or 11 tricks or even 12 tricks with a club lead and everything favorable!
Your result so far: -
For the final time, our hand is:
A852 K98 872 A102NS vul.
What is your call?
West North East South 2 3 *5 ? *Good hand (16-18ish points) with a good suit (6+cards)
Choose One:1. -Pass
2. -Dbl
3. -5
4. -6
5. -Other
Answer: 46
. Our opponents have taken full advantage of favorable vulnerability to make this a guess. We expect them to have at least 9 cards between them for this (and, probably 10). That means partner has a singleton or void in diamonds and a good enough hand to jump to the three level. Picture: KQJ1064 AQ3 -- KJ76
Not exactly a spectacular hand, but we need a finesse for 7. Might partner have:
KQJ1065 AQ3 6 K87? It's unlikely (our opponents were both very aggressive), but sometimes preempts work.
Your result so far: