Buenos Aires, Julio 11th 2014
During this week I received a second bidding problem. For this opportunity I invited to answer three close friends, all members of the «Great American Bridge Tour«.
This is the hand:
8 4 
A K 6 
A K 5 3 2 
7 4 3
And this is the bidding:
Dealer South N/S Vul
| West | North | East | South |
| 1 |
|||
| Pass | 2 |
Pass | 2 |
| Pass | ? |
And this is what they asked me; What does North rebid should be?
First Answer: Jade Barrett (U.S.A.)
Expert Lecture by GS Jade Barrett
Jade Barrett (U.S.A.): «Tournament Bridge Services, LLC» CEO, the biggest Bridge Professionals Association in the world. He also is part of the «Great American Bridge Tour». Founder of the North American Youth Bridge Foundation, CSBNews.org correspondent in USA, and an incredible friend!
His Answer: 3. My first thought is to bid 3, for two reasons.
1: First and foremost, I know what I do not want to bid. I do not want to show a club stopper by bidding 2NT. I do not want to bid 2 and suggest three card support. Since he has only promised 4 I cannot safely raise to 3, despite holding A K x. Rebidding 3 shows six, so that is not an option, either.
allows my partner to continue with the description of his hand – does he have 5? Does he have 3? Does he want to play 3NT from his side? Second Answer: Karen Lee Barrett
Karen Lee Barrett (U.S.A.) (ACBL Grand Life Master). Karen begun to play bridge tournaments in 1969, she won her first National in 1984 and is one of the 307 GLM players in activity.
His Answer: 3
Raising or rebidding is out of the question.
I don’t care for 2 because I think that it shows active support, not just tolerance.
While I don’t like 3 with less than 4, bidding 2NT could be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I choose 3 as the least of evils and the most flexible/non-committal call.
Third Answer: Björgvin Kristinsson
Björgvin Kristinsson (ICeland): For most of his friends «Bennie». He is a young bridge professional who emigrated from Iceland to USA few years ago and today plays at the highest bridge level. He is also a member of the «Great American Bridge Tour» and a great partner!
His Answer: 2
because that saves room exploring the right contract. that is natural in a two over one auction unless you have an agreement that it is not! do not have 6 or 5 excellent diamonds.