1. Four spades. Partner’s one spade bid is an overcall, not an opening bid, and more often than not he will have less than opening-bid values. Generally speaking, an overcall is based more on playing tricks than high-card values.

But even though partner might have as little as 8 or 9 high-card points (and as many as 16) for his one-spade bid, the fact remains that he is unlikely to lose four tricks opposite this hand. A jump-raise to game is therefore clearly indicated — particularly since a jump to three spades (or even three hearts) would not be forcing.

2. Two spades. Partner might be able to make 10 tricks if he is at the top of his bid, so you must give him some encouragement. If partner passes, then the raise might turn out to have pre-emptive value. It would be incorrect to bid tw

See Full Page