How does your answer compare to the experts?

Shawn Quinn

Top-ranked female player

3♠️ – Partner may not have four-card support for both majors. There are arguments for 3♣️, 3NT, 4♠️, or even pass. I'll take the low road with 3♠️. I find bidding for a plus score is often the winning action. Partner should know I have about 18 points and raise even with a minimum when holding four spades. 

Andrew Robson

European and North American Champion

4♠️ – The one suit partner should have support for in this auction is spades. Although my club holding has trick-taking potential on defense – and a worry in 4♠️- the rest of my hand is really fine.

Sylvia Shi

Gold medal winner and many time National Champion

3♣️ – Partner’s negative double doesn’t promise 4-4 in the majors. Partner could have four hearts and five diamonds, for example. My 3♣️ cuebid sets up a game force and asks partner for a further description. Hopefully this will ensure we get to the right strain, whether it is spades, diamonds, or notrump. 

Robert Todd

Professional bridge player and teacher

3NT – If the opponents were vulnerable, I’d pass immediately. Here, I could make a forcing cuebid of 3♣️ to see if partner has spades, but I think I’ll bid 3NT since I don’t want the opening lead coming through my club holding. 

Better Bridge Summary

Obviously an awkward hand with each of the experts giving a different answer. Partner’s negative double doesn’t guarantee four-card support for spades and, even if partner does have four spades, notrump may be a better spot with so much in clubs. No one chose to pass at this vulnerability.