Goren on Bridge

QUESTION 1: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Q9 ♥ Q98763 ♦ 6 ♣ AJ92 Partner opponent make? transfer Should opens to you bids your play one two major no-trump, Texas diamonds. at transfers, the four 15-17, What level, and where call the right-hand would you convention you A: diamonds. still applies Otherwise, over two-level bid four hearts. overcalls. Bid four

Q 2: Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A K 2 ♥ J 7 4 ♦ K ♣ AKQ962 With both opponents passing, you open one club and partner responds one diamond. What call would you make?

A: Jump shifting into a three-card major invites disaster, and the hand is too good for three clubs or two no-trump. What’s left? Bid three no-trump.

Q 3: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

*New Minor Forcing What call would you make?

A: Partner’s one no-trump rebid showed 12-14 and your “new minor” bid promised at least invitational values. Partner could have bid three no-trump with a maximum. Pass.

Q4: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A ♥ J954 ♦ KQJ32 ♣ QJ3 Partner opens one heart and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make? A: Slam is in the air and there is much to do. Start by bidding two diamonds. That will sound like a potential source of tricks when you support hearts later. Q5: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

What call would you make?

A: Playing negative doubles, opener is forced to reopen through the two level with shortness in the opponent’s suit. He should double whenever reasonable. Double.

Q6: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ AK ♥ AJ83 ♦ QJ9643 ♣ 6 With the opponents passing, you open one diamond and partner responds one no-trump. What call would you make?

A: Partner has denied a four-card major, so bidding two hearts would be a waste. Choose between two or three diamonds. We like three diamonds.