Goren on Bridge

QUESTION 1: Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

*Pre-emptive

What call would you make?

A: Partner’s second double is also for takeout. It just shows a better hand. Bidding four clubs might be the winner, but that doesn’t appeal to us. Pass and hope to beat them a trick or two.

Q 2: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 1043 ♥ J87 ♦ 1094 ♣ AK107

Partner opens 1NT, 15-17, and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: We normally pass with eight high-card points and no five-card suit. All the intermediate cards make this hand worth an invitation. Bid 2NT.

Q 3: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 932 ♥ 5 ♦ KQJ10975 ♣ J3

Partner opens 1H and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A: New suits at the two level are non-forcing over a double to give you a chance to show a suit like this. If 3D is pre-emptive in your methods, then that’s the bid. If not, bid 2D.

Q 4: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ AKJ3 ♥ K5432 ♦ 6 ♣ 764

Partner opens 1H and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A: Most play that 2NT over a double shows an invitational or better raise. That’s OK, but if you play splinter bids, a jump to 4D is a much better description.

Q 5: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q42 ♥ QJ98 ♦ K1097 ♣ 63

Partner opens 1D and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A: You should respond at the one level as if there had been no double. Bid 1H.

Q 6: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ K975 ♥ KJ87 ♦ AJ ♣ 963

Partner opens 3C and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A: It’s tempting to bid 3NT, but that’s against the odds. Partner has a bad hand, remember. Bid 4C, content to defend four of either major if they bid it. Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. Email responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.