Goren on Bridge

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

♠ A632 ♥ AJ853 ♦ 86 ♣ A9

You open 1H and partner responds 1NT. Assuming you play that as forcing, what call would you make? A: Charles Goren would have passed. Modern forcing no-trump players often have to bid a 3-card suit in this situation, but what now? Choose between 2H and 2C. We like 2C.

Q 2: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ 109 ♥ AQ7 ♦ A764 ♣ KQJ7

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2 ♦* Pass

2♥ Pass 3NT Pass

*Transfer to hearts

What call would you make?

A: Any bid here shows a heart fit. This hand “loves” hearts. Let partner know with a control bid on the way to 4H. Bid 4D.

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

♠ KQ9 ♥ 1098754 ♦ 6 ♣ 1097

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1♦ 2♣ Pass 3♣

Dbl Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner’s takeout double shows a very good hand. Bid 4H.

Q 4: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A102 ♥ AKJ8 ♦ Q8763 ♣ A

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♦ 3♣ Pass Pass

Dbl Pass 3H Pass

What call would you make?

A: Partner might be broke, but we are entitled to

play him for 6-7 points. Bid 4H.

Q5: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ QJ107642 ♥ 1053 ♦ 7 ♣ J4

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1NT 2 ♣* Pass ?

*Clubs and a higher-ranking suit

What call would you make?

A: This would not be the worst dummy ever seen for a 2C contract, but we would insist on our own suit. Bid 2S.

Q6: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Q8754 ♥ A865 ♦ Q7 ♣ Q8

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1♦ Dbl 1♠ Pass

2♣ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: 2D, the bid chosen in a recent online game, worked well, but we think it is too conservative. Bid 2NT.

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