Goren Bridge

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

♠ KJ9543 ♥ Q2 ♦ 62 ♣ 10 7 3 Right-hand opponent opens one diamond. What call would you make?

A: It’s OK to have a minimum for your action, and we don’t mean for a one-spade overcall. Bid two spades.

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

♠ J765 ♥ AQ42 ♦ J86 ♣ A7 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT Pass What call would you make?

A: This is a suitable hand for play in no-trump, but partner might be counting on you for a diamond stopper after your opening bid. You don’t have one. Bid four hearts.

Q: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q9752 ♥ Void ♦ K Q 10 5 4 2 ♣ 98 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♣ Dbl 1♥ ? What call would you make?

A: This is a terrific hand after partner’s takeout double. Game will be easy if he doesn’t have too many wasted values in hearts. Bid four spades.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ 76 ♥ Q986 ♦ AQJ6 ♣ Q 10 4 Partner opens one spade and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: Forcing one no-trump players can bid one no-trump, planning to bid two no-trump next unless partner rebids two hearts. Most don’t play that, so bid two diamonds and try to put on the brakes short of game if partner has a minimum.

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

♠ K9432 ♥ AQ5 ♦ 109 ♣ KQ4 Left-hand opponent opens one no-trump, 15-17. Both partner and right-hand opponent pass. What call would you make?

A: The spade suit is pretty weak for an overcall, so we prefer to double. Should partner pass, we can deliver a pretty good defensive hand. Should he bid, we can decide whether or not to bid spades.

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

♠ K852 ♥ A 10 9 7 ♦ A6 ♣ K73 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♦ Pass 1♥ ? What call would you make?

A: Too weak to bid one no-trump and the spades aren’t good enough to bid one spade. A double after they bid two suits shows 4-4 in the other two suits. Nothing really fits. Pass. (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. E-mail responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribpub.com.) (c) 2018 Tribune CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.