Goren Bridge

QUESTION 1: Neither as South, you hold:

J 10 7 5 K J 10 8 3 98 AQ Partner opens 3NT, Gambling, showing a solid minor suit at least seven cards long and no outside ace or king. What call would you make?

A: There is some chance that the opponents can take the first five tricks against you, but that is against the odds. Pass. Partner should have a chance for nine tricks with this dummy.

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

J8763 A 10 7

JJ1♣ Pass 1♦ ? What call would you make?

A: Despite two bidding opponents and a passing partner, there is too much potential to risk passing. Make whatever bid shows both majors in your partnership.

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

752 J10 98 KQJ732 Partner opens one heart and righthand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A: A new suit at the two level after a double is not forcing. It gives you a chance to show a long, strong suit with a weakish hand. Bid two clubs.

Q: Both hold:

AK98 AK Q9854 73 Right-hand opponent opens one club. What call would you make? A: Don’t double with only two hearts. Bid one diamond and hope for a chance to bid spades next. Q: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Q K J 10 6 5

1♥ 1♠ 1NT 2♠ What call would you make?

A: Double, for take-out. Partner is sure to get this right as you are marked with no more than two spades. You would never make a low-level penalty double if short in their suit.

Q: East-West you hold:

KQJ65 J7 A8 KJ95 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: One no-trump is possible, but we prefer to bid our suits naturally when there is a good expectation that we can do so. Bid one spade. (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.