Goren Bridge
QUESTION 1: Neither as South, you hold:
K9632 AQ86
1♦ Pass 1♠
2NT Pass ?
What call would you make?
A: Bid the “new” minor, 3C, asking partner if he has four hearts or three spades. Bidding 3H instead would promise five hearts.
Q: North-South vulnerable, South, you hold:
J982 8 J954 A J 10 4 Partner opens 1S and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?
A: 2S is too timid. This hand worth an invitation. Bid 3S.
Q: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q853
1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass What call would you make?
A: Raising to 2NT would show an off-shape hand with the strength to open 1NT. It’s close, but all the honors in the short suits would make us devalue this hand. Pass.
Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Void
64
A: A cue bid to show an invitational raise only applies when a jump raise would be pre-emptive. Here it would ask for a heart stopper. Perfect! Bid 3H.
Q: North-South vulnerable, South, you hold:
KQ52 Q82
1NT Pass 2♣
2♠ Pass ?
What call would you make?
A: Game should be easy but this hand is not good enough to go looking for slam. Bid 4S.
Q: East-West vulnerable, as you hold:
10 8 3 984 KQ9653 5 Partner opens 1S and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?
A: Responding 1NT with a fit and a minimum hand is popular with some players, but don’t do it with a distributional hand. Bid 2S and take the two level away from the opponents.
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