Goren Bridge

QUESTION 1:

Neither as South, you hold:

♠ 963 K763 652

EAST

vulnerable,

AK3

2 ♥ Pass

Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Bidding 2NT to show values with a stopper is almost never the right choice when you can defend against them, doubled, instead. Pass.

North-South vulnerable, South, you hold:

♠ 94 K 9 8 AK J98

SOUTH

Pass

Dbl as

A 10 4

1NT Pass 2

2 ♥ Pass 2 *Transfer to hearts

What call would you make?

A: Partner’s sequence is invitational with five hearts and four spades (maybe five). Despite your minimum point count, you should enthusiastically accept. Bid 4H.

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

♠ AK85

Void

KQ 10 9 5 ♣

NORTH

Pass Pass

1 ♦ Pass 1 Dbl What call would you make?

A: Is 3H enough? We don’t think so. Should you play splinter bids, then 4C is the bid. 4H otherwise.

Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

KQ 2

KQ6 EAST 1NT Pass 2 2 ♥ What call would you make?

A: Partner has asked about your majors, not minimum or maximum.

You can show your max and your stopper later if partner cares. Pass now.

North-South vulnerable, South, you hold:

♠ K 8 3 10 84 3 ♦ 7 ♣ KQ864

SOUTH 1 Pass 1 Pass 1 Pass 2 * ? *Fourth-suit forcing, artificial game force

What call would you make?

A: It is tempting to make a “leaddirecting double,” but there is no such thing under the laws of bridge. All doubles are for penalties unless someone takes it out. You can’t hope to defeat this contract, so pass.

Q: East-West you hold:

♠ A A 10 8

EAST

1 ♥ 2 ♦

Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Go slow. Bid 3H. Should partner bid 3S to show spade values, it is probably best to give up on slam and bid 3NT.

(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.)

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WEST

10 8 7 2 ♣ Q2 NORTH 3 ♦

Pass as as

South,

to