Goren Bridge

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

♠J 109864♥ Q 10♦ Q 43♣ A 6 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: In the early days of weak twobids, no one would have opened this hand. Today, most experts would. Bid 2S.

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

♠A Q J 94♥ J 103♦ A J 104♣3 EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH 1 ♣ 1 ♠ Pass 2 ♥

Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner should have at least 10 points and at least five hearts, so you should force to game. Bid 4H. Should you play splinter bids, 4C is even better.

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

♠ Q 7 6 4 ♥ J 9 4 ♦ K Q 3 ♣ A Q J NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1 ♣ Pass 1 ♠ Pass

2 ♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner might have raised with only three- card support. Bid 3NT and give him a choice of games. Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠Q 1094♥108754♦ K 6♣32 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1 ♦ Pass 1 ♥ Pass 1 ♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Passing to show a minimum is tempting, but the opponents will just outbid you. Try to buy it with a 2 S bid.

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

♠ A Q 9 6 4 ♥ A J 9 ♦ 10 6 4 ♣ A J As dealer, what call would you make?

A: Should you open 1S, there are no rebids to show a balanced 15- 17. Open 1NT.

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

♠A Q 10764♥ K 1076♦86♣3 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1 ♣ Pass 1 ♠ Pass

2 ♣ Dbl ?

What call would you make?

A: 2H is out after the double by East. Choose between 2S and 3S. The singleton club is not a good thing for you. Bid 2S.

( 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.)