Goren Bridge

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

♠ 96 ♥ AQ9 AKJ86 10 5 3 Partner opens 2S, weak, and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: When partner pre-empts in your shortest suit, you should stay out of the auction unless you have the values for a strong no-trump or better. This is close but we like 2NT.

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

♠ J9 ♥ K Q 10 7 ♦ K8432 ♣ A8 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: We have often championed opening 1H on some hands with 4-5 in the red suits. This hand, however, has an easy 1NT rebid if partner bids 1S. Open 1D.

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

♠ A865 ♥ J 10 7 2 ♦ 43 ♣ K87 Partner opens 1S and right-hand opponent bids 2C. What call would you make?

A: Is this hand worth an invitational raise? We don’t think so. Bid 2S. Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ AJ754 ♥ J7 KQ ♣ K753 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: You are probably headed for 3NT, but why not check for threecard spade support first? Bid 2C. This is New Minor Forcing when both minors are unbid.

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

♠ QJ4 K 10 7 ♦ A7 ♣ AKJ95

NORTH EAST 1♣ 1♠ Pass Pass What call would you make?

A: You would pass now with 12-14 and you would have opened 1NT with 15-17. Bidding 1NT here, therefore, shows 18-19. Perfect!

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

♠ K Q 10 7 4 ♥ 6 ♦ AKQ ♣ Q754 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass What call would you make?

A: 4S would not be the worst bid ever made, but your game chances are probably dependent on where partner’s values are located. We like a game try bid of 3C. (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)2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.