Goren Bridge

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

♠ 6 ♥ K J 10 8 5 ♦ 10 9 8 5 ♣ A73 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST Pass Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ Pass What call would you make?

A: Partner might have a light third-seat opening. Despite that, we would raise to game in a team match. In a pairs game, however, we think an invitational raise to 3H is enough.

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

♠ J 10 9 6 5 ♥ A92 ♦ Q 10 5 ♣ J6

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♣ 3♦ Pass Pass 3♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: The queen of diamonds is probably wasted, but it is almost never a bad idea to raise with five-card support. Bid 4S.

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

♠ K 10 7 6 5 ♥ A 10 6 3 ♦ Void ♣ A K Q 10

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♠ Pass Pass 2♥ What call would you make?

A: Partner could not respond to 1S, so offensive prospects are dim. Double would be for take out and

you want to defend. Pass.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ K98 ♥ QJ5 ♦ KQ84 ♣ A 10 9 Partner, the dealer, opens 2H, weak. Right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: 2NT shows a hand worth a one no-trump opening and asks partner to evaluate his hand in that light. A maximum is a hand that would force to game opposite a 1NT opening. Bid 2NT.

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

♠ A J 10 8 ♥ KQJ97 ♦ A763♣ Void

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♥ 2♣ 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT Pass What call would you make?

A: You have done all you can to warn partner off of what might be a terrible no-trump contract. The rest is up to him. Pass.

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

♠ A K 10 8 7 5 4 3 ♥ AJ ♦ Q4 ♣ 6 Partner passes as dealer and righthand opponent also passes. What call would you make?

A: If partner were not a passed hand, we would open 1S. His pass reduces our slam prospects so we now just want to buy the contract. Open 4S.