Goren Bridge

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

♠ Q ♥ QJ4 ♦ 10 9 4 3 2 ♣ QJ97

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1♦ 2NT* 3♠ ? *Hearts and clubs, at least 5-5 What call would you make?

A: The opponents are surely headed to at least 4♠ — a contract you don’t want to defend. Bid 5♣, at least. Bidding 6♣ instead should be given serious consideration.

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

♠ KJ ♥ A Q 10 9 4 ♦ Q 10 5 ♣ QJ6

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♥ Pass Pass Dbl What call would you make?

A: You had a chance to open 1NT and chose not to. You can’t bid it now, as a 1NT bid now would show 18-19 points. Pass.

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

♠ Q97 ♥ 854 ♦ AK7654 ♣ 2 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: In the early days of weak twobids, you weren’t supposed to have a side three-card major, certainly not three to an honor. Those rules were silly. Bid 2♦.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ 864 ♥ K 10 8 ♦ AK63 ♣ QJ2 Partner opens 1♠ and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make? A: Jordan 2NT over a double to show a fit with at least invitational values is a popular convention. Bid 2NT. Should partner sign off in 3♠, bid 3NT to give him a choice.

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

♠ K J 10 5 3 ♥ AK4 ♦ Q94 ♣ K2

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass What call would you make?

A: You have enough to accept the invitation. Bid 3♠ on the way to show your fifth spade. It is forcing, so you couldn’t show the fifth spade with a minimum.

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

♠ 82 ♥ Q652 ♦ AQ8752 ♣ 5 Partner opens 1♥ and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: The classic hand for a jump to 4H would contain five trumps, a side ace, and a side singleton. This hand is close enough. Bid 4♥.

(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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