Goren Bridge

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

♠ AKJ7432 ♥ A94 ♦ A ♣ QJ With the opponents passing, you open 1♠ and partner responds 1NT. What call would you make?

A: Good job by you not opening

2♣. We don’t like jump shifting into a three-card major or a two-card minor. Bid 4♠.

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

♠ A9873 ♥ Q82 ♦ 73 ♣ J98

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1NT Pass 2♥* Pass

2♠ Pass ?

*Transfer to spades

What call would you make?

A: This hand is not quite good enough to invite game. Pass.

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

♠ K Q 10 9 8 ♥ J764 ♦ AQ ♣ AJ As dealer, what call would you make?

A: This hand has too many flaws to open 1NT — off shape, suits that are easy to bid naturally, and it’s worth more than 17 points. Open 1♠.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ K975 ♥ KQ53 ♦ J3 ♣ AKQ

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass What call would you make?

A: Bid 4♥, showing a balanced hand worth about 19 points.

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

♠ 10 7 3 ♥ K 10 9 5 3 ♦ KJ4 ♣ KQ Right-hand opponent opens 1♠. What call would you make?

A: This would be a marginal 2♥ overcall, but the three little spades behind the 1♠ opener should convince you to go conservative. Pass.

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

♠ A82 ♥ A ♦ AKJ876 ♣ K73

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

A: This hand is too good to bid 3♦, so jump shift into your club fragment. Bid 3♣.

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