Goren Bridge

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

♠ KJ853 ♥ 3 ♦ 5 ♣ Q87654

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass

2NT Pass ?

What is your plan?

A: We would not let this hand play in no-trump. Bid 3H, transfer, and continue with 4C, natural. If partner bids anything other than 4S, which you should pass, bid 5C.

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

♠ A ♥ QJ7432 ♦ Q8643 ♣ 3 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: Do not shy away from opening a weak two-bid on a two-suiter, unless the other suit is a reasonably strong major. Open 2H.

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

♠ Q 10 4 2 ♥ AKJ6 ♦ J10854♣ Void

Right-hand opponent opens 1D. What call would you make?

A: Double is out, as a club response from partner will embarrass you. Pass. Second choice — bid 1H on your strong four-card suit.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ KQ ♥ 10 5 4 ♦ 97532 ♣ J95 Partner opens 1D and right-hand opponent overcalls 1S. What call would you make? A: Do not even think about bidding 1NT. When the auction gets competitive, support partner if you can. Bid 2D.

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

♠ Void ♥ Q J 10 7 5 3 ♦ 65 ♣ AQ J43

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♥ 1♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Not easy. 1NT may sound to partner like we have spade or two, so we like bidding 2C instead.

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

♠ 8764 ♥ AKJ97 ♦ AJ ♣ Q6

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass

1NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Give up on slam after partner’s 12-14 point rebid. Before bidding 3NT, bid 2D — new minor forcing — to see if partner has three-card heart support.

(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.)