Goren Bridge

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

♠ 5 ♥ Q976542 ♦ 5 ♣ KJ93

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH 1♥ Pass 1♠ 2♣

3♠ ?

What call would you make?

A: The auction might be making your head spin, but you will never choose to defend 4S with this hand. Don’t wait for them to bid it. Bid 5C.

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

♠ A 10 7 4 ♥ K 10 8 ♦ 86 ♣ 10 9 7 3

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH 1♦ Pass 1NT 2♥

3♦ ?

What call would you make?

A: Your doubleton diamond is probably worthless, but this hand is still a mandatory raise. Bid 3H.

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

♠ J95 ♥ Q J 10 6 3 2 ♦ K532♣ Void

You open 2H, left-hand opponent passes, and partner bids 3C. What call would you make?

A: Partner usually starts with 2NT when he has tolerance for your suit. 3C is a forcing bid suggesting no tolerance for hearts. Try your other suit. Bid 3D.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Q632 ♥ A K J 10 ♦ A5 ♣ A64 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass What call would you make?

A: This hand is worth at least 19 points in support of hearts. It is too good for 3H. Bid 4H.

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

♠ J7653 ♥ AK ♦ Q85 ♣ AQ5

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1NT Pass 2 ♦* Pass

2♥ Pass 2NT Pass

*Transfer to hearts

What call would you make?

A: Accept the invitation and show your five-card spade suit on the way to 3NT. Bid 3S.

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

♠ K9874 ♥ K ♦ K J 10 4 2 ♣ J7 With the opponents passing, you open 1S and partner responds 2H. What call would you make?

A: You opened light hoping to find a fit and trouble is lurking. You don’t have the extras needed to bid 3D, so bid 2S. This does not promise a six-card suit in this auction. (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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