Goren Bridge

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

♠ A7 ♥ K65 ♦ AKQJ ♣ 5432

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

A: You do have a maximum, but no one has asked you about that yet. Just bid 2D denying a four-card major.

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

♠ 102 ♥ AQ2 ♦ AQ6 ♣ A9743

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1NT Pass 2♦* Pass

*Transfer to hearts

What call would you make?

A: You have a maximum in support of hearts, but don’t “break” the transfer unless you have four-card support. Bid 2H. Some will tell you to break the transfer with this hand. Don’t listen to them.

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

♠ 10 6 5 ♥ 965 ♦ 764 ♣ AKJ5 Partner opens 1C and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: The “right” bid is 2C, but many play inverted minors and can’t make that bid. We like bidding 1D and then 2C next. It’s better than bidding 1NT with no stopper in any side suit.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A10 ♥ Q42 ♦ KQ954 ♣ Q 10 9 Partner opens 1NT, 15-17, and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: Calm down! This isn’t enough to go slamming. Bid 3NT and put down a good dummy for a change.

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

♠ K82 ♥ K2 ♦ 10 3 2 ♣ QJ932 Partner opens 1NT, 15-17, and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: Nine points and a five-card suit will usually be enough for game. Bid 3NT.

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

♠ 9743 ♥ J2 ♦ AQ8 ♣ 8764

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♥ Dbl Pass 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner’s takeout double followed by a free bid shows at least 18 points. Bid 4S.

(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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