Goren Bridge

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

♠ AJ64 ♥ 863 ♦ A 10 4 ♣ Q 10 5

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Pass Pass 1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: East has obviously opened light and you won’t get rich defending at the one level unless you are stacked in their suit. Double or 1♠? We like 1♠.

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

♠ KQ75 ♥ AQ93 ♦ K984 ♣ K

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

A: Partner might have as much as 11 points for his competitive 1NT bid. A case can be made for raising to 3NT, but we’re happy to settle for only 2NT.

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

♠ 6 ♥ 85 ♦ AK865 ♣ AQ743

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

A: Looks like partner trap passed over 1♠, hoping you would re-open with double. You have a pretty good hand for this sequence. Bid 3NT.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A764 ♥ J9 ♦ 73 ♣ A J 10 7 5 Partner passes as dealer and righthand opponent also passes. What call would you make?

A: With a likely easy rebid in the boss suit, open 1♣.

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

♠ KJ5 ♥ K Q J 10 ♦ K85 ♣ AK5

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♦ Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: In the pass-out seat, a double followed by 1NT would only show 15-18. An immediate jump to 2NT shows 19-20. Perfect! Bid 2NT.

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

♠ 75 ♥ A K 10 7 ♦ K 10 9 7 6 ♣ 86

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♠ Pass 1NT 2♣

2♥ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: 3♥ or4 ♥? We like this hand. Bid 4H.

(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.)

(C) 2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.