Goren Bridge

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

♠ A 3 2 ♥ K Q 10 ♦ A K 7 ♣ Q J 10 7 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: An online player recently opened 2NT, 20-21, with this hand and came to grief. He promoted his two 10’s. 10’s are good, but never promote 4-3-3-3 hands. Open 1C.

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

♠ K7 ♥ QJ64 ♦ Q75 ♣ J643 Partner opens 1S and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A: When bidding at the one level, ignore their takeout double and make your normal bid. Bid 1NT.

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

♠ Q 10 9 7 6 4 ♥♦ 7 8653 ♣ K8 Partner opens 1C and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?

A: Bid 2S, pre-emptive. The vulnerability should make this action clear cut.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Void ♥ A K Q 7 6 4 ♦♣ 8 AQJ 762

As dealer, what call would you make?

A: Do not open 2C with a twosuited hand unless the high-card

strength is overwhelming. Open 1H.

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

♠ K86 ♥ 75 ♦ QJ6 ♣ 10 8 7 5 4 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1 ♥ 2 ♦ 2 ♥ ?

What call would you make?

A: If partner’s hand is good enough to overcall at the two level, then this hand is good enough to raise. Bid 3D.

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

♠ 98542 ♥ QJ87 ♦♣ 7 A64

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1 ♦ 1NT 2 ♦ ?

What call would you make?

A: In olden times, everyone would bid 2S, as double was played as penalties. Modern experts play a double here as takeout and this hand is a good example of why. We like double.

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