Goren Bridge

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

♠ 985 ♥ K865 ♦ KQJ98 ♣ 7 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 2♣ Pass 2♦* Pass

2NT Pass 3♣ Pass

3♥ Pass ?

*Waiting

What call would you make?

A: We all need a forcing way to set the trump suit after using Stayman and start a slam investigation. Experts bid the other major to do just that. Bid 3S. What else could it be? Q: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A97 ♥ Q8764 ♦ Q6 ♣ J64 Right-hand opponent opens 1C. What call would you make?

A: If this is your idea of an overcall, please don’t call me for a game. Thinking would be an overbid. Pass.

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

♠ 103 ♥ J10 ♦ A K 10 9 ♣ K Q 10

96

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♣ 1♥ Dbl* 1♠

*Negative

What call would you make?

A: Bidding 2D here shows extras, like a reverse. This hand, with all four 10’s and two key nine spots, delivers that. Bid 2D.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ K6 ♥ Q ♦ A 10 7 6 ♣ K 10 8 6 5 4 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Dbl Redbl 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ 3♠ Pass

What call would you make?

A: Your hand is minimum and your suit is full of holes, but this is a command performance. Bid 3NT to show your spade stopper.

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

♠ AK3 ♥ K 10 8 7 5 ♦ A8 ♣ A74

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 2♦ Pass Pass Dbl 2♠ 3♣ Pass 4♥ 4♠ Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: People who bid like West should not be allowed to raise children. Bidding more isn’t sound, so just double and hope West gets what he deserves.

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

♠ Q5 ♥ 975 ♦ AJ753 ♣ J86 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 3♣ 3♥ Pass Pass 3♠ 3NT ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner has 10 or 11 cards in the black suits and your queen of spades just became golden. Bid 4C. (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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