Goren Bridge

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

♠ J9 ♥ 632 ♦ 9865 ♣ KQ32 Partner opens 1H and right-hand opponent bids 2D. What call would you make?

A: When the auction gets competitive, the best thing you can do is to support your partner, if you can. This weak hand should bid 2H.

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

♠ 9743 ♥ 54 ♦ J874 ♣ AK9 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 2♣ 3♣ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: The hand is worth a 4C bid, but will that accomplish much? We prefer to muddy the waters by bidding 3H, 3S, or 3NT. We know where to go if doubled. We like 3NT.

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

♠ KQ4 ♥ AQ875 ♦ 975 ♣ 62 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: You can certainly make a case that this hand is not worth an opening bid. Would it be that improved by adding, say, the jack of clubs? We don’t think so. Open 1H.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ AK764 ♥ A3 ♦ A87 ♣ 965 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: Opening 1NT should be a bid of first resort. It makes life easy for partner, plus there are no rebids to show 15-17 if you open 1S. Open 1NT.

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

♠ K Q 10 7 5 ♥ 96 ♦ 96 ♣ 10 9 7 6 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Not enough in values to be creative. Give a simple preference to 2H. Bidding 2S might work, but it is a poor bid.

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

♠ 10 8 6 3 2 ♥ 8 ♦ A874 ♣ QJ3 Partner opens 1H and right-hand opponent makes a take-out double. What call would you make?

A: When your natural response is at the one level, ignore a take-out double and make the same bid you would have made without the double. Bid 1S.