Goren on Bridge

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

♠ 7 ♥ 97652 ♦ AKQJ8 ♣ QJ As dealer, what call would you make?

A: If you knew the opponents would out bid you, you would open 1D. You can’t know that, so you have to start describing this hand to partner. Bid 1H. Q2: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A6 ♥ KJ7642 ♦ 7 ♣ A1084

What call would you make?

A: No club raise would be forcing here. Bid 2D, fourth-suit forcing, to create a game force. You can show club support later.

Q3: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A5 ♥ 3 ♦ A863 ♣ AKJ765 You open 1C, left-hand opponent bids 3S, pass, pass, back to you. What call would you make?

A: Pass is too cowardly, so go low with 4C or go big with 3NT. Going big comes with no guarantees, but it has a big upside. Bid 3NT.

Q4: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 109 ♥ AK103 ♦ KQ109 ♣ Q72

What call would you make? A: Those 10’s and 9’s would cause us to be aggressive. Bid 3H. Q5: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 8 ♥ KQ9854 ♦ K104 ♣ K72

What call would you make? A: You must be allowed to compete to the three level without getting raised to game. Any side suit would be a game invitation. 3H is just competitive. Bid 3H. Q6: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ KQ1064 ♥ J2 ♦ 953 ♣ KQ5

What call would you make?

A: Partner has nine cards in the red suits, so forget about your spades. Bid 2NT. 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. Email responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com. © 2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.