Goren on Bridge

QUESTION 1: Neither vulnerable, as South, you

hold:

♠ A74 ♥ AJ7 ♦ J76 ♣ KQ107

Partner opens 1NT, 15-17, and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: You are not likely to have 12 tricks and looking for slam may get you overboard. Bid 3NT.

Q 2: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ K3 ♥ KJ5 ♦ AQ82 ♣ K964

Partner opens 1S and right-hand opponent passes. What is your plan?

A: Balanced hands like this one can be very hard to describe as responder. We like bidding 2C. Should partner rebid 2D or 2S, you can look for slam. Otherwise, settle for 3NT.

Q 3: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 3 ♥ KQ3 ♦ K865 ♣ AK763

As dealer, what call would you make?

A: Plan your rebid! 1NT as a rebid is out as that would deny 15 points. Choose between opening 1C and rebidding 2C or opening 1D and rebidding 2C. Neither is wrong.

Q 4: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A5 ♥ A985 ♦ KQ109 ♣ A84 EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH 1♠ Dbl Pass 1NT Pass ? What call would you make?

A: Partner should not respond 1NT to your takeout double without at least 7 or 8 points. Bidding 2NT is not enough. Bid 3NT.

Q 5: Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ K7432 ♥ QJ2 ♦ A9 ♣ A32 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass

4♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner has a balanced hand (no splinter bid) worth 18-19 points. Slam prospects are good, but the next move is not clear. We like a control bid of 5D. If partner gives you a 5H call, bid the slam.

Q 6: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A432 ♥ 32 ♦ KQ32 ♣ AJ10

Partner opens 3H and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: You will have less than 26 combined points, maybe much less. Regardless, you should have acceptable play for 10 tricks. 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. Email responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.

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