Goren on Bridge

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

♠ Void ♥ AK764 ♦ A104 ♣ KJ965 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

2♣ Pass 4♠ Pass What call would you make?

A: You might have a better spot, but there is no safe way to look for it. Pass.

Q 2: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ K974 ♥ 7 ♦ Q86532 ♣ Q4

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

2NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Forget about your six-card diamond suit. Bid 3NT.

Q 3: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Q874 ♥ QJ105 ♦ 6532 ♣ 8

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1♠ 2♥ 2♠ ?

What call would you make?

A: The queen of spades is probably wasted, but this is a mandatory raise anyway. Bid 3H.

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

♠ 6 ♥ AK64 ♦ QJ1075 ♣ AQ6

Partner opens 2S, weak, and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: You might have a game somewhere, but you could get in trouble looking for it. Pass, and hope they bid something.

Q5: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ 104 ♥ AQJ8754 ♦ Void ♣ Q874 Partner opens 1S and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: 1NT doesn’t appeal, so we would choose between 2H and 4H. The ability to play in spades, should partner have extra length, would lead us to bid 2H.

Q6: East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ 109754 ♥ AK93 ♦ Void ♣ A986 Right-hand opponent opens 3C. What call would you make?

A: Should you make a takeout double, partner will bid diamonds. It’s the law! Pass. Don’t even think about bidding that topless spade suit.

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.

© 2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.