Goren on Bridge

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

♠ K1098 ♥ A6 ♦ KJ87 ♣ 975

Partner passes as dealer and right-hand opponent passes. Would you open in third seat?

A: A balanced 11 is OK to open in third seat, especially if you hold the spade suit. Bid 1D.

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

♠ 5 ♥ 97643 ♦ Q5 ♣ A6532

Partner opens 1D and right-hand opponent overcalls 1S. What call would you make?

A: Make a negative double. Should partner rebid diamonds, this dummy won’t disappoint.

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

♠ 8 ♥ A1073 ♦ KQ64 ♣ Q1074 Right-hand opponent opens 1C. What call would you make?

A: The hearts are not strong enough to overcall on a 4-card suit and a diamond overcall would be pointless. Pass.

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

♠ 6 ♥ AJ754 ♦ AQ872 ♣ K8

Right-hand opponent opens 1C. What call would you make?

A: 2NT would show the 2 lowest unbid suits, but that bid should be used with either weak hands or very strong ones. Intermediate hands should bid naturally. Bid 1H.

Q5: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ QJ1086542 ♥ Q ♦ K63 ♣ 6

As dealer, what call would you make?

A: Don’t even think about opening with less than 4S.

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

♠ J5 ♥ 64 ♦ 732 ♣ AKJ876 Right-hand opponent opens 1S. What call would you make?

A: This is a recurring theme in this space. Put pressure on the opponents. Bid 3C, not 2C.

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