Goren Bridge

QUESTION 1: Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠K 987♥5♦ KQ9 ♣ QJ542 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1♥ Pass 1NT ? What call would you make?

A: The double of a 1NT response shows a take out double of the suit opened on your left. Double.

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

♠J 109742♥ K♦ Q 43♣ Q 73 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: The opponents wouldn’t mind a bit if you passed with this hand, but you’re not here to please them. Open 2♠.

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

♠10975♥ A 9♦ Q 64♣ KJ62 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass

2♥ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: After a reverse, an immediate raise in either of partner’s suits should be played as game forcing. Bid 3♣.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠74♥ A 97♦ K 10♣ A Q 10953 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♥ Pass Pass ? What call would you make?

A: In the pass out seat, as here, a jump shift shows an intermediate hand, roughly 14-16, with a decent six-card suit. Bid 3♣.

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

♠A 5♥ A Q 10932♦764♣103 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: It would be no great sin to open this hand 1♥, but you have the strength and distribution to take another level of bidding away from your opponents. Open 2♥.

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

♠J 864♥ Q 8♦ KJ765 ♣ 106 Partner opens 1NT, 15-17. What call would you make?

A: It’s tempting, but you don’t have quite enough to go looking for game. Pass.

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