Goren Bridge

QUESTION 1: Neither hold: 732

1♠ Pass 1NT

2♦ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: It’s tempting to bid 2NT, but you are not quite good enough. Bid 2♠. Q: North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

A64 Q 10 3 10 5 3 AQ94 Right-hand opponent opens 1♦. What call would you make?

A: You do have support for all unbid suits, but 4-3-3-3 hands should almost always be bid conservatively, and it is not mandatory to bid with 12-14 points when they open. Pass.

Q: East-West you hold:

Q32

1♣ Pass 1♥

2NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner has 18-19, so you have a combined 32 or 33. Bid 4NT, quantitative, asking him to go on with a maximum.

Q: Both vulnerable, hold:

Q6 What call would you make?

A: It may seem cowardly, but you are not worth a move toward slam. Bid 3NT.

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

K Q 10 108

2♣ Pass 2♦

3♦ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: The first thing to do is set the trump suit. 4♦ here is stronger than 5♦ , so bid 4

Q: East-West you hold:

K J 10 9 7 5 4 3 842 A 10 Partner opens 1♠ and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: A real hand from last month. Whether you open or respond with this hand, it’s just a guess as to how many spades to bid. At the table, 6♠ was the winner. Seems OK to us.

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