Goren Bridge

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

♠ KJ75 ♥ 10 9 8 7 4 ♦ AJ6 ♣ 7 Pass, pass to you. What call would you make in third position?

A: Partner can be expected to have about 10 points. You have 9 cards in the majors and might have a good fit in one of them. It’s worth the risk. Open 1H.

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

♠ Q764 ♥ 72 ♦ J93 ♣ 10 6 5 4 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Close decision. Partner has 22-24, so we think you should bid game. Bid 3C, Stayman, on the way to 3NT and look for a possible spade fit.

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

♠ Q 10 8 5 ♥ 4 ♦ AKJ865 ♣ A2 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♦ Pass 1♠ 3♥ What call would you make?

A: There are a lot of mediocre hands for partner that will give you a good play for game. Don’t put him under pressure. Bid 4S yourself.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Q8 ♥ 75 ♦ A K J 10 ♣ K 10 8 5 3 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass

2♥ Pass 2NT Pass

3♣ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner is short in diamonds and you don’t care. Bid 3NT. You are not strong enough to look for a possible club slam.

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

♠ QJ763 ♥ K10 ♦ K873 ♣ AQ Right-hand opponent opens 2H, weak. What call would you make? A: This is a pretty sad suit for a vulnerable overcall at the two level. Still, you have to take responsibility for your values. Bid 2S.

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

♠ J65 ♥ Q J 10 7 6 ♦ J 10 2 ♣ AJ Right-hand opponent opens 1NT, 15-17. What call would you make? A: Balanced 10-point hands with only a 5-card suit are not good candidates for a direct overcall. Pass. (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. E-mail responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribpub.com.) (C)2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.