Goren Bridge

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

♠ 8 ♥ A7 ♦ K9653 ♣ AQ874 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♦ 1♠ Dbl* 2♠ 3♣ Pass 3♦ Pass *Negative

What call would you make?

A: This hand would have been better had you found a good club fit. The diamond preference should slow you down. Pass.

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

♠ QJ98 ♥ A7642 ♦ 8 ♣ J92 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♦ Pass 1♥ Pas 2NT Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: A 3C bid here would ask partner if he had 3-card heart support or a 4-card spade suit. A 3S bid would show 4 spades but deny 5 hearts. 3C is much better.

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

♠ AQ43 ♥ AQJ875 ♦ Void ♣ A 106

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH 1♦ Dbl 2♦ Pass Pass 2♥ 3♦ Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: You have enough in the tank for one more bid, plus you would love to hear a raise. Bid 3H.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ Q 10 7 5 ♥ Q963 ♦ 975 ♣ K8 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♣ 1♦ Dbl* 2♦ 3♠ Pass ? *Negative

What call would you make?

A: A close decision, but the king of clubs is probably huge. Bid 4S.

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

♠ 94 ♥ K ♦ Q5 ♣ A K Q 10 8 7 6 3 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: If you play 3C and 3S as forcing, pick one of those bids. Many play those bids as only invitational. For them, we think 3D is best.

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

♠ A874 ♥ 75 ♦ A 10 8 6 ♣ K73 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass 4♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Partner has a balanced 18 or 19-point hand. It is a close decision, but you don’t have quite enough to make a slam try. Pass.