Goren Bridge

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

♠ J65 ♥ KQ2 ♦ 963 ♣ AKJ6 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass What call would you make?

A: With no stopper in either side suit, this looks like a heart raise. However, we can’t recommend a raise on this balanced hand. Bid 1NT.

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

♠ A763 ♥ 6 ♦ 10 7 4 ♣ KQ764 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 2♥ 2♠ 3♥ ? What call would you make?

A: Bid 4S. This is limited by your failure to cue bid 4H, which would be a stronger raise.

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

♠ QJ86 ♥ Q 10 5 3 ♦ A9 ♣ AJ8 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass Pass 3♦ What call would you make?

A: It is almost always wrong to bid 3-over-3 with only eight combined trumps. Pass. Partner will usually bid on if he has five hearts.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ AQ75 ♥ A96 ♦ A 10 7 ♣ 864 As dealer, what call would you make?

A: To open 1D with 3-3 in the minors, we want an extreme discrepancy between the two suits, something like AKJ vs. 6 4 2. Open 1C.

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

♠ 97643 ♥ J76 ♦ K6 ♣ Q53 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♣ 1♠ 2♣ ? What call would you make?

A: This is at the top end for a preemptive raise, but you should have something decent when you are vulnerable. Bid 3S.

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

♠ KQ ♥ J96 ♦ AK6 ♣ AKQ42 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Pass Pass 2♥ ? What call would you make?

A: Bid 3NT. There are many chances that the heart suit is not ready to run right away, and all other actions seem awkward.