Goren Bridge

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

♠ 10 ♥ KQJ ♦ J 10 8 5 4 ♣ A K 10 2

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♦ Pass Pass 1♠

What call would you make?

A: You could double, for takeout, but should you? Partner’s pass means you have less than half the deck combined, and you only have 3 hearts. The hand is too flawed. Pass.

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

♠ AQ763 ♥ 109 ♦ KQ ♣ Q 10 9 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass

What call would you make?

A: Bidding 3C, or “breaking the three level”, shows a little extra. You don’t have it so rebid 2S. You must sometimes rebid a 5-card suit in these situations.

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

♠ Q7 ♥ AK74 ♦ KJ4 ♣ AQ72 Partner opens 2S, weak, and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make?

A: Don’t bother with bidding 2NT, as you’re always bidding a game and you have no interest in slam. Bid 4S.

Q: Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ 75 ♥ Q J 10 8 5 ♦ AK ♣ K Q 10 5

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass What call would you make?

A: You don’t need a lot extra, just a little. This hand is worth “breaking the three level”. Bid 3C.

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

♠ A ♥ A6 ♦ K J 10 2 ♣ AKQ976

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♦ Pass Pass ?

What call would you make?

A: Double is too risky, as partner might insist on playing in a major. 3C would show a good hand in this position, but not this good. Bid 3NT.

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

♠ A K 10 8 6 4 ♥ KQ92 ♦ Void ♣

754

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♠ 2♦ Pass 3♦

What call would you make?

A: This is a high-card minimum, but with too much potential to pass. 3S, 3H and double all have merit. We like double.

(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.)

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