Weekly Bridge Quiz

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Goren Bridge


Bob Jones

  1. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠K 10 9 8 7 6 3  
    ♥9 6 3
    ♦7   
    ♣6 3

    North East South West
    1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass
    3♣ Pass ?

    What call would you make?

    ANSWER
    In olden times, people would have bid 3♠, pre-emptive, the first time. Many today play that bid as a splinter raise of clubs. Three spades would be forcing here, so that’s out. Pass..
  2. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠A 10 9
    ♥J 6   
    ♦A J 7 5  
    ♣A K J 3

    South West North East
    1♦ Pass Pass Dbl
    ?

    What call would you make?

    ANSWER
    Bid 1NT. That bid shows 18-19 after partner fails to respond — a hand that would have bid 2NT had partner responded.
  3. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠—
    ♥A 10 7 3 2  
    ♦K 10   
    ♣Q 10 8 7 6 4
    As dealer, what call would you make?
    ANSWER
    Should you open the bidding, showing the distribution of this hand could develop into a real headache. Do you really want to take that on with only nine high-card points? Pass.
  4. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠ J 8 7   
    ♥A K J 10 4   
    ♦10 8 7 5  
    ♣ 9
    Two passes to you. What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    If you don’t open 2♥ with this hand, you win the Conservative of the Year award. Bid 2♥.
  5. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠K 8 3  
    ♥J 8  
    ♦Q 9  
    ♣A K 10 9 4 2
    With both opponents passing, you open 1♣ and partner responds 1♠. What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    Not only will this hand be a pretty good dummy in a spade contract, a raise will shut the opponents out of the two level. Bid 2♠.
  6. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠9 8  
    ♥9 8 4 
    ♦J   
    ♣A K 9 5 4 3 2

    North East South West
    1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
    2♥ Pass ?

    What call would you make?

    ANSWER
    Passing is reasonable, as this hand will be useful in a heart contract. However, the hand is likely to produce more tricks in a club contract, so we like bidding 3♣.