Weekly Bridge Quiz

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Goren Bridge


Bob Jones

  1. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠K
    ♥A K 9 8 3
    ♦A 8 7
    ♣A J 6 2
    Right-hand opponent opens 1♦. What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    This hand is strong enough to double and bid hearts next, but there is a danger. Partner might have a distributional hand with long spades and get excited thinking that you have a spade fit. Bid 1♥.
  2. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠A Q 9 3
    ♥10 9 6 3
    ♦10 7
    ♣A K Q
    As dealer, what call would you make?
    ANSWER
    This is a balanced 15-17, and there is only one opening bid with this hand in standard bidding. Bid 1NT. Don’t worry that your values are concentrated in two suits.
  3. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠K 10 6 3
    ♥K J
    ♦A 8 7 6 2
    ♣K 3
    Partner opens 3♥ and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    Bid 4♥ and don’t think about anything more. Indeed, partner might have trouble taking 10 tricks with this dummy.
  4. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠A Q 7  
    ♥A 10 7 5  
    ♦A 6 4 2  
    ♣K 10
    Right-hand opponent opens 1♣. What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    It is usually a poor idea to bid notrump when your distribution is suitable for a takeout double. Double.
  5. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠Q J 9 5  
    ♥K 8 6 2  
    ♦K Q 5  
    ♣9 3

    North East South West
    Pass Pass ?

    What call would you make?

    ANSWER
    We would open the bidding in third position. It’s acceptable to open with a strong four-card major in this position, but we don’t think either major is strong enough. Bid 1♦.
  6. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠A 9 
    ♥Q 4 3 2
    ♦K 10 7   
    ♣10 9 6 4

    West North East South
    1♠ Dbl 3♠* ?

    *Preemptive
    What call would you make?

    ANSWER
    You must be aggressive over their preemption, just not reckless. We would double if playing responsive doubles and bid 4♥ if not. Borderline reckless.