Weekly Bridge Quiz

Posted on by

Goren Bridge


Bob Jones

  1. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠ K 9 3
    ♥ A J 4
    ♦ Q 9 8 6 4
    ♣ Q 2
    With the opponents passing, you open 1♦ and partner responds 1♥. What call would you make?
    What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    1NT is a reasonable choice, but with three good hearts and a ruffing value, we prefer to raise. Bid 2♥.
  2. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold::
    ♠ Q 7 5
    ♥ 10 3
    ♦ A 8 4
    ♣ K Q J 10 9

    West North East South
    1NT Pass Pass ?

    What call would you make?

    ANSWER
    We would surely choose to defend if partner will lead a club, but a partner that good doesn’t exist. We’d like to bid 2♣, but most of us can’t because that bid is conventional. Pass and root for a club lead.
  3. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠ J 10 9 4 3 2
    ♥ J 10 8 4 2
    ♦ —
    ♣ 9 6
    Partner opens 1♦ and right-hand opponent passes. What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    It is easy to imagine wonderful things happening if we respond one spade, but horrible things can also happen. Pass.
  4. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠ A 7 6
    ♥ Q 54 3 2
    ♦ A K Q 8
    ♣ 4
    Right-hand opponent opens 1♣. What call would you make?
    ANSWER
    We usually prefer to overcall in a five-card major rather than making a takeout double. The hearts in this hand are so weak that we prefer to double.
  5. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠ A J 5 3
    ♥ 10 8 4
    ♦ A 10 7 6
    ♣ K Q

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

    What call would you make?

    ANSWER
    We would pass in a team game or a social game, but it can’t be winning strategy to pass at matchpoints. Double and hope the doubleton club isn’t fatal..
  6. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
    ♠ Q J 5
    ♥ A K 7 2
    ♦ A K 9
    ♣ J 8 3
    As dealer, what call would you make?
    ANSWER
    We only open 1♦ on a three-card suit with 4-4-3-2 distribution, so that we almost always have four diamonds when we open in that suit. Bid 1♣.