Weekly Bridge Quiz

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Goren Bridge

Bob Jones

1. Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
   ♠ Q
   ♥ K
   ♦ Q 9 8 7 4 3 2
   ♣ A 10 6 5
   As dealer, what call would you make?
   
   ANSWER

   11 high-card points and 7-4 shape is usually worth an opening bid at the one level. This hand, with two singleton honors, isn’t. Bid 3♦.
2. North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold::
   ♠ 10 6 5 3
   ♥ J 10 5
   ♦ 6 4 2
   ♣ A Q J

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

   What call would you make?
   

   ANSWER

   The two major-suit 10s make this hand worth an acceptance, but to which game? Bid 3♠, in case partner has four of them, and let partner decide.
3. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
   ♠ 10
   ♥ K J 6 5 3
   ♦ 10 5
   ♣ A K Q 7 6
   With the opponents passing, you open 1♥ and partner responds 2♦, What call would you make?
   
   ANSWER

   “Breaking” the three level promises a little extra, and we think this hand delivers it. Bid 3♣
4. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
   ♠ A K Q 10 3
   ♥ Q J
   ♦ Q 5 2
   ♣ Q 8 2
   As dealer, what call would you make?
   
   ANSWER

   Should you open 1♠, you may never be able to show the strength of your hand. Open 1NT.
5. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
   ♠ K Q 7
   ♥ A 9 3
   ♦ 9
   ♣ K J 9 7 5 2
   Partner opens 2♥, weak, and right-hand opponent doubles. What call would you make?
   
   ANSWER

   Don’t let your left-hand opponent get in a bid at the three level. Bid 4♥.
6. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
   ♠ A K
   ♥ A 10
   ♦ K J 10 8 5 4
   ♣ J 8 7

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

   *Transfer to spades
   What call would you make?
   

   ANSWER

   When you open 1NT slightly off-shape, which is acceptable in modern bridge, don’t do anything later to try and “fix” it. Bid 2♠.