Show s BETTER BRIDGE By C. C H. H Goron Garon AnS Answers ers to Saturdays Saturday's Questions Q 1 Opponent opens with one club and you ou hold K J 10 7 71 1 y I A 8 6 4 K 7 5 3 What do you bid A. A This hand has splendid offensive offensive of of- possibilities and may well produce a game in the best suit though partner may have a below average hand The best way vay to portray this strength is by a takeout takeout takeout take take- out double even though the hand does not possess the conventional three honor tricks A mere one spade overcall will not do justice to your holding and partner may fail to act with just enough values for your purposes Valued according according according accord accord- ing to our methods this hand is worth 14 points 11 in high cards and three for distribution which brings it up to the stand standard rd for a take-out take double Q 2 Partner opens with one heart and you hold t J 4 2 J 10 5 3 Q 6 5 K 5 2 What is your response A. A Despite the fact that you have ample trump support you must refuse to raise to two hearts because of the lack of playing strength Some action must however however how how- ever be taken and the proper procedure is to respond with one no trump Where the choice rests between a response of one no trump or a single raise with evenly evenly evenly even even- ly balanced hands the no trump bid should be preferred If the raise is of minimum proportions If however however however how how- ever you have a raise of near maximum proportions the raise should be given in preference to the theone one no trump response even with a balanced hand Q 3 As South you you hold K 9 7 5 3 A J 10 7 2 4 A A 5 The bidding has proceeded South West Vest North East 1 14 6 Pass 1 NT Pass What do you bid now A. A Despite partners partner's announcement announcement announcement announce announce- ment of a mediocre holding we would be inclined to insist upon a game contract If partner has a preference for one of the major suits there should be a good chance because of the highly fa favorable favorable favorable fa- fa distribution It is true that if partners partner's strength is entirely entirely entirely en en- in the minor suits the chance will not be good and a slight loss may be incurred But we cant can't be right on every hand and the chance for game justifies ti tion n of the risk The suggested bid therefore is three hearts Abid A A. bid of only two hearts will very likely be passed by partner Q 4 As South you hold t K 9 7 5 4 3 2 y 10 9 6 3 A A 9 The bidding has proceeded South West Vest North East Pass Pass 1 y I Pass 2 A Pass 3 A Pass 9 What t do you bid now A. A With the splendid fit already already already al al- al- al ready established sight must not be lost of slam possibilities despite despite despite de de- de- de spite the fact that you have only one and a half honor tricks Since spades already have been agreed upon the proper call is four diamonds diamonds diamonds dia dia- monds denoting possession of the ace If partner merely returns to four spades you may decide to quit but if he makes so bold as asto asto asto to show the ace of clubs failure on your pact to bid a slam would betray a timid streak Q 5 As South you hold I The bidding has proceeded North East South West Vest 1 1 1 14 IV ly It 2 24 A Pass What do you bid now A. A The adverse spade bid makes it rather awkward for you to try no trump even though there Is a fair chance that partner has a high spade There is no certainty of this however since his side values may be the king and one heart The best bet is to bid two diamonds inducing him to bid no trump if he has a spade stopper Q 6 As South you hold Q 6 4 A J 9 5 10 9 7 5 Q 10 The bidding has proceeded North East South 1 1 1 NT What do you bid A. A Since you hold stoppers in all the suits East should find it very difficult to win a majority of the tricks against an opening bid You should double for pen pen- If partners partner's hand is unsuitable unsuitable unsuitable un un- un- un suitable defensively he need no not stand for the double You may maycheck maycheck maycheck check your judgment in the following following following follow follow- ing manner Your hand has a high card value of nine points Opening Opening Opening Open Open- ing bidder is presumed to have 13 which gives you a total of 22 as against a maximum of 18 for the opponents Copyright 1950 C. C H. H Goren |