Charles Goren's Year-end quiz

Bridge, for all the magic some try to impart to the game, is only a contest of experience. Those who know and remember hands they have played generally are able to win when their less retentive friends are wallowing in indecision. Here are some problems which, once you have solved them, should provide excellent guides to games you will play in the future. Do not be discouraged if you do not score 90. The best of players have their troubles with these hands. A score of 82 to 90 is master, 72 to 81 top rate, 54-71 good, 36-53 average.

1 As South you hold:

[8 of Spades]
[King of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[8 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[Jack of Clubs]
[8 of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[King of Diamonds]
[10 of Diamonds]
[5 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]

NORTH

1 [Heart]

EAST

DBL

SOUTH

?

WEST

What do you bid?

2 As South you hold:

[King of Spades]
[Queen of Spades]
[Jack of Spades]
[Jack of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[King of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[King of Diamonds]
[10 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]

NORTH

4 [Heart]

EAST

PASS

SOUTH

?

WEST

What do you bid?

3 As South you hold:

[9 of Spades]
[6 of Spades]
[2 of Spades]
[10 of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[4 of Hearts]
[King of Clubs]
[Jack of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[9 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]

NORTH

1 [Spade]
3 [Heart]

EAST

2 [Diamond]
PASS

SOUTH

PASS
?

WEST

3 [Diamond]

What do you bid now?

4 As South you hold:

[King of Spades]
[6 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[10 of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[Queen of Clubs]
[2 of Clubs]
[8 of Diamonds]
[5 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]

SOUTH

PASS
?

WEST

PASS

NORTH

1 [Heart]

EAST

1 [Spade]

What do you bid now?

5 Both sides vulnerable and as South you hold:

[Ace of Spades]
[King of Spades]
[6 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[7 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[King of Clubs]
[8 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[6 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]

SOUTH

1 [Spade]
?

WEST

DBL

NORTH

2 [Club]

EAST

PASS

What do you bid now?

6 As South you hold:

[Ace of Spades]
[King of Spades]
[Queen of Spades]
[Jack of Spades]
[7 of Spades]
[5 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[4 of Diamonds]

SOUTH

2 [Spade]
?

WEST

PASS

NORTH

3 NT

EAST

PASS

What do you bid now?

7 You are South, vulnerable, and hold:

[Jack of Spades]
[8 of Spades]
[5 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[4 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[King of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[5 of Clubs]
[Queen of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]

WEST

3 [Spade]

NORTH

DBL

EAST

PASS

SOUTH

?

What do you bid?

8 You are South, have 60 part-score, and hold:

[4 of Spades]
[King of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[10 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[King of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[10 of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[6 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]

SOUTH

1 [Club]
?

WEST

1 [Diamond]

NORTH

1 [Heart]

EAST

1 [Spade]

What do you bid now?

9 As South you hold:

[5 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Queen of Hearts]
[Jack of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[4 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[Jack of Clubs]
[5 of Clubs]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[7 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]

EAST

1 [Spade]
DBL

SOUTH

PASS
?

WEST

2 [Spade]

NORTH

3 NT

What do you bid now?

10 Neither vulnerable, and as South you hold:

[Ace of Spades]
[King of Hearts]
[10 of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[7 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[8 of Diamonds]
[5 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]

WEST

PASS

NORTH

3 [Diamond]

EAST

DBL

SOUTH

?

What do you bid?

11 As South you hold:

[Ace of Spades]
[King of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Jack of Hearts]
[5 of Clubs]
[King of Diamonds]
[Queen of Diamonds]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[8 of Diamonds]
[6 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]

SOUTH

1 [Diamond]
2 [Spade]
?

WEST

PASS
PASS

NORTH

1 [Heart]
3 [Heart]

EAST

2 [Club]
PASS

What do you bid now?

12 As South you hold:

[Jack of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[King of Clubs]
[Jack of Clubs]
[10 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[Queen of Diamonds]
[8 of Diamonds]

SOUTH

1 [Club]]
?

WEST

1 [Heart]

NORTH

1 NT

EAST

PASS

What do you bid now?

13 You are South, vulnerable, and you hold:

[10 of Spades]
[7 of Hearts]
[4 of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[King of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[10 of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[King of Diamonds]
[9 of Diamonds]
[7 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]

WEST

3 [Spade]

NORTH

3 [Heart]

EAST

PASS

SOUTH

?

What do you bid now?

14 As South you hold:

[King of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[King of Hearts]
[Jack of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[8 of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[5 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]

SOUTH

1 [Heart]
2 [Heart]
3 [Club]
?

WEST

PASS
PASS
PASS

NORTH

2 [Club]
2 [Spade]
3 [Diamond]

EAST

PASS
PASS
PASS

What do you bid now?

15 Both vulnerable, and as South you hold:

[Ace of Spades]
[Queen of Spades]
[Jack of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[Jack of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]

WEST

4 [Heart]

NORTH

PASS

EAST

PASS

SOUTH

?

What do you bid?

16 As South you hold:

[Ace of Spades]
[King of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[8 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[King of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[5 of Clubs]
[2 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]

WEST

1 [Club]

NORTH

PASS

EAST

2 [Diamond]

SOUTH

?

What do you bid?

17 As South you hold:

[King of Spades]
[Jack of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[Queen of Hearts]
[8 of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[Ace of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[5 of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]

WEST

1 [Heart]

NORTH

2 [Diamond]

EAST

PASS

SOUTH

?

What do you bid?

18 As South you hold:

[Ace of Spades]
[Jack of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[5 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Queen of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[Jack of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[King of Diamonds]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[5 of Diamonds]

NORTH

1 NT
3 NT

EAST

PASS
PASS

SOUTH

3 [Spade]
?

WEST

PASS

What do you bid now?

HERE ARE THE ANSWERS

1

3 HEARTS—5 POINTS
4 HEARTS—3 POINTS
REDOUBLE—2 POINTS

On hands of only moderate strength when a take-out double has been made and you have a good fit with partner's opening, best results are usually obtained by offering an immediate jump raise.

2

PASS—5 POINTS
4 NO TRUMP—0

A slam is entirely out of the question. Partner could not have a solid heart suit and a side ace, or else he would not have pre-empted.

3

4 DIAMONDS—5 POINTS
4 SPADES OR 4 HEARTS—4 POINTS
3 NO TRUMP—3 POINTS

Since partner contracted for nine tricks on his own, a return to three spades would be highly inadequate. The suggested call is four diamonds, throwing the choice back to partner, but contracting for game in either major is acceptable.

4

2 HEARTS—5 POINTS
3 HEARTS—2 POINTS
4 HEARTS—1 POINT

Any desire to take drastic action could only be induced by possession of the fifth trump, which may look good but has little practical value. This hand is not rich in playing strength and adds up to just about a good single raise.

5

4 CLUBS—5 POINTS
5 CLUBS—4 POINTS
3 DIAMONDS—2 POINTS
3 CLUBS—1 POINT

Four clubs gets our nod, but we would not look askance at a direct leap to game. Although partner's bid over the double does not show strength, it should be based on a long club suit which is just about all he requires.

6

4 CLUBS—5 POINTS
4 SPADES—3 POINTS
6 SPADES—1 POINT

It is well to control the blood pressure at this point. You opened with a minimum demand bid (you yourself have just nine tricks) and are by no means assured of a slam. Partner could have K-Q of diamonds and another king. An attempt must be made to ascertain whether partner's values are in the club suit. If he has K-Q of clubs you will wish to attempt the slam. The suggested call is therefore four clubs. If North supports that suit big things are in order.

7

3 NO TRUMP—5 POINTS
PASS—3 POINTS
5 CLUBS—2 POINTS

Partner has shown a very good hand. It is evident that he is not doubling on spades but on strength in the red suits. While a profit will accrue if the double is left in, it is doubtful that it will be adequate to compensate you for a game.

8

3 HEARTS—5 POINTS
4 HEARTS—4 POINTS
2 SPADES—2 POINTS
3 CLUBS—1 POINT

Some effort should be made to reach slam. The suggested call is three hearts, overbidding the score. If partner bids three spades to show the control, you may jump to five hearts. This should make it clear that if partner has second-round control of diamonds he may then contract for slam. If in response to your three-heart bid partner bids four diamonds, you may safely contract for six hearts yourself.

9

PASS—5 POINTS
4 HEARTS—0

A bid of four hearts as a rescue would be entirely unjustified. Partner is obviously not interested in hearing about your hearts. If he were he would have made a take-out double of the two-spade bid. His jump to three no trump was doubtless based on a long minor suit. In any event you should permit him to work out his own destiny.

10

3 HEARTS—5 POINTS
5 DIAMONDS—4 POINTS
6 DIAMONDS—3 POINTS
PASS—2 POINTS
4 DIAMONDS—1 POINT

We favor an unorthodox call of three hearts for purely strategic purposes. In view of your mediocre holding with its great length in partner's pre-emptive bid, there is a strong Likelihood that the opponents will bid a slam in spades. If they do, a heart lead from partner, through the strong hand, may be of vital importance, so you must get in the "lead director" now. You, of course, plan to sacrifice in diamonds, the opponents permitting.

11

4 HEARTS—5 POINTS
5 DIAMONDS—3 POINTS
4 DIAMONDS—1 POINT

Partner may not have much high-card strength but he ought to have great length in hearts—which is enough for yow purposes. Little is to be gained by rebidding the diamonds.

12

5 NO TRUMP—5 POINT
6 NO TRUMP—4 POINTS
4 NO TRUMP—2 POINTS
3 CLUBS—1 POINT

The five no-trump bid is not conventional but rather a direct raise inviting partner to bid a slam. Your 21 high-card points, when added to the 10 partner is known to have, give you at least 31, which puts you in the slam zone. Furthermore, you have the advantage of knowing that your strength is well placed with relationship to the enemy assets. With a partner who is known to be conservative we would incline toward a direct slam bid.

13

6 SPADES—5 POINTS
5 SPADES—4 POINTS

The lack of trump support should not deter you from acting. Partner has made it clear that his spade suit is self-sustaining. He should be able to win nine of the 10 tricks for which he has contracted, and you can win at least three. The opposition has made scientific investigation impossible, and we are in favor of a bid of six spades or at least five.

14

3 SPADES—5 POINTS
3 HEARTS—3 POINTS
4 CLUBS—2 POINTS
3 NO TRUMP—1 POINT

Partner is obviously fishing around for big things and he is doing so in the face of our minimum pronouncements. Because we have been careful to show no enthusiasm and because the mild spade fit can be conveniently shown below the game level, one forward move is in order.

15

5 HEARTS—5 POINTS
DOUBLE—3 POINTS
4 SPADES—1 POINT

This hand is worth 25 points in support of any suit partner can bid. Because as little as a king or a long suit in his hand will probably produce a slam, a mere double on your part would be placing too much pressure on him. You must take matters in your own hands and force him to speak, even at the six-level.

16

3 DIAMONDS—5 POINTS
DOUBLE—2 POINTS

Something, you can be sure, is rotten here. There is scarcely enough outstanding strength to piece together an opposing opening bid, and to combine that with a jump shift suggests sheer fantasy. Surely you will not wish to retire at less than the five-level in one of your major suits and in order to be sure that the bidding does not suddenly subside, a game-forcing cue bid of three diamonds is recommended.

17

PASS—5 POINTS
2 SPADES—2 POINTS

You have an exactly average hand in high cards (10 points) which will normally not produce game opposite a partner who was only able to overcall. It would be extremely bad tactics to try two no trump merely because you have hearts stopped and a smattering of high cards.

18

4 DIAMONDS—5 POINTS
6 NO TRUMP—4 POINTS
5 NO TRUMP—3 POINTS

A temporizing bid of four diamonds is suggested. If partner supports that suit, contract for slam in the minor. However it is not bad to go directly to six no trump.

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