Monday Mental Aerobics by Marti Ronemus

Good Morning! Don't you just love Mondays? The whole week lies ahead, filled with surprises and mysteries. Just like this quiz. After you answer the five questions, you'll get to play one of the hands. And then you'll be ready to face the week, sharp as a new knife.
CAVEAT: There's nothing in bridge that three people agree on, so these are designed to provide a point of discussion for you and your long-suffering partners. Feel free to disagree--with them and with us!

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Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A K 10 3 2
♥ Q J 10 8 3
♦ A 4
♣ 2

Q: 1 - As South, what would you bid?

South	West	North	East
1♠	pass	1 No-trump	pass
2♥	pass	2♠	pass
?

A: 3♥: East's 2♠ rebid was a "false preference". He's got two Spades. If he had three, with a minimum hand he'd have supported to begin with. Your 2♥ bid asked him to take a preference. If he's holding two Spades and three Hearts, he' rather put you in a 5-2 fit than the dreaded 4-3. The rebid of a secondary suit promises five, and your 3♥ bid shows a 5-5 hand with more than a minimum. Perfect, no? Pard's job now is to put the contract in game with an eight card fit in either major, or drop it in the best suit at the three level. You get to pass the buck to him.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Capon Springs, WVA Boot Camp

Aug. 24-29

Go to www.caponsprings.net and see why this resort has been a destination for over 100 years.

Run by the same family for the last 85 years, it is on top of a mountain in West Virginia and simply indescribable. Their website will show you all about it.

When we aren't playing and learning bridge, there is live music on the porch, hundreds of acres of heaven to wander through. See what life was like in the 1800s (with all the modern conveniences of course). There is also a day spa and golf course.

Cost $750 pp includes 5 nights, all meals, all bridge, all activities (except spa and golf), tips, taxes and gratuities. Contact Capon Springs directly for reservations: 304-874-3695

Question 2

Your Hand
♠
♥ A 5 4 2
♦ 9 6 5 4 3
♣ A 10 3 2

Q: 2 - As South, what would you bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	pass
1 No-trump	pass	2♥	pass
?

A: 4♥: This was a pathetic hand, hard to bid 1 No-trumps with the void, but when Pard rebid 2♥, the hand went from ridiculous to sublime. With two aces and a void, you've got to bid game. Sure Pard could be a little bit light, but bid your game when it's a close decision. There's no way to fathom the exact layout, and a well-placed queen (or a helpful lead from Them) can make your day.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 7 6 5 4
♥ A K J 9 8
♦ A Q 4
♣ 3

Q: 3 - As South, what would you bid?

South	West	North	East
1♥	1♠	2♥	2♠
?

A: 3♦: Your Pard at most has one Spade. How do you know? From the bidding so far! Yes, he only has 6-9 pts., BUT! What if they are in Diamonds? Then you can easily make game with him ruffing your Spade losers. Even the ♦J would be helpful. By bidding 3♦, you are telling him you want him to go to game if he's got honors in that suit. Otherwise, he will just rebid the Hearts at the three level. How will he know you're not cue bidding controls for slam? You aren't pushing his next bid to the game level or above.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K Q J
♥ K J 8 6
♦ Q J 9
♣ K 9 2

Q: 4 - As South, what would you bid?

South	West	North	East
1 No-trump	2♠	3♥ *	4♦
?

* Not a transfer. You're playing "systems off" today.

A: Pass: Yes, you have a nice Heart fit with Pard, but you have zero ruffing value with this hand, and you can bet They are seriously distributional. Your cards are perfect to defend. Those People can only lose three tricks! They are going down big time. Pard will place the Penalty Double, and watch those points add up. Be careful not to gloat; it's very unattractive.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ Q 10 3
♥ K 2
♦ A K Q 2
♣ Q 7 6 3

Q: 5 - As South, what would you bid?

South	West	North	East
1 No-trump	pass	2♣	pass
2♦	pass	2 No-trumps	pass
?

A: Pass: Tough one. North's got 8-9 pts and is inviting us to dance. We have 16 pts, but no real shape. Plus, we aren't crazy about the Heart doubleton.
Is our decision a good one? Play the hand and see.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

Rate yourself:

0 - 40%	Maybe this quiz is on a lesson you didn't take yet!
41 - 50%	If you have covered this in a lesson discuss the questions with your teacher.
51 - 60%	Not bad, but you should re-read the lesson to build a stronger foundation.
61 - 75%	Well done: You have a good base, although not yet perfect. Perhaps review the difficult questions with your teacher or fellow sudents.
Over 75%	You are a 1st class player! You really learn well. Kudos to you and your teacher!