"Cliche Day" by Marti Ronemus

As writers, we struggle to keep our words fresh. And it ain't always easy. Today, however, we can let it all hang out because it is CLICHE DAY!! Normally, I avoid clichés LIKE THE PLAGUE, but today I'm going to see how many I can cram into this column.

And our bridge tie-in: Clichés are overused, repetitious phrases. Today we're going to repeat the same bidding scenario with different hands. We're going to try to SHOW OUR TRUE COLORS with our bid, as South.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q 8 4
♥
♦ J 8 7 6 5 2
♣ J 9 3 2

Q: 1 - As South, let's BLOW OUR COVER:

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	1♥	Pass
?

A: Pass. There's no reason to think you can make anything. With luck the opponents will bid again and SAVE OUR BACON. The misfit will then be their problem.

Are you concerned about saving your partner? You have no responsibility to do so.

There are those who would use a Weak Jump Shift to 3♦ and that is a point worth discussion.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Capon Springs, WVA Boot Camp

May 3-8 --- Aug 30-Sept 4 --- Oct 25-30

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 $775 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 J 10 6 2
♥ 7 6
♦ K J 8 3
♣ 8 3

Q: 2 - As South? Same bidding.

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	1♥	Pass
?

A: 1♠: Pard is an overcall and could have as few as 7-ish points. He will have to bid again. You need 10-plus points to do that. This is the least hand you can do this with. We want to make sure we have our DUCKS IN A ROW, and this hand is worth advancing a little.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A J 10 7 6
♥ 2
♦ A Q 5 4 3
♣ 8 7

Q: 3 - Here we go again as South. Let's try to avoid FOUL PLAY and get it right.

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	1♥	Pass
?

A: 1♠: We're going to BEAT A DEAD HORSE by bidding the same thing as last hand. This time, though, we've GOT HIGH HOPES to find a fit. We'll bid cheaply and if no fit, we can try our second suit. Too bad we don't have a Club stopper, or we could be looking toward No-trump.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A Q 4
♥ K J 5 2
♦ Q J 5 3 2
♣ 7

Q: 4 - And South says?

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	1♥	Pass
?

A: 2♣: We are going to LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH and make the only bid we can that a) guarantees a fit with Pard, b) promises 10-plus points and c) required Pard to show his point count on the next bid.

This is our old friend, the Cue Bid Limit Raise. LOVE this bid! Pard will bid 2♥ with 7-11ish points, jump a level with 12-14, and go to game with 15-plus. (There's more to the responses than that, but it's a story for another day.)

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K Q J 10 9 6 5
♥ A Q
♦ Q 10 9 8
♣

Q: 5 - What a hand as South... Your bid?

South	West	North	East
-	Pass	Pass	1♥
?

A: 4♠: Any other bid would MAKE US EAT OR WORDS at the postmortem. The lead should be a Heart, coming right into our tenace, and we've got six tricks in Spades. We don't need much from Pard.

And now we get to play the hand and see if we made a good decision or not. Cross your fingers that we don't have TO EAT CROW.

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%	We applaud your effort. Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do. We're here for you!!
41 - 50%	Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong. No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60%	Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80%	What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80%	Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!