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 "Immigration Woes" by Marti Ronemus

Have you heard about the illegal immigration of ... millions of squirrels? Yes, it's true! This was first noticed back in 1968 when thousands and thousands of squirrels abandoned their homes in Northeastern woods and headed for nuttier pastures. This is periodically repeated when there's a bumper crop of nuts one year, and a short-fall the next. It's a terrible situation... roadkill, drownings, and an explosion of squirrel population in areas not prepared to accommodate them. If you want to know more, this was thoroughly studied by the Smithsonian's "Center for Short-Lived Phenomena." (I would never lie to you. This is all true.)

Our theme for today's quiz will be upgrading and downgrading hands for bids. And as we go through it, please think about putting out some squirrel feeders. Lord knows the bridge world has plenty of extra nuts.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 A K J 9 2
 7 4
 K 8 3
 Q 10 8
 
Q: 1 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
1Pass2Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: We know from Pard's initial pass that he has five Hearts and exactly 10-11 pts. If he had six Hearts he would have bid at his first turn. With our minimum opener and scattered minor honors, we have to downgrade our hand and just Pass. Yes, Pard's in a seven card fit, but he'll survive.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
 A 9 8 7
 4
 K Q 9 4
 K Q 7 4
 
Q: 2 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
1Pass1Pass
1Pass2Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: Sadly, we must make a downgrade and Pass. Why not 2 No-trump? Write this down: In a non-competitive auction, two minimum hands should rarely be above 2. We have stoppers but 2 No-trump would promise 16-18 pts. We don't have it. Pass and wait for the next dropping acorn.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 J 8
 5 4 3 2
 A Q 10 9 4
 3 2
 
Q: 3 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1Pass
1 No-trumpPass3Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: 4: On our first bid, as we couldn't afford anything but a 1 No-trump response. Pard's second bid however makes us re-evaluate. While we indeed only have 7 HCP, we have that fantastic Diamond suit. This is worth an upgrade.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 A J 4 3
 K Q 9
 K Q J 10
 8 3
 
Q: 4 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--2Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: 4: Deciding whether your hand is worth advancing Pard's opening preempt takes some thought. Bridge is a game of TRICKS, not points. When Pard preempts, he's got 5-1/2 tricks (if it's a disciplined Weak Two). We don't count our points (although we've got lots), we count our tricks. We hold the ninth trump (1 trick), a quick Spade trick, and three-ish Diamond tricks. That adds up to game.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 8 3
 K 9 8 4
 A K J 10 8 4
 8
 
Q: 5 - South?
SouthWestNorthEast
--2Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: 4: Previous hand, our decision as to our upgrade status was easy... we had a squirrel feeder full of points. This decision is a little more subtle. We've got a ten-card trump fit and several Diamond tricks. Also with the short black suits, there won't be any trouble ruffing our way into dummy to use the Diamonds.

And now, let's try a hand.

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

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