Issue 18 - Standard American

Editorial by Paul Bowyer

Welcome to V-Blue, the e-magazine for those fresh to the wonderful game of bridge.

In this eighteenth issue there are – as ever – three excellent series for you. As well as that we have a change of gear in that we are introducing vulnerabilities into the mixture. In all previous editions of V-Blue we haven’t taken account of vulnerability – now it will appear on every deal as you start to play. On the green table there are four “place-mats” labelled “N”, “E”, “S” and “W”. Up to now they have always been green. Now they will be either green or red – if a partnership has red “table-mats” they are vulnerable. The significance of this is that rewards for making vulnerable games are much greater but penalties for failure are much more severe. Going down Doubled and vulnerable can be a chastening experience...

Two series (of six hands each) are on the subject of the contested auction. This is an area of bridge which is shrouded in mystery and includes many of the game’s dark arts. Some of the bidding we advocate here – basically whether you do or don’t come into the auction after an opponent has opened the bidding – may surprise and even shock you. Vulnerability does play a powerful part in the fine decision of whether to dip your toes in the water and whether that water is shark-infested... Our third series, of eight deals, is our “General Series” where we mix up some hands and ideas from previous editions of VuBridge. Some of these deals are easy... and some of them less so.

You can further test yourself with our quiz – this time on the topic of responding to an opening bid of 2NT. This is not difficult but, as usual, you have to be clear minded. There are lots of important ideas in this edition. Enjoy yourselves.

Series #2473 - The Contested Auction - Part I (SA)

This series continues to look at one of the trickiest areas of bidding – the contested auction.

Now, vulnerability plays an important part in this area of the game as the risks for bidding are high and penalties are greater when vulnerable. So far in V-Blue we have ignored vulnerability – from this issue forward we will include it.

When the North, South, East, West indicators on the table are Red you are vulnerable – when they are Green you are not vulnerable. You will note that on Hand 1 both sides are not vulnerable. On Hand 2 North-South are vulnerable, East-West are not. There is a pattern, which is recognized across the world, connecting Hand numbers and vulnerabilities. No, you do not need to remember this pattern...

Series #2473 - The Contested Auction - Part I (SA):

Responding to 2NT opening bid Quiz

In this quiz we are considering the responder's action when partner has opened 2NT. The first rule to note is that the only weak bid is Pass. Anything else will find you in game. If you bid a suit (especially a major) it shows a five-card suit and asks partner for support. With three-card (or better) support the opener raises you - otherwise he will retreat to 3NT.

Click here to run the Quiz.

Series #2474 - The Contested Auction - Part II (SA)

This series continues to look at one of the trickiest areas of bidding – the contested auction.

Now, vulnerability plays an important part in this area of the game as the risks for bidding are high and penalties are greater when vulnerable. So far in V-Blue we have ignored vulnerability – from this issue forward we will include it.

When the North, South, East, West indicators on the table are Red you are vulnerable – when they are Green you are not vulnerable. You will note that on Hand 1 both sides are not vulnerable. On Hand 2 North-South are vulnerable, East-West are not. There is a pattern, which is recognized across the world, connecting Hand numbers and vulnerabilities. No, you do not need to remember this pattern...

Series #2474 - The Contested Auction - Part II (SA):

Series #2818 - General Hands (SA):