Issue 9 - Standard American

Editorial by Paul Bowyer

Welcome to the ninth edition of V-Blue, the interactive, internet magazine for those learning the wonderful game of bridge.

In this issue there are (as ever) three excellent series for you to get your teeth into.

Two series (of six hands each) are on the 1NT response to opening bids. We have already touched on this topic in previous editions of V-Blue and shown you certain hands where you might respond 1NT to an opening one-bid. Now we take a closer look at this topic with twelve deals, some of which may cause you to raise an eyebrow. Maybe even two eyebrows... Of course, bridge hands don’t stop when the auction closes. The play part has some added spice, just so your palettes are not too jaded. Some of the hands may be easy enough and some just a little tastier.

When you have absorbed the lessons here you may care to try out our “General Series” of eight assorted deals. These are designed for you to see what you have gained from previous editions of VuBridge. You can’t improve at this game without lots of practice and these deals give you plenty of opportunity for that.

Finally, (or perhaps earlier, given the topic) you might like to try out the quiz. This quiz reinforces our work on the 1NT response to an opening bid. Maybe you’d like to play the hands first and then try the quiz, perhaps you’d like to do it the other way around. The choice is yours.

Series #2246 - Suit openings and 1NT response - Part I (SA)

In this series (and its cousin, also to be found in this edition of V-Blue) we are looking at the 1NT response to opening bids. This bid, frequently made, is a jack-of-all-trades bid, made on many poor responding hands when nothing else presents itself.

We have already seen some examples of a 1NT response to an opening bid in earlier editions of V-Blue but these two series now look at this area in more depth.

Series #2246 - Suit openings and 1NT response - Part I (SA):

Vu-Bridge Quiz: The Response of 1NT to an Opening Bid

One of the most common responses to an opening bid is the "courtesy" response of 1NT. This bid is, if you like, an early warning to the opener, saying that the responder has enough to respond but is limited. In fact he has 6-9 points.

In theory, the response also promises a balanced hand but this "rule" often buckles under the strain, as we shall see.

Note that it is usually better to respond with a cheaper four-card suit if responder holds one so a 1NT response denies a four-card suit ranking between opener's suit and 1NT. Click here to run the Quiz

Series #2247 - Suit openings and 1NT response - Part II (SA version)

This series of six deals continues the theme of the 1NT response. However, we are also introducing the very powerful idea of giving preference into some of these deals. When you are bidding two suits you are asking partner to choose which one he likes best (or dislikes the least). This raises the issue, sometimes, of which suit you should bid first (such as Hand 3).

We want to make it clear that a preference bid is a clear sign of weakness. Short of hoising the white flag there are few other ways of partner yelling at you "Stop the world, I want to get off".

You have been warned...

Series #2247 - Suit openings and 1NT response - Part II (SA):

Here are eight general practice hands on the themes that we have been looking at in VuBridge. They are in no particular order, just enjoy them as they come...

Series #2799 General Hands: