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 Bidding Potpourri "Regional Accents" by Marti Ronemus

Our speech often gives away where we come from and/or live. But there are many other markers. Here's one I bet you didn't know. When you order egg rolls, the Duck Sauce that comes with it gives away where you are (just in case you were lost and wondering...)

On the East Coast, we get Duck Sauce that is orange, comes in packets and is made from a fruity apricot mixture. In New England, it is brown and chunky, and served in bowls on the table rather than packets. Contents? We're not sure. If we're on the West Coast, they won't know what the heck we're talking about. There's no such thing as Duck Sauce.

One final factoid... why is it called "duck sauce?" No ducks were killed, we're glad to hear. It comes from a soybean-based sauce served with Peking Duck.

Are there regional accents in bridge? You betcha. As we meet people from all over at our Boot Camps, and are often startled by the "creative" ways in which bids are used. "Everyone does it" is often the only reason given. And so be it. Let's look at some bids... from a more standard point of view.

Question 1

  Your Hand
♠ 5 4
♥ 9 8
♦ K 5 4
♣ K Q 9 8 4 3 		 
Q: 1 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 3 No-trump: Boy, we can argue about this one from one end of the country to the other. There are those who would want to play this in the Clubs. Some would use some form of a transfer, others would bid 3♣, which says (for some) "I've got a nice suit. With a fit, bid 3 No-trump."

We're going to keep it simple though. We think our ♦K offers an outside entry and would rather go for the big bucks.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
♠ 5
♥ 9 8 6
♦ 9 5 4
♣ K Q 9 8 4 3 		 
Q: 2 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2♠: Again, we can talk for hours. If you've learned to transfer to minors, this would be the time. For the rest of you, a jump to 3♣ is a drop-dead bid, "Let me play this in Clubs and leave me alone."

There are only two reasons to switch to a minor when your Pard opens No-trump: You want Pard to drop dead and play a minor part-score or a minor suit slam. This hand is one you'd rather be in the minor or you'll be a Crummy Dummy.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
♠ 6 5 4 3
♥ 9
♦ A Q 10 8
♣ K J 5 4 		 
Q: 3 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2♣: This is the perfect time to use Stayman. I know your four-card major is ratty, but the singleton makes it important to at least try. If Pard responds 2♦ denying, you can cheerfully put it in 3 No-trump.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
♠ 4 3 2
♥ 9 8 5 4
♦ 9 5 4
♣ 9 4 2 		 
Q: 4 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: Yes, you've got a four-card major, but you have no shortness, thusly no ruffing values. We don't care where you live, pass and pray the opponents get into the act.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
♠ Q J 9
♥ K J 10 4
♦ A K
♣ K J 9 4 		 
Q: 5 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 6 No-trump: Do The Math. Between you and Pard, there are between 33 and 35 points. That's slam. Should you check for a major fit first? You have no real ruffing value, although you do have a Diamond doubleton. There's no reason to give the opponents information. Ditto for using Gerber. You know you've got the points. Just bid what you know you have.

And now, we'll move on to our 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.
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