"The Green Room" by Marti Ronemus

"Wait in the Green Room," my friend said jokingly, "while I finish getting ready." How did that term come about?

The first confirmed use was in the "Diary of Samuel Pepys" where he mentioned going to see the king to ask for money for the Navy, and being "called to the Green Room" to address him.

The first reference having to do with the stage was in 1678. The backstage waiting area was often decorated with a very cheap fabric, baize, which only came in red and green. Thusly, sometimes the Green Room was red.

Now of course, we all know it as the room where the Talent waits to go onto a show. And that would be US! We've been waiting in the Green Room long enough. Let's go bid.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: Pass: This is one for discussion with Pard, so give yourself points if you answered 1♣, in that a case can be made for each (by someone, somewhere). We are in favor of opening all 12 pt hands, EXCEPT flat and aceless. How about you?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ K J 8
♥ A Q 5 4 3
♦ A 3 2
♣ J 9

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♠	Pass	2♣
?

A: Pass: Again. Our hand is chock-full of losers and has what Eddie Kantar calls "the death distribution," 5-3-3-2. Not only that, but think for a moment: How many points is Pard marked with. That's right. 2. We'll save our dramatic entrance for another act.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♠	Pass	2♣
?

A: 2♥: This is that second-act entrance we were talking about in question 2. While the opponents are most likely in a game-going auction, Pard is marked with 7-9 pts. We don't expect to win the contract, but we are giving Pard a lead at least. And if we do win it? Well, we aren't a star for nothing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 4
♥ A 8
♦ 4 3 2
♣ K Q 10 9 7 6 5

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	Pass	1♣
?

A: 3♣: Certainly not Michaels as we skipped a level. A double would be for takeout, not penalty. Bid what we think we can make and let the opponents struggle with what to do. Pard is a passed hand and will know better than to bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A J 9 8 7
♥ A K 9 8 7 6
♦ 2
♣ 2

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
?

A: 1♥: We'll bid Spades on our next bid, playing our role to the hilt. Pard will get it when we rebid the Spades. What a lovely hand to hold opposite an opener. We see an Oscar nomination.

And now to Act II, 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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