Holiday Hands -- Ho Ho Ho by Marti Ronemus

No matter how you celebrate your Winter hiatus holiday, we at Vu-Bridge wish you happiness and joy. The older I get, the more I realize that the joy of the holiday is not contained in boxes and gift bags, but in the faces of the people I love. (Does this mean I don't want the boxes and bags? Not hardly!)

Interestingly enough, I can spot bridge beginners by their attitude toward the holidays. True addicted bridge players do all their shopping on line at 3:00 a.m., manage to get invited out for all holiday meals (thusly avoiding wasting time shopping, cooking and cleaning) and get rid of all visitors after three hours, not three days. That way they never miss a game.

Less experienced players disappear over the holidays and when we bump into them on those rare occasions we're in the mall, they hide. It's okay, gang. We know you'll be back soon.

AND!! Good news! I heard that calories consumed over the holidays do not count toward your totals.

So, quick... before Great Aunt Agatha gets there, here's a bidding challenge and a holiday hand.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1 No-trump	Pass
?

A: 3 No-trump: Boy, we can argue about this one while the rest of the family watches football. 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

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 5
♥ 9 8 6
♦ 9 5 4
♣ K Q 9 8 4 3

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1 No-trump	Pass
?

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:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1 No-trump	Pass
?

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:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1 No-trump	Pass
?

A: Pass: Yes, you've got a four-card major, but you have no shortness, thusly no ruffing values. 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:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1 No-trump	Pass
?

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, how about a Ho Ho Ho Slam?

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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