"Tomorrow is Divorce Monday" by Marti Ronemus

Who knew that on the first day of the year, more divorces are filed than any other day of the year. What do you think causes that? Too much "togetherness" over the holidays? Too much family time?

Did you know that more people quit bridge because it's the only way they can think of to get rid of a partner? True! Partner divorces can be almost as messy as the "real" thing. And then we all know the partners who SHOULD get a divorce! My goodness.

While playing good bridge is not a guarantee of keeping partners, it sure does make it easier to find a new one after your dumped. So, to work!

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A K J 9 3
♥ 7 4 3
♦ 7
♣ A K J 4

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
?

A: 3♥: This is something to talk to Pard about. Pard has limited his hand to 6-9 points. With our 16 High Card Points, we might or might not have game. What we really want to know is if Pard has any help for us in Hearts. When we name a new suit after suit agreement and Pard's answer will be below game, the new suit asks for help. Pard will return to "our" suit if he has no help.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - North-- We are now the partner from the last hand:

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
3♥	Pass	?

A: 4♠: Pard asked us to bid game if we could help in the new suit. We can. We have a minimum hand and, had Pard bid 3♠, we would have passed. Pard's new suit after our agreement on Spades said, "If you can help in Hearts, we can make game." We do have help, so we bid game.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q 4 2
♥ 8 3 2
♦ K Q 4 3
♣ J 6 5

Q: 3 - North-- We are now the partner from the last hand:

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
3♥	Pass	?

A: 3♠: Same question from Pard: "Can you help in Hearts? If so, bid game." This time our answer is no, no help. We return to "our" suit at the cheapest possible level.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	2♥	Pass
?

A: 4♥: We have a great chance for game opposite any minimum hand from Pard. What makes this hand special is that all the honors are concentrated in the long suits. To use Help Suit Game Try, it's best to have a suit with three losers in it. We'll be fine.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A
♥ 10 9 8 5 4
♦ A Q J 8 5
♣ A 8

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	2♥	Pass
?

A: 3♥: We've got a lovely hand, but a pathetic trump suit. By inviting rather than going to game, we'll make our problem our Pard's. If he's at the top of his range, he'll put us in game.

Some folks play the 3♥ to ask Pard to go to game with actual trump support, a Game Suit Help Try in the trump suit. Talk it over with Pard.

If your Pard hasn't gotten up and left, let's play a hand. No divorces yet!

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

Rate yourself:

0 - 40%	We applaud your effort. Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do. We're here for you!!
41 - 50%	Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong. No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60%	Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80%	What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80%	Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!