Show your Point Count" - Keep Things in Proportion" by Marti Ronemus

In 1987, the world of astrophysics was turned topsy-turvy when the light from Supernova SN1987a reached Earth from a mere 168,000 light years away. I can't begin to understand the implications from the new knowledge that was gained from that event (nor do I wish to) BUT!! What I do know is that it certainly does put things in proportion, doesn't it? What does that hand of bridge matter in the grand scheme of things.

AND!! Let's carry the idea of "proportion" into our quiz today. The first person to show the "proportions" of their hand (aka "point count") shifts the responsibility of placing the contract firmly into the hand of Pard. This is why we love those limiting bids.

Our quiz will be a little different today. You will see a bidding sequence, and be asked to identify the FIRST bid in the sequence that LIMITS the hand. So let's get started putting things in proportion. YOU WILL NOT BE LOOKING AT HANDS, ONLY LOOKING AT THE BIDS.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠
♥
♦
♣

Q: 1 - Which bid is the first bid to limit point count?

South	West	North	East
2♣	P	2♦	P
2 No-trump	p	3 No-trump

A: 2 No-trump: This bid shows 22-23/24 pts. It is a hand too big to open 2 No-trump, which is why we begin with 2♣. North added his points to South's LIMIT BID and knows they begin in game.

We can say with some finality that (almost) all bids of No-trump show point count in some range.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠
♥
♦
♣

Q: 2 - Which bid is the first bid to limit point count?

South	West	North	East
1♥	P	1♠	P
2♥	p	4♥	p
p	p

A: 2♥: Opener has shown a minimum opener of 12-14/15 pts with a six-card Heart suit. North then places the contract.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠
♥
♦
♣

Q: 3 - Which bid is the first bid to limit point count?

South	West	North	East
1♦	P	1♥	P
1♠	p	2 No-trump	p
p	p

A: 2 No-trump: North's (responder's) rebid of 2 No-trump shows 10-12 points. South as opener must be at the bottom of his point range (12-14) and after doing the math decides 2 No-trump is their best bet.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠
♥
♦
♣

Q: 4 - Which bid is the first bid to limit point count?

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Double
2♠	p	4♠	p
p	p

A: 2♠: North's double is unlimited. When South jumps a level, it shows 8-ish to 11-ish pts. Notice that WITHOUT the takeout double, the jump would be preemptive. Remember that when you are responding to Pard's takeout double, you not only have to pick a suit but show your point count. That makes it the doubler's problem to place the contract.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠
♥
♦
♣

Q: 5 - Which bid is the first bid to limit point count?

South	West	North	East
1♥	p	1♠	P
2♣	p	2♥	p
p	p

A: 2♣: Opener's 2♣ bid might be debatable, but for most, it would show a minimum opening hand, up to a bad 15 pts. North's bid of 2♥ shows a minimum hand also, and delayed Heart support... he probably only has two of them.

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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