"We Missed It!" by Marti Ronemus

We missed Friday the 13th this month, but I'm sharing these tidbits anyway. They're too irresistible to save.

If you're concerned about Friday the 13th events, you are part of a large group (17 million and counting!). There's so much to fear! Here are the origins of some superstitions for your Conversation Droppers.

Friday the 13th itself is one of the newer superstitions, arising during the mid 1800s. It is the confluence of two older superstitions, the Christian view of Friday as an unlucky day and the long tradition of 13 as an unlucky number. Combine the two and Whammo! A good reason to stay home.

Then we've got not walking under ladders. This advice is certainly practical, but originates from the fear of the gallows in early Britain.

How about knocking on wood? That comes from early Celtic beliefs of acknowledging the spirits that lived in trees. (In our neighborhood, we call them "squirrels.")

Enough! Let's see if we get lucky with today's quiz.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q 6 5
♥ Q 10 9 2
♦ 4 3 2
♣ 5 4 3

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	2♣*	p
?

*Michaels Cuebid showing 6-10 OR 15-17 HCP and 5-5 in the majors when cuebidding a minor.

A: 2♥: We are NOT happy campers and seriously regret leaving our rabbit's foot at home. The one thing we cannot do is pass. The natural bid is to give the cheapest raise of Hearts. We don't know if Pard has the cheap Michaels or Big Michaels. Ugh.

Some partnerships would bid 3♥, showing a big trump fit and a bad hand... raising to the Law of Total Tricks. Talk this over with Pard.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	2♦*	p
?

*Michaels, promising 5-5 in the majors, and between 6-10 pts OR 15-17 pts.

A: 3♠: Again, we aren't delighted. No-trump might seem obvious, but might be the unluckiest bid of all. Remember, Pard has at least 10 cards in two suits, and may not have entries in the minors to get to his majors (where sadly WE are short!).

We are tempted to bid just 2♠ because of the possible misfit, but our hand is just too darn good for that. We've got two honors.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 6 5
♥ 8 7 6 5
♦ A Q 7 6 5
♣ 3 2

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	2♥*	p
?

*MIchaels, promising 5-5 in the other major and an unnamed minor, 6-10 pts OR 15-17 pts.

A: 2♠: Honestly! We are having just the worst luck today, aren't we? Pard's minor is bound to be Clubs, so let's just bail out as cheaply as possible, putting him in a seven-card Spade fit. Remember, No-trump is dangerous... PLUS over a major Cuebid, it asks Pard to name his minor.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 6
♥ K 8 5 4
♦ A K J 9
♣ Q J 10 8

Q: 4 - Bidding:

South	West	North	East
-	1♠	2♠*	p
?

*Michaels, promising 5-5 in the other major and an unnamed minor, 6-10 pts, or 15-17 pts.

A: 4♥: Pard will know we are willing to go to game opposite him even if he only has 6 pts. If more is possible, he'll take care of it.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	2♥*	p
?

*Michaels, with Pard holding 5 of the other major and an unnamed minor, 6-10 pts or 15-17 pts.

A: 2 No-trump: Over a major suit Cuebid, 2 No-trump asks which minor Pard prefers. Either is better than Spades. Let him pick the spot.

We survived the quiz. Let's go for a 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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