Third Hand Openers "Life Before Air Conditioning" by Marti Ronemus

As our days grow hotter and hotter and we reach for the A/C switch, let's consider what life was like Back in the Day when we had to suffer. Here are three factoids to drop into today's conversations.

1) The summer of 1896 was so hot that New Yorkers slept on rooftops and fire escapes. Over 1500 of them rolled off edges to their deaths.

2) Until 1920, most of America shut down during the high heat, even Broadway. Theaters moved outside, creating everyone's favorite -- Summer Stock.

3) Moms bought "baby cages," boxes to hang their infants outside windows, dangling above the pavement.

If you can't make your conversation sparkle with these, you just aren't trying.

And now, let's cool down your bidding. We're going to look at Third Seat Openers.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	P	p
?

A: 1♠: With 10 HCP and a reasonable suit, especially Spades, it's just fine to open in third seat.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A Q J 8 7
♥ 4 3
♦ 10 5 4 3
♣ 4 3

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	P	p
?

A: 2♠: This is a much less encouraging bid than 1♠. Take a look at the last hand and compare. Something we need to review... A passed hand (like our Pard in North) should almost never advance a preempt. By preempting, we are throwing a huge roadblock in Pard's face. Also, in third seat, it is very common for players to preempt with a VERY nice five card suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 7
♥ A Q 9 4 3
♦ K 5 4
♣ J 10 4 3

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	P	p
?

A: 2♥: The problem here is what to do if Pard would respond 1♠ over a 1♥ opener. Let's cool the bidding down with a preempt.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	P	p
?

A: Pass: If we open and Pard bids Spades, what will we do? A minimum third-seat opener tries hard NOT to have to bid again. We will probably get a chance to make a Negative Double later in the auction.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	P	p
?

A: 1♦: Whatever Pard responds, we'll be happy. This is NOT a hand to preempt with, in that it is balanced and our suit isn't really that good. The key here is that a preempt in third seat is a stop sign, showing a Crummy Dummy. This hand, we can support whatever Pard likes.

And now a very cool 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.
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!