Opener Runs the Show by Marti Ronemus

Question: When can the bidding end? And the answer is NOT when three players have passed. It's not that easy. The bidding may not end until one person has limited their point count. Then the other partner can do the math and place the contract.

The simplest example is when your partner opens 1 No-trump. You know Pard's got 15 to 17 points exactly and you know fairly well whether you belong in game with your 10 points, or should pass with your 6.

We're going to be opener in each of the upcoming hands, and ultimately we'll be placing the contract. The key to success is to Do The Math. Whomever knows how many points their partner has is in position to place the contract. Get your fingers and toes ready for the count.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
?

A: Pass: Pard limited his hand by rebidding an old suit. His bid shows exactly 6-9 pts. When we Do The Math, that added to our 12 HCP doesn't spell game.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South again:

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	1 NT	Pass
?

A: 2♠: Pard has told us clearly he has 6-9 pts. Our big question, with our minimum opener, is where do we want to play this. We could leave it in No-trump, but with that Club singleton? We don't think so! We are going to rebid our Spades at the cheapest level. Will Pard bid again? Only if he likes walking home. You've got the car keys.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - South, bid decision:

South	West	North	East
-	-	Pass	Pass
1♥	Pass	2 NT	Pass
?

A: 3 No-trump: First, we need to know exactly what Pard in North has. The fact that he initially passed guarantees that his jump to 2 No-trump is 10-12 pts. He also has no more than two Hearts, and does not have four Spades. (If he had four Spades, he would have bid them over your Heart opener, right?) We have stoppers in the unbid suits, so we Do The Math, see we have enough for game, and place the contract.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - What do you think?

South	West	North	East
1♦	Pass	1 NT	Pass
?

A: Pass: We are placing the contract by passing. When we Do The Math, we know we don't have game. We also know our Pard doesn't have a four-card major. We've got stoppers. We better just get out of Dodge by passing. Good call.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A K 9
♥ 10 9 8 7 2
♦ A K 5
♣ 7 4

Q: 5 - One last chance for South:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	3♥	Pass
?

A: 4♥: We aren't delighted with the quality of our Heart suit, but we've got 15 pts (including distribution) and Pard's 3♥ bid promised 10-12 pts and strongly suggests four-card support. Live a little!

Are we over-reaching? We get to play the hand now, and we'll find out. Remember, "Better to have loved and lost..."

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!