"Reality Check" by Marti Ronemus

In the "guilty pleasure" category is a daytime TV show, "The Price is Right." You know you've seen it, even if by accident while searching for the remote. Perhaps you've even visualized yourself on the stage, winning for example that great NEW CAR!! (Announcer voice)

Well, here's a reality check for you. Aurora De Lucia won a BRAND NEW CHEVY CRUZ LS!! Here's what happened next. First she had to sign an agreement that if she revealed the show results before it aired, she would forfeit all her prizes.

Then before she could collect her car she had to pay $2067 sales tax, federal tax of $9000, California tax of 8%. She decided to sell the car and had to pay tax on the RETAIL price, not the resale price. All in all, she netted $6000.

Would she do it again? Heck yes!!

And now a reality check on our bidding.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 1♥: This is a tough one. If we were to bid our Diamonds, our longer suit, first, we would have to reverse into Hearts, and the hand just isn't quite big enough to do it. If we are going to lie, we'll lie about our minor. We'll get to bid them once or twice.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 1♦: This time we can bid "properly" and name our longer suit first. We don't have to worry about reversing with this hand. We've got plenty of money to go for the right price.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A Q 8 5
♥ 10 9 8 7 6
♦ 8 3
♣ 5 4

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	1♦
?

A: Double: The Heart suit is too wretched to bid, so we choose a Negative Double, promising 4-4 in the majors. Much better, don't you think?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 8 5
♥ K Q 8 4
♦ 8 3
♣ 5 4

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	1♦
?

A: 1♠: Don't be tempted to Negative Double with a five-card Spade suit!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Dbl
?

A: 2♥: We think this is the right price. A little rule of thumb, when the bid to your right is strong (like that takeout double!), a jump by the direct seat is preemptive. We're promising a big suit in a bad hand and that's just what we've got.

And now, we've won the small prizes. Ready for that BRAND NEW CAR!?

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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