Skyscraper Appreciation Day by Marti Ronemus

For those of you who might be wondering, these holidays are NOT made up! In honor of Skyscraper Appreciation Day, our bidding challenges and our hand will have TALL suits! You might want to take the elevator for these. And if confused, stay away from the windows!

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q J 10 9 8 5 4 2
♥ A 10 9
♦ 2
♣ 4

Q: 1 - What should South open? Does vulnerability make a difference?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 4♠: An opening bid at the 4-level promises not only an 8-card suit, but an outside source of tricks. While this skyscraper's outside source of tricks is somewhat (!) questionable, the two singletons more than make up for it. Your distribution couldn't be any better and you have God's suit. Unfavorable vulnerability might give some pause...probably people who don't win as much as they would like.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - As South, NV, what would you respond with this hand?

South	West	North	East
-	-	3♠	pass
?

A: 4♠: Vulnerability has a great deal to do with your decision. If you play disciplined preempts partner has 5-1/2 tricks and you've only got maybe 3-1/2. Vul, you might not want to go to the penthouse, but NV, why not give it a try? What's the worst that can happen. Your Diamonds are especially nice and should factor into your decision.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ J 8
♥ A K J 5 4 2
♦ 4
♣ Q J 10 5

Q: 3 - As South, what is your bid?

South	West	North	East
1♥	pass	2♣	pass
3♣*	pass	3 no-trumps	pass
?

*With a 6-4 hand, most players bid 6-4-6, especially when you have support for Pard's suit.

A: 4♥: 3 No-trumps is very unappealing with this shape, and you haven't shown your six card suit yet. We definitely want a high-floor contract (the view is so much better!). Our 3♣ bid showed support and an intermediate-ish hand in favor of Clubs. Now we have to place the contract and save Partner from himself.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ Q 9 8 7 5 3
♥ A
♦ 10 9 3 2
♣ J 6

Q: 4 - What should South bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
p*	1♥	double	4♥
?

*There are those who would make a Weak Jump Overcall with this hand, but we feel the Spade suit is horrid. You can't have a bad suit and a bad hand.

A: 4♠: We know Pard has four Spades and a Diamond suit from the double. Our hand has suddenly become very valuable real estate. The singleton ♥A is superb, and the double fit in Diamonds and Spades is (dare we pun) groundbreaking. With the 10-card Spade trumps fit, it would be criminal to let this go. Buy the building!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K 7 6 2
♥ 7 5
♦ A Q J 9 4
♣ K 10

Q: 5 - South's bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
pass*	pass	double**	pass
?

*Remember, a pass in the Overcall seat doesn't say "I don't have anything." It says, "I don't have a bid."
**A re-opening double... obligatory!

A: Pass: When we had to pass the first time, it had us grinding our teeth, but sometimes the best hand at the table has to pass. However, when the opponent has bid your best suit, your role is to look as innocent as possible and stare into space as you bid your pass. You have a partner!! Await further developments. In this case, you can convert Pard's double into a penalty double. Don't try this at home unless you can take four tricks in the trump suit! You need a Sears Tower, and more to boot! We are going to defend this hand in just a moment and you'll see the wisdom of this advice.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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