"Cephalopod Awareness Day" by Marti Ronemus

I know, I know. I had to look it up also. Cephalopods are a group of animals that includes octopus. They are 500 million years old (dinos were only 250 million) and are the undisputed geniuses of the invertebrate family. Most, with eight arms and an arsenal of weapons including ink, venom, camouflage and a fierce attitude, are dangerous opponents.

So as we struggle through our bidding questions let's keep that weird genius creature as our model.

Ready?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 9
♥ A 2
♦ A K Q J 8 7 6
♣ Q J 9

Q: 1 - As South, what do you say over a preempt?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
?

A: 3♠: We would have opened 2♣ (so would you, right?) but East's preempt clouded the issue with ink. We need almost nothing from Pard to make 3 No-trumps. So how about a cuebid? Folks, cuebids are almost as useful as eight arms. A cuebid of the opponent's suit over a preempt says, "Pard, if you have a stopper in Their suit, bid 3 No-trumps. If not, bid your lowest suit."

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - Now we switch sides of the table (briefly). As NORTH, what is your bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
3♠	pass	?

A: 3 No-trumps: We had no plans to bid and in fact were napping until we see Pard cuebid the opponent's preempt. As we just saw, the cuebid of a preempt asks us to bid 3 No-trumps with a stopper in their suit. Well, we've got a stopper, so we gotta bid the game. (Without a stopper, we would have bid Clubs.) Sadly, we're the one who has to play this thing, but if you glance back at question #1, you'll see that with a dash of cephalopod genius, it might actually make!!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - This time, your Pard preempts, and you need to make a decision as South.

South	West	North	East
-	-	2♠	pass
?

A: 4♠: The key to knowing what to do over a preempt lies in counting tricks, not points. There wouldn't be a single eyebrow raised if we jumped to game with a third Spade, but this requires a little more thought. We do have an honor and an honorette in Spades. We have two finesses available and either one gives us the contract. (Incidentally, we have a 75% chance of one working.) We can figure five Spade trick, one Heart, three or four Diamonds plus the chance of the Club. Close enough.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A 10 8 2
♥ J 5
♦ J 9 6
♣ Q 10 9 4

Q: 4 - A huge decision that can go any way. You need all your cephalopod genius for this one. As South?

South	West	North	East
-	2♥	2 no-trumps	pass
?

A: 3♣: A 2 No-trumps bid over a weak two is the same as a naturaly 1 No-trump opener, with the addition of 1-1/2 stoppers in Their suit. We could pass, but our shortness in Hearts makes it worth a try. The problem tho' is that Pard will be stuck in at least 3 No-trumps and it might go down. (Did we mention cephalopods are great at hiding from danger?) One advantage is that East is pretty much marked with all the missing cards, which will make planning a little easier and more effective.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - This time we are NORTH. What should you bid in this competitive auction?

South	West	North	East
1♥	double	?

A: 3♥: First we need to accurately value this hand. With Pard opening and West doubling, we have to downgrade our ♦Q. We've got a minimum responder, so we are going to raise our Pard's suit using The Law. We've got a nine-card trump fit, so we're bidding 3♥. Keep in mind that support of Pard's suit in a competitive auction is the weakest response we can give.

We are going to play this hand, so let's see what Pard does next. How nice that HE'S the one who has to play it!

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.
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