"International Day for Failure" by Marti Ronemus

"International Day for Failure" -- the one I've been waiting for all year. There are many sayings that reflect the theme of "the only road to success passes through failure" and it's never more true than in bridge. Edith McMullen, the long-time Intermediate/Novice coordinator for ACBL and designer of Easybridge! says that you don't own a convention until you get it wrong a dozen times and that means we need to be patient with our partners.

Well, we are about to present you with five bidding challenges and a hand. Will you get them right? Or celebrate International Day for Failure with us?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q 8 4
♥
♦ J 8 7 6 5 2
♣ J 9 3 2

Q: 1 - As South, your bid?

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	1♥	pass
?

A: Pass: Of COURSE your Pard bid Hearts. What else? There's no reason to think you can make anything. With luck the opponents will bid again and the misfit will be their problem. Should you consider saving your Pard? Not really. You can only make things worse.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - Same bidding, different hand. What say you?

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	1♥	pass
?

A: 1♠: You're a minimum responder, but you're at the top of your mini. Yes, you have a seven-card Heart fit, but this hand is worth advancing a little. Know, however, that most people play that your bid promises a FIVE-card Spade suit and is forcing for one round. Pard will be able to support you with three.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - Another chance to fail--OR SUCCEED! What should South say?

South	West	North	East
-	1♠	2♥	pass
?

A: 3 No-trumps: Pard overcalled at the two-level, so he's got at least 10 pts. You've got an opener with a double stopper in Their suit, lots of lovely Honorettes. Bid the game you know you have. And if you don't make it? Well, today is the day for failure.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - Tough decisions abound. South again:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
1♠	pass	2♥	pass
?

A: 2♠: Pard's bid was forcing and you have a bare overcall. Don't even THINK of the Clubs. This hand is an exception to not rebidding a five-card suit. You aren't promising anything extra. Look crestfallen as you bid it. (That's a joke, folks.)

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - One last chance: As South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
pass	pass	dbl	pass
?

A: 1♠: You really don't have much choice. With this collection of failures, you'd like to just quietly slip off to the Rest Rooms, but you gotta bid.

You are going to play this hand in just a minute. I wonder what Pard will do... stay tuned!

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

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!