"Jack the Giant Killer" or, Responding with BIG Hands by Marti Ronemus

So there you are, looking at your hand, counting the points twice and wondering what to open. BUT! It's your Pard's turn, and HE opens the bidding!

The first thing you know is that you belong in game, but you don't need to rush. With a big hand, you want to be sure you don't miss a slam. Don't be in a hurry to go to game. Instead, explore a little.

You can force the bidding by naming a new suit. You've got other options too, but remember: Any REBID of an OLD suit can be passed.

Let's go!!

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - Pard opens and it's your turn as South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	pass
?

A: 1♠: I know, I know. BUT! You aren't saying "good" Spades. You're saying "four Spades." With your Diamond doubleton and stoppers elsewhere, you may well end up in No-trumps, but let's first eliminate the chance of an eight-card major fit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - Pard opens and it's your turn as South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	pass
?

A: 2 No-trumps: Before you count this as a right or wrong answer, we need to talk. There are a lot of options about what a jump to 2 No-trumps by responder means. Some play it as 10-12. Some 13-15. Some (are you ready?) 10-12 over a minor and 13-15 over a major. I know this hand looks exactly like the last one, but there's a difference: No doubleton. Flat flat flat. How does declarer get rid of losers? TRUMP in dummy, or DUMP in dummy. This hand offers no opportunity for either, so we may as well be in No-trump.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - Pard opens and it's your turn as South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	pass
?

A: 2♣: Yes, yes, yes. I know. You have a game in Spades. Why not bid them? Simple. Yes, you have GAME in Spades. But is it possible you have slam? Let's make a forcing bid, as cheap as possible and see what happens next. What if Pard were to rebid 3♠, showing 16-18 pts and a six-card Spade suit? Wouldn't you be sad you closed it out at game? Remember, the better your hand, the slower you should tippy-toe up the bidding ladder, until you know where you absolutely belong.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - Again, as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	pass
?

A: 4 No-trumps. Look, you can Do the Math, can't you? Pard has a minimum of 12 pts and you've got 20 (almost had to take your shoes off for counting, didn't you!). That spells slam. And you've even got the trump suit all picked out. You have first- or second-round control of every suit, so you have the right to ask for aces. Just do it. If you don't like the answer, you can park it in 5♠.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - What about this one? South...

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	pass
?

A: 1♠: Slowly, slowly. You know you are going to be in game AT LEAST and it will be in Hearts. Let's give Pard time to finish describing his hand.

And you are going to get to play this hand. You however, will be moving to the other side of the table. Are you ready to finish the bidding and play?

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

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