"Termite Awareness Week" by Marti Ronemus

Unlike some past observances (like Chocolate Day, for example) this is not a happy day, folks! There's nothing like a glimpse of a termite to strike terror into the heart of a homeowner. Are they everywhere? How much inroad have they made into your foundation? What will it cost to get rid of them? But, it is our obligation to look life square in the face, and reminding you to be aware of termites is part of our obligation to you.

And to continue fulfilling our obligations to you, Dear Readers, we've got bidding challenges to ensure your bridge foundation is as solid as your home foundation. All followed by a hand. You're welcome.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South, what should you respond?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	1♠
?

A: 2♥: We can debate this one a little. Some might feel the hand deserves either a 2♦ or 3♥ bids, showing 10 plus pts. We want to downgrade this hand, however. "10" pts is a crease number, to be upgraded to intermediate or downgraded to minimum, depending on the bidding and the texture. We don't like the ♣Q, and don't see much about our shape to cheer about. Let's just wait and see.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 4
♥ Q J 3
♦ 4 3
♣ K Q 10 9 6 5 4

Q: 2 - Still South.

South	West	North	East
3♣	-	3♦
?

A: 3♥: A new suit below game level by Pard over your preempt is forcing, asking for help in the bid suit. We don't have it. We could just rebid the Clubs, but why not tell Pard about our Heart stopper? It could be all he needs to bid 3NT. Also, our bid is BELOW 3 No-trump, which is useful.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A K 8 7 4
♥ 2
♦ K J 10 2
♣ J 9 8

Q: 3 - We're still South.

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	3♠	Pass
?

A: 4♠: Pard has at most 12 pts, but we're going to strongly encourage you to bid game. Anytime Pard gives you a limit raise (which usually promises four pieces) and you've got a singleton or void, bid game. You've got a trick-taker of a hand with that distribution. It would be sad to just pass, because you're going to make game.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - What should you do? South

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	1 No-trump	Pass
?

A: 4♠: How many times have we said it? Bridge is not a game of points, it's a game of tricks. We simply must be in game. We've got six Spade tricks and two more. We can take eight tricks all by our lonesome. We need almost nothing from Pard.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - One last chance to escape the termite swarm. South?

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

A: Pass: Now, listen. Shortness in your Pard's first-bid suit is a liability. It spells transportation problems. We no longer have a limit raise-plus hand. Your hand is only worth 8-ish points. You would do well to pass and leave it in a known eight card fit.

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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