One day in 1849, a man named Walter Hunt needed $15 to pay a pressing debt to a friend. SO! He picked up a piece of brass wire and invented the Safety Pin. Folks, you heard it here first. Such a little thing and so useful to help in an emergency.
And here's our bridge tie-in (were you wondering?): When you find yourself in the balancing seat, it's a wee emergency, wouldn't you say? I understand that "across the pond," the British call it the PROTECTION SEAT rather than the balancing seat. In a way, you are indeed protecting your partner's points.
The main concept to remember is that in the balancing seat, we mentally take three points from Pard's hand and add to our own. We base our bid on holding a King more than we actually have. Pard hopefully will remember that if he's going to advance the bid.
Usually, we do random hands, but in honor of Safety Pin Day, all our quiz questions will involve the "protection and safety" of the Balancing Seat. Ready?
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