"World Naked Gardening Day" by Marti Ronemus

As I reviewed my calendar of events for May, I was concerned: at first it appeared that May was just chockfull of disease awareness events, and very earnest social problem awareness days. But after digging deeper, I came up with several that can live up to what our Faithful Readers have come to expect.

World Naked Gardening Day. What can possibly be said about that. Picture your neighborhood, celebrating the day. Terrifying, no? It brings to mind the movement a few years ago to make Bridge an Olympic event. What ended the debate for me was when someone said, "Picture the average bridge team, in Spandex, in the Parade of Champions at the Olympics."

And so. Put on a bathrobe (or not!) and let's start the Merry Month of May.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A 2
♥ A Q 5 4 3
♦ 4
♣ J 10 9 6 4

Q: 1 - As South?

South	West	North	East
-	1 No-trump	Pass	2♥**
?

**Transfer

A: Double: The double of an artificial bid, in this case a Jacoby Transfer, is usually lead directing. We are showing length and strength in the artificial suit. Pard now has a nice clue about our hand which increases his choices. Maybe he's got something special and knowing about our Hearts might win us the contract. At least he won't have to guess what to lead.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 6 5 4
♥ K 10 9 6 2
♦ Q 8 7 5
♣ Q

Q: 2 - PAY ATTENTION! We are NORTH this time, partner of the person who just doubled in the last question.

South	West	North	East
-	1 No-trump	Pass	2♥**
Dbl	2♠	?

**Transfer

A: 3♥: We LOVE this hand, especially at favorable vulnerability. Pard is short in Spades, and we've got a lovely shape with what is probably a big trump fit. Yes, we only have a questionable 7 pt hand, but look again. You might only have one Spade loser, one Heart, two Diamonds and 1 Club. That's only down one. Whether the opponents will let us have it remains to be seen.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - As South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
Pass	4 No-trump**	Pass	5♥
?

**Standard Blackwood

A: Double: The double of an artificial bid is (usually) for lead direction. Did you get this or were you too busy looking at the neighborhood gardeners? Some are wary of this technique because they feel it gives too much info to the opponents. Please. Better to tell Pard what you have and hope the info helps set the contract. Remember, a Pard who ISN'T looking out the window will take a negative inference if you DON'T double, and won't lead the suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 9 6 4
♥ A 6 5
♦ 10 8 6 5 3 2
♣ 4

Q: 4 - How about this time? This is a very busy auction and needs your full attention.

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	1♥	1♠
2♥	2♠	3♦	4♠
?

A: 5♦: Initially, we were delighted to give a Wonderbra 2♥ simple raise to Pard, based on our fat juicy trump ace and the singleton. (If you wanted to pass, prepare to turn in your Clint Eastwood School of Bidding card.) After hearing about Pard's Diamonds, tho... Wow! He must have five of them, entering the auction with them at the three level. With an 11-card trump fit, we cannot possibly let Them have this auction. Why not bid 5♥? Better the 11-card fit than the eight. It will help make up for the paucity of points.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠
♥ K Q J 10 8
♦ A Q 9 4
♣ 10 7 6 5

Q: 5 - One last chance. South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
1♥	1♠	2♥	2♠
?

A: 3♦: Using the "show and tell" principle (and what better day for it?), we want to show our holding as honestly as possible. Pard needs to know we are very distributional, and that we have enough to bid at the three-level. We'd like to have a fifth Diamonds, but nothing's perfect (especially those Naked Gardeners!). This by the way is NOT Help Suit Game Try, because this is a competitive auction.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

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