"Be Kind to New Jersey Week" by Marti Ronemus

Poor New Jersey. For some reason, this lovely Eastern Seaboard state ends up as the butt of many jokes, elbow pokes and knowing winks. Why is this? It has to be the distinctive regional accent, discernible at fifty yards. We don't get it and think Jersey deserves more respect. As a girl (?) with an unshakable Philly accent, I sympathize, but am quick to correct anyone who might mistake mine for a Jersey accent.

Bridge has its regional accents also. Certain conventions and styles pop up more often depending where you go. Let's see if we can understand each other on this quiz... accent or no accent.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A J 10
♥ J
♦ K Q 10 9 7 2
♣ K 8 6

Q: 1 - As South?

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

A: 3 No-trump: We have to listen very carefully to this bidding. Why didn't Pard Re-Double rather than name two suits? He should be 5-5 in those suits, don't you think? It might be tough for him to be understood if he starts with a Re-Double. With the Spades nicely stopped we should have no trouble with No-trump.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A 3
♥ A Q J 10 9 4 3
♦ A Q 3
♣ 8

Q: 2 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♣
4♥	Pass	5♣**	Pass
?

**Pard's showing a first-round control and slam interest.

A: 6♥: As soon as we break through the accent, we hear Pard showing either a void or Club ace. If we can't bid slam with this hand, when CAN we!?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 3
♥ A 10 9
♦ A 8 7 4 3
♣ 10 8 3

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	3♠
?

**Weak Jump Shift

A: 4♥: Preempts do their job and make it hard to be heard, let alone understood. We notice that our ♠K is behind the Spade bidder, so maybe it's not a loser. We've got two quick tricks and two honors in the Heart trump suit. Let's make ourselves heard with a game bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - South?

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

A: 2♥: We ain't goin' nowhere. Pard is a passed hand, thusly no more than 11 pts max. We've got a quacky 13. Let it go.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	2♦*	2 No-trump	Pass
?

*Pre-empt
**equal to a 1 No-trump opener guaranteed Diamond stopper

A: 3♣: We need to get past the accents here and make a partnership agreement. Most agree that, in this scenario, systems are ON, with Stayman and transfers in play. We've got a four-card major and game-going values. Let's move this forward.

So, no one's laughing at our accent right now, are they! Let's show 'em with a hand.

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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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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