"It's All in the Game" - Limit Raises by Marti Ronemus

My first slow dance ever was back in Junior High, to Tommy Edwards' "It's All in the Game." It was in 1958 and I remember it like yesterday.

My bridge partners will tell you that sadly, I don't seem to be able to remember if we play Drury or not, and that's only last week. Do I get some sympathy here?

Last week I got an email from one of our Faithful Readers asking for help in remembering what a Limit Raise is, so before they drop out of my memory bank, let's get to it.

Here's the scoop. You are responder and your Pard opened a major. You've got an intermediate hand of 10-12 points and trump support. The Limit Raise enables you to tell your partner whether you are holding three card support or four.

With four-card support, we jump to three of the major: 1♥ - 3♥ says Pard, I have 10-12 points and four trump.

With three-card support, we bid another suit and then support the major fit: 1♠ - 2♣ - 2♦ (for example) - 2♠. The delayed support shows 10-12 points and THREE card support. Remember, we've already shown 10-plus points by bidding 2♣, so Pard won't think we only have 6-9.

Why is this such a nice bid? When we limit our hand to 10 - 12 points, Pard may be on the fence whether to go to game or not. Knowing there is a ninth trump may be just the information he needs.

Ready to try this?

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
?

A: 3♠: This is what a Limit Raise looks like: 10-12 points and four-card trump support. You have now limited your hand and it's up to Pard what to do.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
?

A: 2♦: We've got the 10-12 points, but NOT the four-card trump support. We bid another suit, forcing and NOT limited, showing 10 plus points. We're going to support Spades on our next bid, which will let Pard know what we've got. Watch.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - South:

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

A: 3♠: In this sequence, many agree that this is a game-force sequence, promising only three-card support. Of all the questions today, this is the most debatable, so be sure to talk this one over with Pard. Had we rebid 2♠, we would be showing just 10-12 points... keep in mind we already showed our 10-plus points when we bid 2♦, so our jump to 3♠ becomes game-force. Got that? If not, read it again.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 10 8 7 4
♥ 4 3
♦ A K 8 4 2
♣ K 4

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
?

A: 3♠: I know, I know. The Diamonds are outstanding. However, you know where this contract should be. Why muddy the waters. More experienced players might handle this differently, but if you have an easy, clean bid that tells your story, bid it.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ J 8 4
♥ K Q 5 4 2
♦ A 4 3
♣ K 4

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
?

A: 2♥: This promises 10 plus points, and a 5-card Heart suit. Terrific information for Pard to have when, after we support Spades on our next bid, it's time for Pard to place the contract. He'll know where eight of our cards are and our point count. We can't do much more than that.

And now, since "It's All in the Game," let's see what our hand holds for us.

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.
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