"Red Lipstick Day" by Marti Ronemus

Courage! Audacity! Perseverance! Fearlessness! That's what that slash of bright red lipstick is all about. It symbolizes the Amazon Warrior in all of us, men and women. And as bridge players, we need all these qualities. So gals, get out that old tube of Revlon's Cherries in the Snow (does anyone besides me remember that?) and let's go do battle. Guys? Maybe a red pocket square might be more appropriate.

We'll begin with some bidding challenges.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q J 10 3
♥ 8
♦ K Q J 10 9
♣ 5 4 3

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	2♥
?

A: 3♥: This hand is just too darn nice to bid any level of Spades. We could jump to 4♠, but this is one of those hands that is so much more than the sum of its points. Look at the tricks available in Diamonds. Look at that Heart singleton. A cuebid of the opponent's suit is the splash of red we need.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South:

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

A: 4♠: Pard doesn't yet know that we're going to end up in Spades, and his 3♦ bid is most encouraging for a No-trump contract ... if only we hold a Club stopper. We don't. We're very tempted to go for a slam attempt, but without holding a first- or second-round control of every suit, we don't have the right to do that. Our jump to 4♠ gives Pard the right to take it further if he wants to.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A K 10 7 5
♥ 2
♦ A Q 10 6 4
♣ Q J

Q: 3 - NORTH!! PAY ATTENTION!!!We are now the partner of the hand we saw in the last question.

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

A: Pass: As we saw in the last question, Pard jumped to 4♠, leaving us with the problem of what to do now. We could control-bid our ♦A but with two quick Club losers, we decide to Pass. Our hand has lost value, as the ♣Q-J are virtually worthless. Guess what They are going to lead?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
Pass	Pass	2 No-trump	Pass
?

A: 3 No-trump: Just how bright is Pard's lipstick? What does your Pard's 2 No-trump mean in the balancing seat? Have you talked about this? In the direct seat, it would be a full-blown 1 No-trump opening hand, with stoppers in "Their" suit. In the balancing seat, most agree it might be a little light, but still with the Spades stopped. We've got our reddest lipstick on, so we're going for it!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q 10
♥ 4 3
♦ K J 8 7
♣ K 8 6 2

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
?

A: 1♦: While we have the points and shape for a 2 No-trump response, it would suggest stoppers everywhere. We don't like the bare doubleton in the unbid suit. Let's make a forcing bid before putting on the red lipstick.

And now, are you ready for your hand? Audacity will be required.

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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