"Lima Beans? Really?" by Marti Ronemus

From the "you heard it here first" category... Did you know that Beverly Hills (yes, THAT Beverly Hills) was the Nation's number one producer of Lima Beans until 1914? Yup. Up until then, if you ate a Lima Bean, it came from the beautiful farms located there. And up until now, that wonderful part of the history of the area was lost. This is a fact you can drop into almost any conversation, so spread the news.

And now, let's spread the news of some interesting bidding conundrums.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	p
2♠	3♣	3♥	5♣
?

A: 5♠: Pard doesn't seem to have a very strong hand, but it rates to be extremely shapely, 5-5 anyway, maybe more. He did indeed open the bidding, but it well may be a Rule of 20 hand. Our only real choices are between Double and 5♠. We've got a double fit in the majors, and suspect they well may have their minor suit vulnerable game. If we go down, and we very well may not, it won't be by much.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
?

A: 1♠: Have you and Pard discussed your point range for overcalls? Some use 7-17, others use 8-16. Remember when you needed an opening-ish hand to overcall? Back in the days of Beverly Hills Lima Beans.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
?

A: Double: Almost everyone would double with this hand, followed by a Spade bid. Pard will initially think you've got a regular take-out double, but when you bid your own suit, he'll know better.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
?

A: 1♠: What else? The hand is well worth an overcall, and we have the suit of the gods.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
?

A: 1♠: Eddie Kantar frequently reminds us that a suit the quality of our Spades (three honors, for heaven's sake!!) can be treated as if it were a card longer. SO! Tuck a Club in with your Spades, and bid, darn it, bid.

And now, let's go pick some beans... er, pick up some points... 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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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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