"Friday the 13th" Opening Bids by Marti Ronemus

If you're concerned about today's events, you are part of a large group (17 million and counting!). There's so much to fear! Here are the origins of some superstitions for your Conversation Droppers.

Friday the 13th itself is one of the newer superstitions, arising during the mid 1800s. It is the confluence of two older superstitions, the Christian view of Friday as an unlucky day and the long tradition of 13 as an unlucky number. Combine the two and Whammo! A good reason to stay home.

Then we've got not walking under ladders. This advice is certainly practical, but originates from the fear of the gallows in early Britain.

How about knocking on wood? That comes from early Celtic beliefs of acknowledging the spirits that lived in trees. (In our neighborhood, we call them "squirrels.")

Enough! Let's talk about the beginning bids. What do you say about these hands as openers?

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South: Would you open?

A: Pass: We HATE this hand! Members of the Clint Eastwood School of Bidding try to open every 12 pt hand, but this just doesn't pass muster, especially on such an unlucky day. We have scattered honors. We have no shape. Pass and live to fight another day.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - Would you open this one?

A: In any seat: While we have the same 12 pts in this hand as in the last, this is a little pile of LUCK!! Our honors are tidily piled in our "long" suits, we've got shape.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K Q 9 8 7
♥ K Q 8 7 6
♦ 4 3
♣ 2

Q: 3 - How about this one?

A: In any seat: We LOVE this hand! When we hold 10 decent cards in two suits (especially the majors!) it takes a lot of bad luck to convince us we don't own the table!! This hand meets "The Rule of 20." While we don't have any quick tricks, the shape more than makes up for it.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - Would you open this?

A: NO! It has the same shape as last hand, and only one point less, and it does have an ace. It matters not. This hand has wasted honors and couldn't be more unlucky.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - And lastly, what about this?

A: In Third Seat: This is open to discussion. We've got a "Rule of 20" opener, but no quick tricks at all. However, in third seat, we can be lighter, and since we're opening 1♠ (right?), we at least gobble up the first level of bidding. Go for it! This is our lucky day. (Sort of...)

And now, a nice hand 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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