"Don't Be So Smug" Openers by Marti Ronemus

So we ordered a chicken sandwich instead of a hamburger and are feeling righteous. Well, don't. It may LOOK like a chicken breast, but get this: Many fast food places use "reconstructed" chicken, which is small pieces bound together with other ingredients (up to 16 of them!) that are cheaper. Soy. Salt. Sugar (no kidding!). The actual chicken content is between a low of 42% and a high of 80%. Those grill marks had us fooled, didn't they! So don't be so smug. We might as well have that greasy hamburger. At least we know what's in it... or do we?

So many decisions... chicken, hamburger, salad, open, Pass. Today we tackle the basics... opening bids. Let's review.

If it's got 12 HCP (High Card Points) we open. Down the road, you'll learn there's a little more to it but for now, if it's got 12 pts, go for it.

If we don't have 12 HCP, we apply the Rule of 20. Remember that? We add the number of HCP we have to the number of cards in our two longest suits. If it adds up to 20, we go for it. Easy peasy, right?

Let's practice!

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South, should you open?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 1♦: We've got 12 pts and yearn to open. There are those who would pass this hand, and we woudn't quarrel too much with them, but we paid to play. We've got a perfect rebid also in 1 No-trump.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 9 8
♥ Q 3 2
♦ A K Q 9 7 6 5
♣ 7

Q: 2 - How about this one? South again.

South	West	North	East
?

A: 1♦: This, while only 11 HCP, meets the Rule. Seven cards plus three... Back in The Day, people would have pre-empted this hand (if you haven't gotten to that lesson yet, don't worry), but modern players like it because of the shape and the rebid. What... you thought you were only going to bid Diamonds once? Please.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 7 6 5 4 2
♥ A K Q J 8
♦ 7
♣ Q 2

Q: 3 - Be careful. This is a Trick Question. As South?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 1♠: Did we fool you? Were you seduced by the quality of the Heart suit? Shame! With two five-card suits, we always bid the higher ranking, regardless of suit quality. There's a little saying: "Five-five, take a dive (from the higher down to the lower). Four-four, up you soar (UP the line).

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 9 8
♥ Q 10 7 6
♦ A K Q
♣ 4 3 2

Q: 4 - What do you say?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 1♣: Don't tell me we fooled you again. Please, don't tell me. With two three-card MINORS, we bid Clubs first. Quality is irrelevant. Sometimes it's very hard for newer players to understand that we have certain orders in which we bid the suits. We show our TOTAL points, NOT where they are... at least on our opening bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - One final challenge for South

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 1♣: Well, you don't have a five-card major to bid, and you don't have enough "money" to open 1 No-trump, so that leaves you with your choice of a minor. Get the ball rolling.

Now that we're warmed up, let's go order lunch... after we play our hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

Play on ANY Device

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

Rate yourself:

0 - 40%	We applaud your effort. Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do. We're here for you!!
41 - 50%	Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong. No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60%	Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80%	What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80%	Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!