"Vacation Plans" Responding to Majors by Marti Ronemus

Not sure where to go on vacation? Here's a spot you may not have considered. THE SPAM MUSEUM in Austin MN. Yes, you read that right. Spam, beloved by folks like Dwight David Eisenhower, Margaret Thatcher, Gracie and George Allen and Monty Python. Using only six ingredients, Spam has captured the heart of millions. C'mon, admit it. A nice crispy piece of Spam? Irresistible.

At the museum (and on their website) there are hundreds of creative recipes, like Spam Fajitas and Mini-Maple Donuts. Perhaps one of the most unusual is Figgy Pizza, with Spam, pears, fig jam, onion, herbs and a splash of balsamic vinegar all on an artisanal crust. Perfect! Mouth watering yet?

Before we turn on the oven though, let's see how close we can get to perfection in our bidding. We are responding to a major. In each of these examples we are South and Pard opens 1♥. Ready to cook?

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 3♥: With our 11 HCP and a four-card fit, we have the perfect bid. Most people play the Limit Raise to show 10-12 pts and four pieces of the trump suit. Some play it with three pieces, so this is something to discuss with partner. It is invitational and non-forcing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 1♠: We aren't sure where the contract belongs, either at what level or in what suit. We need more information, and a new suit by an unpassed responder (that's US!) is forcing. On his next bid, Pard will give us his point count and finish the picture of his shape. Let's heat up the pan.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 1♠: This hand is game-going. Yes we only have 11 HCP, but don't forget: Once we have trump agreement, we add distribution points and that brings us to 14. We need to make Pard bid again. No Heart bid is appropriate. If we jump to game, we are showing a "Weak Freak," a terrible hand with at least five pieces of trump. We have two choices here... either 2♣, which is forcing and shows at least four Clubs, or 1♠. We selected Spades, since that gives Pard even more room to describe his hand. Keep it simple. If you answered 2♣, give yourself a point.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 2♣: This answer depends on your partnership agreement. If you were to bid 2NT, would that show 10-12 pts, or 13-15? Most play it 13-15, but not all. If you play 2 NT 10-12, that would be your bid. For the rest of us, we need a forcing bid to make Pard flip the frying pan.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 1♠: 1 No-trump is very attractive, but there is no way we'll hide a 4-card major, so we bid 1♠.

We've done a good job on our recipe so far. Let's try 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

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

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