"Pucker Up" Responding to Overcalls by Marti Ronemus

Kissing may be the most primal way we express affection with other humans. We kiss babies on their adorable chubby faces, friends on the cheeks, and lovers on the lips in our desire for closeness.

AND!! There are also some remarkable health benefits, backed by science. It releases chemicals that: Help keep moods balanced (my hubby was delighted to hear this); make us more alert by releasing adrenaline (bridge Pards, take note!); improve allergy symptoms, boost immunity, and may even have a positive effect on our cholesterol.

It sounds like we should take advantage of all these benefits by starting our bridge games with a few smooches! Maybe it can help us remember how to respond to Pard's overcall with a minimum hand of our own.

We want to take action, but we're not crazy (well...). Pard's overcall shows somewhere between 7-ish and 17-ish points and should guarantee a five-card nice suit. With a small hand, we don't much care where on the point scale he is.

Here's what we need to review. With a FIT, we raise Pard according to the Law of Total Tricks. Also, a new suit by us is NOT NOT NOT forcing when Pard's Overcall has been at the one-level! It promises a suit of our own. Pard may or may not bid again, up to him.
Let's give this a try. It's easier than you think.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	1♠	Pass
?

A: 2♠: We respond just as we would have if Pard had opened. Even if he had a full opener, we don't much care, as we don't have game even if he's at the top of his overcall.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	1♠	Pass
?

A: 3♠: Is this invitational? Heck no. Remember, in a competitive auction (one where both partnerships are in the action), raising our Pard's suit is the absolutely weakest answer we can give. When we jump to 3♠, we are showing we have a nine-card trump fit and we are obeying the Law, bidding to the level of our combined trumps. (Nine trumps equals nine tricks equals the three-level.)

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	1♠	Pass
?

A: 1 No-trump: You've got a minimum hand with stoppers. We don't want to pass if we can find a way to try.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	1♠	Pass
?

A: 2♣: A new suit by us when Pard's Overcall is at the one-level is not forcing. If we wanted to force the auction, we'd have to cue-bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	1♠	Pass
?

A: 4♠: It's our old friend The Weak Freak. We've got a singleton (in the opponent's suit, yet!) and we know we have a ten-card trump suit. The Law will protect us. This is such fun! Almost as much as that kissing booth!

And now we get to 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

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!