Vu-Bridge Quiz | Vu-Bridge === Play like a Champion!
Vu-Bridge | Play like a Champion!

Is this an opening bid? by Paul Bowyer

What hands are worth opening and what hands should be Passed? Well, this is a grey area - a very grey area. A lot depends on the proclivities and inclinations of the players. Put another way, it's a question of STYLE. We are going to try to give some examples of marginal opening bids here and say what we think. Please bear in mind that some players will disagree with what we say here. Well, that's life... it doesn't make them right (or us right, come to that). We start with the basic idea that most 12 point hands should be opened and some 11 point hands. But which ones? Maybe it's time you took the quiz...
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Question 1

  South
♠ A K Q 10 3
♥ K 5 3
♦ 10 5 2
♣ 8 3 		 
Q: 1 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: 1♠. This is an easy one. The world and his wife would open this hand...

Your result so far:
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Question 2

  South
♠ A K 5 4 2
♥ K 5 3
♦ J 5 2
♣ 8 3 		 
Q: 2 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: Pass. Many players believe in opening 11 pointed hands if they contain a five-card suit. Well, maybe, but - we suggest - not if you are 5.3.3.2. These hands contain a lot of losers and play very poorly in general.

Your result so far:
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Question 3

  South
♠ A K 5 4 2
♥ K 10 5 3
♦ J 5 2
♣ 8 		 
Q: 3 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: 1♠. There is little harm in opening this hand. 5.4.3.1 hands are streets better than 5.3.3.2 hands. Also, you have two suits to show partner - so you have a much better chance of finding a fit.

Your result so far:
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Question 4

  South
♠ A K 5 4
♥ K 9 5 4 3
♦ J 5 2
♣ 8 		 
Q: 4 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: Pass. What's the difference between this hand and the last one? Well, the crucial difference is that you cannot show partner both of your suits. If you open 1♥ and partner responds 2♣ or 1NT you can't bid 2♠ as that would force the bidding too high. So, even with a 5.4.3.1 hand you need to be cautious in opening the bidding on these 11 point hands.

Your result so far:
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Question 5

  South
♠ A 5 4
♥ A 7 6
♦ 9 6 5 2
♣ A 9 3 		 
Q: 5 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: Pass. The perennial question - should you open a hand with three Aces and nothing else? Well, some players do but we recommend that you don't. You need something more than this to justify opening the bidding (and yes, we realize that it totals 12 points). 4.3.3.3 hands are not good news and when the main suit is as filthy as this one...ugh!

Your result so far:
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Question 6

  South
♠ A 10 5 4
♥ 7 6
♦ A 10 7
♣ A 10 8 6 		 
Q: 6 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: 1♣. This hand has much more playing strength than Hand 5 above. It is 4.4.3.2 (better than being 4.3.3.3); its main suits make suitable resting spots for trumps and there are useful intermediate cards.

Your result so far:
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Question 7

  South
♠ 5
♥ Q 10 6 5
♦ A 9 7 6
♣ A J 6 5 		 
Q: 7 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: Pass. 4.4.4.1 hands tend to work out poorly and play badly. Many players argue along the lines of: "I have 11 points and a singleton - I must open the bidding". Forgive them, for they know not what they are saying. Partner is sure to bid Spades and then what are you going to bid? 1NT? That's going to play like a dog! Be cautious with hands like these - they are potential death-traps.

Your result so far:
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Question 8

  South
♠ 8 7 5 4 2
♥ 6
♦ A K J 10
♣ Q J 5 		 
Q: 8 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: Pass. You're kidding, right? Yes the hand is 5.4.3.1. Yes, there are 11 points. However, do you really want to bid SPADES with that collection? Puh-lease!

Your result so far:
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Question 9

  South
♠ K Q J 9 8 4
♥ 6
♦ A 10 9 5
♣ 9 3 		 
Q: 9 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: 1♠. Some may prefer 2♠ but this hand is too rich in playing strength and in intermediate cards for that. Partner could easily Pass 2♠ and miss an easy game contract. Sure, 1♠ may get you into a little trouble but that magnificent suit should act as insurance to get you out of any scrapes.

Your result so far:
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Question 10

  South
♠ 7 6 5 4 2
♥ K
♦ A K Q
♣ 6 5 3 2 		 
Q: 10 -
SouthWestNorthEast
?
You are South, first in hand. Would you open this hand, if so with what?

 Your choice:
A: Pass. Well, you might open 1♠ (and good luck to you!) but the author of this quiz certainly wouldn't. 12 points, sure, but where are your playing tricks? Also, you are faced with the hideous prospect of opening 1♠ and having to bid 2♠ if partner responds 2♦. No thank you. You won't miss much by Passing this piece of cheese, that's for sure.

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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

Rate yourself:

0 - 40% Maybe this quiz is on a lesson you didn't take yet!
41 - 50% If you have covered this in a lesson discuss the questions with your teacher.
51 - 60% Not bad, but you should re-read the lesson to build a stronger foundation.
61 - 75% Well done: You have a good base, although not yet perfect.
Perhaps review the difficult questions with your teacher or fellow sudents.
Over 75% You are a 1st class player! You really learn well. Kudos to you and your teacher!
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