Hummingbird Celebration Day by Marti Ronemus

Hummingbird Celebration Day, for the uninitiated, is a cheerful event, complete with many "ahhhh-s" and "aren't they adorable!" comments. For those of who've watched the little monsters at a hummingbird feeder-- well, we know truth. They are ruthless and between greedy drinks at said feeder, will dive-bomb others to keep them away. They squabble and are stunningly pre-emptive in their strikes at any of their kind.

Huh. Does that describe any bridge players you know? Hmmm.

In each of the upcoming hands, your opponent will try to dive-bomb you away from the feeder. What will you do?

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South, what's your bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: Double: If RHO had opened 1♥, you would have doubled, and there's even MORE reason to do it now. With East guaranteed to be a weak hand, there's even more points for the rest of you. Tell Pard your story. He'll know you deserve your chance at the feeder too.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - What as South now?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
?

A: Pass: Sadly, you've been kept from the feeder. Pre-empts do their job, don't they? You don't really have a nice enough hand to enter the auction at the three-level, you cannot double with this shape, and No-trumps would be a kamikaze bid if ever there were one. Maybe Pard can do something?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A J 9
♥ 6 4 2
♦ A K J 8
♣ K 9 8

Q: 3 - As South, how might you compete?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
?

A: 2 No-trumps: Shows a balanced hand that you would have opened 1 No-trumps. Guarantees at least one stopper in "their" suit. 1-1/2 is better. Are you worried that you have no stoppers in Hearts? You can't let that stop you from claiming your share of the food, er, scores. You and your partner need to discuss whether or not you will play "systems on" and use Stayman and transfers. Some do, some don't.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 4
♥ A J 9 4
♦ K Q 6 5
♣ K J 8 4

Q: 4 - And South says?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: Pass: You have to count on your partner to possibly reopen the bidding. There just isn't anything you can do. No-trumps are out, a double won't work, and you have no suit suitable for an overcall. Those wretched little dive-bombers have you trapped on your limb of the tree.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 8
♥ A 5 3
♦ A K Q J 10 7 4
♣ Q 7

Q: 5 - South's second bid?

South	West	North	East
1♦	4♠	x*	pass
?

*North's double suggests that you can pass if you want to. You've agreed that doubles at that level can be converted to penalty if your judgment tells you do do it. Gulp. So much responsibility!

A: 5♦: When you see a pre-empt like that, you should picture a flock of nasty Angry Birds trying to protect the feeder. We just won't stand for that, will we!! Now, was our decision a good one? What will our partner do? You are going to play the hand now, and find out. Nectar awaits at the feeder!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

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

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

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