Menu Vu-Bridge | Play like a Champion!

 "Tattoos: Forever Yours" by Marti Ronemus

Tattoos are like children. We need to think long and hard about getting one, because once you do, they are yours forever! Back In The Day, tattoos were associated with sailors and criminals. Now of course they are everywhere, on everyone.

The first electric tattoo machine was invented by Samuel O'Reilly in the 1880s and during the Golden Age, they were sported by many High Society types. New York City, the Ground Zero of early tattooing, banned tattoo parlors in 1961, and the ban lasted for 35 years.

Now, the tide has turned, so much so that the New York Historical Society has a huge exhibit all this month about the history of tattoos.

A final thought... my BFF's hubby suggests buying stock in anyone who comes up with a quick and painless way to remove them, as it is probably going to be a highly desired service growth industry.

And now on to bridge. We are going to "remove" some bad bids from your bridge body. Painlessly. Today's quiz asks you to visualize what everyone is holding. Take a look at their tattoos and plan your attack accordingly.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 10 6
 K Q J 9 2
 K 4 2
 6 4 3
 
Q: 1 - As South, what should your bid be?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
11Pass1 NT
PassPassDoublePass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: What on earth is Pard asking for? It can't be for takeout, can it? Okay, pay attention. This is an example of a double in the PASS OUT seat, as opposed to a double in the direct seat. A direct double of a 1 No-trumps RESPONSE OR REBID (showing minimum values) is for takeout. BUT! A BALANCING double is asking Pard to convert it to penalties. But there's more, and this is key: You are also being directed to lead dummy's first bid suit. The doubler is behind the suit and has values. Re-read this.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Bridge Boot Camps

With Marti Ronemus

2017 Boot Camp Schedule
New locations!
New Class Levels
Ask to be sure you receive your schedule!



Spend a week combining a vacation and improving your bridge game. You’ll be playing the best bridge of your life. For details and locations,
mronemus@comcast.net

Question 2

  Your Hand
 J 9 7 3 2
 A 7 4 3
 8 5 2
 5
 
Q: 2 - As South, what should your bid be?
SouthWestNorthEast
-1Pass3
Pass4 NTPass5
?


 Your choice:
A: Double: The double of an artificial bid is (usually) lead directing. Don't be shy about doubling for the lead with an ace or king. Some are wary about this because they think it gives too much info to the declarer. What nonsense! Others don't do it because they are asleep at the switch. Better to tell Pard what you have and hope the info helps set the contract. And now an important point: if you DON'T double, pard will make a negative inference and NOT lead the suit. You'll miss your chance.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 A 2
 A J 9 4 3
 4
 J 10 9 6 5
 
Q: 3 - As South, what should your bid be?
SouthWestNorthEast
-1 NTPass2 *
?

*Transfer to Spades

 Your choice:
A: Double: As we saw in the last question, the double of an artificial bid is usually for lead direction. What about this time? At this low a level, it shows length and strength in the artificial suit bid. Your partner has options. He can convert to penalty OR bid the artificial suit with some nice features in either shape or suit.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 6 5 4
 Q 10 9 6 2
 Q 8 7 5
 Q
 
Q: 4 - As South, what should your bid be?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1 NT
Pass2*Double2
?

*Transfer to Spades

 Your choice:
A: 3: At favorable vulnerability especially, we like this hand. Notice that we're now on the other side of the table from the last question. Pard is probably short in Spades. We've got some very nice shape, and if you're stuck on the tiny 6 pts., look closer. We can steal this contract, with a huge trumps fit. We probably aren't going down far, and even doubled, that's a good hand!

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 A J 5
 A K 9 8
 5 4 3
 J 10 5
 
Q: 5 - As South, what should your bid be?
SouthWestNorthEast
--11
DoublePass2Pass
?



 Your choice:
A: 3 No-trumps: On our first bid, we had some choices. We could have jumped to 2 No-trumps (we are playing 13-15 on Mondays). Or we could have Negative Doubled, which was our choice, as that gives us the best of all worlds. That promises Pard four Hearts. When Pard rebid the Diamonds (how uncooperative of him!), rather than Hearts, it only makes sense to bid 3 No-trumps.

So far, this has been painless. Let's see what happens when 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.

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!