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 "Clean Up Detail" Third hand openers by Marti Ronemus

What is the first thing I'll do when I hit the lottery? Big house? New Car? Luxury vacation? Nope. I'm going to hire someone to do my laundry. I HATE that chore. Imagine my horror when I found out about some other cleaning chores that should be done.

The shower drain and shower head--WEEKLY!! Pillows twice a year. Fridge should be DETAILED monthly. The dishwasher and washing machine, monthly (how does one do that? I'll save it for another day).

And here I thought I was doing a fairly good job. Darn. Well, let's turn to our bidding, where we can do an even better job.

The bidding has gone Pass, Pass, and here we are... third in line. How does bidding in third seat differ from first and second, and why? What's going on here, anyway.

Either the points are fairly evenly divided around the table, or fourth seat has the mother lode. Either way, now's the time to speak up.

In third seat, we open light. Not so light it floats, but we aren't going to worry too much about our point count. Shape, as always, is key. When bidding, do keep in mind that Pard is already a passed hand.

Let's try a few and see if we can clean up.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 J 8 4 3
 Q 4 3 2
 A K J
 9 8
 
Q: 1 - South?
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 1: If Pard passes your bid and the opponents take the contract? At least Pard's got a good lead. If he bids a major? Happy happy day.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
 K Q 8
 2
 J 8 7 5 4 3
 A 4 3
 
Q: 2 - South?
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: Compare to our last hand. We've got the points to open in third seat, but think about where it might go. We don't really want Pard to lead Diamonds if we bid them. And what if Pard bids a major? Sigh. Let's see if 4th seat opens. Maybe something will happen then.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 5 4
 Q J 8 5 4 2
 K 2
 Q 4 3
 
Q: 3 - South?
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: We would be unlikely to preempt this hand in first or second seat, right? Third seat though, anything (almost) goes. Remember Pard cannot bid (a passed hand shouldn't advance a preempt), so how much trouble are we going to be in, anyway?

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 A K 9 8 7
 5 4 3
 9 8
 J 4 3
 
Q: 4 - South?
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: I know, I know. You only have five of them, but they are lovely! And your Pard isn't going to bid. And if the opponents want to get into the action, they have to do it at the three level. If Pard gives you a hard time later, say you had a Club mixed in.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 3 2
 Q 8
 10 9 4
 A K 10 8 3 2
 
Q: 5 - South?
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 3: You've got the idea now. We would bet money the opponents have a nice major, but they're going to have to enter again at the three level. More power to them, and Pard's got a lead.

So, be daring in third seat. Live a little, especially if you like the vulnerability.

And now, let's clean up on 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.

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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