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 "I Solemnly Swear" Third Hand Openers by Marti Ronemus

What could be more iconic than the image of someone with their hand on the Bible, swearing an oath. The question before us is "Must an oath be taken on a religious object?"

The answer, as we might guess, is "no." BUT!! There's more to it. While other objects can be used (Teddy Roosevelt took his Oath of Office on law books), one can swear without any object at all. Nope. You don't need a book, a copy of the Constitution, a City Charter, or anything at all.

In fact, you don't even need to take the Oath of Office to become president. It is not mandated in the Constitution. How about that?

If we don't Oaths, it raises other questions. What DO we need for example, for a Third Hand Opener?

Let's quantify things a little. Things lighten up quite a bit in third seat. We want to find an excuse to open the bidding. Part is point count, part is shape, part is that elusive quality "texture." Here are some guidelines.

Open light, but not so light it floats (as my husband tells me repeatedly). Some will open with as low as 9 HCP if the shape is good. Another thought, many will preempt in third seat with a Darn Good Five-Card Suit, knowing that Pard, as a previously-passed hand, must pass again.

Let's see what happens. Ready to swear to tell the truth? (Sort of...)

Question 1

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


 Your choice:
A: 1: We've got 11 HCP and we're not crazy about the acelessness (is there such a word?). If Pard, who can't have more than 11 pts, responds, we plan on passing whatever he says. What if he says Clubs? He'll have five. If nothing else, we've given Pard a lead should he need one.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
 8
 Q 9 8 7 2
 K 8 2
 A 9 5 2
 
Q: 2 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: Our least favorite word, but this hand has nothing exciting about at all. Dead.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 2
 K Q J 9 2
 K 8 5 2
 6 5 4
 
Q: 3 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: Perfect example of a third-hand preempt with a five-card suit. Tuck a Diamond in with those spectacular Hearts and swear out a bid.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

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


 Your choice:
A: 2: Another five-card preempt. Another great suit. The opponents may well walk all over us, but the good news is at least we're forcing them into a tough spot, opening at the two-level.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 K 9
 9
 A Q J 8 5 2
 Q 8 7 6
 
Q: 5 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 3: Why 3 with this hand and 2 with the last? We actually WANT this contract and if we let the opponents in, they'll find their major. They may still do it, but it will be a much harder struggle. Considering Pard is a passed hand, we have very little chance of game, so let's just bid what we think we can make.

And now it's time to 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

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