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 Competitive Problems--Second Best by Marti Ronemus

Quick now... what's the second most popular Christmas song? Yup. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is second only to "White Christmas." We're going to hear it at least a thousand times over the next two weeks, so let's learn a little more.

The song was commissioned by Montgomery Ward. In 1939, they wanted a signature character for the freebie coloring book they gave to kids who came to see Santa. The story and character were such hits that they gave out 2.4 MILLION the first year!

Some debated names were Rollo, Reginald, Romeo and Rodney and thank goodness Rudolph won out. Initially, Gene Autry passed on the song, but his wife talked him into it... good thing, as the royalties were huge (for the day).

We can relate to being second-best, can't we? (Actually, a lot of times we'd be DELIGHTED to be second!) Often our acts of derring-do fail miserably. Competitive bidding presents us with many opportunities for failure. Let's look at a few.

Just a little reminder, we can guide the sled with overcalls with 7-17 points (10 if entering the auction at the two-level). While this certainly adds to the excitement, it does bring its own set of problems.

Question 1

  Your Hand
♠ A 10 9 7 4 3
♥ Q 7 4
♦ 3 2
♣ A K 		 
Q: 1 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♦
1♠Pass2♥Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: 4♥: Well, we're flying now. Pard's bid is forward-going, promises 10-plus pts and forcing (it would be different were he a passed hand). Pard needs to know if we've got 7 points or more. We have a lovely opening hand, we've got a dynamite fit with Pard. Keep in mind we would have to respond even with 7 points (3♥), so we need to bid game. Why not rebid the Spades? They are a tad ugly, don't you think?

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
♠ Q 10 5
♥ A 9 4
♦ K 10 5 3
♣ J 6 4 		 
Q: 2 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♥
PassPass1♠Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2♠: Pard's overcall in the pass-out seat could be very weak. He (and we) knows West has nothing or we would have heard from him. We want to bid for a couple reasons: First, we aren't broke and we have a fit with Pard. Second, and very important, we want to obey The Law of Total Tricks and support Pard to the level of trumps in our combined hands. Since we have the bridge gods' own suit, Spades, let's gobble up some bidding space.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
♠ K J 9 8 2
♥ 10 8
♦ A Q 6 3
♣ 7 5 		 
Q: 3 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
-1♥1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2♥: Pard's 1 No-trump overcall promises the same as if he opened 1 No-trump, 15-17 points, balance, plus stoppers in Their suit. Most players agree that the advancer (Pard of the overcaller) can use Stayman and transfers, just as if Pard had opened. We have game-going values, so we are first going to transfer to Spades by bidding 2♥, then bid 3 No-trump.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
♠ A Q 8
♥ K 10 8 7
♦ K J 3 2
♣ 3 2 		 
Q: 4 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
-1♠3♣Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: We can end nose-down in the mud if we bid. Remember, Pards' bid is a Weak Jump Overcall. He could have nothing but a seven card Club suit, with no other entries. We may never be able to reach his hand. Let it go. If we win it, fine. If not? We'll be super on defense.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
♠ Q 3 2
♥ A K 10 8
♦ J 8
♣ J 9 5 4 		 
Q: 5 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
-1♣1♠Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2♣: Here's the thing... we have learned that in a competitive auction, any raise of Pard's suit shows weakness and obeys the Law. If Pard has an opener, we have a Darn Good Chance of game. We need a tool to say, "Pard, not only do I have a fit with you, but 10-plus points. Tell me your points." The way we do that is to bid the opponent's suit. So we're going to cue-bid 2♣ and see if this thing will fly.

And now, 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.
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