Balancing Act: Part 2 by Marti Ronemus

We're continuing what we started Monday. If we Pass the auction is over. The Balancing Seat is often called The Protection Seat, which is a very good way to think of it. Pard often has a nice hand but cannot bid because of shape. Sometimes we are protecting Pard's points.

Keep in mind we have three choices: 1) Double. 2) Overcall. 3) Pass.
Let's go.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A K J 10 3 2
♥ Q 3
♦ 8 4
♣ 6 5

Q: 1 - As South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	Pass	Pass
?

A: 1♠: There are those who might preempt with this hand, but after the upgrade from the 3 pts from Pard, we've got a legitimate overcall.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A K J 10 3 2
♥ K 3
♦ A J 4
♣ 6 5

Q: 2 - As South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	Pass	Pass
?

A: 2♠: A "jump overcall" in the balancing seat does NOT show a preempt. It shows a hand with 16-18 pts (with NO borrowing from Pard!) with a Darn Good Suit. Repeat. It is NOT preemptive!! One stumbling block for less experienced players is how the meaning of bids changes based on position. This is one of those quirks.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 4
♥ A J 2
♦ K J 10
♣ A K J 4 2

Q: 3 - As South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Pass	Pass
?

A: Double: This hand is way too big for any action other than a double. Remember, an overcall shows between 7-17 pts and a 1 No-trump in the balancing seat is 12-14. When our Pard bids and it comes back to us, we'll bid our Clubs. Pard will know we've got a giant hand because we don't go along with his suit. This is the Big Hand Double.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ Q 10 4 3 2
♥ 8
♦ A Q 8 4 3
♣ 9 3

Q: 4 - South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Pass	Pass
?

A: 2♥: Do you play Michaels Cuebid? 2♥ promises 5-5 in the other major and an unnamed minor. If you don't play Michaels? Give yourself credit for bidding 1♠.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 2
♥ A Q J 9 5 4 3
♦ A K J
♣ 7 4

Q: 5 - Our last one is tough: As South?

South	West	North	East
-	2♠	Pass	Pass
?

A: 4♥: Preempts make life miserable, no question about it. We've got a spectacular hand and we won't be robbed of our game. Remember a JUMP over a preempt is NOT preemptive... just the opposite. Pard will know we've got 16-18 pts and a rock of a suit and will act accordingly.

We're all warmed up for our hand. Let's go play.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

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

Play on ANY device

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!