"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - The Perfect Contract by Marti Ronemus

Judy Garland so poignantly reminded us about the dreams on the other side of the rainbow. As bridge players, our reward on the other side is the perfect contract. (Should this be called "The Impossible Dream?")

Today we are opener, and in each case, our Pard is going to make a "limiting" bid, where he shows his point count. We will then have to decide what to do next.

Let's click our ruby shoes and get to work.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - South?:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	3♥**	Pass
?

**Shows 10-12 pts and tends to promise four trumps.

A: Pass: Do the math. We have the most minimum possible opener and Pard has a maximum of 12 pts. What's 12 plus 12? It ain't game. No pot of gold.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - South?:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	1 Notrump	Pass
?

A: Pass: Again, we have to pass. Rats. Again though, we have nothing else to say, no new suit, no extra points. Let it go.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - South?:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	2♥	Pass
?

A: 3♥: If Pard is at the bottom of his 6-9 pts, we don't have game. If he's at the top? We need to know, so we invite.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 4
♥ K Q 10 8 4
♦ A J 8 7
♣ Q J 8

Q: 4 - South?:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	1 No-trump	Pass
?

A: 2♦: When we have nine cards in two suits, especially when we hold a singleton, we aren't crazy about playing in No-trump (although Pard is the one who has to play it). Let's make a non-forcing bid, giving Pard a choice of suits. If he's got three Diamonds and only 2 Hearts, he'll put us back in our 5-2 split rather than the 4-3. Easier to play and more money for the payout.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 4
♥ K Q 10 9 8 4
♦ A J 8
♣ Q J 8

Q: 5 - South?:

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	1 No-trump	Pass
?

A: 2♥: Again, we aren't enamored about the idea of playing this in No-trump. Our rebid of 2♥ is a shut-out. We should not hear from Pard again.

And now, let's see if playing our hand right will win us the pot of gold.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

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

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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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