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 "Deadlines" Forcing or Not? by Marti Ronemus

Nothing makes a writer like me twitch more than the word "deadline." I've got 20 a month, just for VB, and they come at me like speeding locomotives. So when I found a little article about the origin of the word "deadline," I was interested.

An original definition, going back to the 1500s, was that of a weighted fishing line that doesn't move in the water. Makes sense, no? Next usage was in the early printing industry referring to some kind of mark on the press. An unfortunate usage was a line in POW camps of both sides during the Civil War that if a prisoner crossed it, he was shot.

That meaning disappeared during the 1920s and the word evolved into its present meaning of a time by which a project must be finished.

So there you have it. And I better get hopping here, or I'll miss one!

Today we are looking at bidding scenarios and making a decision whether the last bid is forcing (like a deadline!) or not. There are no cards to look at, just bids. Hint: Remember that an auction may NOT end until one hand has limited its point count.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 
 
 
 
 
Q: 1 - Remember: no hands are given today!
Is the last bid forcing or not?
SouthWestNorthEast
123


 Your choice:
A: Not forcing: In a competitive auction, raising Pard's suit is usually shows a weak hand of no more than 9 points. North is following "the Law" and showing four card support, bidding to the level of trumps in their combined hands.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 
 
 
 
 
Q: 2 - Is the last bid forcing or not?
SouthWestNorthEast
1Pass1Pass
2


 Your choice:
A: Forcing: Did you recognize The Dreaded Reverse? When North bid 1, he had BYPASSED Hearts, so why would South bid them? He is showing five Diamonds and four Hearts, and 16 plus points. No on in this auction has yet limited their hand, so it must continue.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 
 
 
 
 
Q: 3 - Is the last bid forcing or not?
SouthWestNorthEast
1Pass2


 Your choice:
A: Forcing: A new suit by an unpassed responder is forcing. Why? No one has limited their hand.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 
 
 
 
 
Q: 4 - Is the last bid forcing or not?
SouthWestNorthEast
PassPass1Pass
2


 Your choice:
A: Non-forcing: South originally passed. He can't have more than 10-11 points. North will do the math and make a decision.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 
 
 
 
 
Q: 5 - Is the last bid forcing or not?
SouthWestNorthEast
1Pass2 No-trump


 Your choice:
A: It depends: Some play 2 NT to show 10-12 points in which case it would not be forcing. Others, 13-15 in which case it WOULD be forcing. Others still play this as Jacoby 2NT, a very nifty convention, and it would be forcing. The point is, talk to your partner and make a decision.

And the party's not over yet! Let's play 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.

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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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