To
relax between cases, you are playing for 20 cents a point
in a
rubber bridge club, when you pick up this nice hand and hear RHO
open
3 in
front of you.
What
is your call?
South A
K 9 7 5 3
4
A
J 4
10
6 2
South
—
?
West
—
North
—
East
3
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
North-South
North —
—
—
—
West —
—
—
—
East —
—
—
—
You
bid 3 and hear partner cuebid 4.
Does this promise a spade fit?
Probably not, since partner may have a great hand without
three-card
spade support, and have nothing else to bid. Your choice
now is to
rebid 4 or bid 4,
an advanced cuebid.
South A
K 9 7 5 3
4
A
J 4
10
6 2
South
—
3
?
West
—
pass
North
—
4
East
3
pass
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
North-South
North —
—
—
—
West —
—
—
—
East —
—
—
—
You
bid 4 because
you hate to bypass that ace and maybe it will turn
partner on. Besides, you are relaxing and having a good time.
Suddenly,
partner jumps to 5NT and you jump out of your seat and
reach for you pistol. But you remember you left it home.
What
is 5NT?
What is your call?
South A
K 9 7 5 3
4
A
J 4
10
6 2
South
—
3
4
?
West
—
pass
pass
North
—
4
5NT
East
3
pass
pass
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
North-South
North —
—
—
—
West —
—
—
—
East —
—
—
—
It
sounds like 5NT was the Grand Slam Force, asking you to bid 7
with
two of the top three trump honors. You jump to 7, however, not
7,
just in case partner has something else up his sleeve.
LHO
doubles 7. and partner bids 7. What is that? Does he want to
play in 7? Do you? Your call....
South A
K 9 7 5 3
4
A
J 4
10
6 2
South
—
3
4
7
?
West
—
pass
pass
double
North
—
4
5NT
7
East
3
pass
pass
pass
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
North-South
North —
A
K J 10 9 8
K
10 9 8 5 3 2
—
West —
—
—
—
East —
—
—
—
You
bid 7, taking no chances. But when the king of clubs is
led,
partner puts down his dummy and runs to the nearest insane asylum.
If
you had your pistol, he wouldn't have to run. But then again, why
would partner bid 7 unless
he wanted to play it there? Why did you
go back to 7? So much for a relaxing day at the club!
THE
END
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