Editorial by Marti Ronemus
Good Old Summer Time
Bridge Club owners HATE summer. People are out playing golf, gardening, hiking, and swimming---all that outdoor nonsense---instead of being at the bridge table where they belong. Aren’t you lucky to have Vu-Bridge? We can play anytime, with our morning coffee, in our pajamas after dark, in the middle of the night if so inclined. You’re welcome!
This issue, we’ve got some very Hot Stuff for you.
Matthias Huberschwiller and I have put together what we consider simply outstanding (no false modesty here!) sets of hands devoted to pounding on the basics, basics, basics of solid slam play. We want you to be able to recognize opportunities for success and seize them without agonizing. And agonizing.
So to work.
First, Matt’s series of hands on establishing long suits via ruffing. Matt wants you to see how “No five card suit in dummy should ever be ignored.” As you’ll see, sometimes the most moth-eaten pathetic suit can be developed as salvation. Not as easy as it sounds initially… often a lot of set-up is involved. Matt will show you how.
Then, how about that Roman Key Card Blackwood! Whenever I’m asked what conventions a less-experienced should play, I always include RKCB in my Dirty Dozen. You are going to find this series of hands to help you understand why you simply cannot live another day without RKCB. Plus you’ll learn how to use it. Matt shows how RKCB can get you into some slams you might normally miss, but more importantly—it can keep you OUT of slams you shouldn’t be in.
My contribution includes practicing deciding what order in which to play the cards, and how to finesse with finesse. Also, you’ll see one of my very favorite techniques, “The 75% Solution,” and for dessert, you get a VERY fun cross-ruff hand. Hopefully, you’ll see there are a couple thoughts about cross-ruffs you weren’t aware of.
We also have two quizzes for you which will prove to be very helpful. Both are from Matthias Huberschwiller. The first is on using control-showing cuebids rather than Blackwood. This is followed by bidding complete auctions using cuebids. Good stuff!
So there you have it. Get out of the sun and improve your game. The best summer slams aren’t in baseball, but in bridge!
Don't forget: if you like Marti's style, have a go with her Bridge Boot Camps. Click here to ask Marti about the schedule...
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