So I'm kind of new at this bridge thing, I admit it. I only know enough to know that it's the best card game ever, hands down. I decided to get my fix by playing online -- a bit of a crapshoot as far as partners go, but considering I don't exactly have the bidding down yet, I can't complain. My first partner was quite good and we played well together, and when he left I had high hopes for the next one. Then the unthinkable happened.

I found myself staring at a 19-HCP hand. In my hand alone I held over half the strength of the entire deck, which doesn't exactly happen every deal. And who should open the bidding before I even get a chance? My partner.

This happens approximately never.

A little mental math tells me it'd be a crime to quit before slam level, unless partner's opening was really scraping the bottom of the barrel. If memory serves, I responded to his 1C opening with 1D. When he rebid 1S, I was scratching my head for a way to show my strength without jumping to a game contract, which would be a signoff. (Remember, I'm new at this!) Then it hit me -- jump to 2NT!

At least, I think that's what happened. All I know for sure is that we agreed on a trump suit, and I jumped at the chance to bid a Blackwood 4NT to ask for aces. He responded 4D, showing one ace, and considering I had the other 3, I knew this might just be the big time! I asked for kings with an artificial 5NT, and got the shock of my life.

He passed.

So there I sat, an easy small slam, stuck in a 5NT contract. The highest risks for the lowest rewards. What happened next was pretty predictable: I yelled at partner, he hit the road, and I won all 13 tricks without breaking a sweat.

I really want to play some more! But considering I've come down with a nasty cold and can't think straight and can hardly breathe, I'd probably better just force myself to hit the sack.

0 Comments