Blum on Bridge Blubaugh Quiz 1
	How would you like to pick up 20- to 30-page pamphlets that tell you all you need to know about each of the most popular conventions in use today? Or how about being able to read similar-sized booklets that describe each aspect of declarer play? If you would, John Blubaugh is the author for you. John began his bridge career only 12 years ago and became 1987 ACBL "Rookie of the Year." Competing out of Kansas City in 1988 he finished 333rd in the Barry Crane top 500 masterpointers of the year, also winning the "Regional Master of the Year" honor. Since then he has consistently been among the top 500 annually, reaching the lofty level of 26th in the U.S. in 1990. Fortunately for us, John enjoys writing and lecturing far more than being at the table. His novel concept of large-print, easy-to-read pamphlets particularizing each subject has gained in popularity. Not only are they condensed, but - just as importantly - they are inexpensive. The booklets cost only $3.95. Not too shabby. Titles include "Escaping 1NT Doubled," "Forcing NT," "Game Tries," "Inverted Minor Suit Raises," "Jacoby & Transfer Bids," "The Law of Total Tricks," "The Lebensohl Convention," "Losing Trick Count," "Negative and Responsive Doubles," "Takeout Doubles," "New Minor Forcing," "Overcalls" and "Roman Keycard Blackwood." He has written short treatises about other subjects that I just haven't the space to enumerate. Larry Cohen and Marty Bergen's book, "To Bid or Not To Bid: The Law of Total Tricks," is a 250-page thorough account of that subject. Blubaugh's 28-page pamphlet is a bare-boned explanation, but it's easy to read and tailored toward those who want "just the facts, ma'am." (I miss Joe Friday). John's tournament treatment, "Overcalls," honestly is almost all you need to know of the subject. He writes about overcalls at the one level, continuing with the proper responses holding hands with and without a fit. After explaining overcall auctions, a quiz is presented to the reader. Logical answers follow with detailed explanations. For fun I'll give you a Blubaugh quiz, verbatim. It is from his booklet, "Overcalls." By the way, the end of the book quiz is John's trademark and is included in all of his literature. The auction has proceeded as follows: RHO opens one club with neither side vulnerable. What would you bid with the following holdings: (1) A87-T6432-A5-KQ8, (2) AKJ7-T43-J8743-5, (3) KJ6-A7643-KQ52-8, (4) 87-965-KQ872-A76? Everyone is vulnerable and your RHO opens with one spade: (5) 7-AJT87-KJ6-A865, (6) 6-AKQ875-AK54-73, (7) 74-KQ965-AJ7-Q76, (8) 86-AQJ975-QJ42-8? Both sides are vulnerable. LHO opens one spade, partner passes, RHO bids two clubs: (9) K7-AK965-Q43-J74, (10) A7 KQJ542-J8-K95, (11) 75-KJ853-A9743-A, (12) A984-7-KQJT754-6? Your LHO opens one diamond, partner bids one spade, and RHO bids two diamonds: (13) K65-A754-62-8542, (14) KJ65-A85-7-KQ984, (15) AJ865-5-7632-975, (16) 8652-AKQ5-76-J76? Your LHO opens one heart, partner bids two clubs, and RHO passes: (17) KQ985-A5-763-J53, (18) A4-KJ76-QT74-KT8, (19) AK6-86-QJ752-KQ8, (20) AKQ863-74-6-A742? Suggested answers: (1) one heart. You have a poor heart suit but a good hand. Double will mislead partner. (2) One spade. This is a good lead-directing bid. (3) Double. You can support all of the unbid suits and you have good overall hand quality. Hearts aren't your most important feature. (4) One diamond. If you don't bid the suit now, you'll probably never get another chance. In the second situation: (5) Double. The heart suit is tempting but the suit quality is not really good enough. You have overall strength. (6) Double. You plan to bid three hearts next inviting game. (7) Pass. You will not do well, inviting disaster with a fair suit and scattered values. (8) Two hearts. You only have ten high card points but you do have good playing strength. In the third scenario: (9) Pass. Bidding here only helps the opponents. (10) Two hearts. You have a good suit and a good lead director. (11) Double. You have good support for the unbid suits. (12) Three diamonds. You have the opportunity to take up some bidding space with this good playing hand. Next: (13) Two spades. You cannot double here. A double would be responsive and you want to raise spades. (14) Four diamonds. This is a splinter bid (showing a singleton diamond) with game plus values. The other option is a three-diamond cue bid followed with four spades. This hand is too good for a game jump. (15) Four spades. Pre-emptive all the way. (16) Three diamonds. You have a full limit raise with four trumps. Finally: (17) Two spades. This is non-forcing, but constructive in most systems. (18) Three no-trump. You should bid the contract you believe will make. (19) Three hearts. This asks partner to bid three no-trump with a heart stopper. (20) Two hearts. You should follow this with a spade bid (forcing). How did you do?