This is a hand that appeared on the RGB (Rec.Games.Bridge) newsgroup. If you're not into newsgroups, Google has a new feature you might try called "Groups". Go to Google and then click "Groups", "Recreation", and finally "Games" to reach it. There's also some good newsgroup reading software, some of it freeware.

I'm a little worried that some of you may have over-imbibed while welcoming in the New Year and now your brains have turned to mush, so here's an easy one. No squeezes, no endplays, no trump coups, and no bidding?! At least not yet. All you have to do is select an opening bid for this hand:

A     AQ     AKQJ8632     AK

Not a bad duke! I imagine we can rule out a "trap pass" and a 1 bid. The basic system is Standard American, so no fair using a Precision Club and some of those asking bids that sound like Fraternity Houses (I knew the Omicron-Theta asking bid would come up sooner or later!). Also, an opening 4NT would be for the minors, not Blackwood, and an auction of 2-2; 4NT would show a whopping big flat hand and also not be Blackwood. You do have one little trick up your sleeve that might come in handy, if you open 2 and then jump in a suit, it sets the suit and asks partner to cue bid.

All of that seems to leave just three opening bid possibilities:

1. A pessimistic 6NT
2. An optimistic 7NT
3. 2