2/5/23 (60 min)
In the balancing seat we usually “borrow a king” from our partner. Since NT bids are precisely defined this point change to our hand dramatically affects our bidding. Here we look at our balancing NT bids and the followup bidding that partner makes.
12/5/22 (65 min)
The modern system for bidding when we have a fit for partner's minor, called inverted minors, works on improving our ability to look for game or slam in a minor suit -- which is the most common time we want to support a minor suit. Make sure you and partner have a good grasp of these methods, both for playing them and playing against them.
12/12/22 (66 min)
One of the most powerful tools we have in competitive bidding is the preemptive raise. When we have a minor suit fit the opponents will often have a major suit fit. We want to make it as difficult as possible for them to find that fit and using preemptive raises is one the best ways to make their life difficult.
12/19/22 (69 min)
There are certain minor suit hands that can play extremely well in NT contracts. If evaluated correctly these hands can be bid in a way that makes the auction relatively simple. Let's make sure that you do not torture your partner with these hands when you could keep it simple and get to the right contract.
12/27/22 (63 min)
When we have a good hand and a minor suit fit then we may want to explore a minor suit slam. Part of the art form of minor suit slam bidding is using tools to explore slam while keeping a NT contract in the picture. Here we look at how to use these tools and better judge our minor suit slam.
1/10/22 (69 min)
When our partner preempts the bidding we have a variety of options for how we continue the bidding, both constructive and destructive. This week we look at how to respond when our partner preempts the bidding -- raise, new suit, and our partnership options for how to use 2NT.
1/17/22 (63 min)
Opening the bidding in the 1st or 2nd seat is relatively straightforward, follow some rules and use your judgment. Opening the bidding in the 3rd seat is a balance of constructive bidding (doing normal things) and tactical bidding -- opening light or even with a 4-card suit.
1/24/22 (63 min)
When the auction passes around to us in the 4th seat we have the option of passing the hand out and ending the auction. Here we look at when we should Pass the hand out and when we should open the bidding. When we do open in the 4th seat we also have some interesting options that differ from opening bids in other seats.
1/31/22 (65 min)
When we are non-vulnerable and the opponents are vulnerable then we should be ready to attack! Here we look at a variety of situations where we may choose to "mis-behave" in an effort to take advantage of this vulnerability. This is our chance to make the opponent's life difficult and to have some fun in the auction!
