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.
7/3/23 (56 min)
A takeout double is one of the ways that we can compete in the bidding. But in many situations, we have choices — a takeout double or another call. Here we look at these situations and discuss what to think about when making our decisions.
7/10/23 (58 min)
Negative Doubles are more complicated than you think. Here we look at some of the more interesting shapes that you can have for making a Negative Double — and the important followup bidding that lets us survive the auction.
7/24/23 (62 min)
As the 4th player to bid the auction often gets high before we can get a work in edgewise. Double is going to be favorite bid in many auctions. We look at how we might need to use a double here in some unusual ways.
7/30/23 (63 min)
Opener does not want to be left out of the double game. We look at times when the Opener should make a double and some modern agreements about what these doubles show..
8/6/23 (62 min)
The further the auction goes on the less clear we are on what a double means. Here we look at doubles later in the bidding and make sure we know if they are takeout, penalty, card showing, or something else.
