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.
10/24/22 (65 min)
A 1NT response to a 1-minor open bidding has a very specific meaning. After this bid Opener needs a way to describe a variety of hands -- 1-suited and 2-suited, minimum, medium, and strong in values! It is an important auction for us to know all our options.
10/31/22 (61 min)
When we respond 2NT to a 1-minor opening bid we have described our hand extremely well. Partner knows a lot about our shape and values, but they do not know about the location of our honors. We need ways to make corrective bids, stopping in the best part-score, as well as GF bids that help us find the best game to play.
11/7/22 (60 min)
When we jump to 3NT we are offering a game to play. But we also describe our hand extremely well. After this descriptive bid Opener can make a move towards slam or work to improve the game we want to play.
11/15/22 (61 min)
The most common responses to a Major suit opening is a raise or a 1NT bid. This 1NT bid (Semi-Forcing) has lots of possible shapes and strengths. Opener needs to describe their hand after this 1NT response so that Responder can finally make a good description of their hand.
11/21/22 (61 min)
Over 1-Major opening then a 3NT response shows our shape and strength entirely. We have some follow-up auctions that choose to play different games, but we also need ways to explore slam auctions in NT, Majors, or even Minors. Here we look at the meaning of 3NT and the follow-up bidding.
