Latest This Week in Bridge (TWIB) Lesson - C+

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When we play a hand in a suit contract, then we tend to focus on our numbers of losers. We usually count (or approximate) these losers from the long trump side and use the other hand as an asset for helping us dispose of these losers. But not all losers are equally difficult to get rid of. Here, we look at the different types of losers we may have and which we are most likely to lose, and which we may have a chance of escaping.

Latest Webinars

Fundamentals - Opening and Responding Basics

9/2024 (62 min)

Here we review some fundamentals of opening bids and look more deeply into your thought process before we open the bidding. Then we pivot to the responder’s actions and make sure that we are prepared to construct a good auction with some problem situations.

More Suits 2 - Play Part Scores without a Fit with Me

11/20/23 (61 min)

When we win the contract in a part-score and do not have an 8-card fit it is usually because we either have more HCP than the opponents or there was an auction that kept the opponents from getting into the bidding. Let's make sure that we know how to play these hands.

More Suits 2 - Play Part Scores with a Fit with Me

12/4/23 (61 min)

When we play a part-score deal and we have a trump fit it usually means that we have more trump the opponent's do. Making use of our trump suit is a key part of good declarer play, especially in a part-score deal.

More Suits 2 - Play Game Contracts with Me

12/11/23 (61 min)

When we have enough points to bid game and we are playing in a trump suit then we need to make sure that we make use of our trump in the best ways we possibly can. Here we look at some examples and see how we can then best play the hand.

More Suits 2 - Play Slam Contracts with Me

12/18/23 (61 min)

Annoying Comp Auctions - Freebids & Follow-ups

10/23/23 (61 min)

After we open the bidding, if our LHO makes an Overcall this makes Responder's bidding more difficult. Here we look at Responder's freebid options and what they new to hold in order to freely bid a new suit.

Annoying Comp Auctions - Bidding After They Balance

10/29/23 (63 min)

When we think we are going to win the contract, but suddenly one of the opponents balances back into the auction this can lead to some strange bidding situations. Here we look at the meaning of our subsequent bids in these auctions.

Annoying Comp Auctions - Double Followed by Double

11/6/23 (61 min)

A double eary in the bidding is usual has a meaning that we have discuss with partner. But later doubles can be a bit confusing. And this is even more true with they are our second double of the auction. Here we look at the meaning of these second doubles.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Fundamentals - High Level Response to 1-Major Openings

Jan 2026 - Coming Soon!

When partner opens the bidding with 1-Major then we normally go slow and make a low level response. But we can also use some immediate jumps to high bids to describe some interesting and difficult hands. Let’s look at the meaning of this high-level jump responses.

Webinar Notes

Fundamentals - Other Responses 1-Level Openings

Jan 2026 - Coming Soon!

Here we look at some other complex auctions and special responses to 1-level opening bids. We focus on some jump shift responses to 1-Major and 1-minor and then turn out focus to NT responses to minor suit openings.

Webinar Notes

Fundamentals - Hand Eval after Responder's Jump Shift

Jan 2026 - Coming Soon!

When Responder makes a jump shift, either a weak jump shift or a 3/1 invitational jump shift, then Opener is left to figure out what to do next. Here we look at what types of hands Opener should bid with (like) and when they should be conservative and Pass.

Webinar Notes

Fundamentals - Some Confusing Auctions

Jan 2026 - Coming Soon!

There are some classic auctions that lead to confusion between partnerships. Ones that you should make sure you and partner agree upon.

Webinar Notes

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Latest This Week in Bridge (TWIB) Practice Hands - D+

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2/1 Game Forcing Variations - - Opener’s Rebids After 2/1 GF Alternative Responses

When we choose to adopt the alternative approach to our 2/1 GF responses, 2♦ showing a 5+card suit, 2♣ being “could be short as 2 cards”, then this changes our reasonable options for rebids by the Opener. It is important that we have good agreements with partner about how this approach changes our rebid agreements. Let’s look at the hands that are simplified by these agreements and problems that are created.

Recent This Week in Bridge (TWIB) Videos - H+

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Hand Evaluation: Counting Points - Before the Auction Begins

Lesson 1 of 8 (25 min)

Video of Robert further discussing the topics in TWiB Lesson #329.

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— Robert S. Todd

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