Robert’s AiB Curriculum

This Adventures in Bridge curriculum is a guide for what to learn next. There are 10 levels of material for you to work through and the material in each level is divided into categories.

  • First is an introduction to the game, in case you are starting from scratch — What is Bridge?, etc…

  • Next is the core 10-level curriculum summary to help give you an idea of what you should master at each step along the way.

Note: (#) are the number of topics in each level of the curriculum. [#] is the number of the TWIB lesson that covers this topic.

Bridge for the First Time

If you are just getting started in bridge, I have a webpage with some options for ways to help you get started — START LEARNING BRIDGE HERE!

AiB Bidding Curriculum Summary: 10-Level

  • Levels 1-2 of the AiB Curriculum are covered in Robert’s Bidding Basics (TWIB 0.Section#). Level 1 is covered in Sections 1-14 and Level 2 is covered in Sectional 15-21.

    BIDDING Concepts — Basics (2)

    1. Goals after Opening the Bidding - Finding Fits [0.9]

    2. Goals after Opening the Bidding - Exploring Game [0.9, 0.5]

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (2)

    1. Opening 1NT - Our Favorite Bid! [0.7]

    1. Balanced Opening Hand Overview - 2NT Openings [0.14]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (1)

    1. Responding to 1-Major Openings - Intro to 2/1 GF [0.11]

    Constructive Bidding — OPENER (7)

    1. Hand Type -Balanced and Unbalanced Hands [0.2]

    2. Hand Strength - “Opener’s Buckets” [0.3]

    3. Opening 1-Major (1H or 1S) [0.4]

    4. Opening 1-minor (1C or 1D) [0.4]

    5. Balanced Opening Hand Overview - Intro to Opener’s Rebids [0.6]

    6. Unbalanced Opening Hand Overview - 1-suited Hands [0.8]

    7. Unbalanced Opening Hand Overview - 2-suited Hands [0.8]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Raises (0)

    Constructive Bidding — RESPONDER (4)

    1. Responding to 1-minor Openings [0.10]

    2. Responding to 1-Major Openings [0.11]

    3. Responding to 1NT Openings [0.12]

    4. Responding to 2NT Openings [0.13]

    Constructive Bidding — PREEMPTIVE OPENINGS (0)

    HAND EVALUATION (1)

    1. Hand Evaluation Basics - Counting Points [0.17]

    SLAM BIDDING Tools (0)

    COMPETitive BIDDING — OVERCALLS (0)

    COMPETitive BIDDING — DOUBLES (0)

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (0)

  • BIDDING Concepts — Basics (0)

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (0)

    2/1 GAME FORCING (0)

    Constructive Bidding — OPENERS (3)

    1. Strong Balanced Hands [0.15]

    2. Strong 1-Suited Hands [0.15]

    3. Strong 2-Suited Hands [0.15]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Raises (1)

    1. Raising Partner In competition [0.21]

    Constructive Bidding — RESPONDER (0)

    Constructive Bidding — PREEMPTIVE OPENINGS (4)

    1. 2-level Preemptive Openings - 2D, 2H, 2S [0.16]

    2. 3-level Preemptive Openings- 3C, 3D, 3H, 3S [0.16]

    3. 4-level Preemptive Openings - 4C, 4D,4H, 4S [0.16]

    4. Responding to Preempts Basics - The Law of Total Tricks [0.16]

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING Tools (0)

    COMPETitive BIDDING — OVERCALLS (2)

    1. Simple Overcalls [0.17]

    2. Jump Overcalls [0.18]

    COMPETitive BIDDING — DOUBLES (3)

    1. Takeout Double Basics [0.19]

    2. Freebid Basics [0.20]

    3. Negative Double Basics [0.20]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (0)

  • BIDDING Concepts — Basics (0)

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (5)

    1. Modern 1NT Opening Bids [418, 223]

    2. Stayman and Follow-Ups [312-315]

    3. Jacoby Transfers and Follow-Ups [312-315 ]

    4. Texas Transfers [312-315]

    5. 3-Suited Transfers [312-315]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (2)

    1. 2/1 Basics [369-370, 9]

    2. 1NT Forcing (or Semi-Forcing) Response to 1M Openings [373-374, 12] 

    Constructive Bidding — OPENERS, Strong (2)

    1. Strong Opening Hands - Jump Shifts and Reverses [341, 35]

    2. More on 2C Openings and Responses [458, 415, 34]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Raises (4)

    1. Strong Raise of Partner's M - Jacoby 2NT [407, 183]

    2. Immediate Preemptive Raise - LOTT [378, 166]

    3. Raising Partner in Competition - Q=LR+ [378, 165]

    4. Constructive Raises [378, 163]

    Constructive Bidding — RESPONDER (2)

    1. Hand Type is Important - Walsh & Extended Walsh [95]

    2. Weak Jump Shifts by Responder [171]

    Constructive Bidding — PREEMPTIVE OPENINGS (2)

    1. Modern Preemptive Openings [411, 159, 36] 

    2. Responding to 2-level Preempts - Feature [413, 88]

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING Tools (0)

    COMPETitive BIDDING — OVERCALLS (3)

    1. Overcall Fundamentals [482, 28, 30-31]

    2. 1-Level & 2-Level Simple Overcalls [320, 321]

    3. NT Overcalls  [326, 161]

    COMPETitive BIDDING — DOUBLES (2)

    1. Takeout Doubles [351, 91]

    2. Negative Doubles [352, 222]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (0)

  • BIDDING Concepts — Fundamentals (1)

    1. Problem Opening Bids [NEW]

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (3)

    1. Dealng with Interference after 1NT Opening - Basics [319, 6]

    2. Modern 2NT Opening Bids [160]

    3. Responding to 2NT [26]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (0)

    Constructive Bidding — Openers (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Raises (1)

    1. Strong Raise of Partner's M - Splinter [408, 183]

    Constructive Bidding — RESPONDER (0)

    Constructive Bidding — Preemptive Openings (0)

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    Slam Bidding Tools (5)

    1. Gerber [402, 159]

    2. Quantitative 4NT [315, 293]

    3. Blackwood and Number of Kings [404, 159]

    4. 1430 Keycard [403, 159, 33]

    5. Fast Arrival [377, 13]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — OVERCALLS (4)

    1. 2-Suited Overcalls: Michaels Cuebids [480, 323, 234, 38]

    2. 2-Suited Overcalls: Unusual NT [481, 323, 234, 38]

    3. Advancing Partner's Overcall [174, 30]

    4. Balancing NT [434, 151]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — DOUBLES (0)

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (1)

    1. Looking for 3NT - Western Cuebids [162]

  • BIDDING Concepts — Fundamentals (0)

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (6)

    1. Responding to 1NT: 4-Suited Transfers [312-315, 8] 

    2. Responding to 1NT with a Weak Hand - Drop Dead Stayman [312]

    3. Responding to 1NT with a Slammish Hand - Splinter [315]

    4. Responding to 1NT with a 2-Suited Hand - Majors - Smolen [316]

    5. Dealing with Interference after 1NT Opening - Simple-sohl [319]

    6. Superaccepting Major Suit Transfers [7]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (3)

    1. Opener's Rebid in 2/1 GF - 3-Level+ [371, 10]

    2. 3/1 Invitational by Responder [373, 12]

    3. Responder's Rebids after 1NT (Semi-)Forcing [375, 143] 

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING —OPENERS (2)

    1. Opening the Bidding in 3rd Seat [106]

    2. Opening the Bidding in 4th Seat [NEW]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Raises (4)

    1. Responder's Raises in Comp - Jordan and more [165, 37]

    2. Bids After Fit: Help Suit Game Tries [465, 22]

    3. Responder's Tools: Inverted Minor Raises [379, 32]

    4. Splinters in Support of Partner's Minor [408, 184]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RESPONDER (3)

    1. Responder's Tools: New Minor Forcing [359, 227, 103]

    2. Responder's Tools: 4th Suit Forcing [360, 104]

    3. Responder's Tools: Extended New Minor Forcing [361, 105]  

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — PREEMPTIVE OPENINGS (0)

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING TOOLS (0)

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — OVERCALLS (1)

    1. Competing Over their 1NT Opening - DONT [187]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — DOUBLES (2)

    1. Responsive Doubles [353, 281]

    2. Support Doubles [354, 52]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING - General (0)

  • BIDDING Concepts — Fundamentals (1)

    1. Vulnerability Tactics [NEW]

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (4)

    1. Dealing with the Opponent's Penalty Double - Runouts [224]

    2. Dealing with Interference after 1NT Opening - “Card-Showing X” [319]

    3. They Double our Transfer [170]

    4. Special Trick Showing NT Bids - Gambling 3NT [27]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (0)

    Constructive Bidding —Opener (0)

    Consructive Bidding — Raises (2)

    1. Splinters by Opener [409, 186]

    2. Responder's Tools: Drury [92]

    Constructive Bidding —RESPONDER (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Preemptive Openings (0)

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING TOOLS (2)

    1. 1430 Keycard - Specific Kings [404, 98]

    2. Control Showing Cuebids [406, 71,175]

    3. Forcing Pass [532, 53]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — OVERCALLS (0)

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — DOUBLES (3)

    1. Maximal Doubles [357, 195]

    2. High-Level Doubles & Forcing Passes [17, 72]

    3. Non-Takeout Doubles: Maximal, Cards, Penalty, Lead Directing [467, 356, 284]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (1)

    1. Is it Forcing? How Forcing is it? - New Suit over X [428, 39] 

  • BIDDING Concepts — Fundamentals (0)

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (5)

    1. Responding to 1NT with both Minors [79]

    2. Minor Suit Slam after a 1NT Opening [80]

    3. Stayman then 2S - Unbalanced Invite [169]

    4. Dealing with 2-level Interference - Lebensohl [23]

    5. Dealing with 3-level Interference [190]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Opener (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RAISes (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RESPONDER (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Preemptive Openings (1)

    1. Responding to 2-level Preempts - Ogust [88]

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING TOOLS (3)

    1. 1430 Gerber [402, 33]

    2. More Control Showing Cuebids [406, 71, 175]

    3. The “Obvious” Question - 5-Major Bids [289]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — OVERCALLS (2)

    1. Overcalling 4-card Suits [487, 107]

    2. Jump Overcalls in the Balancing Seat - Intermediate [173]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — DOUBLES (1)

    1. 4NT Takeout vs. 4S Preempt [ 91]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (1)

    1. Scrambling 2NT [53]

  • BIDDING Concepts — Fundamentals (0)

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (5)

    1. 2S Size Ask [47]

    2. They Double our Stayman Bid [137]

    3. 5-card Stayman [168]

    4. More Slam Tries - Showing Shortness after NT Openings - Other-Major [49]

    5. Minor Suit Slams after 2NT Openings - 3S Relay [225]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Opener (1)

    1. Kokish Relays after a 2C Opening Bid [70]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RAIses (1)

    1. Trump Suit Game Tries - 3344 “Spiral” [109]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RESPONDER (2)

    1. 2-Way New Minor Forcing - Wolff Signoff [94]

    2. Lebensohl Over Reverses [418, 93]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — Preemptive Openings (1)

    1. Responding to 2-level Preempts - Quartiles [New]

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING TOOLS (4)

    1. Minorwood [405, 73]

    2. 5NT Choice of Slams [177]

    3. Keycard Interference — DEPO, D1P0 []

    4. Respiring to 4NT w/ Void [176]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — OVERCALLS (3)

    1. Competing Over Their 1NT Opening - Meckwell [187]

    2. Advancing Partner’s Overcall - Jump-Cuebid Mixed Raise [30]

    3. Competing over 2-level Preempts - Leaping Michaels [111]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — DOUBLES (0)

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (1)

    1. Competition over 2-level Preempts - Lebensohl [483, 89]

  • BIDDING Concepts — Fundamentals (0)

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (5)

    1. 14-16 Notrump Openers [46]

    2. Modern They Double our Transfer [294]

    3. Advanced Lebensohl - Transfer Lebensohl [48]

    4. Reverse Baze [49]

    5. 213 and DONT Runouts after Penalty Doubles of 1NT [224]

    6. 2NT - 3S Relay Slam Try [225]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — OPENER (0)

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING —RAISes (1)

    1. Kokish Games Tries [108]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RESPONDER (5)

    1. Reverse Flannery [257]

    2. System for Dealing with the Opponents 1NT Overcalls [270]

    3. Unusual vs Unusual and Unusual vs Michaels [298]

    4. Good - Bad 2NT [149]

    5. Lebensohl Over Reverses - 2NT or 4th Suit [417, 93]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — PREEMPTIVE OPENINGS (2)

    1. Responding to 2-level Preempts - M. Ogust [218]

    2. McCabe [468, 158]

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING TOOLS (2)

    1. Non-Serious 3NT Slam Tries [178]

    2. Preempt Keycard [228]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — OVERCALLS (5)

    1. Meckstroth Advances to Partner’s Michaels Cuebid [469, 229]

    2. “One Under” Mixed Raises (3M-1) [268]

    3. Wide Ranging Balancing NT [153]

    4. Range Stayman after a Balancing 1NT [153]

    5. Non-Leaping Michaels [New]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING —- DOUBLES (3)

    1. Support Doubles vs 3-level Overcalls [282]

    2. Snapdragon Doubles [196]

    3. Rosenkranz Doubles and Redoubles [197]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (0)

  • BIDDING Concepts — Fundamentals (0)

    NOTRUMP OPENINGS (5)

    1. More Advanced Runouts after they Double of 1NT [224]

    2. Modern Transfer Lebensohl and Modern Lebensohl [230]

    3. Transfers over Transfers [295]

    4. Carmichael Baze+ [296]

    5. 2NT - 3S Relay Slam Try Q-minorwood [225]

    2/1 GAME FORCING (1)

    1. 2/1 GF - 2NT Rebid = 6+cards [426]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — OPENER (2)

    1. Jump Shift System [297]

    2. Gazilli [488]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RAISes (1)

    1. Over-Splinters []

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — RESPONDER (10)

    1. Bad - Good 2NT [149]

    2. Upgrades to Jacoby 2NT [134]

    3. XYZ [144]

    4. Transfer Rebids are 2NT Rebid from Opener - Transfer Wolff [215]

    5. Transfers after 1-Major Double [156]

    6. Transfers after 1-minor Double [157]'

    7. 2-Way Modified Drury [292]

    8. Responder Unusual Jump Shifts 2h/2S and NT Bids [255]

    9. Inverted Minors and 1D-2C Structure [256]

    10. Unusual vs Unusual and Unusual vs Michaels with Safety [298]

    CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING — PREEMPTIVE OPENINGS (2)

    1. Responding to 2-level Preempts - G. Ogust [218]

    2. Transfer McCabe [158]

    HAND EVALUATION (0)

    SLAM BIDDING TOOLS (3)

    1. Non-Serious 3NT/3S Slam Tries [178]

    2. Q-minorwood [258]

    3. Last Train [New]

    4. Void Recycling [176]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — OVERCALLS (4)

    1. Woolsey vs Opponents 1NT Opening [188]

    2. Transfers+ vs Opponents Weak 1NT Opening [226]

    3. Spear by Interferer [217]

    4. 3-Major Mixed Raise [268]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — DOUBLES (1)

    1. Anti-Lead Directing Doubles [198]

    COMPETITIVE BIDDING — General (0)