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April 26, 2022
Even More Comp Bidding
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding - Bergen Raises

TWiB Lesson #572 (6 of 9)

When responding to partner’s 1-Major opening bid, Responder tries to apply the Law of Total Tricks (LOTT) – getting to the size of the partnership’s fit as quickly as possible.  This LOTT bidding is especially effective when our side has a 9+card fit.  Bergen Raises are a set of conventional bids Responder can use when responding to a 1-Major opening bid with 4+card support (at least a 9+card fit).  Let’s see how this system works.

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Even More Competitive Bidding - Bergen Raises
April 24, 2022
Even More Comp Bidding
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding - Fit -Showing ...

TWiB Lesson #574 (8 of 9)

Jumping in the auction eats up a lot of bidding space, which is likely to make communicating with partner more difficult. Since our jump bid may make future communication more difficult, it should have a specific meaning. When partner opens the bidding, Responder’s jump shifts can be used to show a variety of different types of hands. We need to decide, as a partnership, which ones we want to use. We will choose different agreements for different situations.

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Even More Competitive Bidding - Fit -Showing Jumps
April 23, 2022
Even More Comp Bidding
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding - Freebids by a ...

TWiB Lesson #575 (9 of 9)

When partner makes a bid, and we choose to bid a suit of our own, this is called a freebid. In most normal situations freebids show values (called positive freebids) and are often forcing 1-round. We’ve all heard the saying -- a new suit is forcing by an unpassed hand.  Unfortunately, this is not always true, but it is often our agreement. Let’s look at freebids made by a passed hand and see how the fact that we are passed changes these situations.

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Even More Competitive Bidding - Freebids by a Passed Hand
April 9, 2022
Adv Same Bidding
Robert Todd
Advanced Same Bidding - Jump-Shift System

TWiB Lesson #577 (2 of 9)

When Opener makes a jump shift into a new suit with their second bid, it is a strong bid that creates a game forcing auction. This is a good bid because it ensures we reach game, but it is a bad bid because it eats up a lot of bidding space without fully describing our distribution. This is a problem. One of the most difficult opening hands to describe to partner is the unbalanced single-suited (one 6+card suit) hand with 18-19 HCP.  This is one of the strongest hands that does not open the bidding 2♣.  Let’s look at a system that helps us improve our jump shift methods.

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Advanced Same Bidding - Jump-Shift System
April 8, 2022
Adv Same Bidding
Robert Todd
Advanced Same Bidding - Preempt Keycard

TWiB Lesson #578 (3 of 9)

When partner opens the bidding with a 2-level or 3-level preemptive opening bid then Responder may have a struggle to find the best final contract without getting the auction too high.  One of the natural pressures is whether Responder risk going past 3NT to look for a fit or a better fit. Given the variability of modern preempts it can be dangerous to reach the 5-level when partner has taken an aggressive action.  Here we look at a tool, called Preempt Keycard, for Responder to ask for Keycards after a preempt, but still keep the auction at a low level.  

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Advanced Same Bidding - Preempt Keycard
Robert Todd
October 10, 2021
More Const

More Const. Bidding: McCabe Responses to Preempts

Robert Todd
October 10, 2021
More Const
More Const. Bidding: McCabe Responses to Preempts

TWiB Lesson #468 (6 of 8)

McCabe responses to a preempt are a useful tool for competing in the bidding after the opponents compete with a takeout double.  Let’s see how this agreements helps us better compete in the bidding or defend a hand.

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Source: #

Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
October 9, 2021
More Const

More Const. Bidding: Meckstroth Advances

Robert Todd
October 9, 2021
More Const
More Const. Bidding: Meckstroth Advances

TWiB Lesson #469 (7 of 8)

Meckstroth Advances are a valuable extension to the use of Michaels Cuebids. These agreements about advancers bids help the better describe their hand and help our side explore a variety of different games.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
October 8, 2021
More Const

More Constructive Bidding: U vs. U and U vs. M

Robert Todd
October 8, 2021
More Const
More Constructive Bidding: U vs. U and U vs. M

TWiB Lesson #470 (8 of 8)

Here we look at how to deal with the opponent's 2-suited attacking bids -- Michaels Cuebids and Unusual NT.  We discuss agreements, Unusual vs Unusual and Unusual vs Michaels, to help us compete in the bidding.  

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 29, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Our NT Auctions

Robert Todd
September 29, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Our NT Auctions

TWiB Lesson #454 (1 of 9)

Partnership Bidding Workbook work begins — Here we look at auctions were we open NT and try to make sure we have good agreements with partner!

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 28, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Our Minor Suit Auctions

Robert Todd
September 28, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Our Minor Suit Auctions

TWiB Lesson #455 (2 of 9)

When we open the bidding with 1-minor there are a lot of possible auctions for us to remember and consider with partner. Here we look at some auctions (more in the Partnership Bidding Workbook) to make sure we have some agreements.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 27, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Our Major Suit Auctions

Robert Todd
September 27, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Our Major Suit Auctions

TWiB Lesson #456 (3 of 9)

When partner opens the bidding with 1-Major this helps us find our Major suit fit. But it can get complicated quickly. Here we look at some of these complex auctions and make sure that we have some agreements with partners to help us avoid a disastrous mixup.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 26, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Our Preemptive Opening Auctions

Robert Todd
September 26, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Our Preemptive Opening Auctions

TWiB Lesson #457 (4 of 9)

This week we look at Partnership agreements when our side starts the auction with a preempt. These are common and difficult auctions and ones we need to work together with partner to make sure we get right.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 25, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Our Strong Opening Auctions

Robert Todd
September 25, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Our Strong Opening Auctions

TWiB Lesson #458 (5 of 9)

When we have extremely strong hands we open the bidding 2C. This can lead to some confusing auctions, especially when the opponents try to get in the way. Here we look at some of these auctions and how we can make sure to have good agreements with partner.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 24, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Their NT Opening Auctions

Robert Todd
September 24, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Their NT Opening Auctions

TWiB Lesson #459 (6 of 9)

When the opponent's open the bidding with NT then they will often buy the contract. We may compete in the bidding to try to win the contract, but we are more likely to be trying to get in the way of the opponents or help partner get off to a good opening lead.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 23, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Their Minor Opening Auctions

Robert Todd
September 23, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Their Minor Opening Auctions

TWiB Lesson #460 (7 of 9)

When the opponents open the bidding with 1-minor we often want to compete in the bidding. But we need to make sure and have good agreements with our partners about each of these auctions — especially when we are inexperienced with some of their agreements.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 22, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Their Major Opening Auctions

Robert Todd
September 22, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Their Major Opening Auctions

TWiB Lesson #461 (8 of 9)

When the opponents open the bidding with 1-Major then we need to compete in the bidding and do so quickly and accurately. In order to do this week need good agreements with partner, especially about the meaning of cuebidding the opponent's suit.

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
September 21, 2021
Partnership Bidding

Partnership Bidding: Their Preemptive Opening Auctions

Robert Todd
September 21, 2021
Partnership Bidding
Partnership Bidding: Their Preemptive Opening Auctions

TWiB Lesson #462 (9 of 9)

When they preempt the bidding we need to get into the auctions and try to describe our hand before the auction gets too high. Having good agreements with your partner helps give us better ways to get into the bidding!

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Tagged: Bid

Robert Todd
August 31, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: Types of Defense - Active vs Passive

Robert Todd
August 31, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: Types of Defense - Active vs Passive

TWiB Lesson #446 (1 of 8)

The type of Defense we choose to play is an important “high level” decision. Here we look at Active vs. Passive — two of the most important types of defense. (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

Robert Todd
August 30, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: When You See a Discard Coming, Get Active!

Robert Todd
August 30, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: When You See a Discard Coming, Get Active!

TWiB Lesson #447 (2 of 8)

Once we know how to be active and how to be passive on defense, then we need learn how to recognize the signs that tell us that we need to attack! (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

Robert Todd
August 29, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: Opening Leads - Listen to the Auction

Robert Todd
August 29, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: Opening Leads - Listen to the Auction

TWiB Lesson #448 (3 of 8)

When you are choosing an opening lead your hand helps you decide what to lead. Bug just as important as your cards are what the auction tells us — listen to the auction and let it guide you! (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

Robert Todd
August 28, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: Assumptions on Defense

Robert Todd
August 28, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: Assumptions on Defense

TWiB Lesson #449 (4 of 8)

A key way to make defense simpler is to assume that the declarer is logical. Here we look at how you make assumptions on the defense that make your job much easier! (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

Robert Todd
August 27, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: Figuring Out Declarer's Distribution

Robert Todd
August 27, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: Figuring Out Declarer's Distribution

TWiB Lesson #450 (5 of 8)

When it comes to defending a hand it is important to try to figure out the declarer’s distribution. Here we look at some of the things we need to do to make that happen. (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

Robert Todd
August 26, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: Recognizing Danger

Robert Todd
August 26, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: Recognizing Danger

TWiB Lesson #451 (6 of 8)

When we are defending a hand we need to know if we should fear our tricks going away. In order to determine this, we need to be able to recognize if danger exists or not. Here we look at how to do so. (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

Robert Todd
August 25, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: The Forcing Defense

Robert Todd
August 25, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: The Forcing Defense

TWiB Lesson #452 (7 of 8)

As a defender, one way to use our trump is to try and get a ruff. But another way is to force the Declarer to ruff and try to take control of the hand -- this forcing defense is a powerful strategy. (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

Robert Todd
August 24, 2021
Def Basics

Defensive Basics: Visualizing Suits

Robert Todd
August 24, 2021
Def Basics
Defensive Basics: Visualizing Suits

TWiB Lesson #453 (8 of 8)

When defending a hand it is important to try to visualize the layout of the suit around the table. This is helps guide us in determining whether to be active or passive on defense. (Video Coming)

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Tagged: Def

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