Balanced hand bidding is relatively easy. We can usually describe our hand to partner by opening 1NT or rebidding 1NT. This lets partner know both our points and our hand type with either our first bid (when we open 1NT, the best situation) or with our second bid (when we rebid 1NT). However, if we have a big balanced hand then we need to have tools for describing our hand as well. These usually involve the use of 2NT – as a rebid, an opening bid, or even a rebid after having opened the bidding 2♣. But this does not solve all our bidding problems when we have these large balanced hands. Let’s look at these auctions in detail, see some of the issues, and then look at a useful gadget called Kokish to help us bid better.
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.
One of my favorite sayings is “2NT is a convention, not a contract.” In specific situations, Responder can use 2NT as conventional raise of Opener’s suit. Sometimes we need to choose between several different conventional methods for competitive auctions. Here we look at our options for how to best use 2NT.
One of my favorite sayings is “2NT is a convention, not a contract.” In specific situations, Responder can use 2NT as conventional raise of Opener’s suit. Sometimes we need to choose between several different conventional methods for competitive auctions. Here we look at our options for how to best use 2NT.
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 is particularly true in competitive auctions but is also useful in constructive auctions. Responder must balance showing the size of their fit with showing their values. This LOTT bidding is especially effective when our side has a 9+card fit. In this case, the auction is likely to become competitive if the opponents have some values as well. Predicting this to happen, we would like to be able to compete to the 3-level with a 9+card fit as quickly as possible, eating up the opponents’ bidding space while showing our values. 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.
When we are close to having game in our hand, 22+ points when balanced or lots of points and tricks when unbalanced, then we open 2C instead of opening naturally. Let's look at how we use the Strong Artificial and Forcing Opening bid.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
Bidding the opponent’s suit is a is useful on the 1st round of the bidding and later. Here we look at how we use this cuebid later in the bidding.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 432.
When partner opens 1NT we need some "gadgets" to help us find our fits. These are some of the first conventions we learn. Let's look at Stayman and Transfers and how to make use of them.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
Major suit fits are the most important ones to find. When partners begins the auction with 1-Major then finding a Major suit fit can be easier. Let's look at how we Respond to a Major suit opening so that we give our side the best chance for finding a fit and getting to the best final contract.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
This week we look at balancing in more detail. Our focus is on Balancing by the Responder — how they fight their way back into the auction.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 433.
When we are in the balancing seat we need many ways to compete in the bidding. We can use NT bids to compete in the bidding to describe the appropriate hands.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 434.
Now that we know how to open the bidding with 1-minor then we need to practice responding to 1-minor. We generally respond using natural bids in these auctions -- let's see how it works!
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
This week we continue our discussion on balancing with a focus on our options for doing so with distributional hands.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 435.
Other than 1NT, the most important opening bid in bridge is 1-Major (1H or 1S). Here we look at hands that begin with these openings and how the auctions usually proceed.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
1NT and 2NT Opening Bids
Do you want to learn the basics of bridge bidding. The most important opening bids is NT. Here we look at the basics of opening the bidding with 1NT (or 2NT).
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
In a 2/1 GF auction we often use our 3rd bid to show more about our distribution. We call this “patterning out”. Here we look at how to use it to explore slam.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 419.
In 2/1 GF auctions we can use splinter bids to show a fit and shortness while keeping the auction at a relatively low level. Let's look at our options for how to do so.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 420.
Deciding which suit to bid, to create a game forcing auction or after you are already in one, can be a difficult decision. Here we look at when it is ok to bypass a 4-card suit vs when we should just be as cheaply as possible.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 422.
After a 2/1 GF and rebid we may find a fit. If we do, one of our options for is a delayed splinter. This shows a fit and shortness. Let's look at how we use these bids to try for slam in these auctions.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 423.
When we are in a 2/1 GF auctions and we bid the 4th suit there is a potential for a misunderstand with partner. Here we look at what types hands may need to bid the 4th suit in a game forcing auction.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 424.
In the middle of a 2/1 GF auction some of the most useful bids that we can make are NT bids. This is true for both Opener and Responder. Here we look at how we use these bids to show stoppers and properly describe the strength of our hand.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 425.
Here we look at a modern expert treatment in 2/1 GF auctions which uses a 2NT rebid like the rebid of a suit — showing a 6+card suit. Let’s see how it work and how it helps redefine our bidding structure.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 426.
2/1 bids are game-forcing as part of our constructive bidding system. But when we are in a competitive bidding system things change. Here we look at how 2/1 bids change in competition.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 427.
When we have a long suit and not a lot of values, then most of our playing strength is offensive and only if our long suit is trump. This is exactly what a preemptive opening bid shows. Here we look at all of the factors we need to consider in order to make good decisions about whether or not to preempt.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 411.
Here we look at how we further attack the opponents by using our higher-level preemptive bidding tools. Making the opponent's life difficult is one of the pleasures of bridge.
You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 412.
