ASB
Robert Todd
Advanced Same Bidding 1 - 576

Kokish Over Strong 2C

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.

Advanced Same Bidding 1 - 576
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 9 - 575

Freebids by a Passed Hand

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.

Even More Competitive Bidding 9 - 575
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 8 - 574

Fit -Showing Jumps

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.

Even More Competitive Bidding 8 - 574
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 7 - 573

Bergen Raises

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.

Even More Competitive Bidding 7 - 573
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 6 - 572

Bergen Raises

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.

Even More Competitive Bidding 6 - 572

Robert Todd

Defensive Carding Set 3 - 473

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Defensive Carding: Discards (Set 3 of 9)

When we run out of cards in a suit being played then we must discard. These discards are a great way to communicate with partner. Our first discard communicates a lot of information, but so do our subsequent discards. Here we look at making sure you are making good use of these discards.

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 473

Defensive Carding Set 2 - 472

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Defensive Signals: Count Signals (Set 2 of 9)

Signaling with partner is an important part of working together to defend a hand. Attitude signals are extremely important, but so are count signals. Here we look at how to give them and more importantly, when they apply.

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 472.

Defensive Carding Set 1 - 471

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Defensive Signals: Attitude Signals (Set 1 of 9)

Attitude signals are some of the most important ways that we can communicate with our partner. Here we look at how to make them and when they apply so that we can work with partners effectively.

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 471.

MC Landing Set 8 - 470

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: Unusual vs. Michaels and Unusual vs. Unusual (Set 8 of 8)

Here we look at times when we have to deal with the opponents 2-suited attacking bids -- Michaels Cuebids and Unusual NT. Here we look at some special agreements, Unusual vs Unusual and Unusual vs Michaels, to help us compete 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 470.

MC Landing Set 7 - 469

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: Meckstroth Advances (set 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.

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 469.

MC Landing Set 6 - 468

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: McCabe (set 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.

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 468.

MC Landing Set 5 - 467

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: Lead Directing Doubles (set 5 of 8)

We can use doubles of artificial bids in sophisticated ways to help use compete in the bidding or better defend the hand. Here we look at how to use them and when not 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 467.

MC Landing Set 4 - 466

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: Corrective vs. Forward Going Bids (set 4 of 8)

There are times in the auction where we want to find the best partscore and other times where our bids are still expressing interest in exploring game. Here we look at these corrective bids vs. forward-going ones and make sure we know which one partner is intending.

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 466.

MC Landing Set 3 - 465

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: Help Suit Game Tries (set 3 of 8)

When we are interested in investigating game we need to have more sophisticated ways of doing to than jump rebidding our suit. Help Suit Game Tries give us a way to do that.

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 465.

MC Landing Set 2 - 464

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: Passed Hand Bidding (set 2 of 8)

When we are a passed hand or partner is a passed hand our bidding changes. Here we look at how to make use of this information.

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 464.

MC Landing Set 1 - 463

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Constructive Bidding: 3rd Seat Openings (set 1 of 8)

Opening the bidding in the 3rd seat is a place for “misbehaving”. Here we look at some of options we have in 3rd seat that we don't have in the 1st or 2nd seat. Practice these 3rd seat openings to become a more difficult opponent.

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 463.

PB Landing Set 9 - 462

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Their Preemptive Opening Auctions (set 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!

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 462.

PB Landing Set 8 - 461

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Their Major Opening Auctions (set 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. Let's make sure we have good agreements in these situations.

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 461.

PB Landing Set 7 - 460

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Their Minor Opening Auctions (set 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.

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 460.

PB Landing Set 6 - 459

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Their NT Opening Auctions (set 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.

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 459.

PB Landing Set 5 - 458

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Our Strong Opening Auctions (set 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.

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 458.

PB Landing Set 4 - 457

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Our Preemptive Opening Auctions (set 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.

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 457.

PB Landing Set 3 - 456

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Our Major Suit Auctions (set 3 of 8)

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.

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 456.

PB Landing Set 2 - 455

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Our Minor Suit Auctions (set 2 of 8)

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.

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 455.

PB Landing Set 1 - 454

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Partnership Bidding: Our NT Auctions (set 1 of 8)

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.

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 454.