ASB
Robert Todd
Advanced Slam 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 Slam 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

OV

Overcalls Set 1 - 320

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

1-Level Simple Overcalls (Set 1 of 8)

A simple overcall at the 1-level is one of our most common competitive bidding tools, but that does not make it an easy one to use. It can often create confusion for partner (as well as the opponents). Let's take a look at some hands and see if we can use good judgment about when to make a simple overcall at the 1-level.

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 320.

Overcalls Set 2 - 321

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

2-Level Simple Overcalls (Set 2 of 8)

A simple overcall at the 2-level shows a substantially better hand than one we might bid with at the 1-level. When we come into the bidding at this level we need both a good suit and a good hand. Let's work on our judgment 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 321.

Overcalls Set 3 - 322

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

2-Level Jump Overcalls (Set 3 of 8)

When our right hand opponent opens the bidding and we have a long suit, we often want to make destruction actions instead of constructive ones. Jumping to the 2-level in our long suit can be a good way to disrupt the opponents. Let's work on our judgment about when to do this and when to try other tactics.

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 322.

Overcalls Set 4 - 323

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

2-Suited Overcalls (Set 4 of 8)

Competing in the bidding with a 2-suited hand is something of an art form. We need to show partner our suits as well as try to communicate our values. Let's take a look at ways of accomplishing this.

You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free on the Adventures in Bridge website at TWiB Signup. This set accompanies TWiB 323.

Overcalls Set 5 - 324

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Overcalls in the Sandwich Seat (Set 5 of 8)

When LHO opens the bidding, partner passes, and RHO responds we are in the sandwich seat. There are many options for how to describe our hand. Let's look at some examples and make sure we know how to make use of all the options.

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 324.

Overcalls Set 6 - 325

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Overcalls in the Balancing Seat (Set 6 of 8)

When LHO opens the bidding and the auction passes around to us, then we are in the balancing seat.

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 325.

Overcalls Set 7 - 326

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Overcalls (Set 7 of 8)

When we have a good hand and the opponents open a suit where we hold both length and strength, we consider playing in notrump. Here we look at hands where we may want to overcall 1NT and consider our other options as well.

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 326.

Overcalls Set 8 - 327

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

High-Level Jump Overcalls (Set 8 of 8)

When the opponents open the bidding and we have an extremely long suit we want to get into the auction. We strive to describe our hand, but also take away valuable bidding space from the opponents. Let's see if you can do both on these 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 327.