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

SLB Landing Set 6 - 407

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Slam Bidding: Jacoby 2NT (set 6 of 9)

Finding a large fit and at least enough values for game makes us interested in exploring slam. Jacoby 2NT allows us to do that while keeping the auction at a low level. This is a valuable tool for allowing us to re-evaluate our hand and explore slam.

Practice 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 407.

SLB Landing Set 7 - 408

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Slam Bidding: Splinters (set 7 of 9)

Slams that can be made with fewer than the traditional number of HCP often require large fits, ruffing values, and well-located honor cards. A splinter bid by Responder communicates values, fit, and shortness all in one bid and allows Opener to re-evaluate their hand and determine if slam may be possible.

Practice 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 408.

SLB Landing Set 8 - 409

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Slam Bidding: Splinters by Opener (set 8 of 9)

Shortness can be shown by the Opener, just as it is by the Responder. Here we look at how Open does this to explore for slam and help Responder re-evaluate their hand.

Practice 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 409.

SLB Landing Set 9 - 410

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Slam Bidding: Other Slam Tools (set 9 of 9)

There are many other tools for exploring slam. Here we look at how to use some of these valuable and interesting tools.

Practice 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 410.

OLB Landing Set 1 - 394

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: Card Combinations (set 1 of 8)

Leading the proper card from your holding is important because it gives part a chance to work out what is going on and may allow them to find the proper way to defend the hand.

Practice 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 394.

OLB Landing Set 2 - 395

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: Rule of 11 (set 2 of 8)

When partner leads "4th best", we have a tool to help us visualize the layout of the suit around the table (and determining if Declarer has any higher cards). Here we look at how to make use of this Rule of 11.

Practice 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 395.

OLB Landing Set 3 - 396

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: Leads in Partner’s Suit (set 3 of 8)

When partner bids a suit then they often expect us to lead it (and it is often a good lead). Since this is something we are going to be doing often then it is important for us to have good agreements in these situation.

Practice 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 396.

OLB Landing Set 4 - 397

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: When to Lead Partner’s Suit (set 4 of 8)

When partner bids a suit it is common for us to lead that suit. Here we look at times when we may choose to lead partner's suit and when we may choose to lead something else.

Practice 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 397.

OLB Landing Set 5 - 398

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: Power Leads (set 5 of 8)

There are some holdings where partner has to make an unusual lead (and it may be difficult for you to work out exactly what they are doing). Here we look at how your agreements can help you best defend in these situations.

Practice 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 398.

OLB Landing Set 6 - 399

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: A/Q Attitude, K Count (set 6 of 8)

It is important to get the right information from partner to help you solve your problems on defense. Here we look at how our opening lead agreements on signaling can help.

Practice 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 399.

OLB Landing Set 7 - 400

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: Rule of 10/12 (set 7 of 8)

Some partnerships choose to play 3rd and 5th best leads, especially against suit contracts. Here, we look at how to deal with these methods.

Practice 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 400.

OLB Landing Set 8 - 401

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Opening Lead Basics: Interpreting Partner’s Card (set 8 of 8)

One of the challenges to playing 3rd hand, especially to trick 1, is trying to understand your partner's holding for their opening lead. Here we look at how to interpret their card on opening lead.

Practice 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 401.

NTP Landing Set 1 - 386

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Taking Tricks (set 1 of 8)

Even when we have enough "top winners" to make our contract we can still fail. Transportation and the order we take our tricks are key. Make sure you make a plan.

Practice 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 386.

NTP Landing Set 2 - 387

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Developing Tricks (set 2 of 8)

Even when we have enough "top winners" to make our contract we can still fail. Transportation and the order we take our tricks are key. Make sure you make a plan.

Practice 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 387.

NTP Landing Set 3 - 388

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Finesses (set 3 of 8)

There are a variety of ways to produce tricks by leading up to honors. Here we look at a large number of ways we can produce tricks by finessing.

Practice 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 388.

NTP Landing Set 4 - 389

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Making a Plan (set 4 of 8)

One of the most important parts of playing a hand is stopping to make a plan at trick 1. Here we look at hands where we need to make a plan early and reconsider it throughout the play.

Practice 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 389.

NTP Landing Set 5 - 390

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Holdup Plays (set 5 of 8)

Taking your winner in a suit is usually a good thing to do. But when we have control of when to take it then "holding up" on our trick can help us cut communicate between the opponent's hands. Let's see how we can do this.

Practice 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 390.

NTP Landing Set 6 - 391

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Control of the Hand (set 6 of 8)

In NT, having control of each suit makes it safe to give up the lead. Lack of control creates danger. Here we look at how to balance control of the hand with our declarer play options.

Practice 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 391.

NTP Landing Set 7 - 392

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Transportation (set 7 of 8)

Being able to move back and forth between your hand and the dummy is a key part of good declarer play. Here we look at how to manage our transportation in NT contracts.

Practice 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 392.

NTP Landing Set 8 - 393

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Notrump Play: Timing (set 8 of 8)

Timing a hand correctly is about getting our actions in the proper order. Here we look at how to develop our hands in the order that allows us to take the most tricks.

Practice 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 393.