Defense Webinars
Defend with Me (4)
9/11/23 (61 min)
Robert is back with a variation on his popular Play These Hands with Me series, but this time he focuses on defense. In this new series, Defend These Hands with Me, Robert analyzes actual hands he has defended and shares his thinking at critical points throughout the hand. A great way to learn how to think on Defense…the most difficult part of the game!
9/17/23 (60 min)
Robert is back with a variation on his popular Play These Hands with Me series, but this time he focuses on defense. In this new series, Defend These Hands with Me, Robert analyzes actual hands he has defended and shares his thinking at critical points throughout the hand. A great way to learn how to think on Defense…the most difficult part of the game!
9/25/23 (60 min)
Robert is back with a variation on his popular Play These Hands with Me series, but this time he focuses on defense. In this new series, Defend These Hands with Me, Robert analyzes actual hands he has defended and shares his thinking at critical points throughout the hand. A great way to learn how to think on Defense…the most difficult part of the game!
10/8/23 (61 min)
Robert is back with a variation on his popular Play These Hands with Me series, but this time he focuses on defense. In this new series, Defend These Hands with Me, Robert analyzes actual hands he has defended and shares his thinking at critical points throughout the hand. A great way to learn how to think on Defense…the most difficult part of the game!
Signaling on Defense (4)
8/15/22 (68 min)
Signaling your partner is an important part of defense. Letting them know if we like a suit or not is called giving an attitude signal. Here we look at how to do this and even more importantly when you are giving an attitude signal. We will also discuss the skill of card reading and what you need to work on in order to better understand what your partner is trying to tell you.
8/22/22 (53 min)
Another kind of signal that we use with partner are count signals. These signals are valuable for letting partner know the distribution of a suit and/or hands. Even more important than the mechanics of given the signal is making sure you and partner are on the same page about when a signal is attitude, count, or something else — we will focus on this here as well.
8/29/22 (63 min)
There are more than just Attitude and Count Signals. Here we look at some of these other useful kinds of signals. We will then continue on to discuss discards, their meaning and how to use them to work together with partner!
9/6/22 (62 min)
The modern expert standard for carding is to use Upside-Down signals. Here we will look at how to switch to this type of carding and look at some of the challenges (things you need to discuss with your partner). Even if you do not play these signals, it is a good thing to understand as many of players you play against may be using them.
Understanding Defensive Situations (5)
2/7/22 (66 min)
When partner leads a suit, whether on opening lead or in the middle of the play, we become the 3rd player to the trick. There is a tip "3rd hand high", but that is not always right. Here we look at which card we should play and how partner makes use of this information.
2/14/22 (65 min)
When we win a trick in the middle of defending a hand we must lead to the next trick. It is important, whether we are playing the same suit or shifting to a new suit, that we have good agreements with partner about what the card we lead means.
2/21/22 (65 min)
When our RHO leads a suit and we have to play 2nd to a trick, then we have some decision to make. We have a classic guideline of 2nd hand low! We will look at when this is good advice and when it is not.
3/1/22 (67 min)
When we are the final players to play to a trick life is much easier for us. In this case, we want to play the card that will most help partner while making life difficult on the opponent's. We look at a variety of situations where you want to make sure to help partner and others where "fooling declarer" is more important.
3/7/22 (70 min)
A large part of trying to defense a hand well is making a plan on defense. Doing this is similar to what you do as Declarer. You take a look at the dummy, combine that information with your hand and the auction, and try to understand what is going on. You then make a plan for how to start Declarer from accomplishing their goals.
Opening Leads (4)
5/4/21 (68 min)
Here we look at opening lead options vs. suit contracts. It's important that you get your card combinations correct as well as your agreements. Know which holdings are risky to attack from.
5/11/21 (70+ min)
In notrump contracts we often lead 4th from our longest and strongest. Here we will look at card combinations and other holdings where we may choose not to do so.
5/18/21, (70+m)
Leading partner's suit is something you are going to do often. It is important to have good agreements about the meaning of your leads, both in suit contracts and NT. We will also discuss when not to lead partner's suit!
5/25/21 (70+ min)
Your hand is overrated in helping you make a good opening lead. The auction contains so much information that can help you. Here we look at how to make use of the auction to help you make better opening leads!
