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Improve Your Play - Making Most of Dummy (4)

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Making the Most of Dummy - Length in Dummy

Making the Most of Dummy - Length in Dummy

8/14/23 (58 min)

When we are playing in a suit contract it usually makes us excited to see a long suit in the dummy -- especially a long, strong one. We can often use it to help us discard our losers in other suits. Here we look at establishing this suit and how to balance timing and transportation.

Making the Most of Dummy - Shortness in Dummy

Making the Most of Dummy - Shortness in Dummy

8/20/23 (60 min)

When dummy has shortness in a suit outside the trump suit, we normally make use of it by trumping our losers in that suit. But there is an art form to when you do this -- before or after we draw trump. Here we look at the timing of ruffing our losers and how we combine some of our techniques.

Making the Most of Dummy - Equal Length in Dummy

Making the Most of Dummy - Equal Length in Dummy

8/28/23 (56 min)

When dummy has a side suit that is equal length to one in our hand then we can try to create some shortness by discarding some of them. But if we can not do this then we are going to be stuck tackling the suit based on the card combinations. That means finesse, double finesses, end-plays, and more.

Making the Most of Dummy - Make Use of Dummy's Entries

Making the Most of Dummy - Make Use of Dummy's Entries

9/5/23 (58 min)

All of these play situations require us to manage our transferportation carefully. Entries to each hand are important to spend carefully. Here we look at how to use of this, especially in the trump suit.

Better Card Play (5)

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Better Card Play - Concealing Cards from Opponents

Jan 14, 2022

Better Card Play - Concealing Cards from Opponents

Jan 14, 2022

9/12/22 (62 min)

When we follow to a trick with an honor card, either as a Declarer or Defender, we communicate information to the opponents. This information is not only in the card we played, but we also give them information about cards we have not played — both explicitly and implicitly. Here we look at which cards we should play in a variety of different situations and how we can draw information from partner and opponent's cards.

Jan 14, 2022

Better Card Play - Interpreting Opening Leads

Jan 13, 2022

Better Card Play - Interpreting Opening Leads

Jan 13, 2022

9/19/22 (61 min)

When the opponent's lead a suit you know a good amount about their holding in that particular suit. You can infer things about their length based on the spot card they lead as well as their honor holds. But you can infer a lot of information about their hand from what they don't lead. Like we didn't they lead the suit they bid? Why didn't they lead their partner's suit? Here we look at how to make use of all of this information.

Jan 13, 2022

Better Card Play - Ruffing Losers: Dummy, Hand, Crossruff

Jan 12, 2022

Better Card Play - Ruffing Losers: Dummy, Hand, Crossruff

Jan 12, 2022

10/3/22 (65 min)

In a trump contract, ruffing your losers in one of the post power declarer play tools. Here we look at times when we ruff in partner's hand -- normally the short trump side. We also look at other times when we may choose to ruff in our hand, setting up the dummy. Finally, we look at the all out ruffing effort of the crossruff!

Jan 12, 2022

Better Card Play - Blocking their Suit and Unblock Ours

Jan 11, 2022

Better Card Play - Blocking their Suit and Unblock Ours

Jan 11, 2022

10/10/22 (62 min)

Getting stuck in one hand when you have winners in your partner's hand is extremely frustrating. Whether we are the Declarer or a Defender learning to unblock a suit is an important skill. But when it comes to blocking and unblocking a suit there is also a skill / art form to getting the opponent's to block the suit. Here we look at how to work on both of these situations.

Jan 11, 2022

Better Card Play - Judgment in Card Play

Jan 10, 2022

Better Card Play - Judgment in Card Play

Jan 10, 2022

10/17/22 (65 min)

We make a lot of decisions on each hand of bridge. Judgement is most often talked about in the bidding, but you also need to judge wisely how to proceed in the card play -- both as Declarer or as a Defender. Here we look at how to use your experience and judgment to make better choices about which suit and/or card to play.

Jan 10, 2022

Fun Card Play (5)

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Card Play Fun - Ducking Plays

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - Ducking Plays

Oct 29, 2021

11/16/21 (67 min)

As a defender you can "duck" a trick to try and help your side keep communication. You can also do so to create complexity and a guess for the Declarer.

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - Hold-Up Plays

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - Hold-Up Plays

Oct 29, 2021

11/23/21 (62 min)

Here we look at the technique where the Declarer refuses to take a winner to try to cut communication and see when they should use it and when they should not.

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - The Danger Hand and Safe Hand

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - The Danger Hand and Safe Hand

Oct 29, 2021

11/29/21 (61 min)

There are a variety of situations where, as Declarer, we are comfortable having one Defender gain the lead and not the other. Here we look at how to recognize and make use of this situation.

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - Analyzing Dummy at Trick 1

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - Analyzing Dummy at Trick 1

Oct 29, 2021

12/7/21 (72 min)

One of the most important things you can do as Declarer is to make a plan at Trick 1. Here we look at how to do breakdown and effectively analyze what the dummy has to offer.

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - Card Reading

Oct 29, 2021

Card Play Fun - Card Reading

Oct 29, 2021

12/27/21 (70 min)

Interpreting the cards that are led on opening lead, and in the middle of the hand, is one of the art forms of bridge. Here we work on placing and visualizing the location of the opponent's cards.

Oct 29, 2021

Suit Play (4)

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Suits - Play Part Scores without a Fit with Me

May 4, 2021

Suits - Play Part Scores without a Fit with Me

May 4, 2021

7/27/21 (70 min)

When we win the contract in a part-score and do not have an 8-card fit it is usually because we either have more HCP than the opponents or there was an auction that kept the opponents from getting into the bidding. Let's make sure that we know how to play these hands.

May 4, 2021

Suits - Play Part Scores with a Fit with Me

May 3, 2021

Suits - Play Part Scores with a Fit with Me

May 3, 2021

8/2/21 (70 min)

When we play a part-score deal and we have a trump fit it usually means that we have more trump the opponent's do. Making use of our trump suit is a key part of good declarer play, especially in a part-score deal.

May 3, 2021

Suits - Play Game with Me

May 2, 2021

Suits - Play Game with Me

May 2, 2021

8/10/21 (72 min)

When we have enough points to bid game and we are playing in a trump suit then we need to make sure that we make use of our trump in the best ways we possibly can. Here we look at some examples and see how we play then hand best.

May 2, 2021

Suits - Play Slam with Me

May 1, 2021

Suits - Play Slam with Me

May 1, 2021

8/17/21 (79 min)

Slam contract in suit contracts are more common than in notrump. Let's look at how we can best play then hand to take all the tricks that we are entitled to. It's extremely important to make your contracts when you bid to a slam!

May 1, 2021

More SUIT Play (4)

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Suits - Play Part Scores without a Fit with Me

Feb 4, 2022

Suits - Play Part Scores without a Fit with Me

Feb 4, 2022

1/2/23 (65 min)

When we win the contract in a part-score and do not have an 8-card fit it is usually because we either have more HCP than the opponents or there was an auction that kept the opponents from getting into the bidding. Let's make sure that we know how to play these hands.

Feb 4, 2022

Suits - Play Part Scores with a Fit with Me

Feb 3, 2022

Suits - Play Part Scores with a Fit with Me

Feb 3, 2022

1/9/23 (62 min)

When we play a part-score deal and we have a trump fit it usually means that we have more trump the opponent's do. Making use of our trump suit is a key part of good declarer play, especially in a part-score deal.

Feb 3, 2022

Suits - Play Game with Me

Feb 2, 2022

Suits - Play Game with Me

Feb 2, 2022

1/16/23 (61 min)

When we have enough points to bid game and we are playing in a trump suit then we need to make sure that we make use of our trump in the best ways we possibly can. Here we look at some examples and see how we play then hand best.

Feb 2, 2022

Suits - More Play Slam with Me

Feb 1, 2022

Suits - More Play Slam with Me

Feb 1, 2022

1/23/23 (61 min)

Slam contract in suit contracts are more common than in notrump. Let's look at how we can best play then hand to take all the tricks that we are entitled to. It's extremely important to make your contracts when you bid to a slam!

Feb 1, 2022

More SUIT Play 2 (4)

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More Suits 2 - Play Part Scores without a Fit with Me

More Suits 2 - Play Part Scores without a Fit with Me

11/20/23 (61 min)

When we win the contract in a part-score and do not have an 8-card fit it is usually because we either have more HCP than the opponents or there was an auction that kept the opponents from getting into the bidding. Let's make sure that we know how to play these hands.

More Suits 2 - Play Part Scores with a Fit with Me

More Suits 2 - Play Part Scores with a Fit with Me

12/4/23 (61 min)

When we play a part-score deal and we have a trump fit it usually means that we have more trump the opponent's do. Making use of our trump suit is a key part of good declarer play, especially in a part-score deal.

More Suits 2 - Play Game Contracts with Me

More Suits 2 - Play Game Contracts with Me

12/11/23 (61 min)

When we have enough points to bid game and we are playing in a trump suit then we need to make sure that we make use of our trump in the best ways we possibly can. Here we look at some examples and see how we can then best play the hand.

More Suits 2 - Play Slam Contracts with Me

More Suits 2 - Play Slam Contracts with Me

12/18/23 (61 min)

When we have enough points to bid game and we are playing in a trump suit then we need to make sure that we make use of our trump in the best ways we possibly can. Here we look at some examples and see how we can then best play the hand.

NOTRUMP Play (4)

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Notrump Play - Play 1NT with Me

Notrump Play - Play 1NT with Me

2/23/21 (77 min)

1NT is my favorite contract to declare! When we play the hand in 1NT there is space and time for creativity. We will look at how you play this contract to give you technical chances but, more importantly, we look at how to give your opponents chances to help you make 1NT.

Notrump Play - Play 2NT with Me

Notrump Play - Play 2NT with Me

3/2/21 (74 min)

2NT is one of the worst contracts in all of bridge. When the hand is over we will often wish we were in 1NT or 3NT (depending on how many tricks we take). We look at how to navigate this contract and look at some examples of the kind of decisions you are faced with in this annoying contract.

Notrump Play - Play 3NT with Me

Notrump Play - Play 3NT with Me

3/2/21 (74 min)

In 3NT you must determine if the hand is a race or a grind. When it is a race you must go get your tricks ASAP. When it is a grind, you want to give yourself every little extra chance to make the contract -- play as carefully as possible.

Notrump Play - Play 6NT with Me

Notrump Play - Play 6NT with Me

3/16/21 (70+ min)

In a Notrump slam you cannot give up the lead often. Here we look at how we give ourselves as many chances as possible to make 6NT and see how “combining your chances” and “giving the opponents opportunities to make mistakes” lead to great results.

More NOTRUMP Play (4)

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More Notrump Play - Play 1NT with Me

More Notrump Play - Play 1NT with Me

4/26/22 (66 min)

1NT is my favorite contract to declare! When we play the hand in 1NT there is space and time for creativity. We will look at how you play this contract to give you technical chances but, more importantly, we look at how to give your opponents chances to help you make 1NT.

More Notrump Play - Play 2NT with Me

More Notrump Play - Play 2NT with Me

5/2/22 (65 min)

2NT is one of the worst contracts in all of bridge. When the hand is over we will often wish we were in 1NT or 3NT (depending on how many tricks we take). We look at how to navigate this contract and look at some examples of the kind of decisions you are faced with in this annoying contract.

More Notrump Play - Play 3NT with Me

More Notrump Play - Play 3NT with Me

5/9/22 (65 min)

In 3NT you must determine if the hand is a race or a grind. When it is a race you must go get your tricks ASAP. When it is a grind, you want to give yourself every little extra chance to make the contract -- play as carefully as possible.

More Notrump Play - Play 6NT with Me

More Notrump Play - Play 6NT with Me

5/16/22 (66 min)

In a Notrump slam you cannot give up the lead often. Here we look at how we give ourselves as many chances as possible to make 6NT and see how “combining your chances” and “giving the opponents opportunities to make mistakes” lead to great results.

More NOTRUMP Play 2 (4)

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More NT Play 2 - Play 1NT with Me

More NT Play 2 - Play 1NT with Me

4/24/23 (61 min)

1NT is my favorite contract to declare! When we play the hand in 1NT there is space and time for creativity. We will look at how you play this contract to give you technical chances but, more importantly, we look at how to give your opponents chances to help you make 1NT.

More NT Play 2 - Play 2NT with Me

More NT Play 2 - Play 2NT with Me

4/30/23 (62 min)

2NT is one of the worst contracts in all of bridge. When the hand is over we will often wish we were in 1NT or 3NT (depending on how many tricks we take). We look at how to navigate this contract and look at some examples of the kind of decisions you are faced with in this annoying contract.

More NT Play 2 - Play 3NT with Me

More NT Play 2 - Play 3NT with Me

5/7/23 (61 min)

In 3NT you must determine if the hand is a race or a grind. When it is a race you must go get your tricks ASAP. When it is a grind, you want to give yourself every little extra chance to make the contract -- play as carefully as possible.

More NT Play 2 - Play 6NT with Me

More NT Play 2 - Play 6NT with Me

5/15/23 (62 min)

In a Notrump slam you cannot give up the lead often. Here we look at how we give ourselves as many chances as possible to make 6NT and see how “combining your chances” and “giving the opponents opportunities to make mistakes” lead to great results.

Play Fundamentals (6)

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Finesse and More

Finesse and More

Tuesday 11/3/20 (70 min)

It's important to know how to take finesses of many kinds, but even more important to know how to make choices at the table.

Combining Your Chances: Expert Thinking

Combining Your Chances: Expert Thinking

Tuesday 11/10/20 (78 min)

We develop tricks through Promotion, Length, or Finesse. But how do we choose which one to try first? And how do we combine our chances.

Trump Suit Management

Trump Suit Management

Tuesday 11/17/20 (72 min)

The trump suit is the one suit we can not avoid. That means that we really need to make the most of our trump. Here we look at a variety of ways we can use our trump suit to help us take tricks.

Guessing at the Table

Guessing at the Table

Tuesday, 11/24/20 (80 min)

Making a hand often comes down to a guess. But these are rarely blind guesses. Here we look at different guesses we make and what we can use to help us get them right more than 50% of the time.

Counting While You Play the Hand

Counting While You Play the Hand

12/1/20 (82 min)

There are a variety of ways to count a suit. Evolve to the best way -- Patterns. We will also look at a variety of other things we can count -- an opponent's hand, HCP, and more..

Applying Pressure to the Defenders

Applying Pressure to the Defenders

12/8/20 (74 min)

As Declarer there are many ways you can make the defender's life difficult. Here we look at how we attack the opponents and produce tricks either forcing the opponents to make mistakes.