Bidding
Robert Todd
(550) Competitive Auctions: Leaping Michaels

When RHO opens a 2-level preempt, they have started eating up our valuable bidding space. But this is just the start of their attack on us. LHO may join in the attack and raise the preempt, making our life even more difficult. When we are bidding over RHO’s 2-level preempt we should keep this in mind. We need lots of tools to deal with this situation. Let’s look at these options.

(550) Competitive Auctions: Leaping Michaels
Bidding
Robert Todd
(549) NT Bidding: Slam Tries After Stayman

One of the most common gadgets that we use when partner opens 1NT is Stayman. We primarily use Stayman to search for a 4-4 Major suit fit. After Stayman sometimes we want to have a way to raise partner’s suit where they cannot pass. We will want a “Forcing Raise” (similar to Jacoby 2NT or Inverted Minors) in order to find out more about Opener’s hand. This is missing from a standard bidding system. It is a valuable tool for making a slam try while keeping the auction from getting too high.

(549) NT Bidding: Slam Tries After Stayman
Bidding
Robert Todd
(548) NT Bidding: Modern, Transfer, and Modern ...

Lebensohl is an excellent system for dealing with interference over our 1NT opening bids. But Lebensohl has some flaws. In Lebensohl auctions we will often play the hand from the “wrong” side (Responder’s side.) Another flaw in Lebensohl relates to Responder’s strength. Responder often has three strengths (buckets) let’s see how Transfer Lebensohl is an upgrade to this.

(548) NT Bidding: Modern, Transfer, and Modern Transfer Lebensohl
Bidding
Robert Todd
(547) NT Bidding: Responding after a Penalty ...

When we open the bidding with 1NT, showing 15-17 points, if an opponent makes a penalty double, we are less likely to be looking to invite or bid game. We are usually looking to escape from a 1NT contract and attempt to find some safer place to play. This safe place will hopefully be our largest fit or a long suit in the weak hand (in Responder’s hand). In order to find this place to play we need to look at how Responder’s bidding options change after a penalty double.

(547) NT Bidding: Responding after a Penalty Double of a 1NT Opening
Bidding
Robert Todd
(546) NT Bidding: Responding to 1NT vs. 3-Level ...

There are many systems the opponents play in order to interfere over our 1NT opening bid, but almost all of these systems use the 3-level (actually 2NT+) for the same meanings – 2NT as a weak bid showing both minors and 3-level bids as weak with a long suit, preemptive. It is important that you and partner are on the same page for how to deal with this higher-level interference

(546) NT Bidding: Responding to 1NT vs. 3-Level Interference

Combining Chances Webinar

(121) Declarer Play - Notrump: Length vs. Strength

(121) Declarer Play - Notrump: Length vs. Strength

In all contracts, but especially in Notrump, developing a long suit into winners is a highly effective way to make our contract.  We will look at these options and compare them to establishing tricks the old fashioned way (with our High Cards) and see how we can combine these two skills to improve our play.