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July 7, 2025
Constructive Bidding
Robert Todd
(585) Modified 2-Way Reverse Drury

The concept of having a conventional bid like Drury available to show a limit raise in support of partner’s Major suit when we are a passed hand is a regular part of most partnerships’ passed hand bidding structure.  Given that making a 2/1 bid into a minor suit is not that attractive (or even possible!) by a passed hand, it makes sense to allocate both 2♣ and 2♦ as artificial raises of Opener’s third seat (or fourth seat) Major suit opening bid.  Many partnerships that play Drury play 2-Way Drury, using one bid to show a 3-card limit raise and the other a 4-card limit raise.  But a more sophisticated structure can allow us to describe even more hand types in the same bidding space.

(585) Modified 2-Way Reverse Drury
June 30, 2025
Constructive Bidding
Robert Todd
(584) Exclusion Keycard

When we are interested in slam in a suit contract but have a void in one of the side suits, it adds some complexity to our slam bidding.  We may be able to make a slam missing two Aces (or a grand slam missing an Ace), if partner does not have the Ace opposite our void.  When exploring slam, we want to know if partner has that Ace or has the “good Aces”, the ones opposite our losers.  One way that we find out about the location of partner’s Aces is by using control showing bids. This is especially effective if we use them to show first round control (if we play that our control showing bids could be 1st or 2nd round, then we know less about which Aces partner hold).  There is a gadget that we can use in some auctions that allows us to try to solve this problem.  This convention, called Exclusion Keycard, asks partner for their number of Keycards (or Aces if we play Blackwood), excluding one particular Ace – the place where we are void. This Exclusion allows us to find out if partner has enough of the “right Aces” for us to make slam. 

(584) Exclusion Keycard
June 23, 2025
Constructive Bidding
Robert Todd
(583) Problems with Kickback Keycard

Kickback is a convention that can make slam bidding easier, in that it gives us more space to ask partner for the Queen of trump, but it can also cause problems for us in the bidding.  Any time we make a game contract (like 4♥ or 4♠) a conventional bid, there is danger that we have an expensive mixup with partner.  Here we look at some classic danger auctions that may come up if we choose to play Kickback and then discuss some of the common partnership agreements or philosophies for how to handle these dangerous auctions.

(583) Problems with Kickback Keycard
May 19, 2025
Constructive Bidding
Robert Todd
(578) Preempt Keycard

When we preempts the bidding they cannot have 3 or 4 keycards. So it does not make sense to have a keycard system that shows these. Here we look at an improvement in steps and in how we ask.

(578)  Preempt Keycard
May 12, 2025
Constructive Bidding
Robert Todd
(577) Jump Shift Structure

When Opener makes a jump shift into a new suit with their second bid, it is a strong bid that creates a game forcing auction. This is a good bid because it ensures we reach game, but it is a bad bid because it eats up a lot of bidding space without fully describing our distribution. This is a problem. One of the most difficult opening hands to describe to partner is the unbalanced single-suited (one 6+card suit) hand with 18-19 HCP.  This is one of the strongest hands that does not open the bidding 2♣.  With this hand we usually open our suit at the 1-level and after partner responds at the 1-level, we lie in a minor suit.  If our one suit is a Major, then we show our strength by making a jump shift into 3♣, even when we have very few ♣ (as few as 2 cards.)  With this bid we create a game forcing auction (showing our values), but we distort our shape (partner expects that we have at least 4 cards in the ♣ suit). This can cause some confusion with partner if they have a large fit for our ♣ suit.  We would like to have a way to let partner know that this jump shift is done on a single-suited hand, not on a two-suited hand.  Let’s look at a system that helps us improve our jump shift methods.

(577)  Jump Shift Structure
Robert Todd
January 15, 2018
Bidding Concepts

(221) Corrective vs. Forward-Going Bids

Robert Todd
January 15, 2018
Bidding Concepts
(221) Corrective vs. Forward-Going Bids

Some of partner's bids are corrective, hoping to end the auction. Other bids are forward-going, hoping to reach game or more.  Here we look at some examples to help us avoid mix-ups with partner in these auctions. 

Tagged: Level: 2

Comment
Robert Todd
January 8, 2018
Bidding Concepts

(220) Offensively- vs. Defensively-Oriented Hands

Robert Todd
January 8, 2018
Bidding Concepts
(220) Offensively- vs. Defensively-Oriented Hands

Evaluating your cards and determining whether to bid on or not is difficult.  Understanding if your hand is generally offensively- or defensively-oriented requires thinking about your hand differently.  Here we look at how to do that. 

Tagged: Level: 2

Comment
Robert Todd
January 1, 2018
Bidding Concepts

(219) Partnership Discussions - Understanding Partner's Style

Robert Todd
January 1, 2018
Bidding Concepts
(219) Partnership Discussions - Understanding Partner's Style

Having good agreements is an important part of a partnership.  But understanding your partner's style of play and what their tendencies are is just as important (if not more so).  Here we look at some questions you should ask partner to help you better understand their bidding!

Tagged: Level: 1

Comment
Robert Todd
November 27, 2017

(218) Advanced Bidding: Advanced Ogust

Robert Todd
November 27, 2017
click here for updated lesson

Tagged: retired

Comment
Robert Todd
November 20, 2017

(217) Advanced Bidding: Spear

Robert Todd
November 20, 2017
click here for updated lesson

Tagged: retired

Comment
Robert Todd
November 13, 2017
Constructive Bidding

(216) Advanced Bidding: Transfer Rebids After 1H - 1S

Robert Todd
November 13, 2017
Constructive Bidding
(216)  Advanced Bidding: Transfer Rebids After 1H - 1S

Transfer bids improve standard bidding in many ways.   They are frequently used by Responder in a variety of auctions, but here we look at how Opener can use transfer rebids in the auction that begins 1H (P) 1S (P) to better describe their hand while keeping the auction at a low level. 

Tagged: Level: 6

Comment
Robert Todd
November 6, 2017
Constructive Bidding

(215) Advanced Bidding: Transfer Wolff Over 2NT Rebids

Robert Todd
November 6, 2017
Constructive Bidding
(215)  Advanced Bidding:  Transfer Wolff Over 2NT Rebids

A jump rebid of 2NT by Opener, showing a balanced hand with 18-19 points, takes up a lot of bidding space and can put pressure on Responder to show their hand and keep the auction below 3NT.  Here we look at a modern sophisticated approach to solving this problem - Wolff Signoff with Transfer Rebids!

Tagged: Level: 6

Comment
Robert Todd
October 23, 2017
Defense

(214) Defense: Always Return Partner's Lead?

Robert Todd
October 23, 2017
Defense
(214) Defense:  Always Return Partner's Lead?

Returning partner's lead is the normal thing to do when you gain the lead in 3rd hand, but it is not always the best action.  We look at when to return partner's lead and when to shift to another suit. 

Tagged: Level: 2, Level: 4

Comment
Robert Todd
October 16, 2017

(213) Defense: Always Lead Partner's Suit?

Robert Todd
October 16, 2017
click here for updated lesson

Tagged: retired

Comment
Robert Todd
October 9, 2017

(212) Defense: When to Get Active

Robert Todd
October 9, 2017
click here for updated lesson

Tagged: retired

Comment
Robert Todd
October 2, 2017
Defense

(211) Defense: Getting Your Ruffs

Robert Todd
October 2, 2017
Defense
(211) Defense: Getting Your Ruffs

When partner leads a singleton it is important for partnership morale to give them their ruff (if possible).  Use every tool you can: Attitude, Suit Preference, and even Trump Suit Preference signals to try to get these situations right!

Tagged: Level: 2, Level: 3, Level: 4

Comment
Robert Todd
September 25, 2017

(210) Defense: Which Honor to Cover or Capture

Robert Todd
September 25, 2017
click here for updated lesson

Tagged: retired

Comment
Robert Todd
September 18, 2017
Defense

(209) Defense: Assumptions on Defense

Robert Todd
September 18, 2017
Defense
(209) Defense:  Assumptions on Defense

Assuming declarer is logical in their play can help us determine what declarer holds and help us best defend the hand!

Tagged: Level: 2

Comment
Robert Todd
September 11, 2017
Defense

(208) Defense: Figuring Out Declarer's Hand - Asking Questions

Robert Todd
September 11, 2017
Defense
(208) Defense:  Figuring Out Declarer's Hand - Asking Questions

As a defender, asking the opponents questions about the inferences available from the auction (exactly what declarer has shown or denied) is an important part of properly visualizing declarer's hand!

Tagged: Level: 3

Comment
Robert Todd
September 6, 2017
Defense

(207) Defense: Planning the Defense

Robert Todd
September 6, 2017
Defense
(207) Defense: Planning the Defense

Most bridge players are well trained to make a plan about winners or losers as declarer, but we should be making a similar plan when we are defending!   

Tagged: Level: 2

Comment
Robert Todd
August 28, 2017
Play of the Hand

(206) Suit Play: Using Powerful Length in Dummy

Robert Todd
August 28, 2017
Play of the Hand
(206)  Suit Play:  Using Powerful Length in Dummy

Length in dummy can be valuable if we ruff out the suit, but length and strength in dummy can used in a variety of ways to produce extra winners.  

Tagged: Combining Chances Webinar, Suit Play Webinars, Level: 2

1 Comment
Robert Todd
August 21, 2017
Play of the Hand

(205) Suit Play: Establishing Length in Dummy

Robert Todd
August 21, 2017
Play of the Hand
(205) Suit Play:  Establishing Length in Dummy

Establishing a long and relatively weak suit in dummy is usually done by ruffing the suit out.  We look at how best accomplish this!

Tagged: Trump Suit Management Webinar, Suit Play Webinars, Level: 1

1 Comment
Robert Todd
August 14, 2017
Play of the Hand

(204) Suit Play: Using Dummy's Shortness

Robert Todd
August 14, 2017
Play of the Hand
(204)  Suit Play:  Using Dummy's Shortness

In suit contracts, shortness in the dummy is extremely valuable.   Here we look at how to best make use of dummy's short suit.

Tagged: Trump Suit Management Webinar, Suit Play Webinars, Card Play Fun Webinars, Level: 1

Comment
Robert Todd
August 7, 2017
Play of the Hand

(203) Suit Play: Using Suits in Dummy Equal in Length to Declarer

Robert Todd
August 7, 2017
Play of the Hand
(203)  Suit Play: Using Suits in Dummy Equal in Length to Declarer

Playing a suit contract requires some skills for how to get rid of our losers in that suit.  We look at how to play suits that are equal in length in both dummy and declarer's hand.

Tagged: Suit Play Webinars, Card Play Fun Webinars, Level: 1

Comment
Robert Todd
July 24, 2017

(202) NT Play: Timing

Robert Todd
July 24, 2017
click here for updated lesson

Tagged: retired

Comment
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Fundamentals - High Level Response to 1-Major Openings
Fundamentals - High Level Response to 1-Major Openings

July 2025 - Coming Soon!

When partner opens the bidding with 1-Major then we normally go slow and make a low level response. But we can also use some immediate jumps to high bids to describe some interesting and difficult hands. Let’s look at the meaning of this high-level jump responses.

Webinar Notes

Fundamentals - Other Responses 1-Level Openings
Fundamentals - Other Responses 1-Level Openings

July 2025 - Coming Soon!

Here we look at some other complex auctions and special responses to 1-level opening bids. We focus on some jump shift responses to 1-Major and 1-minor and then turn out focus to NT responses to minor suit openings.

Webinar Notes

Fundamentals - Hand Eval after Responder's Jump Shift
Fundamentals - Hand Eval after Responder's Jump Shift

July 2025 - Coming Soon!

When Responder makes a jump shift, either a weak jump shift or a 3/1 invitational jump shift, then Opener is left to figure out what to do next. Here we look at what types of hands Opener should bid with (like) and when they should be conservative and Pass.

Webinar Notes

Fundamentals - Some Confusing Auctions
Fundamentals - Some Confusing Auctions

July 2025 - Coming Soon!

There are some classic auctions that lead to confusion between partnerships. Ones that you should make sure you and partner agree upon.

Webinar Notes

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