TWiB Lesson #498 (1 of 8)
Here we look at defensive situations in the middle of the hand - we start with a look at covering the opponent's honors -- which one to cover?
Defense in Middle of Hand - Which Honor to Cover?
Defense in Middle of Hand - Getting Our Ruffs
TWiB Lesson #499 (2 of 8)
When you can ruff one of Declarer’s tricks it is extremely satisfying. Here we work on techniques that will allow us to do so as often as possible!
Defense in Middle of Hand
TWiB Lesson #500 (3 of 8)
Here we look at how we defend in the middle of the hand, with a focus on leading a new suit -- how and when to do so!
Defense in Middle of Hand - Return Partner's Lead
TWiB Lesson #501 (4 of 8)
Should we return partner’s lead? Show we shift to a different suit? This is always a difficult decision! Here we look at how to make this decision and help our partnership take the tricks we are entitled to.
Defense in Middle of Hand - Splitting Honors
TWiB Lesson #502 (5 of 8)
Here we look at how to play when we have multiple touching honors. How to we play these different sequences in different situations can e very confusing.
Defense in Middle of Hand - Surround Play and Power Shifts
TWiB Lesson #503 (6 of 8)
When you are behind the dummy and attack it you should be able to do so in ways that show your partner a very strong holding. These surround plays and power shift help partner know the strength of your holding.
Defense in Middle of Hand - Card Combinations
TWiB Lesson #504 (7 of 8)
When we are defending a hand there are many important situations that we need to know about when to attack a suit and when it may cost to do so. These card combinations and how to play to get the most out of them are an extremely important part of good defense.
Defense in Middle of Hand - Later Discards
TWiB Lesson #505 (8 of 8)
Discards are an important way to communicate with partner. But not just the first discard, every discard matters. Here we look at discards later in the play.
Defensive Carding: Attitude Signals
TWiB Lesson #471 (1 of 9)
Attitude signals are some of the most important ways that we can communicate with our partner. Here we look at how to make them and when they apply so that we can work with partners effectively!
Defensive Carding: Count Signals
TWiB Lesson #472 (2 of 9)
Signaling with partner is an important part of working together to defend a hand. Attitude signals are extremely important, but so are count signals. Here we look at how to give them and more importantly, when they apply.
Defensive Carding: Discards
TWiB Lesson #473 (3 of 9)
When we run out of cards in a suit being played then we must discard. These discards are a great way to communicate with partner. Our first discard communicates a lot of information, but so do our subsequent discards. Here we look at making sure you are making good use of these discards.
Defensive Carding: Upside Down Count and Attitude
TWiB Lesson #474 (4 of 9)
Giving Count and Attitude signals is a key part of defense. Modern expert players often use Upside Down Count and Attitude to communicate. Let’s see how it works!
Defensive Carding: Smith Echo (Reverse)
TWiB Lesson #475 (5 of 9)
Against a NT contract, when the opponents win the first trick and attack another suit they are often leading their best suit. In this case, we have an opportunity to communicate with partner. Smith Echo is an agreement that makes use of this situation to tell partner if the opening lead was good or not.
Defensive Carding: Suit Preference Signals
TWiB Lesson #476 (6 of 9)
Our goal on defense is to help our partner. Suit Preference Signals are a way to do this by giving painter information about which suit we would like them to shift to (or where we hold good stuff).
Defensive Carding: More Suit Preference Signals
TWiB Lesson #477 (7 of 9)
There is more to suit preference signals than just the simple cases are trick 1. Here we look at even more places where you may use these valuable signaling tools.
Defensive Carding: Dummy has Qxx+
TWiB Lesson #478 (8 of 9)
When Dummy has a holding like Qxx (or longer) it is important to have good agreements about signaling our partner, so they can make a good decision about what to do next. This week we look at this situation in detail - attitude, count, suit preference, what does our card mean!?!
Defensive Carding: Partnership Defense Philosophy
TWiB Lesson #479 (9 of 9)
In order to defend well you have to work together with partners. Specific agreements are important, but “high-level” agreements are also important. Your philosophy on how we work together and how we signal is the most important part of this.
Defensive Basics: Types of Defense - Active vs Passive
TWiB Lesson #446 (1 of 8)
The type of Defense we choose to play is an important “high level” decision. Here we look at Active vs. Passive — two of the most important types of defense. (Video Coming)
Defensive Basics: When You See a Discard Coming, Get Active!
TWiB Lesson #447 (2 of 8)
Once we know how to be active and how to be passive on defense, then we need learn how to recognize the signs that tell us that we need to attack! (Video Coming)
Defensive Basics: Opening Leads - Listen to the Auction
TWiB Lesson #448 (3 of 8)
When you are choosing an opening lead your hand helps you decide what to lead. Bug just as important as your cards are what the auction tells us — listen to the auction and let it guide you! (Video Coming)