Most partnerships that play Support Doubles have had a conversation about when they apply and when they do not. Hopefully, we will have a conversation with partner about the follow-up bids as well. But one thing that many partnerships forget to discuss is how high support doubles apply and what a double at a higher-level show. Let’s look at support double auctions in detail to make sure we are on the same page with partner.
Active opening leads attempt to "go out and get" our tricks. Passive leads, on the other hand, attempt to just not give anything away or help Declarer. There are many different types of passive leads for many different situations. Here we take a look at several lead types and hands where a passive lead may or may not have the intended effect!
Taking tricks with small cards is an important part of Declarer’s plan for making their contract. As a Defender, it is our job to do everything we can to stop that from happening. That means that suits that have potential winners, threat cards, must not be allowed to grow up into winners. We attempt to prevent this from happening by covering an honor with an honor (to prevent promotion) and by holding onto our cards in the opponent’s long suits – called guarding the suit
We usually win tricks with little cards (other than in the trump suit) by setting up our long suits. To establish these little cards in our long suits into winners, we need to play the hand well. This requires using our large cards in the best way possible to establish our little cards. That means we need to play our combinations as best as we can, manage our transportation, and have some good luck in the way the cards divide.
Raising our partner's suit is one of the most common bids we made. In a competitive auction our approach to this bidding changes, it is important to have good agreements in these auctions.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
When the partner opens and the opponents make an overcall we need good ways to compete in the bidding. One of the most important conventions for Responder is the negative double. This tool is invaluable for searching for major suit fits when the opponents make an overcall.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
Another one of the most valuable tools for competing in the bidding is the takeout double. Let's see how to use it in so many different hand types.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
Jump Overcalls are a valuable tool for attacking the opponents and preempting them out of their bidding space. Let's look at how to use them to make the opponents auction more difficult.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
One of the most important tools for competing in the bidding is the simple overcall. Here we look at how to use to get into the auction when the opponents open the bidding.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
When partner opens the bidding with a preempt we need to know our options for how to bid our hand. Let's look at how we get more information from them and how we extend the preempt.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
When we have a long suit and not a lot of values, then most of our playing strength is offensive and only if our long suit is trump. This is exactly what a preemptive opening bid shows. Here we look at all of the factors we need to consider in order to make good decisions about whether or not to preempt.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
When we are close to having game in our hand, 22+ points when balanced or lots of points and tricks when unbalanced, then we open 2C instead of opening naturally. Let's look at how we use the Strong Artificial and Forcing Opening bid.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
When partner opens 1NT we need some "gadgets" to help us find our fits. These are some of the first conventions we learn. Let's look at Stayman and Transfers and how to make use of them.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
Major suit fits are the most important ones to find. When partners begins the auction with 1-Major then finding a Major suit fit can be easier. Let's look at how we Respond to a Major suit opening so that we give our side the best chance for finding a fit and getting to the best final contract.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
Now that we know how to open the bidding with 1-minor then we need to practice responding to 1-minor. We generally respond using natural bids in these auctions -- let's see how it works!
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
When we have a good hand (opening bid values) and don't have the right hand for opening NT or 1-Major then we fallback on opening the bidding 1-minor (our least favorite opening bid). Here we look at auctions that begin with a 1-minor opening bid.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
Other than 1NT, the most important opening bid in bridge is 1-Major (1H or 1S). Here we look at hands that begin with these openings and how the auctions usually proceed.
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
https://www.advinbridge.com/learn-bidding-basics
1NT and 2NT Opening Bids
Do you want to learn the basics of bridge bidding. The most important opening bids is NT. Here we look at the basics of opening the bidding with 1NT (or 2NT).
You can find Robert’s Bidding. Basics book here.
