ICP
Robert Todd
Improve Your Card Play 2 - 564

Establishing Length

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.

Improve Your Card Play 2 - 564
COM
Robert Todd
COM Landing Set 1 - 411
COM
Robert Todd
COM Landing Set 2 - 412
COM
Robert Todd
COM Landing Set 3 - 413
COM
Robert Todd
COM Landing Set 4 - 414

otnt

NT Ours and Theirs Set 4 - 544

NT Ours and Theirs Set 4 - 544

LANDY & TRANSFERS+

When the opponents open the bidding with a weak 1NT we need a good method for dealing with their unusual opening bid. The most common range for a weak NT is 12-14 points, but we define 1NT to be weak if the range does not contain 16 points. When constructing a system to allow us to bid over these weak 1NT openings we need to take a different approach than bidding over a strong 1NT opening. We frequently may have a powerful enough hand to be interested in exploring game when the opponents open a weak 1NT. Thus, we construct our bidding system to allow us to explore game and make constructive bids, not just be destructive.

NT Ours and Theirs Set 3 - 543

NT Ours and Theirs Set 3 - 543

PENALTY DOUBLE SYSTEMS

When the opponents are playing a “Weak 1NT” opening bid (for example, 12-14 points), we need to bid only when we have a decently valued hand. We tend to bid with hands that would normally have overcalled at the 2-level, hands with about opening values. Here we are primarily bidding constructively because when the opponents open a “Weak 1NT” our side may still have game. If we bid destructively (with only shape and without much strength) then if partner has values, they may push the auction too high. It is common to use a different bidding system against the opponents’ Weak 1NT opening bid than the one you use against a strong 1NT opening. These systems usually contain a penalty double that allows us to show a very good hand as well, and thus penalize the opponents when partner also has some values.

NT Ours and Theirs Set 2 - 542

NT Ours and Theirs Set 2 - 542

WOOLSEY

There are many artificial systems for competing over the opponent’s 1NT opening bid. Woolsey is focused on finding Major suit fits while allowing us to compete as cheaply as possible.

NT Ours and Theirs Set 1 - 541

NT Ours and Theirs Set 1 - 541

DONT & MECKWELL

When the opponents open the bidding with a strong 1NT the hand usually belongs to them, as we are less likely to have a majority of the HCP. We usually compete with shapely hands - 1-suited or 2-suited distributional hands. With these hands we turn our focus to getting in the opponents’ way and further competing in the bidding when our side discovers a large fit. Many modern bidding systems (the kind that use artificial structures) over the opponent’s 1NT opening bid are designed with this competitive bidding approach of destructive bidding with distributional hands in mind.