ASB
Robert Todd
Advanced Same Bidding 1 - 576

Kokish Over Strong 2C

Balanced hand bidding is relatively easy. We can usually describe our hand to partner by opening 1NT or rebidding 1NT. This lets partner know both our points and our hand type with either our first bid (when we open 1NT, the best situation) or with our second bid (when we rebid 1NT).  However, if we have a big balanced hand then we need to have tools for describing our hand as well.  These usually involve the use of 2NT – as a rebid, an opening bid, or even a rebid after having opened the bidding 2♣.  But this does not solve all our bidding problems when we have these large balanced hands.  Let’s look at these auctions in detail, see some of the issues, and then look at a useful gadget called Kokish to help us bid better.

Advanced Same Bidding 1 - 576
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 9 - 575

Freebids by a Passed Hand

When partner makes a bid, and we choose to bid a suit of our own, this is called a freebid. In most normal situations freebids show values (called positive freebids) and are often forcing 1-round. We’ve all heard the saying -- a new suit is forcing by an unpassed hand.  Unfortunately, this is not always true, but it is often our agreement. Let’s look at freebids made by a passed hand and see how the fact that we are passed changes these situations.

Even More Competitive Bidding 9 - 575
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 8 - 574

Fit -Showing Jumps

One of my favorite sayings is “2NT is a convention, not a contract.” In specific situations, Responder can use 2NT as conventional raise of Opener’s suit. Sometimes we need to choose between several different conventional methods for competitive auctions. Here we look at our options for how to best use 2NT.

Even More Competitive Bidding 8 - 574
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 7 - 573

Bergen Raises

One of my favorite sayings is “2NT is a convention, not a contract.” In specific situations, Responder can use 2NT as conventional raise of Opener’s suit. Sometimes we need to choose between several different conventional methods for competitive auctions. Here we look at our options for how to best use 2NT.

Even More Competitive Bidding 7 - 573
EMCB
Robert Todd
Even More Competitive Bidding 6 - 572

Bergen Raises

When responding to partner’s 1-Major opening bid, Responder tries to apply the Law of Total Tricks (LOTT) – getting to the size of the partnership’s fit as quickly as possible. This is particularly true in competitive auctions but is also useful in constructive auctions. Responder must balance showing the size of their fit with showing their values. This LOTT bidding is especially effective when our side has a 9+card fit. In this case, the auction is likely to become competitive if the opponents have some values as well. Predicting this to happen, we would like to be able to compete to the 3-level with a 9+card fit as quickly as possible, eating up the opponents’ bidding space while showing our values. Bergen Raises are a set of conventional bids Responder can use when responding to a 1-Major opening bid with 4+card support (at least a 9+card fit). Let’s see how this system works.

Even More Competitive Bidding 6 - 572

Responding to 1NT Set 5 - 316

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Responding to 1NT with Both Majors (Set 5 of 8)

When partner opens the bidding with 1NT, our number one job is to search for a Major suit fit. When we have length in both Majors, this can be a challenge. Which suit do we show first? How do we keep the auction low? How do we "right side" the contact? Let's take a look at how to do this.

You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 316.

Responding to 1NT Set 6 - 317

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Responding to 1NT with 5c+M and 4+cm (Set 6 of 8)

When responding to 1NT with a 5-card Major and a second suit that is a minor, our values will often dictate how much of our distribution we have room to describe. We also should use our judgement about when to introduce our second suit when it is a minor. Let's take a look at how to handle these types of hands.

You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 317.

Responding to 1NT Set 7 - 318

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Responding to 1NT with Other 2-Suited Hands (Set 7 of 8)

After partner opens 1NT, it is a challenge to describe your hand when you have two suits. This is particularly true when your primary suit is a minor. Let's take a look at how we handle these hands and how we may need to use additional tools when both of our suits are minors.

You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 318.

Responding to 1NT Set 8 - 319

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Responding to 1NT in Competition (Set 8 of 8)

After partner opens 1NT, we have a good structure for using our bids efficiently to describe our hand to partner. But when the opponents interfere in our auction, we lose some of this valuable bidding space and need to change our approach in order to deal with their interference. Let's see how to handle this.

You (and your partners) can sign up for Robert Todd's This Week in Bridge (TWiB) lesson emails for free at https://www.advinbridge.com/twib-signup This set accompanies TWiB 319.