ASB
Robert Todd
Advanced Slam 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 Slam 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

SC Landing Set 1 - 437

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

Suit Contracts: Counting Losers Basics (set 1 of 9)

Counting our losers is a skill that we should develop both in the bidding and the play. Part of understanding good hand evaluation is estimating how the play is going to go while you are bidding the hand -- in a suit contract this means thinking about what we are going to do with our losers.

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 437.

RBB Landing Set 14 - 014

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Raising Partner in Competition (set 14 of 14)

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

RBB Landing Set 13 - 013

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Dealing with Opponent's Overcalls (set 13 of 14)

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

RBB Landing Set 12 - 012

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Takeout Doubles (set 12 of 14)

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

RBB Landing Set 11 - 011

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Jump Overcalls (set 11 of 14)

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

MCB Landing Set 1 - 428

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Competitive Bidding: Is it Forcing? by Responder (set 1 of 9)

When partner opens the bidding and RHO competes the Responder often wants to compete further in the bidding. Responder has a set of tools for competing — one of the most important agreements to have “Is Responder’s Bid Forcing?”

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 428.

RBB Landing Set 10 - 010

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Simple Overcalls (set 10 of 14)

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

MCB Landing Set 2 - 429

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Competitive Bidding: Is it Forcing? by Advancer (set 2 of 9)

When LHO opens the bidding and partner competes in the bidding the auctions can get very complicated. As the Advancer we often have many difficult decision about how to compete in the bidding. Here we look at these options and make sure that we have good agreements about which bids are forcing!

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 428.

RBB Landing Set 9 - 09

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Responding to Preempts (set 9 of 14)

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

MCB Landing Set 3 - 430

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Competitive Bidding: Law of Total Tricks (set 3 of 9)

When we have a large fit, one of our most valuable tools for determining how much to bid is the Law of Total Tricks. The simple version of this bidding guideline is to bid to the size of our fit. This is particularly valuable in helping us know how much to bid in competitive auctions. Get some practice in using this tool to help you evaluate the playing strength of your hand.

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 430.

RBB Landing Set 8 - 08

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Preemptive Openings (set 8 of 14)

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

MCB Landing Set 4 - 431

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Competitive Bidding: Cuebidding Opponent’s Suit (set 4 of 9)

When the opponent’s bid a suit they give us the opportunity to bid their suit as a special communication tool with partner. This is called cuebidding the opponent’s suit. Here we look at the meaning of these cuebids early in the auction.

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 431.

RBB Landing Set 7 - 07

Robert’S Bidding Basics: 2C Openings (set 7 of 14)

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

MCB Landing Set 5 - 432

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Competitive Bidding: More Cuebids (set 5 of 9)

Bidding the opponent’s suit is a is useful on the 1st round of the bidding and later. Here we look at how we use this cuebid later in the bidding.

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 432.

RBB Landing Set 6 - 06

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Responding to 1NT or 2NT (set 6 of 14)

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

RBB Landing Set 5 - 05

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Responding to 1-Major (set 5 of 14)

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

MCB Landing Set 6 - 433

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Competitive Bidding: Balancing by Responder (set 6 of 9)

This week we look at balancing in more detail. Our focus is on Balancing by the Responder — how they fight their way back into the auction.

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 433.

MCB Landing Set 7 - 434

This Week in Bridge Practice Hands

More Competitive Bidding: Balancing NT Bids (set 7 of 9)

When we are in the balancing seat we need many ways to compete in the bidding. We can use NT bids to compete in the bidding to describe the appropriate 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 434.

RBB Landing Set 4 - 04

Robert’S Bidding Basics: Responding to 1-Minor (set 4 of 14)

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

RBB Landing Set 3 - 03

Robert’S Bidding Basics: 1-Minor Openings (set 3 of 14)

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