2010 Bidding Academy
There are three remaining classes for this year's Bidding Academy. Detailed notices will be emailed out, but the dates and topics are:
15. May 5 - High Level Bidding
16. May 12 - Competitive Bidding
17. May 19 - Slam Bidding
The Raleigh Regional is the week of May 25-31 so there will not be a class on Wednesday, May 26.
As many of us locals remain in HHI throughout the summer, I am considering doing some fun workshops on Wednesdays this summer on "play of the hand" topics. Most play of the hand classes are taught on specific lessons which may or may not fit your style, level or skills. What I am considering is giving these workshop hands to play and then discussing planning the play, alternatives that should be considered, choosing the best line of play. If you have an interest in these workshops or others, please let me know.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Class No. 14 – Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010
Notrump Bidding
Notrump bidding is more than just opening 1Nt and the systems your partnership will play in response. Understanding the principle of bidding to show fits, shapes and values is integrating bidding with balanced hands (notrump bidding) into your system bidding agreements. When rebidding to describe opener tries to convey whether his hand is balanced, thereby oriented to notrump, or unbalanced which makes a contract in a trump suit more likely to succeed. With a balanced hand opener will bid notrump as soon as possible … if opener has not bid notrump by his second turn to make a call, he probably has an unbalanced hand.
At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. How to value notrump hands.
2. How to bid notrump hands with 5 card majors.
3. Understand natural notrump bidding sequences.
4. How to use system bids to make forcing auctions.
5. How over notrump to show invitational and forcing hands.
6. Conventional opening notrump bids of 3Nt and 4Nt.
Notrump bidding is more than just opening 1Nt and the systems your partnership will play in response. Understanding the principle of bidding to show fits, shapes and values is integrating bidding with balanced hands (notrump bidding) into your system bidding agreements. When rebidding to describe opener tries to convey whether his hand is balanced, thereby oriented to notrump, or unbalanced which makes a contract in a trump suit more likely to succeed. With a balanced hand opener will bid notrump as soon as possible … if opener has not bid notrump by his second turn to make a call, he probably has an unbalanced hand.
At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. How to value notrump hands.
2. How to bid notrump hands with 5 card majors.
3. Understand natural notrump bidding sequences.
4. How to use system bids to make forcing auctions.
5. How over notrump to show invitational and forcing hands.
6. Conventional opening notrump bids of 3Nt and 4Nt.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Class No. 13 – Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010
Cuebidding to 3Nt - One Asks, Two Tells
It is generally accepted in modern bridge that bidding priorities first go to finding 8 card major suit fits. In fact, much brain power and ink has been devoted to modern major suit bidding agreements. Oddly enough, in team games and tournament play it is not the major suit game that reigns supreme, but the 3Nt game. Yet, little has been devoted to agreements to reach good 3Nt contracts.
Bidding Stoppers to 3Nt One of the most neglected bidding agreements, albeit one of the most important is once the auction denies an 8 card major suit fit how to show stoppers and half stoppers below the level of 3Nt.
This workshop explores the ‘stopper cuebid’ agreement of One Asks, Two Tells and covers:
1. Cuebids we will first need to expand or at least clarify our understanding of a cuebid.
2. Stopper Cuebids we will define the stopper cuebid and when it applies.
3. Half-Stopper Cuebids we will define the half-stopper cuebid and when to ask for half-stoppers.
4. Minor Suit Raises we will discuss how to show stoppers and half stoppers after forcing minor suit raises.
5. Competitive Auctions we will define cuebids in competitive auctions including the popular Western Cuebid and the lesser known Eastern Cuebid.
6. Advanced Cuebids we will explore some of the more exotic cuebids such as morphing from stopper cuebids into control cuebids.
It is generally accepted in modern bridge that bidding priorities first go to finding 8 card major suit fits. In fact, much brain power and ink has been devoted to modern major suit bidding agreements. Oddly enough, in team games and tournament play it is not the major suit game that reigns supreme, but the 3Nt game. Yet, little has been devoted to agreements to reach good 3Nt contracts.
Bidding Stoppers to 3Nt One of the most neglected bidding agreements, albeit one of the most important is once the auction denies an 8 card major suit fit how to show stoppers and half stoppers below the level of 3Nt.
This workshop explores the ‘stopper cuebid’ agreement of One Asks, Two Tells and covers:
1. Cuebids we will first need to expand or at least clarify our understanding of a cuebid.
2. Stopper Cuebids we will define the stopper cuebid and when it applies.
3. Half-Stopper Cuebids we will define the half-stopper cuebid and when to ask for half-stoppers.
4. Minor Suit Raises we will discuss how to show stoppers and half stoppers after forcing minor suit raises.
5. Competitive Auctions we will define cuebids in competitive auctions including the popular Western Cuebid and the lesser known Eastern Cuebid.
6. Advanced Cuebids we will explore some of the more exotic cuebids such as morphing from stopper cuebids into control cuebids.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Class No. 12 – Wednesday, Apr 7, 2010
Minor Suit Raises
Opening hands that cannot be opened 1M or 1Nt must be opened with one of a minor suit (1m). Opening bids of 1m like most bridge bidding agreements are subject to different usage and interpretation this class outlines options for minor suit opening agreements of a short club, convenient minor, and better minor. In addition this class outlines requirements for opening 1m in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seats, very different bids.
The system responses of minor suit raises such as Inverted Minors or Criss Cross operate under the principle where saving bidding space is strong and consuming space is preemptive. There is difference between making forcing bids in major suit auctions and minor suit auctions. In minor suit auctions you are conserving bidding space to find controls to reach good 3Nt contracts or minor suit slams.
This workshop address the options to opening bids and rebids in minor suits, conventional minor suit raises and how to find side suit stoppers to play in notrump contracts. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. Difference among minor suit systems of short club, convenient minor, and better minor.
2. Requirements for minor suit opening hands in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seats.
3. Planning for opening/rebids with 3-3, 4-3, 4-4 and 5-4 hands.
4. Contract priorities minor suits vs. notrump.
5. Inverted Minor Suit Raises (Forcing and Weak)
Opening hands that cannot be opened 1M or 1Nt must be opened with one of a minor suit (1m). Opening bids of 1m like most bridge bidding agreements are subject to different usage and interpretation this class outlines options for minor suit opening agreements of a short club, convenient minor, and better minor. In addition this class outlines requirements for opening 1m in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seats, very different bids.
The system responses of minor suit raises such as Inverted Minors or Criss Cross operate under the principle where saving bidding space is strong and consuming space is preemptive. There is difference between making forcing bids in major suit auctions and minor suit auctions. In minor suit auctions you are conserving bidding space to find controls to reach good 3Nt contracts or minor suit slams.
This workshop address the options to opening bids and rebids in minor suits, conventional minor suit raises and how to find side suit stoppers to play in notrump contracts. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. Difference among minor suit systems of short club, convenient minor, and better minor.
2. Requirements for minor suit opening hands in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seats.
3. Planning for opening/rebids with 3-3, 4-3, 4-4 and 5-4 hands.
4. Contract priorities minor suits vs. notrump.
5. Inverted Minor Suit Raises (Forcing and Weak)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Class No. 11 – Wednesday, Mar 31, 2010
Bergen and Drury Raises
In Class No. 10 – Modern Major Suit Raises we explored natural bids in conjunction with 1 Notrump Forcing (1NtF) to make a spectrum of direct/delayed bids to show major suit fits (2, 3, 4 and 5-card fits) and values (simple, constructive, invitational and game forcing). This class now applies the useful space principle (USP) to major suit raises with certain artificial and conventional raises assigning bidding space where most useful without considering the natural and/or traditional bridge meanings of the calls to increase the spectrum of major suit raises.
This workshop address certain artificial and conventional major suit raises to increase the spectrum of how to describe major suit fits and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. How responder can use conventional bids to show major suit fits (4-cards) with constructive and invitational values. (Bergen)
2. How these conventional raises mesh with natural raises.
3. How to show fits by a passed hand. (Drury)
In Class No. 10 – Modern Major Suit Raises we explored natural bids in conjunction with 1 Notrump Forcing (1NtF) to make a spectrum of direct/delayed bids to show major suit fits (2, 3, 4 and 5-card fits) and values (simple, constructive, invitational and game forcing). This class now applies the useful space principle (USP) to major suit raises with certain artificial and conventional raises assigning bidding space where most useful without considering the natural and/or traditional bridge meanings of the calls to increase the spectrum of major suit raises.
This workshop address certain artificial and conventional major suit raises to increase the spectrum of how to describe major suit fits and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. How responder can use conventional bids to show major suit fits (4-cards) with constructive and invitational values. (Bergen)
2. How these conventional raises mesh with natural raises.
3. How to show fits by a passed hand. (Drury)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Class No. 10 – Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010
Modern Major Suit Raises
The priorities of any auction using a 5 card major system is to first find an 8 card major suit fit (6 2, 5 3 or 4 4). A trump suit usually produces at least one extra trick (often more) which makes the major suit game more attractive than playing notrump. In addition, a major suit game produces a higher game score than playing in 3Nt or 5m (five of a minor). When the opening bid is a major, responder needs to show a fit at the first available opportunity. Sometimes this can be done at responder’s first opportunity to make a call. At other times responder makes a forcing response and shows the nature of the fit (3 or 4 card raise) on responder’s rebid.
This workshop address major suit fits and how to describe fits and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. How responder shows fits with poor, minimum, invitation and game forcing values.
2. How responder bids to show 3-card and 4-card fits.
3. How to show 4-card fits and shortness (Splinter Bids).
4. How to bid with 4-card fits and GF values (Jacoby 2Nt).
5. How to show fits by a passed hand (Drury).
The priorities of any auction using a 5 card major system is to first find an 8 card major suit fit (6 2, 5 3 or 4 4). A trump suit usually produces at least one extra trick (often more) which makes the major suit game more attractive than playing notrump. In addition, a major suit game produces a higher game score than playing in 3Nt or 5m (five of a minor). When the opening bid is a major, responder needs to show a fit at the first available opportunity. Sometimes this can be done at responder’s first opportunity to make a call. At other times responder makes a forcing response and shows the nature of the fit (3 or 4 card raise) on responder’s rebid.
This workshop address major suit fits and how to describe fits and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. How responder shows fits with poor, minimum, invitation and game forcing values.
2. How responder bids to show 3-card and 4-card fits.
3. How to show 4-card fits and shortness (Splinter Bids).
4. How to bid with 4-card fits and GF values (Jacoby 2Nt).
5. How to show fits by a passed hand (Drury).
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Class No. 9 – Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010
Responder Bids Shape & Values
We have covered auctions where responder has first made a game forcing 2/1 bid (7. 2/1 Game Forcing) and we have covered auctions in which responder has used the Forcing Notrump (8. 1 Notrump Forcing). In addition we have covered how responder can create forcing auctions (6. Forcing Bids). In this class on responder bids shape and values without a fit for partner’s suits, we will cover the remainder of responder’s bids and rebids with less than game forcing values (minimal values of less than 6, minimal values of 6 – b9 hcp and invitational values of 10 – 12 hcp).
In this class we will summarize how responder bids to show shapes and values without a fit for opener’s bid suits. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. Responder’s bidding priorities.
2. How responder competes with less than minimum values.
3. Responder rebids with minimal values (6 to 9 hcp).
4. Responder rebids with invitational values (10 to 12 hcp).
5. Responder rebids after opener reverses
We have covered auctions where responder has first made a game forcing 2/1 bid (7. 2/1 Game Forcing) and we have covered auctions in which responder has used the Forcing Notrump (8. 1 Notrump Forcing). In addition we have covered how responder can create forcing auctions (6. Forcing Bids). In this class on responder bids shape and values without a fit for partner’s suits, we will cover the remainder of responder’s bids and rebids with less than game forcing values (minimal values of less than 6, minimal values of 6 – b9 hcp and invitational values of 10 – 12 hcp).
In this class we will summarize how responder bids to show shapes and values without a fit for opener’s bid suits. At the conclusion of this class participants should know:
1. Responder’s bidding priorities.
2. How responder competes with less than minimum values.
3. Responder rebids with minimal values (6 to 9 hcp).
4. Responder rebids with invitational values (10 to 12 hcp).
5. Responder rebids after opener reverses
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Class No. 8 – Wednesday, Mar 3, 2010
1 Notrump Forcing
Playing 2/1 Game Force a 2-level bid of a lower ranking suit by an unpassed responder (e.g., 1H - 2D ) is now game forcing and no longer available as a natural bid describing intermediate values. Thus, the Forcing Notrump (1 NtF) is used in response to an opening bid of 1M and promises 6 to 11 hcp. The 1NtF is artificial, conventional and forcing for one round (F1) asking opener to further define his hand and subsequent rebids will further define responder’s hand.
This workshop now defines how responder shows intermediate values and describes fits, shapes and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. The 1NtF bid as a temporizing bid.
2. Opener’s rebids to show shape and values.
3. Responder’s direct/delayed bids to show fits and values.
4. A more extensive spectrum of partnership raises.
5. Use of the 1NtF convention by a passed hand.
Playing 2/1 Game Force a 2-level bid of a lower ranking suit by an unpassed responder (e.g., 1H - 2D ) is now game forcing and no longer available as a natural bid describing intermediate values. Thus, the Forcing Notrump (1 NtF) is used in response to an opening bid of 1M and promises 6 to 11 hcp. The 1NtF is artificial, conventional and forcing for one round (F1) asking opener to further define his hand and subsequent rebids will further define responder’s hand.
This workshop now defines how responder shows intermediate values and describes fits, shapes and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. The 1NtF bid as a temporizing bid.
2. Opener’s rebids to show shape and values.
3. Responder’s direct/delayed bids to show fits and values.
4. A more extensive spectrum of partnership raises.
5. Use of the 1NtF convention by a passed hand.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Class No. 7 – Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010
2/1 Game Forcing
Playing 2/1 Game Force, after an opening bid of 1D , 1H or 1S , responder’s first bid at the 2 level in a suit lower ranking than the opening bid is game forcing (GF) showing an opening hand with a minimum of a good 12 points counting hcp and dp. In the context of modern bridge the 2/1 bid makes the auction forcing giving the partnership bidding space to describe their hands without concern of partner passing short of game.
This workshop is about “2/1 game forcing” auctions. In addition, this workshop outlines slow/fast arrival and the useful space principle. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. The principle of 2/1 slow arrival vs. fast arrival auctions.
2. Know game forcing bidding sequences.
3. Opener’s responsibilities after a game forcing sequence.
4. Bidding sequences after opening of 1D .
5. Bidding sequences after opening of 1S or 1H .
Playing 2/1 Game Force, after an opening bid of 1D , 1H or 1S , responder’s first bid at the 2 level in a suit lower ranking than the opening bid is game forcing (GF) showing an opening hand with a minimum of a good 12 points counting hcp and dp. In the context of modern bridge the 2/1 bid makes the auction forcing giving the partnership bidding space to describe their hands without concern of partner passing short of game.
This workshop is about “2/1 game forcing” auctions. In addition, this workshop outlines slow/fast arrival and the useful space principle. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. The principle of 2/1 slow arrival vs. fast arrival auctions.
2. Know game forcing bidding sequences.
3. Opener’s responsibilities after a game forcing sequence.
4. Bidding sequences after opening of 1D .
5. Bidding sequences after opening of 1S or 1H .
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Class No. 6 – Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010
Forcing Bids & Fourth Suit Forcing
With the emphasis on bidding out the shape of the hand and finding fits, today’s experienced players recognize that conservation of bidding space is important (useful space principle). Modern systems with strong hands use an increased number of artificial and forcing bids to conserve bidding space. The idea is to create forcing auctions at low levels allowing for bids to show shape and secondary fits below game level. Thus, the concept of slow arrival is strong. Instead of using jumps to show strength, jumps are preemptive bids taking up the opponent’s valuable bidding space, thus, fast arrival is weak.
This workshop focuses on making the auction forcing, how to distinguish between forcing one round and game forcing and the artificial system bid of Fourth Suit Forcing. At the conclusion of this class participants should undersatnd:
1. When an auction is forcing, invitational or non-forcing.
2. The difference between forcing one round (F1) and game forcing (GF).
3. Opener’s forcing auctions.
4. Responder’s forcing auctions.
5. Exceptions to forcing auctions
6. The agreement Fourth Suit Forcing (4SF) and responses.
7. ... and a special section on opening 4Nt and how to show specific aces.
With the emphasis on bidding out the shape of the hand and finding fits, today’s experienced players recognize that conservation of bidding space is important (useful space principle). Modern systems with strong hands use an increased number of artificial and forcing bids to conserve bidding space. The idea is to create forcing auctions at low levels allowing for bids to show shape and secondary fits below game level. Thus, the concept of slow arrival is strong. Instead of using jumps to show strength, jumps are preemptive bids taking up the opponent’s valuable bidding space, thus, fast arrival is weak.
This workshop focuses on making the auction forcing, how to distinguish between forcing one round and game forcing and the artificial system bid of Fourth Suit Forcing. At the conclusion of this class participants should undersatnd:
1. When an auction is forcing, invitational or non-forcing.
2. The difference between forcing one round (F1) and game forcing (GF).
3. Opener’s forcing auctions.
4. Responder’s forcing auctions.
5. Exceptions to forcing auctions
6. The agreement Fourth Suit Forcing (4SF) and responses.
7. ... and a special section on opening 4Nt and how to show specific aces.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
No Class - Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010
No class this week for the HHI Regional. Have a great tournament!!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Class No. 5 – Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010
Bidding Priorities and Planned Rebids
As opener, the goal is to describe your hand in an attempt to reach the best contract for your side. When you open the bidding, using a structured opening, partner should have confidence in an initial value (trick taking potential) of your hand, but will be less certain of shape (balanced or unbalanced) and size (minimal, invitational or forcing). Opener’s goal on rebidding is to further describe the hand; subsequent rebids will describe hands of specific shape and of specific size.
This class focuses on making opening bids with a "planned rebid". At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. Bidding Priorities.
2. How to plan for a rebid.
3. How to rebid to show shape (balanced or unbalanced).
5. How to rebid to show values (minimal, invitational and forcing).
6. The Reverse: so important to bidding shapes and values.
7. Guidelines for opening 1Nt or 1M.
Study Notes are provided and includes many examples.
As opener, the goal is to describe your hand in an attempt to reach the best contract for your side. When you open the bidding, using a structured opening, partner should have confidence in an initial value (trick taking potential) of your hand, but will be less certain of shape (balanced or unbalanced) and size (minimal, invitational or forcing). Opener’s goal on rebidding is to further describe the hand; subsequent rebids will describe hands of specific shape and of specific size.
This class focuses on making opening bids with a "planned rebid". At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. Bidding Priorities.
2. How to plan for a rebid.
3. How to rebid to show shape (balanced or unbalanced).
5. How to rebid to show values (minimal, invitational and forcing).
6. The Reverse: so important to bidding shapes and values.
7. Guidelines for opening 1Nt or 1M.
Study Notes are provided and includes many examples.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Class No. 4 – Wednesday, Jan 27, 2010
The Reverse
The reverse plays a key role in bidding to show fits, shapes and values. With a minimal opening hand you are allowed to bid a new suit at the 2 level lower ranking than your first bid suit, thus, allowing partner to make a suit preference bid at the 2 level. When you reverse the two bids, however, bidding the higher ranking suit second, you are forcing partner to the 3 level to show a preference, thus, you need extra values to use up bidding space. This is the reverse and requires solid invitational values.
This workshop is focused on the reverse with a section on the jump reverse and high reverse. I see so many people that say “we don’t play reverses” … this is like saying we don’t play 3-level invitational bids … how can you play bridge and not play 3-level invitational bids or reverses? If your bid forces partner to a higher level to show suit preference then you need the values to make a free bid at that level. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. What is the reverse and how does it relate to bidding shapes, values.
2. How to plan for a rebid.
3. When is a reverse not a reverse?
4. The forcing nature of the reverse.
5. How to respond to the reverse and show values?
The reverse plays a key role in bidding to show fits, shapes and values. With a minimal opening hand you are allowed to bid a new suit at the 2 level lower ranking than your first bid suit, thus, allowing partner to make a suit preference bid at the 2 level. When you reverse the two bids, however, bidding the higher ranking suit second, you are forcing partner to the 3 level to show a preference, thus, you need extra values to use up bidding space. This is the reverse and requires solid invitational values.
This workshop is focused on the reverse with a section on the jump reverse and high reverse. I see so many people that say “we don’t play reverses” … this is like saying we don’t play 3-level invitational bids … how can you play bridge and not play 3-level invitational bids or reverses? If your bid forces partner to a higher level to show suit preference then you need the values to make a free bid at that level. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. What is the reverse and how does it relate to bidding shapes, values.
2. How to plan for a rebid.
3. When is a reverse not a reverse?
4. The forcing nature of the reverse.
5. How to respond to the reverse and show values?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Class No. 3 – Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010
Reevaluation and Opener Rebids
As opener, the goal is to describe your hand in an attempt to reach the best contract for your side. When you open the bidding, using a structured opening, partner should have confidence in an initial value (trick taking potential) of your hand, but will be less certain of shape (balanced or unbalanced) and size (minimal, invitational or forcing). Opener’s goal on rebidding is to further describe his hand; subsequent rebids will describe hands of specific shape and of specific size.
This class begins the all important process of bidding fits, shapes and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. How to reevaluate your hand based on fits, shapes, values and the bidding.
2. How to rebid to show shape (balanced or unbalanced).
3. How to rebid to show values (minimal, invitational and forcing).
4. Bidding Priorities. Guidelines for opening 1Nt or 1M.
As opener, the goal is to describe your hand in an attempt to reach the best contract for your side. When you open the bidding, using a structured opening, partner should have confidence in an initial value (trick taking potential) of your hand, but will be less certain of shape (balanced or unbalanced) and size (minimal, invitational or forcing). Opener’s goal on rebidding is to further describe his hand; subsequent rebids will describe hands of specific shape and of specific size.
This class begins the all important process of bidding fits, shapes and values. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. How to reevaluate your hand based on fits, shapes, values and the bidding.
2. How to rebid to show shape (balanced or unbalanced).
3. How to rebid to show values (minimal, invitational and forcing).
4. Bidding Priorities. Guidelines for opening 1Nt or 1M.
Quiz 2 - Hand Evaluation and Opneing Bids
The following bidding quiz is based on the first two classes of the 2010 Bidding Academy:
1. Hand Evaluation and Opening Bids
2. Opening Bids - Exception Rules
click on the link ↓
Quiz 2 - Hand Evaluation and Opening Bids
1. Hand Evaluation and Opening Bids
2. Opening Bids - Exception Rules
click on the link ↓
Quiz 2 - Hand Evaluation and Opening Bids
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Class No. 2 – Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010
Opening Bids – Exception Rules
Not all opening hands can be measured the same. Many opening hands have features e.g., shape that requires special rules to evaluate opening hands and still maintain the structure and discipline of 2/1 GF bidding. We will look at three specific types of hands: one-suited hands, two-suited hands and balanced hands. How do we apply these exception rules? How do we apply these rules in 1st and 2nd seats vs. 3rd and 4th seat?
This class focuses on hands at the margin “should I open or should I pass?” At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. How to use evaluation tools such as long suits, Rule of 20/22 and Losing Trick Count.
2. Rules for hands at the margin in 1st or 2nd seat.
3. How to evaluate and treat special hands 1 suited or 2 suited hands.
4. The difference between 3rd seat and 4th seat opening bids.
Not all opening hands can be measured the same. Many opening hands have features e.g., shape that requires special rules to evaluate opening hands and still maintain the structure and discipline of 2/1 GF bidding. We will look at three specific types of hands: one-suited hands, two-suited hands and balanced hands. How do we apply these exception rules? How do we apply these rules in 1st and 2nd seats vs. 3rd and 4th seat?
This class focuses on hands at the margin “should I open or should I pass?” At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. How to use evaluation tools such as long suits, Rule of 20/22 and Losing Trick Count.
2. Rules for hands at the margin in 1st or 2nd seat.
3. How to evaluate and treat special hands 1 suited or 2 suited hands.
4. The difference between 3rd seat and 4th seat opening bids.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Quiz 1 - Hand Evaluation
On Tuesday, Jan 5 I emailed out a quiz on Hand Evaluation ... for the answer to the quiz, click on the following link.
Quiz 1 - Hand Evaluation
See below for information on Class 1 - Hand Evaluation and Opening Bids.
Quiz 1 - Hand Evaluation
See below for information on Class 1 - Hand Evaluation and Opening Bids.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Class No. 1 – Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010
Hand Evaluation and Opening Bids
Bridge bidding is not an exact science, but with 2/1 GF bidding we will come one step closer. When the bidding is opened in one of a major (1M) and partner makes a 2/1 bid of 2 of a lower ranking suit (such as 1H - 2D) the partnership is now in a game forcing auction and cannot stop short of game. If you made an unstructured opening bid in 1st or 2nd seat and partner makes a 2/1 game forcing bid, you cannot now pass or call partner off of game. There has to be more structure and discipline when opening and responding in the 2/1 GF bidding system.
This class teaches initial hand evaluation and opening bids in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th seats. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. How to evaluate initial hand values.
2. How to quantify/qualify opening hands.
3. Rules for making structured opening bids in 1st or 2nd seat.
4. The difference between 3rd seat and 4th seat opening bids.
Bridge bidding is not an exact science, but with 2/1 GF bidding we will come one step closer. When the bidding is opened in one of a major (1M) and partner makes a 2/1 bid of 2 of a lower ranking suit (such as 1H - 2D) the partnership is now in a game forcing auction and cannot stop short of game. If you made an unstructured opening bid in 1st or 2nd seat and partner makes a 2/1 game forcing bid, you cannot now pass or call partner off of game. There has to be more structure and discipline when opening and responding in the 2/1 GF bidding system.
This class teaches initial hand evaluation and opening bids in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th seats. At the conclusion of this class participants should understand:
1. How to evaluate initial hand values.
2. How to quantify/qualify opening hands.
3. Rules for making structured opening bids in 1st or 2nd seat.
4. The difference between 3rd seat and 4th seat opening bids.
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