East Texas Unit 225

ACBL District 16       

ACBL Unit 225
East Texas

United States

acblunit225@yahoo.com

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Bridge Tips

Declarer Play: Safety Plays

1. Use Correct Technique
The way you play a combination of cards can make or break a contract.

Declarer ♥️AQ1053 Dummy ♥️K942

We are missing only four cards, the ♥️ J876. If the missing hearts divide 2-2 or 3-1, there will be no problem taking five tricks. But what if one defender has all four hearts? Holding the ♥️10 and ♥️9, we can guard against that. Start with the ♥️A or ♥️Q. Don’t play the high card from the short side first, (which doesn't always apply). Playing a high heart from declarer’s hand is a 100% safety play since it allows us to avoid a heart loser no matter how the missing hearts are divided.
 

2. Determine how many tricks you need from a suit
Know how many tricks you need from a suit and whether we can afford to give up the lead to the defenders. That can have an impact on how we choose to play the suit. 

Declarer ♥️532 Dummy ♥️AKJ4

We have two sure tricks, the ♥️A and ♥️K. If we need four tricks from this suit, we will finesse dummy’s ♥️J and then play the ♥️A-K, hoping for the best. What if we need three tricks from this suit and can afford to give up the lead to the defenders? The safety play is to play the ♥️A and ♥️K first, and then lead a low heart toward dummy’s ♥️J.  
 

3. Recognize a “dangerous” opponent
When you have a vulnerable holding such as ♣️Kxx in your hand and ♣️xxx in dummy, and you don’t know where the ♣️A is, try to stop your right hand opponent from gaining the lead, because if they were to play that suit it would be “curtains” if the ♣️A is sits over your ♣️K. Make a play (sometimes unusual)  that prevents the "dangerous" opponent from gaining the lead.


Lead Directing Doubles
Be on the lookout to double artificial bids (Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, cuebids, Blackwood responses) to help partner out on opening lead.
However, low level doubles of artificial bids require both length and strength (typically five or six card length with 3+ honor cards in the suit). The higher the level of the artificial bid, the shorter your length must be-but you still must have honor strength in the suit (KQx, for example). 
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 11/22
 


NT Response to a takeout double

A 1NT response to a takeout double shows 6-10 HCP.  A 2NT response to a takeout double shows 10-12.  Some 10 point hands are better than others because of strong intermediates. You cannot be a slave to point count. Intermediates count!

Notrump responses to a takeout double guarantee at least one stopper (hopefully two), in the opponent’s suit.

www.kantarbridge.com

Posted 8/22

 


Misfits: To Bid or Not?

As Marty Bergen says in his famous book “Points Schmoints”,
”It would be nice if your side had a good fit on every hand, but life is not like that."


Here’s his suggested remedy:
”When you sense a misfit, stop bidding ASAP.”

Good advice! There’s no point in constantly telling partner that you have six or seven cards in your suit, if he is telling you the same thing about his: where are you going? For sure, the WORST place is no trumps.

The lack of entries is the problem, and holding only one stopper in an opponent’s suit doesn’t mean you’ll take nine tricks in 3NT. If you hold a singleton in partner’s first suit, you won’t be able to reach their hand unless you have external entries.

(Joan Butts bridge posted 7/22)
Direct Raise of Second Suit
A direct raise of a second suit promises four-card support (in blood) 
 
You hold: S – xx   H - A10x  D - A10x  C - K10xxx
Partner   You
1S             2C
2H            ?  
  
Rebid  2NT with 11-12 HCP. Don’t even think of raising hearts with only three pieces.   
www.kantarbridge.com

(5/22)

 


Weak Jump Overcalls

 

  • For an overcall to be “preemptive”, the hand must be weak (6-9 high card points)
  • To show a weak hand, jump at least one level in the bidding
  • the higher you jump, the more cards in your suit (same number of points)
  • Your suit needs top honours (two of the top three A,K,Q ,or three of the top five A,K,Q,J,10)
  • The vulnerability makes a big difference to your entering the bidding at all if weak
  • When your side is vulnerable and the other side is not, you need a good suit to jump in the bidding
  • Partner doesn’t need points to raise your suit; three or four trumps are more important
  • Hands with big fits declare better than they defend
  • You don’t always expect to make your contract, but you’re in a win-win situation because If you doesn’t make, the other side would have made theirs (so don’t worry!)

(Joan Butts bridge posted 2/22)


What happens after opener transfers to your suit?


Responder could:

  • Pass = minimum (0-7), shows a minimum hand: 1NT P 2♦ P 2♥ P P P
  • Rebid 2NT = invitational (8,9 pts), five cards in the major, balanced: 1NT P 2♦ P 2♥ P 2NT
  • Raise to 3♥ or 3♠ = invitational (8,9 pts), six+ card suit: 1NT P 2♦ P 2♥ P 3♥
  • Raise to 4♥ or 4♠ = enough points for game (10+pts): 1NT P 2♦ P 2♥ P 4♥
  • Jump to 3NT = five cards in the major, maximum (10+ pts) asks opener to choose between 3NT and 4 of the major: 1NT P 2♦ P 2♥ P 3NT P ? Their decision is based on the number of cards in partner’s suit (no trumps if two cards, or the major if three+ cards)
  • Bid a new suit = natural (four + cards) game forcing, maximum (10+ pts): 1NT P 2♦ P 2♥ P 3♣(at least five hearts and at least four clubs)
(Joan Butts bridge 2/22)

What to Lead #2
Auction:                                              You are West and hold:
N         E         S         W                      S – A
                       1D        P                      H - J9432
2D        P        2S        P                      D – 832
3D        P        3S        P                      C – A942
4S         all pass
What do you lead?  In his book on Modern Bridge Defense, Eddie Kantar writes, “It’s easy enough to try for a ruff when you are looking at a singleton or doubleton, but a clever defender might be able to tell from the bidding that partner has a singleton or void in a suit.  South’s bidding indicates 6 diamonds and 5 spades.  Surely dummy has 4 diamonds. Lead a low diamond asking for a club return.  If partner ruffs as expected and you’re Ace of clubs holds, you can give partner a second ruff.  When you win the Ace of spades, you can give partner a 3rd ruff for down 1.” 
www.kantarbridge.com
posted 2/22

What to Lead?
Auction:                                              You hold:
N         E         S         W                       S – A65
                      1S        P                        H - 92
2S       P        4S         all pass             D – Q743
                                                            C – J1043
What do you lead?  In his book on Modern Bridge Defense, Eddie Kantar writes, “Bridge players love to lead singletons or doubletons.  The best time to lead a short suit is when you have a trump suit that looks like Ax, Axx, or Kxx. With these holdings, you may be able to find an entry in partner’s hand and get your ruff.  Lead your top heart.  You are hoping to be able to trump a heart with a low spade.  If your trump holding is QJx or J10xx, lead JC as you would be trumping with your natural trump trick.” 
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 12/21

Plan Your Rebid

​

You hold:
S – K9
H – AJ984
D – A97
C – KQ6
What is your bid? In his CD on Conventions, Mike Lawrence writes, “1NT is the correct bid.  The problem with 1H is that if your partner bids 1S you will be hurting for a rebid.  Over a 1S response, 1NT shows 12-14 HCP and 2NT shows 18-19 HCP.  Both bids are flawed.  To jump to 3H, you need a 6 card suit.”  www.michaelslawrence.com 

 

The rebid issue is why more and more players are opening 1NT with hands that have a 5 card major if they have 15-17 HCP.  It is hard to show this range of high card points with a balanced hand if you do not open 1NT.  

 


 

 

 

Opening Lead

 

Auction:                                  You hold:

N         E         S         W           S – AJ98

1S        P          1NT      P         H -- 862

2H        P         P           P         D – A93

                                                 C – J106

​​​​​​​

What do you lead?  In his book on Modern Bridge Defense, Eddie Kantar writes, “Dummy is likely to have one spade and three hearts.  Lead a heart to cut down on dummy’s ruffing power.  Later, when in with the A of spades, lead another heart. 

Every trump you lead translates into one less spade ruff in dummy and another eventual spade trick for you.  When dummy prefers declarer’s second suit, and you have winning tricks or eventual winning tricks in declarer’s first bid suit, lead a trump to protect those winners.” 

www.kantarbridge.com

Posted 10/21


Bidding after an Overcall

 

A single raise of an overcall is the same as a single raise of an opening bid: 7 – 10 points with 3 pieces.  With more than 10 points, cuebid the openers suit.  Here is an example:

N          E          S          W

1D        1S        p          ?          You hold:

 S – A87, H – 54, D – 632, C – KJ973   Bid 2Spades

 S – A87, H – 54, D – QJ9 – C – KQ973.   Bid 2D showing a limit raise.

www.kantarbridge.com

posted 8/21



Notrump Responses to Takeout Doubles
Notrump responses to a takeout double guarantee at least one stopper (hopefully two), in the opponent’s suit.
You hold: S. KJ9x H. xx D. Q10x C. Jxxx (or AJxx)
West     North     East     South (you)
1S         Dbl.         Pass         ?
With Jxxx of clubs, respond 1NT.  With AJxx of clubs, respond 2NT. You don't need stoppers in the unbid suits to bid notrump. A good partner will have them. 
 
www.kantarbridge.com
posted 5/21



Double or Not to Double

Many players use the Rule of 9 to determine whether or not to double a contract. It works like this:

Rule of 9
Add the numeric value of the opponent's contract to the number of trumps held in that suit and if the result equals 9 (or more), then that player should double for penalty. If the result is 8 or fewer, then the defender should pass or bid.


 


Defensive Leads

Some tips from Eddie Kantar:

  • Don't lead a trump when the opponents are misfitted. 
  • Deceptive leads in the trump suit include the 9 from 109x and the jack from QJ doubleton. 
  • When leading partner's suit against suit or notrump with three or four small, lead high if you have supported the suit, low if you haven't.

www.kantarbridge.com

posted 2/2021


Too Strong to Open 1NT

When considering whether to open 1NT, treat a five card suit headed by three of the top five honors (or two of the top three honors with a 9 thrown in) as worth one extra point.

In other words, with 17 HCP and a strong five card suit, treat the hand as an 18 point hand. If you play a range of 15-17, do not open 1NT.

Open the bidding in the five card suit and then jump in notrump.

Example

S. A107

H. J92

D. K5

C. AKQ76 

 

Open 1C and jump to 2NT if partner responds 1D, 1H or 1S.  Too strong to open 1NT.




Leads against 6NT
You do not lead the same against 3NT (or 4NT) as you do against 6NT.
For example, say you have: 
S K10764 
H Q84 
D Q76 
C 83

If the bidding goes 1NT- pass- 3NT (or 4NT) - all pass, you have an automatic spade lead.

However if the bidding goes 1NT-pass-6NT- all pass, a spade lead is horrible. Why?  The opponents presumably have about 33 HCP to contract for 6NT which means your partner is busted. There is no point in leading away from an honor. Lead a club and hope to make two tricks if declarer finesses into you.


Bidding Responses
When responding to an opening bid with two four-card majors, respond 1H giving partner a chance to bid 1S.  If partner doesn't bid 1S, assume partner does not have four spades and bid accordingly.
You hold:  S. AJxx  H. KQxx   D. Jx   C.  xxx
Partner   You 
1D          1H
2C           ?
Bid 2NT and limit your hand to 11-12 HCP. Do not bid 2S. Partner does not have four spades and bidding the ‘fourth suit’ has a special meaning. It is frequently used as an artificial force when no other rebid describes the hand.
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 12/20



Matchpoint Bidding Strategy
  • Go for the big reward.  Duplicate pairs tend to bid "close" games and slams, so don't settle for a safe partscore if you think there's a fair chance (60 percent or better) that you can make game.
  • But when in doubt, settle for the sure thing. It's important to get plus scores at matchpoints. If you aren't sure of your fit or partner's strength, don't push too hard. If the opponents have outbid you, consider taking a sure penalty instead of bidding higher to a contract you might not make. 
  • Choose the highest-scoring game.  For game contracts, you should be most eager to play 4H or 4S, willing to play 3NT and reluctant to play 5C or 5D. If you have game values and fit in clubs or diamonds, consider playing 3NT instead.
  • Choose the safest partscore.  When you have minimum high-card strength, choose the safety of a trump suit. A major-suit is still best, but if you're deciding between a notrump and a minor-suit partscore, play the suit contract if you have a fit.
kwbridge.com (posted 1120)

Penalty double of a 1NT overcall
After partner opens and second hand overcalls 1NT (natural), double for penalty with 9+ HCP.  Bidding a new suit is not forcing and a jump is preemptive. With 9+ points, double first. 
www.kantarbridge.com

Posted 10/2020


Eddie Kantar Bidding Tip

Any time you skip over two suits, or one suit and notrump to rebid your original suit, you promise a 6 card suit or with exception a 5 card suit containing 100 honors.
South(you)       West    North(partner)            East
1C                    P          1D                                P
2C 
You have shown 6 clubs because you have skipped over 1H, 1S, and 1NT to rebid your clubs.  
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 10/2020




 Responding to takeout doubles

 

In his book “The Complete Book on Takeout Doubles” Mike Lawrence talks about responding to takeout doubles. This is an important part of competitive bidding and requires partnership understanding. You can find lots of books and articles about this topic.

Mike Lawrence writes: “A bid of a suit at its lowest possible level shows from 0 to some fair 8 point hands. A jump in a new suit shows and invitational hand and may be made with only 4 pieces and generally 8 to 11 HCP. There is more to a jump response than points. You have to upgrade some high cards and downgrade others and make allowances for extra-long suits.” Here are some examples”

 

W         N         E         S

1C         Dbl     P         ?

 

You are South and hold:

 

S – AJ53 H- 83 D – A1093 C – 653

Bid 2 Spades. Good quality HCP in suits partner likes.

 

S – KQ74 H – 743 D – J32 C – QJ3

Bid 1 Spade. With 4-3-3-3 shape and 3 of your points in clubs 1 Spade is enough.

 

S – 3 H – J10763 D – AJ763 C- 43

Bid 2 Hearts. Your 5/5 shape and singleton spade will be very helpful in the play.

 

www.michaelslawrence.com 

(Posted 8/2020)


Hand Evaluation

It is dangerous to count extra points for short suits or long suits before the bidding starts. If partner bids your short suit, that reduces, not increases, the value of your hand. If one of your opponents bids your long suit, that decreases, not increases, the value of your hand.

If you let the bidding develop, you will see whether your long or short suits are working for or against you. You hold:

♠ Axxx ♥ x ♦ Qxxxx ♣ xxx

What is this hand worth? If partner opens 1♥, it is a minus -- 6-point hand. If partner opens 1♠, it is a 9-point hand (3 points for the singleton with four-card support).

If LHO opens 1♦ and partner overcalls 1♥, the ♦Q has lost it's value not to mention the fifth diamond. You are now looking at a minus -- 4-point hand! Be patient with distributional evaluations until you hear the bidding. 

 (posted 7/2020)


Overtake the lead of the King with Ace doubleton 

Eddie Kantar writes in his book “Modern Bridge Defense” about overtaking the lead of the King when you have Ace doubleton.  “Against either a suit or notrump, partner leads the King and you have Ace doubleton.  Overtake!  At notrump, partner figures to have lead from KQJ or KQ10, so unblocking isn’t going to cost a trick, but may save 3 or 4!  At a suit contract, overtake even though partner may only have KQ.  Even if you set up a trick for declarer’s Jack, partner can lead a third round for you to trump.”

 

                        N – 643

W – KQ1082                             E – A7 (you)

 

                        S- J95

At trick 1, West leads the K, you play the A and return the 7.  Partner will win the Queen and continue with the Jack if they have it.  If partner does not have the Jack and continues, you get to trump the continuation.    

www.kantarbridge.com

posted 6/2020




Jump Cue Bids

After partner opens 1H or 1S and there is an intervening overcall, a jump cuebid by responder shows a singleton in the opponent's suit, at least four card support for partner's suit plus minimum of 14-15 support points. It is a mild slam try. Say partner opens 1H and the next hand bids 2C and you hold:

S -- AJ87
H -- KQ43
D -- Q1098
C -- 3
With 15 support points, jump to 4C making it easier for partner to evaluate her hand. 

A jump cue bid after a minor suit opening bid also shows a singleton in the jump suit, but this jump promises five or six card support and denies a side four card major. Say partner opens 1C and the next hand overcalls 1D and you hold:

S -- A43  
H -- K43  
D -- 2  
C -- KJ8743.
You have a perfect 3D response. Do it!  
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 6/2020

Plan Your Rebid

​

You hold:
S – K9
H – AJ984
D – A97
C – KQ6
What is your bid? In his CD on Conventions, Mike Lawrence writes, “1NT is the correct bid.  The problem with 1H is that if your partner bids 1S you will be hurting for a rebid.  Over a 1S response, 1NT shows 12-14 HCP and 2NT shows 18-19 HCP.  Both bids are flawed.  To jump to 3H, you need a 6 card suit.”  www.michaelslawrence.com 
The rebid issue is why more and more players are opening 1NT with hands that have a 5 card major if they have 15-17 HCP.  It is hard to show this range of high card points with a balanced hand if you do not open 1NT.  
(posted 5/2020)
Responding to a Takeout Double
When responding to a takeout double in a suit, jump with 9-11 'revalued' points.  A five-card suit is worth one extra, a six-card suit, three extra.  A side unbid four-card suit is worth one extra. Jacks and queen in suits the opponents are bidding are not counted. 
 
You hold: S. AQ10x, H. Kxx  D. xx  C. 10xxx   
If partner doubles a 1D opening bid and next hand passes, jump to 2S. You have 10 points including 1 point for the four-card club suit.  Your jump is not forcing. A 1S response shows 0-8 revalued points and is a decided underbid. Partner usually plays you for 4-5 points and a game could easily be missed. 
 www.kantarbridge.com

posted 3/20


Card Combinations
As declarer, many times the ability to make our contract depends on playing one of the suits in a way that maximizes our chance to take tricks.  The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge by ACBL has a section on playing card combinations.  Here is a combination from the Encyclopedia that seems to occur frequently:
            A K 10 9
            x x x x
We can maximize our chances of 3 tricks by leading a small card towards the 10.  If that wins or our left hand opponent rises with the Queen or Jack, we have our 3 tricks.  If it loses to the Queen or Jack, then cash the A.  The probability of taking 3 tricks is 90%.



What to bid and rebid?

​You hold:

S – K9
H – AJ984
D – A97
C – KQ6
What is your bid? In his CD on Conventions, Mike Lawrence writes, “1NT is the correct bid.  The problem with 1H is that if your partner bids 1S you will be hurting for a rebid.  Over a 1S response, 1NT shows 12-14 HCP and 2NT shows 18-19 HCP.  Both bids are flawed.  To jump to 3H, you need a 6 card suit.”  www.michaelslawrence.com 
The rebid issue is why more and more players are opening 1NT with hands that have a 5 card major if they have 15-17 HCP.  It is hard to show this range of high card points with a balanced hand if you do not open 1NT.   
(10/19)

  
Improving Declarer Play
As declarer, many times the ability to make our contract depends on playing one of the suits in a way that maximizes our chance to take tricks.  You are declaring 4H and see the following trump suit:
                        K5
?                                              ?
                        Q87632
You need 5 tricks from the suit.  Lead low towards the K.  If it wins, lead back towards the Queen and duck.  The only hope is a 3 – 2 split with West having a doubleton A.
 (8/29/19)




It is dangerous to count extra points for short suits or long suits before the bidding starts. (Don’t stop reading!)
If partner bids your short suit, that reduces, not increases, the value of your hand.  If one of your opponents bids your long suit, that also decreases the value of your hand.  If you let the bidding develop, you will see whether your long or short suits are working for or against you. 
You hold:  S. Axxx  H. x  D. Qxxxx  C. xxx
What is this hand worth?  If partner opens 1H, it is a minus 6 point hand.  If partner opens 1S, it has blossomed to a 9-point hand (3 points for the singleton with four-card support).
 
If LHO opens 1D and partner overcalls 1H, the DQ has lost its value, not to mention the fifth diamond, or the singleton heart! You are now looking at a minus 4 point hand!
Hands that have eight-card fits or longer add extra distributional points; however, until a fit has been uncovered, distributional points should not be added. It doesn't make sense. Hands that are misfits should be subtracting points, not adding them!     
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 3/28



Bidding Tip
Downgrade Jacks and Queens in suits bid by your opponents unless Partner makes a natural notrump bid. 
You hold:  S – KJ4  H – QJ87   D- 654   C -  1043

Your partner opens 1 Spade and your RHO overcalls 2D.  Bid 2S.

 

However, if your RHO overcalls 2H, you must pass as your heart honors are worthless in a spade contract.   

www.kantarbridge.com

posted 3/10


 



Count Signals
Count signals are used to tell partner and declarer how many cards you hold in the suit being led by declarer or dummy.  If you play Standard signals, a relative high card shows an even number of cards and a relative low card shows an odd number.  Once your partner knows how many cards you have in the suit, he knows how many declarer has and can improve his count of the distribution of all 4 suits around the table.  Giving count is very important when you have supported partner’s suit   Here is an example:
                        N – Q85
W – AKJ94                                           E – 10732
                        S – 6
Partner has bid the suit and you supported.  Partner leads a high honor and needs to know how many you hold to decide how to continue the defense.  Here you play the 7 to show you raised with 4 pieces.  Partner knows declarer has a singleton and plays accordingly. 
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 2/11/19



Responding with Two 4-Card Majors
When responding to an opening bid with two four-card majors, respond 1H giving partner a chance to bid 1S.  If partner doesn't bid 1S, assume partner does not have four spades and bid accordingly.
You hold:  S. AJxx  H. KQxx   D. Jx   C.  xxx
Partner   You 
1D          1H
2C           ?
Bid 2NT and limit your hand to 11-12 HCP. Do not bid 2S. Partner does not have four spades and bidding the ‘fourth suit’ has a special meaning. It is frequently used as an artificial force when no other rebid describes the hand.  
Posted 1/10/19
www.kantarbridge.com

Trump Leads
  • Don't even think of leading a trump when the opponents are in the throes of a misfit.
  • Holding a balanced hand with broken strength in each suit, a trump lead from two or three small when dummy has given a single raise is usually best
  • With a strong sequence in trump (KQJ, QJ109), a trump lead is usually best
  • If partner is marked with a singleton trump, there is no point in leading a trump from Kxx because neither of you will be able to continue the suit.   Try another lead and hope that partner will find the trump switch, if necessary.

 

www.kantarbridge.com
posted 11/30/18




Leads versus a Doubled Contract
When partner doubles the final contract, partner either:
  •  Thinks that the combined defensive strength between the two defenisive hands is enough to defeat the contract.
  •  Has a strong trump holding.
  • Can tell from the bidding that it is a touch and go contract and that YOU have trump length.  This  double is an effort to give declarer a false impression of who has the missing trumps. These are called "offside" doubles and require a special relationship with partner when they don't work.
  •  Is trying to direct your lead to a particular suit, a suit you might not otherwise have led. These 'lead directing doubles' particularly apply vs. slam contracts when partner has preempted or against notrump game or slam contracts that usually call for the lead of dummy's first bid suit.
www.kantarbridge.com
posted 11/30/18




Hand Evaluation
When the opponents bid and support each other, and you have the jack or queen of their suit and are considering bidding, don’t count points for those honors. They are usually worthless.  
www.kantarbridge.com
posted 11/9
 

Rebidding NTs

When opener has opened or rebid NT, the strength and shape of his hand is known. Therefore responder will normally know whether or not the values for game (25 partnership points) are present. If they are, then the only outstanding issue is which game to play. The order of desirability is:
  1. 4 ♥, 4 ♠ with an eight-card fit.
  2. 3 NT.
  3. 5 ♣, 5 ♦

Every effort should be made to locate an eight-card major fit. Say the bidding has begun 1 ♥-2 ♣-2 NT (15-16). What next with:

 
Hand  (a)Hand  (b)Hand  (c)
♠ K 7 3
♥ 4
♦ J 9 6
♣ A Q 9 8 5 3
♠ A J 9 6
♥ 7 3
♦ 10 6
♣ A K 8 6 3
♠ 8 7 3
♥ Q J 7
♦ Q 4
♣ K Q 8 6 3


(a) 3 NT. No point in bidding more clubs. 5 ♣ is a long way away.
(b) 3 ♠. May still have a spade fit (partner would bid this way with 4 ♥s-4 ♠s and 15-16 balanced).
(c) 3 ♥. This delayed support shows three hearts (with four you would support immediately). Partner may have have five hearts in a 5332 shape, in which case he will raise to 4 ♥. With just four hearts, partner will prefer 3 NT.

www.andrewrobson.com.uk

posted 11/10



Responder's Bid
A book worth owning and reading is “A Treasury of Bridge Tips” by Eddie Kantar.  In it he offers the following advice:

“As responder, when you have a game going hand respond to your partner’s opening bid in your longer suit first!  Re-read this!”  Partner opens the bidding 1C and you hold:

S - AK32
H – 42
D – AQ765
C – 32

Respond 1D intending to rebid 2S after partner’s next bid if it is not 1 Spade.
Hand Evaluation
When the opponents bid and support each other, and you have the jack or queen of their suit and are considering bidding, don’t count points for those honors. They are usually worthless.
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 10/14/18

Third Hand Play  – Eddie Kantar writes in his book “Modern Bridge Defense” about what to do when you win the trick as third hand.  If you choose to return partner’s suit, give count by leading back as follows:
  • With 2 remaining cards lead the higher
  • With 3 cards return the lowest
  • With more than 3 cards, return your original 4th best.
  • With an honor sequence return the higher
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 9/23/18



Card Combinations --  As declarer, many times the ability to make a contract depends on playing one of the suits in a way that maximizes our chance to take tricks.  The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge by ACBL has a section on playing card combinations.  Here is a combination from the Encyclopedia that I hate to have as declarer:


            K x x x
            J x x x


Lead Low to the King hoping West has the A Q doubleton.  If it is covered, return to dummy and lead to the Jack.  Only a 3% chance of 3 tricks.   To maximize chances for 2 tricks, Lead low to the King.  If the Q fails to appear, duck, When you regain the lead, return to hand and lead low to the King.  50% chance of 2 tricks.

Posted 8/18/18




Third Hand Play  – Eddie Kantar writes in his book “Modern Bridge Defense” about third hand play.  We’ve all heard the axiom “third hand high”, but that is not always correct. 
When partner leads a trump and you have an honor that might be used to overtrump dummy, save your honor.  Spades are trump:

                        S – 985
                        H - K
S – K4                                 S – J32 (you)
H – Q10972                         H – J3       
                        S-  AKQ107
                        H – A8654

Eddie Kantar writes: “Partner anticipating heart ruffs in dummy leads a trump.  You can “see” that you can overtrump the third round of hearts with the Jack, if you keep it.”    
www.katarbridge.com
Posted 7/26/18


NT Response to a takeout double

A 1NT response to a takeout double shows 6-10 HCP.  A 2NT response to a takeout double shows 10-12.  Some 10 point hands are better than others because of strong intermediates. You cannot be a slave to point count. Intermediates count!

Notrump responses to a takeout double guarantee at least one stopper (hopefully two), in the opponent’s suit.
 www.kantarbridge.com
 Posted 7/14/18

Takeout Double by a Passed Hand -- Eddie Kantar
A takeout double by a passed hand shows 9-11 HCP with shortness in the opener’s suit.  If the opponents have bid two suits, the double promises at least four-card support in the other two suits. 
 
You hold:  S - AJxx  H - xx  D - KJ10xx  C - xx   

South (you)  West   North  East
Pass             1C       Pass     1H
  X   (Your double shows diamonds and spades. A 2D bid might lose a spade fit.)
www.kantarbridge.com
Posted 7/4/18

 

A single raise of an overcall is the same as a single raise of an opening bid: 7 – 10 points with 3 pieces.  With more than 10 points, cuebid the openers suit.  Here is an example:
N          E          S          W
1D        1S        p          ?          You hold:
 S – A87, H – 54, D – 632, C – KJ973   Bid 2Spades
A single raise of an overcall is the same as a single raise of an opening bid: 7 – 10 points with 3 pieces.  With more than 10 points, cuebid the openers suit.  Here is an example:
N          E          S          W
1D        1S        p          ?          You hold:

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