Game – responder has no support for openers first bid
This hand can be bid to 4 hearts if played by you or 3 spades if bid by the opposition. It all depends who stops bidding first. In 4H If you play very well you can make 11 tricks.
Overcalling and Getting to Game
This hand can be overcalled and will make 4 Spades even though the opposition have a very makeable 2 Heart contract. It all depends who has faith in their own hand and keeps the bidding going.
On Defense – Lead 4th highest from longest and strongest
Standard American Players – you can take the contract 3 light for 150 points to your side!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Acol Players -So….lead your fourth highest card from your longest and strongest suit and every time you get the lead, keep on leading your diamonds so that when the opposition run out of trumps, you have winners and can take the contract 3 light for 150 points to your side!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Acol Players -So….lead your fourth highest card from your longest and strongest suit and every time you get the lead, keep on leading your diamonds so that when the opposition run out of trumps, you have winners and can take the contract 3 light for 150 points to your side!
In Spades or Hearts
This is a challenging hand to play but is much more fun because of it, to make 4S you need to delay drawing all trumps as 4-0 trump split requires you to perform ruff at the same time discard a heart from dummy. It is much easier to make 4H.
Game in NoTrumps
As long as the opposition don’t lead spades this hand can make any of the contracts – 3NT 4S, 4H, 6D or 4C. Redeal this hand and try playing in all of those contracts and see!
Part game but the opposition compete – who wins the contract
This hand makes 10 tricks in hearts and also makes 2NT, redeal the hand and play it again. Bid and check for yourself
Is your holding in the oppositions suit strong enough for a 3NT contract?
This hand also can make 5D, 4NT, 5S or 2C! use the Hand: > Redeal menu Item to rebid and replay this hand.
To make your contract be careful to guard the entry to your long diamonds
This hand can make 3C and 1H
Unblocking your suit helps you make your contract
With this hand you can make either 1D or 2NT.
In 1NT you get 4 Diamond tricks, 2 club tricks, 2 heart tricks and 1 heart trick. If opposition lead a heart, win with the KH lose the AD, and the rest of the heart suit leads then win the club return with QC and win all the tricks except the AS.
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In 1NT you get 4 Diamond tricks, 2 club tricks, 2 heart tricks and 1 heart trick. If opposition lead a heart, win with the KH lose the AD, and the rest of the heart suit leads then win the club return with QC and win all the tricks except the AS.
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In the post mortem, partner will probably say ‘with a 6 card spade suit you can bid at the 1 level!
In the post mortem, partner will probably say ‘yes but with a 6 card spade suit you can bid 1S! why didn’t you?’ You can make at least 9 tricks in a heart contract.
Using the law of total tricks with 10 trump cards between you you should compete
As it turns out the Club split 2-2 and the finesse fails. so unfortunately 4S goes 1 light doubled. However this is a much better score for your partnership (only -100 pts) than if East-West are left playing and making 4 Hearts vulnerable (-620 pts)
Sacrifice bidding- the importance of favorable vulnerability
Making 12 tricks. Think about points now, opposition are vulnerable that means -620 points for you if they make, however even doubled if you are 1 trick light it is only -100 points for your side as you have 9 tricks in your own hand and partner has supported you on top of that!
Bid your longest suit and see if partner is interested in game with minimal support
Duplicate bridge scores are always about how well you did compared to everyone else with the same hand. Did you find the fit and bid game? Making 12 tricks losing only to the QS.
Think about how to make overtricks
North/South can make either 1S, 2C, 2D or if south plays it (meaning South has to bid 3NT with a worthless doubleton) , 3NT. You can’t make overtricks.
Sometimes in Bridge you can make contracts with far less points than the rules state
You make 4S with this hand also you can make 3NT even though the combined point count is only 22 HCP. So from this you can see that the bidding guidelines for bridge are just that. Sometimes in Bridge you can make contracts with far less points than the rules state, but be prepared to be unpopular with your partner. Sometimes you also go light when you have the ‘required points’, it all comes down to cards, distribution and playing skills. If instead you have bid 4S or 3NT, there is no way if you play well that this contract can be taken light.
To make your contract with ducking, finessing and leading low
Making 3 club tricks. If you follow three of the playing rules linked to in “The Play” you can make 11 tricks with this hand.
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Expert players have advanced bidding systems that enable them to bid the slam, making 13 tricks
This hand can make 13 tricks if played in spades
Game – Spades; responder changes suit and makes 12 tricks
This hand can make 12 tricks if you never lead out the club suit waiting for the opposition instead to help you get 3 winners in clubs.
Finessing twice to make your contract
You have contracted to make 8 tricks. But at first glance you can only count 7 winning tricks. To make 8 tricks in this contract you need to develop some club tricks. If you perform a direct finesse leading your highest club from dummy twice up to your KC, you can make at least 1 club trick, 1 heart trick and 6 spade tricks
Takeout double – delay drawing trumps to make 12 tricks
In 3D you can make 12 tricks from this hand. You need to delay drawing trumps until you have finessed east for the KC, west for the AH, and ruffed the two low clubs in declarers hand. All that effort for only 170 points! If you only make 9 tricks you will only get 110 points.
If you leave the opposite side in a spade contract you can take them 1 light doubled for a score of 100 points
If you leave the opposite side in a spade contract you can take them 1 light doubled for a score of 100 points
Not enough TP for game but you make your contract if you finesse and ruff
This hand can make 2D or 4S. If south is naughty with less than 10 points bids you may find game.
However your partner will not trust you if you keep on bidding with less than 10 points.
However your partner will not trust you if you keep on bidding with less than 10 points.
Responder has an opening hand and support but you need to squeeze to make this contract
Making this 4S depends on squeezing the opposition to discard cards in a suit that you need to develop winners in. The trick here was to discard a diamond on the table (not AD) fooling them that you were only going to play 1 more round of diamonds (the opposition if they have not been counting the diamond suit will be unaware you have 10D in hand)
6NT, 6C or 5D with the opposition overcalling and being irritating
This hand can make 4NT or 6C or 5D. Try bidding those contracts and see for yourself.
Practice cross ruffing using small trumps in dummy as entries
You can make 8 tricks with this hand if you are in a suit. North/South can make 2S or 1D or 1H with this hand. Its important to delay drawing trumps so you have entries to dummy’s hand.
Defensive play making a penalty double
You and your partner can take this contract 1 light doubled!
A very lively auction. Is your spade queen enough to bid 3NT
You can take this contract 3 light doubled and vulnerable which nets you 1100 points. Even if you bid 6C and make it (which you can with this hand as long as you avoid playing diamonds and cross ruff the hearts and spades) you will only get 920 points.
Game – Trying for overtricks
With only 23 points this is a hand where South can easily make 11 tricks losing only the AS and AH. The key play with this contract is you play as if the KD is with East, so finesse for the KD.
Single raises all the way to game
Did you bid to game? 10 tricks in all, but if you play really well you can make 11 tricks.
Do you have the self discipline to stop bidding when there is no fit?
You are in diamonds, unless the defense mess it up you can only make 8 tricks so you are light vulnerable. The opposition can make 2S – or you can make 2D or 2C a 4-1 diamond trump split ruins your game.
Responding to partner’s takeout double showing strength
If you take the club finesse you can make 11 tricks in 4H with only 23HCP and great distribution. If the finesse fails or you do not take it you will still make 10 tricks.
Competing over oppositions takeout double and the opposition steal a ruff
North/South can make 10 tricks in hearts or 9 tricks in diamonds or 8 tricks in clubs with this hand. With 20 HCP the correct place to be is in 3H.
Respond to partners overcall with medium strength hand and three card support
This hand can make 8 tricks in No Trumps. However is possible to make 11 tricks playing in in 3D.
Takeout double, sometimes you need to decide which is your least dishonest bid
The opposition if they bid can make 3H (9 tricks). You can also make 9 tricks in diamonds if the hand that has the length in diamonds also has length in spades, allowing you to discard a losing heart in dummy.
Making multiple finesses and playing the honor from the short hand first to make your tricks
If you get 7 tricks you have made your contract but with excellent playing, squeezing the opposition so they discard winners and if you make a direct finesse in clubs and finesse hearts twice you can make 9 tricks.
Holding 2 five card majors, you were counting and knew this would happen weren’t you
11 tricks are yours if you make 2 finesses of spades against east and ruff the JD and a low heart in dummy before drawing all the trump suit.
Two light doubled and vulnerable is worth more than game in hearts
Its not smart of declarer to give you a second club ruff, really you should only take the other side 2 light doubled and vulnerable.
Bridge is all about points scored compared to others….taking the opposition light in this situation delivers many more points than if you were in the 4S game in which you can make 11 tricks if only you could bid it. (redeal the hand and try just bidding 4S!)
Bridge is all about points scored compared to others….taking the opposition light in this situation delivers many more points than if you were in the 4S game in which you can make 11 tricks if only you could bid it. (redeal the hand and try just bidding 4S!)
Make a takeout double to find a part game in diamonds
If you handle your spades carefully and lead low from dummy up to the KC in your hand you can make 9 tricks, otherwise you will make only 8 tricks. Its important to play for the ‘drop’ when you have 9 cards in a suit rather than finessing as this has a slightly better chance of success. (53% as opposed the the finesses 50%). The opposition can make 1C or 1H with these hands.
The secret to a good opening lead!
Counting the cards as you play you see that Declarer is out of spades after three rounds (so is partner) You need to switch to a side suit where partner may have some winners- either hearts or spades are good. I fyoiu and partner end up in 3S you go 1 light for -100 points
How do you play a hand when the opposition hold more trump cards than you do
North South can make 3S = 9 tricks with this hand even though there is a very nasty trump split 4-0 and the clubs are distributed 8-0. Taking the club finesse does not make you any more tricks on this hand.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good opening lead.
Partners opening lead makes a difference to the results for this hand.
Choose between a finesse or playing for the drop
This is an easy game to make 12 tricks even though you don’t have enough points to bid slam. The key play is ‘playing for the drop’ in the heart suit (playing the Ace in the first round hoping the King is a singleton), otherwise you make 11 tricks.
f you overcall at your first bid partner does not know about your 16 HCP and you do not get to game
Sometimes when you are bidding you have to tell a little untruth…. the skill is in deciding on the least damaging untruth to tell. Here you only have 2 spade cards not the 3 required in each suit for a takeout double. If you extract all trumps, finesse and drop the diamonds and finesse the spades this hand can make 12 tricks in hearts or in diamonds.
Rebidding your pre-emptive long suit
This hand can you can make make at least 10 tricks (5C) in a club contract even though you only have 15 HCP between you and your partner. This is the power of long suits and pre-emptive bidding.
Responding to partners weak 3 bid – when can I?
Makes 11 tricks if you lose to the club Ace and finesse the KS to be in wests hand. Delay drawing trumps until you have lost to the AC before you lose the ability to ruff small hearts from the opposition
Part game in No Trumps – playing to make 9 or 10 tricks
In 1 NT this hand can make 9 tricks (150 points). In 2C it can make 10 tricks (only 110 points).
On defense keep opponents to their contract
Returning partners opening lead at the first opportunity results in East/West being 3 light – 300 points to your side.
You can make game in No Trumps holding only 23 HCP
You can make 10 tricks with this hand if you discard your losing diamonds on your club winners. If the opponent’s lead hearts or diamonds you have a much more difficult time making this contract. West has to lead back a spade heart or club after winning with the AS, thank goodness he didn’t have any diamonds left.
After a strong 2 opening bid responding to a Stayman
With this hand you can make 13 tricks if you only play the club suit once. The tricky thing about this hand is actually bidding the slam to obtain the slam bonus points. I f you bid only game you will get very poor marks compared to other competitors.
Entering the auction with an Overcall
North – South can make 4 hearts with only 20 HCP – but East West can make 3 spades with their 20 HCP
With only 19 points -several plays needed to make a slam contract with inadequate points
Three rounds of hearts establishes the low hearts. Most people will not be in a spade game or slam, but if the opposition keep bidding its possible to be pushed into getting there. Notice you get only 230 points if you are in part game making 12 tricks but you will get 980 points if you have bid slam and make it.
Responding to a negative doubles after a strong 2C
If you play the KC after playing the AD and KD, you will make 11 tricks in this contract.
Only a part game in NoTrumps but game in a suit
Making 10 tricks
Counting opponents discards in the diamond suit helps in making this contract
Making 12 tricks. Most players will be in part-game or game. Advanced players may bid and get into the slam even without enough points.
Practice making a negative response to 2C opening
You can make at least 10 tricks with this hand leaving you wondering ‘why didn’t I bid it?’ In fact with the deep finesse you only lose 1 round of trumps but west gets a ruff in spades.
Should I open a weak two or a 1 level bid
The powerful nature of a hand that is weak in points but strong in trump suit length can be seen in this game in which North/South only have 18 HCP’s between them. Makes 10 tricks if you cross ruff clubs hearts and diamonds.
Game in No Trumps gives the best score
You only raise partner’s bid to 3NT if you have points in the higher range for a 1 level opening bid. From partner’s 2NT bid you know that they have 11-12 HCP and a hold in spades. Makes 9 tricks.
Take the opposition light with good defensive play
If you make a penalty double of the 3D contract you can make 100 points.
Overcalling – you can make 11 tricks (game) in Acol and Standard American but do you bid it?
You can make 11 tricks (game) in Acol and Standard American but your partner may get cross with you if you always bid game with under strength hands
Overcall or takeout double – sometimes silence is golden
Even if you disobey the rules and bid 3C after partners pass of your takeout double, the opposition still bid up to 3D. Either lead gives you 50 points by taking opposition light. If you make a penalty double after the 3D bid you can double your points
Practice The Stayman convention and The Gerber convention in 1 game
Are you adventurous or timid? You are 1 point short to bid slam but you can make it if the opposition lead the heart suit.
Weak 2 opening and the opposition overcall 2NT
You obviously have a fit in spades and hearts here. Will you make a sacrifice bid to keep the opposition from making game points? Or will you take the chance that they’ll go light and make a penalty double?
Know when to stop bidding to avoid trouble, part game contract
Easts double indicates that they have points – if any finesses are needed you should be playing for east to hold the honor cards. Usually you’d want to be in NoTrumps with minor suit fits but sometimes its just too dangerous.
Overcalling, invitational rebids and bidding to game
If you rebid 2D instead of 3D at your second bid you end up in 4S. Making 12 tricks if no one leads out clubs. For an experiment try this hand in 3NT and then in 4S – which contract is better in your estimation.This hand can make 5 Spades or 4 Diamonds. In a No Trump contract If the opposition lead club suit whenever possible, things become more difficult for declarer. Count the opposition discards to make overtricks
Which Ace asking convention should you use with this hand – Gerber or Blackwood?
Bidding conventions make your final slam contract much less risky.
Remember to stop playing trumps after they’ve all been drawn out you will have 2 trumps in dummy and 1 in your hand
If you remember to stop playing trumps after they’ve all been drawn out you will have 2 trumps in dummy and 1 in your hand to ruff the small side suit cards. You can make 10 tricks with this deal
With minimum points should you bid game?
The decision to go to 4S is made by evaluating the rest of your cards – do you have lots of 9’s and 10’s which may develop into winning tricks? Or are your small cards exactly that, small cards. In this situation because you are Vulnerable it’s probably best not to take the chance – you will be punished harshly if you go light.
Overcall or takeout double, which is best?
If you make a takeout double your partner bids 3H and you only have a singleton, so you need you will take partner out by bidding 4C. If trumps are split 4-2 you will lose one more trick
You do not have the minimum distribution requirement of a doubleton in every suit
In 3NT you can make 11 tricks. For fun try bidding 6C instead of 3NT for some fun. With a 4-1 trump split the only way to make your contract is to delay drawing the last 2 trumps until you have ruffed the remaining diamonds in dummy, then use QH to enter dummy draw the last 2 trumps, take the finesse of east for the QS, the rest of the tricks are yours.
Making a pre-emptive response with a 3 level jump
Your triple jump bid to game is a shutout and partner should have stop there, and he did. Making 12 tricks.
Use the Blackwood convention to bid a minimum points slam is it on or off?
This hand can make 6NT and 6S – some players will take a punt and bid it (and don’t we all hate these players?) but if you follow the rules slam shouldn’t really be bid.
Game in a major suit found after a club suit opening
Can you make 11 tricks?
Should you respond to partner’s overcall and how high can he go?
Finding your optimum contract can be more difficult when both parties are bidding
Sometimes you get higher scores by taking the opponents light – convert your negative double into a penalty double
Take 1SX light for 300 points
A takeout double is converted into a penalty double by your actions
If you bid 2NT (but you shouldn’t as you don’t have the points) after partner’s takeout double he will raise you to 3NT which you can make.
It’s crucial to make the correct opening lead against a 4S contract
The correct opening lead and defensive plan results in taking this contract 3 light for 300 points your way. Try leading other suits as opening leads and see how well your side does. Leading a spade a high club or a diamond gives the opposition 10 tricks – leading a low club gives them 9 tricks. The opening lead can be crucial
Which major suit will you choose?
This hand can be played in either 4H or 4S. In 4H you make 10 tricks in 4S you can make 11 tricks.
Takeout double over a preempt by the opposition
You won’t find your 4S contract if you overcall diamonds . A 5D contract goes light whereas a 4S contract makes. See how oppositions pre-empt interrupts with your finding the best contract?
Game in hearts however you can make slam, even without the spade ace
In this deal six hearts makes despite the lack of controls in South’s hand if the QH can be dropped by leading out AH then KH – also the opposition holdings in hearts must be split either 3-1 (with a heart queen singleton), or 2-2 (heart queen on either side).
A second condition which makes this game contract into a slam contract is if the heart queen can be finessed because its in East’s hand, this can be accomplished with a 1-3 or even a 0-4 heart split.
A second condition which makes this game contract into a slam contract is if the heart queen can be finessed because its in East’s hand, this can be accomplished with a 1-3 or even a 0-4 heart split.
If you make a penalty double the opponents can bid there way out of trouble
If you make a penalty double of the opponent’s 2C they will save into diamonds, a much better place for them.
Sacrifice bidding with a balancing takeout double or an overcall.
In 2S making 2 East-West gain 110 points. Forcing them to bid by competing up to 3S earns your side 100 points. If you bid 4D going only 1 light the opposition earn only 50 points. The trick to taking 3S light is to lead diamonds and the heart suit leading through strength
A minimal points small slam using Blackwood
This is why sometimes other people get into slams that shouldn’t have been bid, but some gambler always does – and shouldn’t make – but its there, cold. There’s nothing you can do about it but its very frustrating if you are obedient and follow the rules strictly.
Practice the finesse and dropping opposition queens
This is another one of those frustrating hands where you only have 21 HCP points and should be in part game but… 10 tricks in spades can be made.
Learn to say ‘Pass’ self discipline and stopping bidding even though you find a fit
If you are tempted to bid 2C with your 4 card club suit and with only 5 points partner will bid 3NT and then you have lots of problems. Try it and see
Partner overbids and you need to carefully manage your entries to make
Partner overbids their hand and it’s up to you to play your partnership out of trouble. Entries to declarer’s hand are the key to making this contract.
A 5D contract goes light.You need to develop the JC and KH as entries to each respective hand.
A 5D contract goes light.You need to develop the JC and KH as entries to each respective hand.
Don’t bid after a takeout double is cancelled by opponents
You can get a top board by ensuring you keep the opposition to as few tricks as possible.Leading a spade the opposition make 9 tricks. Leading a heart they make 8 tricks. Lead a low diamond and you take them light!!!!! lead your top club and they make 8 tricks lead your bottom club and they make 8 tricks. Partner playing low when second to play to the trick and careful counting of cards allow you to take a solid contract light. East throws his KH under the AH in order to stay in his hand as he only has 2 other entries (QS and AC) to his hand
Responding to a Stayman bid
This is an example of a contract that has more than sufficient points and cards in suits – but cannot be made if you cannot stop the opposition leading their spade suit.
Refusing to bid NoTrumps and ending up in game in a minor suit
You and partner don’t have enough points to be in 5D, remember you need 27, but in this situation bidding game pays off. With nine cards in a suit and the queen missing you would play for the drop but with the King missing finesse to try to flush out the KD if east holds it,
Conserve entries into dummy for the best results
As responder don’t jump to 3C which shows 16+ points 5 hearts and 4 clubs. This is one of those tricky hands where you have enough points to be in 3NT but not solid spade stoppers. You have to take all your winners without losing the lead.
Using point count and ace asking to find slam
Counting each suit as you play allows you to make thirteen tricks for 1470 points
Competitive bidding by overcalling your major suit
With East opening the bidding and your side holding 22 points you can estimate which hand contains most of the outstanding high cards. Entries to Dummy are the most important feature in playing this hand to make 10 tricks
How strongly should you keep on bidding against the opposition
Its important to lead low from dummy up to the high cards concealed in your hand – to that end you should ensure you uses both the AS and QC as entries to dummy to draw trumps. If you don not do this you make only 8 tricks and the contract goes light
Counting cards as they are played is the key to optimising tricks
Clubs and Diamonds are your long suits so as you play them if you can extract all the opposition cards in those suits you will have developed small cards as winners. You have eight diamond cards so try that suit first.
Overcalling at the 1 level gives you better points
If you don’t overcall the opponents bid 2H and make it for -120 points against you. Cross ruffing and being careful about your entries gives you 11 tricks and 150 points.
Find the correct opening bid for this hand
Making 10 tricks for 130 points
1NT or 2H what does your system prescribe
2H – gives 10 tricks.
1NT gives 9 tricks
1NT gives 9 tricks
Pre-empt and stop the opposition finding their fit
The beauty of opening this hand at the 3 level is that it stops the opposition from finding their club and heart fits. Also your partner knows that to bid another suit they will need to have a very strong hand at least 16+ points
Take the opposition light by following opening lead rules…
The opposition have two possible optimum contracts with their 27 points. If you lead your Diamond suit they cannot make their contract either the 3NT or 4H. If you lead your longest and strongest suit continuously whenever you have the opportunity they will not make their contract. You make 5 tricks.
Partner prefers your spades and developing an entry is crucial
This hand can make 9 tricks
Makes 6D and 5C and 3NT
You can make 5C for 400 points or you can let the opponents bid 3H and double them for penalties 3 light for 500 points.
Holding three suits of 4 cards each what’s your first bid?
For 12 tricks. This hand makes 6H and 5D! Which score do you want to get?
A nice little 3NT contract but you need to decide your line of play
The Trick in NoTrumps contracts is to lose your certain losers before losing control in the other suits. The second rule in NoTrumps is deciding is it better to grab all your winners first or lose your certain losers? You can make 10 tricks with the correct decision.
On defense you are always trying to create opportunities for the opposition to make a mistake
Choose to switch to the spade suit because the opposition have 2 certain winners in diamonds and you are trying to punch holes in their ability to score tricks. At trick 4 make sure you lead out your JS (top of an interrupted sequence JS-TS-5S) so there are no ‘cheap’ tricks given to the other side, notice East is forced to win your JS with his AS. 2 light! yay
Practice bidding conventions to reach a slam contract
Makes 12 tricks. Most people would take the chance that they will be able to finesse or drop one of the Kings and would bid 6NT. But after asking about Kings you don’t have any choices left you are committed to slam but you need to choose either 6NT or 7NT.
Slam in Acol, but 4H in Standard American
Although it feels dangerous to need all these finesses to work – face it! if they don’t you will go light despite your combined 35 Total Points. Sometimes having enough points doesn’t assure you of making a slam
Don’t respond to a strong 2NT opener for best results
Sometimes its best to just leave things alone. 2NT makes 9 tricks.
Squeeze the diamonds for best results
You can make 4H (10 tricks) with good declarer play even though you only have 23 points in the combined hands.
Practice making a Stayman Bid after a 2NT opening
Try bidding 3NT and see how many tricks you get ( you can make 11) – this will show you the value of incorporating the Stayman convention into your system
A tricky hand – how can you get to game
Makes 11 tricks.
After a bid-fest lead a spade and take them light with good defensive plays
With good defensive plays like leading partners suit, you can take this contract light for 50 points your way. otherwise the opposition make 10 tricks for 130 points their way.
When a penalty double backfires on the opposition
Hahahaha! that got them… 790 points your way instead of only 690 if the opposition had not doubled you. Revenge is sweet!
Game in a major suit making an overtrick
You need 10 tricks to win this contract, and with good declarer play you will make 12 tricks.
You can make overtricks with good declarer play
You can make 11 tricks with good declarer play, and if west doesn’t play his AS or QS in this contract. If he does you only make 10 tricks
Making over tricks with good declarer play
You can make 11 tricks in this contract although you only needed to win 9 tricks to make your contract.
*A link to our Declarer Play lessons
*A link to our Declarer Play lessons
The opposition don’t lead hearts – a gift for you
Making 12 tricks. If opponents lead a heart you cannot make 12 tricks.
Lots of points and a 7 card Major suit, but who dares to bid NoTrumps
You can make 12 tricks for +490 points by playing well.
* Review the bidding at any time by clicking on the blue menu item along the top titled ‘Auction.’
*The first player to bid the suit of the final contract becomes the Declarer and their partner is now called Dummy.
*Dummys cards are always placed face up on the table after the opening lead has been made by the opposition.
*You can check which hand you need to play from because there is a small golden halo around the hand that is due to be played next.
* Review the bidding at any time by clicking on the blue menu item along the top titled ‘Auction.’
*The first player to bid the suit of the final contract becomes the Declarer and their partner is now called Dummy.
*Dummys cards are always placed face up on the table after the opening lead has been made by the opposition.
*You can check which hand you need to play from because there is a small golden halo around the hand that is due to be played next.
Takeout doubles, supporting partner’s response
You can make 10 tricks in this contract for 130 points
Unblocking the club suit gives you victory.
At opening lead lead the 7C, on your second lead play KC and then a low club to partner, you logic is if partner has no side entries this will allow him to run his long club suit
Bid and play a grand slam
With all the Kings and Aces you can make 7H. Bidding 7H is another challenge. If you use the Blackwood convention to find your slams. After finding that partner has the outstanding Ace – King asking (5NT) commits you to 7H when partner responds 6S showing 3 kings, if partner had only 1 king they would respond 6H and you would sign off 6NT.
Respond positively to a 2NT opening bid and practice making 3 finesses
Making 11 tricks. If you don’t take the finesses in this game you end up making only 10 tricks. Winning at Bridge is all about getting every little point you can from the cards you hold.
Partner invites you to 3NT do you accept – practice a holding up safety play?
Makes 9 tricks, now you ask, should you have accepted partners invite to 3NT????
Overcall both of your suits to find the best contract
Making 3H for 140 points. If you don’t overcall the opposition get into a 3C contract which they can easily make, and you will score -110 points, a difference of250 points overall.
Multiple finesses in order to make this 1 level contract
Making 8 tricks. Try not making the finesses and see what your score is then You need to make your contract as soon as you can because the opposition have lots of winners they will play as soon as they get the lead
A Total misfit – Can you make 10 tricks with a 6 losing trick count?
If you haven’t drawn trumps you can usually hope for two rounds in a suit before the opposition can cross ruff tricks.
Opponents in 1NT, or you in 2D – what is the best contract for scoring points
Standard American: North/South can take this contract 1 light defense. for 50 points undoubled or 100 points doubled.
Acol: North/South makes 3D easily. for 110 points.
Acol: North/South makes 3D easily. for 110 points.
No matter what you do you can’t escape being in a contract
If you pass in the first round of bidding your partner makes a takeout double ‘X’ and you are forced to reply, bidding your hearts. The defense give you a trick here by playing the KC and QC to the same trick. The opposition can make 1D or 2S, if they can bid it.
2NT or 2S the battle of the bidding systems
In 2NT you can make 8 tricks
In 2S you can make 9 tricks
In 2H you can make 9 tricks
In 1D you can make 7 tricks
In 1C you can make 7 tricks
In 2S you can make 9 tricks
In 2H you can make 9 tricks
In 1D you can make 7 tricks
In 1C you can make 7 tricks
You are on defense but lose less when they make it, than being in a contract and going light
If you are in 1NT you go light losing -100 points.
With the opposition in 1S and making it you only lose -80 points
With the opposition in 1S and making it you only lose -80 points
Don’t be lazy and leave your partner in the NoTrump contract, you will be punished
Partner has bid Hearts but you have no cover in Spades, so don’t be tempted to leave their NoTrump bid in. Its often a hard and thankless task choosing a safer but lower scoring contract. Makes 10 tricks in diamonds but goes light in NoTrumps
With 27 HCP this hand can makes slam – but should you dare to bid it?
With 27 HCP this hand can make 7NT. Do you dare bid it? And will the opposition play differently if you are in 7NT. Some partnerships will be able to bid it because they have advanced slam bidding systems.
The opposition can make 4H if you don’t pre-empt. But will they bid it?
The opposition can make 4H if they bid it. But with 19 points they may not find it.
3NT – is there a way to play this hand to make your contract?
You have 26 HCP and balanced hands but virtually nothing can stop you going light in this contract. Unless you are ruthless in leading from low cards towards your high cards you cannot make this contract. Also in a tight contract you need to count the oppositions discards. West discards a heart on your second round or spades, shortening his heart holding, allowing your 7H to be a winning card on the last trick. If east guards his hearts you cannot make this contract
Tricky to make despite your points, can you make your contract
Refresh the page and rebid up to to 7D, see if you can make it. HINT: you need to do a deep finesse of west for the QD and 10D, you need to assume west also has 4 spades and 4 hearts. To make 7D- Win the heart lead, finesse the QD to be in West’s hand, Play 4 rounds of spades throwing the losing heart in dummy. ruff a low heart, ruff a club, ruff the last heart, ruff another club. Play KD and AD with the best spade remaining.
With 6 cards in trumps in 1 hand you don’t lose control of the trump suit
If your trump suit were distributed 4-4 between yours and dummy’s hand, drawing trumps would mean that you would lose control of the trump suit. Then East could use it to make the oppositions diamonds into winners for them.
Use the Blackwood convention to explore slam. Small Slam or Grand Slam
This contract makes 7(13 tricks) in every suit apart from hearts where it only makes 5(11 tricks).
Are you brave enough to bid it?
Are you brave enough to bid it?
Finesses give you overtricks if you make them the right way
You can make 11 tricks by playing you winning hearts and retaining entries to dummy.
5D makes easily, for 600 points but 4S gets you 620 points.
5D makes easily, but you only receive 600 points.
4S makes if you play carefully but you get 620 points.
4S makes if you play carefully but you get 620 points.
Unblocking when following suit takes the opposition light
Usually second i hand you would play your lowest card, but with only 2 diamond cards, you want to unblock the diamonds so that if partner has subsequent winners in diamonds he can play them.
How high can you bid before you lose
You can take 3H light for 50 points, or you can make 4C and get 130 points.
A nice little tricky hand to play after you overcall
You can make 10 tricks if west has KD and east has KH. But you will be 1 trick light if not.
You need to develop 2 more winning tricks to make your contract with only 1 entry
It almost doesn’t matter how you play this difficult hand you almost always end up with at least 10 tricks.
Don’t draw all your trumps at once
This deal can make 4H, or 3S or 2NT
Squeezing Hearts you notice the opponent’s discard JH promoting your 10H
Making 12 tricks! with a squeeze play
Punish opponents with a redouble ‘XX’
1800 points! well done you. If you have another turn and bid 7C redoubled you can score 2660 points, with only 22 points between you and partner
Find the perfect contract with two 6 card majors and 25 points
This contract makes 12 tricks in hearts and 12 tricks in spades if you can find the spade contract with a diamond lead. An AC lead means you only get 11 tricks in heart contract.
The value of long side suits-If you don’t draw trumps, you can make 13 tricks
Can you make 7H? If you count the outstanding trump cards only the QH is higher than your top 6 trump cards. If you just cross ruff all of your side suits planning to over-ruff if the opposition ruffs, then you can make 13 tricks!
6C,6H and 6NT all make
The contracts 6C,6H and 6NT all make 12 tricks.