- 1 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 1

OPENING NO TRUMP BIDDING!

Requirements: (Things to consider)

a. Count only high card points (do not count distribution)

b. Must have an evenly balanced hand; i.e., no voids, no singletons, and not more than one

doubleton. Examples: 4‑3‑3‑3, 4‑4‑3‑2, 5-3-3-2

c. If the distribution is 5‑3‑3‑2, the 5-card suit must not be a Major suit (Hearts or Spades)

d. The entire system is based upon 26 HCP's = Game, 33 HCP's = Small Slam,

and 37 HCP's = Grand Slam

Point count: (High Card Points Only)

a. 0-10 HCP’s - Pass

b. 11-14 HCP’s - Bid one of a Minor and rebid 1NT

c. 15-17 HCP’s - Bid 1NT

d. 18-20 HCP’s - Open one of a minor and jump to 2NT with 18 or 19 HCP’s --- 3NT with 20 HCP’s

e. 21-22 HCP’s - Bid 2NT

f. 23-24 HCP’s - Open “2C” and rebid 2NT

g. 25-27 HCP’s - Open “2C” and jump to 3NT on your rebid

Special Circumstances: - GAMBLING 3NT - A gambling pre-emptive game try.

a. Requirement - a >7-card self‑sufficient (AKQXXXX) Minor suit (Clubs or Diamonds)

b. Response by partner - If partner has stoppers in both Majors and two (2) quick

tricks or better, he (she) passes. Alternatively partner bids 4C and opener either passes or corrects to 4D (his/her preferred 7-card Minor) in order to escape the doomed 3NT contract.

Responses to Opening 1 No Trump: (Only HCP’s count)

a. 0- 8 HCP’s - Pass

b. 9-10 HCP’s - Bid 2NT (Invites opener to game - Opening 1NT bidder passes with a

minimum of 15 HCP’s and goes to 3NT with a maximum of 16-17 HCP’s)

c. 11-15 HCP’s - Bid 3NT

d. 16-17 HCP’s - Bid 4NT (Invites opener to 6NT - Opening 1NT bidder passes with a

minimum of 15 HCP’s and goes to 6NT with a maximum of 16-17 HCP’s)

Note: - 4NT in this scenario is not the Blackwood Convention asking for Aces; rather it is a

quantitative bid seeking Slam. If partner desires to ask for Aces, the Gerber (“4C”)

Convention must be used.

e. 18-19 HCP’s - Bid 6NT

f. 20-21 HCP’s - Bid 5NT (Invites partner to Small or Grand Slam - Opening 1NT bidder bids

6NT with a minimum of 15 HCP’s and bids 7NT with a maximum of

16-17 HCP’s)

g. 22-23 HCP’s - Bid 7NT

********************

- 2 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 2

OPENING BIDS WITH UNBALANCED HANDS

Considerations: - These hands are unbalanced; i.e., they contain at least one or more voids, one or more

Singletons, and/or more than one doubleton. Note that in this instance, since a

No Trump contract is not being considered, distributional points do count; i.e., 2

Points for a singleton, 1 Point for a doubleton, and 3 Points for a void. Remember, if, and

when, a Golden Fit is found, a Singleton advances to a worth of 3 Points, a Doubleton

remains at a value of 1 Point, and a Void advances to a worth of 5 Points.

General Bidding Ranges:

a. 0-12 HCP’s Points - Pass (Exception: if the Rule of 20 is satisfied, one may and probably

should open a 10-12 HCP hand in the first or second position)

b. 13 HCP’s Points - Must open 1 of a suit with either a good 5-card Major or else a preferred

Minor (Note: In this instance Rule of 20 will always be satisfied)

c. 14-15 HCP’s Points - Must open 1 of a suit and rebid any of the following:

(1) Rebid 1 No Trump

(2) Rebid one’s own suit evidencing a 6-card Major or a 5-card Minor

(3) Raise partner one level in his/her responding suit

(4) Pass only if responding partner has made a limited bid of either 2 of opener’s suit or 1 NT

(5) Pass if opponent to opener’s right (RHO) has made an intervening overcall, said bid affording opener’s responder another opportunity to bid if he/she so chooses

e. 16-18 Points - Open 1 of a suit and rebid:

(1) Jump in opener’s suit if holding 6 or more cards in opener’s suit

(2) Jump in partner’s suit if support for partner is present

(3) Present a reverse bid (Ex: 1H 2D) or (Ex: 1S 2H)

2S 3C

f. 19 Points or More - Open 1 of a suit and Jump Shift into a second suit

g. 21 Points (With a 7-card suit)

23 Points (With a 6-card suit) = Open “2C” (These are Minimum Requirements)

25 Points (With a 5-card suit)

If opener has more than one good long suit to show, it is usually beneficial to open one of a suit and jump-shift into the second suit as opposed to opening “2C” which, in effect, cuts out one-level of bidding space for the opening team. Also note: the “2C” artificial, strong, opening is also forcing, and can never be passed by responder, no matter how weak he/she may be, even with 0-7 HCP’s a response of “2D” (Negative) must be given.

- 3 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 3

PRE-EMPTIVE BIDDING

Definition: - Any Opening suit bid at the 2 Diamond level or beyond. (NOTE: 2 Clubs is reserved for

a strong, artificial, and forcing bid.)

Purpose: - To preclude or, at the very least, inhibit the opponents from finding their presumed suit

fit, as well as their ability to find the proper level of play; a partial score, game or slam.

Restriction: - Usually denies having four or more cards in either Major suit if the pre‑empt is in a

Minor suit, or four cards in the other Major suit if the pre‑empt is in a Major suit.

Requirements: - Several prerequisites must be met in ordeer for the hand to qualify for a valid pre-empt.

1. The Vulnerability - Usually signifies an anticipated going down two tricks if one is vulnerable, or three tricks if one is not vulnerable. (To be later further qualified as in the Rule of 2-3-4)

2. Requires an understanding of the scoring process in that one does not desire to give up more points under a sacrificing scenario than the opponents would normally have gleaned had they, unobstructed, gotten to their rightful contract, be it in a partial, game or slam contract.

3. At the two (2) Level - Evidences:

a. At least a six (6) card suit

b. Usually a suit quality evidencing at least two of the top three honors if the

partnership understanding is that pre-emptive bids are "sound" as opposed to "light".

c. A strength of 5‑11 HCP's (MUST NOT BE MORE)

d. The high-card strength is confined mostly to the bid suit; i.e., no outside Ace.

At the three (3) Level or beyond - Evidences:

a. At least a seven (7) card suit or longer

b. "sound" or "light" as above dependent upon partnership understanding

c. Usually 8‑11 HCP's

d. a high card strength as in "d" above

RESPONSES_TO_OPENING_PRE‑EMPTIVE BIDS

"RONF" (Raise‑Only‑Non‑Force) ‑ Partner may choose to increase the pre‑empt for all the same

purposes as listed above. Any other bid than a raise in partner’s pre-emptive suit is forcing.

Example 1: 2NT asks for "outside feature" (an Ace or King in other than the suit bid)

The Pre‑empter returns to bid suit with no feature.

Example 2: A new suit asks for specific responses discussed in a later lesson.

Example 3: "2NT” (Ogust Convention) (1‑2‑1‑2‑3 Series) asking for both the strength of

the hand as well as the honor holding within the pre-emptive suit bid.

**********

- 4 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 4

THE DRURY CONVENTION

Definition: - A convention that uses an ARTIFICIAL “2C” response by a PREVIOUSLY PASSED HAND

in response to a third-hand or fourth-hand opening of a Major suit by partner. The responder must have

11-12 HCP’s; i.e., very nearly an opening bid, as well as primary support for partner’s Major suit.

Examples: P P lS(lH) P P P P lH(lS)

“2C” P “2C”

Purpose: - To ask the opening bidder to clarify the strength of his/her opening bid; i.e., whether it be a

full (13-14 Points or better) or a sub‑minimum opening strength (11-12 Points) so as to seek the

possibility of game WITHOUT OVER‑BIDDING. The artificial “2C” bid GUARANTEES support;

i.e., at least 3 cards for the opening bidder's Major suit. ‑

Example Hand: Q852 P P 1S P

K864 “2C”

KJ8

Responses By The Opening Bidder:

a. If opener had a sub‑minimum opening hand (11-12 HCPoints), the opener then rebids an artificial “2D” which signals less than a full opening HCP count.

Example: P P 1H P

“2C” P “2D”

Note: The “2D” artificial response may never be passed by the Drury bidder. If opener exhibits a sub-minimum hand by responding the artificial “2D” bid, responded can then return to 2 of the Major.

b. If a full opening (13 or more) hand, opener rebids his/her major suit at the two (2) level if a

full opening hand (13‑14 points) ‑ or go directly the four (4) level if more than a full opening

hand; i.e., 15 HCpoints or more.

Examples: P P 1H P (or) P P 1S P

“2C” P 2H “2C” P 4S

Rebids By The Drury Bidder:

a. If opener has signaled a full opening hand, the Drury bidder may then invite to game, or go

directly to the four (4) level if more than a minimum full opening hand.

Examples: P P 1S P (or) P P 1S P

“2C” P 2S P “2C” P 2S P

3S P P P 4S P P P

b. If opener has signaled a sub‑minimum opening hand, the Drury bidder can then return to the

agreed-upon suit at the two level or compete to the three level, if so desired.

Examples: P P 1H P P P 1S P

“2C” P “2D” P (or) “2C” P “2D” P

2H P P P 2S 3H P P

3S P P P

- 5 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 5

DOUBLES

THE PENALTY OR BUSINESS DOUBLE

Defining Circumstances: (Any of the following conditions may apply)

a. The bidding is at or above a pre-emptive 4S level. Example: 1S P 4S Dbl. (or) 5C Dbl.

b. The double is subsequent to a 1NT overcall by the opponents. Example: 1D 1NT Dbl.

c. The doubler's partner has already bid. Example: 1H 1S 3H 3S

Dbl.

THE TAKE-OUT OR INFORMATIVE DOUBLE

Defining Circumstances: (Any of the following conditions may apply)

a. The double of a suit bid below the 4S level under conditions where partner has not bid.

Example: 1H P 4H Dbl. (or) P P 1C Dbl.

b. The immediate double of an opening 1 NT. Example: 1NT Dbl.

Note: The following conditions, circumstances and limitations exist with a Take-out double:

(1) Over a suit bid by the opponents, the take‑out double indicates a hand of opening count strength or better, plus at least a 4-card holding in all unbid Major suits.

(2) Over a 1NT opening by the opponents, the take-out double indicates an opening 1NT evenly balanced hand; equivalent to that of the opener.

(3) The doubler’s partner must bid, even with as few as 0 HCP’s, unless he/she wishes to convert the bid, by virtue of his/her Pass, to a penalty condition.

(4) The doubler's partner must Jump the bidding with 10 HCP's or better in order to show the partnership has the predominate number of HCP’s and the partnership is close to that necessary for game.

(5) If the doubler takes further action in yet another suit then has been bid by the responder to the take‑out double, then the doubler guarantees at least 16 HCP's.

(6) If a Take-out double of a 4S bid by the opponents is desired, 4NT is the take-out call.

ADDITIONAL DOUBLES

1. Responsive Double ‑ A Double (showing two other un-bid suits or points but lacking presumed 4-card fit for partner’s

presumed suit) in response to partner’s take-out double or partner’s overcall after an intervening bid by the opponents.

(Ex. 1D Dbl. 2D Dbl.) or (Ex. 1D 1H 2D Dbl.)

2. Negative Double - The double by a responder to an opening suit bid, following an intervening overcall by the

opponents, where the responder does not meet BOTH requirements as to the necessary points or the suit length for a response to opener's bid (free-bid), but yet responder would like to show his/her 6 HCP’s or more. (Ex. 1C 1S Dbl. )

3. Balancing Double - An re-opening double made in the close-out seat by a player whose opposition has dropped the

bidding at a low level. (Ex. 1H P 1NT P, P P Dbl.)

4. Support Double - A double by opener (Thru 1S) (showing 3-card support) for responders 1-level response following a

1-Level over-call by RHO. (Ex. 1C P 1H 2S, Dbl.)

5 Lightner Double ‑ A lead directing double asking for an unusual lead against a slam bid; i.e., the lead of the first suit bid by Dummy. (Ex. 1H P 3S P, 6S Dbl. P P, P)

6. Rosenkrantz Double - A double showing at least 3-card support (with an A or K) for partner’s overcall following an

intermediate overcall by opponents. (As opposed to a raise which shows support without an A or K)

(Ex. 1C 1D 1S Dbl.) or (1H 1S Dbl. ReDbl.)

7. Negative/Negative Double - A double by opener (showing a better than minimum opening bid) following a negative

double by partner and a competitive raise by opener’s RHO. The negative doubler then has choice whether to convert to a penalty situation. (Ex. 1H 1S Dbl. 2S Dbl.)

8. Lead-Directing Double – A double by would-be defenders demanding a lead of that suit, subsequent to an artificial bid

by the opposition on their way to their final contract (Ex. 1NT P “2D” Dbl.) or (Ex. 4NT P “5H” Dbl.)

9. Maximal Overcall Double – A competitive double used to invite game when the auction is too crowded for any other approach; i.e., when the opposition’s suit is higher-ranking. (Ex. 1S 2H 2S Dbl.)

Doubles - 5a -

You Opponent #1 Partner Opponent #2

1. Negative 1C 1S,2S, or 3S X (Hearts and Diamonds)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Take-Out P 1H X (Opening Count without suit or 16+ with own)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Penalty 1H P 2C 3S

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Re-Opening 1H 1S P P

X (Take-out)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Balancing P 1D P P

X (Take-out)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Optional 3H X P

??? (Any Take-out Double May Be Optionally Converted to Penalty)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Support 1H P 1S 2C

X (3-Pieces S)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Responsive 1H X 2H

X (Points but NO Suit)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Rosenkrantz P 1C 1H 1S

X (A,K,or Q +2 or More Pieces H) (2H would mean 3 or More Without Honor)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Lead-Directing P 1NT P “2H” (Transfer)

X (For Heart Lead)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. Lightner 1H P 1S 2C

2S P 4NT P

“5D” P 6S X (For H Lead)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. “DONT” P 1NT X (One-Suited - Unspecified)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. ACE-Showing (DOPI) 1H P “ 4NT “ 5D

X (No Aces)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14. Balance of Power (BOP) P 1C 1NT 2S

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15. Maximal 1D 1S X 2S

X (One K Better than a Minimum Opening Bid)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16. Capeletti P 1NT X (Equivalent or Better)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 6 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 6

THE TAKE-OUT (INFORMATIVE) DOUBLE

A double under the circumstances listed below is for take‑out and asks partner to bid his/her longest suit. It guarantees an equivalence or better in HCP’s relative to the opponent’s opening bid; i.e., 13 or more points subsequent to a 1B opening bid, and 15 or more subsequent to a 1NT opening bid.

a. It is made at a level at, or below, a 4H bid by the opponents

b. The partner of the doubler has not yet bid

c. It is usually made, although not necessarily so, at the player's first opportunity to double (Exception: if in a balancing position in order to keep the bidding alive)

d. If made at a player’s later opportunity; i.e., made after the “doubler” has previously passed, it may be weaker than an equivalent bid in comparison to opener’s strength, that is to say, a bid made as a competitive balancing attempt.

Conditions (a) and (b) above must be met else any “double” occurring is not a take-out double.

RESPONSES TO THE "TAKE‑OUT" DOUBLE

A take‑out double is a demand one round force on partner unless there is an intervening bid. If no intervening bid occurs, the partner of the doubler must bid even though he/she has as little as 0 HCP's.

a. 0‑5 HCP's ‑ Must bid if there is no intervening bid. Pass if RHO (Opener’s Partner) bids.

b. 6‑8 HCP's ‑ bid longest suit, whether an intervening bid made by opener's partner or not.

c. 9 HCP's or more ‑ jump the bidding to show game is possible:

(1) jump in longest suit available (Doubler has fit implied)

(2) jump in No Trump if holding substantial strength in opponent suit(s)

(3) if both Major Suits are equally long and opponent has opened with a Minor 1C or 1D

opening bid, cue-bid the opponents suit show equivalence in the Major suits.

Examples: AXXX KXXX X KJXX ( 1D Dbl. P “2D” )

REBIDS BY THE DOUBLER

If partner of the doubler has jumped the bidding, evidencing 10 or more HCP’s, then the doubler must decide as to whether to go directly to game of to invite. If, however, the doubler's partner has bid at the cheapest level then:

a. 12‑15 HCP's ‑ Pass (Have already shown opening bid by way of take-out double).

b. 16‑18 HCP's ‑ Raise partner's suit, bid your own suit, or bid No Trump if holding a stopper in

opponent's suit.

c. 19 HCP's or more ‑ Jump the bidding or cue-bid opener’s suit

RESPONSES BY OPENER’S PARTNER AFTER AN INTERVENING TAKE-OUT DOUBLE

a. 0‑ 5 HCP's ‑ Pass or Bid a pre-emptive raise in partner’s suit if holding support.

b. 6‑ 9 HCP's

(1) with adequate trump support ‑ raise partner in his/her suit

(2) with at least a 4‑card suit of your own ‑ bid that suit

(3) with a balanced hand ‑ bid one no trump

(4) with 5 or more of partner's suit ‑ jump in partner's suit

c. 10 HCP's or more - “Re-Double” ‑ in order to set up possible penalty double situation.

- 7 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 7

OPENING SUIT BIDS

PROPER OPENING WHEN HOLDING MORE THAN ONE BIDDABLE SUIT

With an unbalanced hand; i.e., when holding one or more singletons, more than one doubleton, and/or one or more voids, an opening bid of 1 of a suit may be made with as few as 11-12 HCP’s with a good 5-card suit. With14 or more HCP’s the bidding must be initiated. Conditions can exist, however, when the opener holds more than one biddable suit. Under these conditions:

a. With two 4‑Card Suits ‑ When holding one Minor and one Major, bid the Minor and then (if

possible) the Major; if holding both Minors, bid the Diamonds first and then the Clubs.

b. With three 4-card Suits ‑ Open with the Minor suit if holding one Minor and two Majors, and with

Diamonds if holding both Minors.

c. With one 5‑Card suit and one 4‑Card suit ‑ Open with the 5‑Card suit and rebid the 4‑Card suit if

bidding and point count allows (Careful not to reverse unless point count permits).

d. With two 5‑Card or two 6‑Card suits ‑ bid the higher ranking suit first and then the lower ranking

second.

e. With one 5‑Card suit and one 6‑Card suit ‑ Open the 6‑Card suit, rebid the 5‑Card suit, and then re-rebid the 5‑Card suit a second time (6-5-5).

f. With One 6-Card Suit and one 4-Card suit - Open the 6-Card suit, bid next the 4-Card suit, and then rebid the 6-card suit a second time (6-4-6).

BIDDING RANGES FOR UNBALANCED HANDS

a. 0-11 Points - Pass

b. 12 Points - May open 1 of a suit with a good 5-card suit

c. 13 Points - May open 1 of a suit with a good 4-card suit

d. 14-15 Points - Must open 1 of a suit (Any 5-card Major or, alternatively, a preferred Minor suit and

then rebid:

(1) 1No Trump

(2) Rebid ones own suit evidencing a 6-card Major or a 5-card Minor

(3) Raise partner one level in his/her suit

(4) Pass only if responding partner has made a limited bid of either 2 of opener’s suit or else 1 NT

(5) Pass if opponent to opener’s right (RHO) has made an intervening overcall, said bid affording opener’s responder another opportunity to bid if he/she so chooses

(Use the Rule of 20 to further clarify (a-d) above in 1^st and 2^nd Positions)

e. 16-18 Points - Open 1 of a suit (A Major or a Preferred Minor) and then rebid:

(1) Jump in opener’s suit if holding 6 or more cards in opener’s suit

(2) Jump in partner’s suit if support for partner is present

f. 19 Points or More - Open 1 of a suit and Jump Shift into a second suit

g. 21 Points (With a 7-card suit)

23 Points (With a 6-card suit) = Open “2C” then rebid longest suit

25 Points (With a 5-card suit)

- 8 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 8

GERBER AND BLACKWOOD CONVENTIONS

Both Conventions are Ace‑asking conventions which are used when it be desirous of asking for the number of Aces held by partner when there is a presumption of a possible or evident Small or Grand Slam Contract. These Conventions should not be used when the would-be invoking partner has either a worthless doubleton, or a void. Under such circumstances the knowledge of the number of Aces held by partner may be useless. Cue‑bids are the constructive alternative under these conditions in order to ascertain which specific Aces the partnership holds, not the number they hold.

The Gerber Convention: ‑ A “4C” artificial bid asking partner how many Aces he/she holds.

Responses: (All artificial)

1. “4D” = none (0) or four (4) Aces

2. “4H” = one (1) Ace

3. “4S” = two (2) Aces

4. “4NT” = three (3) Aces

Considerations

1. Recognition as to its use is by partnership understanding.. The easiest understood as being

conventional when used exclusively over a beginning or ending No Trump bid. Other

partnership understandings are available however.

2. The asking for Kings can be either "5‑Clubs" or else by the next available suit (exclusive of the

agreed‑upon suit) Again this is by partnership agreement. Responses are then similarly

sequential.

3. The escape mechanism into a No Trump contract is achieved by a direct bid of the cheapest

NT bid by the Gerber invoking partner.

4. Responses when holding a void or when there is interference need be discussed by agreement

The Blackwood Convention: ‑ Another Ace‑asking convention in which “4‑NT” is the artificial conventional bid. “5‑NT” then asks for Kings in a similar manner. Since the “5‑NT” bid is usually an attempt to reach a grand slam, it guarantees that the partnership holds all four Aces.

Responses: (All artificial)

1. “5C” = none (0) or four (4) Aces

2. “5D” = one (1) Ace

3. “5H” = two (2) Aces

4. “5S” = three (3) Aces

Notes:

1. a 1NT/4NT sequence is quantitative, not conventional.

2. The escape mechanism to a final “5NT” contract is achieved by the invoking partner bidding a

new non‑agreed-upon suit which demands partner to bid “5NT”

3. Responses when the responding partner is holding a void are:

a) With one Ace and a void = 6 of the void suit if it be a suit below the agreed trump suit

or 6 of the agreed-upon trump suit to show a void in an unspecified higher ranking suit.

b) "5NT" = 2 Aces and an unspecified void.

4. Management of an interference bid by the opponents is by either:

a) “D” "O” "P” “E” Convention = “Double” = an Odd #, “Pass” = an Even # of Aces.

b) “D” “O” “P” “I” Convention = "Double" = No Aces, “Pass” = one Ace, and then up the ladder, thereafter, to show two and three Aces sequentially.

- 9 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 9

ALERTS

The use of an “ALERT” call by any player is a method of drawing the opponent's attention to the fact that a particular bid by partner has a conventional or unusual meaning. The word "alert" is said immediately after the conventional bid by partner and before the right hand opponent bids. No explanation of the meaning of the conventional bid is then given unless requested by either opponents, each in turn, and only before their turn to bid. If the explanation is incorrect it is improper for the bidder to correct the error or indicate in any manner that a mistake has been made.

Examples of Appropriate “Alert” Bidding Sequences

1. Jacoby Transfers ‑ Transfer bidding over a NT opening by partner

Example: 1NT P “2D” (ALERT) The newest ACBL rulings have converted this particular

communication to utilization of the word "TRANSFER" instead of "ALERT''

2. The Drury Convention ‑ Utilization of an artificial “2C” bid by a passed partner to determine the strength

of a third or fourth position opening bid by his partner; i.e., whether it be a sub‑minimum opening hand or a

normal full opening hand:

Example: P P 1H P

“2C” (“Alert”)

Then: P P 1H P (or) P P 1H P

“2C” P “2D” “2C” P 2H

“Alert” “Alert”

3. If a partnership has the understanding that an opening bid of 1D guarantees at least four diamonds, than the opening bid of one diamond must be alerted as to the understood guarantee of at least four diamonds. If alternatively an opening bid of 1C can be as few as two pieces it, likewise, must be alerted as to the possibility of being short.

4. Negative Doubles no longer need to be alerted. The newest ACBL rulings have converted this particular communication to utilization of the word "NEGATIVE" instead of "ALERT".

5. All bids associated with the "DOPE" or the "DOP1" Conventions, Blackwood responses subsequent to interference bids by the opponents, also need to be alerted as well.

6. Many other artificial bids and Conventions need be alerted such as, but not limited to, the Lebensohl Convention, Puppet Stayman, Gambling 3NT, New Minor Force, 4^th Suit Force, Jordan Convention, Splinter Bids, and the Ogust Convention.

**********

- 10 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 10

FINESSES

Definition: ‑ An attempt to gain power for lower ranking cards by taking advantage of the assumed favorable position of higher‑ranking cards held by the opposition. NOTE: ‑ In all cases, the burden of finessing is eliminated, or at the very least reduced if the opponents lead the suit instead.

Purposes and Types:

1. To Avoid Losing a Trick: ‑ In (a), South would lead towards the Q hoping the K would be held by West, thereby finessing against the K, hopefully winning the Q and avoiding losing a trick in the suit (A Simple Finesse). In (b), when West leads the 3, South plays the 9 from Dummy hoping to force the King thereby promoting the Q in Dummy and thus avoiding losing any tricks in that suit (A Deep Finesse).

A Q Q 10 9 2

(a) (b) J 6 3 K 8 7 5

X X A 4

2. To Gain a Trick With Law‑Ranking Cards: ‑ In (a), Needing two tricks in the suit, South would cash the A

and then lead towards the Q hoping that the K is held by East. In (b), Needing one trick, South would lead

towards the Q twice, hoping both the A and K are held by West.

Q X X Q X X

(a) (b)

A X X X X X

3. To Prepare For a Second Finesse in the Same Suit: ‑ In (a), South would lead towards the 10, losing trick (1)

to the Q or K in the East, and then towards the J hopefully winning trick (2) with the alternate missing honor

being held by West. In (b), South leads towards the 9 hoping West started with either the Q 10, or the K

10, thereby promoting the J in the North hand on a second finesse towards the J.

A J 10 A J 9

(a) (b)

X X X X X X

- 11 -

4. The Double or Deep Finesse: ‑ A finesse against two outstanding honors. The only serious chance of making three tricks is to finesse the 10. At least two tricks will be gleaned if the honors are split between East and West.

A Q 10

X X X

The easiest way to remember when to take a simple finesse, and when to take a deep or double finesse is as follows: Divide the outstanding cards as equally as possible between the defenders. If one of the opponents must have at least three cards or more, finesse deep; if one of the opponents may have only as few as two, use a simple finesse.

Examples: (a) AQ1092 (b) AQ1092

653 7654

In (a) with 5 pieces out against declarer, the split is probably 3‑2 and a deep finesse of the 9 is indicated. In (b) with only 4 pieces out against declarer, the split is probably 2-2 and a simple finesse is indicated.

5. The Ruffing Finesse: ‑ A play in a suit contract which is successful if the missing honor lies behind the finesse holding; i.e., to the right of the Void. In the example shown, Play the Ace, then the Queen letting it ride.

Example: AQJ10

(Void)

6. The Backward Finesse: ‑ Used either because 1) a belief that the missing card is off‑sides, or 2) an avoidance play so as to keep 0ne defender from leading, or 3) to gain a needed top score. In the example below, one would lead the Jack towards the Ace, instead of playing the Ace first and then finessing through the KJ.

Example: AXXX

KJ10X

7. The Continuing Finesse: ‑The play of the cards such that the finesse, once begun, can be continued repeatedly from the same hand without the need to return to that first hand to repeat the process. It is used when no further re‑entry cards are available to return to the origin of the finesse, or when one does not wish to use up additional entries in order to continue the finesse. In the example shown one would play the Jack towards the AQ103 and then continue by playing the 9 towards the AQ10 if the finesse wins.

Example: J92 AQ103

8. The Chinese Finesse: ‑ An attempt to win a trick by leading an unsupported honor. In the example shown, needing to avoid any loser in the suit South leads the Q hoping West will duck in fear that South has the Q J 10.

A 5

K 8 6 2 J 10 7

Q 9 4 3

- 12 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 11

OVERCALLS

Definition: ‑ Any positive action; i.e., a bid other than a Pass, by a member of the opposite team to the left or

right of the opening bidder.

Influencing Factors: ‑ (In descending order of importance)

1. LENGTH ‑ Almost always based upon at least a 5‑card suit or better. Exception: A potential

overcaller in the balancing position who, in desperation might overcall with a 4-card suit.

2. STRENGTH ‑ An overcall usually has a minimum of at least 8 HCP's at the 1-level and at least

10 HCP's at the 2‑level. Vulnerable overcalls usually imply an even stronger hand.

3. VULNERABILITY ‑ A non‑vulnerable player can better afford to make an "unsound" overcall for

the opponents are less eager to double for penalties.

4. LEVEL ‑ One‑level overcalls can be made more freely than two‑level ones, etc..

5. QUALITY ‑ The texture of the suit may have lead‑directing implications.

6. OBSTRUCTION ‑ The overcall has the effect of consuming the opponent's bidding space. This

value is minimized, however, by the negative double available to the opponents.

7. OPPONENT'S VULNERABILITY ‑ The relative vulnerabilities make overcalls more or less

attractive. At favorable vulnerabilities freer overcalls can be exercised;

at unfavorable vulnerabilities, greater discretion must be exercised. 8. OPPONENT'S METHODS ‑ Overcalls can be made with greater impunity against opponents who

utilize the negative double for access to the penalty double is made impossible.

Types of Overcalls:

1. Simple overcalls ‑ At least 8‑HCP's at the one‑level and 10 HCP'S at the two‑level PLUS at least a 5‑card

Suit or better.

Examples: 1H 1S (or) 1H P P 1S (or) 1H 2C (or) 1H P P 2C

2. A take‑out double – A holding, equivalent or better, in comparison with opener’s hand.

Examples: 1H Dbl. (or) 1NT Dbl.

3. Weak jump overcalls ‑ a pre‑emptive bid with less than an opening HCP value and at least a 6‑card suit.

(Similar to a weak 2‑bid) The HCP's are usually concentrated in the bid suit and is,

therefore, a hand of little defensive strength.

Examples: 1C 2D (or) 1NT 3H (or) 1S 3C (or) 1H 2S

4. 1NT overcall ‑ an equivalent hand to a 1NT opening with the additional guarantee of at least one stopper in

the opponent's bid suit. Examples: 1H 1NT (or) 1C 1NT

5. The Unusual NT overcall ‑ An overcall of “2NT” after a Major‑suit opening used to show two 5‑card

or better Minor suits Is in essence, an artificial bid to be construed as a

take‑out double for the Minors; i.e., evidences a 5-5 or longer holding in the Minor

Suits.

Examples: 1H “2NT” (or) 1S P 2S “2NT”

6. The Michael’s Convention ‑ An advanced two‑suit take‑out conventional bid which will be presented in detail later. Such bids evidence 5-5 or better in two suits as follows:

Examples: 1C “2C” (Both Majors) (or) 1D “2D” (Both Majors)

1H “2H” (Spades + One Minor) (or) 1S “2S” (Hearts + One Minor)

1NT “2NT” (Both Minors – The 2 Lower-Unbid Suits) (or) 1D “2NT” (Clubs & Hearts – 2 Lower-Unbid Suits)

- 13 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 12

RESPONSES TO SIMPLE OVERCALLS

General Thoughts: ‑ Do not rush to rescue your partner who has overcalled in a suit to your disliking, especially when you have nothing of any real value of your own. Do not, without good reason, rush to rescue a partner who has been doubled for penalties. Better to pass quickly without consternation thereby avoiding conveying the idea to your adversaries that you are in trouble. Rescue a doubled partner only if you can be reasonably certain that your suit may be better than his/hers, and that you have considered that your rescue bid may take your team to the next bidding level thereby increasing your trick commitment. It is sometimes better to swallow the bitter pill and let your overcalling partner go down in a contract of his/her choosing, than to go flying off in a rescuing venture which is, potentially, even more disastrous.

Types of Responsive Actions to Overcalls

1. RAISES ‑ A simple raise of partner's overcalled suit shows:

a. At least a 3‑card support (Partner has overcalled with at least a five‑card suit).

b. a HCP count of less than an opening bid (implied is that under no circumstances can this combination

produce a game if overcaller has no more than a simple overcall).

Examples: 1H 1S P 2S (or) 1H 1S 2C 2S

2. NO TRUMP RESPONSES ‑ Constructive in nature showing:

a. Little interest for partner's overcalled suit

b. At least one stopper in opponent's bid suit(s)

c. 8‑12 HCP's at the one‑level, and 13‑14 HCP's at the two‑level

d. A necessary variance to the above with both the vulnerability and the level of the response.

Example: 1H 1S P 1NT

3. SUIT TAKE -OUTS (a change of partner's overcalled suit) ‑ Is usually non‑forcing upon partner and shows a good 5‑card suit of his/her own at the one‑level and a 6‑card suit at the two level.

Examples: 1C 1H P 1S (or) 1D 1S 2D 2H

Note: ‑ When there is a choice between showing your own suit and supporting your partner's overcall, if your

partner has bid a Major suit, by all means support him/her rather than search for a fit in a Minor suit

of your own. If, on the other hand, your partner has bid a Minor suit, then try your own Major suit if

your hand is sufficiently strong as to have had an independent overcall of your own.

4. CUE‑BID ‑ An artificial bid of the opponents first bid suit showing:

a. Trump support for partner's overcalled suit

b. At least an opening bid such that partnership has game likelihood if overcaller also has an opening bid.

Examples: 1D 1H P 2D (or) 1C 1H 1S 2C

- 14 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 13

OPENING LEADS AGAINST NO TRUMP CONTRACTS

Defense is regarded as the most difficult aspect of bridge. Since the opening lead is the only defensive play made while the dummy is yet concealed, it requires a kind of "detective" reasoning and considerable analysis. The opening lead is frequently the source for either a plus or a minus score, and is, therefore, very important. The essential purpose is to develop tricks out of the small cards in the defense's largest suits. Timing is, therefore, essential.

1. THE LEAD OF PARTNER’S BID SUIT: The usual choice when possible, but NOT obligatory.

a) Lead the highest card if:

(1) only two cards are held in the suit ( KX ar 10X or 32 )

(2) holding consists, in part, of two honors in sequence ( QJX or J108X or KQXX )

b) Lead the lowest card if:

(1) three cards are held to an honor ( Q42 ar J73 ar K64 )

(2) four or more cards are held without two honors in sequence ( K532 )

c) Must lead fourth from the highest if more than four cards are held ‑ ( 98643 or K9872 )

d) Lead (MUD) Middle-Up-Down from three unimportant cards ( 963 or 842 )

e) Lead Top of an Internal Sequence ( AQJX or KJ10X)

2. LEADING WHEN PARTNER HAS NOT BID A SUIT: Several options are available:

a) Lead of the fourth from the highest of a 5‑Card or longer unbid suit ‑ Is an excellent lead

provided the opening leader has at leant one probable entry. Ex. AQXXX ar KXXX or QXXXX

b) Lead the top of a sequence of a solid or nearly solid 4‑card suit ‑ Such a lead will

rarely give up a trick. Ex. QJ109 or J109X

c) Lead of an unbid Major suit ‑ NT bidders are usually more likely to conceal a long Minor suit.

d) The lead of a short suit ‑ holding is otherwise useless and hope to find partner with an unbid long

suit. Ex. 109X 10XXXX XX XXX

e) The lead of a short suit (A passive lead) ‑ where one fears any other lead may lose a trick.

Ex. K1OX JXXX AQXX 109

f) Against a GANBLING 3NT attempt ‑ Lead an Ace ‑ Declarer is trying to score nine fast tricks

with the aid of a solid minor suit, so losing the lead even once may be fatal to the defenders.

g) Against a 2NT opening bid ‑ Lead a passive lead ‑ Declarer's hand contains most of his

side's strength, so he may have entry problems if left to his own devices and one is not

desirous of leading into declarer's tenaces.

h) Against NT partials ‑ Lead a passive lead ‑ The relative strengths between the two sides

is more evenly divided and so there is no hurry to develop tricks.

3. LEAD TO BE AVOIDED:

a) Leading away from a 4‑card "Tenace" (Two cards in the same 4-card suit of which one ranks two

degrees lower than the other). Ex. AQXX or KJXX (Note: leads from a 5‑card tenace are fine)

4.LEADS AGAINST DOUBLED NT CONTRACTS WHEN PARTNER HAS DOUBLED THE

FINAL CCNTRACT:

a) If the doubler has bid a suit, the leader must absolutely lead that suit, even if it is a singleton and/or

he/she has another good suit of his/her own.

b) If the opening leader has bid a suit in the absence of partner making any bid, partner's double

requests that the suit of the bidding partner on lead is to be led.

c) If both partners have bid, use one's judgment.

d) When neither the doubler nor the leader has bid, the doubler is suggesting, not demanding,

the first bid suit of the opponents unless the leader has a better lead of his/her own.

- 15 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 14

OPENING LEADS AGAINST SUIT CONTRACTS

General Thoughts: ‑ Against a NT contract, one can sometimes best lead fourth best from an Ace or King such as KQXXX or AKXXX. Leading away from an Ace or King against a suit contract, however, is not usually advisable, because the suit could be trumped on subsequent leads and the trick value of said Aces and Kings would never be realized. If for some reason one did lead away from such holdings, the following would be the proper card to lead: KQXXX or AKXXX or AXXX, but never from KXXX unless partner has bid the suit.

Usually Productive Leads

a) The lead of partner's bid suit ‑ As in NT defense, the lead of partner's bid suit is

usually given top priority, but is less mandatory than with NT defense. When leading partner's

bid suit, one leads the same card within the suit that one would have lead against NT contracts.

Ex: KX or QJX or Q83 or KXXX Exception: AXXX

b) The lead from a solid or nearly solid honor sequence ‑ Ex. AKJX or KQJXx or QJ9X

c) The lead from an internal sequence - Ex. Q109X or AQJXX or 1087X

d) The lead of a singleton ‑ usually ideal only under the following circumstances; and not a good

lead under circumstances other than those listed:

(1) If one holds a sure trump trick such that if declarer attempts to draw trumps, you may take the

trump trick, hopefully then proceed to partner's hand and obtain a ruffing trick in return

Ex. (Trump) AX X XXXXX XXXXX

(2) If one holds surplus trumps such that the small ones would be useless. Ex. AXX or KXX or

AX of trumps. Note: KX of trumps would not be a surplus of trumps since the X is needed

to guard the King which is then a natural trump trick.

(3) If partner has entered the bidding such that it is likely you can reach his/her hand in order to

have him/her lead the suit from which you have led the singleton.

(4) The lead of a singleton in partner's bid suit. Note: The lead of a singleton K should never be

led for it may take a trick on its own merit. The exception to this would be if partner has bid

the suit.

e) The lead of trumps ‑ An excellent lead especially when one expects from the bidding that the dummy

will be short in one or more suits and one, therefore wishes to reduce the trumping ability of the

dummy. Ex. 1H P 2H P (or) 1S P 2D P

4H P P P 2H P 4H P

Note: The converse is true; i.e., the lead of trumps is bad when one suspects that declarer can run a second

long suit subsequent to trumps being drawn. Also never lead from JXX, JX, QXX, or QX of trumps.

f) The lead of a doubleton (HIGH-LOW SEQUENCE) ‑ made with the hopes of getting a third round

ruff. All the requirements regarding the lead of a singleton apply; namely, a quick trump trick, some

otherwise useless trumps, and the anticipated ability to enter partner's hand if a ruff is to be obtained

on the third round play of the led suit.

g) The lead from a long suit is especially good when holding four or more trumps since declarer may be

forced to trump and lose control of the hand.

Leads Against a Doubled Slam Contract ‑ The double of a slam contract demands the lead of dummy's first bid suit other than trump. This is a mandatory lead regardless of whether or not the doubler has bid a suit.

SUMMARY

Excellent Leads Good Leads

(1) The King from an AK combination (1) The top of any two‑card (KQXX) sequence

(2) The top of any three‑card (J109X) sequence (2) The top of a worthless doubleton (93)

(3) A singleton in a side suit (3) 4th from the highest in a long suit

(4) Partner's suit

- 16 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 15

THE RULES OF 1 TO 40

The Rule of 1: ‑ When there is just 1 trump out higher than yours, it is normally best to leave it out. To eliminate their top trump costs you two trumps and gives up the initiative, possibly neither of which you can afford.

The Rule of 2: ‑ When you are missing 2 non‑touching honors, and fewer than 9 pieces of the suit, it is usually superior to deep finesse; i.e., to first finesse for the lower missing one and then again for the higher. With 9 pieces, you should only use the simple finesse.

Example: AQ10X (or) KJ1OX

The Rule of 3: ‑ On a competitive part score deal, with the HCP's roughly evenly split between the opponents and your side, once the bidding has reached the 3‑level, tend to defend rather than to bid on; unless your side has 9 trumps, in which case you can compete to the 3-level.

The Rule of 4: ‑ Avoid giving partner 3-card support for his 5‑card Major suit if a likely 4‑4 fit is available in the other Major. The 5-3 Major side suit can later be used to throw off a losing trick and you usually will make one more trick with the 4-4 suit as Trump than you would have with the 5-3 suit as Trump in that hand.

The Rule of 5: ‑ When the bidding has reached the 5‑level in a competitive auction, tend to defend rather than to bid on. “The 5-Level belongs to the opponents”. In wildly distributed hands the opposite is true.

The Rule of 6: ‑ A 6‑card suit is revealed when responder bids 1NT and later follows with a change of suit.

Example: 1S P 1NT P

2H P 3C

The Rule of 7: ‑ In No Trump Contracts, when having only one stopper in the enemy’s led suit, add the number of cards held by both you and the dummy hand in that suit and deduct that number from 7. The answer is the number of times you must duck or hold up before taking the trick in order to sever the communication between the opponents so as to lessen the chances they can run the suit later.

Example: with five cards, duck twice; six cards, once.

The Rule of 8: ‑ With 8 cards in a suit, including the Ace, King, and Jack, it is normally best to finesse for the queen on the second round after playing the Ace. Similarly for the Jack if holding the King and Queen and ten, after playing the King. This is to eliminate the loss to a possible singleton honor.

The Rule of 9: ‑ With 9 cards including the Ace, King and Jack, it is normally better to play the two top honors hoping to drop the Queen; i.e., do not finesse on the second round. Similarly for the Jack when holding the King, Queen and ten of the suit. “Nine never, Eight ever”.

The Rule of 10: ‑ When contemplating a penalty double of a suit contract below game, in a deal where the HCP’s are evenly split between the sides (17-23), add your expected trump tricks to the number of tricks the opponent’s are committed to win based upon their stated contract. If the answer is 10 or more, the double is sound (When coupled with the Rule of 12), if below 10, the double is not sound; i.e., the Rule is not satisfied.

Partner opens 1S. You have the following hand: ( 7 Q103 AJ863 K952 ) Assuming the final contracts of the opponents to be: (a)2C (b)2D (c)2H, which contracts satisfy the Rule of 10? ( Ans. Only (b) should be doubled.)

- 17 -

The Rule of 11: ‑ In a No Trump Contract, if the opening lead is assumed to be the fourth‑highest, deduct the numerical number of the card led from 11. The answer is the number of cards in the three remaining hands, yours, Dummy’s and the second opponent’s, that can beat the card led. This rule can be utilized both by Declarer as well as the partner of the opponent who led.

A93

Example: (1) West leads the 7, the 9 is the card to play. (Use by declarer) ???

QJ5

Example: (2) West leads the 7, North's 6 is played, East should play the 9 (Use by the defense)

AJ6

K93

???

The Rule of 12: ‑ When contemplating a penalty double below game, on a deal where the HCP’s are approximately split between the two teams (17-23), add the number of trumps you hold to the number of tricks the opponents have contracted to win based upon their stated contract. If the answer is 12 or more, and the Rule of 10 is also satisfied, one can double for penalties with some reasonable likelihood that the opponent’s contract will not make. If the answer is below 12, you do not have a sound double. Thus:

Doubles at the 1‑level : 12‑7 tricks = 5 trumps needed

Doubles at the 2‑level : 12‑8 tricks = 4 trumps needed

Doubles at the 3‑level : 12‑9 tricks = 3 trumps needed

The Rule of 12: - In order to execute a simple two-suit squeeze, one should subtract the number of sure tricks one has from the number 12. That number tells you how many tricks you must duck (“Rectification”) and lose before you run off all your winners in a squeeze attempt.

The Rule of 13: ‑ If you have a strong trump fit (or a self‑sufficient trump suit) with no losers in the first three rounds of any suit, you are likely to win all 13 tricks. If you are unable to account for the first three rounds of every suit, be content to try for a sound Small Slam; the Grand Slam will not likely be there.

The Rule of 15: ‑ When considering opening the bidding in fourth position after three previous consecutive passes, statistically speaking, you will end the hand with a plus score for your team if you can count 15 or more (HCP's, plus one point for each physical Spade you hold); and a negative score for your team if the summation of the above two items is less than 15. If the Rule is not satisfied (15 or more) Pass out the hand and do not open the bidding.

The Rule of 20: - When considering opening the bidding in first or second position, statistically speaking, your hand is strong enough to open if you can count 20 or more (HCP’s , plus one point for every card you hold in the two longest suits); and is not strong enough to open if the count is less than 20.

The Rule of 30: ‑ When partner reveals a void and you have a strong trump fit (or self-sufficient suit), there are only 30 relevant points, not 40 in the deal in question. A Small Slam may then be bid on 23‑24 points, while a Grand Slam is feasible around the 26 point mark.

The Rule of 40: ‑ There are always 40 HCP's in the pack. When Dummy become visible, count Dummy's high-card points. Then add your own plus any shown on the lead, and any evidenced from the bidding. When you deduct this total from 40, you will have a good idea where the missing points are likely to be placed.

- 18 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 16

DEFENSIVE SIGNALS

Signaling is the language of defensive play. It is the method by which the defenders legitimately exchange information about the make‑up of their hands. It is critical to the defense making the greatest number of tricks to which they are entitled; to limit Declarer’s tricks and to potentially set the contract at hand. Many signaling techniques are available to the defense with the major ones consisting of:

1.The High-Card Come-On: ‑ The play of an unnecessarily high card on either the opponent's or partner's trick is a come‑on signal showing a preference for that suit and probable next round control. It asks partner to lead that suit again at his/her next opportunity. (EX. Play the 8 on the Ace holding K862) One should never use a potential trick‑taking card for such a signal (EX. KJ72 not KJ72). Once given the come‑on, partner may, of course, refuse to lead the suit if he/she thinks there is a better one, or if the lead of that suit may be trumped, and therefore a continuance be worthless. Such a signal could also be the start of a high‑low signal to be discussed later.

2. Low Card Discouragement: ‑ The opposite of the high card come‑on . It is the play of the lowest possible card when following suit thereby denying next round control, the ability to trump, or any other valid reason for partner to continue that suit or to play it at his/her next opportunity (Ex. 972). It might also be the start of a low‑high signal which shows an odd number of cards (1,3, or 5) held within that suit, thereby giving a count of the suit for partner’s information on that hand.

3. High-Low Signal: ‑ The purposeful leading, following suit, or discarding of first a high and then a low card. This is a come‑on signal asking for the continuance of that suit at partner's next opportunity for any one of the following reasons:

a) one may wish to trump the third round of that suit.

b) one may wish to signal the ability to take a third round trick in that same suit (Ex. QXX).

c) one may wish to force declarer to trump.

d) give an signal of an even number of cards (2,4, or 6) held within that suit in order to give the

count as to the distribution of the hand.

4. The Trump Echo Signal: ‑ The high‑low signaling in the Trump suit to show that that defender has at least one more piece of trump card and a ruffing capacity within his/her hand; i.e., shortness in a side suit. It is a signal to the partner that there is a real prospect of a ruffing trick for the defenders and that if the partner gets on lead for him/her to lead the suit that it is presumed can be trumped.

5. Giving Count or Attitude: ‑ (a) When your partner leads a suit, one should give an Attitude signal evidencing either a preference or dislike for continuance of the play of that suit by signaling partner either with a high-card encouragement signal or a low-card discouragement signal. The leader of the suit is thus given information as to his partners desire for either a continuance of the suit or a switch to the play of an alternate suit. (b) When the opponents lead a suit, however, one should give partner Count as to the number of cards one possesses by evidencing an even number of cards (2,4,6, etc.) with a High-Low signal; and an odd number of cards (1,3,5, etc.) with a Low-High signal. In this manner, partner is given information possibly important in the management of that suit in the later play of the hand.

**********

- 19 -

6. The Play of Cards Held In Sequence: ‑ When following to a suit played, one should play the lowest of the cards held in sequence (Ex. J109). When leading a suit with a sequential holding , one should lead the highest card in the sequence (Ex. J109).

7. Primary Suit Discards For Signaling Suit Preference: ‑ The play of any unnecessarily high card as one's first discard asks for the lead of that suit at partner's first opportunity for any of the following reasons:

a) The ability to trump that suit.

b) The holding of a high honor in that suit (A or K).

c) The desire to have the lead go through your right hand opponent in that suit (Ex. KJXX

sitting behind AQ10).

8. Secondary Suit Discards For Signaling Suit Preference: ‑ The play of the first discard such that an unusually low card signifies the desire to have the lead the lower of the other two suits exclusive of trump and the suit used for the discard). Similarly, the play of the first discard of an unusually high card signifies the desire of the higher of the other two suits. (Ex. the play of the 2H as the first discard to a spade trick would ask for a club lead. The play of a 9H as the first discard to a spade trick would ask for a diamond trick.)

NOTE: The play of Primary and Secondary suit discards are mutually exclusive. By partnership

understanding, one must play either one or the other, never both simultaneously.

9. Signaling Partner With The Card You Are Leading Knowing It To Be Ruffed By Partner: ‑ You are leading a card in suit #1 that you are reasonably certain will be trumped with suit #2. The lead of an unnecessarily low or high card gives direction as to the lower or higher, respectively, of suits #3 and #4, for partner to be capable of returning to your hand after trumping for yet another ruffing opportunity.

(Ex.) Spades are trump and you are lead the 3 of clubs. You hold: 95 A76 KJ4 AQ1052

Since you hold the 2 of clubs and the lead of the three by partner, therefore, could not be the start of a high‑low doubleton signal, and since your holding of the AQ of clubs would by elimination , presume that partner has not led away from the K of clubs; it is, therefore, by elimination, a lead of a singleton in hopes for the ability of ruffing trick two when clubs is again next led. After taking the A of clubs, you must return the 10 of clubs for partner to ruff signaling the desire of partner to get back to you with a heart switch for you to gain entry again for the lead of another club for partner to then ruff once more. The return of the 2 of clubs would have signaled the desire for a diamond return by partner for re-entry into your hand for an additional ruffing opportunity.

**********

- 20 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 17

THE STAYMAN CONVENTION

Review of Responses to 1NT Opening Bids When Holding a Balanced Hand: (Count only HCP’s)

The following is based upon a 15‑17 HCP opening bid by partner and 26,33, & 37 point plateaus.

a. 0‑ 8 HCP's = Pass

b. 9-10 HCP's = Bid 2NT inviting partner to pass with a minimum (15 HCP's) and to proceed to game with a

maximum (16‑17 HCP's)

c. 11‑15 HCP's = Bid 3NT (Sign‑off)

d. 16‑17 HCP's = Bid 4NT inviting partner to pass with a minimum (15 HCP's) and to proceed to 6NT with a

maximum (16‑17 HCP's) ‑ Note: 6NT will rarely make even with 33 HCP's unless one member of the team

has a 5‑card suit.

e. 18‑19 HCP's = Bid 6NT (Sign‑off)

f. 20‑21 HCP's = Bid 5NT demanding partner bid 6NT with a minimum (15 HCP's) and to proceed to 7NT

with a maximum (16‑17 HCP's)

g. 22‑23 HCP's = Bid 7NT

Review of Responses to 1NT Opening Bids When Holding an Unbalanced Hand:

(Count Distributional and HCP’s)

a. 0‑ 8 Points = Pass (Unless hand is terribly distributional and then the fewer the HCP's the better it be to bid

two of a suit (Sign-off) requesting pass by partner

b. 9-15 Points = Bid 3 of any suit forcing partner to bid to game either in your bid suit or into 3NT. (Could

also bid 4H or 4S directly if holding a 6‑card suit since opening 1NT hand promises at least 2 of any suit.

c. 16 Points or more = Consider the possibility of slam.

THE STAYMAN CONVENTION

Definition: ‑ The Artificial bid of “2C” over partner's opening bid of 1NT (or alternatively “3C” over partner’s opening of 2NT) asks the NT opener for a 4‑card major suit.

Notes:

1. The Stayman Convention is used only with a 4-Card Major suit looking for a 4‑Card Major suit fit. Jacoby Transfer bids are used with a 5‑Card suit looking for a 3‑Card fit.

2. If the Combined hands have 26‑28 HCP's the hand plays better in 4 of the Major. If the Combined hands have 29-32 HCP's the hand plays better in 3NT not‑with‑standing the potential 8‑Card Major suit fit.

3. The artificial bids of “2C’ over a 1NT opening bid, or of “3C” over a 2NT opening bid, both signifying the Stayman Convention, do not need to be alerted despite the artificial nature of the call. This is due to the fact that the Convention is almost universally accepted as the norm.

4. The opening bidder responds “2D” over “2C” or “3D” over “3C” to signify “NO 4-CARD MAJOR” or alternatively 2H or 2S (3H or 3S), up the ladder, to signify a 4-Card Heart or Spade holding.

- 21 -

THE STAYMAN CONVENTION

OPENER RESPONDER MEANING OF RESPONDER’S LAST BID

1NT “2C”

“2D” 2H/2S A sign-off promising a 5-card suit

1NT “2C An invitational bid showing 9-10 HCP’s. with a

“2D”/2H/2S 2NT 4-card alternative Major holding. Partner can correct to

the other Major if appropriate

1NT “2C” An invitational bid showing support for partner’s

2H/2S 3H/3S 4-card Major. Invites opener to game with a maximum

holding of 16-17 HCP’s

1NT “2C” A sign-off acceptance of partner’s Major suit with no

2H/2S 4H/4S interest in Slam

1NT “2C” A sign-off unable to find a 4-4 fit in the desired Major suit

“2D”/2H/2S 3NT Partner can correct to four of the alternate Major

suit if appropriate

1NT “2C” A sign-off showing a 5- or 6-card Minor suit with no game

“2D”/2H/2S 3C/3D interest and no Major suit interest

1NT “2C” The Gerber Convention asking for Aces

“2D”/2H/2S “4C”

1NT “2C” A natural quantitative bid requiring opener to pass with a

“2D”/2H/2S 4NT minimum of 15 HCP’s and to proceed to 6NT with a maximum

of 16-17 HCP’s

- 22 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 18

SLAM BIDDING

There are nine (9) scenarios that are likely to produce slam conditions. Before slam bidding is attempted, however, the partnership must first determine that it has both sufficient assets to win 12 or 13 tricks in its best designated suit, and side suit controls such that the opponents cannot run two quick tricks. The partnership can accomplish this either through cue-bidding showing their Ace and King controls, or else via either the Gerber or Blackwood Ace-asking Conventions. The nine scenarios likely to produce Slam (assuming that a misfit is not present) are as follows:

1. An opening hand of 13 points or more held by responder who faces an opener who has jump-shifted on

his/her first re-bid evidencing 19 or more Points.

Example: 1H P 1S P (or) 1C P 1H P

3C/3D 2S

2. A first round jump-shift by responder (19 Points or more) facing an opening bid by partner.

Example: 1D P 2S P (or) 1H P 3C P

3. An opening hand by responder facing an opening bid which has been followed by a jump into No Trump

evidencing 18-19 HCP’s.

Example: 1H P 1S P (or) 1H P 2D P

2NT 3NT

4. A 4NT or 5NT response to an opening 1NT bid.

Ex: 1NT P 4NT P = Asks opener to pass with 15 and to bid 6NT with 17‑18.

1NT P 5NT P = Demands 6NT with 15 and 7NT with 17‑18 by opener.

5. A response of 3NT (16‑18 HCP's) opposite a greater than minimum (16 points or more) opening bid.

EX. 1H (16 points or more) 3NT (16‑18 HCP's)

6. A Cue‑bid of the opponents suit after agreement as to trump has been reached, guarantees game and invites

partnership to explore for slam.

EX. 1H 1S 2S

7. A Cue‑bid of a new suit after game level has been reached in an agreed‑upon suit.

EX. 1H P 1S P

4S P 5C

8. A jump-shift response (10 or more HCP’s) to an opening 2C bid.

Example: “2C” P 3H P

9. A Bid of 5NT (Grand Slam Force) forces 6 of the agreed-upon suit with less than two of the top three

honors, and 7 of the agreed-upon suit with two of the top three honors.

Example: 1D P 1S P

4S P 5NT

- 23 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 19

PLAY OF THE HAND IN NO TRUMP

You are declarer of a No Trump contract. The opening lead has been made and your partner puts down the dummy hand. What should you as declarer do even before making a single play?

1. Take Note of the Opening Lead: ‑ The suit that is led as well as the number of the actual card can both give important information to the declarer. Example: The lead against a No Trump contract is usually fourth best from the opponent’s longest suit. Thus, if a "2" is led, the opponent has only four of the suit and declarer can then deduce how many cards of the suit are held the partner of the opponent who has led.

2. Use the Rule of Eleven: ‑ A method of rapid calculation that enables one to count the number of cards (higher than the one led) which are held within the three remaining hands after the presumed lead of fourth best from longest and best suit by the opponent on lead. Rule is helpful to both the defenders and to declarer.

Q96 AQ2

Ex. ???(5) K107(Defender) (or) ???(7) (E)

(S) 1083(Declarer)

3. Count Your Winners: ‑ Do this instead of counting your losers as in the case of a suit contract. See how many tricks can be taken before relinquishing the lead, which opponent you can best afford to have lead against you in case there are two ways against which to finesse, and how many tricks can be established by giving the lead away. Don't run to take your winners unless you fear a suit being led against you or until you no longer have stoppers in all four suits.

Example: The contract is 3 NT and the four of Spades is led.

YOUR HAND DUMMY

Spades ‑ AK XX

Hearts ‑ KQX AXX

Diamonds ‑ KQJ10 XXX

Clubs ‑ XXXX KQlOXX

You pause to count your quick winners ‑ two in Spades and three in Hearts. By leading Diamonds and forcing out the Ace, three more tricks can be established. The ninth trick can assuredly be available in Clubs. However, timing is all important when playing a NT contract. When the opponents win the Ace of Diamonds, a second Spade will almost assuredly be led thereby eliminating declarer's second and last stopper in the Spade suit. Before declarer can get the ninth trick in Clubs, the opponents will take at least three Spade tricks, the Ace of Diamonds and the Ace of Clubs, setting the contract one trick.

The solution here is that declarer must go after the Club suit first not the diamond suit. True the Diamonds are more solid, but the Clubs may yield four tricks after the Ace has been knocked out. Declarer, having only five sure quick tricks, (two in Spades and three in Hearts), will fair best by trying to establish the four other needed tricks in Clubs before his/her Spade stoppers are used up. The Club play may not succeed, but at least it will give declarer a fighting chance to make the contract whereas playing the Diamond suit first will not.

**********

- 24 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 20

PLAY OF THE HAND IN SUIT CONTRACTS

You are declarer at a Suit contract. The opening lead has been made and your partner has put down the dummy hand. What should you as declarer do before even making a single play?

1. Take Note of the Opening Lead: ‑ Declarer should memorize both the suit and numerical number of the suit led. The opening leader has taken the time for his/her choice and so, just perhaps, it may have some meaningful significance as to the play of the hand to declarer as well as to the partner of the lead. It may for example be:

a. the lead of a singleton, defender attempting to set up a ruff.

b. the start of a doubleton high‑low signal.

c. low from an honor.

d. the top of a sequence.

e. the start of a middle-up-down triplet.

f. forth best from a long suit.

Declarer has a right to ask the partner of the opening leader as to what significance can be inferred from the lead and what are their agreed‑upon understandings as to its implied meaning.

2. Do Not Make a Single Play Until You Have First Counted Your Losing Tricks: ‑ One must first formulate some plan as to how to eliminate the losing tricks through one of the following methods:

a. Trump them in dummy ‑ if dummy is shorter in that suit than is declarer

b. Throw them away ‑ if an outside long suit can be developed where losers can be discarded

c. Finesse them away ‑ by hoping for a favorable location of the opponent's cards which will

convert declarer’s losers into winners.

Example: (The contract is 4S) Your Hand Dummy

Spades - AKQXX JlOXX

Hearts - JXX X

Diamonds - X AKXX

Clubs ‑ KXXX XXXX

The six of Diamonds is led. You count the losers: none in Spades, three in Hearts, none in Diamonds, and four in Clubs. That makes seven losers in all, and you can only afford to lose only three of them if you are to make the contract. In other words, at least four of the probable losers must be converted into winning tricks. Dummy has only a singleton Heart, so two of the Heart losers can be trumped in dummy. There go two of the losers. After dummy's King wins the first Diamond trick, declarer has no more Diamonds and can therefore discard one of the losing Clubs on the Ace of Diamonds. A forth loser may possibly by converted into a winner by leading a Club from the dummy towards the King for a finesse.

So, your plan is formed. Win the first trick with the King of Diamonds in the dummy and lead the singleton Heart so that the losing Hearts can be trumped before trumps are drawn. The opponents will obviously win the first Heart and return a trump so as to reduce the ruffing power of dummy. Win the trump trick in your hand and then trump a Heart in dummy. Return to declarer's hand with a second round of trumps and than trump another round of Hearts. Then play the Ace of Diamonds, discarding a small Club from your hand. At last play a small Club from dummy towards your King. If the Ace is to the right of declarer, the contract will be made.

- 25 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 21

1. RESPONSES TO PARTNER’S 1NT WHEN THE OPPONENTS HAVE MADE AN

INTERVENING BID - Partner opens one No Trump, and your RHO (Right-hand Opponent) overcalls 2

of any suit:

a. A double is always for penalties, and is never a negative double in this circumstance.

Ex. 1NT 2H Dbl.(Penalty) (or) 1NT 2D Dbl.(Penalty)

b. A cue‑bid of their suit is Stayman seeking a 4-card Major. If the opponent’s overcall had been a Major suit, the cue-bid seeks a Golden fit in the alternate Major. If the opponent’s overcall had been a Minor suit, the cue-bid seeks a Golden fit in either Major. In either instance, a game-force scenario is in place and the partnership must continue until game lever has been achieved in either the sought-after Major suit, else in NT. Thus, opener’s partner guarantees at least 11 HCP’s.

Ex. 1NT 2H “3H” (Game-Forcing - Seeking Spades)

1NT 2D “3D” (Game Forcing - Seeking Hearts or Spades)

c. A bid of 2NT is invitational (9‑10 HCP's) as if the overcall had never been made, and 3NT is to

play, thus evidencing at least 11 HCP’s. Both imply a stopper in the overcalled suit.

Ex. 1NT 2H 2NT (Invitational to 3NT)

1NT 2D 3NT (To Play)

d. A bid of any suit other than the overcalled suit is to play (“drop dead”) and is not Stayman even if it happens to be Clubs.

Ex. 1NT 2H 2S (To Play)

1NT 2D 3C (Natural, to Play, Not Stayman)

2. RESPONSES TO PARTNER’S 1NT OVERCALL - Your LHO (Left-hand Opponent) has opened 1 of

a suit, and partner has overcalled 1NT.

a. A Cue-bid of Opener’s suit is Stayman seeking a 4-card fit in one or both of the Major Suits.

Ex. 1D 1NT P “2D” (Stayman for Both Majors)

1H 1NT P “2H” (Stayman for Spades)

b. Any suit bid, other than the opener’s suit, is natural and to play.

Ex. 1H 1NT P 2S (To Play)

1H 1NT P 2C (Natural, To Play, Not Stayman)

c. A bid of 2NT is invitational (9‑10 HCP's) as if the opening bid had not been made, and 3NT is to

play, thus evidencing at least 11 HCP’s. Both imply a stopper in opener’s suit.

Ex. 1H 1NT P 2NT (Invitational with a Heart Stopper implied)

1H 1NT P 3NT (To Play, with a Heart Stopper implied)

- 26 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 22

“2C” OPENING BIDS

A “2C” opening bid is the only strong opening 2-Bid. All others, 2D, 2H and 2S, are weak and

pre-emptive (Refer to Lesson 3). The “2C” opening bid is strong, Artificially Conventional, and is Forcing.

A. Requirements: Either: 1. With a Balanced Hand: (22‑24 HCP's) (Ex. AKQX AQX AXX KJX)

(Refer to Lesson 1) (25‑27 HCP’s ) (Ex. AKJX AKX AJX AQX)

2. With an Unbalanced Hand: (Refer to Lessons 2 & 7)

25 HCP's with a good 5‑Card suit (Ex. AKQXX AKXX AKQ X)

23 HCP’s with a good 6‑Card suit (Ex. AKJXXX AKX KJX A)

21 HCP's with a good 7‑Card suit (Ex. AQJXXXX KQX AKQ)

Either of the two types of above-listed hands are opened "2C”. Partner may not Pass. The differentiation as to which of the above‑listed, two types of hands is disclosed to the responding partner by opener’s rebid.

B. Rebids By Opener:

1. With a Balanced Hand: Rebid NT at cheapest available level.

2. With an Unbalanced Hand: Rebid the preferred 5‑, 6‑, or 7‑Card suit at the cheapest level.

C. Responses of Partner To "2C” Opening Bid ‑ Responder may not pass. The "2C" opening bid is forcing

upon the partnership to either 2NT or 3 of a suit.

1. 0‑7 HCP's ‑ Bid "2D" - (FIRST NEGATIVE RESPONSE ) - Is Artificial; i.e., says nothing about

the Diamond suit. (Remember, bidding is forced at least to 2NT)

2. 8-9 HCP"s ‑ Bid either: (1) 2H, 2S, or 3C (POSITIVE RESPONSE) - evidences a 5‑Card suit.

(Game guaranteed) Opening bidder will then disclose his/her hand as to

either a suit (unbalanced) or NT (balanced) orientation and the bidding

is then kept open by both partners until game is reached.

(2) 2NT (POSITIVE RESPONSE ) - A default bid in the absence of

5‑Card Heart, Spade or Club holding. The opening "2C” bidder then

takes control until game is reached.

3. 9+ or more HCP's ‑ Jump the bidding into preferred suit or NT revealing Slam probabilities.

Opening "2C” bidder then takes control.

D. The Second Response (Rebid) by The Responder to a "2C" Opening Bid ‑ Remember, the bidding must be

kept open until at least the 2NT level.

a. 0‑4 HCP's ‑ Rebid "2NT" over openers 2H or 2S rebid DOUBLE NEGATIVE RESPONSE or Pass if opener rebids 2NT. (Remember, Opening "2C”forces to "2NT".) Opening “2C" bidder then takes control.

b. 5-7 HCP's ‑ Rebid anything other than "2NT” (Double negative) to show point count. Game is probable. Either support partner's suit or bid your own best suit; i.e., whichever is your longest. Opening "2C” bidder then takes control. (Game is usually likely)

- 27 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 23

The “CAPELETTI” CONVENTION

Many methods can be employed when an opponent has opened the bidding with a 1NT call and you, as the opposition, are interested in interfering with the bidding, or competing, by placing an overcall in either the direct or balancing positions. Among others, these methods include Natural Bids, as well as the Brozel, Landy, Twerb, Capeletti and the D.O.N.T. Conventions.

Definition: ‑ A defense system used to overcall against an opening 1 NT bid by the opponents. It may be

used in either the direct or in the balancing position dependent upon partnership agreement.

Many partnerships play it only in the direct position.

Ex. 1NT ??? (or) 1NT P P ???

A. “DOUBLE” - A take‑out double evidencing an equivalent or better hand as to both points and

distribution; i.e., usually a balanced hand with 15‑17 HCP's. Partner may opt to:

(a) pass and convert the double to a penalty double, or

(b) bid a preference suit to play (partnerships can have an understanding that all bids are natural, or they can play front of card; i.e., Stayman and transfers be on, by mutual consent.

Responder’s decision. as to (a), or (b) above depends upon Responder’s HCP’s,

distribution, and the vulnerability. The less HCP's responder has, the more imperative

it be that responder must not pass, else the double stand as a penalty double.

B. "2 C" ‑ A conventional artificial bid evidencing an unspecified one‑suited hand. Responder

must bid a "puppet" bid of "2D" allowing originating partner to then rebid his/her suit

of choice (usually 6 pieces or more in length), 2H, 2S, 3C or Pass (for Diamond

selection) to play.

C. "2 D" ‑ A conventional artificial bid evidencing both majors, each one at least a 5‑card suit in

length. Responder then chooses between the two by bidding either 2H or 2S.

Originator may then. either pass, invite to game, or bid game directly once responder

has made his/her preferential selection.

D. "2 H" ‑ A conventional bid evidencing both a 5‑card or better heart suit and a 5‑card or

better unspecified Minor suit. Partner passes if he/she likes the Heart suit, or bids an

artificial "2NT" to ask originating partner to bid his/her Minor suit of preference.

E. "2 S" ‑ A conventional bid evidencing both a 5‑card or better spade suit and a 5‑card or

better unspecified Minor suit. Responses by the partner are as in D above.

F. "2 NT" ‑ A conventional artificial bid showing two 5‑card or better Minor suits (So-Called

"UNUSUAL NO TRUMP”). Responder then chooses between Clubs or Diamonds

based upon his/her preference.

- 28 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 24

RESPONSES TO PARTNER’S OPENING WEAK 2-BID

1. RAISES IN PARTNER’S SUIT:

a. A Single Raise in Partner's Suit ‑ "RONF" ("Raise Only Non‑Force") A further defensive blocking

bid especially effective when used after an opponent’s intervening take‑out double. Such a bid is never

invitational to game; rather, alternatively, it is a furtherance of what is assumed to be a pre-emptive

interference with the opponent’s hand. It is rarely made with the intention of the contract being made,

rather, alternatively, with the presumption that the hand really belongs to the opponents.

Ex. 2S Dbl. 3S (or) 3D P 4D (or) 3H P 5H

b. A Jump Raise to Game ‑ Made either pre‑emptively (Same as in a. above) to further the pre-emptive block or with game‑going values and a presumption that the contract is to be made.

Ex. 2H Dbl. 4H (or) 3C P 5C

In both (a) and (b) above, when used pre‑emptively, the responding partner is likely to have multiple cards, (3 or more), in partner's pre‑emptive suit and little additional outside strength. When used as a game‑going bid, however, the strength necessary is obvious as it must be coupled with partner's stated 6‑card suit and 5‑11 HCP's. It would, therefore, represent a better than opening HCP count since pre-emptive opener has shown less than a full opening hand.

2. BIDS OTHER THAN RAISES IN PARTNER'S SUIT: ALL ARE FORCING

a. A 3NT or Game Bid in a New Suit ‑ Either are Siqn‑offs spoken to play as stated.