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INERMEDIATE BRIDGE - BIDDING TIPS FOR TOPS

LESSON 30

WHEN THE OPPONETS DROP THE BIDDING AT THE 2-LEVEL - TIPS 238-244

238. When the opponents give up the ship at the 2-level, you and your partner usually

have as many HCP’s as do they, at worst it will be 22-18. THOU SHALT NOT LET

THE OPPONETS PALY AT THE 2-LEVEL WHEN THEY HAVE A FIT AND YOU

HAVE SHORTNESS IN THEIR SUIT.

239. Fact: If the opponents have an 8-card fit, your side also has an 8-card fit (or longer)

about 85% on the time. If the opponents have a 9-card fit (or longer), your side will

have at least an 8-card fit 100% of the time. Bridge is a game of fits and misfits. You

can take this statement as you see “fit”.

240. If the opponents have a known 8-card fit and you have a singleton in their suit,

double with as little as 8 HCP’s; with a doubleton in their suit, reopen with 10+

HCP’s.

Example West North(You) East South

1H Pass 2H Pass

Pass ????

You hold: a) KQXX X QJXX XXXX (Double. Go for it !!!)

241. A reopening bid in a suit should be considered an attempt to push the opponents to a

higher level. With a good hand, you would have bid earlier.

Example West North(You) East South

1H Pass 2H Pass

Pass ????

You hold: AXXXX XX KXX XXX (Bid 2S. They have an 8-card fit and

you have a 5-card Major. Don’t sell

out. A good partner will realize

that you were not strong enough to

have bid in the first place with a 1S

overcall. Hopefully your partner

will not punish you for pushing the

opponents and will not compete further.)

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242. The real risk in reopening the bidding with a light hand is your partner. He/she invariably has 10-13 HCP’s and thinks he/she must tell you about it. He/she forgets that your bid has already taken into account the likelihood that you have these very same points and that you are already counting on you for these. You are effectively bidding your partner’s presumed points. These partners must be trained not to bid further.

243. A Reopening bid of 2NT after the opponents have found a Major suit fit is a Minor

suit takeout (Unusual).

Example West North(You) East South

1H Pass 2H Pass

Pass ????

You hold: X XXX KJXX AJXXX (Bid “2NT”. Do not sell out !!)

244. The strategy behind balancing is to push the opponents to the 3-level. If you succeed,

mission accomplished !!! Partner should not compete to the 3-level without at least 4-

pieces of your suit, a side singleton (or two side doubletons) and 12-15 support points.

Reread this one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Example West North(You) East South(Partner)

1H Pass 2H Pass

Pass 2S 3H ????

Partner holds: a) AXX XX KJXX QJXX (Partner must be trained to pass.)

b) AXXX XXX KXX AXX ( “ “ “ “ “ “ “ )

c) AXXX X KQXXX XXX (Partner should compete to the

3 Spade level. He/she has four

pieces which when coupled with

your five pieces totals nine, and

he/she has 12 support points.)

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INERMEDIATE BRIDGE - BIDDING TIPS FOR TOPS

LESSON 31

REDOUBLES - TIPS 245-248

245. When a 1-level takeout double made by your left-hand opponent over your

opening suit bid has been converted to penalties by a pass from doubler’s

partner, a “redouble” by you is a cry for help.

South(You) West North East

1D Dbl. Pass Pass

????

You hold: AQX AKX XXXX XXX (East’s pass has proclaimed

strong Diamonds. Unless you are

a masochist of the first order,

redouble for rescue.)

246. This same principal also applies to overcalls that have been doubled for takeout and

then left in for penalties.

West North East South(You)

1H 1S Pass Pass

Dbl. Pass Pass ????

You hold: -- XXX QXXXX JXXXX (A 1S doubled contract does not

look viable. Redouble to ask

partner to bid either of the

two unbid suits. Partner will

bless you forever.)

247. A pass at the 1-level after your RHO redoubles, is non-committal.

West North East South(You)

1H Dbl. ReDbl. Pass (In this, the most common redouble

sequences, a pass by doubler’s

partner is non-committal. It tells

partner to bail himself/herself out.

It says nothing about Hearts and

does not imply an interest in

penalties.)

248. After you open the bidding and your LHO doubles and partner redoubles showing

10+ HCP’s, any subsequent double by either you or your partner is a penalty double -

even at the 1-level.

South(You) West North East

1D Dbl. ReDbl. Pass

Pass 1H Pass Pass

????

You hold: AXX QJXX AKXXX X (Double. After a redouble by partner,

tend to double any run-out with four

cards in their suit. Obviously,

relative vulnerabilities is an

important consideration.)

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INERMEDIATE BRIDGE - BIDDING TIPS FOR TOPS

LESSON 32

WHEN PARTNER OPENS AND SECOND HAND DOUBLES - TIPS 249-253

249. Any new suit either at the 1-level or the 2-level is limited and is not forcing. If you as

responder had had 10+ HCP’s you would have redoubled.

North East South(You) West

1C Dbl. ???

You hold: a) X AJXXX KXXX XXX (Bid 1H. It shows a 5-card suit

with limited points 5-9 HCP’s,

and is not forcing.)

b) AJX AJXXX XXX XXX (Redouble. The opponents are in

trouble, your side has the

dominant point count.)

North East South(You) West

1H Dbl. ???

You hold: c) XX XX AQJXXX JXX (Bid 2 Diamonds, not forcing.)

d) XXX X KQJXXX AQX (Redouble and then bid Diamonds.)

250. A jump bid is pre-emptive.

North East South(You) West

1D Dbl. ???

You hold: X KJXXXX XXX XXX (Bid 2H to show a reasonable 6-card

suit with 3-6 HCP’s. With stronger

hands 7-9 you could have bid 1H. With

stronger yet, you would have

redoubled.)

251. With support for partner’s Major suit opening, raise to the 2-level with 3-6 HCP’s

(Pre-emptive). Pass and then come back into the bidding later supporting partner

with 7-9 HCP’s, and redouble with 10+ HCP’s.

North East South(You) West

1S Dbl. ???

You hold: a) QXX XX JXXX JXXX (Bid 2S.)

b) AXX XX KJXX XXXX (Pass, and then bid Spades at

your next opportunity

{jumping in Spades if partner

bids in front of you.}).

c) AXX XX KQXX QXXX (Redouble and then bid a

minimum number of Spades.)

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If you utilize the above tip, you will be involved in sequences like this with b) above:

North East South(You) West

1S Dbl. Pass 2C

Pass Pass 2S (This sequence shows a stronger

hand than a direct raise to 2S

but one not quite strong enough

to redouble.)

North East South(You) West

1S Dbl. Pass 2C

2H Pass 3S (Bid 3S. Partner has bid in front

of you so you must jump in order

to show 7-9 HCP’s.)

252. With support for partner, therefore, you have multiple ways to raise partner

depending upon the strength of your hand and its distributional pattern.

North East South(You) West

1S Dbl. ????

You hold: a) QJX XXX KXX XXXX (Bid 2S, weak.)

b) QJXXX XX XXX QXX (Bid 4S, pre-emptive with 5 or more

pieces.)

c) QJXX X KXXX XXXX (Bid 3S - pre-emptive)

d) KXX XX KXXX KXXX (Pass and then support partner later

evidencing 7-9 HCP’s.)

e) AXXX X AXXX QXXX (Double and then bid Spades showing

support with 10-12 HCP’s.)

f) AXXX X AXXX AXXX (Double and then bid 4S showing opening

count.)

253. A redouble not only shows 10+ HCP’s but also promises another bid if partner passes.

Opener usually does pass in order to give the redoubler an opportunity to double for

penalties.

North East South(You) West

1H Dbl. Redbl. 2D

Pass Pass ???

You hold: a) AXXX XX AKXXX XXX (Double for penalties.)

b) AXX AXX AXXX XXXX (Bid 2NT, invitational.)

c) KXX KXX KXXX AQXX (Bid 3NT.)

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INERMEDIATE BRIDGE - BIDDING TIPS FOR TOPS

LESSON 33

TWO-SUITED OVERCALLS - TIPS 254-257

254. After a 1C or a 1D opening bid by the opposition, holding a 5-5 or longer

distributional Major 2-suited hand, use Michael’s cuebid if very weak (4-10 HCP’s),

bid the higher-ranking and then the lower ranking if intermediate (11-15 HCP’s), and

use Michael’s cuebid and then cuebid a second time with a strong hand (16+ HCP’s).

East South(You) West North

1D ????

You hold: a) XXXXX AXXXX QX X (Bid “2D” for the Majors, then

pass whichever Major suit

partner chooses.)

b) AXXXX KQXXX AX X (Bid 1S and rebid 2H.)

c) AQXXX KQJXX X AQ (Bid “2D” for the Majors, then

cuebid “3D” once again

subsequent to partner’s

choice.)

255. After a 1H or a 1S opening bid by the opposition, holding a 5-5 or longer

distributional hand with the other Major and an unspecified Minor, do as in

Tip # 254, utilizing “2H” or “2S” as the cuebid of choice when applicable.

East South(You) West North

1H ????

You hold: a) XXXXX QX X AXXXX (Bid “2H” showing both Spades

and an unspecified Minor.

Partner will either bid Spades

or else “2NT” showing a

preference for either Minor

{your choice} over Spades.)

b) AXXXX AX X KQXXX (Bid 1S and then rebid Clubs.)

c) AQXXX X KQJXX AQ (Bid “2H” showing Spades and an

unspecified Minor. Over

partner’s 2S or “2NT” cuebid

Hearts once again.)

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256. After a 1H or a 1S opening bid by the opposition, holding a 5-5 or longer

distributional hand with both Minors, do as in Tip # 254, utilizing “2NT” as the

cuebid of choice when applicable.

East South(You) West North

1H ????

You hold: a) QX X XXXXX AXXXX (Bid “2NT” showing both Minor

suits. Pass whichever Minor

suit partner elects.)

b) AX X KQXXX AXXXX (Bid 2D and then rebid Clubs.)

c) AQ X AQXXX KQJXX (Bid “2NT” showing both Minors.

Over partner’s choice, cuebid

Hearts.)

257. After a two-suited cuebid, the bidding may follow in such a way that partner does not

respond, relieved of the responsibility as a result of his/her RHO bidding. When the

bidding returns to you, pass in all circumstances except with the very strong hand in

which case you should re-establish the request for a choice of the two suits previously

demonstrated by way of a re-opening double.

East South(You) West North

1H “2NT” 3H Pass

Pass ????

You hold: a) QX X XXXXX AXXXX (Pass.)

b) AX X KQXXX AXXXX (Pass.)

c) AQ X AQXXX KQJXX (Double (takeout) for a further

request for partner to bid

his/her best Minor.)

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INERMEDIATE BRIDGE - BIDDING TIPS FOR TOPS

LESSON 34

THE WEAK TWO BID - TIPS 258-262

258. Think of a weak 2-bid as an opening 3-level bid at one level lower holding one less

card in the pre-empt suit.

You Hold: a) XX AQXXXXX QXX X (Open 3H)

b) XX AQXXXX QXX X (Open 2H)

259. Weak Two-Bids in the Third Seat, partner having previously passed, can be done with

strong 5-card suits. Partner, being a passed hand, must be trained not to tamper with

third seat opening weak two-bids.

You Hold: XX KQ10X KXX XXX (Open 2H and join the world of crooks!

260. Fourth seat Weak Two-Bids, as are all fourth seat preempts, show super maximums;

i.e., a hand just short of opening values (10-12 HCP’s)

You Hold: AKXXXX XX KJX JX (Open 2S in Fourth seat)

261. Do not open a Weak two-bid with a side 5-card suit. (1) You may miss a better fit in

your second suit, and (2) Partner will never be capable of assessing the real trick taking

capacity of your hand.

You Hold: X AXXXXX KXXXX X (Pass; do not open this hand pre-emptively)

262. In a competitive auction, the Weak Two-bidder is never the one to take the sacrifice. If

a sacrifice is to be taken, partner is the one so designated.

You Hold: X KQJXXX QXXX XX

South (You) West North East

2H 2S 4H 4S

????

(Pass, Partner knows more about your hand than you

know about his/hers. If a sacrifice is appropriate, partner will do so.)

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INERMEDIATE BRIDGE - BIDDING TIPS FOR TOPS

LESSON 35

WHEN RESPONDING TO A WEAK TWO BID - TIPS 263-266

263. Lacking support for partner’ Weak Two-Bid, you should have at least 15+ HCP’s or

more in order to justify a try for game.

You Hold: a) X AKXXX KQXX JXX

b) X AQJXXX AKX JXX

South West North (You) East

2S Pass ???

With: a) Pass, You don’t have quite enough.

b) Bid 3H – (New Suit) Forcing!

264. A leap to 3NT ends the auction. Partner is not allowed to bid again!

You Hold: --- KXX AKQJXXX KJX

South West North (You) East

2S Pass ???

Bid 3NT which ends the auction!

265. Any raise by partner is preemptive, and opener is not allowed to bid again or to even

think about bidding again!!!!!

You Hold: QXX XX KQXX JXXX

South West North (You) East

2S Pass ???

Bid 3S, Make Life miserable for the opponents.

266. A Double raise in partner’s Weak Two opening bid is a two-edged sword. It can be

either pre-emptive, furthering partner’s preempt, else it can show a powerful hand

with game values.

You Hold: a) X KXXX KXXXX XXX

b) AQXX XX AK AXXXX

South West North (You) East

2H Pass ???

Bid 4 Hearts with either hand. Let the opponents worry about which

of the two possibilities you have.

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INERMEDIATE BRIDGE - BIDDING TIPS FOR TOPS

LESSON 36

MISCELLANEOUS TIPS - TIPS 267-270

267. If you would have overcalled an opening one bid with 1NT; i.e., 15-17 HCP’s and a

stopper in Opener’s suit, then overcall 2NT if they open a weak Two Bid.

You Hold: AQX KJX QJX A10XX

South West (You)

2H ????

Bid 2NT

268. When the opponents open a weak 2-Bid and you have points and five or more in their

suit, pass hoping that partner will find a Take-out double which you can then pass

concerting the Take-out to penalties.

You Hold: AX KQXXX AX JXXX

South West (You)

2H ????

Pass – Patience, Patience.

269. With nine winners in your own hand, plus an independent Major suit, bid game. A

good partner will come forth with the remaining needed trick.

You Hold: AKQJXX KQJ A10X X

East South (You) West North

1D Double Pass 2H

2C ????

Bid 4S – Do not invite with 3S.

270. A 4-4 trump fit usually plays at least one trick better than a 5-3 Trump fit.

West (You) East (Partner)

AQJ4 K876

AQ1054 KJ9

A2 543

Note: In a contract of 6S, all you require is a 3-2 trump division allowing you to discard two of Dummy’s Diamonds (or Clubs) on your Hearts, eventually ruffing a Diamond (or Club). In a contract of 6H, however, you cannot help but still lose one Club and one Diamond, going down one trick.