A 4 player trick-taking card game where opposing partners try to either take the number of tricks they bid or prevent their opponents from doing so.
4
votes
3answers
147 views
Bridge bidding - how do I decide whether or not to bid 1NT with weakness in a particular suit?
If I'm inclined to bid NT with 15-17 points, but am weak in one suit, how weak can I be, and still bid 1NT, as opposed to bidding 1 club, to find out if my partner can show strength e.g. a stopper in ...
4
votes
3answers
190 views
In Bridge, What Are Some Defenses Against Squeezes?
My understanding is that squeezes are most likely to occur when one defender holds all the key cards in say, two different suits. And in most cases, they are what I call "secondary" cards (e.g. Kx, ...
4
votes
2answers
330 views
Is Duplicate Bridge (standard Matchpoints) a game of pure skill?
I'm inclined to say "no" because because each of the following could be considered lucky:
A finesse can be tried 2 different ways and your partnership selects
the one that works
You play a routine, ...
4
votes
2answers
89 views
In bridge,should a responder devalue her hand if short in opener's suit?
I opened a "strong two clubs." Partner bid 2 NT, which between us, meant "9-plus points, slam interest."
I bid my suit, 3 spades, with the following: (s) AKQxxx (h) AKx (d) Ax (c) xx. That's a ...
4
votes
1answer
75 views
In Bridge, How do I Differentiate Between My Partner's Signals on Defense?
On defense, there are attitude, suit preference, and count signals. My guess is that the play to the first trick would represent an "attitude" signal for a suit. Beyond that, how do I differentiate ...
4
votes
1answer
371 views
What is (Larry Cohen's) the “Law of Total Tricks” In Bridge?
Based on my (imperfect) understanding of the "law," it means that my partnership should bid up to the same level as the number of trumps. For instance, with four trumps over my partner's five card ...
4
votes
1answer
122 views
In bridge, what are exceptions to “third hand high?”
You are sitting "East" (with dummy to your right), and your partner West leads a low (presumably fourth best) card in a suit against a 3 no trump contract. When dummy plays low from "nothing," and you ...
3
votes
4answers
621 views
Why Do People “Pre-empt” With Seven Of A Suit In Bridge?
One advantage of a "pre-empt" is quite clear: You take two levels of bidding away from your opponents with a "three" bid. But could that be cutting off your nose to spite your face?
Recently, I had ...
3
votes
4answers
952 views
In Bridge, what are “proper” responses to a “strong” 2 club bid?
Bidding Standard American, and opening a "strong" two clubs (typically 22 HCPs and a six card suit), I like to hear responses of 2 diamonds (0-8 points, no more than game interest), or 2NT (9+ plus ...
3
votes
2answers
78 views
In bridge, what caused bidding “standards” to decline post Goren?
I was weaned on "Goren" in the 1960s, and as some readers of my other questions have pointed out, am not totally comfortable with "Standard American" or other newer standards. These may be some ...
3
votes
2answers
482 views
In Bridge, What's the Difference Between the Blackwood And Gerber Conventions?
I have an idea that both conventions are used to check for aces in slam bidding, and that one starts at four clubs and the other at 4NT. Beyond that, I'm confused.
Why would a bidder use one over the ...
3
votes
3answers
126 views
Can a takeout doubler pass a redoubled contract?
South opened one diamond. West doubled for takeout with the following hand:
s) Axxx (H) Kxx (D) Kxx (C) Qxx
North redoubled. This took me (East) off the hook with something like s) xxx (H) xxx (D) ...
3
votes
1answer
80 views
Is a “drop-finesse” better than a simple “drop” play with a nine card suit in bridge?
Regarding finesses for a missing queen in a key (e.g. trump suit), there is a proverb of "eight ever [always] nine never." Instead, one is supposed to play for a drop. (This, and most other proverbs ...
3
votes
2answers
227 views
In Bridge, Is There A Way To Shorten “Reaction Time” For “Real Time” Play
I like to solve bridge problems in newspapers. When I do this, I often get the correct answer, or at least come "within sight" (e.g. get the key idea but "muff" the sequence). This process typically ...
3
votes
2answers
85 views
Opener rebid priority
I'm playing/studying SAYC. So I know that game in major comes first then notrump then game in minors.
When I open with 1 Club partner responds with 1 Spade -- I have 18PTS and 4 hearts and NT ...
3
votes
1answer
204 views
Confused with Bidding in Contract Bridge
I'm building an Android game based on Contract Bridge, where 4 players will be playing simultaneously once they are connected with the Game Server.
I have no prior experience of playing any card ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
In bridge, are “sequences” more valuable than non-sequences of similar point count?
In backgammon, for instance, sequences of "points" are more valuable than the same number of points out of sequence. That is the 6-5, or 6-5-4 points, are more valuable than the 6-4, or 6-4-2 points ...
3
votes
1answer
94 views
Is it right to refrain from making a takeout double in borderline situations?
In today's bridge column, this example was given:
North opened with one diamond. East doubled with (s) Qxx (h)AQxx (d) x (c) ATxxx.
This double technically met my 14 point requirement (12 for high ...
3
votes
1answer
127 views
In “Standard” American, Is It Possible to Bid the Opposing Suit “Naturally” Over a Takeout Double?
I dealt and bid one heart with the following:
♠Axx
♥AQJxx
♦Jxx
♣xx
Left hand opponent doubled for takeout. Partner passed with something like K♦, Q♣ ...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
What are ways to “read” the shape of your opponents' hands early on?
Toward the end, the shape of opponents' hands can be read by "counting" (playing out two or three suits and inferring the shape of the remaining one(s)).
In the beginning, one looks for more subtle ...
3
votes
2answers
140 views
Take out double at first opportunity to double?
I dealt and passed - LH opponent passed, partner passed and RHO opened 1 Heart.
Holding:
♠ K98 ♥ 109 ♦ A986 ♣KJ2
can I double as this is the first opportunity to do so?
3
votes
2answers
143 views
In Bridge, Is it Sometimes Good to Lead an Opponent's Suit on Defense?
I was "West," that is, the opening leader. My left and right hand opponents had alternated diamond and spade bids, neither supporting the other, suggesting something like 6-1 misfits in both suits ...
3
votes
1answer
89 views
Are there many mandated “time outs” in tournament bridge?
In "Points, Schmoints," Marty Bergen related an instance in which he announced "skip bid," before "jumping" his partner's two diamond bid to the five level (instead of three). According to him, his ...
3
votes
1answer
123 views
In bridge, how do you tell when to use holdup versus blocking plays?
You are the declarer at a 3NT contract (1NT, 3NT, no opposing bids). West leads what appears to be a five card suit, and you have Axx in dummy.
Your main concern is that East can get the setting ...
3
votes
0answers
35 views
Which bidding system is assumed by default at BBO?
Which bidding system is assumed by default at Bridge Base Online (for humans)?
I asked in chat several times in different games (ten times I think) and nobody answered.
Is it Bridge base basic? Or ...
2
votes
2answers
368 views
Are there “established” systems where “Five Card Majors” isn't a strict rule?
In "Standard American," I must open a major with 65432 while refraining from opening a major with AKQJ.
IMHO, there are five card majors that are too weak to be opened and there four card majors that ...
2
votes
3answers
215 views
Should I respond to 1 NT in a suit or NT holding 17 HCP and a void?
My partner opened a "strong" one NT. I am holding:
♠ void
♥ KJxx
♦ AKQxxx
♣ KJx
What should I bid?
2
votes
3answers
87 views
Different kinds of “two direction” finesses in bridge?
I once read in a book about a "backward" finesse. You, declarer, have AJ9, and dummy has Kxx.
Ordinarily, you would finesse twice from dummy toward AJ9. Except that your left hand opponent has ...
2
votes
1answer
163 views
In Bridge, What is the Merit of Taking a “Double” Finesse?
Suppose I am declarer, and dummy has a "side" (non-trump) suit with AQx or AQxx, and I have xxx in my hand. I have been told NOT to finesse the Q (a 50-50 chance), except as a last resort, or late in ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
How to identify when to try a “Merriamac Coup” in bridge?
A "Merrimac Coup" in bridge usually refers to the "suicidal" lead of a king, in order to force out an opposing ace before the opponent is ready to use the ace as an entry. If that hand (usually dummy) ...
2
votes
2answers
97 views
How do you decide which way to finesse for an ace?
This is from the New York Post, which is to say that it is a "problem."
You are declarer (South) in a 3 no trump contract. You get a "friendly" lead in a suit where you have three winners (two in ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
When should a bridge defender return the second, rather than fourth highest card in suit?
Against a bidding sequence of 1NT, 3NT, partner, West, opens with what looks like the fourth highest of a suit. Dummy goes down with two small cards in the suit. I have four to the king in the suit, ...
2
votes
1answer
279 views
Can “SWOT” analysis be useful in bridge
SWOT stands for (an analysis of) strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. There are four "fields" and yes, four suits.
Here's an example from this deal, which came up in today's New York Post. ...
2
votes
3answers
266 views
Should I Use A “Negative Double” Over a Possible “Short Club” Bid And Overcall in Bridge?
Playing Standard American, partner opened 1 club. Right hand opponent overcalled 1 spade. I raised to 2 clubs with:
♠xx ♥Axxx ♦JTxx ♣Qxx
Everyone passed. Partner had 13 points and a "short" three ...
2
votes
2answers
119 views
In bridge, do people go through cycles of under- and -over bidding?
In the board game Go, there are two basic styles, high and low. "High" is all the rage for about ten years, until people have forgotten how to play "low." Then "low" gets "rediscovered," and people ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
In bridge, is an “uppercut” a special case of a “forcing game?”
In a standard forcing game, you the defender, may have four (or more) trumps, and ypu lead a long suit in which declarer is void in order to force him to ruff, thereby shortening his trumps to your ...
2
votes
1answer
106 views
In Bridge, should a defender “encourage” with a "stranded honor?
In the example in Today's New York Post, the bidding went: S 1 spade, N 2 clubs, S 2 NT, N3 spades, S 4 Spades (East and West passed throughout).
West led the 9 of hearts, which as between these ...
1
vote
5answers
1k views
Why Do People Use “Precision” Bidding in Bridge?
As I understand it, in the "precision" bidding system in bridge, you open one club with 16+ points (a greater than minimum opening hand), while all the other "one" level bids show 13-15 (a minimum). ...
1
vote
2answers
254 views
Why Is Two Clubs the Preferred “Strong Two” In Bridge?
I'd prefer to use two spades myself. And save two clubs for a "weak two." Moreover, I was taught that "higher bids mean higher points" (all other things being equal). Two spades is the highest suit ...
1
vote
2answers
163 views
In bridge, can the “rule of 20” be used outside of opening bids (e.g for takeout doubles)?
Here's another example from today's New York Post. West opened 1 club. (He had a 19 point 1NT hand, and was planning to re-bid 2NT.) North made a (takeout) double with (s) KQxxx (h) Qxxxx (d) xx (c) ...
1
vote
2answers
52 views
In bridge, should a defender play differently with most, about half, or few of the partnership's points?
This example is from Victor Mollo's "Test Your Defense, Where the Points are Won."
You are East. The bidding has been 1NT pass 3NT pass. West leads what looks to be the fourth highest spade. You ...
1
vote
2answers
40 views
Is there a way to quantify the effects of luck versus skill in rubber bridge?
Duplicate bridge was created to "eliminate" the luck factor. That is partnerships are compared only against other partnerships playing the same cards.
Rubber bridge is a different animal. Here, "luck ...
1
vote
3answers
108 views
Are there times to pre-empt with a “strong” six trumps in bridge?
Suppose you have something like AQJxxx of clubs (and no other values). If it were any other suit than clubs, I'd open with a with a "weak two" bid.
But two clubs is the STRONG two bid. Meaning that ...
1
vote
1answer
320 views
Why Do Modern Players Use “Negative Doubles” In Bridge
Personally, I think that too many people overcall. Meaning that we need a penalty double for it in bridge. But the modern fashion seems to be for "negative doubles" over overcalls. These seem to mean, ...
1
vote
4answers
109 views
In bridge, does it make sense to “tighten” or 'loosen" up on bidding depending on vulnerability?
For instance, the minimum standard seems to be about 12 points to open with a five card suit, or 13 points with a four card minor. That makes sense with equal vulnerability (both vulnerable or both ...
1
vote
4answers
226 views
In Bridge, Do You Count Defensive Points In the Opponents' Suit When Making a Takeout Double?
Left hand opponent opened 1 heart. Partner doubled for takeout. Right hand opponent passed. I "had to" bid 2 clubs with something like (S) xxx (H) xx (D) Jxxx (C) Jxxx.
We were doubled for penalties, ...
1
vote
3answers
194 views
Which Experts Seem to Interchange Trumps and Points in Bridge Bidding?
Most bridge players know that you can make a major suit game with combined partnership holdings of 26 points and eight trumps. (Plus the absence of "bad breaks" in trumps, finesses, etc.).
My ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
In bridge, what level of strength do different systems require to bid a short minor?
Most players will bid 1 spade with (s) AKJxx (h)Axxx (d)xx (c)xx. That is, 12 hcp and a five card major.
If you "redistribute" the two spade spots, you get: (s) AKJ (h)Axxx (d)xxx (c)xxx.
Many ...
1
vote
2answers
34 views
Question on leading
In bridge, what is the priority in leading when partner bid spades, and contract is clubs, and I have ace and queen of spades. Does the rule "do not underlead an ace" here override the rule "lead with ...
1
vote
2answers
131 views
What Are the Requirements for a “Jump” Bid Opposite a Takeout Double in Bridge?
My left hand opponent opened one diamond. Partner doubled. Right hand opponent passed. I was sitting in fourth seat with eight points, and something like
(s) KJxxx (h) Jxx (d) xx (c) Kxx.
I ...
