Blogs

Model of a Contested Auction

A number of quite amazing hands this week, I really don't know which to report. We've had quite a few discussions on slams, so maybe this week we'll talk about something different, a hand which was very competitive in nature and also required some good declarer play.
Board 22 from Thursday 1/03/2018.
Dealer E EW Vul

92
AJ75
3
AQ6543
AKQJ63
4
AK84
T2
75
Q93
JT9752
97
T84
KT862
Q6
KJ8

Doubling 1NT

It seems that in this super modern age of bridge the low-level penalty double is obsolete. But surely most of us still play that a double of a weak 1NT opening as basically a PENALTY double? What do you need to double a 1NT opening? I go along with the theory that if you have a better hand than the 1NT opener, you should double. If you're playing ACOL opponents that means at least FIFTEEN high card points if your hand is balanced, or seven reasonably certain tricks, e.g. a solid suit and an outside entry. But let's just stick to the “15+” one for now.

Board 13 From Thursday 22/02/2018
Dealer N ALL Vul

9764
A9
QT762
76
J32
QJT74
54
J52
Q85
K52
A98
KQT3
AKT
863
KJ3
A984

Winning & Losing with Precision

Do you play Precision? If not, have your ever thought of taking up the “Big Club” system? It definitely has a lot of merit if you want to try it.

That Grand Feeling ...

As long as you know how to bid a slam, there is usually no need to bid a grand slam in a normal match-point session, especially on club nights. But nevertheless does it not feel great when you do bid and make a grand slam? I believe that this one is biddable no matter what system you employ.

Board 27 from Thursday 08/02/2018
Dealer S Nil Vul

A
AKT532
AKQ52
K
T865
J94
73
Q876
QJ32
87
JT64
JT3
K974
Q6
98
A9542

Thirteen Tricks

Thirteen Tricks is a series specially designed for PARTNERSHIPS. However, I am sure that even the individual reader will gain a lot from following it on their own.

Thursday Review Bonus

This one is worth documenting for a number of reasons. I hope it will be of interest to all readers, not just those who played on Friday afternoon.
Board 5 from Friday 02/02/2018
Dealer N NS Vul

K7
JT4
KQT983
93
T932
Q732
KQJT5
AJ8654
AK9
542
8
Q
865
AJ76
A7642

Low Level Penalty Doubles - Yes or No?

How do you play your takeout and penalty doubles, and when? That is a very good question and should be resolved by any partnership.

Board 3 from Thursday 01/02/2018
Dealer S EW Vul

Vil Tells It Like It Is

This time, I had a different pair to keep my eye on. The session result was mid fifties, but they scored well on this deal, thanks to opponents not playing Acol and South not opening 1NT.

Board 11 from Thursday 25/01/18
Dealer S Nil Vul

QJ32
A974
52
AJ8
T7
Q3
AQ743
T643
9864
KJ5
JT96
Q5
AK5
T862
K8
K972

Vil's Ready to Visit the TAB

In this series of Thursday Review I intend to follow the play and results of players I have mentored. I am thrilled to report that the chosen pair this week scored a tidy 79%. Both of them are keen readers and students of the game and both have read “Tips and Quips” and are enrolled for my coming programme “Thirteen Tricks”. But tricks (as in ruses) are not always necessary to do well in a match point game, this deal illustrates how very basic defence can score tops or near tops.

From Thursday 18 Jan 2018
Board 17 Dealer N Nil Vul

763
AQ74
T3
A432
K852
632
Q98765
Q4
JT9
AKQ9654
K
AJT9
K85
J872
JT

Thursday Review Introduction

In my final Wednesday Review I set an opening lead problem. That is the sort of thing that I will be concentrating on in all my Thursday Reviews.
Whereas the Wednesday reviews were mainly about basic bidding and only a modicum relating to declarer play and defence, the Thursday reviews will be much more about declarer play and defence.

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