Double is penalty. 3♦ asks for a stopper. 3N is to play. 4N invites slam.  Your bid?

Your call? 

This is a Han where both sides can take lots of tricks. In the auction as shown it’s difficult for NS to get in, but they must! Forcing EW to 4♣ Should be a plus score for NS, and a good result. Even though NS can make 4♥ i don’t see it being bid , other than as a sacrifice against the ♣ part score.

Whats interesting is the E hand, which can be upgraded to a jump rebid of 3♣ . Now NS is less likely enter the auction, and W with scattered 8 hcp and Q♣ just might find a makeable 3NT bid…..something to ponder for next time

Pass or invite?

A classic weak 2♠ opener. N has values to double, chooses to bid ♥ instead. Yes, partner may pass with game values😩.  My concern is LHO raising to 3♠ . Now if partner passes N is able to bid 4♦ clarifying hand. (Yes, if N doubles, S may pass +800 NS, or S may get to bid at the 3 level). On this hand S clearly has enough to raise to 4♥ .

E leads a ♦ , the 10♦ wins, A trump to the A♥ , W showing out.  What next?

A classic Jacoby 2NT auction. 4♦ shows a second good 5 card suit. For those not familiar with Jacoby 2NT, bid 2♥  first establishing game values. While jumping immediately to 4♠ works fine in this case , it should only be used with weak hands and 5♠ .

I’m always opening an hand with 3 quick tricks. Every bid you make has an offensive component and a defensive component. North must decide whether to emphasize offense (bid 1♥ , or defense, bid 3♣ ). When you have the offensive bid available, even as meager as it is, it should have priority.

Your bid?

I’m not a fan of opening 1♦ with 4♦ 5♣ . I’m prepared to rebid 1NT if partner bids my singleton, and raise partners major with 3 card support. My 1NT rebid does not promise a stopper in the unbid major. And my 1NT rebid does not promise 2 card support for partners major.

This is not a mainstream view.  Most like the 1NT rebid to promise 2 card support, so responder is free to rebid their major with 5. The advocates of this style will also bypass a 4 card spade suit rebidding 1NT with 4234 shape. 

Bottom line: There is no one optional bidding system we are trying to master. As you gain experience, you will refine your bidding system based on competitive level, risk tolerance, competitive style, etc. Only make changes inspired by a reason, a problem to solve, a hole to fill. And fully understand what you are giving up to make the change.
 

W can double, planning to rebid ♥ , overcall 1♥ , or overcall 1NT. While all three have their flaws, there is one clear winner….1NT!  To be able to show both general shape and limited range of HCP in one bid is a powerful option! I don’t even need a ♦ stop.

Now what? The 2♥ cuebid is a common convention (Michael’s) meant to interfere in the opponent’s auction. When bid over a major it indicates 5+ in other major and 5+ in unspecified minor. You want to describe your hand as an invitational raise in ♥ . But with 2♥ not Available what does 3♥ mean? Competitive, Inviting?  What’s your choice and why?

Your call?

I know this is a repeat but I wanted to make an another point.  Here, partner chose not to jump to  4♠ but invite with 3♥ . Most of us call this a “help suit game try” which means “ I have at least 3 ♥ and if you have “help” in ♥ , and more than the barest minimum for your spade raise, bid 4♠ . What’s your call, and why?

This is a MAX weak 2 bid for me. 10 HCP 6 card major, my default is A one bid. Can’t stomach the three unsupported Qs though. North’s 2NT Vul? Uncomfortable, but could be now or never. It’s also a reasonable view to pass, relying on partner to balance with game values. And you should always trust your partner to do so.  But here’s what happens at my table. E with 3♠ Or even 2♠  and few points ( few enough to expect NS has game values opposite partner preempt ) bids 3♠ .  They may even smile as they table the bid….

Point is your choices don’t get any better!

After 2NT E is even more encouraged to make a no risk 3♠ Bid forcing S with game values to do something. Pass is unacceptable so the choices are double and …. 3NT? Transferring to ♥ looks wrong with this terrible suit.
BTW…please don’t pass because “I don’t know what to bid” . Make up a reason and then make up a bid. 
 

At this vulnerability I’m bidding 3NT. 
 

A question on the play: E leads 6♠ against 3NT to the Q and A♠ . Declarer leads a ♣  won by W A♣ , who returns the 7♠ . What’s Declarer play?

If you find yourself frustrated because you have values but not the “right hand to double “ , Loosen your requirements. Else you will find yourself bullied out of many an auction.

Take this hand for example. North clearly has values and should bid but nothing seems right. 1NT, 1♠ , 2♦ , and double are all possibilities.  And they all have significant flaws, (2♦ likely takes the other major out of the auction). But you can’t pass!

my minimum criteria for a double of a major in direct position is 10HCP with perfect shape. If the shape distorts minimum HCP increases, but I expect to have 4 of the other major.

 When partner bids my 2 card suit, I can correct to my 5 card suit (at the 2 level only) or pass(hoping partner has 5 or opponents bid on) 

When opponents open a minor, imperfect shape doubles will at least be 4-3 in the majors.

If my partner is a passed hand, my HCP requirements lessen by a couple points, just as the do for an overcall.

This is a good hand to discuss penalty doubles.  In the olden days. Before Losing trick Count, Nine point openers, Bergen raises, it was much easier to identify Penalty Double opportunities. Opening bids were always sound, it was comparatively easier to identify When a penalty double was right, and often double meant PENALTY. On top of that it gets very little play in the classroom. 
Here E has just had enough! Three quick tricks, partner likely leading diamonds, may even be short. Sure, partner preempts but counting them for a ♥ trick or ♦ ruff is reasonable.

This is a clear penalty double situation, and no one found the bid at the table!

No one wants to double and witness the contract made by the opponents, but if that has never happened to you YOU ARENT DOUBLING FOR PENALTY ENOUGH!

On board 12  2NT was the overcall over 2♠ With a balanced 15 vulnerable.(I’m aware that your convention card likely says 16-18). Here it’s double.  Note the difference in the hands. The 2♠ WJS is also worth noting. It is veryyyyyy weak, but it must be weaker than the weakest 1♠ response partner would ever make with 6 spades Axxxxx KJxxxx. So no matter how strong opener is, it’s unlikely you’re getting to high.  There is some risk of a penalty double.

West has enough to invite in ♦ , but 11 tricks is a high bar. Some very aggressive W will consider 2NT , which works here but breaks discipline.  Declarer should take 10 tricks on this hand.  It’s an excellent exercise in planning the play from trick 1.  What’s your plan when S leads K♠ ?

Ideally, the auction will be the same at every table. 2♦ either waiting, or GF. 2NT….3♣ stayman (some may just bid 3NT with 3433). 3♠ …3NT.

On this auction, what would you lead as west? Would you lead a major if the auction went 2♣ - 2♦ - 2N - 3N?

1NT is forcing, and 2♥ shows4/5 but no extra values. West’s pass is disciplined, but N doesn’t balance? 

The bidding as shown is the simplest of any number of possible auctions. W chooses 1N rather than 1♠ (another reasonable option) because it describes specific hcp range, general shape (balanced) and stopper in one bid. N with 6 hearts and a weak hand could bid 2♥ NF over 1NT. And here we have an important learning based on “bridge logic”.

Following RHO 1N overcall responders (N) bid options are:

10+ HCP any shape: DOUBLE , we clearly have the majority of HCP will defeat 1NT

7-9 HCP good 5 or 6 card suit or support for opener: 2♠♦ ♥ ♣ NF ( can’t have 10 HCP or would DBL)

The play: N leads the 8♦ , partners suit, rather than 4th best ♥ , 9,10, K♦ . Count winners, count losers. What’s your plan?

At this vulnerability the bidding might go like this. North might overcall 2♥ but partner is going to expect a better suit and better hand. E is close to a limit raise, but Aceless, scattered honors, and no useful shortness means no reason to upgrade.

North might be tempted to balance after 2♠ is passed back, but it’s not recommended. Some EW pairs will get to 3♠ via a Bergen raise.

West should take 9 tricks losing 1♠ 1♦ 2♣ .

Sometimes the opponents can be reeeeeally annoying! Partner has opened 2NT and RHO chimes in with 3♥ . Almost 30 HCP and no ♥ stopper. Your call?

This is a story about disciplined bidding choices for NS. N bids a forcing 1N planning to jump to 3♠ showing 3/4 ♠ and invitational values. S should bid 4 with extra length, extra shape, or 13+,14 HCP. South has none of the above and should pass.  Disciplined bidding is rewarded as only 9 tricks are available.

Choices, choices. Some will double with W cards, bringing ♠ into play immediately. With strong ♥ and short ♦ , getting the ♥  bid in immediately seems best. When E freely bids 2♦ however W hand is good enough to rebid 2♠ . This is not a “reverse”! E has shown 10+, game is not out of the question. 2♠ describes a decent overcall with 5+ ♥ and 4♠ . E has an easy raise, as some E will jump to 4♠ . After a ♣ lead 4♠ is an unlikely make missing the AQ10♠ .

Two important questions to discuss with your partner: 

1. Should minimum requirements for overcalls be different if partner is a passed hand?  I say yes. With an unpassed partner you do not know whether the hand is ‘your hand’ or not. Therefore, the overcall should have a reasonable offensive component, say 10+ and a suit QJxxx ish or better.

2. Should responder’s (2♦ E) be forcing? I say mostly, by an unpassed hand. On the convention card the options are F NF const, NF.  Most will circle F with the caveat BUPH. 
But does W with xx KQJxx xx Axx really think it’s wise to take another bid? 2♥ if you must? I think it’s prudent to realize that while the new suit bid by responder is intended as forcing, it can be passed with certain minimum overcalls. Responder with 15+ should either just bid game or cue bid with a path to clarify the situation later.

No matter how hard we try, we can’t take “good judgement” out of bridge. Take this example Playing a forcing NT the auction goes 1♥ - 1NT - 2♣ -?  This bid is NF but opener could have x AKxxx Kx KQxxx or Qxxx AKxxx xx Kx .  Knowing this , the situation demands that one should find a bid with any reasonable excuse.

The bidding as shown is reasonable, as once S decides to bid 1NT , W with 14 pts but a balanced hand will likely pass.  Should S choose to pass however, W will likely balance with either a double or 1NT . Either way N will rebid 2C and E will compete in hearts. S and W have no reason to act, N will bid 2S, and EW get to decide whether to push the auction to the three level.  You sit E and must decide after 1S-p-p-dbl-2C-2H-p-p-2S-? To pass or bid 3C? And Why?

A similar bidding dilemma as board 1, this time for N.  After 1♦ -p-p -? Both dbl and balancing NT are options. I was swayed by the strong ♦ suit. If N chooses to dbl S will bid 2, even 3♣  and that will end auction.  East leads low ♦  against 1NT. What’s your plan as declarer?

Are you “Matchpoint Greedy”? To play good bridge one must understand the scoring.  For us old timers it came naturally because scores were kept by hand.  Not so nowadays. Just like you don’t need to know how to read a map to get somewhere, you don’t need to know how to score to play bridge. But to play bridge well, it’s essential!

This auction is likely to be the same at most tables.  Some N will strongly consider passing 3NT, hoping for a top board.  Do you know why?

The play of the hand is interesting because after a normal ♥ lead N will want to ruff a ♥ in hand draw two rounds of trump and be forced to lead away from honors in either ♣  or ♦ .

I choose leading a ♦ toward the J♦ as I’m trying to avoid losing 2♦ and 2♣ tricks. This guarantees 2 ♦ losers, but may create a ♦ trick if the Q♦ is with E.

The more one knows about bridge the more perplexing this problem can be. In general, when competing for a part score contract it is often best to force the auction to the three level. But vulnerability creates mark risk as -1 doubled or -2 is -200 and a terrible part score result.  And my partner, who has doubled in 3rd seat may be a bit light, which could result in a bigger set if I bid 3♥ . On the other hand, if partner has doubled “light” the opponents may have values to explore game, and passing gives them free reign to explore.

I’m a bidder on this hand…..and encourage you to be one as well.  How did we do?

When the bidding comes around to W she must decide whether to overcall 2NT, 3♥ , or dbl planning to bid ♥ next. I prefer NT because it is right on values and keeps 3NT in play as a final contract. 2NT allows partner to better evaluate game prospects. If partner has 4♥ you will find your ♥ Game. When partner transfers to hearts, it’s hard not to bid game knowing you have a 10 card fit.
A dbl is the next best choice because it will be right on values when you are able to rebid ♥ at the 3 level. But it will focus the auction on ♥ , likely taking NT out of play. 3♥ directly is neither right on values or focus.

After the 3♦ transfer, would you bid 3♥ or jump to 4♥ ?

Cue bids (bidding the opponents naturally bid suit) have a variety of different meaning depending on the context. They are often used, however confusing, and learning to decode them in their various permutations is important. In this example the 3♣ cuebid , responding to partners suit bid at the lowest level available with the opponents bid suit, shows 3+ card support and invitational+ values. It does not convey any information about the opponents bid suit.

With 13HCP, a 6th ♥ and singleton ♠ E is at the top of the range, and jumps to game.  Declarer should easily come to 11 tricks in the play, and would make 6♥ if the A♣ was onside.  Should EW have tried for slam?

What is West’s bidding plan? A gorgeous 22 Hcp hand, with no long suit and shortness. 2♣  is easy!  E will likely respond 2♦ waiting. West’s most natural bid is 3C but is it best.

After a 3C rebid by W, E  often has a bidding problem with few values and no long suit may feel compelled to raise clubs, bypassing an otherwise playable 3NT.  In this case E will either bid 3♦ (♥ . But what does 3♥  show, A heart card inviting 3NT, a 4+ heart suit, a 5+ heart suit?.?? 
Another option is to bid 2NT even with a singleton ♥ .  It provides partner more opportunities to show her hand influencing the final contract.  Of course partner gives you the one response you don’t want to hear, bidding 3♦ . W now takes her medicine by bidding 3♥ and E could pass but likely bid 3NT.

Now that I’ve got you into this mess, help get me out. Plan the play after a low diamond lead?

Not much to the bidding or play on this hand.  North might be inclined to bid 3♣ , but it serves no purpose. It won’t interfere with the auction and is unhelpful to S who is not likely on lead. 4♣  maybe, rarely* at this vulnerability.  Against 3NT N is hard pressed to lead anything but the J♣ , with declarer winning in hand.  A ♦ to the A♦ and ♦ should lead to 11 tricks. 
Only when N is silent and doesn’t lead a ♣ may W struggle to make 5NT. 

*always and never are poor word choices when describing bridge options. They are used to simplify decision making for those learning the game. 
Mostly and rarely are much better choices.

A good hand to discuss preemptive bidding and competing there after. N has a classic 3 level preempt and opens 3♦ . E is on edge with a very good club suit and opening values would love to get into the auction, but would like to have another A or K to get into the auction. South’s pass is reasonable. W knowing that partner may have passed with a full opener should chime in with 3♥-p.  E would have preferred to hear dbl from W so the Qxxx of spades could be shown. Nevertheless game is still in play and clubs are excellent.

W with 4 card support can’t resist raising to 5♣ . It’s not a bad contract but with the K♥ behind the A♥ will go down unless S unfortunately leads the 10♥ at some point

There are a couple useful bidding lessens in this hand. First, W has choices after partners 2♥ raise. P it may be a “courtesy raise Axx Jxx xxxx xxx”. Even opposite this hand 10 tricks are available.
Invite with 2♠. Partner will raise to 3♠  which is forcing (with a min could pass or return to 3♥ . You end in 4♠ which technically often leads to an extra trick. Because discards are available on the long heart side suit.

 Jump to 4♥ . You have a 4 loser hand, and some excellent players suggest that you should expect partner who has mad a simple raise to cover 2 of those losers. The case for not passing makes a very good case for just bidding 4♥ .

S is likely to lead K♣ against Either contract. With the J♠ finessible declarer likely come to 11 tricks in ♠, but only 10 in ♥ with the bad trump break.

Time to discuss slam bidding. Scary, fun, exciting and uncommon.  And that’s the problem. Good slam bidding takes conventional agreements and plenty of practice.

Here is a hand where there are 16 tricks for the taking, so it should be easy to get to 7♣ 7♦ 7NT??? Let’s see how this pair did it.

2C: this is a 2C opener without question! 
3D: most use 2D as a “waiting bid”, having neither a “suit of their own” or a balanced hand with slam interest (2NT).  In this case W has a “suit” commonly defined as 6 cards with 2 of the top 3 honors. Because 2♦ Has another meaning E must bid 3♦ . 
4NT: asking for Key Cards. With normal suit breaks there are 12 sure tricks even if E has no clubs. And that’s in NT. In ♦ 7 is almost assured . But let’s practice.   
5C: 1430 whether 1430 or 3014 is a partnership decision.  (Note that the answer to 4NT has already been conveyed, as well as Q♦ with 3♦ bid).  
5NT: Asks for Kings, hunting for 7NT. 
6♠: K♠ lowest non trump king.  
7NT: I can count 13+ tricks

This one is wild! The 4NT bid describes a strong distributional hand with 2 suits, often the minors. You’re on the clock🤔

Here’s a hand where most NS will bit to a tame 1NT , S making a disciplined pass with a fine 10 count.  In the play, while there is a lot to do, many choices, they all work in declarer’s favor. It’s hard not make 3 or 4 NT on this hand.

DO NOT decide that this hand belongs in 3NT! Be grateful and move on.

Here’s a hand where South’s direct raise to 4♠  gets the job done, but actually shows a hand considerably weaker. S has invitational values yet won’t settle for less than game. N must respect the weaker holding and will never explore slam.  This is a situation where conventions can be helpful.  Create an artificial bid that shows invitational values and support but can’t be passed. A Bergen raise can serve this purpose. Others use a jump to 3NT to show this hand.  
Conventions have been created to solve bidding gaps that arise during standard bidding.  But with the benefits there are also trade offs (consequences) . Any time you desire to solve a bidding problem with a convention, have a reason for your choice after exploring both the benefits and shortcomings of the convention.

One principle of bridge not often discussed, is every bid you make has an “offensive” and “defensive” component. Take for example a weak 2♠ bid. It is primarily a defensive bid, but describes a hand that can provide game going values opposite the right hand.  Here is a hand where W has to decide whether to announce the offensive nature of the hand (1♦ ) or defensive nature (3♦) as opening bidder. The case for 3♦  , opponents expected to compete in majors (I have only 3); while I have close to opening values and 6 tricks ALL my values are in ♦ , and offensively 3NT is still in play should partner hold 14+.  
The case for opening 1♦ ; marginal opening values, 6 card running suit.  As you can see in the results my choice (3♦ ) turns out to be wrong! 3♦ gets passed out while 

1♦ -1♠ -2♣ -2♥ (gf)-3♦ -3NT results in a NT game.  There is no shame in being wrong in bridge! Think logically and have a reason for your choices.

Another hand where bidding takes center stage. Taking the bids one at a time:

1♦ : When 5-5 partner will expect you to bid the higher ranking suit first.  
DBL: when partner is a passed hand it is less risky to double for take out light and/or off shape. (Being NV is also a factor).  Pass is reasonable as well.  
RDBL: Originally intended as “double the stakes” bid, after the opponents have doubled our contract for penalty, it is rarely used for that these days.  It is used to covey a variety of different meanings in different situations.  It should not be used without discussing each specific use with your partner.  In this case RDBL shows values (10+ this is our hand) and promises a rebid, so opener should strain to pass (unless they have something truly unique to share).  
2♠ : partners DBL suggests majors and I have majors, but not many points, 2♠ saves a level for now (vs 3♦ Pick a major).  
3♦ : inv values ♦ Fit.  
3♥ : have ♥ also. 
4♣ : want to bid to 4♦ but have ♣ also.  
4♦ : thanks but 4 is enough 😀  

Did EW bid too high?

Note the unbalanced opening NT. E could choose to open 1♣ planning to rebid 3♣ and likely get to the same 3NT contract.  A couple comments about bidding NT naturally in any situation.

1.  1NT is the most powerful opening bid in bridge. It describes both a limited point range and general shape (no shortness) in one bid! It should be used at every reasonable opportunity.

2. I often hear players tell be they can’t bid NT because they don’t have stoppers in all unbid suits. Please disabuse yourself of this notion.  You need stoppers in opponents bid suits, suggesting NT as a final contract does not require stoppers in all unbid suits.

with S on lead and ♦ Breaking 3-3 E should come to 12 tricks.

A simple hand with some challenging questions.

1. Why doesn’t E raise to 3♣ ?
2. What should N lead at trick 1?  
3. How should W plan the play?

West with a full opener has no bid in this auction. A number of my peers would respond 1NT with an A.  But an ace with a stiff in partners suit is a no for me. W would like to reopen, but is just too weak.

Which side wins the battle after a spade lead to the A♠ and a ♣ return?

One advantage of opening the bidding is that overcallers bids are wide ranging. West with invitational values is hesitant to show them after partners overcall.  E has no reason to bid on.  With every card where it needs to be for W, declarer will come to 4♥ , 4♦ and at least tricks in the blacks, for +180.

As a final note, the best bridge players mentally keep track of every card played in every hand.  It is difficult to master but not difficult to practice, and should be a long term goal for everyone desiring to improve their game.

The bidding should be the same at every table as long as W 2♥ bid is a transfer to spades. Most S will lead a ♥ , likely the J♥ . Having no choice, declarer plays the K♥ and it wins.  Phew! We have a chance.  Let’s plan the play together. We now can count 7 tricks; 2♠ 1♥ 2♦ 2♣ . Two more are needed. ♠ Could break 40%, but have to give up lead (might be 4 ♥ losers, ), ♦ winning finesse and 3-3 break <10%; ♦ finesse and ♣ finesse 25%. 
Complicating matters, if the lead is lost, there are likely 3 ♥ losers also. Is that risk OK?  Complicated? Yes!

Pass or 2♣ ?

Most pairs will reluctantly settle for 4♠ , as neither N or S has quite enough to explore slam.  Some will try anyway, and likely get to 6♠ off 1 key card.  Others may try for a top by bidding 3NT. (Often with 28-31HCP and balanced hands NT will take as many tricks as 4 of a major).

Slow and steady wins this race as a reasonable ♠ slam fails with both Ks offside and likely ♦ Ruff; and NT only provides 9 tricks after a club lead.

All partnerships should discuss how they will handle weak hands with both majors opposite a 1NT opener.  Here N bids 2♣ intending to pass either major. Had S bid 2♦ , N 2♥ rebid would be NF by agreement. E double says I really have clubs. 

In 3♠ S has no difficulty coming to 10 tricks.