Bidding
Robert Todd
(550) Competitive Auctions: Leaping Michaels

When RHO opens a 2-level preempt, they have started eating up our valuable bidding space. But this is just the start of their attack on us. LHO may join in the attack and raise the preempt, making our life even more difficult. When we are bidding over RHO’s 2-level preempt we should keep this in mind. We need lots of tools to deal with this situation. Let’s look at these options.

(550) Competitive Auctions: Leaping Michaels
Bidding
Robert Todd
(549) NT Bidding: Slam Tries After Stayman

One of the most common gadgets that we use when partner opens 1NT is Stayman. We primarily use Stayman to search for a 4-4 Major suit fit. After Stayman sometimes we want to have a way to raise partner’s suit where they cannot pass. We will want a “Forcing Raise” (similar to Jacoby 2NT or Inverted Minors) in order to find out more about Opener’s hand. This is missing from a standard bidding system. It is a valuable tool for making a slam try while keeping the auction from getting too high.

(549) NT Bidding: Slam Tries After Stayman
Bidding
Robert Todd
(548) NT Bidding: Modern, Transfer, and Modern ...

Lebensohl is an excellent system for dealing with interference over our 1NT opening bids. But Lebensohl has some flaws. In Lebensohl auctions we will often play the hand from the “wrong” side (Responder’s side.) Another flaw in Lebensohl relates to Responder’s strength. Responder often has three strengths (buckets) let’s see how Transfer Lebensohl is an upgrade to this.

(548) NT Bidding: Modern, Transfer, and Modern Transfer Lebensohl
Bidding
Robert Todd
(547) NT Bidding: Responding after a Penalty ...

When we open the bidding with 1NT, showing 15-17 points, if an opponent makes a penalty double, we are less likely to be looking to invite or bid game. We are usually looking to escape from a 1NT contract and attempt to find some safer place to play. This safe place will hopefully be our largest fit or a long suit in the weak hand (in Responder’s hand). In order to find this place to play we need to look at how Responder’s bidding options change after a penalty double.

(547) NT Bidding: Responding after a Penalty Double of a 1NT Opening
Bidding
Robert Todd
(546) NT Bidding: Responding to 1NT vs. 3-Level ...

There are many systems the opponents play in order to interfere over our 1NT opening bid, but almost all of these systems use the 3-level (actually 2NT+) for the same meanings – 2NT as a weak bid showing both minors and 3-level bids as weak with a long suit, preemptive. It is important that you and partner are on the same page for how to deal with this higher-level interference

(546) NT Bidding: Responding to 1NT vs. 3-Level Interference

Constructive: Opener

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(531) Fits and More: Systems for Describing Our 2-Level Preempts

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(531) Fits and More: Systems for Describing Our 2-Level Preempts

When partner preempts the bidding at the 2-Level, and we have a good hand we expect the auction to be difficult. We need to have good agreements with partner and exercise some good judgment to get to the right final contract. When we have a fit for partner’s suit (especially a Major suit) then we know what strain we are likely to play in. We need to exchange useful information with partner. There are a variety of systems for accomplishing this, including Optional Feature, Ogust, Steps, and Modified Ogust.

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(520) NT Auctions: Opponents' Doubles of Our Stayman and Transfers

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(520) NT Auctions: Opponents' Doubles of Our Stayman and Transfers

When we open a NT and partner uses an artificial conventional responses, like Stayman or Transfers, then the opponents might double as lead directing. We want to use this double against them. Here we discuss our options for bidding after this double.

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(513) Thinking and Responding: 1-minor - 1NT Auctions and Follow-Ups

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(513) Thinking and Responding: 1-minor - 1NT Auctions and Follow-Ups

When we open the bidding partner often responds with 1NT. It is important for us to have good agreements about common auctions. Here we look at auctions that start with a minor and hear partner respond 1NT. We look at what to expect and how the auction might continue.

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(511) Thinking and Responding: Walsh and Extended Walsh

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(511) Thinking and Responding: Walsh and Extended Walsh

When we respond to opener’s bid we have a priority of finding major suit fits. Opener also have a priority of showing their hand type if they do not find a major suit fit. The Walsh style of bidding and rebids are an important improvement in modern bidding.

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(509) Thinking and Responding: Vulnerability Tactics

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(509) Thinking and Responding: Vulnerability Tactics

When we are at favorable vulnerability we have a lot of different options for how to get into the auction. When we are in the 3rd seat, this is even more true. Here we look at how we can use this situation to give us a license to attack.