Category: Uncategorized
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Stayman & Ugly Duckling Shapes
When holding a 4-3-3-3 or 3-4-3-3 distribution, it is best to bid notrump rather than search for a 4-4 major suit fit. Since your partner opened 1NT showing one of the following shapes: 2-3-3-5, 2-3-4-4 or 3-3-3-4, at most either of you have is one doubleton. The ruffing value in the 4-4 major suit fit…
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What Would You Bid with this Hand?
I presented a mini lesson on Counting Like the Experts this afternoon at the St. Louis Regional. Shout out to those who were there…your were a great group! Afterwards, I was asked about a hand from the Wednesday evening pair session. You hold: ♠ K3 ♥ J4 ♦ Q543 ♣ K8432 You hear the auction…
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Avoid Rebidding Weak Five-Card Suits
As opener, try to avoid rebidding weak five-card suits. Look at all other options first. You Partner 1♣ 1♦/1♥/1♠ ♠ AK3 ♥ KJ10 ♦ 75 ♣ K7543 When partner responds one of a suit, rebid 1NT. Your hand is the “death shape”, but none the less a balanced hand. Rebidding 2♣ would promise a six-card…
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Hand from BAND
You hold … North ♠ A 4 ♥ A Q 2 ♦ 8 3 ♣ A K Q 8 6 2 And the bidding proceeds … South North 1♠ 2♣ 2♥ 3♣ 3♥ ? North would like to blackwood at this point but has a diamond problem ~ the unbid suit. A fun solution for…
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When to Count those Queens & Jacks
When responding to a takeout double, reevaluate those queens and jacks. When responding in a suit, subtract all points for queens and jacks in the opponents’ suit(s). When responding in notrump, count all queen and jack points in your opponents’ suit(s).
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Tip of the Day
When holding a distributional hand, prepare for various responses before opening. Assume partner will respond your shortest suit. They always do! You may find that your original opening bid might not work out as planned!
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Starbucks on the Tournament Trail ~ Tucson
Living every week in a different city, we are very dependent on our GPS to get around town. Our first venture out to find Starbucks this week in Tucson landed us at the guard station of an air force base. Now one might have followed the signs leading down the entrance way that said, “DOD…
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Bridge Stories, Jokes, Questions, Hands and More with Experts at PBB
Congratulations & Welcome to Play Better Bridge Blog ~ Your online bridge home for taking your game to the next level! On PBB Blog, you will find bridge stories, jokes, questions, hands and more from the tournament trail. Donna & Chris Compton on the tournament trail in a different city each week! Chris averages around…
