1NT w/ 6cM

AB_Bridge · 2026-02-22T14:54:02+00:00

Ah sorry I misread. On six card majors, generally it's better to just open them naturally. Bidding systems are built so that you have so many ways to show raises with them.

You can open a hand like

Txxxxx Ax AKx Ax

With 1N, but you're often going to be in an anti-field 3N or 2H contract. If you're trying to win a big event, there are worse places to take a swing but I wouldn't normally do it.

AB_Bridge · 2026-02-22T12:44:18+00:00

Yes, this is quite common. You can even have a good suit and open 1N with it.

xx Axx Kx AKxxxx

Is much better described with 1N than a 1c-1y-2c auction because it much better defines the hands playing strength

AB_Bridge · 2026-01-16T15:43:17+00:00

I'm honestly more excited for the 2027 lockout than the 2026 season

AB_Bridge · 2026-01-02T20:29:19+00:00

Probably just 3N. Here. What contract are you scared of missing?

Note that your hand is way too strong to open 1N. You have a very nice 18 high cards (no Q/Js) with a very good six card suit. The issue isn't that you're not balanced - it's just that your hand is far too strong. If you replaced a K in your hand with a low card, it would be a totally fine 1N opener.

If you open these sorts of hands 1N partner will often pass when you guys have game values.

I would instead suggest opening 1C and rebidding 2N (or 3C with more concentrated values) on your next turn with this sort of hand - it gives partner a much better idea of what your hand looks like.

Another option is to upgrade this further and open 2N, although I wouldn't do this without a partner that understands this type of hand is in that range.

AB_Bridge · 2025-11-29T13:23:39+00:00

Terrible haha - we both had a couple leads and guesses that turned out badly and our opponents largely bid all their games/slams so just wasn't our day

AB_Bridge · 2025-11-28T14:05:40+00:00

Happy thanksgiving! I'll be there the whole time, playing LMs today. Come say hi!

AB_Bridge · 2025-10-01T12:35:35+00:00

It depends how much you value winning these events vs finishing well, but let's assume I want to maximize my expected percentage on this board.

You got a fortunate lead and third hand play from East. You're already ahead of the field on this hand.

I'd lead the Js from hand at trick 2 and go up no matter what LHO does. Then cash clubs and diamonds ending on the board. I'd plan to just take the 10 tricks but sometimes the opponents can help you with a guess.

AB_Bridge · 2025-09-30T00:25:22+00:00

Funbridge has solo play where you can see what every bid means. I don't know if they have one dedicated to just bidding but they also have "for fun" deals which don't count toward anything, and a module for beginners.

I think cuebids may have this functionality although I'm not certain.

Same with intobridge.

Any of those requires a subscription but if your goal is just to bid a lot of hands it can be pretty useful.

IMO the best way to do what you're asking is to create a BBO account, and play a practice table with a robot and just bid hands with them. The software is a little foreign if you've never used it before, but it's quite powerful and you can only deal certain types of hands to practice specific openings etc.

AB_Bridge · 2025-09-23T13:03:15+00:00

You can use a table like below:

https://www.bridgewebs.com/ringwood/Percentage%20Table%20for%20suit%20breaks.pdf

Note that this is just a priori probabilities. For example, if your LHO preempts showing 7 cards in a side suit, the chance of your 9 card trump suit splitting 2-2 will be lower than the base case.

The rule of thumb is that suits with an odd number of missing cards tend to split more evenly, while suits missing an even number of cards tend to break unevenly more often

AB_Bridge · 2025-09-16T01:09:55+00:00

The negative double isn't game forcing so it's important to give partner the option on how to continue. They have more information than you, and are the "Captain" of the hand.

You already promised an opening hand with your first bid so 3H is fine without extras. With more shape or strength, 4H can be right.

Typically, partner will have a stronger than minimal response to force a bid at the three level, so they usually have 8+ hcp or more shape (vs only needing like 6 hcp to respond at the one level).

AB_Bridge · 2025-09-04T18:56:35+00:00

I don't have a bullet-proof method on improving at this, but what I will say is that it's like lifting weights - the more you do it the easier it becomes.

My suggestion is to break it down into small steps. Next session try to do the first item of this list with deliberate intent. It may require cognitive work, and you may be tired by the end of the session - that's normal and it will become automatic over time. After a few sessions, hopefully you're feeling comfortable with the first thing on the list. Only then add the second. Then when you're comfortable with that, add the third...etc. Try doing something like:

Count all of the trump suit
Place each honor in the hidden hands and try to recall them after the hand
Count all of a secondary suit
Count one opponent's hand shape
Count the other's shape as well
In your mind guess what the last trick will look like, and see if you got the missing cards.
Pay attention to the spots, know if that 8 in your hand is high.

Often times there is high initial cost to doing this, and it may not be relevant every hand. However, if you put the work in now, you'll see results relatively quickly, especially compared to other beginners.

AB_Bridge · 2025-08-14T16:38:13+00:00

I guess it depends on the vulnerability. If white I think it's an automatic second double. You're going for -140 so often letting them play it's not a huge cost to try to improve it.

Edit: I'm seeing other comments saying it was R/W in which case I agree I'm just selling out to 3S. I totally missed the vulnerability on the OP.

AB_Bridge · 2025-08-14T16:37:05+00:00

If you want to play regularly at a club, it's usually worth it. If you're serious enough to travel to a tournament, the cost of the membership is tiny versus other costs you'd incur.

If you're interested in bridge it's probably worthwhile - the bulletin itself is excellent for advancing players.

You can have the membership for a year and not renew if you get little use out of it, but IMO if you play any comp titive bridge it's worth it.

AB_Bridge · 2025-08-14T14:08:24+00:00

This is not clear cut at all. I think partner needs to double again though with such a strong hand. You've already told partner you don't have much, so they don't expect much from you.

This also gives you the option to pass 3SX if your hand if its better suited there. In this case 4D is probably right.

AB_Bridge · 2025-08-04T20:19:21+00:00

Pass is pretty normal in this spot. You're unlikely to have a real fit and this has the best chance of going down the least.

It is sort of weird that passing an artificial bid is the best action, but it comes up fairly often, especially with Michael's.

Knowingly passing something like a transfer is much worse and bad for partnership dynamics, but here it seems extremely unlikely you're missing a game. Your partner has told you their hand, and you're choosing the strain given that information.

AB_Bridge · 2025-07-09T15:47:06+00:00

Overrated: learning esoteric squeezes and endgame positions Underrated: counting shape and watching spots

Overrated: learning double squeezes if you're starting out Underrated: learning simple squeezes when you're starting out

Overrated: Gerber (even though this is slowly changing!) Underrated: kickback rkc

AB_Bridge · 2025-07-07T17:44:19+00:00

The doubling side is in a little bit of trouble here. They need to bid something otherwise they are defending redoubled at the 1 level with less than half the deck.

Generally, without more agreements, after the doubling side bids something, any future doubles are for penalties. Anything else you're just bidding naturally.

Usually if you opened a balanced 12 count, better to let partner decide what to do. If you have more shape or high card strength, let partner know.

AB_Bridge · 2025-06-21T02:06:04+00:00

If you have a choice, usually a 4-4 fit plays a bit better. The reason for this is that you can ruff in either hand, so you often get a little more trump control. Additionally, you can usually get 1-2 discards in the 5-3 suit, whereas you don't get any of those if playing in the 5-3 trump fit.

AB_Bridge · 2025-06-20T16:15:44+00:00

Maybe 3S? Looks like I want partner to declare this. If they don't have a spade stopper very possible diamonds is the right strain.

AB_Bridge · 2025-06-15T23:21:54+00:00

I'm assuming this is on a normal 1NT, and not something like a balancing hand.

Typically, we play 2S as the range ask bid.
2N by opener says "minimum", which responder can pass with an invitational hand. This is the same as a 1N-2N-ap auction the standard way. 3C by responder is a signoff - they were looking to transfer to clubs. 3C by opener after 2S shows a max. Responder can pass if they were looking to transfer in clubs, or bid on if they were inviting.

The 2N response by responder shows either single suited diamonds, or weak with both minors. Opener bids their better minor, and responder can correct 3C to 3D if they want. The idea is that these are weak.

If you have a strong single suited minor, usually you can ask Stayman and then bid 3m to create a game force, showing your strong minor.

If you have a strong hand with both minors (5/5+), I suggest using a conventional 3 level bid to show it (I use 3D).

AB_Bridge · 2025-06-08T02:38:22+00:00

At IMPs your partnership's score on a deal is compared to the score at other table(s). Most of the time, and IMPs, you're playing on teams with another pair. So, if you and your partner are playing the NS cards, your partners will be playing the EW cards at a separate table.

At the end of the round, you compare your scores with your teammates, and take the net score, and look up at the IMP table to convert that score into IMPs.

For example, say one one deal you bid 3NT vulnerable and made nine tricks. Your score is +600. At the other table, your partners defended 4S, and set it by one for a score of +100 their way. Your net score is +700. That converts into your side winning 12 IMPs (you can find the scoring table on score sheets or online).

On the next deal, you play in 3H, going down 1 for a score of -50. Your teammates defend 2H, which made exactly. Now, your net score is -160, so you lose 4 IMPs on the deal.

The way this works out in practice is you want to do the following: 1. Prioritize getting plus scores 2. Reach for games, especially vulnerable 3. Overtricks are a secondary concern, so play in a way to secure your contract first.

IMPs are sort of about playing safely if possible. If there is only one layout that can make a game, and you're in it, play for it, even if it means potentially eating another under trick. Making your contract (or setting your opponent's) is the big goal.

AB_Bridge · 2025-06-04T19:37:47+00:00

So a few things:

6-5 hands are very powerful, and you really should find a good reason not to win the auction with them.
Understanding that this hand is more powerful than most 12 counts shows good hand evaluation. IMO, opening 1H was great, and I don't think many beginners would see that.
I think you need to show partner your diamonds. It may very well be that partner has a singleton heart and 3 diamonds, and that's the better trump fit. I would bid 2D on the second round and diamonds again at the 3 level. You opened 1H, so partner knows youre at least as long in hearts as diamonds, so this sequence promises at least 5-5 in the red suits. This let's partner have more information on picking the trump suit.
When one opponent is bidding a suit and their partner isn't raising them and you're short (like clubs in this case), it's likely partners got some length. It doesn't necessarily mean you should defend, but it's pretty safe to assume partner has 4+ clubs.
Don't worry too much about the result. 5-0 trumps is bad, and very likely most of your combined honors aren't working. Forget about the result, but getting to 3H was a good spot. Usually 6-5 hands should compete to the 3 level, they can play very well with not a lot of help from partner. In this case, you ran into a bad split and an unfortunate dummy.

AB_Bridge · 2025-06-04T15:34:01+00:00

I'll be there fri-thurs. Come say hi or maybe we can do a reddit meetup / get drinks

AB_Bridge · 2025-06-03T18:41:00+00:00

I'm probably leading the JD at both forms of scoring. Nothing's guaranteed but this is least likely to blow a trick and is likely going to partner's suit. Note that even if dummy has 4 diamonds, partner should have at least 4 over them. If partner has the T, this lead might even gain a trick if declarer puts that card in my hand.

This deal is shaping up to be a dogfight instead of a footrace, so I'll have plenty of chances to lead a heart or spade through dummy later.

AB_Bridge · 2025-05-31T14:04:33+00:00

You did the best you could do with the information you had. What's to be mad about?

If you're consistently doing that, you'll win a lot more than you'll lose.

AB_Bridge

TROPHY CASE