Book One Beginning Bridge - ebedcio.org.uk

Book One

Beginning Bridge

Teachers’ Notes

2019 edition Version 1.1 October 2019

Introduction

Version 1.1 2019 T2

Contents

Introduction

Welcome T2 How to use the Teachers’ notes T3 Teaching Methods used in these Teachers’ notes T4 Teaching Scheme 30 week schedule T5-7 Books and Resources T8 Getting Started with Bridge Teaching objectives for ‘Section 1; lessons plans 1 to 5 T9-T13 Getting started with bridge – Guidance and resources T14-T31 An introduction to Bidding Teaching objectives for ‘Section 2; lesson plans 6 to 8 T32-T35 An introduction to bidding – Guidance and resources T36-T38 Opening One of a Suit Teaching objectives for Section 3; lesson plans 9 to 13 T44-T48 Opening one of a suit – Guidance and resources T49-T60 Declarer Play Teaching objectives for Section 4; lesson plans 14 to 16 T61-T64 Declarer Play – Guidance and resources T65-T76 Defence Teaching objectives for ‘Section 5; lesson plans 17 to 18 T77-T79 Defence – Guidance and resources T80-T89 The Competitive Auction Teaching objectives for ‘Section 6; lesson plans 19 to 22 T90-T94 Competitive Auction – Guidance and resources T95-T104 Introducing Stayman Teaching objectives for ‘Section 7; lesson plan 23 T105-T109 ‘Stayman’ – Guidance and resources T109-T110 Higher Level Opening Bids Teaching objectives for ‘Section 8’; lesson plans 24 to 25 T111-T113 Strong opening bids (2NT and 2C) – Guidance and resources T114-T121 Pre-emptive Openings Weak Two opening bids; lesson plan 26 T122 Pre-emptive bids; lesson plans 27, 28, guidance and resources T123-T128 Slams Teaching objectives for Section 9; lesson plan 29 T129 Slam bidding – Guidance and resources T130 Appendices Competition / assessment for the Year – lesson 30 T131-T133 Mid year assessment record / end of year assessment record T134-T135 Student assessment test T136-T141

Introduction

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Welcome

Welcome to the 2019 edition of the Book One – Beginning Bridge Teachers’ Notes. For those who are new to teaching bridge using the Bridge for All scheme I hope you find these notes easy to use. The teaching scheme is based on a 30-week model enabling a basic course that can be completed in one year with three terms of up to 10 weeks each. This is compatible with a typical academic year but you may adjust the schedule to suit your own setting. If you prefer to have a break after two terms, then the notes are flexible enough for you to do this – a natural break comes after lesson 21. This leaves strong bids and higher level opening bids to be covered after a break. An optional lesson for 4441 hands is included. The student’s text book contains many exercises and hand sets but there are some additional exercises and hands in these Teachers’ Notes. Everything in this manual can be reproduced for your use in your own bridge teaching, subject to the copyright restrictions on the back page of this book. It can also be kept electronically and pages printed out without further permission being sought. Hand sets for the lessons are available to EBTA members via the Teacher Zone. In the 2019 version of Beginning Bridge the Chapters are divided further into sections (2.1, 2.2, 2.3 etc) and these new references have been added into these Teacher’s Notes. In keeping with current bidding styles, we have also removed material on Strong Twos (2♦, 2♥, 2♠). A change has also been made to include weak jump overcalls in the Competitive auction section. This replaces the (six card suit) intermediate strength jump overcall shown in previous versions. Further teaching information and advice can be found at http://www.ebedcio.org.uk/ , on our forum and at the Teacher Zone. I wish you a happy and successful time teaching bridge. Donna Wright, CEO, EBED, September 2019

http://www.ebedcio.org.uk/

Introduction

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How to use the Teachers’ Notes

This is a guide to planning your bridge teaching for beginners, in conjunction with the course book ‘Book One: Beginning Bridge’.

The course uses Foundation Level Standard English Acol for its bidding and play system. This is based on Acol with 12-14 (weak) 1NT, 4 card majors, weak two openers (in three suits) and weak jump overcalls. A System File is available for download You should not alter any of the system agreements or discuss alternatives, however superior you think other methods are, as this will only confuse your students and your changes may not sit well with our carefully designed system.

The notes consist of the following elements:

NOTES FOR A SPECIFIC TOPIC The teaching notes for each topic are organised in the sequence:

Teaching Objectives - these are now in each lesson plan

A sample plan for each two-hour lesson

Notes on how to approach the teaching

Summary tables of resource materials and hands

Additional teacher’s resources for use in class

LESSON PLANS

These plans are only a guide for a two-hour lesson given to ‘average’ students

Classes of a different duration will definitely need a different plan

Plans need changing if students learn more slowly or more quickly

Don’t feel you must teach everything. – adapt to suit your students

Plans cross-reference Book One - Beginning Bridge

A list of teaching methods (and abbreviation used in the plans) is shown on the next page

TEACHING NOTES

Notes give objectives for the whole topic – decide which are relevant to a lesson

Notes suggest teaching ideas, but use your well-tried methods if you have them

Notes indicate a good sequence for teaching the topic

HANDS AND RESOURCES

The hands and resources in the student book are cross-referenced to the plans

Curtain cards or ‘hand strips’ can be used for students to make up the deals

Dealing machine files with the hands are available from the EBED Teacher Zone.

For support on use of the hand generator sign up to our EBED teachers forum

REFERENCES

There are file names (BB S1 1.8 etc) on the pages of hands. These refer to the dealing machine files which are available from the Teacher Zone

There are extra tasks, quizzes or hands which have references “TR” (meaning “Teaching Resource”) and they are numbered TR1, TR2 etc. Where a sequence may seem out of order it is because a resource from a previous version of these notes has been moved, but the resource number is unchanged.

Introduction

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Teaching Methods used in these Teachers’ Notes

CDL Co-operative Discovery Learning

A term for all kinds of student-centred learning of a practical nature. Groups of students are set problems and encouraged to solve them amongst themselves, discovering solutions through their own efforts.

CHAL Challenge to Students

Asking students to create one or more hands or a whole deal to match a given bidding sequence. Works best as a group activity.

CHAT Exposition Presentation of material by description, explanation and commentary supplemented by visual aids as appropriate, with student questioning and interaction encouraged.

CTEE Committee Bridge

Two or more students work together to decide on the correct bid or play throughout the hand.

DEMO Demonstration Showing a play technique, perhaps by grouping all students round the table or using a felt board or computer play program.

DISC Discussion Commonly following play of hands, checking what happened, if it went wrong and why.

DRAG Elicitation Dragging out from the students the points you want them to remember, using a question and answer technique.

LEC Lecture Non-interactive presentation of material. Should be kept short!

PLAY Play May be of randomly dealt, student-created or pre-prepared hands.

QUIZ Quiz Could be oral or written, individual or group, during a teaching session or as homework.

Q & A Question & Answer

Used to check understanding of a group or individual. Prefer questions that require more than YES/NO answers.

RECAP Recapitulation Usually at the end of a session, covering the lesson’s key points.

REVN Revision At the start of a session, reviewing points covered last time.

SYNC Synchronised Activity

All tables work with the same cards at the same time – either pre-prepared by the teacher or given out in class.

XPLOR Exploration Students make up a given hand, then deal the remaining cards for the other three hands. They then discuss and/or play out the hands to see the how things work out. Two hands rather than one can be given or just a single suit.

Introduction

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Teaching Scheme - Summary of lessons, resources and hands

Page Lesson Section Topic Resources Hands (dealfiles) 10 1 Getting started with Bridge 1.1 MiniBridge intro How many points? TR1,

MiniBridge exercise 1.7 (P11)

TR2 (BB S1 TR2) 8 hands

11 2 Playing with trumps 1.2 Play with trumps MiniBridge scoring TR4 and Sect 1.7 P11

TR3 (BB S1 TR3) 3 hands

12 3 Introducing declarer play 1.3 Planning the play Making tricks P15 Planning the play TR6

Sect 1.8 (BB S1 1-8) Hands 1-4

13 4 Introducing Defence 1.4 Leads / attitude What should we lead TR7, Play on partners lead TR8

Sect 1.8 (BB S1 1-8) Hands 5-8

13 5 Practice play Minibridge SIMS PAIRS Available from EBED TR5 (BB S1 TR5) or use sims

33 6 How the bidding works – opening 1 NT

2.1 2.2

Introduction to bidding Open 1 NT 1NT balanced responses

Introbridge chart TR9, (optional). Hands that open 1NT TR10, Hand which do not open 1NT, TR11, Respond to 1NT TR12a, Begin bidding exercise 2.5

Sect 2.6 (BB S2 2-6) TR14 hand 5 and 7 only

34 7 Responses to 1NT 2.3 Unbalanced responses Respond to 1NT TR12b Exercise on bidding TR13 Summary of learning 2.4

Sect 2.6 (BB S2 2-6) TR14 (BB S2 TR14)

44 8 One level suit openings and limit raises

3.1 3.2

Choosing a suit to open Raising partners suit

Which suit to open TR15 Exercise: suit bidding Sect 3.9 Deal to make up TR17

Sect 3.10 (BB S3 3-10) 1-4 same major suit

45 9 New suit and no trump responses

3.3 No trump and new suit responses Openers weak rebids

Which suit to respond TR16 Change of suit Sect 3.9 Deal to make up TR18

Sect 3.10 (BB S3 3-10) 5-8 diff suit/NT response TR20 (BB S3 TR20)

46 10 Finishing the Auction 3.4 3.5

Practice of complete auction Rebids by opener Rebids by responder

Use hands from previous two lessons

Introduction

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Page Lesson Section Topic Resources Hands (dealfiles) 47 11 Opener’s rebid with a

strong hand 3.6 Rebid to show extra length

Rebid to show second suit Rebid to show strength Show support / deny support

Deal to Make up TR19 Summary of learning 3.8

3.10 (BB S3 TR20)

48 12 Getting into No Trumps

3.7 No trump rebids by opener Showing a balanced hand (15-19) with a rebid

Exercise: strong balanced Sect 3.9 (P49) Bidding strong balanced hands TR21 Deal to make up TR22

Play hands made in class

48 13 Competition

Mid year assessment

TR23 (BB S3 TR23)

62 14 Declarer play techniques

4.1, 4.2 Develop tricks from a suit Entries and communications

Entries /communications TR24a Declarer NT play quiz TR26 Card combinations TR27

TR25 (BB S4 TR25)

63 15 Declarer play in no trumps 4.3, 4.6

Planning the play Finesse

Declarer play in trumps TR28 Exercise Declarer play 4.6 (P69) Exercise on finesse 4.6 P71 (and TR24b)

TR29 (BB S4 TR29) Sect 4.7 (BB S4 4-7) Hands 1-4

64 16 Declarer play in a suit contract

4.4 Using trumps Ruff in dummy / Cross ruff Set up a side suit

Exercise using a trump suit, 4.6 P73 Summary of learning 4.5

Sect 4.7 (BB S4 4-7) Hands 5-8 TR29 (BB S4 TR29)

78 17 The Opening Lead

5.1, 5.2,5.3

Opening lead Leads against NT / leads against suit contracts

What should you lead? 5.8 Examples TR30, Quiz on leads TR31

Sect 5.9 (BB S5 5-9) Hands 1-4 are NT Hands 5-8 suit contracts

79 18 Defenders play of the cards

5.4, 5.5, 5.6

Returning partners suit 2nd player low / 3rd player high

Summary of learning Sect 5.7 Exercise on 3rd hand play, TR33

TR29 (BB S4 TR29)

91 19 Suit overcalls and responses

6.1 Simple overcall Respond to an overcall

Hands to overcall TR35 Respond to overall TR36 Competitive auction P105 Summary Section 6.6

Sect 6.9 hands 1-4 (BB S6 6-9)

Introduction

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Page Lesson Section Topic Resources Hands (dealfiles) 92 20 Simple Take out Double 6.2 Simple take out double

Double after an opening bid (second seat)

Double and respond Sect 6.8 P107

Sect 6.9 hands 5-12 (BB S6 6-9)

93 21 1NT overcall and responses

6.4 Overcall a suit bid with 1NT Respond to partner

Bidding exercise P109 Examples TR38 Exercise TR39

Sect 6.9 hands 13-16 (BB S6 6-9)

94 22 Overcalling with a long suit

6.6 Use a weak jump overcall Bidding exercise TR L22 (1) BB S6 TR-L22

106 23 Stayman Convention 7.1 Use a conventional bid Bid and respond to find a 4-4 major fit

Examples TR40 Exercise Sect 7.3 P118

Sect 7.4 (BB S7 7-4) TR43

112 24 The 2NT opening bid 8.1 2NT opener (with recap of 1NT responses) Respond balanced / unbalanced / Stayman

Examples P121 Exercise TR46 T110 Exercise TR47 T110 Summary Sect 8.5 P126

Sect 8.7 (BB S8 8-7) 1-4 P129 2NT

113 25 The 2 ♣ Opening bid

8.2 Strong opener 2 Club Negative / positive bids

Exercise TR48 T115 Exercise TR49 T117

Sect 8 8.8 (BB S8 8-8) 5-8 P130 2C opener

122 26 Weak twos in diamonds, harts and spades

8.4 A pre-emptive bid / weak six card suit Bid and respond

Examples: Sect 8.4 P124 Exercise Sect 8.6 P127

Sect 8 8.9 (BB S8 8-9)

123 27 Pre-emptive bids

8.10 Opening bids at the 3- level (or higher). / respond to pre-empt

Examples TR55, exercise TR56

Sect 8 8.14 (BB S8 8-14)

124 28 Defence against pre-emptive bids

8.11 Countering action after opponents open a pre-empt

Exercise TR57 Summary Sect 8.12

Sect 8 8.14 (BB S8 8-14)

129 29 Slam bidding

9.1 Using Blackwood Conventional bid

Exercise: Try for slam Sect 9.3 P143

Sect 9 9.4 (BB S9 9-4)

131 30 Play / review

End of year assessment Student assessment records Student assessment test

End of year mixed practice play set BB TR43

Introduction

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Books and resources

EBED Publications are available from: the www.bridge-warehouse.co.uk Bridge Flippers - NEW A postcard sized spiral bound colourful flipper for each term of learning. Sold individually Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3 or get the complete set. Practise Beginning Bridge EBU 2017 A book of 99 practice hands for students following Book One: Beginning Bridge. This companion volume is ideal for student’s play outside of class or use in the classroom.

Really Easy Bidding EBU 2009 The Standard English Acol System exactly as it is taught in the Beginning Bridge student notes. After about 12 lessons some students will benefit from reading this book, others will not want it until the end of the course.

Foundation Level Standard English System Summary Card EBED 2019 A quick reference card for students to use at the table.

Really Easy Modern Acol EBU 2007 Not for the weaker student until at least another year of learning. But for those students keen to play in local clubs, this book helps them understand the bidding of others.

Really Easy Play in No Trumps EBU 2002 There is never enough time to teach card play fully in class and reading this book and doing the exercises will do a great deal to instil good basic principles.

Really Easy Play with Trumps EBU 2012 This book follows on from Really Easy Play in No Trumps and should be read second.

Really Easy Mistakes EBU 2005 Makes a good prize for the end of year competition or to give to existing players who want to take up duplicate and need to learn a sensible system.

Online Resources available from EBED ❑ A pdf copy of these notes is available on request

❑ Dealing machine files (dlm / pbn) for all the hands to be played

❑ Visit the Teacher Zone on line. For EBTA members, accessible from MyEBU.

Assessment It is very important that you monitor your students’ progress as a matter of good teaching practice. Your bridge club may welcome this, and it may be a requirement if you teach in a school, college or Local Education Authority. Simple records of student learning and achievement are at the end of this guide. Finally, there is an ‘End of Year Quiz’ which you can use to see what has been learned and retained.

SECTION 1: Getting Started with Bridge

T10

Teaching objectives for ‘Getting started with Bridge’

Objectives

On completion of this topic, the students will be able to:

Basic mechanics of the game

❑ recognise the four suits and the relative rank of the cards

❑ recognise who has won a trick and who leads to the next trick

❑ know that bridge is a partnership game

❑ count High Card Points to estimate the value of a hand

❑ play the cards in a duplicate style

❑ use MiniBridge scoring

Choosing the contract

❑ describe what a trump suit means

❑ choose a trump suit, that normally has at least eight cards

❑ recognise a hand suitable for no trumps

❑ choose game in a major or no trumps when they have 25 or more points

❑ understand that game in a minor will usually need more HCP

Planning the play as declarer

❑ make a preliminary plan for the play of the hand before playing from dummy

❑ count tricks from simple card combinations

❑ start taking account of entries in their planning

❑ force out opponents’ high cards to establish winners

❑ begin to appreciate the value of drawing defenders’ trumps early

Defending the hand

❑ use the same techniques as a defender as used when declarer

❑ lead top of a sequence

❑ co-operate with partner in simple defences

❑ say what is different about defending against no trumps or a trump contract.

Terms introduced in this section: Ace, king, queen, jack, club, diamond, heart, spade, suit, suit ranking Contract, declarer, dummy, defender, entry, winner Game, part game / part score, tricks, bonus, Follow suit, discard, lead, points, major, minor, no trumps, ruff, trump

MiniBridge Simultaneous Pairs If you are starting your teaching in September, don’t forget to enter the MiniBridge Simultaneous Pairs, held during a 4-week period during October and November. Give Lisa a ring on 01296 317217 or email [email protected] to register and receive electronic copies of the hands and commentaries. A single table is enough. It’s free to enter, so please encourage your students to try it.

mailto:[email protected]

Section 1: Getting Started with Bridge

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Getting started with Bridge Lesson 1

Learning objectives:

❑ recognise the four suits and the relative rank of the cards

❑ recognise who has won a trick and who leads to the next trick

❑ know that bridge is a partnership game

❑ count High Card Points to estimate the value of a hand

❑ play the cards in a duplicate style

❑ use MiniBridge scoring

Lesson Plan

Activity Method Time Notes on activities

Introduction Section 1

CHAT 10

Introduce yourself. Paperwork. How class works. Get to know the students. It’s more important that students enjoy this class than that they learn anything! GET CARDS IN THEIR HANDS - ASAP!

Pack of cards

CHAT 5 Find out who has played cards before. Suits, Relative rank – ace high. No wild cards or jokers Students help each other put out the cards in sequence

What is a trick? Section 1.1

CHAT PLAY

5

25

Highest card wins. Do NOT mention trumps today Play clockwise Start with one suit (remove the two) if they don’t know what a trick is, don’t bother otherwise. Explain the essential mechanics of playing out a hand Try using a 28-card pack (AKQJ1032 only) Play with whole hand – no partners Point out value of sorting hand. Keep playing like this today if class is very inexperienced.

Break 10 Get people talking and mixing

MiniBridge TR1 (T19)*

CHAT 10 Why we start with playing MiniBridge Mechanics and rules. Use TR1 as an exercise on counting points.

TR2 (T19)

(BB S1 TR2) PLAY 50

Randomly dealt hands played in no trumps or use ones given in TR2.

Review RECAP 5 Bridge as a social activity. Best card game for four players. Trick taking game.

Next time More about playing the cards, this time using trumps.

Homework Section 1.7 P11

QUIZ

A hand of MiniBridge. Do this at home. The answers are on the following page in the book.

Book pages

Tell students that P1-3 recap today’s lesson. Encourage them to read this short section of the book.

Additional resources on line at www.nofearbridge.co.uk/minibridge

http://www.nofearbridge.co.uk/minibridge



Playing with Trumps Lesson 2

Learning objectives: ❑ describe what a trump suit means

❑ choose a trump suit, that normally has at least eight cards

❑ recognise a hand suitable for no trumps

❑ choose game in a major or no trumps with 25 + points

❑ understand that game in a minor usually needs 27/28+ points

Lesson Plan


Intro Section 1.1

Q&A 5 Who is new this week? Check what they know. Quick revision on what was covered last week. How many tried the exercise at home? Problems?

Trumps Section 1.2

CHAT 10 What are trumps? Deal four cards. Ask who wins the trick if spades are trumps? Hearts? Diamonds? Clubs?

Choosing trumps TR3 ((T22),

(BB S1 TR3)

Hand A

SYNC DRAG

25

Hand to play twice, at Minibridge, with different trump suits. The lesson is that length is more important than strength in choosing trumps. Normally we need at least 8 cards between the two hands for a trump suit.

Scoring P4 TR4 (T19)

CHAT QUIZ

20

MiniBridge scoring with trumps. Use TR3 to see if scoring is understood. What is needed for game and ‘not game’ How much we need for game. Look at hands; see how many winners and losers.

Break 10

Trumps strategy TR3 (T22),

Hand B & C

SYNC 40

Two prepared hands to play with discussion. This is the first time students see a hand written down, explain notation. Quick students can always deal extra hands to play.

Review RECAP 10

❑ length not strength for trumps

❑ more tricks needed for minor suit game

❑ a trump suit needs 8+ cards between two hands,

❑ majors v NT v minors

❑ for no trump game we usually need 25+ HCP

Next time Learning about declarer play.

Try This P13

Scoring a session of MiniBridge. The way to score is on the bottom of page 8 of the book. There is a full scoring table on P151.

Book pages MiniBridge P3 and Trumps P4.



Introducing declarer play Lesson 3

Learning objectives: ❑ make a preliminary plan for the play of the hand before playing from dummy

❑ count tricks from simple card combinations

❑ start taking account of entries in their planning

❑ force out opponents’ high cards to establish winners

❑ begin to appreciate the value of drawing defenders’ trumps early

Lesson Plan


Intro

Section 1.2

Q&A 10 Review choice of denomination and points needed for game.

Tricks from simple card combinations

Section 1.3

P15

QUIZ

15 Just because students have played bridge before doesn’t mean they know how to play the cards. This exercise shows who understands about tricks, it’s usually the whist players!

How many tricks? Put out the cards on the table.

Take plenty of time till everybody can see the answer.

Discuss a hand

Section 1.8

P17 (BB S1 1-8)

Hands 1 & 2

DISC

SYNC

15 Small groups discussing how many tricks can be made and how the hand should be played to make sure we cash all our tricks. You can put the hand on the board but it is best if the students make up the deal with cards on the table and actually try their plan and see if it works.

Break 10

Practical

Section 1.8

P17

Hands 3 & 4

PLAY 30 Two more prepared hands. If you play SYNC then you discuss the hands with the group before they forget what they did.

Suggest to students that they make up the hands and replay them at home – several times will be needed for most people!

Practical

TR5 (T23),

(BB S1 TR5)

PLAY 30 More hands to play (if time allows)

Review RECAP 10 ❑ make a plan

❑ count winners

❑ look for opportunities to make up deficit

❑ usually a good idea to draw trumps

Next time What can defenders do?

Try This TR6 (T25)

Planning the play. Classroom or homework task

Book pages

P4-6. Keep it simple at this stage, keeping to the advice on these pages.



Introducing Defence Lesson 4

Learning objectives: ❑ use the same techniques as a defender as used when declarer

❑ lead top of a sequence

❑ co-operate with partner in simple defences

❑ say what is different about defending against no trumps or a trump contract.

Lesson Plan


Intro

Q&A 10 A short discussion about the homework TR6. Don’t spend long on the hands. An answer sheet is available

Planning the defence Section 1.4

CHAT 5 You can do one lesson on leads and the next one on signals if you have spare time. Otherwise try to mention both in this lesson.

Play hand Section 1.8 P18 (BB S1 1-8) Hand 7

PLAY DISC SYNC

15 Play the hand at all tables, which suit and which card

do we lead? Why hearts? Why K? Why does it beat the contract? The defence should get declarer down.

Leads CHAT 15 Why choose a particular suit and card to lead?

Opening leads TR7 (T27)

QUIZ DISC

20

Students work in pairs or tables. What should West lead? What suit? What card? Why?

Break 10

Hand to play Section 1.8 P18 (BB S1 1-8) Hand 8

PLAY DISC

30 See if E/W can beat the contract. Rotate the board and

let another pair try and beat 4. Repeat twice more.

What happens on A lead? Or a spade?

3rd hand play TR8 (T29)

CHAT 10 Exercise on third hand play. If you have time, try putting out the cards and working out what to do.

Review RECAP 5 Summarise defence points you have covered.

Next time MiniBridge revision, using all we have learned so far. Don’t say competition, it puts students off!

Homework TR8 (T29)

Suggest that students finish off TR8 with a pack of cards at home if you did not complete it in class

Book Pages P7-9 and there is a summary of the topics on P10 (section 1.6)

The Introbridge chart TR9 (T31) is for (optional) use before students learn about bidding.

MiniBridge Revision Lesson 5

Revision opportunity! Over a 6-week period from mid-October, we run a MiniBridge Simultaneous Pairs. It’s scored on the ECATS web site – so after just 5 or 6 weeks, students can take part in their first nationally organised EBU event. Ring Lisa 01296 317217 for details. Even with only four students, a one-table competition can be arranged. It is very unlikely you will play more than 8 hands in two hours.



Getting started with Bridge – How to teach this topic

Introduction These early lessons set the tone for the whole course; don’t be tempted to rush them. You will need to be flexible, as students will come with a wide variety of backgrounds. Some will be experienced whist players or even have played some kitchen bridge, while others will scarcely know their way round a pack of cards. With certain classes you can cut down on the time spent on the earlier activities, with others it’s worth spending longer.

Guard against being led too fast by a vociferous, self-confident minority and be sure to build solid foundations for all. Students who have difficulty recognising the suits or holding and sorting their hands may turn out to be your star players – but not if they are intimidated at this stage.

The value of MiniBridge Warning

It is recommended that you spend the first part of the course learning and playing MiniBridge. The advantages of this are:

• it allows students to start playing cards immediately

• it gives students a feel for how tricks are won and lost, so the bidding means something when it is introduced later

• it develops students’ card playing skills so that when they move on to bridge, they have some chance of making the contracts they bid

Occasionally, students object to this approach because they came to learn bridge. The best analogy is with children’s activities at nursery school, which prepare them to learn to read. Students need to be got into a state of bridge readiness! Also assure them they will get further faster with this approach. After all, you are the teacher and know what you are doing!

Getting started Often, less time is available in the first lesson because of administration. Make sure all students are familiar with a pack of cards. Other students can show those who aren’t. Introduce the idea of a trick. Get students to play for a few minutes with just one suit with the two removed. Use this stage to introduce some mechanics:

❑ dealer leads to first trick

❑ highest card played wins

❑ winner leads to next trick

❑ cards turned over duplicate style after the trick

Deal and play a 28-card pack using AKQJ1032 in no trumps without a partner, just to practice taking tricks and who leads next. Students quickly appreciate that some hands are more valuable than others! Introduce the idea of assessing more scientifically by giving points for high cards. Use TR1 but remember, some students like seeing actual cards.



Introduce MiniBridge

Introduce MiniBridge but only in no trumps. Rules are on P3. Make sure the mechanics are understood:

❑ partnership game – tricks won by either partner count for their side

❑ announce HCP – should add up to 40!

❑ who becomes the declaring side and who the defending side

❑ redeal if both sides have the same points

❑ what if both partners have the same points? (first to speak is declarer)

❑ what is a game – 100 points for the trick score

❑ scoring – NT with 50 part score and 300 game bonus

❑ only seventh and subsequent tricks count for scoring (say why)

Concept of trumps

Some students, with experience of whist or bridge, will be aware of trumps. But trumps can be a problem for those who have only played meld games such as canasta – it seems wrong to be rewarded for running out of a suit!

The importance of length in trumps

Give out prepared hand A on TR3 and get the students to count and announce their points then put down dummy. North will be declarer. Tell them to play it with spades as trumps and keep a note of how many tricks are won by declarer. Without discussion, tell them to pass their hand to the player on their left and play the deal again, this time with hearts as trumps, again noting the tricks made. (Having played the hand before will make little difference to the average student's strategy!) They should have no difficulty making more tricks with hearts as trumps. Discuss the hand and elicit the fact that length is more important than strength in trumps. Emphasise the need for at least eight cards in a trump suit, since it’s a good idea to have more trumps than the opposition.

Points for game As they play get students to note how many points were held when game was made. In discussion, emphasise:

❑ 25+ HCP makes game in a major or no trumps likely

❑ 27+ HCP for game in a minor, as you must make more tricks

❑ not every hand with 25 HCP can make game

Game can be made with fewer points – ask them how many tricks they would make with a hand with all 13 cards in one suit and how many points they would have.

Trumps and strategy

Help students understand that the impact of their decisions on their score is as follows: Give out TR3 Hand B. West will want to play in game. Tell half the tables to play game in no trumps and the other half to play in a suit – they should choose clubs – and to work out the score at the end. Compare scores. Those who have played in no trumps should gain higher scores even though they have made much the same number of tricks. Without more discussion, give out hand C and let them choose what contract to play in. Those choosing no trump should come unstuck. Use this experience to discuss the advantages of playing in no trumps rather than a minor and how to decide which to choose.



Introducing declarer play

Some declarers make more tricks with the same cards – why? By putting the cards on the table, think about how many tricks can be won from various card combinations, use P15. Use the remaining cards to decide how they might be distributed. Do some together, then students work through the rest in groups before you go over the answers – make them play the tricks out to be sure. You can’t win more tricks than there are cards in the longest holding, but some will claim they can make four tricks from AK opposite QJ! And some can make no tricks on question 12.

The importance of defence

Point out that many contracts can be beaten by good defence Play P18 hand 7 to illustrate this point. Check all East’s have chosen game in NT. After the play, console declarers by pointing out that this hand was designed to fail against best defence and this will happen, as in bridge we play with probabilities, not certainties.

Opening leads Discuss what the defence is trying to achieve as an introduction to simple opening leads. Show how the defenders can not only win or set up tricks but also use the opportunity to exchange information about their hands. Use the exercise on TR7. The emphasis should be on the defence working as a team and a thoughtful approach. Don’t get bogged down in too much detail or try to cover all contingencies. Tables of standard leads come later in the course when their bridge understanding has increased – it is that understanding we are aiming to increase in this lesson.

Third hand play If time, introduce third hand play. The quiz on TR8 is quite hard but worth persevering with as it contains important card play principles.

IntroBridge This useful chart provides a transition to bidding. Time spent now may make life easier later on, particularly with young learners.

Summary of Resource Materials

Activity Resource Materials Book Page

Introduction to MiniBridge Hand to study 3

Scoring MiniBridge Example session to score 11

Counting tricks available Quiz 15

Hands to play BB S1 1-8 Hands 1 to 8 17-18

Summary of Teacher’s Materials

Resource title Resource Materials Ref Teacher’s

Page

Counting points Quiz TR1 T19

Hands to play 8 Hands BB S1 TR2 TR2 T20

MiniBridge Practice hands BB S1 TR3 TR3 T22

Scoring MiniBridge Quiz for screen / whiteboard TR4 T19

Revision hands BB S1 TR5 TR5 T23

Declarer play Quiz TR6 T25

Opening leads Quiz TR7 T27

Defender’s play Third hand play TR8 T29

IntroBridge An optional resource TR9 T31



Summary of hands to play

Hand Bidding Play points Dec Other points

TR2 (T20) MiniBridge Basic Ideas in the play

1

N = 16 E = 4 S = 14 W = 6

Game in NT. Count 9 top tricks

N

Lead top of a sequence.

2

E = 14 S = 7 W = 13 N = 6

Game in NT. Cash 10 first to run 5 club tricks

E

Don’t just lead from the ace down

3

S = 16 W = 12 N = 8 E = 4

Part score in NT. Force out the A

S


4

W = 14 N = 8 E = 11 S = 7

Game in NT. Cash Q and overtake J to gain an entry

W


TR2 (T21) MiniBridge Basic Ideas in the play

5 N = 14 E = 5 S = 13 W = 8

Game in NT. Drive out A before cashing side suit winners

N

Lead 4th best spade.

6 E = 19 S = 6 W = 7 N = 8

Game in NT. Win diamond in correct hand, play A and another to promote two winners

E Lead 4th best diamond.

7 S = 14 W = 11 N = 12 E = 3

Game in NT. Win the lead, draw trumps and lose two diamonds at the end.

S Lead 4th best club.

8 W = 18 N = 6 E = 8 S = 8

Game in NT. Knock out A first.

W Lead 4th best diamond.

TR3 (T22) MiniBridge

A

N = 17 E = 8 S = 7 W = 8

It is played once by N in spades, then rotated and played by East with hearts as trumps.

N

then

E

Choose length rather than strength as trumps

B

E = 13 S = 5 W = 19 N = 3

Everybody should make 12 tricks, but say well done even if they only make nine!

W

Choose NT rather than a minor

C

S = 16 W = 10 N = 12 E = 2

Ruff second heart. Draw trumps. Discard the losing heart on the long diamond.

S

Choose minor rather than NT with one suit vulnerable to attack




TR5 (T23) MiniBridge Simple declarer play

1

N = 11 E = 5 S = 17 W = 7

Draw trumps and force out A.

S


2

E = 13 S = 8 W = 11 N = 8

Win the spade lead and force out A.

E

Set up a trick before cashing winners.

3

S = 10 W = 15 N = 9 E = 6

Play to ruff a club.

W


4

W = 6 N = 16 E = 8 S = 10

Win the first trick and force out A.

N

Lead 5 – 4th best.

TR5 (T24) MiniBridge Simple declarer play

5 N = 8 E = 17 S = 8 W = 7

Draw trumps, lose a club ruff.

E

Choice of contract.

Spades score better than clubs.

6 E = 12 S = 9 W = 5 N = 14

Win the lead and cash out nine tricks.

N Even with only 23 points nine tricks are available so choose game.

7 S = 15 W = 8 N = 13 E = 4

Win the lead, draw trumps and lose two diamonds at the end.

S No stopper in diamonds for NT.

8 W = 15 N = 11 E = 9 S = 5

Draw trumps when you can. W

P17 Revision of MiniBridge

Hands are for the first competition. You probably won’t need them all but can use them another time.

1 N = 8 E = 3 S = 21 W = 8

Count 9 top tricks and cash them. 3 spades, 1 heart, 3 diamonds and 2 clubs.

S With all suits covered choose NT.

2 E = 7 S = 8 W = 21 N = 4

Count 9 top tricks and cash them. 4 spades, 2 hearts, 1 diamond and 2 clubs.

W With all suits covered choose NT.

3 S = 7 W = 9 N = 21 E = 3

Count 9 top tricks. N With all suits covered choose NT.

4 W = 10 N = 6 E = 14 S = 10

Win club lead, draw trumps and force out A.

E Choose a part-score in the 8-card heart fit.



TR1 How many points in each hand?

1. 10 2 2. A K 3 3 A Q 8 7

A K Q 10 7 5 2 J 9 7 6 3

J 10 8 6 3 2 Q J 8 6 4 2

5 3 A K Q J

4. 7 4 5 A K Q 8 6. 5 3 2

Q J 8 6 2 A K J 8 7 6 4

9 7 6 4 3 A K Q 9 4 3

5 A K 3 7 3 2

Answers (1)10 – average (2)14 (3)13 (4)3 (5)33 – rare! (6) 0 – a Yarborough

TR2 Eight hands for lesson one, (BB S1 TR2) Some teachers prefer to have hands to play in lesson 1, so that the students will not get ridiculous distributions when playing in no trumps. The eight hands can be pre-prepared. Students will usually only manage to play four hands at most in a two-hour lesson.

Watch out for any brilliant plays as a pointer for the future. The hands are on the next two pages, T20-21

TR3 MiniBridge Practice Hands T22, (BB S1 TR3)

3 hands to play

TR4 MiniBridge – what is the score on each deal?

1. Declarer says no trumps, part score and makes 8 tricks.

2. Declarer says , part score and makes 6 tricks.

3. Declarer says , game and makes 10 tricks.

4. Declarer says , game and makes 9 tricks.

5. Declarer says , part score and makes 7 tricks.

Remember that we use non-vulnerable scoring only at MiniBridge.

Answers (1) +120 (2) -50 (3) +420 (4) -100 (5) +70

TR5 Revision hands

See T23/24 for hands to play as a competition

TR9 IntroBridge – an optional lesson / resource

IntroBridge is particularly useful when teaching children. It provides an intermediate step between MiniBridge and bridge with a simplified auction.

It involves dummy in the contract decision, and for the first time, the contract is named as we would in real bridge. You can even put one bidding box on the table, and people can use a ‘pass’ card rather than say Pass. The bidding card for the final contract can remain visible in the centre of the table.

You will find a flowchart explaining IntroBridge on T31.



TR2 Hands 1-4 for the first lesson (BB S1 TR2)

These hands can be used in lesson 1 and 2 instead of random dealt hands.

A K 6

9 6 3 2

A Q 4

K 4 2

Q 7 4 J 9 8

7 5 Q J 10 8

J 10 6 9 7 5 2

Q J 9 7 6 10 8

10 5 3 2

A K 4

K 8 3

A 5 3

Board 1 : Dealer North West North East South 6 16 4 14 North is declarer. North/South have 30 points and North can count enough tricks, so should go for game in no trumps.

East leads Q (top card of a sequence, our agreed lead)

2 spades, 2 hearts, 3 diamonds and 2 clubs = 9 tricks.

K Q 10 9

3 2

J 6

9 8 7 5 4

8 7 6 A J 3

K 6 Q 5 4

9 4 3 A K 5 2

A K Q J 2 10 6 3

5 4 2

A J 10 9 8 7

Q 10 8 7

-

Board 2 : Dealer East West North East South 13 6 14 7 East is declarer. With 27 points between the two hands East should go for game in no trumps.

South leads J (top of an internal sequence)

Win K and play the clubs. 2 to the 10 to make five tricks – but in an early lesson this is unlikely!

1 spade, 1 heart, 2 diamonds and 5 clubs = 9 tricks.

A J 7 2

Q 5 3

9 4 2

J 6 2

10 4 3 9 6 5

A 8 J 10 9 4 2

K Q J 10 7 8 5

Q 7 4 K 10 5

K Q 8

K 7 6

A 6 3

A 9 8 3

Board 3 : Dealer South West North East South 12 8 4 16 South is declarer. 24 points are not quite enough for game and, more importantly, it’s hard to see where 9 tricks are coming from. So South should settle for part score in no trumps.

West leads K (top of a sequence)

You have 4 spades – play K, Q first, 1 diamond and 1 club. You will also make a heart once the ace has been driven out. Do this before cashing all the other winners.

7 5 4 3

Q J 10 9

K Q 10

10 6

Q J A K 10 2

6 3 2 A 4

J 8 5 2 6 4 3

A K Q J 8 5 3 2

9 8 6

K 8 7 5

A 9 7

9 7 4

Board 4 : Dealer West West North East South 14 8 11 7 West is declarer. There are 25 points and a clever West can see nine tricks, so should go for game in no trumps.

North leads Q (top of a sequence).

Count your nine tricks. Win A and play the spades. 2 to

Q, then J and overtake with A. Be impressed if anyone does it!

4 clubs, 4 spades and 1 heart = 9 tricks.



TR2 Hands 5-8 for the first lesson (BB S1 TR2)

J 9 2

A K 2

K Q J

8 6 3 2

A 8 4 10 7 5 3

10 9 8 5 Q 7 6 4

8 4 9 7 2

A 10 7 5 K 9

K Q 6

J 3

A 10 6 5 3

Q J 4

Board 5 : Dealer North West North East South 8 14 5 13 North is declarer. With 27 points North should go for game in no

trumps. North should be able to count nine tricks once A has been taken.

East leads 5 (fourth highest of best suit)

Play Q, which loses to A. Win the spade return and play

diamonds. K and Q first then overtake J with A. Play A and

K and J for nine tricks

K J 10 8 2

9 8 7

Q 9

Q 10 8

9 6 4 A 7 5

Q J 10 2 A 6

A 2 K J 4 3

7 6 3 2 A K 9 5

Q 3

K 5 4 3

10 8 7 6 5

J 4

Board 6 : Dealer East West North East South 7 8 19 6 East is declarer. 26 points so go for game in no trumps. Here it’s not quite so easy to count 9 tricks.

South leads 6 (fourth highest of longest suit)

Play low on the diamond lead and win North’s Q. Play A followed

by 6. This creates two heart tricks. South returns another diamond

– win A, two more heart tricks, A, K. A

Note that if West played no trumps, North would lead a spade and 9 tricks are harder.

A 6 5

K 9 3 2

J 9 8 7

A 9

J 8 2 9 7 4

A 4 10 7 6

A 6 5 2 Q 4

Q 10 8 6 J 7 4 3 2

K Q 10 3

Q J 8 5

K 10 3

K 5

Board 7 : Dealer South West North East South 11 12 3 14 South is declarer with 26 points. Try game in no trumps, even if it’s not clear where nine tricks are.

West leads 6 (4th highest of best suit, because it has two honours).

Or West might lead 2.

Two clubs and three or four spades. So South needs three heart

tricks and must drive out A before cashing the top cards in the other suits. Play a heart honour before touching any other suit.

K 10 5

8 7 5

Q J 8 6 2

7 4

8 7 6 A 3 2

K Q 3 J 10 4 2

A 4 3 K 9 5

A K Q 2 10 6 3

Q J 9 4

A 9 6

10 7

J 9 8 5

Board 8 : Dealer West West North East South 18 6 8 8 West is declarer. 26 points between East/West so go for game in no trumps.

Lead 6 (fourth highest of best suit)

Win the lead with A and play K straightaway to knock out the A. Win the diamond return and take 1 spade, 3 hearts and 3 clubs in addition to the 2 diamonds. If you take your other winners before

knocking out A, you might only make 6 tricks.



TR3 MiniBridge practice hands – BB S1 TR3

A K Q

J 10 9 8 7 6 5

A K

4

9 3 2 8 7 6 5 4

Q A K

Q 6 5 4 J 10 9 7

A 8 7 5 2 10 3

J 10

4 3 2

8 3 2

K Q J 9 6

Hand A For the first time the hand is played, North is declarer and should try playing the hand with spades as trumps. If North/South play in spades the opposition have more trumps than declarer and dummy and declarer will lose control of the hand. Now play the hand again, but this time with hearts as trumps. There are more tricks available with hearts as trumps despite missing the three top cards than there are in spades where five top honours are held.

In hearts, the lead is probably J won by the ace and a heart is played. The queen and king fall together. Just two hearts and one club are lost. Remember: l e n g t h in trumps is more important than strength. Score (4 x 30) + 300 = 420 for ten tricks in hearts if declarer goes for game. Score 30 + 50 = 80 for making seven tricks in spades if declarer went for part score. Score –3 x 50 = –150 for going three down in spades if declarer went for game.

Q 10 8 5

8 7 4 3

7 5

J 10 7

A 6 4 K 3 2

Q J 2 K 6

A K J 9 Q 10 2

A 9 8 K Q 4 3 2

J 9 7

A 10 9 5

8 6 4 3

6 5

Hand B West is declarer. With 32 HCP between them East/West should obviously go for game. West will probably make twelve tricks. If no trumps are chosen the score will be 40 + (5 x 30) + 300 = 490. Compare this with the score for choosing to go for game in the 8-card club suit when the score would be (6 x 20) + 300 = 420. North will probably lead a spade. West must play hearts at trick two, forcing

out the ace. Do not cash the other spade stopper till A has gone. Two spades, two hearts, four diamonds and five

clubs would be thirteen tricks but A must be lost so declarer takes twelve tricks. Score 40 + (5 x 30) + 300 = 490 to E/W for making twelve tricks in no trumps.

K 5 3

8 7 4

K 9 7

A Q 6 5

J 10 6 9 8 7 2

A K Q 3 J 10 9 6 5

8 6 4 3 5

9 8 J 10 4

A Q 4

2

A Q J 10 2

K 7 3 2

Hand C South is declarer and North/South have 28 HCP between them, so should go for game. On this hand it is essential to choose a game in clubs or diamonds as the defence will take the first five heart tricks if no trumps are chosen. Suppose South says game in clubs, West is likely to lead

A, and then K. But South ruffs K and draws all the trumps counting the suit carefully to make sure they are all gone! Now South can make three spades, five diamonds and four clubs. Twelve tricks. Score (6 x 20) + 300 = 420 to N/S for making twelve tricks in clubs.



TR5 Revision hands – BB S1 TR5

Q 7

K 10 4 3

A 9 6 3

Q 8 7

J 10 9 8 3 K 5 4 2

9 8 6 J

Q 10 J 8 7 5

A 9 2 10 6 4 3

A 6

A Q 7 5 2

K 4 2

K J 5

Board 1 : Dealer North With a combined North/South 28 HCP, South should choose game. With nine hearts, it should be obvious to

choose hearts as trumps. West leads J – the top of a sequence, dummy plays the queen, East the king and South wins the ace. Declarer will have to draw three rounds of trumps to stop opponents ruffing. Then the clubs can be played to force out the ace and set up two tricks. Declarer loses one spade, one club and one diamond. Score (4 x 30) +300 = +420 to N/S (–420 to E/W) for ten tricks in a game in hearts.

5 4

K 5 4 3

9 8 4

A J 10 2

A 7 6 K 9 8

10 9 2 Q 8 7 6

K Q 7 6 3 A J 2

Q 5 K 9 4

Q J 10 3 2

A J

10 5

8 7 6 3

Board 2 : Dealer East With 24 HCP between the two hands and no 8-card major suit fit, East should choose part score in no trumps. South

leads Q, the top of a sequence. Before playing to the first trick declarer counts the tricks available and can hope for five diamonds and two spades. But it is safe to play clubs straight away to set up an eighth trick. Score (40 + 30) + 50 = 120 to E/W (–120 to N/S) for eight tricks in a part score in no trumps.

A J 10

J 5 4 2

8

Q J 10 4 3

K 6 Q 8 5 2

A K 7 9 6 3

K Q 9 7 3 A 10 4 2

7 6 2 8 5

9 7 4 3

Q 10 8

J 6 5

A K 9

Board 3 : Dealer South East/West have 21 HCP and West is declarer. With nothing in clubs, declarer should prefer a part score in diamonds.

North leads Q and North/South can take two club tricks. But declarer can now ruff the third club in dummy before drawing the trumps. Five diamonds, a club ruff, one spade and two hearts should come to nine tricks for East/West. Score (3 x 20) + 50 = 110 to E/W (–110 to N/S) for nine tricks in a part score in diamonds.

A 6 5 3

A K 8

8 3 2

K Q 10

K 10 9 J 7 4

10 9 2 Q J 7 5 3

Q J 10 5 4 9 6

9 5 A 8 4

Q 8 2

6 4

A K 7

J 7 6 3 2

Board 4: Dealer West North/South have 26 HCP and North is declarer. With stops in all suits, North goes for game in no trumps, not clubs. East leads the five of hearts; it is normal to lead ‘fourth highest’ of your longest suit. Declarer should win the

first trick and play on clubs, starting with K. Score 40 + (2 x 30) + 300 = 400 to N/S (–400 to E/W) for ten tricks in a game in no trumps.




A 5

10 8 7

J 5 3 2

Q J 10 7

K J 7 6 2 Q 8 3

9 4 3 K Q J

K 8 Q 4

9 6 4 A K 5 3 2

10 9 4

A 6 5 2

A 10 9 7 6

8

Board 5 : Dealer North East/West have 24 HCP and East is declarer. With 8-card fits in two suits, East chooses a part score in spades because they score better than clubs. South leads the singleton club, hoping for a ruff. East wins and plays a spade. North wins and plays a club which South ruffs. East must lose tricks to the heart and diamond aces and there is still a club to lose. Eight tricks would be a normal result. Score (2 x 30) + 50 = 110 to E/W (–110 to N/S) for eight tricks in a part score in spades.

A 7 3

9 8

A K Q J 7 6

9 4

9 5 K Q J 6 2

K Q 7 6 3 2 10 5

9 2 10 8 3

10 5 3 K Q J

10 8 4

A J 4

5 4

A 8 7 6 2

Board 6 : Dealer East North/South have 23 HCP and North should realise that eleven tricks in diamonds is unlikely. But once North gains the lead there are nine tricks available cold (that is on top, not needing setting up). It is correct to say game in no trumps. East leads

K but declarer can win and take the nine tricks. Normally we need 25 HCP to try for a no trump game. Notice how a long solid suit and aces makes it possible to make game with fewer points. Score 40 + (2 x 30) + 300 = 400 to N/S (–400 to E/W) for nine tricks in game in no trumps.

A 8 6 4

K 9 3

Q 7

A 7 4 2

J 10 9 5

Q J 10 8 5 7 6 4

A 6 5 K J 10 4 3 2

5 3 10 9 8

K Q 7 3 2

A 2

9 8

K Q J 6

Board 7 : Dealer South North/South have 28 HCP and South is declarer. No trumps is out as there is no diamond stopper, we describe this as ‘wide open in diamonds’. With a 9-card fit in spades South will choose game in spades and West should lead the queen of hearts, the top card of a sequence. South can win in hand and draw trumps in three rounds – count carefully as they are played! There are now eleven tricks available and two diamonds have to be lost at the end. Score (5 x 30) + 300 = 450 to N/S (–450 to E/W) for eleven tricks in game in spades.

A K 9 8 7 5 2

-

9 8 4

A 7 4

6 4 Q 10

K Q J 7 3 A 10 6 4 2

K 5 2 Q J 6

K Q J 10 8 5

J 3

9 8 5

A 10 7 3

9 6 3 2

Board 8 : Dealer West East/West have 24 HCP and West is declarer. Despite having ten hearts between the two hands, it should be played in a

heart part score. North leads A, on which South should play the jack as the start of a peter to show just two spades. North

cashes A and K and North knows that there are no more

spades out. The defenders will later take A and A, holding declarer to nine tricks. Score (3 x 30) + 50 = 140 to E/W (–140 to N/S) for nine tricks in a part score in hearts.



TR6 Planning the play – quiz

In each of the examples below, West is the declarer. Try to work out how West should plan the play and jot it down to discuss in class. You might find it helpful to make the hands up from a pack of cards. Why not do this exercise with a friend?

1. West East

♠ Q 2 A K J 3

A K Q 7 6 4

A K 6 3 5 4 2

A 10 8 3 9 7 6 Game in no trumps Lead: ♦Q

2. West East

A 6 3 7 4 2

A K 4 Q J 3

J 8 6 2 A Q 10 9 3

9 7 5 10 6 Part score in diamonds Why didn’t you choose no trumps? Lead: A

3. West East

– K 8 5 3

A K J 9 6 2 Q 8 5

K 7 5 A Q 2

Q J 7 3 10 9 4 Game in hearts

Lead: Q

4. West East

A Q J 9 7 K 10 8

A 5 4 3 6 2

A 5 K 9 4 2

10 6 A 5 3 2 Game in spades

Lead: K



TR6 Planning the play - answers

Getting started 2

1. West East

Q 2 A K J 3

A K Q 7 6 4

A K 6 3 5 4 2

A 10 8 3 9 7 6

You have ten top tricks. Count them — four spades, three hearts, two diamonds and one club. Play the spades in the right order to be sure of making four tricks in the suit. Play the queen first and then the two, winning with the ace. Play the king and jack, throwing away small cards from declarer’s hand. Try playing the ace first and you will find you cannot

now make four tricks in the suit.

2. West East

A 6 3 7 4 2

A K 4 Q J 3

J 8 6 2 A Q 10 9 3

9 7 5 10 6

You will lose only two clubs, because you can ruff the third round, two spades and possibly one diamond. The eight tricks you win are one spade, three hearts, no clubs and at least four diamonds. An extra trick in diamonds is possible if North has K. Start by leading J from West’s hand. If North covers it with K, win A. If North does not produce K, play a small one. If South has K, this play fails but it’s worth trying. If neither player puts up the king, play another club from West’s hand and play Q from dummy. This is called a finesse. You will learn all about it later in the course. Don’t play in no trumps because there are lots of clubs to lose, if clubs are led.

3. West East

K 8 5 3

A K J 9 6 2 Q 8 5

K 7 5 A Q 2

Q J 7 3 10 9 4

With nine hearts, play in hearts. Trump the spade lead and play hearts until the opponents have none left – this is called drawing trumps. Play high clubs to force out the ace and king to establish two club winners.

4. West East

A Q J 9 7 K 10 8

A 5 4 3 6 2

A 5 K 9 4 2

10 6 A 5 3 2

Win trick one with ♥A and play a heart straight back. When West gets the lead again, play a heart and ruff (another word for trump) it in the East hand. Ruffs in the short trump hand mean extra tricks for declarer.



TR7 What should we lead and why? Quiz

1. North (Dummy)

Q 6 3

A K 4 2

9 6 3

6 5 2

4. North (Dummy)

A K

7 3 2

4 3 2

K J 10 7 3

West (You)

10 4

9 5 3

A K 8 7 2

10 4 3

West (You)

10 7 6 3 2

A 5 4

K Q J

5 4

South says game in hearts

Partner has seven points

South says game in clubs

Partner has no points

2. North (Dummy)

K 9 4

A Q 6

K Q 10 9 5

5 4

5. North (Dummy)

A Q J 9 5 4

6

10 9 8 2

5 3

West (You)

Q J 10 5 2

5 3

A 4

8 6 3 2

West (You)

10 6

A K 7 5 2

A K 6 3

6 2

South says game in no trumps

Partner has four points

South says part score in spades

Partner has five points

3. North (Dummy)

6 3

K Q 3

K 10 5 2

J 10 6 3

6. North (Dummy)

A K 2

6 5

Q 9 8 4

J 4 3 2

West (You)

K 10 8 7 5

A 2

9 4 3

7 5 2

West (You)

J 7

K Q 4 3 2

A J 6

Q 7 5

South says part score in no

trumps

Partner has ten points

South says game in no trumps

Partner has one point



TR7 What should we lead and why? Answers

1 A – we want to cash our tricks and maybe partner can ruff the third round. In

any case it won’t give tricks away to declarer.

2 Q – we want to establish tricks to cash when we get in. Partner’s four points

might be the A but this lead won’t do the defence any harm even if declarer

has A.

3 A spade – we want to establish tricks, hope partner has a high card to help

establish our suit. From a long suit which doesn’t have a sequence at the top, the

right card is the fourth one down, in this case the seven (you will learn why later).

4 K – if declarer takes his A you may then be able to cash your Q and J.

5 A – Hearts will produce only one trick, which is disappointing, so try cashing A

K. If partner has only two diamonds, he might be able to ruff the third one. You will

learn that if partner has only two diamonds he can tell you this by playing his

higher one first.

6 3 – Partner has only one point and it must be J as you can see the other three

jacks. Lead your fourth highest heart to get your suit established. Why the fourth

highest rather than any small one? It is to do with giving useful information to

partner. All will be revealed later.



TR8 What should we play on partner’s lead?

5

1. Against game in no trumps partner leads the ace of spades.

Which card should you play? Why?

7 6 3

Partner leads A You hold 9 8 2

2. Against game in hearts partner leads the king of spades.


7 6 3

Partner leads K You hold A 9 8 2

3. Against game in hearts partner leads the ace of spades.


Q 6 3

Partner leads A You hold 8 2

4. Against game in hearts partner leads the eight of spades.


7 6 3

Partner leads 8 You hold A K 5 2

The next time spades is played, partner plays the four. What do you deduce?

5. Against game in no trumps partner leads the two of spades.


7 6 3

Partner leads 2 You hold Q 5 4

6. Against game in no trumps partner leads the seven of spades.


K 8 3

Partner leads 7 You hold A Q 5



TR8 What should I play on partner’s lead? Answers

1. Play the two. Partner may be able to win tricks in spades but you cannot help.

7 6 3

Partner leads A You hold 9 8 2

2. Play the nine to encourage partner to continue with spades. Partner must have

Q since we do not lead an unsupported king.

7 6 3

Partner leads K You hold A 9 8 2

3. Play the eight. This will encourage partner to continue with his king. When you

play the two on the king, partner will then know you started with two spades and

can ruff a third one. He will be able to work out how many spades declarer has

because he can count the spades in his hand and dummy and you have told him

you started with two.

Q 6 3

Partner leads A You hold 8 2

4. Play the king – as third hand we always win with the lowest of touching honours

which helps partner work out what is in our hand. If partner next time plays the

four we know he started with two. We can see seven cards in our own hand and

dummy so declarer started with four – the queen, jack, ten and nine. If partner

has trumps left at this stage, it is worth leading another spade for him to ruff one of

declarer’s otherwise winning cards.

7 6 3

Partner leads 8 You hold A K 5 2

5. Play the queen – because it is the best card we have. The third hand to play

usually plays high to try to win the trick.

7 6 3

Partner leads 2 You hold Q 5 4

6. If the king is played from dummy, play the ace. If declarer chooses not to play

the king, win with the queen.

K 8 3

Partner leads 7 You hold A Q 5



TR9 INTROBRIDGE

Dealer has first chance of being declarer

Opportunity of being

Has bidder No Bidder says declarer moves to next

12 or more points? “I pass” player on left. If all

players pass, new deal.

Yes

Bidder says “I have …. points”

Bidder’s partner, responder, adds up the points held by the partnership

Has the partnership 20 or No Responder says

more points? “We can’t declare this hand” Yes

Responder asks opener to say how many cards declarer holds in each suit

Declarer says “I have

… s, …s, …s, …s” (e.g. “I am 5323”)

Based on this information, Responder decides the contract using the following criteria

Have we Have we an No a very extreme distribution Yes

8+-card major with at least a 9-card minor suit fit? suit fit?

Yes No

Have we Have we Have we 25 or more 25 or more 27 or more points? points? points?

No Yes No Yes No Yes

Contract Contract Contract Contract Contract Contract

is 2/2 is 4/4 is 1NT is 3NT is 2/2 is 5/5

Opening lead is made before dummy goes down and play continues as in bridge

Section 2: An Introduction to bidding


Teaching objectives for ‘An Introduction to Bidding’

Objectives

On completion of this topic, the students should be able to open and respond to a 1NT opening bid. They will be able to:

Basic mechanics of bridge

❑ describe the differences between MiniBridge and bridge

❑ know how the denomination and number of tricks is determined

❑ take part in a bridge auction, using bidding boxes, if available

❑ understand that bidding should be in an even tempo, conveying information only by the bids used not by the speed of making the bid or comments made

❑ make an opening lead, when required to do so, before dummy is revealed

Recognise and make a one no trump opening bid

❑ give a definition of a balanced hand

❑ identify and construct balanced hands that should be opened with 1NT

❑ identify hands with 12-14 points that are not 1NT openings

❑ bid an opening 1NT, either speaking or with a bidding box

Responding to a 1NT opening bid

❑ respond correctly to a 1NT opening with balanced hands of varying strengths

❑ construct suitable hands to show the 4 and 4 bids over 1NT

❑ bid game in a major, either speaking or using a bidding box

❑ bid 3NT, with appropriate values, despite having 5 or 6 cards in a minor

❑ only bid game in a minor with very distributional hands and good HCP

❑ say what we mean by a jump shift (e.g. 1NT 3)

❑ investigate alternative game contracts using the jump shift response

❑ make a weakness takeout at the two level (avoid using 2)

❑ construct hands to show the range of possible values for a weak takeout

Terms introduced in this section:

Doubleton, singleton, void, “one no trump”, lead, opening lead Auction, balanced, unbalanced, bidding, bidding box, call, contract no bid / Pass, opener, weakness take out, forcing bid.

AVAILABLE FROM THE BRIDGE WAREHOUSE

• Practise Beginning Bridge can be used from Section 2 onwards

• BRIDGE FLIPPERS – the Term 1 bridge flipper or the whole set of three (one for each term) are available from www.bridge-warehouse.co.uk

http://www.bridge-warehouse.co.uk/



How the bidding works, Opening 1NT Lesson 6

Learning objectives: ❑ give a definition of a balanced hand

❑ identify and construct balanced hands that should be opened with 1NT

❑ identify hands with 12-14 points that are not 1NT openings

❑ bid an opening 1NT, either speaking or with a bidding box

❑ make an opening lead, when required to do so, before dummy is revealed

Lesson Plan


Intro Q&A 5 Comments about the EBED sims competition, very brief mention of results / ‘Well done’ for taking part

What is bidding? Section 2.1 Section 2.2 TR10 (T37) TR11 (T38)

CHAT

What we know from Minibridge: Points needed for game. Choice of contract. Leads etc. How is bridge different? What is bidding? Why bid? Limitations of the language What we mean by a balanced hand Open 1NT on all 12-14 balanced hands. (TR10) Hands that are not suitable for 1NT (TR11) Get students to make up their own examples

Practical Learning Section 2.6 P29 (BB S2 2-6) Hand 1

SYNC DRAG

Get students to put board 1 on the table, the right way round. Ask the following:

❑ who bids first?

❑ what does dealer at table 1 bid? Do others agree?

❑ discuss differences, agree the bid.

❑ ask next player to bid. Do others agree?

❑ make sure all understand the process of bidding

❑ do they know when the auction has finished?

❑ do they know what the contract is?

❑ who is declarer? Who makes the opening lead?

❑ play the hand at each table in normal fashion

Don’t rush the activity; you need not play all four hands. Better to get the students thinking in the right way and working out what to do around the table. When bidding complete, play the hand to check contract reached is OK.

Break 10

Practical TR12 (a)(T38) Section 2.6 P29

SYNC DRAG

40 TR12 (a) these first five questions are all balanced responses Card Play - Just do Hand 3 on P29

Review Q&A 10 Minibridge / bridge differences What have we learned about the bidding process? What is a balanced hand? When do we open them 1NT?

Try This Section 2.5 P27

QUIZ

10 Exercise in beginning bidding to be done at home.

Next time The bidding following a 1NT opening.

Book pages P19-22



Responses to 1NT Lesson 7

Learning objectives: ❑ respond correctly to a 1NT opening with balanced hands of varying strengths

❑ construct suitable hands to show the 4 and 4 bids over 1NT

❑ bid game in a major, either speaking or using a bidding box

❑ bid 3NT, with appropriate values, despite having 5 or 6 cards in a minor

only bid game in a minor with very distributional hands and good points

❑ make a weakness takeout at the two level (except in 2)

Lesson Plan


Intro Section 2.5 P27/28

Q&A 10 Questions done for homework ❑ Reminder to open 1NT on all 12-14 balanced hands

❑ Responses on balanced hands, worked out from 25+ points for game

Responding to 1NT – Section 2.3 unbalanced responses TR12 (b) (T39)

CHAT or CDL

15 Remind of minibridge choosing a trump suit or No Trumps. Bidding will now do this. Use TR12 (b) examples

Examples for 4 of a major / 3 of a major

Long minor? – choose No Trumps

Weakness takeout examples – use as questions

Bidding practice TR13 (T40)

QUIZ

15 Exercise on responding to 1NT

Q1-5 balanced / Q6-9 unbalanced Remind: Dealer bids first

Go over quiz

DISC 15 What have we learned about the process of bidding?

Break 10

1NT openings TR14 ((T42),

(BB S2 TR14)

PLAY

50 Use Hands 1 - 4, to bid, play and score These can be made up at the table if not done in advance

Review RECAP 5 Summarise the types of bid responder can make: Pass, weakness takeout, three-level, four-level Make sure students understand when to use each reply.

Homework Section 2.4

RECAP

Summary of learning – read at home

Next time Playing in a suit to get a less worse score.

Book pages P21-25. Point out P26, the summary sheet, which could usefully be learned by heart!

Practice Beginning Bridge Set 2 – page 20 can be used after this lesson



An Introduction to Bidding - How to teach this topic

Difference between MiniBridge and Bridge

Describe these, pointing out that the main difference is how the contract is decided – we are not allowed to look at partner’s hand before deciding what trumps are or NT and whether to go for game. Emphasise that the play is identical and the scoring very similar so all they have already learned will be useful.

What is bidding? Show how bidding works using a bidding box. Just one on the table stops people making an insufficient bid. Put more formally:

❑ a ‘bid’ is a number from 1 to 7 followed by a ‘denomination’

❑ to be legal the bid must outrank all previous bids

❑ a ‘call’ is any bid or a ‘pass’

❑ bidding starts with the dealer

The auction finishes when three consecutive passes follow a bid OR if all four players pass at their first turn to bid. Bidding vocabulary is limited to just 13 or 14 words. Don’t even think of mentioning double or redouble yet. These are: One; Two; Three; Four; Five; Six; Seven; No Trumps; Spades; Hearts; Diamonds; Clubs; Pass (or No Bid).

Take it slowly Don’t talk for too long; this is a topic we will revisit often so there is no need to say everything in the first or second lesson on bidding. No trump bidding is easier learnt in practice than in theory. This material is still very early in the students’ learning. Don’t do more than they can cope with, cut some parts or spread the material over more time. Hands 1 to 8 on TR14 are there for further practice. We cannot afford to lose people early on. Watch their faces to see how it’s going.

Bidding boxes Try to use bidding boxes from the very start, if available. It helps the deaf, the dumb, the foreign students as well as everybody with poor memories. Show bidding boxes with the bids displayed on the cards (bidding boxes are one reason we prefer pass to No Bid, it is what the green card says). It reminds all players of the auction to date. Teachers can see at a glance what has happened. Tell students that they can get the score from the back of the bidding card. Only one bidding box is actually needed per table if you don’t have enough. Students remove all the bids up to and including the one they are making, so the box should not get in a muddle. This prevents insufficient bids and emphasises that each bid is greater than the previous one. A bidding box nicely illustrates the bidding ladder. For the early lessons remove the double (X), redouble (XX) and alert cards. Leave the ‘Stop’ card in and use it properly from the first instance of its occurring.

Language of bridge

Because of limited vocabulary, we code our messages. The first message to be learned is 1NT, which says ‘I have a balanced hand with 12, 13 or 14 points. Balanced means – no void, singleton, at most one doubleton. So it includes 5-card suits . The hands in this section may have a 5 card minor or a poor major. Avoid any discussion on actual cards in suit at this stage.

After 1NT opened Do not give rules for responder. Let the students work it out. Don’t rush the first hand, take it slowly, and make every student think.

The first bidding lesson is intuitive

❑ Put the hand that has to make a bid on the table, so that all can share in the problem solving. Pick it up after making the bid. When playing the hand, only the dummy should be visible



❑ Students should discover how to respond to a 1NT opening using the definition of a 1NT opener. Encourage discussion about each bid. Ask others what the auction has shown so far when it is their turn to bid

❑ After the hand is played, write down the auction on the board. It is the first time the notation is used. Explain it. Review the auction

❑ You needn’t play the hand; just count the tricks available together

❑ We don’t want students to learn a set of rules, we want them to be able to work out what to bid (they forget the rules)

The auction after partner opens 1NT The second/third bidding lesson is a more formal presentation

KEEP THIS SIMPLE; DON’T SAY MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO. The choices open to responder are to: ❑ pass when balanced and less than 11 HCP

❑ bid game in a major with 6 or more and enough points

❑ bid 3NT with 13+ HCP or try for game with 2NT and 11-12 HCP

❑ investigate alternative games by bidding 3 or 3 with five

❑ weak takeout to a suit - students find it hard to see why they should bid with nothing. Call it ‘damage limitation’

❑ With long minors and values, bid 3NT and hope it makes!

We revisit bidding over 1NT later in the course, this is enough for now.

More to come You can say that there is more to bidding over 1NT than we have learned. It comes later in the course. This may come up as a question because some students have played a bit before and have heard of Stayman. Don’t be drawn further unless you are totally confident in the ability of all students (not just the noisy ones).

Ethics ❑ Don’t pull faces (act out happy and cross expressions to show what you mean)

❑ Try to bid in an even tempo, again acting fast and slow passes to show hands with values and hands with nothing

Provide lots of reassurance and support

Remind the students, who may be rather daunted at this stage, ❑ Everybody was a beginner once, so we all understand it’s hard

to do things quickly

❑ You don’t have to get the answers right!

❑ Make sure you understand what has happened

❑ Ask for help if you haven’t a clue what they should do

You are trying to ensure that students know what they are aiming for even if they are not yet able to achieve it! If you have very slow students, it is probably true that the appearance of thought actually shows they haven’t a clue what to do! Help them to talk through the problem with the rest of the table. If students are stuck, try to elicit the options rather than telling. Get the rest of the table to help them.





Responses to 1NT Quiz 27

1NT opening BB S2 2-6 Hands 1 to 4 29


Activity Resource Materials Ref Teacher’s

page

Hands suitable to open 1NT Quiz for OHP or board TR10 T38

Hands not suitable for 1NT Quiz for OHP or board TR11 T39

Responses to a 1NT opening bid

CDL TR12 T39

Hands to bid with partner 8 hands that start with 1NT TR13 T40

Opening 1NT practice hands (BB S2 TR14) Hands 1 to 8 TR14 T42


Hand Bidding Play points Dec. Other points P29 Opening 1NT Hands for first bidding lesson

1 Raise of 1NT to 3NT 9 tricks on top N 25 points for game

2 Jump to 4 directly 11 tricks if ruffed W 1NT has 2+s

3 Raise to 2NT Drive out A S

4 Weak takeout 8 tricks can be made E

TR14 (T42) Responding to 1NT Second lesson on bidding after 1NT

1 Jump to 3 E

2 Weak takeout to s Drive out A W

3 Jump to 3 Drawing trumps N

4 Jump to game in s Drawing trumps S

TR14 (T43) Responding to 1NT Extra hands, for third lesson on 1NT or revision.

5 Pass 1NT 7 tricks on top S

6 Weak takeout Opening lead N

7 2NT response Drive out A first E

8 Bidding a slam 13 top tricks! W

TR10 Hands that open 1NT – Why?

1 A 7 5 3 2 Q J 3 A Q 8 5 4 Q J 5 4 J 7 6 A 7 2 A 7 5 Q 10 6 2

K 4 3 K Q 9 8 6 J 9 A 4

A J 2 Q 10 9 K 10 8 4 K 9 6

Answers (1)13 – average (2)14 – max (3)14 – max (4)12 – min



TR11 Hands that do not open 1NT – Why not?

A 8 7 5 3 Q J A Q 8 5 Q J 5 4

A 7 A 7 6 5 Q 10 6 2

K J 6 4 3 K Q 9 8 6 J K 4

A J 2 Q 10 9 2 K 10 8 4 A K 9

Answers (1) void (2) two doubletons (3) singleton diamond (4) 15 points

TR12 (a) Responses to a 1NT opening bid

❑ Ask the questions in columns 2-4 to get thefacts

❑ Get students to agree the best answer

❑ Make the changes shown in the last column / if using a whiteboard or cards

New Hand How many points?

Is hand balanced?

What are our side’s

points?

What bid over 1NT?

Make changes

1

J 10 6 3

K Q 7

9 8 5 2

J 10

7 Yes 19-21 Pass

Change

5 2 to A K

2

J 10 6 3

K Q 7

A K 9 8

J 10

14 Yes 26-28 3NT

Change

3 to K

3

J 10 6

K Q 7

A K 9 8

K J 10

17 Yes 29-31 3NT

not enough to try for slam

Change

K to 9

K to 7

4

J 10 6

K Q 7

A 9 8 7

J 10 9

11 Yes 23-25 2NT

just worth a game try

J to 2

5

J 10 6

K Q 7

A 9 8 7

10 9 2

10 Yes 22-24

Pass maximum for a

pass

Change

KQ to 6 5

TR12 (b) Responses to a 1NT opening bid

6

J 10 6

7

A 9 8 7 6 5

10 9 2

5 No 17-19 2

Weak takeout

Change

9876 and

2 to

AKQJ9

7

J 10 6

A K Q J 9 7

A 5

10 9

15 No 27-29 4 Just bid game

Change

Q to 6

8

J 10 6

A K J 9 7

A 6 5

10 9

13 Yes but it

has a 5-card major

25-27 3

ask partner to choose

Change

J10 to

Q10

109 to AK

9

6

A K Q J 10 9 7

A 6 5

A K

21 No 33-35 6 Bid your first slam!



TR13 Exercise on Beginning Bidding

Practice opening 1NT and responding to a 1NT opening.

Cover up partner’s hand – just look at your own cards.

WEST HANDS EAST HANDS

A 7 5 1 West dealer 1 West dealer 9 6 4

Q 9 8 J 5 4

K 6 3 Q J 10 9

A J 6 2 K Q 3

A 7 5 2 East dealer 2 East dealer K 9 6

Q 9 8 J 5 4

K 6 3 Q J 10 9

A J 6 2 K Q 3

K Q J 7 3 West dealer 3 West dealer A 5 2

9 8 6 J 10 5 3

A 7 6 K 3 2

Q 9 4 A 10 7

K Q J 7 4 East dealer 4 East dealer A 5 2

A Q 2 K 10 5 3

A 7 6 K 3 2

K Q J A 10 7

A 5 2 5 West dealer 5 West dealer K Q J 7

J 10 5 3 9 8 6

K Q 2 A 7 6

A 10 7 Q 9 4

K Q J 7 5 3 6 East dealer 6 East dealer 10 2

A 6 2 K 5 3

8 7 A 9 6 2

K 5 A Q 9 7

K Q J 7 7 West dealer 7 West dealer A 5 2

A 6 2 K 10 9 5 3

8 7 K 2

K 9 5 3 A 10 7

7 5 8 East dealer 8 East dealer J 6

J 9 8 6 5 Q 4 2

4 3 2 A K 7 5

10 9 2 K J 8 7

8 6 9 West dealer

9 West dealer K 10 4 3 2

A Q J 3 8 6

A J 5 4 K Q 3

Q 10 7 A K 2

B



TR13 Exercise on Beginning Bidding - answers

WEST EAST

1 1NT pass East has nothing to bid with nine points and a

balanced hand.

2

3NT

1NT

pass

West can raise straight to 3NT with fourteen points,

knowing that the partnership has at least 26 points

between the two hands.

3 1NT

pass

2NT East has twelve points, game is possible. 2NT asks

partner to bid 3NT with a maximum. West has only 12

points, so passes 2NT. Even eight tricks are not entirely

certain on this deal.

4

6NT

1NT

pass

West has 22 points. He knows East must have 12-14

points, so that there must be 34-36 points between the

two hands. East/West must be able to make twelve

tricks and West should say 6NT.

Bidding a contract at the six level is called a small

slam. If game in 3NT, taking twelve tricks, is worth a

score of +490, then a small slam of 6NT scores +990, an

extra bonus of 500.

If West held 25 or more points, then West would know

the partnership held at least 37 points between them.

He would then have said 7NT – a grand slam.

5 1NT

3NT

2NT

pass

This time it is East who asks partner the question, but

with 14 points West is able to bid 3NT. Nine tricks should

make, either by the defence helping you in

establishing a second club trick, or if the defence do

not lead clubs, declarer can play hearts every time he

gains the lead and eventually a winner gets set up.

6

4

1NT

pass

West has six spades and thirteen points. Quite enough

to jump straight to game.

7 1NT

4

3

pass

East is not sure whether to play in hearts or no trumps.

With fourteen points the partnership must choose one

game or the other. 3 asks partner which game to play

in. With three hearts West chooses to play in 4.

8

2

1NT pass

West has an awful hand but it might take a few tricks if

hearts are trumps. Limit the possible damage on the

hand and bid 2.

9 1NT

3NT

3

pass West is not sure whether to play in spades or no trumps 3 asks partner to choose. With only two spades West chooses 3NT.



TR14 1NT opening practice hands – (BB S2 TR14)

Q 10 9 8

9 8 5

J 10 7

K 5 3

A K 7 4 3 J 5

K 7 A J 2

A 5 K 9 6 2

10 7 6 4 Q J 9 8

6 2

Q 10 6 4 3

Q 8 4 3

A 2

Board 1 : Dealer North West North East South Pass 1NT Pass

3 Pass 3NT All Pass North passes, East with 12 points bids 1NT and South passes. West with 14 points knows that East/West should bid game but is not sure whether in spades or

NT, so bids 3 to ask partner. With only two spades,

East bids 3NT. South leads 4. Win the jack and count your tricks. Playing on clubs sets up two winners with two spades, three hearts and two diamonds.

Q 7 6 5

K 3

A 9 7

Q 9 7 4

K 9 4 A 3 2

J 10 9 8 7 4 Q 5

J 4 2 K Q 10 6

2 K 6 5 3

J 10 8

A 6 2

8 5 3

A J 10 8

Board 2 : Dealer East West North East South 1NT Pass

2 All Pass East has a normal 1NT opening with 14 points. Holding only 5 points West knows that East/West have fewer

combined points than North/South have. West bids 2 because the hand must play better if hearts are

trumps. In fact, West can make 2 by drawing trumps and playing on diamonds.

A J 9

A K 8 6 4

10 9

Q 8 2

7 5 4 10 8 2

3 J 10 9 7

A K Q 5 4 J 3 2

7 6 4 3 J 10 9

K Q 6 3

Q 5 2

8 7 6

A K 5

Board 3 : Dealer South West North East South 1NT

Pass 3 Pass 4 All Pass When partner opens 1NT, North knows North/South should be playing in game. But maybe hearts will be

better than no trumps, so North bids 3 to consult

partner. South with three hearts bids 4. A good decision, as 3NT should not make (look at the diamonds). Even though East has a trump trick, there are only three losers, two diamonds and one heart. Count your tricks to check.

Q 8

Q 5 2

A J 9 4 2

A 10 8

A 5 2 9 4

9 8 4 3 A K J 10 6

8 5 10 7 3

Q 5 3 2 J 7 4

K J 10 7 6 3

7

K Q 6

K 9 6

Board 4 : Dealer West West North East South

Pass 1NT Pass 4 All Pass South has 12 points and a good 6-card spade suit. When partner opens 1NT, showing 12–14 and at least

two spades, just bid 4. It must be the best game. West probably leads a heart. South ruffs the second heart and plays trumps. Remember to draw all three rounds of trumps (count to 13) and you should make eleven tricks, since you can throw the losing club on the long diamonds.



TR14 1NT opening practice hands – (BB S2 TR14)

K Q 3

J 10 2

10 8 7 3

A 10 3

9 8 6 5 4 2

A K 8 6 9 4 3

2 A K Q 9 4

J 7 6 5 4 9 2

A J 10 7

Q 7 5

J 6 5

K Q 8

Board 5 : Dealer North West North East South Pass Pass 1NT All Pass A simple auction since North does not have enough points to open the bidding or to bid over 1NT. West

should lead 5, fourth highest of the longest suit. South plays hearts and sets up a heart trick to go with four spades and three clubs.

J 9 8 7 4 3

J

6 2

J 9 8 3

Q 6 K 5 2

A 10 9 6 K 7 4 2

J 8 7 4 A 10 9 3

A Q 10 5 2

A 10

Q 8 5 3

K Q 5

K 7 6 4

Board 6 : Dealer East West North East South Pass 1NT

Pass 2 All Pass North will not want to make a bid on only 3 HCP, but it must be better to play the hand in spades. East can lead a doubleton club and get a ruff. But the defence can

take only three more tricks: A, A and a spade. One off is far better than South could have done in 1NT.

8 7

K 8 4 2

Q J 8 3

A 7 6

A J 9 K Q 6 2

J 9 5 A 10 6

9 7 6 A 10

K Q 9 4 J 10 8 5

10 5 4 3

Q 7 3

K 5 4 2

3 2

Board 7 : Dealer South West North East South Pass Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass West passes originally but raises 1NT to 2NT. This shows 11 or 12 points and, since East is a maximum, it is right to bid 3NT. Declarer makes at least nine tricks by playing on clubs as soon as he gets the lead. Even if

South leads 2, declarer loses just three diamonds and

A.

10 9 8 7

J 10 5

10 8

K 9 8 2

Q 3 A K J 2

A 9 8 4 K Q 3

Q J 6 5 A K 3 2

A J 10 Q 7

6 5 4

7 6 2

9 7 4

6 5 4 3

Board 8 : Dealer West West North East South 1NT Pass 6NT All Pass It will take East a long time to count all those points as 22 is more than usual. Knowing that East/West must have at least 34 points, but not as many as 37, a brave East bids 6NT and a nervous West can take all thirteen tricks when the hearts break 3-3.

Section 3: Opening one of a suit


Teaching objectives for ‘Opening one of a suit’

Objectives On completion of this topic, the students will be able to:

Take part in a simple auction

❑ complete an auction knowing when and how it can stop

❑ recognise the difference between opener’s and responder’s bidding

❑ know that the same bid can have very different meanings in different contexts

(e.g. 2 has a completely different meaning in 1 2 or 1 2 or 1 2)

Open the bidding at the one level

❑ always open 1NT with a balanced 12-14 points

❑ open the bidding with one of a suit, if not suitable for 1NT

❑ understand that most hands cannot be described in one bid

❑ choose the correct opening bid to start the description of a balanced hand in the range 15 – 19 points and unbalanced hands in the range 12 – 19 points

❑ recognise that some hands with fewer than 12 high card points are worth a one-level opening bid, using the rule of 20

Respond to an opening suit bid

❑ recognise the values needed when responding to an opening bid and that a simple response may be as few as six points or as many as 16 or even more

❑ realise that a responder when holding sound opening bid values must drive the partnership to game

❑ say what is meant by having a fit for partner’s major suit opening bid

❑ show support for that major by raising to the appropriate level, taking account of both shape and points and be aware that partner will pass this response with a minimum opening bid

❑ select a simple change of suit response and know that this is forcing on opener to make another bid (unless responder is a passed hand)

❑ bid a 4+ major at the one-level rather than support partner's minor immediately

❑ know that nine points are needed to bid a new suit at the two-level and make a 1NT response when not holding a suit that can be bid at the one-level

Finish the auction (maximum of four bids)

❑ continue and stop the bidding with both weak and strong hands

❑ recognise that a preference bid is not genuine support

❑ appreciate that bids convey information about shape as well as strength

❑ say the point counts needed for the various no trump rebids

❑ know the requirements for the various no trump responses

❑ say what is meant by limit bids and their role in completing the auction

Terms introduced in this section: Denomination, Rule of 20, support, same suit raise, double raise, game bid, response, responder, forcing, invitational, jump bid, game try, Ethics, game force, jump shift, maximum, minimum, three-level, two-level Yarborough, higher-ranking, lower-ranking, limit bid, rebid Preference, reverse, bridge system



One-level suit openings and limit raises Lesson 8

Learning objectives: ❑ recognise the values needed when responding to an opening bid and that a simple

response may be as few as six points or as many as 16 or even more

❑ realise that a responder when holding sound opening bid values must drive the partnership to game

❑ say what is meant by having a fit for partner’s major suit opening bid

❑ show support for that major by raising to the appropriate level, taking account of both shape and points and be aware that partner will pass this response with a minimum opening bid

Lesson Plan


Intro

Section 2.4

Q&A 5 What we know about bidding. How many points to open 1NT? What are the game contracts, how many tricks needed? How many combined points for game? (25+ 3NT/

4/) How many combined trumps for a good trump suit? The 8-card fit.

One-level suit openings

Section 3.1

CHAT

5 Points and shape to open one of a suit. Can’t bid whole hand in one go, like you do with 1NT Which suit to open? Examples Rule of 20

What bid to open with?

TR15 (T51)

SYNC

20 Make up the starting hand. Explain the exception with two four-card majors. Explain why, concentrating on difference between balanced and unbalanced hands. Omit 4441 hands for now.

Limit raises

TR16 (T52)

SYNC

15 Responses – limit raises, display summary of point ranges.

Make up a starting hand that would open 1. Work through the different bids.

Break 10 If students are looking weary or puzzled, you can take a break before doing the limit raises.

Exercise

TR17 (T52)

CHAL

15 Get each table to create a pair of hands to fit the given sequence. Random deal the remaining two hands. Call teacher over when they are ready. Does the hand fit the auction? Can the contract make, or should it? Change the cards so the contract makes. Put the deal in a board. Put a traveller in the board, so the students who made it up can see what actually happened. Try to ensure the making-up table plays the board last so they see the traveller at the end.

Practical

Section 3.10

PLAY 45 Play three or four of the student prepared hands.

Or you can use P51 (BB S3 3-10) Hands 1 to 4 instead.

Discussion RECAP 5 Did bidding go as expected?

Next time We’ll look at other responses to one-of-a-suit openings, where we haven’t immediately found a fit

Homework

Section 3.9 P45

Supporting partner’s suit. Bidding Quiz Best done with a partner but try at home if not possible to do in class.

Book pages

P30-P33



New Suit and No Trump Responses Lesson 9

Learning objectives: ❑ select a simple change of suit response and know that this is forcing on opener to

make another bid (unless responder is a passed hand)

❑ bid a 4+ major at the one-level rather than support partner's minor immediately

❑ know that nine points are needed to bid a new suit at the two-level and make a 1NT response when not holding a suit that can be bid at the one-level

Lesson Plan


Intro Q&A 5 Recap of limit raises. Explain next topics

No trump and new suit responses (after a one level suit opening bid)

Section 3.3

CHAT

15

Just outline the options for responder when they have no support for partner, so they can’t do limit raise.

❑ importance of bidding major if possible (instead of supporting a minor)

❑ values needed for a new suit response:

➢ 6+ points for the one level

➢ 10+ points for the two level

❑ 1NT as bid of last resort when responder has 6-9 points (not enough for a two-level response) and has no suit that can be bid at the one-level.

P47 QUIZ 15 Exercise: “Change of suit” responses. (Can be finished for homework)

TR18 (T52) CHAL 10 Hands to make up as a group.

Break 10

Opener’s rebid with a weak hand

Section 3.4

CHAT

10

Following an *opening bid and partner changes suit

❑ rebid “opening” suit (first or only suit)

❑ bid a second lower ranking suit.

❑ What responder does to finish the auction e.g. pass, give preference to the first suit or just bid game.

*Only talk about opening hands with fewer than 15 points

Section 3.10

P52 (BB S3 3-10)

Hands 5-8

PLAY 50 Students may discuss what they think each bid means.

This is a complex stage with more practice next lesson. Praise the correct bids they make at this stage.

Provide a copy of the hand record for students to check the bidding they know.

Review

Summary Section 3.8

RECAP 5 Students have covered about two thirds of this summary page. BRIDGE FLIPPER Term 1 is a useful learning aid]

Next time More practice on completing the auction

Homework

Section 3.9

Finish off the quiz in section 3.9 (P47 Change of suit response)

Book pages P34-39



Finishing the auction Lesson 10

Learning objectives: ❑ complete an auction knowing when and how it can stop

❑ recognise the difference between opener’s and responder’s bidding

❑ know that the same bid can have very different meanings in different contexts

❑ continue and stop the bidding with both weak and strong hands

❑ recognise that a preference bid is not genuine support

❑ appreciate that bids convey information about shape as well as strength

Lesson Plan

Activity Method Time Notes on Activities

Intro Q&A 5 A revision and play lesson. This extra practice session at this stage will lay the foundation for good decision making.

REVISION

Section 3.4 / 3.5

RECAP

Q&A

15

Importance of choosing the correct bid and rebid. Points for responding. Types of response: Change of suit or limit response Openers next options for rebid Responders 2nd bid - choices The summary page Section 3.8 the first five headings can be used for questioning the class.

Break 10 Schedule during play

T20 (BB S3 TR20) and hands from previous lessons can be used

PLAY 80 T20 (hands 5 and 7 are NT rebids, to be covered in a future lesson)

Use Section 3.8 and Bridge Flipper Term 1 for reference during play

Next time More about bidding strong hands.

Book pages

P30-39

This practice session will lay the foundation for good decision making.



Opener's rebid with a strong hand Lesson 11

Learning objectives: ❑ make a rebid to show more cards in your first bid suit

❑ rebid to show a second suit

❑ rebid to show support for partners suit

❑ identify which rebids show a strong opening hand (16 + points)

Lesson Plan


Intro Q&A 15 Review opener’s rebid with a weak hand and how responder may finish the auction by showing preference, by passing or by bidding game

Opener’s continuation Section 3.6

CHAT

15 Opener’s strong hands and how to continue the auction

❑ jump rebid with a decent 6+ card suit, 16-18 HCP

❑ jump support with 4+ cards and 16-18 HCP

❑ reverse (don’t worry, it will take ages before students understand this properly!) but if they do reverse it is a strong bid, say 16+, and responder should bid again

❑ jump shift is made when opener knows game is on but doesn’t know where. It is always forcing to game, say 19 HCP after a one-level response and 16+ after a two-level response.

❑ 1NT, 2NT and 3NT. No trump rebids show points, more next time.

The point counts for opener’s strong rebids are only a guide, since good long suits mean less high cards will be needed to make game.

TR19 (T53) CHAL 15 Deals to make up.

Break 10

Practical PLAY 60 Play deals made up by the class or use TR20 (T54),(BB S3

TR20) hands 1-4 all on strong rebids.

Review RECAP 5 Main points of the lesson

Deciding what is weak and what is strong, its not only points, long suits are just as valuable.

Next week Getting into no trumps

Revision / homework

Look through P30-39 again. It is well worth doing this, as this is the absolute foundation of all bidding and the better it is understood now, the easier bridge will be in the future.

Book pages Section 3.6, P40-41




Getting Into No Trumps Lesson 12

Learning objectives: ❑ say the point counts needed for the various no trump rebids

❑ know the requirements for the various no trump responses

❑ say what is meant by limit bids and their role in completing the auction

Lesson Plan


Intro Q&A 5 Remind students that we have already covered rebids on weak and strong unbalanced hands.

Strong balanced hands Section 3.7 (P42)

CHAT

10

Opener’s rebids in no trumps ❑ Lowest level NT rebid is 15-16

❑ With 17-18 make a jump rebid in no trumps.

❑ 3NT is 19 if over a one level response

❑ 3NT is 17-19 if over a two level response

All balanced hands either open or rebid no trumps.

The only exception is a 1 opening with 4-4 in the majors

and a 1 response, when spades are raised. Don’t mention stoppers or create any exceptions. Responder counts points and decides whether to explore a suit further or just raise no trumps.

P49 QUIZ 10 Opening and rebidding stronger hands.

No Trump responses

RECAP

CHAT 10 Remind students about NT responses P47 as 1/2/3NT

means something different by opener and by responder.

Bidding quiz TR21 (T56)

SYNC DISC

20 Working in pairs Discuss answers with whole class

Break 10

Practical PLAY

50 TR20 ((T55), Hands 5-8, or get class to make up deals using TR22 (T58)

Review RECAP 5 This is the end of a series of bidding lessons. Perhaps the students would like to buy a Standard English system summary card or even Really Easy Bidding – it’s a bit early but they are always popular (good Xmas presents) Remind the students bridge is a social game to be enjoyed. Are they getting together and playing?

Next time The end of unit revision session.

Try This Worth taking another look at the Review Pages covered so far – P26 and P44.

Book pages P42-43 plus Section 3.8 P44 which summarises the topic.


Competition Lesson 13

TR23 (T59), BB S3 TR23 Eight hands revising Opening One of a Suit. Have a competition with an end of section party! Or just play the hands and discuss them.



Bidding with a suit – How to teach this topic

Understanding the bidding system

This topic sets the pattern for the way the student thinks during an auction. This is the first occasion where the whole hand is not being described in one go – the opening bid at the one-level is not a limit bid and so is not a full description. Students should be helped to appreciate this; they don’t need to say everything at once. Care should be taken to help students develop a clear understanding of the bidding system. Concepts such as forcing and limit bids should be fully explained.

Purpose of the auction

Students should be reminded of the purpose of the auction: ❑ to determine the joint values, specifically is this a game hand

or is it a part score and in which strain?

❑ to make a bid that limits one hand, so that the game/part score decision can be made by partner

❑ to search for a trump fit, especially an 8-card major suit fit

Stress the importance of bidding a major rather than supporting partner's minor or bidding no trumps. It is not always necessary to describe all your hand. Aim to stop in a sensible spot as low as possible if game is not possible; When a fit is found, make a limit raise.

Balanced and unbalanced

The difference between balanced and unbalanced hands is important - strong balanced hands almost always bid no trumps at their second turn and this governs the choice of opening suit bid. The text book contains some hands opening 1 of a suit with 5-3-3-2 shapes in 12-14 HCP range. Use a simple rule eg. high honour and 2+ “intermediates”in the trump suit – avoid lengthy discussions on suit quality and rebids at this stage.

4441 hands Don’t cover the difficult 4441 hands unless asked about this shape, or your students are quick to learn. They are low frequency and should NOT be used in example hands. They are the ONLY exception to the rule that opening one suit and rebidding another promises 5+ cards in the first suit. An optional lesson is available

The value of shape

When explaining the idea of adding value for long suits when opening or for short suits after a fit has been found, do NOT use distribution points or shortage points. The ‘Rule of 20’ is used to help explain opening values on less than 13 points. It is suggested that a void or singleton is valued as roughly the same as an ace or king - but ONLY AFTER a fit has been located.

Teach through understanding

When covering support responses, rather than teaching ranges of values for different raises, try to get your students to work out for themselves the reasons for various bids. Get them into the habit of adding their values to those partner has told them about and asking themselves: is game definitely on (are our combined values 25 points)? is game definitely not on (are our combined values 25)? is there a possibility of game (in between)?

Change of suit replies

Emphasise that we: ❑ bid a major before supporting partner's minor, say why

❑ have at least 10 points for a two-level response and say why

❑ bid 1NT as a last resort on 6-9, it may not be balanced

Do not mention jump shift response. (This is covered in Book 2)

Competition The second competition can be held at any convenient lesson in the unit. The end of term is a good time. Resist any temptation to leave out the competitions – students love them!




Activity Resource Materials Book page

Limit raises of partner's suit Bidding quiz 45

Change of suit replies Quiz 47

Bidding strong balanced hands Quiz. Hands to bid as a pair 49

Opening One of a Suit hands BB S3 3-10 Hands 1 to 8 51


Activity

Resource Materials Ref Teacher’s Page

Opening bid of one of a suit CDL record sheet TR15 T51

Limit raises CDL record sheet TR16 T52

Limit raises Fit deals to bidding sequence TR17 T52

Change of suit responds Make hands to defined criteria TR18 T52

Opener's strong rebid Make hands to defined criteria TR19 T53

One of a suit practice hands 8 hands – BB S3 TR20 TR20 T54

Bidding strong balanced hands

Quiz. Choice of rebid depends on partner’s response

TR21 T56

Opener's strong hand Make hands to fit sequence TR22 T58

Revision hands 8 hands – BB S3 TR23 TR23 T59


Hand Bidding Play points Dec Other points P51 Limit Raises An alternative to students making up hands

1 Limit raise to 3 N

2 Limit raise to 2 Play then E N/S make 2.

3 Limit raise to game Avoid heart loser? S Look at hearts

4 1 3 4 Play s before s W Trump lead?

P52 First response

5 New suit response N Simple preference

6 1NT response W Simple preference

7 Opener rebids first suit Play then clubs. S Pass the rebid

8 Opener single raise Lead towards Q E Responder passes

TR20 (T54) Strong suit rebids

1 Strong jump rebid Win Q with A N Responder raises

2 Reverse by opener Take Q then AK W Second suit raised

3 Strong raise Trumps then hearts E Defensive switch

4 Reverse by opener Drive out A S

TR20 (T55) Strong balanced rebids

You may prefer to cover balanced hands before the unbalanced hands

5 Strong balanced hand with 17-19 HCP

Forcing out an honour

N

Playing in NT rather than a minor

6 Bidding after partner replies 2NT

Technique playing trumps

E

Playing in a major rather than NT

7 Strong balanced hand with 17-19 HCP

S

8 Strong semi-balanced,

raise responder to 4.

Counting the trumps

Establish by ruffing

W

TR23 (T59) Revision suit bidding Competition, does not include strong rebids



TR15 Which suit to open

❑ Ask the questions in columns 2-4 to get the facts straight

❑ Get suggestions as to what opening bid should be made

❑ Agree the best answer

❑ Make the changes shown in the last column

❑ Repeat the above with the new hand

New Hand How many

points?

Is hand balanced

?

What is the longest suit?

What opening?

Make changes

K Q 6 5 4

K J 5

A 9 7 6

4

13 No Spades 1

Change

K Q to 3 2

7 6 to K Q

6 5 4 3 2

K J 5

A K Q 9

4

13 No Spades 1

Change

2 to K

5 to 7

Q to 6

K 6 5 4 3

K J

A K 9 7 6

4

14 No Spades and diamonds

both 5-cards 1

Change

4 to 5

K 6 5 4 3

K J

A K 9 7 6 5

–

14 No Diamonds 1

Change

3 to 5

6 5 to Q 4

K 6 5 4

K J 5

A K 9 7

Q 4

16 Yes Spades and

diamonds both 4-cards

1 Change

7 to 7

K 6 5 4

K J 7 5

A K 9

Q 4

16 Yes Spades and

hearts both 4-cards

1

Change

A to J

K 6 5 4

K J 7 5

K J 9

Q 4

13 Yes Spades and

hearts both 4-cards

1NT Change

Q to Q

ALWAYS OPEN YOUR LONGEST SUIT.

WITH TWO 5-CARD SUITS OPEN THE HIGHER RANKING.

WITH TWO 4-CARD SUITS, OPEN THE HIGHER RANKING– EXCEPT AND

K 6 5 4

K Q J 7 5

K J 9

4

13 No Open longest

suit 1

Change

K J 7 to K J 7

K 6 5 4

Q 5

K J 9

K J 7 4

13 No Timely

reminder to open 1NT

1NT



TR16 Which suit to respond after a 1 opening

New Hand Points? Balanced? Longest suit Bid? Make changes

Q 6 5 4

J 5 3

J 9 7 6

10 4

4 Yes Spades and

diamonds each 4-cards

Pass Change

Q to Q

6 5 4

Q J 5 3

J 9 7 6

10 4

4 Yes Hearts and


Pass Change

6 to K

K 5 4

Q J 5 3

J 9 7 6

10 4

7 Yes Hearts and diamonds

each 4-cards 2

Change

J to A

K 5 4

Q J 5 3

A 9 7 6

10 4

10 Yes Hearts and diamonds

each 4-cards 3

Change

9 to K

K 5 4

Q J 5 3

A K 7 6

10 4

13 Yes Hearts and


4

SUPPORT PARTNER’S MAJOR TO THE LIMIT WITH 4 OR MORE CARDS.

TR17 Make up the hands to fit the auction

Board 1 North East South West

Dealer North 1 pass 2 pass

4 all pass Board 2 East South West North

Dealer East 1 pass 2 all pass Board 3 South West North East

Dealer South 1 pass 3 pass

4 all pass Board 4 West North East South

Dealer West 1 pass 4 all pass

TR18 Make up hands on change of suit responses

Give each table a pack of cards and ask the students, working in groups, to make up a hand to meet each of the following criteria.

1. Partner opens 1. You respond 1.

2. Partner opens 1. You respond 3, even though you have five diamonds.

3. Partner opens 1. You respond 2.

4. Partner opens 1. You respond 1NT.

In what contract do you think the deal you have made up will finish?



TR19 Make up hands on opener’s strong rebid

Give each table a pack of cards and ask the students, working in groups, to make up a hand to meet the following criteria.

1. You open 1. Partner responds 2.

You now bid 2.

2. You open 1. Partner responds 1NT.

You now bid 3.


You now bid 4.


You now bid 3. In what contract do you think the deal you have made up will finish?



TR20 Opening one of a suit practice hands –(BB S3 TR20)

K Q 3

A Q J 9 7 3

A 2

4 2

A 9 6 5 8 7

5 10 8 6 4

8 6 5 3 Q J 10 7

A 9 8 7 K 5 3

J 10 4 2

K 2

K 9 4

Q J 10 6

Board 1 : Dealer North West North East South

1 Pass 1

Pass 3 Pass 4 All Pass

North’s second bid shows at least six hearts and a

strong hand. South can therefore raise to game in

hearts with only two cards in hearts. Even though

East has four hearts, North can win Q, draw all the

trumps and then drive out A by playing the king,

then the queen if West ducks.

Q 9 6 4

10 7 2

10 5 3 2

A K

A K 8 7 3 2

A Q 9 6 K J 5 4

A K J 8 6 Q 9

4 3 2 10 5

J 10 5

8 3

7 4

Q J 9 8 7 6

Board 2 : Dealer East West North East South Pass Pass

1 Pass 1 Pass

2 Pass 4 All Pass

West’s second bid is a reverse, above the 2

barrier, which shows a strong hand with diamonds

that are longer than the hearts. East can support

the hearts and is strong enough to bid game. His

Q is now a very useful value because West bid

diamonds.

8 7 5

6 5

A Q 10 9

6 5 4 3

A Q 9 6 K J 10 4

K Q J 10 9 4 3 2

4 3 7 6 5

A 2 K Q J

3 2

A 8 7

K J 8 2

10 9 8 7

Board 3 : Dealer South West North East South Pass

1 Pass 1 Pass

3 Pass 4 All Pass

West opens 1 and is pleased to hear partner bid

1. Now 2 would show a minimum opening, West

must show more by bidding 3. East has just

enough to bid 4. South will lead 10, but might

switch to diamonds when in with A, to hold

declarer to ten tricks. A clever declarer, however,

might discard a diamond on the third round of

clubs before playing on hearts.

A K 9 6

K Q J 10 9

6 4

A 2

J 8 7 3 Q 10 2

A 7 2 8 6 3

Q 8 7 5 A 3 2

10 9 8 7 5 4

5 4

5 4

K J 10 9

K Q J 6 3


Pass 1 Pass 2

Pass 2 Pass 3NT All Pass North opens 1, the longest suit. When South can

respond 2, North knows there must be a game, but

does not know where. 2 is a reverse, above the 2

barrier, showing a strong hand with four spades and

longer hearts. South, lacking heart support or four

spades, bids 3NT. West leads 5, the unbid suit but the

defence can win only two diamonds and A.



TR20 Opening one of a suit practice hands – (BB S3 TR20)

A Q 3

K Q 7

A Q J 10 5

7 2

8 7 4 2 J 10 9 6

A 9 8 6 J 5 4

7 6 3 8 2

10 5 K Q 8 4

K 5

10 3 2

K 9 4

A J 9 6 3


1 Pass 2 Pass 3NT All Pass

North opens 1. With 11 HCP, South can bid 2. North is

now confident there are enough points for game but the

partnership's longest suits are the minors. With good guards

in the majors North bids 3NT, showing 17–19 HCP. East leads

J. 3NT easily makes with an overtrick once the ace of

hearts has been forced out. The alternative of 5 is harder

to make and scores less.

Q J 9 8

K 5 4 3

J 4

J 10 8

K 7 3 A 4

A 2 Q J 9 8 7 6

A 10 6 2 K Q 3

9 5 3 2 K 4

10 6 5 2

10

9 8 7 5

A Q 7 6

Board 6 : Dealer East West North East South

1 Pass

2NT Pass 4 All Pass

East opens the bidding with 1. With no 4-card major and

11 points West responds with 2NT, a limit bid with a

balanced hand and 10–12 HCP. East knows the partnership

has 25–27 points, i.e. enough for game, and that West must

have two or three hearts, because 2NT is balanced, but not

four hearts as the 1 opening bid was not raised. East

knows the partnership has enough for game and at least

eight hearts, so bids 4.

4 3

9 6 2

A J 10

A Q 9 8 7

A J 10 9 8 6 5

J 10 8 7 K 5 3

6 5 3 Q 9 4 2

J 4 10 5 2

K Q 7 2

A Q 4

K 8 7

K 6 3

Board 7 : Dealer South West North East South

1

Pass 2 Pass 3NT All Pass

South is balanced but with 17 HCP is too good for 1NT.

When North shows at least 9 HCP by bidding 2, South

should jump all the way to 3NT to show the points held.

After the lead of J, South can win and play K to establish

the tenth trick, making one spade, two hearts, two

diamonds and five clubs.

A

K 9 7 5 2

4 3

J 10 9 8 7

9 7 5 3 2 K Q J 4

J 8 4 A 6

K 2 A Q 10 8 5

Q 5 2 K 3

10 8 6

Q 10 3

J 9 7 6

A 6 4


Pass Pass 1 Pass

1 Pass 4 All Pass

East opens 1, his longest suit. West should respond with 6

HCP and bid 1. Now East should raise all the way to

4 with 19 HCP and four good spades. North leads J. If

the king is played South wins the ace. If the three is played

from dummy South plays the six. West plays a spade to

knock out the ace. West must count trumps to make sure

that all three of South’s are drawn. That will leave one

trump in dummy to ruff the club loser.



TR21 Bidding strong balanced hands - 2

10 E A S T D E A L E R O U T H D E A L E R12 W E S T D E A L E R

Below are eight pairs of hands. How do you think the bidding will go on each

pair?

The opposition pass whenever it is their turn to bid.

WEST HANDS EAST HANDS

A 5 2 1. West dealer 1. West dealer 10 7 6

K 6 Q J 9 3

A Q J 4 9 6 3

Q 9 6 3 K 5 2

10 7 6 2. East dealer 2. East dealer A 5 2

A Q J 9 K 6

10 6 3 A Q J 4

K 5 2 Q 9 6 3

A 5 2 3. West dealer 3. West dealer 10 7

K 6 A Q J 9 3

A Q J 4 9 6

Q 9 6 3 K 5 4 2

10 7 4. East dealer 4. East dealer A 5 2

Q J 9 3 K 10 5 2

9 6 3 A Q J 4

K 5 3 2 Q J

A 5 2 5. West dealer 5. West dealer 10 7 6

K 6 5 A Q J 10 9 3

A Q 4 9

Q J 6 3 K 5 2

J 7 6 6. East dealer 6. East dealer A 10 2

A Q 9 K 6

9 6 3 A Q J 4

K J 5 2 Q 9 6 3

A 5 2 7. West dealer 7. West dealer K 7 6

K 6 Q J 9

K 7 4 2 A 6 3

Q 9 6 3 K J 4 2

A 5 2 8. East dealer 8. East dealer K Q 6

K 10 Q J 9 7 2

K 7 4 2 A 6 3

Q 9 6 3 K 5



TR21 Bidding strong balanced hands – 2 - answers

1 West East

A 5 2 10 7 6

K 6 Q J 9 3

A Q J 4 9 6 3

Q 9 6 3 K 5 2

West East

1 1

1NT pass

West is too strong to open 1NT.

The 1NT rebid shows 15–16 points

but East passes with just six points.

2 West East

10 7 6 A 5 2

A Q J 9 K 6

10 6 3 A Q J 4

K 5 2 Q 9 6 3

West East

1

1 1NT

3NT pass

As the 1NT rebid shows 15–16,

West can raise to 3NT with ten

points.

3 West East

A 5 2 10 7

K 6 A Q J 9 3

A Q J 4 9 6

Q 9 6 3 K 5 4 2

West East

1 1

1NT 3

3NT pass

After the 15–16 rebid of 1NT, East

wants to be in game. A new suit

at the 3-level is forcing to game.

Bidding 3 offers partner a choice

between 3NT and 4. Only rarely

will 5 be the best spot.

4 West East

10 7 A 5 2

Q J 9 3 K 10 5 2

9 6 3 A Q J 4

K 5 3 2 Q J

West East

1

2 3

pass

After a simple raise to 2, the

3 bid is a game try. West does

not have anything extra and so

passes 3 and hopes it will make.

5 West East

A 5 2 10 7 6

K 6 5 A Q J 10 9 3

A Q 4 9

Q J 6 3 K 5 2

West East

1 1

1NT 4

pass

West’s rebid of 1NT shows 15–16

points and a balanced hand

which must have at least two

hearts so East can jump to game

in hearts.

6 West East

J 7 6 A 10 2

A Q 9 K 6

9 6 3 A Q J 4

K J 5 2 Q 9 6 3

West East

1

2NT 3NT

pass

A response of 2NT to an opening

bid shows a balanced hand with

10–12 points. 10+16=26. More than

enough to bid 3NT.

7 West East

A 5 2 K 7 6

K 6 Q J 9

K 7 4 2 A 6 3

Q 9 6 3 K J 4 2

West East

1NT 3NT

pass

Don’t forget 1NT shows 12–14 and

a balanced hand, you still bid it

when you can.

8 West East

A 5 2 K Q 6

K 10 Q J 9 7 2

K 7 4 2 A 6 3

Q 9 6 3 K 5

West East

1

2NT 3NT

pass

West responds 2NT to the 1

opening with 12 points. With a

balanced hand and five

moderate hearts East just raises to

3NT.



TR22 Make up complete deals on strong opener rebids

Give each table a pack of cards and ask the students, working in groups, to make up a hand to meet each of the following criteria. Board 1 North East South West

Dealer North 1 pass 1 pass

3 pass 4 all pass Board 2 East South West North

Dealer East 1 pass 1 pass

3 all pass Board 3 South West North East

Dealer South 1 pass 1 pass

2 pass 4 all pass Board 4 West North East South

Dealer West 1 pass 1NT pass

3 pass 4 all pass Deal out the remaining 26 cards to get a hand that can be played at the table.



TR23 Revision hands – BB S3 TR23 16 W E S T D E A L E R – E / W V u l n e r a b l e

K 8 7

K 10 5 4

A K 7

9 6 2

J 10 3 2 Q 9 5 4

8 7 6 A 9 2

6 5 4 2 J 10 9

Q J K 8 4

A 6

Q J 3

Q 8 3

A 10 7 5 3

Board 1 : Dealer North West North East South 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass North must open 1NT even with no club stop. A raise to 3NT

is much better than 3 as the South hand is basically

balanced. East leads 4 fourth highest of the longest suit held. North should try for two tricks in spades, three in hearts, three in diamonds and one club. But the hand needs to be timed carefully to set the tricks up. Play on hearts to

drive out A before the other tricks are cashed.

10 9 6

8 7 4

A J 10 3

J 5 3

K J 4 2 A Q 3

Q 10 2 K J 9 3

Q 7 6 K 9 4

A 9 4 K 8 7

8 7 5

A 6 5

8 5 2

Q 10 6 2


1 Pass

1 Pass 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass East’s 1NT rebid shows 15–16 HCP and West raises straight to game with twelve points. As spades have been bid, South

will surely lead 2. Declarer should play on hearts. Four spades, three hearts and two clubs makes nine tricks.

A 4 3

A 10 7 3

K Q 6 2

9 5

J 10 5 9 8

6 5 2 J 8

9 8 5 4 J 10 3

K Q 3 A J 10 7 6 2

K Q 7 6 2

K Q 9 4

A 7

8 4

Board 3 : Dealer South West North East South

1

Pass 2 Pass 2

Pass 4 All Pass With an 8-card fit in both majors prefer the 4-4 fit to the 5-3

fit. West should attack with K after South has shown at least five spades and four hearts. On any other lead South makes twelve tricks easily as one club can be discarded on a diamond. Well done the East/West pairs who held declarer to eleven tricks.

K Q 8 5 2

9 4 2

K J 5

6 4

9 7 A 6 4

K Q J 3 10 7

8 6 2 A 9 7 4 3

K Q J 7 A 8 3

J 10 3

A 8 6 5

Q 10

10 9 5 2

Board 4 : Dealer West West North East South 1NT Pass 2NT All Pass Despite the concentration of high cards in two suits, West should open 1NT, but with only 12 HCP, should pass the

invitational raise to 2NT. North leads 5, being fourth highest of the longest suit. West should not play dummy’s

A till the third round and should play on hearts to make nine tricks, one in spades, three in hearts, one diamond and four clubs. If you made nine tricks, you will wish you had bid 3NT but you cannot be right all the time. If North had held

A, 3NT would have gone down.




K 8 4 2

K Q 9 7 3

Q J

K 8

9 5 7 6

5 4 A J 8 2

K 10 9 8 6 7 5 2

10 9 4 2 A 7 6 5

A Q J 10 3

10 6

A 4 3

Q J 3


1 Pass 1

Pass 2 Pass 4 All Pass South hears North’s opening bid and knows game is on

but South can afford to bid 1because it is forcing.

North raises to 2 and now South jumps to game. West

has no attractive lead. If he tries 5 and East wins and switches to a diamond declarer is held to ten tricks. Otherwise South set up a club winner to discard a losing diamond from dummy and makes eleven tricks for a score of 450 to North/South.

Q J 10 6

A 5 4

9 7 5

6 4 3

9 7 A K3 2

Q 8 7 6 2 J10 9

K Q J 4 8 3 2

A 7 K Q 2

8 5 4

K 3

A 10 6

J 10 9 8 5

Board 6 : Dealer East West North East South 1NT Pass 3 ♥ Pass 4♥ All Pass North has an easy lead, ♠ Q the top of a sequence. Declarer should win the first spade trick and then draw trumps. They will lose two trumps tricks but fear not! When declarer gains the lead they should play diamonds (ideally) from dummy to set up the diamonds winners. (More on declarer play in the next section)

Q 9 2

Q 9 8 7 3

6 4

8 5 2

K 7 6 5 A 8 3

A 2 10 6 5

J 8 7 K Q 10

K J 6 4 Q 10 9 3

J 10 4

K J 4

A 9 5 3 2

A 7


Pass 2 All Pass North has an awful hand but it is quite correct to make a bid on it rather than leave partner to struggle in 1NT. East might lead ♦K, but North should win trick one and play clubs straight away. Now it will be possible to ruff the club loser in dummy. Even one round of trumps before playing clubs can defeat declarer, if the defence play trumps at every opportunity.

J 10 9 3

A 8 5

Q 7 4 2

8 7

A 7 8 6 4

Q J 7 6 3 K 4 2

9 3 K 8 6 5

K Q 9 4 J 10 2

K Q 5 2

10 9

A J 10

A 6 5 3


1 Pass 1NT Pass

2 Pass 2 All Pass With five hearts, West opens 1 ♥ and shows the clubs when partner bids 1NT. East should put partner back to the first bid suit by bidding 2♥. ♠J is the normal lead and should hold West to eight tricks.

Section 4: Declarer Play


Teaching objectives for ‘Declarer Play’

Objectives On completion of this topic, the students will be able to:

Plan the play of a straightforward no trump hand

❑ stop and think before touching a card

❑ know their target number of tricks to be made

❑ count their top winners before they start to play

❑ work out how many more tricks are needed to make the contract

❑ think of the different options for making the extra tricks needed

Know some ways to establish the extra tricks needed

❑ establish extra tricks by driving out defenders’ high cards

❑ establish extra tricks by giving up one or two tricks in a long suit

❑ recognise when it is safe to lose the lead

❑ establish extra tricks before cashing other top winners

❑ make an assumption about the position of a key card and take a finesse

❑ decide when to refuse to win the opening lead despite having one (sometimes two) top winners in the suit that is led by making a hold-up play

❑ very briefly, say what a safe hand and a danger hand mean

Take advantage of trumps in a suit contract

❑ make plays that are specific to a suit contract and not available in no trumps

❑ recognise when it is correct to draw trumps immediately and when to delay

❑ establish tricks in a side suit by ruffing

❑ show that the hand with the short trumps can produce extra tricks by ruffing


Establish, switch, losing the lead LHO = left hand opponent RHO = right hand opponent Finesse, duck, hold up, crossruff, long suit, short suit, side suit,

Loser, attacking lead, MUD passive lead, interior sequence, force (forcing), top of nothing, touching honours, standard leads

Spring Simultaneous Pairs If you are starting this topic in January, don’t forget to enter for the Spring Simultaneous Pairs, held during March. Give Lisa a ring on 01296 317217 or email [email protected] to find out more details and register to receive the hands and commentaries electronically, plus information on how to score. A single table is enough.

mailto:[email protected]



Declarer play techniques Lesson 14


❑ know their target number of tricks to be made

❑ count their top winners before they start to play

❑ work out how many more tricks are needed to make the contract

❑ identify different options for making the extra tricks needed

Lesson Plan


Making tricks Section 4.1 P53-55 Making Winners

CHAT

Q&A

30 Demonstrate making tricks by cashing out or by losing the lead once or twice to promote lower cards. P53 A to D, P54 A to D

Demonstrate in context of whole hand management.

Confirm understanding of terms: cash winners, establish, preserve entries, set up winners,

Play technique

TR24a (T67)

QUIZ 30 Exercise on entries and communications

Questions 1 to 6 only (7 and 8 involve a finesse, which is explained next lesson)

Break 10

Practical

TR25 (T69)

PLAY 40 4 hands to play on basic principles – one for each direction.

Review 10 Stress key features but particularly ‘High card from the short suit first’ to avoid a suit getting blocked.

Section 4.6

Try This

P69

Quiz

Exercise on developing tricks

Next time Declarer play in no trump contracts, finessing

Book pages P53 to 56. Reinforce points made in class



Declarer play in no trumps Lesson 15

Learning objectives: ❑ establish extra tricks by driving out defenders’ high cards

❑ establish extra tricks by giving up one or two tricks in a long suit

❑ recognise when it is safe to lose the lead

❑ establish extra tricks before cashing other top winners

❑ make an assumption about the position of a key card and take a finesse

❑ decide when to refuse to win the opening lead despite having one (sometimes two) top winners in the suit that is led by making a hold-up play

❑ very briefly, say what a safe hand and a danger hand mean

Lesson Plan


Introduction to finessing Section 4.2 P57 - 59

CHAT

Q&A

20 Demonstrate the basic principles of winning tricks by finessing. P57 A to D then move on to P58 D to F

Give each pack of cards to practice technique with one suit.

Difference between P59 spade and heart holdings

TR24b – two questions on finesse.

Section 4.6 P71

SYNC 25 Exercise on finessing

Try the simple suit combinations first. A to F

Try 1 to 4. Better to play out the cards than try doing it from the book.

Section 4.3

Hold Up/ Ducking

P61

SYNC

15 Demonstrate the 2 hands on Hold up and Duck (P61)

Break 10

Section 4.7

P75 (BB S4 4-7)

PLAY

50 4 hands to play on basic techniques.

Try This

P71

QUIZ

Use P71 (partially completed above) questions 5 to 8 as a homework.

Next time Declarer play in trump contracts

Book pages P57-61

Additional resources on declarer play:Quiz on declarer play in no trumps – TR26 (T70)

and or the exercise TR27 (T72).



Declarer Play in a suit contract Lesson 16

Learning objectives

❑ make plays that are specific to a suit contract and not available in no trumps

❑ recognise when it is correct to draw trumps immediately and when to delay ❑ establish tricks in a side suit by ruffing ❑ show that the hand with the short trumps can produce extra tricks by ruffing

Lesson Plan


Revision

Section 4.3

RECAPQ&A

5 Finessing, hold up/duck

Introduction

P62

CHAT 10 Discuss the advantages of a trump suit. e.g.

Stop opponents making high cards and long suits.

P62 hands A and B

Draw trumps/don’t draw trumps

P62

CHAT RECAP

10 In principle, this is revision, as it was covered before. But most students do show a desire to cash other winners randomly before drawing trumps!

P62 C and D

Cross ruffing

P63

CHAT 10 Demonstrate the wonder of hand (e) and the misery of (f)

Ruffing losers

P64

CHAT 10 Demonstrate ruffing a loser before drawing trumps. In (g) it can happen straight away, in (h) lose a trick first.

Quiz

TR28 (T73)

15 Declarer Play with trumps. A planning the play exercise

Section 4.4 shows the thought process for play (SWOT)

Break 10

Practical

P76

Hands 5 - 8

PLAY

50 Four hands to play using techniques from today’s lesson

Additional hands TR29 (T75).

Try This

P73

QUIZ

Exercise on using a trump suit. 6 questions, suggest this for homework.

Next time Introduction to defence

Book pages P62 to 66.

Summary on Section 4.5, P68

Practice Beginning Bridge Set 10 – Page 132 can be used after this lesson



Declarer play – How to teach this topic

Introduction Say to the class ‘Declarer play is the most exciting part of bridge. As declarer, you alone are pitting your wits against your two opponents. It is your opportunity to shine.’

Some points covered by this lesson have already been introduced in MiniBridge and the practice hands played each lesson. Bidding can be taught but card play is learned by experience; you recognise a situation that has happened before. The more you play, the better you become.

Basic principles Start by introducing them to some basic play situations. The play hands are deliberately designed to make the students realise that they need to think about declarer play. They may not get it right, but this does not matter. What matters is that they get into the habit of planning the play and can follow your reasoning.

Work with single suit combinations to start with, demonstrating or getting them to work out the number of tricks that can be made. This is the first time you have revisited this as a formal topic since MiniBridge so spend time on it.

One of the hardest things to get them to take on board is the idea of ‘high card from the short suit first’.

Establishing tricks in a long suit

Knowing how many tricks are required from a suit will determine how declarer should play the hand. You could remind the class that A 8 7 6 5 opposite 4 3 2 has the potential for three tricks if declarer can afford to lose the lead twice. When counting a suit, it is easier to work out how many cards the defenders hold between them and the probable division of those cards.

See if the class can decide how declarer should play A K Q x x opposite x x, if just four tricks are needed from the suit and there is no sure entry to dummy. If someone comes up with playing small from both hands, you know you have a potential star!

The finesse (We live in hope)

Most students find this difficult. They ask: ‘How do I know that this opponent holds the king?’ It is hard to differentiate between a sure way of making a contract and a line that depends on the position of key cards. Make sure students understand the difference. Ask the question when you discuss the hands that they play. Putting cards on the table is the best way to illustrate points.

Holding up a card that can win the trick

This is obviously an essential tactic, which may have come up during previous lessons. It needs to be fully explained. Make sure that students know why they should hold up. Show that, apart from cutting communications, declarer may be in a position to lose the lead to the safe hand or may hope that a vital card is not in the danger hand. This concept is examined in more detail in year two.

When to draw trumps

The primary aim of this topic is to encourage the student to think about how to make extra tricks when they have a trump suit. You are trying to make them understand:

❑ that counting losers is as important as counting winners

❑ that extra tricks can be set up in a side suit by ruffing

❑ that ruffing in the short trump holding produces extra tricks but that ruffing in the long hand does not

This last point is of particular importance since beginners tend to start ruffing anything in sight. At this stage, simply tell students that ruffing losers because you can doesn’t create any more tricks than playing a trump winner and throwing a loser on it!





Developing tricks 9 suit combinations and 4 other hands 69

Finessing 6 suit combinations and 8 full hands 71

Using a trump suit 6 hands to plan 73

Hands to play BB S4 4-7 Hands 1 to 8 75


Activity Resource Materials Ref Teacher’s Page

Exercise on entries and communications

8 hands TR24 T67

Hands on basic play techniques 4 hands – BB S4 TR25 TR25 T69

Quiz on declarer play in no trumps

6 hands to analyse TR26 T70

Play of card combinations Quiz TR27 T72

Quiz on declarer play with trumps 6 hands to analyse TR28 T73

Card play revision 8 hands to play TR29 T75


Hand Bidding Play points Dec Other points TR25 (T69)

1 Rebid 2NT and raise Knock out 2 club

winners while retaining control

W Lead top of sequence

2 Rebid 2NT and raise Cash the honour in the short hand first

S Lead top of a sequence

3 1NT opening all pass Drive out A N Lead top of a sequence

4 Jump to 3NT with 19 points

Play K first E Lead 4th best heart

P75 Declarer play in NT

1 1NT rebid Finesse into safe hand

S

2 3NT rebid with 19 points

Unblock by playing

K first

E Lead top of sequence

3 3NT after 2NT rebid Hold up in clubs

Try finesse first

N Introduces concept of safe hand

4 3NT after 1NT response

Hold up A

Hope N has K

W Safe hand is out of diamonds

P76 Play in suits

5 Weak takeout Ruff in short trumps S Note 3-1 break

6 Raising opener’s rebid to game

Play first to get ruff in short trumps

E Watching all the cards

7 Limit raise of opener’s suit

Take a quick discard of club loser

N

8 Limit raise of opener’s suit

Cross ruffing W Importance of entries



TR24 a Exercise on entries and communications

How would you play these hands?

1 3 2

A 5 3

8 7 6 3

K Q 10 9

Contract: 3NT

Lead: K

2 A J 9 5 2

A 6 5

7

A 7 6 3

Contract: 3NT

Lead: Q

A 10

9 2

K Q J 10 9

A J 8 7

7 6

K 4

A K Q 5 4 3

8 5 4

3 A 5 3 2

Q J 8 4

K Q

9 6 2

i Contract: 3NT

Lead: K

4 4

A 3 2

7 6 5 3

K J 10 3 2

Contract: 6NT

Lead: J

7 6 4

A K

A 6 3 2

A 8 4 3

ii Contract: 3NT

Lead: K

A K Q J 10

K 5 4

A K Q 8

Q

5 A K Q

7 6

K 5 4 3 2

10 5 2

Contract: 3NT

Lead: K

6 5 4

6 3 2

9 4

A K 8 7 5 2

Contract: 3NT

Lead: Q

7 4 3

A 8 2

Q J 10 9

A K Q

A K 7 3

A 5 4

A J 3 2

4 3

TR24 b

7 5 2

K J 7

7 6 5 4

7 6 3 2

Contract: 6

Lead: K

8 A K

9 8 5 2

A Q 5

A K Q J

Contract: 3NT

Lead: 4

A Q J 10 9 8

A Q 10

A K

A 8

Q 4 3 2

A 7 6

6 3 2

8 7 4



TR24 (a) Answers to exercise on entries and communications

1 It is tempting to duck, but then a spade switch would sink you without trace. At

least the hearts might break 4-4, so take advantage of your good fortune in

avoiding a spade lead by winning A and driving out A.

2 You have seven top tricks and can establish two extra diamond winners

provided the suit breaks no worse than 4-2. However you must preserve K as an

entry to your hand, so take dummy’s A at trick one and cash your diamond

winners from the top, conceding the fourth round if they break 4-2.

3 You have nine top tricks but the awkward ‘blocked’ diamond and heart

holdings make entries to both hands potentially difficult. The play depends on

which black ace the opening lead removes.

Therefore:

i With A removed it is entries to dummy which concern you. Cash A K, then K

Q and Q J. Finally return to your hand with A to cash A.

ii With A removed you must be careful with entries to your hand. Cash K Q,

then A K and A. Now re-enter dummy with A to take Q J.

If you are in doubt, try alternative lines of play with a pack of cards to see which

succeeds.

4 You have plenty of winners and no loser problems, so what can go wrong? If

you take K (correctly preserving A as an entry to dummy) and play Q,

carelessly following with dummy’s 2, an inspired defender might duck, leaving

you with insufficient entries to establish and enjoy any further club trick. (Try it and

see!) You would then be dependent on a friendly break in diamonds. To ensure

your contract overtake Q with K, and if that holds the trick continue with J.

5 You have nine easy tricks once A is dislodged, but there is a danger that the

defenders will take four heart tricks when you concede A. It is worth withholding

your A for the first two rounds of hearts, in the hope that if hearts do break 5-3 or

worse, the hand with A has no hearts left.

6 If clubs break 3-2, by conceding the third round of clubs you make five club

tricks to go with A K, A and A. However it is not good enough to cash A K

and then give up a club, as you have no further entry to dummy. Win A and

immediately concede a club.

TR 24 (b)

7 Both a count of winners (12 only if you include six trump tricks) and losers (a club

and possibly K) make it clear you cannot afford a trump loser. You may need

two entries to dummy to finesse spades, and these must come from the heart suit.

Therefore win A, cross to dummy by overtaking 10 with J (not K) and finesse

Q. If successful, re-enter dummy by overtaking Q with K for a second spade

finesse. To bid to 6 is a bit cavalier with only 28 points, but this is an exercise on

play – not bidding!

8 . You have nine certain tricks: three spades, A , A and four clubs so what

can go wrong? A losing diamond finesse could easily be followed by a heart

switch, knocking out your entry to Q, so rise with A and cash your A K.



TR25 Play hands on setting up winners. (BB S4 TR25)

J 9 7

Q J 10 8

J 5 2

A 6 4

3 2 A K 5

A K 4 7 5 3 2

A K 6 Q 8 7 3

Q J 10 9 8 3 2

Q 10 8 6 4

9 6

10 9 4

K 7 5

Board 1 : Dealer North West North East South Pass Pass Pass

1 Pass 1 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass

North should lead Q. West can see 7 top tricks (2, 2,

3, 0). West can make 9 tricks by winning K and playing

Q. North need not win his ace straightaway. If South wins

K first and returns a heart (partner’s lead), West wins A

and plays J. North wins A and can cash two heart tricks but West makes the rest.

10 6 2

10 7

K 6 5

A Q J 10 2

9 4 8 7 5 3

K Q J 9 8 6 5 4

Q J 8 A 7 3

8 7 6 5 4 3

A K Q J

A 3 2

10 9 4 2

K 9


Pass 1


West should lead K

South can see ten top tricks (4, 1, 0, 5)

South will win A and must cash K then lead 9. That way five club tricks can be cashed, followed by four spades. Cash the honour from the short hand first.

A K 5

10 4 3

4 3 2

K Q 10 9

8 7 Q J 10 9 6

K J 8 6 Q 9 7

K J 9 Q 10 8

6 4 3 2 A 8

4 3 2

A 5 2

A 7 6 5

J 7 5

Board 3 : Dealer South West North East South Pass Pass 1NT All Pass

East should lead Q.

North can see four top tricks (2, 1, 1, 0).

North can make seven tricks by driving out A before cashing the winners in other suits. North makes two spades, one heart, one diamond, and three clubs.

10 8 6 5 4

Q 10 2

10 9

9 7 2

K 9 7 A Q J

5 3 A 9 7

A Q 7 5 2 K 8 4

8 6 4 K Q 5 3

3 2

K J 8 6 4

J 6 3

A J 10


Pass Pass 1 Pass

1 Pass 3NT All Pass

South should lead a heart, his best suit. North plays Q. This sets up four heart winners for N/S.

East can see eight top tricks (3, 1, 3, 0). A club trick

could be set up by driving out A, but N/S can cash four heart winners. Instead hope diamonds break 3-2. Cash the

K and play 4 to dummy. Unless diamonds break 5-0 or 4-1 there will be five diamond tricks.



TR26 Quiz on declarer play in no trumps

You are West, the declarer, on these hands. You opened 1NT and East raised to

3NT.

1 West East

Q J 3 A K 4

A 4 3 Q 7

A 6 2 K 4 3

K 10 3 2 Q J 8 7 4

a) North leads 5. What card do you

play from dummy? Why?

b) If South covers the card that you

play from dummy, what is your plan?

2 West East

Q 7 4 A 8 6 2

10 6 A K 2

A 9 2 K 8 6

K Q J 4 3 10 8 7

North leads 3. What card do you play

from dummy? Why?

3 West East

5 4 3 2 A 9 7

K 4 A 3 2

Q 10 7 3 K J 8 4 2

A K 2 J 3

North leads 6 . What card do you play

from dummy? Why?

4 West East

Q J 3 A K 4

K 4 3 8 7

A 9 6 K 4 3

K 10 3 2 Q J 8 7 4

North leads 2 and South plays Q.

a) What card do you play from your

hand?

Why?

b) How do you hope to make your

contract?

5 West East

9 8 2 A K Q

A K 3 Q 8 7

10 9 8 K 4

K Q J 4 10 8 6 3 2

North leads Q. What card do you play

from dummy? Why?

6 West East

A 6 2 J 5

A 3 2 K 7 6

9 8 7 6 A K 3

K J 8 Q 10 9 7 2

North leads K.

a) What card do you play from your

hand?

Why?

b) What is your plan to make nine

tricks?



TR26 Quiz on declarer play in no trumps - answers

You are West, the declarer, on these hands. You opened 1NT and East raised to 3NT.

1 West East

Q J 3 A K 4

A 4 3 Q 7

A 6 2 K 4 3

K 10 3 2 Q J 8 7 4

a) North leads 5. What card do you play from

dummy? Why?

b) If South covers the card that you play from

dummy, what is your plan?

a) Q. If North has K, you will win the trick.

b) If South covers Q with K, you must hold up A until the third round. You

hope that South has A and no more hearts when he wins it.

2 West East

Q 7 4 A 8 6 2

10 6 A K 2

A 9 2 K 8 6

K Q J 4 3 10 8 7

North leads 3. What card do you play from

dummy? Why?

K. You plan to drive out A and make four club tricks. But you must retain A

as an entry to your hand since a defender can be as clever as declarer and

hold up winning A until the third round of the suit is played.

3 West East

5 4 3 2 A 9 7

K 4 A 3 2

Q 10 7 3 K J 8 4 2

A K 2 J 3

North leads 6 . What card do you play

from dummy? Why?

J. If North has Q it will win the trick. If South has Q he will keep it to deal

with the jack so your jack is unlikely to win whatever you do.

4 West East

Q J 3 A K 4

K 4 3 8 7

A 9 6 K 4 3

K 10 3 2 Q J 8 7 4

North leads 2 and South plays Q.

a) What card do you play from your hand. Why?

b) How do you hope to make your contract?

a) K (otherwise you may not win any trick in the suit).

b) Drive out A. If the hearts split 4-4 you will make the contract. If North’s 2 is

the fourth highest of his longest suit, hearts will indeed split 4-4.

5 West East

9 8 2 A K Q

A K 3 Q 8 7

10 9 8 K 4

K Q J 4 10 8 6 3 2

North leads Q. What card do you play from

dummy? Why?

K. Either K will win the trick or South will cover with A and you will make

either 10 or 9. You will now need to drive out A and hope diamonds break

4-4.

6 West East

A 6 2 J 5

A 3 2 K 7 6

9 8 7 6 A K 3

K J 8 Q 10 9 7 2

North leads K.

a) What card do you play from your hand? Why? b) What is your plan to make nine tricks?

a) 2. And hold up again if North continues the suit.

b) After winning the third spade, play on clubs. You have nine easy tricks,

provided the defenders cannot first take four spade tricks to go with A. You

will succeed if the missing spades divide 4-4. You will also succeed if they are 5-

3 or 6-2, provided the hand with long spades doesn’t hold A. You allowed the

defenders to win the first two spades to disrupt their communications.



TR27 Card combinations

Play the given card combinations in NT to make the number of tricks specified. Use real cards and ask students to place the missing cards where they hope they lie. Then play the cards to check answer is right.

1. A 4 2 2 tricks

Q 5 3

2. A Q 5 2 tricks

6 4 3

3. J 4 3 tricks

A K 6 3

4. A Q J 3 tricks

5 4 2

5. Q J 3 1 trick

6 4 2

6. K J 3 1 trick

5 4 2 Answers

1. You want East to hold K. Lead 2 from North and play Q if East plays low.

2. You want West to hold K. Lead 3 from South, play Q unless West plays K.

3. You want West to hold Q. Lead 3. If West plays low, play J. If West plays Q,

play the 4.

4. You want West to have K. lead 2 and play J if West plays low. Return to South

and lead 3, repeating the finesse if West plays low.

5. You want West to have A or K or both. Lead from South twice towards QJ3

6. You make one trick if West has Q or A. You make two tricks if West has AQ. Lead

2 from South and play J if West plays low. Return to South and lead 4.



TR28 Quiz on declarer play with trumps

You are West, the declarer, on these hands in a contract of 4.

1 West East

A Q J 10 3 7 6 5 2

A K Q J

7 4 3 A 8 2

J 2 K 9 8 7 6

North leads K. You win A. What do

you lead now? Why?

2 West East

K Q 7 6 4 A J 8 3 2

6 4 2 K 5 3

K Q A J

K Q J 10 8 7

North leads 10. What hope do you

have of making the contract?

3 West East

A K Q 4 3 J 5 2

K 6 4 A 3 2

2 A 9 3

10 7 6 2 K Q J 9

North leads K. You win A. What suit

do you play from dummy at the

second trick?

Why?

4 West East

A Q J 9 6 K 10 8

A 8 5 9 2

A 6 8 7 5 4 2

K 9 6 Q J 3

North leads a spade. What suit do you

play at the second trick? Why?

5 West East

Q J 10 9 8 7 A K 2

6 5 A K 4 3 2

J 8 Q 3

A 8 3 9 5 4

North leads A and K and now plays

a club to South’s Q which you win

with A. How do you plan to avoid

losing two club tricks to go with the two

diamonds already lost?

6 West East

A Q J 9 3 2 7 5 4

J 8 2 6 5 3

8 A K Q

A Q 8 K J 10 7

Against your 4 contract, North leads

A K Q. South follows to two hearts and

discards a diamond on the third. North

continues with 9. How do you play the

trump suit?



TR28 Quiz on declarer play with trumps - answers

You are West, the declarer, on these hands in a contract of 4.

1 West East

A Q J 10 3 7 6 5 2

A K Q J

7 4 3 A 8 2

J 2 K 9 8 7 6

North leads K. You win A. What do you lead now?

Why?

J. Throw the two diamond losers in dummy on K Q. Ruff a diamond in dummy,

take a spade finesse and, win or lose, there is still a trump left in dummy to ruff

another diamond. You cannot lose more than two clubs and one spade.

2 West East

K Q 7 6 4 A J 8 3 2

6 4 2 K 5 3

K Q A J

K Q J 10 8 7

North leads 10. What hope do you have of making

the contract?

Draw trumps and hope North holds A and, when you play towards K 5 3, K

will score the extra trick needed.

3 West East

A K Q 4 3 J 5 2

K 6 4 A 3 2

2 A 9 3

10 7 6 2 K Q J 9

North leads K. You win A. What suit do you play

from dummy at the second trick?

Why?

Spades. You have plenty of tricks available to make your contract. Do not be

tempted to ruff a diamond. What can possibly be gained by doing so?

4 West East

A Q J 9 6 K 10 8

A 8 5 9 2

A 6 8 7 5 4 2

K 9 6 Q J 3

North leads a spade. What suit do you play at the

second trick? Why?

Hearts. If you draw trumps, you will have four losers (two hearts, one diamond and

one club). Play a heart at trick two and concede a heart. Then you can ruff the

third heart in dummy.

5 West East

Q J 10 9 8 7 A K 2

6 5 A K 4 3 2

J 8 Q 3

A 8 3 9 5 4

North leads A and K and now plays a club to

South’s Q which you win with A. How do you plan to

avoid losing two club tricks to go with the two

diamonds already lost?

You have only nine tricks and the tenth can come by establishing one of

dummy’s small hearts. So cash A K and trump a third heart. If both opponents

follow, you are home. Play Q and another trump to dummy’s A, followed by

K and cash two hearts, ending up with an overtrick. If hearts break 4-2, after

ruffing one heart, lead 8 to dummy’s A to ruff another heart. Play Q, then a

spade to dummy’s K, to cash the heart winner.

6 West East

A Q J 9 3 2 7 5 4

J 8 2 6 5 3

8 A K Q

A Q 8 K J 10 7

Against your 4 contract, North leads A K Q. South

follows to two hearts and discards a diamond on the

third. North continues with 9. How do you play the

trump suit?

You need South to have K, and you might have to finesse twice. Win A and

lead 4 to Q. If that wins lead 8 to dummy’s J and play 5 to your J.



TR29 Card play revision (BB S4 TR29)

A K 2

7 5 4

9 8 6

A 6 4 2

9 4 3 8 7 6 5

Q 10 8 6 3 K J

7 3 K 5 4 2

K J 3 Q 10 8

Q J 10

A 9 2

A Q J 10

9 7 5

Board 1 : Dealer North West North East South Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass As North has passed initially, the 2NT raise shows exactly 11 points. But over 2NT South, with an excellent 14 points, should bid 3NT. Declarer repeatedly crosses to dummy to finesse diamonds, making three spades, one heart, four diamonds and one club.

K Q J 6

Q 6 2

A 5 4

7 6 5

7 5 4 A 8 2

A 8 5 K J 7

Q 10 8 2 K J 6 3

9 8 2 A 4 3

10 9 3

10 9 4 3

9 7

K Q J 10


1 Pass

2 All Pass With 6 HCP, West has enough to support partner’s suit.

South has a good lead of K. East has seven top

winners, after driving out A. Another trick can be

made in hearts by finessing J.

K Q J 5 4

A 4 2

Q J

9 8 6

7 2 A 6 3

10 9 8 K Q J 3

10 9 6 4 3 8 7 5

K 3 2 10 7 5

10 9 8

7 6 5

A K 2

A Q J 4


Pass 3 pass 4 All pass

South obeys North’s request to bid 4 with

at least 3 spades and East leads K. Any South

tempted to try 3NT instead of 4 will regret it if West

finds 10 lead. Before drawing trumps, North has four potential losers, two hearts, a club and a trump, and should throw a heart on the diamonds before losing to

A.

9 3

9 8 7 6

K J 7 4

J 7 4

A K Q J 4 2 10 7

A 10 4 2

A 9 Q 10 8 6 3

6 5 K Q 9 8 2

8 6 5

K Q J 5 3

5 2

A 10 3


1 Pass 1NT Pass

4 All Pass Without enough points to bid at the two-level, East responds 1NT. West thinks game might make and bids

4. Declarer cannot be prevented from ruffing a heart in dummy and will make eleven tricks if allowed to ruff two hearts in dummy.



A J

A 10 8 3 2

9 8

10 6 4 2

9 3 8 7 6 5

Q 7 6 5 4

Q J 5 4 3 2 10 7 6

8 7 A K Q J

K Q 10 4 2

K J 9

A K

9 5 3


Pass Pass 1


North’s 2 response shows at least five hearts, so South can support with only three. East leads four top clubs, West plays high-low to show only two clubs and throws a diamond on the third one. Where is the queen of trumps? East has already shown up with 10 points and

can’t have the Q because he passed initially. Declarer trumps

the fourth round of clubs with dummy’s K, leads J and finesses

West for Q.

8 5

A 4

K 8 5 2

A K Q J 5

J 7 2 A 10 6 3

9 7 5 3 2 J 6

Q J 10 A 9 6 3

7 4 10 9 3

K Q 9 4

K Q 10 8

7 4

8 6 2

Board 6 : Dealer East West North East South Pass Pass

Pass 1 Pass 1


North’s 2 rebid shows a strong hand with at least five clubs and four diamonds. South bids what looks to be the obvious contract.

If West chooses a safe lead of Q, it proves to be a winning

choice. Whenever dummy’s K is played the defence should be

able to win four diamonds and the A, without giving declarer the lead.

5 2

9 6 4

8 5 2

K Q 8 7 2

J 8 7 6 K Q 10 9

A K J 7 2 Q 3

9 7 3 A Q 10 6 4

3 A 6

A 4 3

10 8 5

K J

J 10 9 5 4

Board 7 : Dealer South West North East South Pass

Pass Pass 1 Pass

1 Pass 1 Pass

2 Pass 3 Pass

4 All Pass East-West should find their 4–4 spade fit

and bid to 4. South leads J. Declarer takes A and should

draw trumps. Now when he plays hearts starting with Q the 3-3 heart break means he has five heart tricks. The diamond finesse loses so he makes only eleven tricks.

7 6 5

A K J 3

6 3 2

Q J 9

A K Q 4 2 J 10 8 3

Q 10 4 7 6 5

K 5 A Q J 9

K 5 3 4 2

9

9 8 2

10 8 7 4

A 10 8 7 6


1 Pass 2 Pass

3 Pass 4 All Pass

3 is a game try and East has a maximum for 2 so goes on to

4. North leads A. If North continues with K and 3, West makes a heart trick and ten tricks all together. If North switches to

Q at trick 2, South wins A and returns a heart. Now West has lost four tricks before gaining the lead. The clue to the switch is

South’s 2 on A. A low card is a discouraging signal denying

Q. With Q982 South should play the 9. Of course this clever signalling only works if South remembers to play the right card and North is alert enough to notice it!

Section 5: Defence


Teaching objectives for ‘Defence’

Objectives On completion of this topic the students will be able to:

Select the suit to lead

❑ realise the importance of the opening lead in starting the defence with their best chance of beating the contract

❑ work out the type of lead required, active or passive

❑ decide which suit should be led

❑ select the card to be led in the selected suit

❑ say why the lead is often different against a no trump and a suit contract

Select the normal card to play ❑ make the standard lead from a particular holding, as defined in the table of

standard leads

❑ know how the lead chosen provides information between the defending hands

❑ interpret information available from partner’s initial lead

❑ apply the Rule of 11

❑ select the correct card when playing a card after partner has led

❑ say why and when we try to retain a superior honour over dummy's honour card

❑ select the correct card to play when returning partner's initial lead

Use some of the basic defence ideas ❑ apply general defensive concepts that are normally right, including:

➢ second hand plays low

➢ third hand plays high

➢ covering an honour with an honour

➢ leading through, not towards, strength


Promote, rank (of a card), distribution, cover an honour, secong hand play / third hand play, signals, rule of 11 4th highest, lead through strength,

Section 5: Defence


The opening lead Lesson 17


❑ realise the importance of the opening lead in starting the defence with their best chance of beating the contract

❑ work out the type of lead required, active or passive

❑ decide which suit should be led

❑ select the card to be led in the selected suit

❑ say why the lead is often different against a no trump and a suit contract

Lesson Plan


The opening lead

Section 6.1

P77

CHAT 10 Our task is to beat the contract

Leads against no trumps and suits are different.

The defenders task: Give information / win tricks / avoid giving declarer tricks

Leads to NT and suit contracts Section 5.2 P79

CHAT 5 Differences between leading to NT or a suit contract

Demonstrate with hand from P78 against 3NT and 4.

Everybody should see why different leads work well.

TR30 (T82) Example leads to discuss

Select a lead and discuss the reasons with students.

Leads

against suit contracts

Section 5.3 P80

CHAT 15 Make more passive leads against suit contracts as tricks given don’t come back. Don’t underlead aces and only rarely underlead kings.

❑ When to try for a ruff (short suit in a bad hand)

❑ When to lead trumps (listen to the bidding)

❑ When to make declarer ruff (you have long trumps)

Standard

Leads Section 5.4

CHAT 5 The table is on P83. Keep referring back to it as you go along but leave it to be absorbed by use.

What would you lead

TR31 (T83)

QUIZ 15 Hands 1 to 5 a and b in each. Work as a group or in pairs to decide the suit. Use the table of standard leads to decide the card.

Say what information the lead has given to partner.

Break 10

Practical

Section 5.9 P91 (BB S5 5.9) Hands 1 to 4

PLAY 55 4 hands to play in no trumps. Give the auction and final contract on a slip of paper, to ensure that the opening leader has all the clues.

Put a traveller in the board and note the lead.

Review RECAP 5 Look at the travellers and discuss differences of lead.

Try this QUIZ Section 5.8 P89. Exercise on defence.

Next time More about defence

Book pages

P77 to 83

Some bits covered earlier, but useful to review all we have done – but not too much detail. A lot of reading!

Section 5: Defence


Defenders play of the cards Lesson 18

Learning objectives: ❑ make the standard lead from a particular holding, as defined in the table of

standard leads

❑ interpret information available from partner’s initial lead

❑ apply the Rule of 11

❑ select the correct card when playing a card after partner has led

❑ say why and when we try to retain a superior honour over dummy's honour card

❑ select the correct card to play when returning partner's initial lead

Lesson Plan


Revision Section 5.4 P83

RECAP Q&A

10 Stress importance of knowing / using the standard leads. Discuss homework quiz (Section 5.8, P89) Did students identify13 different leads? TR32 (T85) is available if you need more practice.

Rule of 11 Section 5.5 P84

CHAT 10 This concept is best demonstrated using a single suit of cards: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K A. Identify the lead and four higher cards in openers hand, then show that the remaining higher cards (11-5=6 in this example) are in the other three hands.

Returning partner’s suit Section 5.6 P86

CHAT 5 If partner leads their best suit against NT, it is usually right to return it if you get in. Switching suits usually helps declarer more than the defence.

General Concepts of play Section 5.6 P86 -87

CHAT 10 Second hand plays low, third hand plays high is the general rule. Third hand makes their best effort to win the trick after partner has led a suit. Don’t finesse against partner.

General concepts

5 Cover an honour with an honour P86. Lead through strength and up to weakness P87. Don’t switch to a new suit just because declarer is out of the suit first led – forcing the long trump hand can be a good defence.

TR33 (T86) QUIZ 15 Exercise on third hand play

Break 10

Practical Section 5.9 P92 (BB S5 5-9) Hands 5 – 8

PLAY 60 Play of hands with trumps. Exciting hands! Good defence will get declarer down. Make sure students get to the required contract by putting a slip in the board. Advise students if they need help with a lead.

Try This Exercise on play of hands by defender TR34 (T88)

Next time The competitive auction

Book pages P84-88, inc Summary in Section 5.7, P88 .

Section 5: Defence


Defence – How to teach this topic

The opening lead Some basic leads will have been covered in previous lessons. The student notes on the play hands should always indicate the best lead and reasons for it, though usually the lead is fairly obvious. We need to give guidelines when there is no obvious lead. And we need to make sure the class understands that the card led gives a message to partner (the reason for having standard leads) and that the card played by partner in third seat continues this exchange of information. Make sure they understand the differences between trump and no trump contracts. Ask what the class would lead from A K x x x against a) a NT contract (4th highest) or b) a suit contract (the ace NOT 4th highest) Ask the same question with A Q x x x. (don’t lead against suits!)

Importance of bidding

The auction gives clues to what is in declarer’s and dummy’s hands. This helps in determining which suit to lead.

Leads against a NT contract

Distinguish between an attacking lead and a passive lead. The former is right when there are hopes of establishing a long suit, either in the leader's or partner's hand; the latter when it looks right to let declarer make the wrong decisions. We normally try to lead our side’s best suit and that may be in partner’s hand.

Leads against a suit contract

Go through the list of considerations about the choice of suit. Don't let the class become overwhelmed or dispirited by the various considerations; making the killing lead is hugely satisfying but the best players in the world still make disastrous leads! Any reason for an opening lead thought out by the student is positive. Stress SUIT FIRST, CARD SECOND.

Standard leads Standard leads are good because they tell partner about your holding. Demonstrate the information provided when an honour is led. Explain the difference between leading an honour and following to the lead with an honour – LEAD the highest card and FOLLOW with the lowest necessary card. Say why. There is no way that the average student will learn all the standard leads at this stage. Since, on most of the play hands, you need the correct lead to be made it will help the defence if you ask a student to select a lead and allow you to correct it if necessary.

Difference between must do and good advice

You are giving the students a mixture of rules and advice. The rules are such as leading the fourth highest and which card should be returned. No rules are sacrosanct but, at this stage in their bridge life, the students should keep to them. The exceptions (such as covering dummy's second of touching honours) can wait for another day. Advice is something that is usually right but is subject to using common sense, having regard to the bidding and even having a 'feel' about the hand.

Section 5: Defence


General defensive concepts

Successful defence relies a great deal on the exchange of information. But you might find the opportunity to stress that this information must be legally exchanged. A grimace, a sigh or even a smile is not in order! The basic differences between defending a NT contract and a suit contract should already be clear. In no trumps it is usually right to return partner's lead because they have led their best suit. In a suit contract partner may have made a passive lead and it can be right to switch when there is a weak suit in dummy. Beginners tend to focus on their own hands and to start a different hare running. The choice of the right card to return is as important as the card initially led and equally comes under the heading of a 'rule'. Taking note of dummy's holding applies, of course, equally to NT and suit contracts.

Rule of 11 The Rule of 11 is simple enough to put into practice (but, even if you count Einstein as an ancestor, don't even begin to explain why it works!). Work the odd one into another play session. It will be covered in more detail in Book 2.

Basic defensive signals

Basic defensive signals have been briefly introduced already. More sophisticated signals come later in Book Two but at the moment these are important:

❑ A high card says ‘I like the lead’, a low card, the opposite

❑ A signal should always be the highest card we can spare, e.g. partner leads the seven; there is AQ3 in dummy. Declarer plays the ace, you play the jack from KJ109

❑ The three may be a high card if the two is missing!

❑ When discarding a high card is encouraging and a low card is discouraging


Activity

Resource Materials Book Page

Opening leads 10 hands (exercise) 89

Practice hands BB S5 5-9 Hands 1 to 8 91


Activity Resource Materials Ref Teacher’s

Page

Opening leads Examples TR30 T82

Quiz on opening leads 5 hands with different final contracts

TR31 T83

What might the lead show? 13 examples from Ace to 2 TR32 T85

Quiz on 3rd hand play 5 scenarios TR33 T86

Quiz on play of cards by defender

7 situations to work out TR34* T88

* - not specifically referred to in the notes – available if you need more material

Section 5: Defence



Hand Bidding Defence points Dec Other points P91

1 1NT 3NT Lead K from top of

sequence, keeping A as the entry.

N Hold up of A to run West out of them.

2 1NT 3NT Similar hand, but 4th best is led. N to play high.

E Hold up of A to run North out of them.

3 Need to prompt East

to bid 1 (overcalls coming next week)

Lead partner’s suit. Good intro to new work coming up.

S S to hold up.

4 3NT rebid Listen to the bidding and lead unbid suit

W Avoid club lead.

P92

5 Simple spade auction

Lead Q N Show what happens if a heart isn’t led.


Lead a singleton hoping for a ruff

E Return the suit for a ruff, repeat after

winning A


Lead A, followed by K and give a ruff.

S E plays 9 5 to show the doubleton.


Lead K to draw declarer’s low dummy trumps

W Continue to play trumps

TR30 Examples to illustrate opening leads

A A 3 2 B A J 10 8 2 C 10 D Q 9 4

10 2 8 3 J 9 3 2 J 10 3

K J 8 4 3 2

J 10 A Q 7 6 A 4 3 2

J 8 6 10 8 7 6 Q 10 4 3 K J 3

The opposition bidding is: 1NT – 2NT – 3NT.

A. 4. Hoping to develop the suit, with a spade entry to enjoy it.

B. J. Hoping that partner will get the lead and return the suit.

C. 3, since A, K or J in partner's hand will help. A diamond is likely to cost a trick.

D. 2 is probably best although the J is an alternative.

The opposition bidding is: 1 – 2 – 4

A. J. Nothing is attractive. A trump might solve declarer's problem of how to play them.

B. J. Now, looking for safety.

C. 3 (as against 3NT). Not looking to ruff a spade, as you have a trump trick.

D. 3 probably best, but, lead the lowest heart in case partner has the singleton queen?

Section 5: Defence


TR31 Quiz on opening leads

You are on lead against the final contract. What do you lead in each case?

1 9 7

K 10 4 3 2

9 7 3

A Q 2

a

South North

1NT 3NT

b

South North

1 1

1NT 3NT

c

South North

1

2 2

3NT

d

South North

1 1

2 2

2NT 3NT

2 A 8 7

7

K Q 2

9 7 6 4 3 2

a

South North

1NT 3NT

b

South North

1NT 6NT

c

South North

1 3

d

South North

1 4

3 Q J 10 9

8 5 4

A 8 6 4 3

2

a

South North

INT 3NT

b

South North

1NT 3

3NT 6NT

c

South North

1 4

d

South North

1 4

4 9 8 7

A K 9 5 4

10 3

9 7 4

a

South North

1NT 3NT

b

South North

1NT 3

3NT

c

South North

1 4

d

South North

1 1NT

3 4

5 8 7

Q 7 6 3 2

A 10 5

9 7 3

a

South North

1

1NT

b

South North

1

1NT

c

S W N E

1 1

1NT

d

South North

1

1 1

1NT

Section 5: Defence


TR31 Answers to Quiz on opening leads

1 9 7

K 10 4 3 2

9 7 3

A Q 2

a

South North

1NT 3NT

b

South North

1 1

1NT 3NT

c

South North

1

2 2

3NT

d

South North

1 1

2 2

2NT 3NT

a Lead 3. Fourth highest of your longest and strongest suit.

b Lead 7. MUD (Middle up down) from a weak 3 card suit. South’s heart bid

has put you off a heart lead.

c Lead 9. The unbid suit.

d Lead 9. North has a weak hand with 6 spades but declarer has at most one

spade. 9 should be passive.

2 A 8 7

7

K Q 2

9 7 6 4 3 2

a

South North

1NT 3NT

b

South North

1NT 6NT

c

South North

1 3

d

South North

1 4

a Lead a club, from your longest suit.

b Lead K, setting up a second trick to go with A.

c Lead 7, a singleton, hoping for a ruff.

d Lead a passive 7.

3 Q J 10 9

8 5 4

A 8 6 4 3

2

a

South North

1NT 3NT

b

South North

1NT 3

3NT 6NT

c

South North

1 4

d

South North

1 4

a Lead Q. 4 isn’t wrong either but the spades are so solid!

b Lead Q. Yes, they have bid them but with a solid suit that shouldn’t bother

you.

c Lead Q. Cut down cross ruffing. You don’t particularly want a club ruff!

d Lead 2 (aiming for ruff) or Q. Either is reasonable.

4 9 8 7

A K 9 5 4

10 3

9 7 4

a

South North

1NT 3NT

b

South North

1NT 3

3NT

c

South North

1 4

d

South North

1 1NT

3 4

a Lead 5. Keep communications open with partner.

b Lead 8. North has 5 hearts so you won’t set up hearts. Maybe partner has

spades.

c Lead A. Hope to cash A K and give partner a ruff.

d Lead , a trump. Try to stop heart ruffs in dummy and hope your heart

holding causes declarer problems.

5 8 7

Q 7 6 3 2

A 10 5

9 7 3

a

South North

1

1NT

b

South North

1

1NT

c

S W N E

1 1

1NT

d

South North

1

1 1

1NT

a Lead 3, hoping to set the suit up.

b Lead a passive 7. North has bid hearts.

c Lead 8, your partner’s suit.

d Lead something passive: maybe 8 or 7.

Section 5: Defence


TR32 What might the lead be from?

Suppose the auction is 1 pass 2 pass

2 pass 4 all pass

Card

led This lead might be chosen from a hand like this

Same lead

1NT 3NT?

A 4 3 2 A K 4 3 2 9 7 Q 10 6 No 3

K 4 3 2 K Q J 9 K 7 Q 10 6 5 Yes

Q 4 3 2 Q J 9 3 K 7 Q 10 6 5 Yes

J 4 3 2 J 10 9 7 K 7 5 4 6 5 Yes

10 4 3 Q 10 9 8 K 7 5 4 J 10 9 Yes

9 4 3 2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 K J 9 No 6

8 4 3 2 8 7 6 5 4 3 K 5 3 2 No 6

7 4 3 9 7 5 2 A Q 8 7 Q 10 6 Yes

6 Q 3 2 8 6 4 A Q 8 Q J 9 6 Q or 6

5 7 6 5 A 7 6 5 3 A 6 K J 9 No 5

4 Q 3 2 Q 10 6 4 A 9 6 4 K 6 4 or 4

3 J 10 3 3 7 6 5 4 3 2 Q 10 6 No J or 6

2 4 3 2 2 A Q 10 3 2 A Q 10 6 No 3

On the last hand, leading 2 against 4 is wrong because you have too many points for partner to have an entry. You are much more likely to damage partner’s heart

holding than you are to get a ruff. Whereas 3 stands out on the penultimate hand.

Section 5: Defence


TR33 Quiz on third hand play

1 You are East after South’s 1NT opening bid has been raised to

3NT. West (your partner) leads 3 and dummy plays 4 from:

What card do you play from these club holdings?

K J 7

A 5 2

A J 3 2

10 7 4

a K Q 2 b A J 5 c K J 5 d J 9 2


3NT. West

(your partner) leads 3 and dummy plays 4 from:


K J 7

A 5 2

Q J 3 2

Q 7 4

a A K 2 b A K J c A J 5 d K 10 2


3NT. West

(your partner) leads 8 and dummy plays A from:


K J 7

Q 5 2

Q J 3 2

A 7 4

a 10 6 3 b K Q 7 2 c K Q 3 2 d K Q J 3 2

4 West leads Q against 3NT. You are East.

i Plan the defence:

a If North follows with A. b If North follows with 5

North

A Q 6

A 9 5

K 9 5

J 10 9 4

Q led East

8 4 3 2

K 2

10 6 2

8 6 3 2

South North

1NT 3NT

pass

ii Now consider the same example if instead North’s hearts were A 10 5

5 You are West after South's 1NT opening bid has been passed out. You lead

4 from a holding of K 8 7 4 3. Dummy plays 5 from 6 5 doubleton.

i If East's Q wins the trick can you say who has:

a J? b A?

ii If East's J loses to South's A can you say who has:

a 10? b Q?

iii If East's 10 loses to South's J can you say who has:

a 9? b Q? c A?

iv If East's 10 loses to South's Q can you say who has:

a J? b A?

Section 5: Defence


TR33 Answers to quiz on third hand play

1 a Q. Third hand high, but lower of touching honours.

b A. Third hand high. Playing J is not taking a finesse.

c K. As with (b).

d 9. Keep J for dummy's 10.

2 a K. Third hand high, but lower of touching honours.

b J. Common sense.

c J. A and J surround dummy's Q, with a gap of only one card.

d 10. Similar to (c).

3 a 3, You have no reason to encourage West to continue clubs.

b 7, to encourage a club continuation.

c 3, You don't have a higher club that you can afford.

d K, A spectacular signal for a club continuation.

4 i

ii

a West has led from a heart suit headed by Q J 10. Your K blocks

the suit, so jettison it now.

b As above. Return 2.

a West's hearts now are headed by Q J 9, and unblocking K will

hand dummy a second heart trick. Play 2 and hope.

b As above.

5 i

ii

iii

iv

a South has J. East's Q denies J.

b South has A. If East had it East would have played it to trick 1

(third hand plays high).

a South has 10. East's J denies 10,

b East has Q, If South had it South would not have needed to waste

his A on trick 1.

a South has 9. East's 10 denies 9.

b South has Q, If East had it East would have played it (third hand

plays high) rather than 10.

c South has A, for the same reason as (b).

a You don’t know who has J, East would have played 10 from 10

2 or from J 10 2.

b South has A, as in (iii)(c).

Section 5: Defence


TR34 Quiz on play of the cards by defender

North is the dummy in each of the following problems.

1 9 8 4 West leads the five, East plays the

jack and South wins the ace. Who

has the king and who has the ten?

Q 7 6 5

J played

A wins

2 8 4 West leads the two, East plays the

queen and South wins the ace.

Who has the jack? How does this

affect the defence?

K 10 6 2

Q played

A wins

3 6 5 3 West leads the four, East plays the

ten and South wins with the king.

What exactly does South hold in the

suit?

J 8 7 4 2

10 played

K wins

4 Q 7 4 The four is played from dummy.

What should East play?

2 led A J 6

5 K 7 4 The four is played from dummy.


2 led Q 10 5



2 led A J 10 9



Q led A 8 2

Section 5: Defence


TR34 Quiz on play of the cards by defender - ANSWERS

1 9 8 4 West leads the five, East plays the jack and South wins the ace. Who has the king and who has the ten?

Q 7 6 5

J played

A wins

South must have both the king and the ten. If either of those cards were in the East hand, one of them should have been played. Note that, by playing the jack, East denies holding the ten.

2 8 4 West leads the two, East plays the queen and South wins the ace. Who has the jack? How does this affect the defence?

K 10 6 2

Q played

A wins

South has the jack since East would have played it in preference to the queen. The defence must therefore wait until East can lead the suit through South’s known jack. West is unable to lead the suit without giving South an extra trick (unless South started with A J doubleton).

3 6 5 3 West leads the four, East plays the ten and South wins with the king. What exactly does South hold in the suit?

J 8 7 4 2

10 played

K wins

A K Q 9. If the East hand held any one of those four cards, it would have been played instead of the ten. Note the value of the knowledge West gains by being able to identify nine points in South’s hand after the first trick.

4 Q 7 4 The four is played from dummy. What should East play?

2 led A J 6

The jack (retaining the ace to deal with dummy’s queen). Say South held K 8 3: playing the ace would establish two tricks for declarer.

5 K 7 4 The four is played from dummy. What should East play?

2 led Q 10 5

The Q. Third hand plays high unless there is a good reason not to. In the last question we saved the ace to beat the king. Here our queen will never beat the king, so play it now.


2 led A J 10 9

The 9. The lowest card that will do the job required and withholding the ace to kill the king in dummy.


Q led A 8 2

The 8. A high card used as a signal to encourage West to continue with the suit led.

Section 6: The Competitive Auction


Teaching objectives for ‘The Competitive Auction’

Objectives

On completion of this topic, the student will be able to:

Overcall when opponents open

❑ say the main reasons for competing in the opponent’s auction

❑ recognise the need to hold a good suit when overcalling in that suit

❑ differentiate between a simple and a (weak) jump overcall

❑ explain the dangers of overcalling on unsuitable hands

❑ know the basic requirements for a suit overcall

❑ respond differently to an overcall and to an opening bid

Make a takeout double

❑ explain the effect on a contract of a double and redouble

❑ use a double of an opponent’s opening for takeout

❑ realise the importance of taking out a takeout double

❑ make an appropriate response to a takeout double

❑ respond to the opening bid despite opponents making a takeout double

❑ penalise opponents who choose the wrong time to bid

Make a one no trump overcall on balanced hand with 15-17 points

❑ know why a 1NT overcall is a different strength from a 1NT opening

❑ overcall 1NT on suitable hands with at least one stopper in the suit opened

❑ respond to a 1NT overcall in the same way as to a 1NT opening

Terms introduced in this section: contested auction, overcall, jump overcall, suit quality, lead-directing, sacrifice, interference, double, redouble penalty, takeout misfit, support, raise, change suit,



Suit overcalls and responses Lesson 19

Learning objectives: ❑ say the main reasons for competing in the opponent’s auction

❑ recognise the need to hold a good suit when overcalling in that suit

❑ differentiate between a simple and a jump overcall

❑ explain the dangers of overcalling on unsuitable hands

❑ know the basic requirements for a suit overcall

❑ respond differently to an overcall and to an opening bid

Lesson Plan


Overcalls

Secion 6.1

P93

CHAT 5 Explain what an overcall is and our reasons for overcalling Discuss difference in strategy when overcalling from opening the bidding Types of overcall: Simple / Jump (weak)

Hands to

overcall

TR35 (T97)

CHAT /

Q&A

5 Values for an overcall / importance of suit quality.

8 + points for an overcall at the one level

For two level overcalls 10+ points and six cards needed.

Refer to TR35 examples discuss / question

(Section 6.5 has more explanation on “long suits”, covered in lesson 22)

Exercise

Section 6.8

P105

QUIZ

15 Exercise on the competitive auction. Work in pairs, individual or small group. Bidding after RHO opens.

Responding to overcall

TR36 (T97)

CHATQUIZ

20 Discuss in full with the class, showing how to respond:

❑ pass

❑ 3-card raises

❑ raise higher with extra length in suit

❑ NT bids

❑ new suit BUT don’t bid just because you hate partner’s suit

Borderline Overcalls

10 Examples for group discussion See TR37 (T98)

Omit this if you prefer.

Break 10

Practical

Section 6.9 P111 (BB S6 6-9)

PLAY 50 Four pre-dealt hands covering competitive bidding and defensive play, with discussion. Hands 1-4

Review RECAP 5 Summarise the points on overcalling and responding.

Try This Work out examples of good and bad hands on which to make an overcall.

Next time Competing when you have no good suit to bid.

Book pages P93-95 Summary section 6.6

Practise Beginning Bridge Set 7 – Page 90 can be used after this lesson



Simple takeout doubles Lesson 20

Learning objectives: ❑ explain the effect on a contract of a double and redouble

❑ use a double of an opponent’s opening for takeout

❑ realise the importance of taking out a takeout double

❑ make an appropriate response to a takeout double

❑ respond to the opening bid despite opponents making a takeout double

❑ penalise opponents who choose the wrong time to bid

Lesson Plan


Review REV 5 Overcall. Did students make up some examples?

Quickly review requirements and responses.

Double and redouble

Section 6.2 P96

EXP 15 Explain doubles, without the full complexities of the scoring

▪ Explain in context of an extra bid to show and request information

▪ Meaning of a takeout double and what type of hand it shows.

▪ Implies support for other suits

Bidding after a take out double

Section 6.3

P98-99

DRAW 15 Why it is necessary to “takeout” the double?

How to respond

Can you ever pass a take out double? (See P98 example)

Doubles and responses

Section 6.8 P107

QUIZ 15 Exercise on take out doubles and responses

Work in pairs.

BREAK 10

Practice

Section 6.9

P112 – 113 (BB S6 6-9)

PLAY 55 Four hands with take out doubles to bid and play.

Hands 5-8

P113 Hands 9 to 12 available, more challenging bidding.

Review RECAP 5 Takeout double is at least opening bid strength but may be very strong.

Next week NT overcalls

Book pages Section 6.2 and 6.3. P96-99



1NT overcall and responses Lesson 21

Learning objectives: ❑ know why a 1NT overcall is a different strength from a 1NT opening

❑ overcall 1NT on suitable hands with at least one stopper in the suit opened

❑ respond to a 1NT overcall in the same way as to a 1NT opening

Lesson Plan


Revision REV 10 Requirements for overcalls and double.

Overcall of 1NT P100

EXP 10 Like an opening 1NT but 4 points stronger. Because your RHO has shown points and his best suit, it’s advisable to have at least one and preferably two stoppers in that suit.

Responding to 1NT

TR38 (T99)

EXP 5 Examples which may be used for explanation / discussion TR38 Exactly the same principle as over a 1NT opening. Responder will be three points weaker for any game try as the overcaller is three points stronger.

Bidding practice P109

QUIZ

15 Examples of responding to a 1NT overcall, including discussion. Or you can get students to make up examples and save the quiz for Try This.

Third hand action TR39 (T100)

EXP 10 After a 1NT overcall, opener’s partner can: raise opener’s suit with 4+ cards, / bid a new suit (not forcing) /or double for penalties with enough points.

Break 10

Section 6.9 P114 (BB S6 6-9)

PLAY 55 Four hands to play which have 1NT overcalls. Hands 13-16

Review

RECAP if time

5 1NT is the overcall that promises high card strength. Sometimes the best bid available may have a slightly off-centre shape, e.g. 5422 or 6-card minor.

Next time Overcalling with a long suit

Try This Make up a hand where West opens, North overcalls 1NT, East doubles and South bids. Or use P109.

Book pages P100-101. Perhaps also look at summary table P103

Practise Beginning Bridge Set 9 – Page 118 can be used after this lesson



Overcalling with a long suit Lesson 22

Learning objectives: ❑ Recognise an overcall by partner or opponents

❑ Compete to disrupt opponents bidding

❑ Identify a good quality long suit for weak jump overcall

❑ Explain the dangers of overcalling on unsuitable hands

Lesson Plan


Overcalls

Secion 6.7

P104

CHAT 5 The first part of our summary page reminds of what has been learnt so far:

• A simple overcall at the one level (8-16)

• Requirements for a bid at the two level (10-16)

• Responding with 3 card support

• Double when you hold no long suit of your own and tolerance for remaining suits

• 1NT overcall (15-17 balanced)

Introducing the Weak Jump Overcall (WJO)

Section 6.5

P102

CHAT /

Q&A

5 Why? –

• Maximise disruption to opponents

• Can you succeed? Perhaps make 110 points. What if you fail – lose 50 or 100 points? How does this compare with opponent’s possible contract? (Not a long discussion – just prompt thinking. Ignore vulnerability for now)

• A weak jump overcall needs:

• At least 6 cards / a good suit / 5-9 points Use examples (A,B,C,D,E,F) to explain these features

Exercise

QUIZ

15 Exercise on weak jump overcalls. Bidding after RHO opens.

TR-L22 (1)

Bidding after a WJO

CHAT 20 Keep advice fairly short:

Opening bidders (opponents) – can continue their bidding.

WJO’s partner: may also bid on

❑ raise higher with support for partners suit (pre-emptive raise)

❑ game only possible if partner has very strong hand

❑ new suit – never change the overcaller’s suit unless you can offer a better one!

Break 10

Practical

TR L22 (2) (BB S6 TR L22)

PLAY 50 Four pre-dealt hands with possible weak jump overcalls. Play / discuss

Review RECAP 5 Summarise the points on overcalling and responding.

Homework Study the summary of different overcalls

Book pages P102-103, Summary section 6.6 and 6.7



The competitive auction – How to teach this topic

Introducing suit overcalls

There are hands on which we might open but would not overcall and hands we might overcall but wouldn’t open.

Emphasise that suit quality is more important than points. When you overcall you expect partner to lead the suit, if our side are defenders. Make sure that lead isn’t wasted.

Responding to an overcall

At this stage of the course, limit responder to three types of bid Raising the overcall. For simplicity, use the same scale of values as supporting an opening bid. The security of a good trump suit balances the overcaller's lower minimum point count. If the contract fails it is likely that opponents could make a contract. Stress that 3-card support is enough when the overcaller has promised five. A response in no trumps. The requirements are higher than responding to an opening bid – in response to an overcall at the one-level 1NT shows about 9-12 points, a jump to 2NT 13-14 (about 10-12 after a two-level overcall). A change of suit After partner's overcall, a new suit is encouraging but not forcing and shows a good suit. There is no point in ‘rescuing’ partner who should have a respectable suit. Prefer to raise when you have 3-card support rather than bidding a dubious suit.

Overcaller's rebid Don’t go into a great deal of detail but concentrate on the principles of what is needed for game if overcaller’s partner responds. Rebid the overcall suit - A simple overcall can have wide range 8-16 so a rebid of the suit shows up to 10 -16 and a six card suit.

Introducing doubles Introduce double and redouble as the last two words in the bidding vocabulary. Discuss why the opportunity to make a penalty double of a low-level contract rarely occurs and how this double has come to be a way of joining in the auction without a suit good enough to overcall. This is the first asking bid the students have met and its forcing nature will need to be made clear. It’s the first time students must bid without a certain number of points and they are reluctant to respond to the double with a very weak hand. Introduce double (X) and redouble (XX) cards to the bidding box.

Penalty doubles and takeout doubles

We have a rule for deciding if a double is takeout or penalty.

A double of any suit bid up to and including 2 is for takeout, but a double of a no trump bid is penalty (A double of 1NT can’t be takeout because there is no suit to be taken out of!).

Requirements for a takeout double

❑ a hand on which you would have opened the bidding In theory there is no upper limit, you could have 25 points!

❑ support for the unbid suits - ideally at least 3-card support. If you make a double and then bid another suit, this shows a good (at least 17 point) hand that may not have support for the other suits. But with only minimum points it is essential to have support for any unbid major suit, because partner will respond in a major if at all possible

❑ The perfect shape is 4441, with a singleton in opener’s suit, but you don’t always have the perfect hand. With support for all suits, prefer double to overcalling on a poor suit. Consider a one level overcall with a five card major even if not best suit quality



Responding to a takeout double

It is almost always right to takeout a takeout double. Partner has promised support for the other three suits, so on most hands we will bid our best suit. One small proviso – prefer to bid a major suit rather than a minor as this may offer the best prospects of game. Use examples from the student notes to illustrate this. The possible bids to cover are:

❑ simple suit responses (which may have no points)

❑ jump bids in a suit (with about 9+ HCP)

❑ no trump responses (with good stoppers in suit opened)

Doubler’s continuation Don’t spend much time on doubler’s next bid. But one point is important. The double has described the hand. Responder will have at most 8 points for a simple suit response and may have zero. So doubler should not bid again unless holding substantial extra values. Even experienced players can get this wrong. Try to think of the two hands together. A common theme to many of the hands in the bidding quiz is the responder to a double recognising the importance of quite modest values and making a stronger response.

Action by third hand

All this time we have had silence from opener’s partner, but there is no reason to assume this will be so. Point out that when you have a fit it pays to get your retaliation in first! The more cards you have in one suit, the more likely it is that opponents have a fit also. So both sides may be able to make a high level contract and you want to make it harder for the opponents to find theirs. That means you should shade your raises a little.

1NT overcall

An overcall of 1NT shows a fairly balanced hand of 15-17 points, including one or preferably two stoppers in the opponent’s suit. Check students’ understanding of ‘stopper’. Explain why an overcall of 1NT is stronger than an opening of 1NT by looking at the chances of partner having a good hand. If no one has bid and you have 13 points – an average 1NT opening, there are 27 points outstanding. If partner has one third of the remainder, 9, your side’s total is 22 – more than half the pack and probably enough to make 1NT. And if partner has a little more you may have a game. But if one opponent has already announced opening values, it is far less likely that your partner has anything. The opener will not have a balanced hand of 12-14 points for a suit opening, so will be unbalanced or better than 14. Say opener has 15 on average. To have a realistic chance of making 1NT you really need the balance of points, so you would like to be stronger than the opener. If you have 17 and partner has half the rest, i.e. 4, you only just outgun the opponents.

Responding to a 1NT overcall

Bid over the overcall of 1NT as you would bid over the opening 1NT. Of course partner will be three points stronger, so the responses are three points weaker. Do the sums. Key points in assessing game prospects

❑ partner’s high cards are likely to be well placed, sitting over the stronger opponent, but

❑ communications will be harder when most of your side’s strength is in one hand, and

❑ the opposition have been given a clue what to lead

❑ A long suit, which has an entry to cash the winners will produce tricks and should be valued as highly as HCP.

Vulnerability It may be best to avoid discussions about vulnerability at this stage. Just let students get used to the idea of entering the auction when an opponent has already opened the bidding. Prefer to spend time getting them to think about the strength and shape of their hand and thinking about opponents’ strength and shape too.




Activity

Resource Materials Book Page

Competitive auction Quiz on overcalling 105

Doubles Quiz on doubling and responding 107

No trump overcalls How to bid 5 hands 109

Hands to play BB S6 6-9 Hands 1 to 16 111


Activity

Resource Materials Ref Teacher’s page

Discussing overcalls Six example hands TR35 T98

Responding to partner’s overcall

Six example hands TR36 T98

Choice of overcall - borderline hands

Example hands

TR37 T99

Bidding after a 1NT overcall Three pairs of hands TR38 T100

Responses to a 1NT overcall Four hands TR39 T101

Overcalling with a long suit Quiz on weak jump overcalls TR L22 (1) T102-103

Hands to Play Weak Jump overcalls TR L22 (2) T104



P111 Suit overcall

1 Simple suit overcall Overcall directs lead

W 3NT makes without overcall

2 3 raise of 1 overcall

Opener has points. Take finesses

S

3 1NT response to a suit overcall

Ruff losers in dummy early

E 10 tricks possible - play for them.

4 Simple suit overcall Ruffing losers in dummy

N 11 tricks possible - play for them.

P112 Takeout double

5 Takeout double, jump suit response

Ruff in dummy before trumps drawn

W

6 Takeout double, leads to game

Drive out A N Jump to 3 on a good suit

7 NT response to takeout double

Play J at trick 2

E 2, 3, 1, 1 so 1NT should make

8 Weak response to takeout double

S

P113 More doubles Competitive auctions anything could happen!

9 Responder’s 1 bid over the double

usually shows 5+s

W(?) Competitive auction

10 Must takeout a takeout double

S(?) E might bid 1NT over the double

11 Pre-emptive raise in

s after a double

Draw trumps ASAP E(?) Winning line in defence

12 Takeout double All bid on shape

N/S compete for contract 5♦

N 5 can make



P114 NT overcalls

13 1NT overcall Use entry to take

finesse

E

Q best lead on the deal

14 1 1NT 2 Ruff losers W High trumps to ruff

15 1NT doubled would fare badly

1NT overcall places high cards

N

16 3 response to 1NT overcall

1NT overcall places high cards

S

TR35 Example hands for discussing overcalls

What do you bid over an opening 1 by your RHO?

1 2 3

A K 10 8 2 Q 6 5 Q 6 5

6 A J 8 7 A K J 7

Q J 8 7 Q 10 Q 10

9 8 3 K J 3 2 K J 3 2

Bid 1 – it shuts out hearts.

Pass (no good bid) 1NT – compare this with the previous hand

What do you bid over an opening 1?

4 5 6

10 2 J 6 4 2

9 8 2 Q 9 8 K Q 10 9 7 6

A Q 10 9 8 6 A J 5 4 3 A J 10 8

10 9 K J J 4

Bid 3 a weak jump

overcall

Pass Bid 2 (and rebid the suit to show 6 cards and opening strength)

TR36 Responding to partner’s overcall

What do you respond to partner’s 1 overcall after the auction?

West North East South

1 1 Pass ?

1 2 3 4 5 6

Q 6 5 K 7 5 4 8 7 10 2 J 10 4 J 2

A 2 A J 8 7 K 5 3 K 5 2 Q J 2 A J 3

J 6 5 4 9 7 Q 8 6 5 Q 10 7 6 5 4 8 3

8 7 5 4 Q J 8 Q 7 6 4 A Q 7 4 K J 8 6 5 K Q 10 9 6 4

Bid 2 Bid 3 Pass Bid 1NT Bid 2 Bid 2


Version 1.1 2019 T100

TR37 Some borderline hands

Some hands don’t quite fit any of the three standard methods of competing. See what the students make of each of these examples on the board:

1 A Q 6 5 2 Q 5 3 A 5

K 8 A J 9 J 5 4

K J 8 7 K 7 A K 7 2

A 6 4 A Q 10 8 6 3 K J 6 3

In each case, right hand opponent opens 1. What action is best? 1. Holding 17 HCP everybody will want to bid, it’s just a question of what is best. Try to

draw the students towards a takeout double, rather than 1NT, on the first hand. It has only one heart guard, 4 spades and support for all suits.

2. 1NT is probably best on the second hand. Here 2, or even 3, would not be a mistake but the hand is rather strong; the heart guards and club suit could mean a lot of tricks in no trumps. Note to teacher:

The only thing wrong with 1NT is that the hand could be too strong. If the 3 were the

J, the hand would have only 17 HCP but would be very strong for 1NT. This should only be discussed with a bright class – but makes the point that long suits are often more useful than points.

3. The third hand really has no good bid. It has no heart guard, no support for spades

and good defensive prospects. Try for a plus score by passing and getting the opponents down.


Version 1.1 2019 T101

TR38 Examples of bidding after a 1NT overcall

The first two questions are shown in the student text book: Partner overcalls 1NT and opponents are silent thereafter, what do you bid?

1 1

West East West North East South K J 5 Q 10 8 4 3 1

A K 7 6 4 1NT pass 3 pass

K 8 J 9 2 4 all pass

K 10 8 3 2 A Q 4

East has enough for game and shows five spades, so West chooses the suit contract.

3NT might go down on a diamond lead, but 4 should be safe.

2 West East West North East South

6 5 K 10 8 1 1NT pass

Q 3 A K 4 3NT all pass

5 4 3 Q 10 7 6

K Q J 9 5 4 A 3 2

The strong club suit should produce plenty of tricks in no trumps, so West is worth a game bid. 3NT offers the best practical chance.

3 3

West East West North East South J 6 2 K Q 8 3 1 1NT pass

K 10 A J 7 3 2NT pass 3NT pass

J 10 3 A 5 all pass

K 7 6 5 4 Q J 2

A reasonable 8-point hand and the five card club suit makes West worth a game try.


Version 1.1 2019 T102

TR39 Responding to partner’s opening bid after a 1NT overcall


1 1NT ?

Knowing that West, your partner, has an opening bid, what should East (you) do?

Pass. You would have responded 1 but you are too weak to bid at the two-level.

Bid 2. Again a response of 1 would be right without the overcall; now it is very unlikely this is a game hand for your side; it’s better to settle for your known fit.

Bid 2. It looks better for you to play in 2 than to leave North in

1NT, and that’s all the bid means. 2 is not forcing, partner should only bid on with a strong hand or a fit in spades.

Double. Your side has the majority of the points and 1NT should go down. You should lead a diamond, partner’s suit, and not a spade.

1 ♠ A 8 7 ♥ J 7 6 4 3 ♦ 8 6 ♣ J 10 5

2 ♠ 8 7 ♥ K Q 7 4 ♦ J 10 4 2 ♣ 7 5 4

3 ♠ K Q 9 8 5 2 ♥ 4 3 ♦ Q 5 ♣ 9 6 3

4 ♠ A Q 9 8 2 ♥ Q 4 ♦ Q 5 3 ♣ 9 6 3


Version 1.1 2019 T103

TR-L22 (1) Exercise on overcalling with a long suit

1 a)

After an opening bid of 1♦, which bid is a weak jump overcall?

1 b) After an opening bid of 1♥, which bid is a weak jump overcall?

a) 1♣ a) 1NT

b) 2♣ b) 2 ♠

c) 3♣ c) 3 ♥

d) 1♥ d) 2 ♦


1 ?

What is North’s bid?

2 ♠ K Q J 10 8 2 ♥ 7 2 ♦ 9 8 ♣ J 10 5 3 ♠ K 8 ♥ A J 9 6 4 3 ♦ 8 7 ♣ A Q 8 4 ♠ 9 8 6 5 4 2 ♥ K Q ♦ 5 ♣ Q 9

West North East South 1♥ ?


5 ♠ 8 4 3 ♥ 4 ♦ K Q 10 9 7 5 ♣ Q 8 2 6 ♠ A Q 9 8 2 ♥ Q 4 ♦ Q 5 3 ♣ 9 6 3


Version 1.1 2019 T104

TR-L22 (1) Exercise on overcalling with a long suit ANSWERS

1 a)

After an opening bid of 1♦, which bid is a weak jump overcall?

1 b) After an opening bid of 1♠, which bid is a weak jump overcall?

c) 3♣ b) 2 ♠


1 ?


ANSWERS 2 ♠ K Q J 10 8 2 2 Bid 2 ♠. A weak jump overcall ♥ 7 2 ♦ 9 8 ♣ J 10 5 3 ♠ K 8 3 Bid 1 ♥. With a six card suit and opening

points, do not use a weak jump overcall. If the auction continued, this hand could rebid their spades to show an opening hand.

♥ A J 9 6 4 3 ♦ 8 7 ♣ A Q 8

4 ♠ 9 8 6 5 4 2 4 Pass – too weak / no high cards in the

overcall suit ♥ K Q ♦ 5 ♣ Q 9

West North East South 1♥ ?


ANSWERS 5 ♠ 8 4 3 5 Bid 3♦. A weak jump overcall. Bidding

at the 3 level you should have a good suit with honours and intermediates – the middle spot cards (tens, nines etc)

♥ 4 ♦ K Q 10 9 7 5 ♣ Q 8 2 6 ♠ A Q 9 8 2 6 Bid 1♠. With 10 points and a 5 card suit

make a simple overcall. ♥ Q 4 ♦ Q 5 3 ♣ 9 6 3


Version 1.1 2019 T105

TR – L22 (2) Overcalling with a long suit (BB S6 L22)

8 3

A K J 9 7

K J 4 3 2

A

6 4 A K J 10 9 2

8 6 4 3 2

A 6 5 Q 9

Q J 10 6 2 K 9 3

Q 7 5

Q 10 5

10 8 7

8 7 5 4

Board 1 : Dealer North : Love all West North East South

1 1 Pass Pass Pass East makes a simple overcall here (showing 8-16 points). The hand has too many points for a weak jump overcall and may bid the suit again to show 6 cards if the auction continues. South passes with fewer than 6 points. West should not bid their own suit and cannot support spades. South can lead a low heart as partner bid that suit.

8 7 5 3 2

6 5 4

6 5

5 4 3

A Q 6 K J 10 9 4

A K 2 Q J 9 3

Q 3 2 9 4

K 9 8 2 A Q

-

10 8 7

A K J 10 8 7

J 10 7 6

Board 2 : Dealer East : NS vulnerable West North East South

1 3 3NT All Pass South makes a weak jump overcall. West has only one diamond stopper but with an excellent hand bids to 3NT. North will lead ♦6 but South can only make their top two diamond tricks before they lose the lead to declarer who can make all of the remaining tricks

5 4 3

A 7 3 2

5 2

Q 10 4 3

K J 10 9 8 2 7 6

9 Q J 10

9 8 4 A K 10 6

J 8 7 K 9 5 2

A Q

K 8 6 5 4

Q J 7 3

A 6

Board 3 : Dealer South : EW vulnerable West North East South

1

2 Pass Pass* Pass West’s weak jump overcall can stop North and South finding their heart fit. North would be nervous bidding 3♥ with just 6 points. East wants to bid but what? No trumps can be problematic with few entries to dummy’s spades. (Try playing 2NT* by East to prove that pass is best!) Students can look at both sides options after play to see that each side has a trump fit but the weak jump overcall does it’s job.

A Q J 8 7 5

2

K Q 9 6

K J

6 9 4 2

K 8 6 4 3 A J 10 7

A 3 2 7 5 4

A Q 4 3 10 7 5

K 10 3

Q 9 5

J 10 8

9 8 6 2

Board 4 : Dealer West : All vulnerable West North East South

1 Dbl Pass 1NT

Pass 2 Pass 3

Pass 4 All Pass After an opening bid, North should double rather than overcalling with a suit. South responds and should recognise when North bids a new suit that they are showing a strong 17 + point hand and a very good suit.

South can support with a 3 bid which North raises to game. East could lead partners suit or a small trump.

Section 7: Introducing Stayman

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Teaching Objectives for Stayman

Objectives On completion of this topic the students will be able to:

Use Stayman after a 1NT opening

❑ recognise the importance of a 4-4 major suit trump fit and appreciate that the bidding learned so far doesn’t allow us to find a 4-card major suit fit

❑ know what a ‘convention’ is and that Stayman is the first one to be used

❑ bid 2 in response to a 1NT opening to find a 4-4 fit in a major

❑ only use Stayman when they can cope with any response

❑ respond correctly to the 2 enquiry when holding no major, one major or both

majors

❑ make a limit raise if holding four cards in the major partner bids

❑ bid appropriately without 4-card support for the major partner bids

❑ complete an auction to reach the best contract after using Stayman

This will be a good time to introduce the idea of ‘Announcements’ for the 1NT opening

and the Stayman response.


artificial bid convention Stayman Announce Alert 4-4 major fit


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Stayman Convention Lesson 23

Learning objectives: ❑ recognise the importance of finding a 4-4 major suit trump fit ❑ know what a ‘convention’ is and that Stayman is the first one to be used

❑ Recognise when the Stayman 2 bid can be used

❑ respond correctly to the 2 enquiry ❑ continue the auction to reach the best contract after using Stayman

Lesson Plan


4-4 major fit CHAT 5 Students have learnt that 1NT – P - 3♥/♠ offers the chance to find a 5-3 major fit. Now let’s explore a 4-4 fit method.

Introduction to Stayman

Section 7.1

P115

PLAY 15 A very good way to introduce Stayman is to make up a deal. Get the students to play 3NT and go down because the opponents cash the first five heart tricks.(see suggested

hand) Play again in 4, which is unbeatable. Using

Stayman allows them to reach the unbeatable 4 contract.

West 16 (dummy)

QJ54

632

KJ7

AKQ

East 14 (dealer)

AK76

54

AQ96

J95

Announcing CHAT 5 Introduce the rule of ‘Announcing’ 12 to 14 for the 1NT opening bid and then the Stayman response.

Stayman

TR40 (T109)

EXP 15 Simple use of Stayman to find 4-4 fit.

Work through examples

Other uses of Stayman TR41 (T109) and P116

Exercise

Section 7.3

P118

QUIZ

Bidding exercise on Stayman. Bid these hands with a partner

Break 10

Practical

Section 7.4 P120

PLAY 55 Hands to play. (BB S7 7-4)

Additional set TR43 (T110)

Try this TR42

15 Make up a deal to fit the bidding to test your Stayman knowledge. TR42 (T109)

Review RECAP 5 Must have at least one 4-card major to use Stayman.

Must be able to cope with any reply from partner.

Next time Higher level opening bids

Book pages P115-117 The second page may not have been covered yet


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Stayman – How to teach this topic

Responses to 1NT An important theme of previous material was how the Standard English system is designed to find out whether the partnership has an 8-card fit, particularly in a major suit. When one partner has 4-card support for a major suit bid by the other, this will almost certainly make a suitable trump suit. So far the system of responses to 1NT can find 5-3 fits but not 4-4 fits.

Stayman Explain the 2 bid and the subsequent development of the auction. Responder uses the convention on hands worth a raise to at least 2NT (important to stress this) with at least one 4-card major suit. Explain the idea of Announcements. Not everyone plays the same range of NT opening so partner of the 1NT opening says ’12-14’

or whatever the range is. In reply you announce that the 2 reply as Stayman. Explain that there will be other calls that are announced and they will meet them later on.

Other uses of Stayman

Point out that investigating a 4-4 major suit fit on the way to 2NT or 3NT is the most common use of Stayman, but the convention can also be used to improve the contract on some other types of hand:

• weak hands with at least 5-4 in the majors

• weak hands with long diamonds and support for both majors, ideally 4-4-5-0 hands

• weak hands with at least six clubs

Cover this in your next series of lessons, if the concept of Stayman is enough for the students at this stage. It makes a good revision topic to start your next course.

Be prepared On all these hands responder has to be prepared for any rebid by opener; it’s no good blindly wheeling out Stayman without considering possible developments. It is all right to have a weak hand if you can pass any response partner makes or you have an agreed weak bid you can make.


Version 1.1 2019 T109


Activity


Use of simple Stayman Example hands TR40 T109

Other uses of Stayman TR41 T109

Stayman in practice Hand construction exercise TR42 T109

Stayman practice hands BB S7 TR43 TR43 T110


Hand Bidding Play points Dec Other points P120 Stayman

1 Stayman to 3NT Establish winners

N

2 Bid 5-card major

Set up winners E Read 2 lead

3 Stayman to find best weak takeout

S Bid 2 over 2

4 Limit raise of 1NT to 2NT and then 3NT

Win Q with K to save entry.

W South holds up A

TR43 (T110) Stayman Available if extra hands are needed

1 Stayman with invitational raise

N

2 Stayman to 4 Importance of drawing trumps

E

3 Limit raise to 3NT Hold up on opening lead

S

4 Stayman to 4 Play before drawing trumps

W


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TR40 Examples to illustrate planning the use of Stayman

A A J 5 4 B 9 8 7 C A J 5 4 D J 5 4 3

9 5 A Q 4 3 A Q 4 3 A Q 4 3

K 10 7 K Q 6 5 A 7 A 7

Q J 9 3 K 8 4 3 2 4 3 2

With A Bid 2 then raise a rebid of 2 to 3, bid 2NT over 2 or 2

With B Bid 2 then raise 2 to 4, bid 3NT over 2 or 2

With C Bid 2 then raise 2 to 4, raise 2 to 4, bid 3NT over 2

With D Bid 2 then raise 2 to 3, raise 2 to 3, bid 2NT over 2

TR41 Other uses of Stayman

A K J 6 5 B Q 6 5 C 8

K 9 8 5 3 A 6 5 2 3 2

9 9 7 6 4 3 Q 9 6 5

J 6 4 5 K J 7 5 3 2

With A Bid 2 then 2 over 2, pass if partner bids 2 or 2. Without Stayman

responder would just bid 2; Stayman adds another option.

With B Bid 2 and pass any rebid. This is quite a rare use of Stayman; responder has to be sure that any bid opener makes will be a playable contract.

With C Bid 2 and then 3 over any rebid. Using Stayman means you can't sign

off in 2, so you have to play in 3. Demonstrate that 3 is likely to be a far better spot than 1NT and that, even if it fails, opponents could have made a major suit contract.

TR42 Hands to make up and play

Ask the students to make up pairs of hands that fit the following bidding sequences:

1 1NT 2 2 1NT 2 3 1NT 2 4 1NT 2

2 4 2 2NT 2 3NT 2 2NT

pass pass pass 3NT pass

5 1NT 2 6 1NT 2 7 1NT 2 8 1NT 2

2 3NT 2 pass 2 3 2 2

4 pass pass pass

If you only covered simple Stayman, just use auctions 1 to 5.

Using all eight auctions will probably mean students only play some of the boards.


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TR43 Practice hands on Stayman BB S7 7-4

K 7 6 5

Q J 7 4

A Q 9

8 5

A 3 2 J 10 9 8

9 8 A 6 5

8 6 4 K 10 2

K 10 4 3 2 Q 7 6

Q 4

K 10 3 2

J 7 5 3

A J 9


1NT Pass 2


With both majors North shows the cheaper in response

to Stayman. South invites game but North is minimum.

East leads J. It’s a slightly fiddly hand to play but

declarer should just get home, losing a trick in each

suit.

K 8 6

6 4 2

J 10 8 6 5 3

2

A 2 9 7 5

K Q J 3 A 10 8 5

K 7 4 A 2

J 9 5 3 K Q 8 7

Q J 10 4 3

9 7

Q 9

A 10 6 4

Board 2 : Dealer East West North East South 1NT Pass

2 Pass 2 Pass

4 All Pass

Stayman unearths the heart fit and West bids game.

There’s just a small trap in the play. South probably

leads Q. Win, draw trumps and play on clubs, making

11 tricks if you guess who has long clubs. If you fail to

draw trumps you could run into club ruffs.

A 6 4

J 7

A J 9 8 3

A 8 3

K 10 8 5 2 Q 9 3

9 4 2 A 8 6 5

K 5 4 Q 10

6 5 10 9 4 2

J 7

K Q 10 3

7 6 2

K Q J 7

Board 3 : Dealer South West North East South 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass

Despite the weaknesses in two suits South should open

1NT. North has no reason to look for an alternative

game. This is an exercise in hold up play. West leads 5

and declarer must duck twice. If the defence clear

spades declarer wins and plays on hearts, not

diamonds. With spades breaking 5-3, if West held A

the contract would be doomed anyway, but if East has

it there are nine tricks.

Q 10 8 5

9 5 4

K J 7 4

A 4

A 7 6 2

A K 8 2 Q J 10 3

8 6 5 3 A 2

K 7 Q J 10 9 8 3

K J 9 4 3

7 6

Q 10 9

6 5 2


1NT Pass 2 Pass

2 Pass 3 Pass

4 All Pass

East was intending to sign off in 3 but when the heart

fit comes to light makes a try for game. West has no

hesitation in accepting. Whatever North leads declarer

can draw trumps and set up dummy’s club suit by

driving out A.

Section 8: Higher Level Opening Bids (Strong)

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Teaching Objectives for Higher Level Opening Bids

This section includes strong opening bids (2NT and 2♣) and weak opening bids (weak twos and other pre-emptive opening bids). The lesson plans and teaching material are separated into strong and weak. The header at the top of the page will indicate the category.

Strong opening bids:

2NT opening bids Section 8.1 2♣ opening bid Section 8.2 Strong unbalanced hands 8.3 opening at the 1 level with strength shown in the rebidOn completion of this topic, the students will be able to:

Complete auctions starting with a 2NT opening bid

o know what makes a hand suitable for a 2NT opening bid.

o recognise that the pattern of responses is similar for 1NT and 2NT.

o respond to a 2NT opening, by raising, using Stayman or showing a long suit.

o recognise the strength needed to try for slam.

o be able to open or rebid to show every balanced hand from 12-30 HCP.

Complete auctions starting with a Two Club opening bid

o know what makes a hand suitable for a Two Club opening bid.

o use the negative response of Two Diamonds with a weak hand.

o make a positive response in a suit or No Trumps.

o complete a simple auction to game or slam.

Also explain the use of the ALERT card when making artificial bids – opening 2 and the

negative reply 2.

Revision of methods to show strength

o Open at the 1 level

o Show strength with a rebid

o Show shape with a rebid

o Recognise partner’s forcing or non forcing bids.

o Recognise game forcing bids

Terms introduced in this section: Strong openers: 2NT opening , Strong balanced hand, Forcing response

2 opening, Stop card, Alert, Announce, Game forcing bid Weak openers: Pre-emptive bid, disruption / bidding space, 3-level, 4-level, weak two bid, feature Game try, Game forcing bid, Sacrifice, penalty, Rule of 500


Version 1.1 2019 T113

The 2NT Opening Bid Lesson 24


know what makes a hand suitable for a 2NT opening bid.

recognise that the pattern of responses is similar for 1NT and 2NT

respond to a 2NT opening, by raising, using Stayman or showing a long suit.

recognise the strength needed to try for slam.

be able to open or rebid to show every balanced hand from 12-30 HCP. Use the STOP card

Lesson Plan


Revision of responses to 1NT

REV

10

Reminder of sequences that show balanced hands. 1NT 12 -14; 1any 1new suit 1NT 15-16; 1any 1new suit 2NT 17-18, 1any 1new suit 3NT showing 19. 1any 2new suit 2NT shows 15-16; 1any 2new suit 3NT shows 17-19.

2NT opening bid Section 8.1 P121

CHAT QUIZ

10

Introduce 2NT opening bid. As 1NT is defined as 12-14 / 2NT is defined as 20-22. Compare responses. No weakness take out after 2NT.

❑ Stayman is 3♣ (instead of 2♣)

Quiz on 2NT openings TR46(T114)

QUIZ 10

Identifying suitable hands

Responses TR47(T114)

DRAG 20

Stayman available; no weak take out.

Break 10

Practice Section 8.7 P125 (BB S8 8-7)

PLAY

50

4 hands to play.

Review RECAP 10 Summarise opening bids made on balanced hands.

Next time Opening with a very strong hand (2♣)

Book pages P115 only. Refer to summary page Section 8.5 P126


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The 2♣ Opening Bid Lesson 25


know what makes a hand suitable for a Two Club opening bid.

use the negative response of Two Diamonds with a weak hand.

make a positive response in a suit or No Trumps.

complete a simple auction to game or slam. Use the STOP and ALERT cards when appropriate

Lesson Plan


2 Opening bid and responses

Section 8.2

P122

CHAT

15

Explain the 2 opening bid Used for very strong hands 23 + points Also for any hand which can bid game without any support from partner. Responses 2♦ with 0-7 points 2 of a suit with 8+ points 2NT with 8+ and balanced hand

STOP / ALERT CHAT 5

Explain use of bidding box – using the STOP card).

Exercise TR48 (T115)

QUIZ 20 Work in pairs. Bidding exercise

Making up hands TR49 (T117)

CHAL 20

Each table to make up hands leading to the specified bidding sequence. Swap the boards and get another table to bid the hands.

Break 10

Play Section 8.8 P126 (BB S8 8-8)

PLAY 50

4 hands to play, Hands 5 to 8

Review RECAP 5 Review main points of lesson.

Strong unbalanced hands

Section 8.3 P123

Additional reading / homework tasks

Bidding exercises TR52, TR53, TR54 can be used as extra material

Next time Opening weak unbalanced hands

Book pages Section 8.2, P122


Version 1.1 2019 T115

Summary of Teacher’s resources

Activity


2NT bids Which hands open 2NT TR46 T114

Response to 2NT CDL exercise TR47 T114

2Club opening bid Bidding quiz TR48 T115-16

2Club Hands to make up TR49 T117

Revise bidding strong hands Quiz TR52 T118

Revise bidding strong hands Quiz TR 53 T119

Revision quiz Must we go to game? TR54 T120

TR46 WHICH Hands ARE suitable for opening 2NT?

Would you open 2NT with each of these hands? If not, why not?

1. K Q 9 8 2. K Q J 9 8 6 3. A K Q 9 3

A Q 8 A Q Q

A J 10 A J 10 A J 10 4

K Q J K Q K Q J

4. 10 9 8 2 5. A K Q 9 6. K Q

A Q 8 A Q 8 A Q 8

A Q J A J 10 J 10 8

K Q J K Q J A K J 10 8

(1) Yes (2) No - not balanced (3) No - not balanced

(4) No - too weak (5) No - too strong (next topic) (6) Yes

TR47 Responses to 2NT openings

Partner opens 2NT. Repeat these questions when eliciting what they would respond. How many points has partner shown? Should you be in game? What do you respond?

Hand Your Bid

Starting hand A 10 8 7 6 3 J 5 9 5 3 7 3 4

Change: 3 to 3 A 10 8 7 6 J 5 3 9 5 3 7 3 3

Change: 6 to 6 A 10 8 7 J 5 3 9 5 3 7 6 3 3

Change: A to A 10 8 7 J 5 3 9 5 3 A 7 6 3 3NT

Change:

10 and

8 to

10 and

8

7 J 5 3 9 5 3 A 10 8 7 6 3

3NT

(discuss

why not 5)


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TR48 Bidding quiz on 2 Opening

Bid the East/West hands with a partner. (Fold the paper to show only your own hand and grid to record all bids). This task is best completed with another learner/student. N/S pass throughout.

West Your auction

West East

East

1 You are dealer

A K Q 9

K J 7

A Q 2

A K 5

1 West is dealer

6 3 2

A 4

7 5 4 3

9 8 6 2

2. East is dealer

K Q 9 8 6

10 6 5 4

10 9

K 2

2. You are dealer

A J 10

Q J 2

A K Q

A Q 9 3

3. You are dealer

A K Q 10 7 4

6 5

A K

A K 2

3. West is dealer

6 3 2

8 4 3

Q J 5 3 2

5 4

4. East is dealer

K Q 7 6 5

Q 5 4

J 3

6 3 2

4. You are dealer

A

A K J 10 9

A Q 6 2

K Q J

5. You are dealer

K 5

K Q 8 7

A K Q 3

K Q J

5. West is dealer

A 7 3 2

J 10 9 6

6 5 2

4 3

6. East is dealer

K Q 5

Q 8 7

A 9 8 5

7 5 3

6. You are dealer

A 8 4

A K

K Q J

A K Q 9 8


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TR48 Bidding quiz on 2 Opening - answers

West East West East Comments

1 You are dealer

A K Q 9

K J 7

A Q 2

A K 5

1 West is dealer

6 3 2

A 4

7 5 4 3

9 8 6 2

2 3NT

2

West, with 26 points, should rebid 3NT to show 25-27 points. In fact, even if West only bids 2NT, East has enough to raise to game.

2. East is dealer

K Q 9 8 6

10 6 5 4

10 9

K 2

2. You are dealer

A J 10

Q J 2

A K Q

A Q 9 3

2

4

2

3

East has a balanced 23 points and is planning to rebid 2NT. When West

gives a positive response of 2, this shows a good 5+ suit, so East

changes his mind and raises to 3.

3. You are dealer

A K Q 10 7 4

6 5

A K

A K 2

3. West is dealer

6 3 2

8 4 3

Q J 5 3 2

5 4

2

2

4

2

3

West has 23 points and can see ten

tricks in his hand, so opens 2. After

the 2 negative, West bids 2, which is forcing to game. East, with three spades and three points should

bid 3.

4. East is dealer

K Q 7 6 5

Q 5 4

J 3

6 3 2

4. You are dealer

A

A K J 10 9

A Q 6 2

K Q J

2

4

2

3

East with 24 points opens 2. West

is just worth 2, East bids 3, which

West is happy to raise to 4. If West

were to bid 2, East would bid 2, which West would happily raise to

4.

5. You are dealer

K 5

K Q 8 7

A K Q 3

K Q J

5. West is dealer

A 7 3 2

J 10 9 6

6 5 2

4 3

2 2NT

3

2

3

4

East has not enough for a positive response but can use Stayman after

the 23-24 2NT rebid. 4 is a better contract than 3NT and just loses two aces.

6. East is dealer

K Q 5

Q 8 7

A 9 8 5

7 5 3

6. You are dealer

A 8 4

A K

K Q J

A K Q 9 8

2NT 7NT

2 6NT

West’s 2NT positive shows 8+ points with useful cards. East has 26 points so E/W must have at least 34. East can bid 6NT and a brave West might even bid 7NT with 11 points!


Version 1.1 2019 T118

TR49 Bidding hands after a 2 opening

Deals to make up


Board 1

pass

2

2NT

pass

pass

2

3NT

Board 2

2

pass

2

4

pass

Board 3

pass

pass

2NT

4

pass

2

3

Board 4 2

2

pass

pass

2

4

pass

Board 5

pass

2

3NT

pass 2NT

Board 6

2

3NT

pass

2

3

pass

pass

Board 7

pass

pass

2

2

pass

pass

2

2

4

Board 8 2

2

3

pass

pass

pass

2

3

4

pass

pass


Version 1.1 2019 T119

TR52 Exercise on bidding strong hands

Cover up the lower half of the page until you have tried the questions.

Your hand Points Opening? Partner Rebid? Reason

1 K Q 7

A K 5 3

K 10 4

A J 3

3

2 K J 7

A K 5 3

K 10 4

A J 3

1

3 K J 7

A K 5 3

K 10 4

Q J 3

1

4 A K Q

K 5 3

K J 10 4

A K 3

2

ANSWERS:

Your hand Points Opening? Partner Rebid? Reason

1 K Q 7

A K 5 3

K 10 4

A J 3

20 2NT 3 3

Partner is asking

for majors and I

have four hearts.

2 K J 7

A K 5 3

K 10 4

A J 3 19 1 1 3NT

We have

enough points

for game and

my hand is

balanced

without four

spades.

3 K J 7

A K 5 3

K 10 4

Q J 3

17 1 1 2NT

I want partner to

bid game with

eight or more

points.

4 A K Q

K 5 3

K J 10 4

A K 3

23 2 2 2NT

Showing 23–24

points and a

fairly balanced

hand.


Version 1.1 2019 T120

TR53 Quiz to revise bidding stronger hands - answers

West East Your auction Comments

1 You are dealer 1 Partner is dealer West East West’s 3 bid, a new suit

at the three level, forces

E/W to game. East’s

4 shows real spade

support – only three

cards, as spades were

not raised originally.

A K 9 7 3 J 6 2 1 2

K Q 2 A J 10 3 4

7 K Q 6 5 2 pass

K Q J 3 6 5

2 Partner is dealer 2 You are dealer West East East’s 2 rebid is a very

strong bid, which is

forcing to game after a

one-level response. West

shows a good heart

stopper by jumping to

3NT.

J 6 2 A K Q 7 1

A J 10 K Q 2 1 2

K Q 6 5 2 7 3NT Pass

6 5 K Q J 9 3

3 You are dealer 3 Partner is dealer West East West’s 3 jump rebid

shows six or more good

spades and about 16–18

points. It is forcing to

game after a two-level

response (but not after a

one-level response).

A K 9 7 3 2 J 6 4 1 2

K Q 2 A J 10 3 4

7 K Q 6 5 2 pass

K Q 7 6 5

4 Partner is dealer 4 You are dealer West East After a two-level

response, East jumps to

3NT to show a balanced

17–19 points.

J 6 4 A K 9 7 1

A J 10 K Q 2 2 3NT

K Q 6 5 2 9 7 3

6 5 K Q 7

5 You are dealer 5 Partner is dealer West East With 19 HCP West opens

1, not 1. This gives the

best chance of finding a

major suit fit. When East

responds 1, West jumps

to 4 to show this

powerful hand.

A K 9 7 J 6 4 2 1 1

K Q 9 2 A 10 3 4 pass

7 3 Q 6 5 2

A K 7 6 5

6 Partner is dealer 6 You are dealer West East East’s hand is very like

hand 4, but with four

clubs, so opens 1. Over

a 1 response a jump to

2NT shows a balanced

17–18 HCP. West has

plenty for 3NT but not

any more.

J 6 2 A K 9 1

A J 10 K Q 2 1 2NT

K Q 6 5 2 9 7 3 3NT pass

6 5 K Q J 2


Version 1.1 2019 T121

TR54 Must we go to game?

1. What do you understand by the term ‘game forcing’? 2. In the bidding sequences below, underline the bid that commits the partnership to

game.

West East Bid that commits us to game

A 2 2

2 3

4

B 2NT 3

4

C 2 2

2NT 3NT

D 2 2

2 3

3 4

E 1 2

2 4

F 1 2

3 4

G 1 2

2 3

4


Version 1.1 2019 T122

TR54 Must we go to game? - answers

1 What do you understand by the term ‘game forcing’?

A bid that commits the partnership to game and following which, neither partner

may say pass until a game has been bid.

2 In the bidding sequences below, underline the bid that commits the partnership

to game.

West East Bid that commits us to game

A 2 2 2 very nearly commits us to game, but it is the positive

2 3 2 ♥ response that is 100% game forcing, so 2 commits us

4 to game.

B 2NT 3 There is no weak takeout to a 2NT opening bid. All responses

4 are forcing to game, so 3 commits us to game.

C 2 2 The only exception to a 2 opening being game forcing is

2NT 3NT when West rebids 2NT (showing 23–24 HCP) after a 2

response. 2NT can be passed if East has 0–2 points and a

flat hand. So only actually bidding 3NT committed us to

game.

D 2 2 2 is always game forcing with the one exception in the last

2 3 example. 2 committed us to game.

3 4

E 1 2 Only East’s 4 bid ensures the partnership get to game.

2 4

F 1 2 After the rebid of a new suit at the three level, the partnership

3 4 is committed to game. So 3 committed us to game.

G 1 2 A new suit at the three level is game forcing whether opener

2 3 or responder bids it. So again 3 committed us to game.

4

Section 8: Higher Level Opening Bids (Weak)

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Weak twos in diamonds, hearts and spades Lesson 26


Identify a hand suitable for opening a “weak two”

Make a response bid to opening weak two (or pass)

LESSON PLAN

Topic Method Time Notes on activities

Why play weak twos? Section 8.4 P124

CHAT 15 Mention bonus for vulnerable game. Therefore a chance to disrupt opponents bidding. They may have most of the points and your job is to interfere. Weak twos occur frequently Consider vulnerability – explained on P150

What is a weak two P124 – 125

CHAT 10 Examples in book How to respond and what is a game try Advise: Not in 4th seat.

Exercise Section 8.6 P127

QUIZ 20 Student exercise: Test your Weak two bidding Students work in pairs

What can defenders do?

CHAT Take out double with shortage Overcall a new suit (quality plus 6 cards) Bid NT with 16-19 Jump to game in 3NT or your suit

Break 10

Play hands Section 8.9 P131 (BB S8 8-9)

PLAY 45 4 hands to play. Weak two openers

Review RECAP 5 Effectiveness of the weak two

Next lesson Pre-emptive bids (3 level / higher)

Book pages

Higher level opening bids - summary Section 8.5 P126


Version 1.1 2019 T124

Pre-emptive Bids (3 level and above) Lesson 27


Explain the purpose of a pre-emptive bid

Identify a hand suitable for opening a pre-emptive opener

Make a response bid to partner’s pre-emptive bid if appropriate

Appreciate the balance of risk to aggression in competitive bidding Use the STOP card

Lesson Plan


Introduce Vulnerability P150

CHAT 20

Vulnerability is a new concept for students. 500 for Vul game and bigger penalties for failing to make a contract. Use backs of bidding box cards to demonstrate the affect of doubling for penalties.

What is a pre-empt? Section 8.10 P132 - 33

CHAT 10

Define pre-emptive openings. Why we pre-empt. / Affect of sacrificing Suit length/quality – 6 tricks non-vul, 7 tricks vul, controls, rule of 500. Additional examples to demonstrate: TR55 (T127)


QUIZ 15 Exercise on pre-empts Work individually or in pairs

Responding to a pre-empt

TR56 (T127)

QUIZ 15

Bidding contracts to make. Raising the level of pre-emption. Examples of responses. Brief reference to pre-emptive bids as an overcall P133. Students are familiar with the weak jump overcall. This introduces a double jump.

Break 10

Practice Section 8.14 (BB S8 8-13)

PLAY 45 Four pre-dealt hands involving opening pre-empts and responses.

Try this A Scoring quiz for homework. P151

Review RCAP 5

Next time Countering pre-empts

Text book P129 to 130, P157 to 158


Version 1.1 2019 T125

Defence against pre-emptive bids Lesson 28


Recognise a pre-emptive bid by opener

Make an overcall or double if appropriate

Respond to partner’s bid over a pre-emptive opening bid

LESSON PLAN


Revise the requirements for a pre-empt

CHAT 10 Good suit promising 6 tricks non-vul and 7 tricks vulnerable

Overcalling a pre-empt Section 8.11 P134

CHAT 10

Reduced bidding space available, so bidding not so precise. Need to try to reach best contract or penalise opponents who overstretch.

Overcalling a pre-empt

TR57(T128)

QUIZ 25 8 hands to discuss the best way of proceeding.

Break 10

Practice P139 (BB S8 8-14)

PLAY 50 Four pre-dealt hands for bidding after a pre-emptive opening

Review RCAP 15 Review of the course up to this point

Next time Slam bidding

Book pages

P134 – 135

Summary Section 8.12


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Pre-emptive Bidding – How to teach this topic

Requirements for a Pre-empt

Ideal pre-empts strike a balance between o taking bidding space from opponents and

getting them to the wrong contract.

o going down when opponents have nothing.

o our side missing a better contract.

o Explain that pre-empts can be made at two, three level or higher

Weak twos Position and Weak Twos

Almost all players pre-empt on 7+ card suits.

The weak two bid (6 cards) is a “mini pre-empt” at this lower level

For students learning Weak Twos advise having a good (one level) opening hand for the bidding in 4th place or Pass with a weak hand. No need to complicate things with strong twos at this stage.

Defence to weak Twos There are some hands available on the teacher zone

Pre-emptive bids The quizzes should throw up interesting points about the positional factor in pre-empting. In third seat a player has less concern about pre-empting partner. In second seat pre-empts should be sound and in fourth seat there is no point in pre-empting unless you expect to make the contract.

Responding to a pre-empt Students must pass on hands that would be good opposite a one opening bid. The pre-empt hand is of little use in any other denomination; responder can only value cards that represent obvious tricks in support.

Effects of a pre-empt This is covered on TR57 but come armed with some examples of your own. The object is to show that bidding to our best contract is made more difficult by a pre-empt. Explain that it is in both sides’ interest to bid up when there is a fit.

Defence to pre-empts Because a pre-empt is weaker in high cards than a one level opening bid, there are more points (and more cards in our suits) that partner may have. On the other hand suits are more likely to break badly. On balance one needs little more to bid over a pre-empt than over a one level bid, given shape and a good suit.

Vulnerability We have carefully steered clear of mentioning this all year. It can be introduced in the context of competing against a pre-empt. P150


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RESOURCE MATERIALS

Weak Twos Quiz P127

Weak Twos Hands to Play BB S8 8-9 Hands P131

Exercise on pre-empts Quiz P136

Hands to play BB S8 8-14 P138-9

TEACHER’S MATERIALS

Topic Resource material Reference Teachers Page

Hands on which to pre-empt Examples TR55 T127

Responding to pre-empts Examples TR56 T127

Countering a pre-empt Quiz TR57 T128

SUMMARY OF HANDS TO PLAY

P138 Pre-emptive opening bids BB S8 8-14

1 Pre-empt and change of suit

S Ruff in dummy before drawing trumps

2 4-level pre-empt E Defence – switch after opening lead

3 3NT response to pre-empt. N Note when 3NT is right, it’s not obvious.

4 Raising pre-empt to game W Effect of opening lead

P139 Bidding after a pre-emptive opening by an opponent BB S8 8-14

5 Overcall a pre-empt E

6 Double of pre-empt N Pre-empt helps declarer

7 Double of pre-empt S? Advance sacrifice

8 Effect of pre-empt W? Beware competing with poor suits/shape.


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TR55 Examples of hands to pre-empt A B C D E

K Q J 10 5 4 3 4 8 4 5 7

6 5 A K J 9 8 6 3 2 5 3 6 Q 10 7 5

2 J 10 9 3 Q J 10 7 6 5 3 J 7 A Q J 9 6 5 4

Q J 10 – K Q A J 10 9 7 5 4 3 2 2 ANSWERS: A B C D E

open 4 NV open 4 vul. open 3 NV, open 5 NV pass not 3

open 3 vul. and non vul. pass if vul. open 4 vul. with 4 hearts.

TR56 EXAMPLES OF RESPONSES TO A PRE-EMPT

Partner has opened 3 not vulnerable. Can you respond?

F G H I

A K 9 8 6 3 A K 9 8 6 3 A 6 5 4 3 2

8 8 7 K 7 6 5

K Q 5 A K 5 A K 9 8 6 A Q J 7 5

J 7 2 K 7 2 A Q 4 J 8

ANSWERS: F. Pass. You have no reason to think your spades are better than partner’s hearts and

game is a remote chance.

G. Bid 3. You have enough for game and can offer an alternative contract, since partner could have two or three spades. Even with 0 or 1 spades there should be a

good play for 4.

H. Bid 4. Not 3NT. Communication between the two hands will be hopeless in no trumps; you might not make a single heart trick in partner’s hand. Just imagine a

typical 3 opening with KQJxxxx and nothing outside.

I. Bid 4. You don’t expect 4 to make but the opponents are strong favourites to make

4. Make life harder for them.


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TR57 Countering a pre-empt

With neither side vulnerable, your right hand opponent opens 3. What do you bid?

1. 2. 3. 4.

A 9 4 2

A Q 4 3

9

A J 3 2

A Q J 7 6 2

J 3

4 3

K Q 9

A 2

Q J 3

A Q 2

K Q J 3 2

K 5

7 3

A Q 10 6 4

K Q 7 3

Double. Just like a t/o double at the one level. Partner will show his best suit.

3. With a good 6-card suit of your own you can bid with only 13 points.

3NT. A diamond lead on your left gives 2 tricks plus plenty of chances. Double might mean you miss the boat if left hand raises to

4.

Double would show the other suits. Hope that partner can double and then you can leave it in for penalties

This time it goes 3 on your left, double from partner, pass. What do you bid?

5. 6. 7. 8.

9 5 3 2

7 3

Q 10 6 4

Q 7 3

6

4 3 2

J 9 7 6 4

9 7 5 3

K Q 7 2

J 3

A 9 6 4

J 9 5

8 2

K 6 3

A Q J 4

Q 9 8 3

You must respond to the t/o double. Partner should have four spades, so bid

3

Yuk. This time you

have to bid 4 and hope partner doesn’t get carried away. (Perhaps he should have been by men in white coats).

4. With a better hand game is a possibility. So bid it. Partner should have four spades.

3NT. Bidding over a pre-empt is a risky business and this could go horribly wrong. But you don’t

want to bid 4 or 4 so take a chance.

Section 9: Trying for Slam

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Slam bidding Lesson 29


State the points needs for slam contracts

Recognise a strong bidding sequence with slam potential

Use the Blackwood Convention

Respond to partners Blackwood Convention bid

Plan the play in a slam contract

Terms introduced in this section: Slam, small slam, grand slam, Asking for Aces / Kings, conventional bid, Lesson Plan


REVISION Forcing bids Section 8.3 P123

CHAT 10

A short recap of bidding sequences which indicate slam potential.

Introduction to slams Section 9.1 P140

CHAT 15

What is a slam? Scoring – bonus for bidding and making a slam. What is needed for a slam? Good slams and lucky slams.

Blackwood asking for aces P141

CHAT 10

Remind of “conventional bids” Just to be used for checking the number of aces. Show misuse of Blackwood P141


QUIZ 20 Student exercise: Trying for slam.

Break 10

Play Section 9.4 P145 (BB S9 9-4)

PLAY 50

Play hands for Blackwood practice.

Review RECAP 5 Scores for making a small slam / grand slam

Next time End of year assessment

Book pages Summary. Section 9.2 P142

Revision or assessment Lesson 30

Plan an additional session for revision of topics to suit your class. This session can also be used for students to work on an end of year assessment paper (see Appendices) or practice play.

Section 9: Trying for Slam

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Blackwood – How to teach this topic

Conventions – meanings / reasons

Remind students that they have learnt one convention already (Stayman). Blackwood is a frequently used convention. Players can ask “what do you understand by your partner’s bid?”

Bidding Slams A brief recap of bidding strong hands is recommended. Stress that slams may occur with a strong hand and an opening hand in the partnership. (Not always after a strong opener)

Use of Blackwood Blackwood is used to identify possible slams and to identify where slam is NOTpossible. The system cannot show a void. Slam responses may be easily learnt. Use bidding boxes to show the progression of responses.


Activity

Resource Materials Book page

Trying for slam Should we bid on. 8 hands P143

Hands to play BB S9 9-4 P145


Hand Bidding Play points Dec Other points P145 Bidding slams

1 2♣ opening, Blackwood.

N . Set up hearts by ruffing

2 2 opening, W

3 1 opening, Blackwood.

S . Leading an ace against slams

4 2NT opening and use Blackwood

E . Maybe count 13 tricks and just bid it

End of Year Assessment

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Competition/Revision for the year TR58 Lesson 30

To prepare them for the Improvers Club which is hopefully about to start try an 8 board competition with hands on all topics covered. This is deal file BB TR58 revision

Q 7 2

A 5

10 7 3

A K 7 5 3

9 8 A 5 3

6 3 2 K Q J 10 8

Q J 9 6 8 5 4

J 10 8 4 6 2

K J 10 6 4

9 7 4

A K 2

Q 9

Board 1 : Dealer North : Love all West North East South

1NT 2 3

Pass 4 All Pass

Lead: 3, second highest without an honour. With 13 HCP,

North should open 1NT, not 1. East is too weak to overcall

2 and should pass, but most won’t be able to resist it. South

bids 3 to offer North a choice of games and, with three

spades, North raises. 4 makes easily, but 3NT goes down

on K lead, since East must get in with A.

9 7 5 3

Q 8 2

Q J 9 2

A K

6 2 A K 10 4

J 10 7 6 5 4 9 3

5 A K 6

Q J 9 6 10 8 5 2

Q J 8

A K

10 8 7 4 3

7 4 3

Board 2 : Dealer East : NS vulnerable West North East South 1NT Pass

2 All Pass Lead: ♦Q, top of poor sequence. Despite only 4 HCP, West should remove 1NT to 2♥ – a weakness takeout, which East must pass. If West plays trumps at trick 2, North/South make three hearts and two clubs. If West passes 1NT, it will certainly go down.

9 7 5

10 2

Q 10 8 4 3

A 9 3

10 8 6 4 3 2

A 8 6 5 K 7 3

9 7 2 A J 5

J 8 6 5 Q 7 2

A K Q J

Q J 9 4

K 6

K 10 4

Board 3 : Dealer South : EW vulnerable West North East South

1 Pass 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass Lead: ♠4, the second highest from a suit without an honour. This lead gives nothing away. South opens 1♥ to give North/South the best chance of finding a major fit. When North responds 1NT, South knows North hasn’t got four spades, so bids 3NT on his 19 HCP. On a spade lead, North should play on hearts to drive out ♥A K and then diamonds to set up the ninth trick.

7 5 2

Q 10 9 6

K J 10

K 6 3

3 Q J 10 9 8 6

A K 7 3 J 5

A Q 9 7 4 3 2

7 5 4 A 9 2

A K 4

8 4 2

8 6 5

Q J 10 8

Board 4 : Dealer West : All vulnerable West North East South

1 Pass 1 Pass

2 Pass 2 All Pass

Lead: Q, the top of a sequence. West should not be tempted to bid 2♥ over 1♠, a reverse bid showing a strong hand. If he does East/West could get too high. East must play trumps when on lead to drive out ♠A and ♠K. 2♠ makes with four spades, two hearts, one diamond and one club. Any higher contract should go down.


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J 10 8

A K Q 7 3

A 7

9 6 5

6 4 A K 7 3

9 8 5 4

K J 9 5 4 3 Q 10 6 2

A 4 K Q 7 2

Q 9 5 2

J 10 6 2

8

J 10 8 3

Board 5 : Dealer North : NS vulnerable West North East South

1 Dbl 2

4 Pass 5 All Pass Lead: ♥A, top of a sequence. East has a perfect takeout double of 1♥. South will probably bid 2♥ and West must decide how many diamonds to bid. 4♦ looks right and East might raise to game with his suitable shape and support. With only one heart and one diamond to lose, 5♦ makes easily.

9 8 3

K 5 4

K 5

A K 7 6 5

K J 10 5 7 4 2

9 8 7 6 J 3 2

7 6 3 2 10 9 4

8 J 10 3 2

A Q 6

A Q 10

A Q J 8

Q 9 4

Board 6 : Dealer East : EW vulnerable West North East South Pass 2NT Pass 6NT All Pass South’s 2NT bid shows a balanced hand with 20-22 points. North can count a minimum of 33 HCP in the two hands combined, so can bid to 6NT. (33-34 points are needed usually to make 12 tricks in NT. There is no lead to defeat the contract even though the clubs split badly and East will always win a club. Declarer should count their tricks and look to establish the long club suit straight away. South should not cash the other winners first – it only sets up tricks for the defence.

The best lead is the 9, safe and top of a sequence giving nothing away. When South has shown so many points by opening 2NT it is usually a bad idea to lead away from a top honour when it may easily give declarer an easy, cheap trick.

8 4

Q 10 8 4 2

Q 8

A K 9 6

A QJ 9 5 2 K 10 6

A 6 5 3

5 2 9 6 3

10 8 7 Q J 5 4 2

7 3

K J 9 7

A K J 10 7 4

3

Board 7 : Dealer South : All vulnerable West North East South

1

1 2 2 4 All Pass Lead: ♠6: the suit East/West have bid and supported.

North’s 2 shows a five-card suit. Whether or not East bids 2♠, South should jump to 4♥ because of the excellent fit. With only two spades and one heart to lose, 4♥ makes easily. If East/West bid on to 4♠, North/South must remember to double and collect a good penalty.

K Q J 9 5

4 3

Q 8 6

Q 5 3

6 3 A 8 7 4

A 7 2 K 10 6

A K 10 9 7 2 J 4 3

A K 9 6 2

10 2

QJ 9 8 5

5

J 10 8 7 4

Board 8 : Dealer West : Love all West North East South

1 1 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass Lead: ♠10, as North bid 1♠, Because North bids spades, 1NT by East guarantees at least one (better two) spade stopper(s). South may be tempted to lead one of his own suits, but he

should remember his partner’s overcall and lead 10. Declarer cannot make nine tricks without allowing North to

gain the lead with Q and North now cashes enough spades to beat the contract.


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Year end – Assessment Quiz

A significant piece of work for those students who would like to check up on how much they know with the ‘End of stage assessment’. Can be given out before end of term to allow for marking. Don’t make it like an exam. Students can look up their notes at home and take as long as they like to complete the questions. It’s a chance to review the year, an opportunity for you to see how well you have done. You can give it out a couple of weeks earlier to make sure the students have plenty of time to complete and then you will have several opportunities to remind them to complete it. You may choose to say that students who fail this assessment should redo the year. This is very useful if you have students who really have not grasped the basics and really are not ready to progress further. A complete summary of the bidding and defence system is given on 153-156. Students can use this to help them with their assessment answers – it’s not cheating to look things up, it’s what you want them to do!

Successful Students can receive a certificate. Send in the names of your successful students to get their End of Year One Certificates of Achievement. Send to Lisa at the office or by email to [email protected]


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Beginning Bridge – Mid course assessment Record of student learning and achievement

Student name __________________________________

Criteria Criteria details Date achieved/Comments

1.1 recognise the suits and cards, deal the cards sort the hand into suits and sequence

1.2 count and say points check total points are correct

1.3 say what is trumps (or NT), who is declarer know number of tricks needed

1.4 know who has won the trick, who leads next 1.5 work out and record the score

1.6

treat partner and opponents with courtesy refrain from comment on errors made

1.7 1.8

play the cards in a no trump contract count top winners make a plan to set up extra tricks

1.9 1.10

use trumps to win tricks make a plan which includes drawing trumps

1.11 1.12 1.13

say how many tricks the defence needs choose which suit to lead defend a hand, follow suit at their turn count tricks won and lost

2.1 2.2 2.3

2.4

recognise 12-14 balanced and open 1NT recognise when not to open1NT make a limit bid in response to 1NT make a weakness takeout to 1NT controlled behaviour when bidding

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

when 1NT is not suitable, open one of a suit, choose correct suit to open limit raise partner with 4-card support make a limit response in no trumps take part in auctions up to four bids long

mini-competition 1 mini-competition 2

Weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Attendance

Homework


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Beginning Bridge – End of Year assessment Record of student learning and achievement

Student Name __________________________________

Criteria Criteria details Date achieved/Comments

4.1

4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6

Plan to make a contract recognise the technique to be used establish a suit by driving out high cards establish tricks by ducking in a suit hold up stoppers ruff losers take a finesse against one outstanding card

5.1

5.2

pick a suit and card to lead recognise the lead made by partner give an attitude signal identify the intended message

6.1

6.2

6.3

take part in a competitive auction choose between making a suit overcall, 1NT, double or pass recognise and respond to partner’s bid

7.1 7.2 7.3

bid after partner’s 1NT opening or overcall use Stayman or jumps to the three level recognise and respond to these enquiry bids

8.1

8.2

Recognise a strong hand can be opened 2NT

or 2 Know how to reply to a strong opening

8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6

Recognise a weak two hand Recognise a hand can be opened at 3 or 4 level Know how to respond to a weak 2 or 3 opening Know how to counter a weak 3 opening

9.7 Recognise 4NT Blackwood and respond correctly

10 Take part in a supervised duplicate

Weeks 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Attendance

Homework


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Beginning Bridge – end of year quiz

Your Name ___________________________ Your Teacher___________________

Please help your teacher by trying these revision questions.

It is important to know how effective the course has been.

Don’t worry if you can’t do all the questions.

You can look up the answers in your notes if you want to.

Mark scheme: Two marks for each part of a question, one for second best answers. Question 2

has 8 part answers. 4 marks for right answers to 8 and 9. 8 marks for Q10. Total is 80.

1 At Love All, what is the score for the following contracts:

a) 4 making eleven tricks _________ b) 3 making seven tricks _________

c) 5 making twelve tricks _________ d) 2NT making ten tricks _________

2 As dealer, what do you open on each of the following hands?

A Q 7 2 B A J 6 3 C 5 3 D A 9 8

A 10 8 2 K Q 9 7 K Q J 7 5 3 K J 10 3

K 8 7 Q 7 A J 5 K J 7

K J 4 A 7 6 6 2 A Q 4

I open ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

After your chosen opening, partner makes a 2 response. What do you do now?

I rebid ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

3 Your partner opens 1, the next player passes. What do you respond?

A K Q 8 B K 8 C J 8 3 2 D K 8 3

Q 7 3 Q 10 9 3 Q 7 3 K 9 6

9 8 5 4 A J 6 4 K J 9 8 2 J 10 4 3

J 8 2 J 8 2 8 A J 8

I respond _________ ___________ ___________ ___________


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4 Your partner opens 1NT, the next player passes. What do you respond on each of these

hands?

A 9 4 B A J C K 9 4 2 D J 10 7

8 6 K J 8 7 4 A Q Q 5 2

Q 9 8 5 4 2 Q 7 6 10 9 7 4 A K J 4 3

J 10 4 K 9 3 K 4 2 K 7

I respond _________ ___________ ___________ ___________

5 Your right hand opponent opens 1. What is your call?

A K Q 7 B J 7 6 4 2 C Q 9 7 2 D K J 6 2

8 5 2 A Q 9 A K 8 3 A Q 9

10 4 10 7 4 9 3 A J 3

K Q J 10 9 K 8 K Q 4 Q 4 2

I call ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

6 Your left hand opponent opens 1, your partner doubles and the third player passes.

What call do you make?

A J 8 7 3 2 B Q 7 C 10 7 2 D 9 7

Q 8 Q 7 6 5 2 J 6 4 9 5 2

9 7 6 10 4 3 K Q 3 J 6

Q 8 2 A J 3 Q 9 4 2 A K J 7 6 2

I call ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

7 Your left hand opponent opens 1NT which is raised to 3NT. Partner leads the K.

What card do you play when you see that dummy has the 5 4 3 of hearts?

A 6 5 4 3 B 6 5 4 3 C 6 5 4 3 D 6 5 4 3

A 2 7 6 2 8 7 6 2 J 8

9 8 7 6 Q J 4 3 Q J 4 K Q J 10

K 4 3 J 10 J 10 6 5 4

I play _________ ___________ ___________ ___________

8 You open 1 and the auction goes as shown, which hand A B or C best matches your

bidding?

You Partner

1 1

2NT 3

3 4

Answer _________

A A K Q B K 8 6 C A 5

9 7 5 3 K 9 7 5 K Q J 8 4

K Q J A J 6 5 A Q 5

J 8 7 A K Q 3 2


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9 You open 1 and the auction goes as shown, which hand best matches your bidding?

You Partner

1 1

2 2NT

3NT pass

Answer _________


A 2 B A K Q 5 4 C A K 4 2 D A K 10 3

AQJ9854 A K Q 9 Q J 3 2 Q J 4 2

4 3 K 4 4 A Q 4

4 3 2 K 4 K 4 3 2 A J

I open ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

11 As South, what would you call in the auctions given?

A A 3 2 B J 9 7 2 C 7 D 8 3

K 9 10 4 3 2 Q 4 3 A K Q J 9 8

Q 8 7 6 2 K 8 A K 8 4 3 A 3

9 8 7 6 4 2 J 6 3 2 A 8 4

W N E S W N E S W N E S W N E S P 2 P ? P

P 2 2NT

P P

2 ?

P

3

P

?

3 P P ?

I call ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

Question 12 is on the next page.

A 2 B Q 9 C Q 9 4

A K Q J K 7 4 2 A K J 10

Q 10 9 8 7 A K Q J K Q J 9 6

A K 2 K J 2 K


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12 Your side bid to 3NT with the bidding shown. You are South, the declarer.

West leads the 4.

a) Do you think the bidding was correct on this hand? If not, why not?

b) How many tricks have you got to make for your contract?

c) Give two facts that you can deduce from the opening lead.

d) Which nine tricks do you hope to make? ____ in ____ in ____ in ___ in

e) What might stop you making your contract?

f) Outline your plan for playing this contract

___________________________________________________________________________ How long did it take you to complete the quiz?

Was it a fair test of your first year learning bridge? Any comments about the course in general?

8 6 4 North South 9 7

A K J 10 8 1NT

A 7 5 2NT 3NT

pass

A K 9 7 A 8 6

9 2

K 10 6 4


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Suggested answers to the end of year quiz

Give two marks for each part of a question; give one for second best answers. Question 2 has 8 part answers. Give 4 for a right answer to 8 and 9. Allot 8 marks to Q10. Total is 96. The real aim of this quiz is to get students to review their learning and for you to see what stuck and what did not. It is a good opportunity to sell the System Summary or Really Easy Bidding to those who feel they need some reinforcement.

1 At Love All, what is the score for the following contracts:

a) 4 making eleven tricks 450 b) 3 making seven tricks – 100

c) 5 making twelve tricks 420 d) 2NT making ten tricks 180

2 As dealer, what do you open on each of the following hands? Partner bids 2. Rebid?

A Q 7 2 B A J 6 3 C 5 3 D A 9 8

A 10 8 2 K Q 9 7 K Q J 7 5 3 K J 10 3

K 8 7 Q 7 A J 5 K J 7

K J 4 A 7 6 6 2 A Q 4

I open 1NT 1 1 1

Over 2 I rebid 2 2NT 2 3NT

(or pass on hand A if Stayman has not been taught)

3 Your partner opens 1, the next player passes. What do you respond?

A K Q 8 B K 8 C J 8 3 2 D K 8 3

Q 7 3 Q 10 9 3 Q 7 3 K 9

9 8 5 4 A J 6 4 K J 9 8 2 J 10 4 3

J 8 2 J 8 2 8 A J 8

I respond 1NT 3 1 2NT

4 Your partner opens 1NT, the next player passes. What do you bid on these hands?

A 9 4 B A J C K 9 4 2 D J 10 7

8 6 K J 8 7 4 A Q Q 5 2

Q 9 8 5 4 2 Q 7 6 10 9 7 4 A K J 4 3

J 10 4 K 9 3 K 4 2 K 7

I respond 2 3 2 (or 2NT if no Stayman) 3NT

5 Your right hand opponent opens 1. What is your call?

A K Q 7 B J 7 6 4 2 C Q 9 7 2 D K J 6 2

8 5 2 A Q 9 A K 8 3 A Q 9

10 4 10 7 4 9 3 A J 3

K Q J 10 9 K 8 K Q 4 Q 4 2

I call 2 Pass Double 1NT

6 LHO opens 1, partner doubles and the third player passes. What call do you make?

A J 8 7 3 2 B Q 7 C 10 7 2 D 9 7

Q 8 Q 7 6 5 2 J 6 4 9 5 2

9 7 6 10 4 3 K Q 3 J 6

Q 8 2 A J 3 Q 9 4 2 A K J 7 6 2

I call 1 2 1NT 2♣


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7 Your left hand opponent opens 1NT which is raised to 3NT. Partner leads the K.

What card do you play when you see that dummy has the 5 4 3 of hearts?

A 6 5 4 3 B 6 5 4 3 C 6 5 4 3 D 6 5 4 3

A 2 7 6 2 8 7 6 2 J 8

9 8 7 6 Q J 4 3 Q J 4 K Q J 10

K 4 3 J 10 J 10 6 5 4

I play ___A____ ____2____ ___7 or 8___ ____J____

Lead of a king v NT contract has gone to book two


1 1

2NT 3

3 4

Answer ____B___


1 1

2 2NT

3NT pass

Answer ____A___


A 2 B A K Q 5 4 C A K 4 2 D A K 10 3

AQJ9854 A K Q 9 Q J 3 2 Q J 4 2

4 3 K 4 4 A Q 4

4 3 2 K 4 K 4 3 2 A J

I open ____3______ ____2_______ _____1____ ____2NT_____

11 As South, what would you call in the auctions given?

A A 3 2 B J 9 7 2 C 7 D 8 3

K 9 10 4 3 2 Q 4 3 A K Q J 9 8

Q 8 7 6 2 K 8 A K 8 4 3 A 3

9 8 7 6 4 2 J 6 3 2 A 8 4

W N E S W N E S W N E S W N E S P 2 P ? P

P 2 2NT

P P

2 ?

P

3

P

?

3 P P ?

I call ____3_____ ____3______ _____4______ ____4_______

12 a) Bidding OK-but better if North bids 3NT instead of 2NT with such good diamonds

b) 9

c) West does not have a sequence like KQJ or QJ10. West has led 4th highest, so East has

two hearts higher than the 4.

d) 2 4 1 2

e) The defence win the Q and cash heart winners, taking 5 tricks before I make 9

f) HOLD UP. I will win the third round of hearts and play the 9, finessing if West plays low

A A K Q B K 8 6 C A 5

9 7 5 3 K 9 7 5 K Q J 8 4

K Q J A J 6 5 A Q 5

J 8 7 A K Q 3 2

A 2 B Q 9 C Q 9 4

A K Q J K 7 4 2 A K J 10

Q 10 9 8 7 A K Q J K Q J 9 6

A K 2 K J 2 K

Documents

Book One Beginning Bridge - ebedcio.org.uk