Bridge for Beginners

1. Bridge for Beginners Lesson 5 Introduction to Bidding

2. Bidding • MiniBridge has shown us how to play • But you could select the contract • After seeing both hands • In Bridge you have to take part in an Auction • Seeing only your hand • And opponents may interfere

3. The Auction • To arrive at a sensible contract we must • Use a system of bids that you and partner understand • There are many systems • You will learn a version of ACOL • The Version of ACOL is Standard English • Developed by the EBU (English Bridge Union)

4. General Rules for Bidding • You can bid NT; a suit; or Pass • Dealer makes the first Bid • The bidding continues round the table in a clockwise direction • Any player can Pass but if you bid it must outrank any previous bid • The lowest bid is 1 • Then 1;Then 1 ; then 1 ; then 1NT • Next 2; 2; 2 ; 2 ; 2NT • Next 3 etc…. To 7NT

5. General Rules for Bidding • You can make as many bids as you like in turn • But 3 passes in a row ends the auction • The side to make the last bid wins the auction • Declarer is the first person on that side to have bid the contract suit (or NT) • NOT the last person to bid • If all 4 players Pass on the first round the board is not played – a throw in

6. After the Auction is complete • The player to the left of Declarer makes the opening lead • Dummy is put down AFTER the opening lead has been made • Declarer may get a nasty shock • Or a pleasant surprise • If you both know the system well declarer should know what to expect • Because there is a clear set of rules • Play now continues as you have learned

7. The Bidding • In any system: • Each bid should tell partner more about your hand • So that your pair arrive at the best contract • It is our only means of communication • You may not speak to partner to explain your bid • Nods and winks are cheating!

8. Bidding Boxes • Help with the bidding • Show all of the bids in the bidding sequence • Are very easy to use after a bit of practice • Open your bidding boxes

9. Opening the Bidding • If it is your turn to bid • And no one else has bid other than PASS • And you have 12+ HCP • More than ¼ of the HCP in the pack • You should not PASS • You must make a bid • Our first opening bid to learn • Is 1NT

10. 1NT Opening Bid • Shows 12-14 HCP • No 5 card major • No singleton or void • Not more than 1 doubleton • Very specific bid

11. 1NT Opening hands  K  5  4 • 12HCP • Very balanced shape • 4333 • Open 1NT  K  9  8  4  A  T  5  Q  7  6

12. 1NT Opening hands  A  9  4  3 • 14 HCP • Balanced shape 4432 • Open 1NT  A  K  6  5  Q  3  J  T  4

13. 1NT Opening hands  A  4 • 13 HCP • Semi balanced shape • 5332 • The 5 cards are a minor • Open 1NT  K  J  5  T  6  3  3  K  Q  T  4

14. 1NT Opening hands • Remember the rules • 12-14 HCP • No 5 card major • No singleton or void • Not more than 1 doubleton • If your hand fits these criteria and no one else has bid • You WILL open 1NT

15. When Partner Opens 1NT • We play 12 – 14 HCP • But there are many other systems with different HCP for 1NT Opener • To make it clear • As soon as partner puts the 1NT bid down • You must say “12 to 14” • This is termed an Announcement

16. Partner has opened 1NT • And your opponent has passed • What will you reply? • Lots more rules • We know that we need 25 HCP for game • And partner has 12 – 14 HCP • With 10 or fewer HCP game is not on • Without a 5 card suit we Pass • With a 5 card suit we bid that suit at the 2 level

17. Responding to 1NT  A  9  4  3 • 6 HCP • No 5 card suit • The bid is Pass • If you bid anything you may end up in a very poor contract • Partner may just get to 1NT • With a following wind!  J  8  6  5  7  3  J  T  4

18. Responding to 1NT  A  9  4 • 6 HCP • 5 card suit • Bid 2 • A weakness take out • Opener MUST Pass • Any 2 level suit response to 1NT is weak and MUST be Passed  2  J  8  6  5  7  3  J  T  4

19. It may be this weak!  T  9  4 • 0 HCP! • 1NT has no chance • 2 may well fail but not quite so disastrously • The weaker the hand the more important is the weakness take out  2  9  8  6  5  7  3  6  8  4

20. Above 10 HCP • Game may be on • We should tell partner more • With a balanced hand • And 11-12 HCP • Bid 2NT • Opener will Pass with a minimum (12) • Or bid 3NT with a maximum (14) • With 13 it’s a bit of a guess • Are you an optimist or pessimist?

21. Responding with 11 – 12 HCP  A  9  4 • Partner opened 1NT • We have 11 HCP • Balanced hand • Game may be on • But we are not certain we have enough HCP • Bid 2NT • Invitational • Showing 11 – 12 HCP  J  8  6  7  3  A  T  Q  T  4

22. Responding with 11 – 12 HCP  A  J  4 • Partner opened 1NT • We have 12 HCP • Semi balanced hand • Game may be on • But we are not certain we have enough HCP • Bid 2NT • Invitational • Showing 11 – 12 HCP  J  8  7  3  2  A  T  Q  T  4

23. Responding with > 12 HCP  A  J  4 • Partner opened 1NT • We have 14 HCP • Balanced hand • Game is on • We know we have enough HCP • Bid 3NT • Showing 13+ HCP • Good Luck Partner  K  8  7  3  A  T  Q  T  4  3

24. Opening 1 NT Summary • What are the rules? • 12 – 14 HCP • Balanced hand • 4333; 4432; 5332 • No 5 card major • No singleton or void • Not more than 1 doubleton

25. Responding to 1NT Summary • 0 – 10 HCP with no 5+ card suit • Pass • 0-10 HCP with a 5 card suit • Bid the suit at the 2 level • A weakness take out • 11 – 12 HCP and balanced • Bid 2NT Invitational • 13+ HCP and balanced • Bid 3NT ( Game)