Bridge Articles

If I could give someone only one piece of bridge advice, it would be this: think before each bid or play. Never pick a card at random; have a reason for each move you make. There is room for a lot of different styles in bridge, particularly in bidding. If you show me a hand and ask "did I make the right bid?" my answer will often "there's more than one possible bid on those cards... tell me why you chose that one."

I don't think there is much point in trying to get better at bridge by memorizing ever-longer lists of rules of how to bid or how to play. There is a point in learning what questions to ask yourself to choose the right bids and plays. For instance, when you first pick up your cards and see 13 HCP, don't ask "what is my opening bid?", but rather, "how do I describe this hand?", and make sure you choose an opening that paves the way for a comfortable and informative rebid.

You won't find many articles on this page about the classic "lesson topics." There are plenty of books, sites, and teachers for that. My goal here is to mention things you might not have thought of before - things that get skipped over if all you do is memorize the textbook rules. Some of the advice in my articles goes against the conventional wisdom. If you read an article here, and decide to do exactly the opposite of what I suggest, I won't be offended in the least. I'll still have served my purpose of making you consciously think about why you keep playing your way. That will improve your game much more than changing your system or style without thinking ever could.

Contents -- On bidding:

How short is a short club?

Your partner will sometimes open a 3-card club or diamond suit. But if you assume he always has a real suit... guess what... nothing bad ever happens! Read to find out why.

When is it right to open the bidding light?

Part I - first and second seat
Part II - third seat
Part III - fourth seat

Should you join the MAFIA?

Part I - introducing the three styles of responding to 1-level openings, Traditional, Walsh, and MAFIA
Part II - The three styles in action
Part III - suggested changes to your second- and third-round bidding methods to gain the most benefit from the MAFIA response style

Do you pass often enough?

A look at common situations where many club-level players bid too much.
Part I: Partner opens 1NT
Part II: Partner opens with a weak two-bid -- coming soon
Part III: Fourth seat -- coming soon
Part IV: Partner opens and you have 5 HCP -- coming soon

Defending against your opponents' exotic opening bids

Have you faced a Wilkosz 2 opening, or even just a common Mini-Roman 2 opening, and not known what your partner's 2NT overcall meant? Simple, firm agreements for handling any opposing opening-bid convention you encounter can be a lifesaver!

The Black Art of Psyching

Coming soon! A guide to when it is safe to psych, when your opponents are likely to psych, and how to protect yourself against your opponents' psychs.

On defense:

Are fourth-best leads against NT really best? -- coming soon

On declarer play:

The Card Combination of the Week - coming soon

A new weekly declarer-play oriented column, featuring a different suit combination each time. Starting fall 2006.