This deal follows continues the month’s theme of counting the opponents’ HCP. This is not the most swashbuckling auction ever to appear in Bridge Bites but the deal does provide a test for [...]
Last week, our astute Declarer remembered that his opponent had opened the bidding, sensibly deduced that said opponent must have the missing high cards, and then played the hand accordingly. [...]
We learn to count in first- and second-grade, but somehow this basic skill deserts many bridge players in the heat of battle. West leads a low Heart and East (correctly) inserts the Jack. Two [...]
If you’ve been following this month’s series of articles, then by now you are familiar with trump promotions. They are not so difficult once you get the hang of them, but it takes real talent to [...]
This week you are South, defending 3♠. You must make three good plays in order to beat this contract. Are you up to the challenge? Before you take your place in the South seat, let’s admire [...]
Continuing our recent theme, here is a hand where E-W can beat South’s 3♥ contract in one of two ways, each involving a trump promotion. East’s 2♠ was a “Weak Two”, showing a 6-card suit [...]
This month we take a look at “trump promotion”. Put yourself in the West seat, defending 4♠. To start with, please locate a sheet of paper or your morning slice of toast (marmalade side [...]
This month’s deals have been about finessing. In earlier weeks we were trying to avoid them in favor of better alternatives. But this week, we are actually going to take a finesse. Eventually. [...]
It’s great when our finesse works, but against a cunning opponent, when we try that same finesse a second time, we sometimes get an unpleasant surprise. After that artificial (and [...]
Of course they are! You just lead towards the AQ or KJ or some such holding, and, when fate is kind, an extra trick materializes. But, if they can, experienced players will avoid the whims of [...]