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WHAT DOES PARTNER HAVE? VISUALIZING THE WHOLE DEAL Teacher’s Manual Book Two An Honors eBook from Master Point Press Timothy LeVan
What Does Partner have?
visualizing the Whole Deal
teacher’s Manual
Book two
an honors eBook from Master Point Press
timothy levan
Text © 2017 Timothy LeVan
Cover Image © powerofforever/iStock
All rights reserved.
Honors eBooks is an imprint of Master Point Press. All contents, editing and design (excluding cover design) are the sole responsibility of the authors.
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ISBN: 978-1-55494-583-2
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Table of Contents | i
Table of Contents
Teacher’s Notes ........................................................................................................... iiiSupplies Needed per Table ........................................................................................ iiiPutting the Cards into Suits ...................................................................................... iiiConstructing a Hand at the Table............................................................................. iii
Chapter One – The Overcall .......................................................................................1Good 5 card suit Overcall ..............................................................................................11NT Overcall .................................................................................................................5Preemptive Jump Overcalls ...........................................................................................7 Chapter Two – The Takeout & Strong-Hand Double ............................................. 11The Takeout Double ..................................................................................................... 11 With 4-card support for unbid suits and ............................................................. 11 13-16 points counting dummy points ................................................................ 11The Strong-Hand Double .............................................................................................14 17+ points – Double then bid .............................................................................14Quiz – Overcall or Double? .........................................................................................18
Chapter Three – Responder’s Bids ..........................................................................20Responder’s Standard Bids after an Overcall or Takeout Double ...............................20 Pass ....................................................................................................................21 Raise Opener’s Suit ............................................................................................21 Bid a New Good Suit .........................................................................................23 Bid Notrump ......................................................................................................25Responder’s New Bids after Overcall ..........................................................................27 6-9 points – preemptive raises ............................................................................29 10+ points – Cuebid Opponent’s Suit ................................................................29 Not Sure What to Bid? .......................................................................................29 Negative Double ................................................................................................31Responder’s New Bids after Takeout Double...............................................................35 6-9 points – preemptive raises ............................................................................35 10+ points – Redouble .......................................................................................37 Not Sure What to Bid? .......................................................................................39Quiz – What’s Your Response? ....................................................................................44
ii | What Does Partner Have? Book Two Teacher’s Manual
Chapter Four – Advancer’s Bids .................................................................................46Advancer’s Bids after Partner Doubles ...........................................................................47 Pass is available if Responder bids or redoubles ..................................................47 Bid a New Suit – not forcing ...............................................................................48 Bid Notrump – not forcing ....................................................................................52 Not Sure What to Bid? ..........................................................................................54Advancer’s Bids after Partner Overcalls .........................................................................55 Pass .......................................................................................................................55 Raise Overcaller’s Suit with 3+ card support .......................................................56 Bid a New Good Suit – not forcing ......................................................................59 Bid Notrump – not forcing ....................................................................................61 Not Sure What to Bid? ..........................................................................................62Quiz – What’s Your Advance? ........................................................................................70
Chapter Five – Forced Rebids .....................................................................................73Opener’s Rebid after Responder’s forcing Cuebid .........................................................73 Rebid original suit at appropriate level .................................................................74 Bid another suit .....................................................................................................77 Bid Notrump at appropriate level .........................................................................78Overcaller’s Rebid after Advancer’s forcing Cuebid ......................................................79 Rebid original suit at appropriate level .................................................................79 Bid another suit .....................................................................................................81 Bid Notrump at appropriate level .........................................................................82Takeout Doubler’s Rebid after Advancer’s forcing Cuebid ............................................83 Bid another suit .....................................................................................................83 Bid Notrump at appropriate level .........................................................................84Quiz – What’s Your Forced Rebid? ................................................................................90
What Does Partner Have? Book Two Teacher’s Manual | iii
Teacher’s Notes
What Does Partner Have? is intended as a progressive bidding review for experienced novices, and early intermediate players. The novel concept in this review is the visualization of Partner’s and the Opponents’ hands from their bids only. What do these bids promise? How many cards? How many points? What do their bids show? What do they deny? Are they forcing? Here in Book Two all four players into the action.
These lessons move fast, and may be overwhelming for students not already at least somewhat familiar with the concepts. Students find these lessons helpful in organizing and refining their knowledge of these bidding basics. Stayman and Jacoby Transfers are the only two conventions used. Examples start simply, but quickly get complicated.
This Teacher’s Manual is designed for experienced teachers. All activities are designed to be taught at bridge tables. Teachers may simply read from the text. The examples are progressive, and are intended to be presented as written. The instructions for the changing of bids and hands are all very specifically written out – please follow them.
“Call and Response” is a sentence which you start … and the students finish together.
Supplies Needed per Table One Deck of Cards, Bidding Boxes, Guide Cards, WDPH Books, Notepaper, Pencils.
Quiz Copies for Students Please copy the Quizzes on front-and-back (questions on front/answers on back) pages:Chapter One:
• No Quiz Chapter Two:
• Quiz – Overcall or Double?Chapter Three:
• Quiz – What’s Your Response?Chapter Four:
• Quiz – What’s Your Advance?Chapter Five:
• Quiz – What’s Your Forced Rebid?
Constructing a Hand at the Table“Sort the cards into suits; each player gets one suit.” (Pause)Let’s make a hand for south: South: ♠ QJ10x ♥ KQ10 ♦ Axx ♣ Kxx The first time (and as necessary), please say: “We’re going to make a hand for South, face up, dummy style. I will call the suit first, then the cards. Honors are “the big” Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10. I will always say “the big Ace” to distinguish it from the “eight”.“Small” or “Little” means the Nine or lower.
Example: “In Spades, give South the spade QJ10x (“and one small”) …
iv | What Does Partner Have? Book Two Teacher’s Manual
Chapter One: The Overcall | 1
Chapter One – The Overcall – not forcing Good 5-card suit Overcall1NT OvercallPreemptive Jump Overcalls
IntroductionAfter an Opponent opens the bidding, there are two ways for the other partnership to get involved in the bidding – The Overcall and The Takeout or Strong-Hand Double. In Chapter One, we’ll review the requirements for The Overcall.In Chapter Two, we’ll review the requirements for The Takeout and the Strong-Hand Double.
Section One
Good 5-card suit Overcall – 1-Level with 7-16 points – not forcing
Everyone, let’s sort the cards into suits. Everyone should have one suit.
“Let’s make a hand for South. In Spades…” And begin the bidding:
North: ♠ xxx ♥ Kxxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♦ ???
Let’s review the two requirements for a 1-level Overcall: 1. A good* 5-card or longer suit (*good means 2 of the top 3; or 3 of the top 5 honors).
Remember also that honors are Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten.2. 7 to 16 points – counting length points.
Q: Are North’s five Hearts of good enough quality to Overcall?A: No. Only one honor! Ugh!
Q: Does North have the required 7 to 16 points?A: No. Only 3 points for the K, and one length point for the fifth Heart.
Q: So, what does North call? A: Pass. North, please Pass.
North: ♠ xxx ♥ Kxxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♦ Pass___________
2 | What Does Partner Have? Book Two Teacher’s Manual
North, please take back your Pass.In Spades, please take away one small Spade, and add the big Ace.
North: ♠ Axx ♥ Kxxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♦ ???
Q: Now what does North call? A: Pass. Now we finally have 7 to 16 points, but still lousy Hearts. North, please Pass.
North: ♠ Axx ♥ Kxxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♦ Pass _____________
North, please take back your Pass.In Spades, please take away the big Ace, and add a small Spade.In Hearts, please take away a small Heart, and add the big Ace.
North: ♠ xxx ♥ AKxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♦ ???
Q: Now what does North call? A: Finally! Now we fulfill both requirements: 5 good Hearts, and 7 to 16 points.North, please Overcall 1♥.
North: ♠ xxx ♥ AKxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♦ 1♥
Let’s review: To Overcall at the 1-level, we need a good 5-card or longer suit, and 7-16 points. _______
Chapter One: The Overcall | 3
Good 5-card suit Overcall – 2-Level with 13-16 points – not forcing
IntroductionLet’s review the two requirements for a 2-level Overcall:
1. A good* 5-card (or 6+) suit (*good means 2 of the top 3; or 3 of the top 5 honors).2. 13 to 16 points – counting length points. The minimum point count is higher now because
we’re Overcalling at the 2-level.
Okay, let’s keep the same North hand, but change the bidding.West, please change your 1♦ to 1♠; North, please take back your 1♥.
North: ♠ xxx ♥ AKxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♠ ??? Q: What does North call?A: Pass. North, please Pass.
Q: Why does North Pass?A: Because West opened 1♠, North would have to show his Hearts at the 2-level. Although North’s Hearts are great – 2 of the top 3 honors, North does not have the required 13 to 16 points needed to Overcall at the 2-level.
North: ♠ xxx ♥ AKxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♠ Pass
___________
North, please take back your Pass.Let’s change North’s hand: in Spades, take away one small Spade; in Diamonds, take away one small Diamond, and add the KQ.
North: ♠ xx ♥ AKxxx ♦ KQx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♠ ???
Q: Now, what does North call?A: 2♥. North, please Overcall 2♥. Now North fulfills both requirements for a 2-level Overcall: a good 5-card (or 6+) suit, and 13 to 16 points (you added a length point for the fifth Heart, right?)
North: ♠ xx ♥ AKxxx ♦ KQx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♠ 2♥ ___________
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North, please take back your 2♥.Let’s keep North’s hand, but change the bidding. West, please change your 1♠ to 1♥.
North: ♠ xx ♥ AKxxx ♦ KQx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♥ ???
Q: Now, what is North’s call?A: Pass smoothly, and wait to kill! North, please Pass.
North: ♠ xx ♥ AKxxx ♦ KQx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♥ Pass
Q: Why should North Pass?A: North, adding a length point for the fifth Heart, you would have Opened 1♥, or Overcalled Hearts at the 1-level or the 2-level, but an opponent bid your best suit! Just Pass for now.
Everyone, please take back your suit from North, and put back your bids.______________________________________________________________________________
Chapter One: The Overcall | 5
Section Two
1NT Overcall – not forcing
Let’s review the two requirements for a 1NT Overcall:15 to 18 High Card Points (HCPs) balanced hand, and stopper(s) in the Opponents’ Suit(s).
“Let’s make a new hand for South. In Spades…” And begin the bidding:
North: ♠ AKx ♥ KQx ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx West North East South 1♦ ???
Q: What is North’s call?A: Pass. North, please Pass.North has the required 15 to 18 HCP balanced hand, but no stopper in Diamonds – the Opponent’s suit.
North: ♠ AKx ♥ KQx ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx West North East South 1♦ Pass ___________
North, please take away your Pass.Let’s change North’s hand. In Spades, take away the big Ace, and add one small Spade; in Hearts, take away the Q, and add two small Hearts; in Diamonds, take away two small Diamonds, and add the KQ; in Clubs, take away one small Club.
North: ♠ Kxx ♥ Kxxx ♦ KQx ♣ Axx West North East South 1♦ ???
Q: Now, what does North call?A: 1NT. North, please Overcall 1NT. Now North has the standard 15 to 18 HCP balanced hand 1NT Overcall and stoppers in the Opponent’s suit – Diamonds.
North: ♠ Kxx ♥ Kxxx ♦ KQx ♣ Axx West North East South 1♦ 1NT___________
6 | What Does Partner Have? Book Two Teacher’s Manual
West, please change your 1♦ to 1♠; North, please put back your 1NT Overcall. Let’s change North’s hand. In Spades, please take away one small Spade, and add the big Ace; in Hearts, take away two small Hearts, and add the Q; in Diamonds, take away the KQ, and add two small Diamonds; in Clubs, add one small Club.
North: ♠ AKx ♥ KQx ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx West North East South 1♠ ???
Q: What is North’s call? A: 1NT. North, please Overcall 1NT. North has the standard balanced-hand 15 to 18 point 1NT Overcall and stoppers in the Opponent’s suit – Spades.
North: ♠ AKx ♥ KQx ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx West North East South 1♠ 1NT___________
Let’s keep North’s hand. North, please put back your 1NT Overcall. Let’s change the bidding to:
North: ♠ AKx ♥ KQx ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx West North East South 1♥ Pass 1♠ ???
Q: Now what is North’s call?A: Still 1NT! North, please bid 1NT. North has the required 15 to 18 HCPs balanced hand, and stoppers in both the Opponents’ suits – Hearts and Spades!
North: ♠ AKx ♥ KQx ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx West North East South 1♥ Pass 1♠ 1NT ___________
Let’s change the bidding again. West, please change your 1♠ Response to Pass.
North: ♠ AKx ♥ KQx ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx West North East South 1♥ Pass Pass 1NT
Let’s look at North’s hand carefully. Because North is in the balancing (pass-out) seat, her 1NT Overcall may be a bit lighter – perhaps only 11 to 14 points; some think of this as “a King less” or “3 points less”. She must still have stopper(s) in Hearts, though.
Everyone, please take back your suit from North, and put back your bids.______________________________________________________________________________
Chapter One: The Overcall | 7
Section Three
Preemptive Jump Overcalls – not forcing
IntroductionAfter the Opponents have bid, sometimes we make a Jump Overcall to show a Preemptive long suit, and a weak hand. These are hands we might have opened with a Preemptive bid.
Everyone should have one suit.
“Let’s make a new hand for South. In Spades…” And begin the bidding:
North: ♠ KQxxxx ♥ xx ♦ xxx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♥ ???
Q: What is North’s call?A: 2♠. North, please Jump Overcall 2♠. North could Overcall 1♠ – showing 5+ good Spades and 7 to 16 points (including two length points), but 2♠ is more descriptive. A Jump Overcall of 2♠ shows 6 Spades and a minimum point hand – a hand that North might have opened with a Preemptive 2♠ bid. Partner will not expect you to bid again.
North: ♠ KQxxxx ♥ xx ♦ xxx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♥ 2♠ __________
North, take back your 2♠ bid.Let’s change North’s hand. In Spades, take away the KQ and two small Spades; in Hearts, add one small Heart; in Diamonds, take away one small Diamond; in Clubs, add the big AK and one small Club.
North: ♠ xx ♥ xxx ♦ xx ♣ AKxxxx West North East South 1♠ ??? Q: What is North’s call?A: 3♣. North, please Jump Overcall 3♣. To Overcall at the 2-level, North would need 13 to 16 points. With only 9 points (counting two length points), North must jump to 3♣ – showing 6 or 7 good Clubs, but fewer than 13 to 16 points. With 13 to 16 points, North would make the standard 2-level Overcall of 2♣. North describes her hand in one bid, and partner will not expect her to bid again. You considered preemptively opening this hand 3♣, right? This is just another way to show it.
North: ♠ xx ♥ xxx ♦ xx ♣ AKxxxx West North East South 1♠ 3♣ __________
8 | What Does Partner Have? Book Two Teacher’s Manual
North, take back your 3♣ bid.Let’s change North’s hand. In Spades, take away two small Spades; in Hearts, add the big AK and three small Hearts; in Clubs, take away the big AK and one small Club.
North: ♠ void ♥ AKxxxxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♠ ???
Q: What is North’s call? A: 4♥. North, please Jump Overcall 4♥. You would have preemptively opened this hand 4♥, so why not show it now? You don’t have 13 to 16 points to bid a standard 2-level Overcall of 2♥.
North: ♠ void ♥ AKxxxxxx ♦ xx ♣ xxx West North East South 1♠ 4♥
Everyone, please take back your suit from North, and put your bids back._____________
Now let’s visualize North’s hands from their bids. Let’s bid the following:
West North East South 1♣ Pass
Q: What does North have? A: Perhaps fewer than 7 points, or just no Initial Bid. Perhaps North has 7 to 16 points, but not a good enough suit to Overcall.Perhaps North has 15 to 18 HCPs to Overcall 1NT, but no Club stopper._____________
North, please change your Pass to 1♦. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♣ 1♦ A: Five or more good Diamonds and 7 to 16 points.
North, please change your 1♦ to 1♥. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♣ 1♥ A: Five or more good Hearts and 7 to 16 points. North, please change your 1♥ to 1♠. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♣ 1♠A: Five or more good Spades and 7 to 16 points.
Easy, right?____________
Chapter One: The Overcall | 9
North, please change your 1♠ to 1NT. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♣ 1NTA: 15 to 18 balanced High Card Points, and Club stopper(s).
West, please change your 1♣ to 1♦. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♦ 1NTA: 15 to 18 balanced HCPs, and Diamond stopper(s)
West, please change your 1♦ to 1♥. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♥ 1NTA: 15 to 18 balanced HCPs, and Heart stopper(s).
West, please change your 1♥ to 1♠. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♠ 1NTA: 15 to 18 balanced HCPs, and Spade stopper(s).
Please, folks, don’t even think of Overcalling 1NT without at least one stopper in the Opponent’s suit – and preferably more than one stopper! No one will be fooled. Yes, the Opponents will lead their bid suit, and you’ll be down, down, down!____________
North, please change your 1NT to 2♣. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♠ 2♣ A: Five or more good Clubs, and 13 to 16 points.
North, please change your 2♣ to 2♦. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♠ 2♦ A: Five or more good Diamonds, and 13 to 16 points.
North, please change your 2♦ to 2♥. West North East SouthQ: Now what does North’s bid show? 1♠ 2♥ A: Five or more good Hearts, and 13 to 16 points. _____________
Step-by-Step exerciSeS
Teacher’s manual to accompany What Does Partner Have? Book Two
A continuation of Book One – now with all four players bidding.
Step-by-step exercises visualize everyone’s hands from their bids only.
What do their bids promise? How many cards? How many points? Are they forcing?
Review new bids available now that opponents are bidding, too.
Chapters may be taught individually or as sets of classes. All activities are taught at bridge tables with cards and bidding boxes.
Each chapter has additional Quizzes and Answers to hand out.
TEACHER’S MANUAL
An Honors ebook from Master point press
Timothy LeVan is owner & founder of the Camp Hill (Pennsylvania) Bridge Club, and an ACBL-accredited club director, teacher, and soon Silver Life Master. He is also accredited by Easybridge!, and Audrey Grant’s Better Bridge.
Formerly a classical pianist, he has performed with many singers from the Metropolitan and New York City Opera companies. He has two piano CDs, and two classical song translation books available on Amazon.com.
