Bridge for BeginnersBridge for Beginners
Lesson 2Lesson 2
More about MiniBridgeMore about MiniBridge
Homework from Week 1Homework from Week 1 How Many HCP in How Many HCP in
each hand?each hand?
N
W E
S
Q73
65
JT6
QJ976
J98
QJT8
9752
T8
T542
AK4
K83
A53
AK6
9732
AQ4
K42
16
4
14
6
Hand 1
Dealer W
Who announces the Who announces the HCP count first?HCP count first?
WestWest
Which is the Which is the Declaring side?Declaring side?
N/SN/S
Who is Declarer?Who is Declarer? NN
Who is Dummy?Who is Dummy? SS
Who is First Who is First Lead?Lead?
EE
Which suit would Which suit would you lead?you lead?
How many tricks is How many tricks is Declarer sure to Declarer sure to make?make?
9
Should Declarer bid Should Declarer bid game?game?
Yes
Are there chances of Are there chances of extra tricks?extra tricks?
1 in ‘s and in ‘s if 3/3 split
MiniBridgeMiniBridge We played in ‘No trumps’ last weekWe played in ‘No trumps’ last week All suits were of the same valueAll suits were of the same value But if the defence have a long suit they But if the defence have a long suit they
can easily defeat your contract before you can easily defeat your contract before you can get startedcan get started
So declarer can opt to play in a suit So declarer can opt to play in a suit contract insteadcontract instead
The suit selected is called ‘TRUMPS’The suit selected is called ‘TRUMPS’ And any trump card is of more value than And any trump card is of more value than
any card in another suitany card in another suit
Trump SuitsTrump Suits NS have 28HCPNS have 28HCP Game in NT failsGame in NT fails So declare game inSo declare game in
Defence make only 1 trick
Then ’s are trumped (called a ruff)
N
W E
S
J5
8765
AQ976
J3
T98
J432
JT84
Q5
Q6
QT9
K52
T9842
AK7432
AK
3
AK76
21
4
7
8
Scoring in Trump ContractsScoring in Trump Contracts NT is the hardest contractNT is the hardest contract So you get more points for making itSo you get more points for making it Suits are divided into major and minor Suits are divided into major and minor and and are majors are majors and and are minorsare minors Each trick for a major is worth 30 pointsEach trick for a major is worth 30 points Each trick for a minor is worth 20 pointsEach trick for a minor is worth 20 points
ScoringScoring
TricksTricks778899
1010111112121313
4040303030 30 3030303030303030
40407070
100100130130160160190190220220
3030303030303030303030303030
303060609090
120120150150180180210210
2020202020202020202020202020
2020404060608080
100100120120140140
NTNT MajorMajor MinorMinor
100 points is a game score100 points is a game score
Bidding GameBidding Game
In NT you need 25 HCPIn NT you need 25 HCP In a major 25 HCPIn a major 25 HCP In a minor 27 HCPIn a minor 27 HCP
But look at shape (and ‘fit’) in a suit But look at shape (and ‘fit’) in a suit contractcontract
With a long suit and a short suitWith a long suit and a short suit You may get away with fewer HCPYou may get away with fewer HCP
Trump SuitsTrump Suits 8 card 8 card fit fit 9 card 9 card fitfit So declare game inSo declare game in
Because?Because? 10 tricks for major and10 tricks for major and 11 for minor11 for minor
N
W E
S
J5
8765
AQ976
J3
T98
J432
JT84
Q5
Q6
QT9
K52
T9842
AK7432
AK
3
AK76
Priorities for Bidding GamePriorities for Bidding Game
Bid NT if balancedBid NT if balanced Bid game in major unbalancedBid game in major unbalanced Bid game in minor as last resortBid game in minor as last resort 9 tricks in NT may well be an easier option9 tricks in NT may well be an easier option Provided you have not got a very bad suit Provided you have not got a very bad suit
in the 2 handsin the 2 hands
General PlayGeneral Play
Declarer has the AdvantageDeclarer has the Advantage Can see both the handsCan see both the hands
So what can defenders do?So what can defenders do? CommunicateCommunicate By signalling with cards playedBy signalling with cards played
CommunicationCommunication
Partner leadsPartner leads You holdYou hold
Which card Which card should you play?should you play?
A high card is an A high card is an encouraging encouraging signal signal
A
8
7
4
K
8
CommunicationCommunication
Partner leadsPartner leads You holdYou hold
Which card Which card should you play?should you play?
A low card is a A low card is a discouraging discouraging signal signal
9
7
6
4
K
4
SignallingSignalling Known as HELDKnown as HELD High Encouraging; Low DiscouragingHigh Encouraging; Low Discouraging
Use the highest card you can afford as a Use the highest card you can afford as a signalsignal
Not something useful!Not something useful!
Important on opening leadsImportant on opening leads Also useful when a new suit is ledAlso useful when a new suit is led