I started playing duplicate bridge in 2012. I had never seen a bidding box and didn’t know what a convention card was. Your basic Blank Slate. With encouragement from our club owner, Don Marsh, I jumped in and began to study books and take lessons whenever they were offered.

While there are many wonderful topics taught in every lesson, two relatively simple things changed my bridge game….forever. I thought I would share those just in case they can help you.

Never bid the same hand twice.

This simple statement came from Roger McNay. As a newer player, I didn’t know I should reevaluate my hand as the bidding went along. I kept doing things like rebidding my 5 card major. Arg! Nothing good came from those bids. Roger’s wisdom can be used, for example, to help you refrain from going to game when you just don’t have the cards but really, really want to bid it. Some say we “fall in love with our hands”. Sorry folks. Quite often the cards don’t love us back.

What did Partner NOT bid?

Another amazing Bridge Guru is Mackenzie Myers. You might know him as a Tournament Director at regional and national tournaments. He is also a Diamond Life Master. This guy knows his stuff. Mac occasionally comes to Eugene for a visit and will teach a class at his old home club.

One of the things he said when discussing how to understand Partner’s response is: “What did Partner NOT bid?”

Here is an example, assuming Opps pass. You open 1 Heart. Pard can bid a number of different things: Pass, 1S, 1NT, 2 C/D, 2H, 2S and on and on. So when you are not sure what their bid means, think about what they COULD have bid but DIDN’T. Asking that
question can truly clarify what they have and don’t have in their hand.

I hope these small ideas help you in some way. If not, we can blame Roger and Mac. 

Susie Leo
District 20 I/N Coordinator