Strictly Confidential

This month, you’re sitting West and are invited to think about three bidding problems: All Vul. DEAL 1 ♠ A74 ♥ 652 ♦ AKQJ5♣ A8 W N E S 1♦ 3♥ 4♠ Pass ? All Vul. DEAL 2 ♠ AK10962♥ 87 ♦ K83 ♣ A5 W N E S 1♠ Pass 2♣…

In the delicate field of competitive bidding at high levels, it is quite impossible to never make a mistake. Even the champions themselves commit them. However, thanks to the accuracy of their judgement, their mastery of competitive situations and the…

“Finally, like Malherbe, Jean-René Vernes came along…” and, thanks to him, knowledge of competitive auctions took a quantum leap! His discovery of the Law of Total Tricks, according to which the total number of trumps on both sides determines the total…

On the basis of what criteria is a player entitled to bid a grand slam in trumps? Three conditions are required: sufficient “material”, high trumps and first round controls in all side suits. After confirming that the second and third criteria…

It must be admitted that certain auction situations give rise to virtually insoluble problems. The solution? The use of an agreement such as the one described in this article. Let’s have a look at the situation. Your partner, sitting North,…

The discovery of fits in the majors is the cornerstone of our bidding system. However, it can sometimes prove to be problematic, for example after such a start: W E 1♠ 1NT 2♣ To be able to find a possible Heart fit,…

When they have to choose their bids, some players, anxious to create a difference in their favor, have the annoying habit of doing precisely the opposite of what they should do to achieve this, i.e. they “accelerate” when the lights…

When we started learning bridge, counting high card points and additional points for distribution and added length in the trump suit helped us all considerably. However, it quickly becomes apparent that this is not enough and that we should go…

a) Your hand as South Dealer South – All Vul ♠ Q65♥ AK542 ♦ 2♣ A963 What is your call? 1  W N E S 1♥ Pass 2NT(*) Pass ? (*) 11-12HLD and three Hearts. 2 W N E S 1♥ Pass 3♥ Pass ? With 26HLD…

In this new column, our two authors join forces to present a new tactical principle every month, rarely highlighted in classic texts. In our article Serve and Volley or not? from February 2025, we discussed the policy of neutrality that should be…

In this new column, our two authors join forces to present a new tactical principle every month, rarely highlighted in classic texts. Today, let’s take a look at the Scrambling 2NT, an excellent convention invented in the USA. First, let’s…

In this new column, our two authors join forces to present a new tactical principle every month, rarely highlighted in classic texts. You are on lead against a No-Trump contract. Whenever your opponent’s sequence was explicit, analyze it and relate…