N°68 • DECEMBER 2025
EDITORIAL
THE BRIGHTEST STARS OF CHRISTMAS
Each month they deliver outstanding articles that focus on the numerous ways in which we can all discover how to improve.
Baptiste Combescure offers insightful information about how to select your opening leads. Jérôme and Léo Rombaut (fresh from winning the prestigious Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs in San Francisco) tell you how to cope with strong two-suited hands.
by Mark Horton
Julien Bernard explains the secrets of declarer play.
Alain Lévy shows you how to respond to an opening bid of 2NT. Nicolas Lhuissier presents another outstanding piece of card play. Norbert Lébely highlights a defensive problem in his unique Step by Step and with Guy Lasserre shows you how to improve your judgment in high level situations.
Matthias Huberschwiller asks you to solve another set of instructive defensive problems. Jérémie Tignel invites you to tackle another tough defensive problem.
Sally Brock discusses a matchpoint problem and Andrew Robson gives you two more instructive deals.
Wilfried Libbrecht poses the Sunday Night Question.
ABTA’s Patty Tucker answers more questions, and Pete Hollands gives you the opportunity to test your bidding with your partner.
Larry Cohen (adding to our list of World Championship winning writers) continues to unravel the mysteries of the 2/1 bidding system.
If you want to give your bridge playing friends a Xmas present but have no idea what it should be, then why not point them in the direction of Bridgerama+?
We wish you all a wonderful Christmas!
Number 68 – Monthly – December 2025 – Director of publication Olivier Comte – Publisher Éditions de Presse Spécialisée Le Bridgeur – 33 avenue Emile Zola, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt – France – Executive Director Karine Meyer-Naudan – Editorial Committee Michel Bessis – Muriel Clément – Philippe Cronier – Mark Horton – Vincent Labbé – Norbert Lébely – Karine Meyer-Naudan – Assistant Editor-in Chief Vincent Labbé – Editorial Secretary Muriel Clément–AdvertsBridgerama+ MurielClément 0142962550 –Subscriptions 0142962550 – ArtDirector Isabelle Le Squer-Fontaine/Maya- mayatom@me.com – Translation Monika Kummel – Legal Deposit December 2025, N°7.680 – Joint Committee – 1118 K 85690 – ISSN 0184-8127.
CONTENTS
68 - DECEMBER 2025
TWO-OVER-ONE GF – PART 8: OPENER’S JUMP REBID
Larry Cohen continues his series about the most popular bidding system, this month examining the response of 2♣. Opener’s Jump after 1 of a MAJOR-2♣ In recent months we’ve been discussing the 2♣ response to 1-of-a-major. Last month, we covered Opener’s…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
BRIDGE IN THE MENAGERIE
BRIDGeiN theMENAGERIE Bill Buttle and Victor Mollo Victor Mollo’s Bridge in the Menagerie is on any list of the all-time top ten books on the game. The stories it contains, originally published in Bridge Magazine and The Bridge World, found…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
THE CRYSTAL BALL
TEAMS.DEALER EAST, NONE VUL. Sitting East you are the dealer and, of course, don’t hesitate opening 1♥ with the following hand: ♠ K52♥ AQ764 ♦ 2♣ QJ108 But South overcalls 4♠, after which the rest of the auction is very short: O N E S…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
One hand, six questions – December 2025
This month, you’ll have a single hand and will have to answer a series of questions on a variety of themes, ending with a dummy play. You hold as North: ♠ KQ♥ KQ1085 ♦ 5♣ AK864 1 What is your opening bid? View solution…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
Responses to a 2NT opening
North-South have reached a very poor contract. As so often, each of the two players considers that his partner is responsible for the accident. And you, what do you think? This month we will be looking at:Responses to a 2NT…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
French teams championships
French teams championships, highest division. You are sitting at the place of bridge champion and teacher Marc Kerlero, recent winner of a National pairs competition with François Duffour, and must bring home this 4 Hearts contract. O N E S…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
TO FINESSE OR NOT
Multiple world champion Sally Brock examines classic problems from match pointed events. Sally: I thought Board 19 was interesting. What did you all do? E/W Vul. Dealer South. North: I didn’t think it was very interesting, at least not at…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
KNOWING THE SPADE FINESSE IS WRONG
Plan the play in 4 Hearts after West, who has overcalled 1♠ , leads the Queen of Clubs. All vulnerable. W N E S 1♥ 1♠ 3♥ Pass 4♥ Declarer won West’s Queen of Clubs lead with dummy’s King and reflected…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
RECONSTITUTION OF THE HIDDEN HANDS
THIS MONTH… THIS MONTH, YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DEFENSIVE PLAY AFTER CAREFUL RECONSTITUTION OF THE HIDDEN HANDS. YOU ARE SITTING SOUTH WITH THE FOLLOWING HAND: ♠ Q1098 ♥ AK9♦ 852♣ J102 With your side staying silent, your opponents reach 4 Hearts…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
Misplay this Hand with Me – December 2025
Based on his bestselling trilogy of books, Misplay These Hands with Me, Misdefend These Hands with Me and Misbid These Hands with Me, Mark Horton shows you how to avoid misplaying, misdefending and misbidding hands. The Silent Enemy In the…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
WHAT DO YOU LEAD AS WEST? – December 2025
1. ♠ J852 ♥ Q52 ♦ J852 ♣ Q6 W N E S 2NT Pass 3NT Discover the right lead ♠2: North did not bid Stayman, so he does not have a four-card major. With two equal four- card suits, it is better to lead the major.…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
THE SIDE IN OFFENSE [CONTINUATION AND END]
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…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
Defence Agency – December 2025
DURING YOUR BRIDGE CAREER, YOU SPEND HALF OF YOUR TIME DEFENDING. MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PERFECT YOUR SKILLS IN THAT AREA! W N E S 1♥ 4♠ Lead: ♥2. What is your plan for the continuation? It looks like…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
2/1 – OPENER’S JUMP REBID
In this traditional section of BRIDGERAMA+,we invite you to bid with the partner of your choice. Ready to bid ? West’s hands East’s hands The expert’s eye You have access to this section because your partner has shared this article with…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
ABTA Provides the Answers – December 2025
Two questions from the ACBL Nationals in San Francisco. Grand Life Master Patty Tucker was inducted into the ACBL’s Hall of Fame in 2019. For the last several decades she has devoted more time to teaching and developing material for…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
TWO-OVER-ONE GF – PART 8: OPENER’S JUMP REBID
Larry Cohen continues his series about the most popular bidding system, this month examining the response of 2♣. Opener’s Jump after 1 of a MAJOR-2♣ In recent months we’ve been discussing the 2♣ response to 1-of-a-major. Last month, we covered Opener’s…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
BRIDGE IN THE MENAGERIE
BRIDGeiN theMENAGERIE Bill Buttle and Victor Mollo Victor Mollo’s Bridge in the Menagerie is on any list of the all-time top ten books on the game. The stories it contains, originally published in Bridge Magazine and The Bridge World, found…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
THE CRYSTAL BALL
TEAMS.DEALER EAST, NONE VUL. Sitting East you are the dealer and, of course, don’t hesitate opening 1♥ with the following hand: ♠ K52♥ AQ764 ♦ 2♣ QJ108 But South overcalls 4♠, after which the rest of the auction is very short: O N E S…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
One hand, six questions – December 2025
This month, you’ll have a single hand and will have to answer a series of questions on a variety of themes, ending with a dummy play. You hold as North: ♠ KQ♥ KQ1085 ♦ 5♣ AK864 1 What is your opening bid? View solution…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
Responses to a 2NT opening
North-South have reached a very poor contract. As so often, each of the two players considers that his partner is responsible for the accident. And you, what do you think? This month we will be looking at:Responses to a 2NT…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
French teams championships
French teams championships, highest division. You are sitting at the place of bridge champion and teacher Marc Kerlero, recent winner of a National pairs competition with François Duffour, and must bring home this 4 Hearts contract. O N E S…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
TO FINESSE OR NOT
Multiple world champion Sally Brock examines classic problems from match pointed events. Sally: I thought Board 19 was interesting. What did you all do? E/W Vul. Dealer South. North: I didn’t think it was very interesting, at least not at…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
KNOWING THE SPADE FINESSE IS WRONG
Plan the play in 4 Hearts after West, who has overcalled 1♠ , leads the Queen of Clubs. All vulnerable. W N E S 1♥ 1♠ 3♥ Pass 4♥ Declarer won West’s Queen of Clubs lead with dummy’s King and reflected…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
RECONSTITUTION OF THE HIDDEN HANDS
THIS MONTH… THIS MONTH, YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DEFENSIVE PLAY AFTER CAREFUL RECONSTITUTION OF THE HIDDEN HANDS. YOU ARE SITTING SOUTH WITH THE FOLLOWING HAND: ♠ Q1098 ♥ AK9♦ 852♣ J102 With your side staying silent, your opponents reach 4 Hearts…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
Misplay this Hand with Me – December 2025
Based on his bestselling trilogy of books, Misplay These Hands with Me, Misdefend These Hands with Me and Misbid These Hands with Me, Mark Horton shows you how to avoid misplaying, misdefending and misbidding hands. The Silent Enemy In the…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
WHAT DO YOU LEAD AS WEST? – December 2025
1. ♠ J852 ♥ Q52 ♦ J852 ♣ Q6 W N E S 2NT Pass 3NT Discover the right lead ♠2: North did not bid Stayman, so he does not have a four-card major. With two equal four- card suits, it is better to lead the major.…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
THE SIDE IN OFFENSE [CONTINUATION AND END]
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…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
Defence Agency – December 2025
DURING YOUR BRIDGE CAREER, YOU SPEND HALF OF YOUR TIME DEFENDING. MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PERFECT YOUR SKILLS IN THAT AREA! W N E S 1♥ 4♠ Lead: ♥2. What is your plan for the continuation? It looks like…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
2/1 – OPENER’S JUMP REBID
In this traditional section of BRIDGERAMA+,we invite you to bid with the partner of your choice. Ready to bid ? West’s hands East’s hands The expert’s eye You have access to this section because your partner has shared this article with…
68 - DECEMBER 2025
ABTA Provides the Answers – December 2025
Two questions from the ACBL Nationals in San Francisco. Grand Life Master Patty Tucker was inducted into the ACBL’s Hall of Fame in 2019. For the last several decades she has devoted more time to teaching and developing material for…
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