This is the first post in my new blog as I try to help novice players become better; hopefully they will progress to eventually become advanced players, understanding how better players become better; Do they eat different food? Arrange their cards in a certain way? Count a certain number of seconds before playing their cards?

The answer is that there are certain concepts that players need to understand. Basic concepts that keep coming back in different circumstances...better players get it right, learning players need additional review.

Who am I? I am an ACBL Ruby Life Master who has won the Grand National Teams Flight B; 2nd in the Red Ribbon Pairs, along with numerous Regional and Sectional wins. I am also a retired Tournament Director, have chaired multiple Regional and Sectional tournaments along with providing tournament advice to the general public through the site Bridge Winners

I will try to update the blog weekly with new topics aimed at developing players...Please feel free to contact me if there is a specific topic you would like to have addressed.

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Michaels Cue Bid - Helpful When Used Correctly

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Another convention that you may have heard of is the Michaels Cue Bid. For today, we'll focus the discussion on a simple example of this convention when your RHO has opened the bidding at the one level, and you make a direct cuebid of their opening suit; if they open one of a minor, you are promising at least 5 cards in each major. If they open a major, your cuebid promises at least 5 cards in the other major, as well as a 5 card minor. Here, a 2D bid shows at least 5 cards in both spades and hearts. That is the simple part. As is the case with many conventions, knowing when and with which hand types to use this convention is key to its success. Notice in the above hand the vulnerability and suit quality. Before you use the convention, imagine that your partner has the mirror hand of yours, 5-5 in both minors. Would you feel comfortable with them declaring your suit at the 2 (or potentially 3 level!) with a small doubleton opposite your worst quality suit... Anothe...
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Opening 1NT with non-traditional hands

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Today I thought we could discuss some non-traditional hands that are best opened 1NT. These are hands that are difficult to describe otherwise; also, opening 1NT has a preemptive effect. Lastly, there are extensive system options available after a 1NT opener that are not available over a suit opening. Let's take this hand as an example: 16 HCP, but 2-2-4-5 distribution. We could open 1 of a minor (my preference is 1D), and then try to bid the other minor and hope that partner has enough to invite to game. It is unfortunate that we are 2-2 in the majors, but at least there are high honors in both suits. Notice that this hand is also very positional; we would probably benefit from having the opening lead come around to our hand. With this hand, opening 1C or 1D will allow your left hand opponent a very easy overcall at the 1 level in a major. By opening 1NT, it forces either opponent to have to introduce their hand at the 2 level; they might not be willing to risk a light ove...
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