Andrew Robson

Eight-card Major Fits — The Holy Grail of Bridge

The Rule of Twenty

Open 1♣ — not 2NT

DON'T bid again after opening 1NT

One Notrump Openers

How many cards does opener rate to have in their first bid suit?

Minor Suits?

Minor Suit Games?

Six-Five Hands

The Rule of 14

Failing the Rule of 14

Responding the cheaper of fours (and the higher of fives)

Responder's Six-point Rule

Responder's Support Line

After 1♥/♠–2♥/♠

DON'T assume a 1NT response is balanced

DON'T jump in a new suit as responder

DON'T bid 3♣/♦ over partner's 1NT

Opener's Bidding Strategy

When opener's rebid should be pass

If partner has perfect cards…

Fourth Suit Forcing

Jump Rebid in a New Suit

When to bypass a suit

DO pass if you can't make your planned rebid

DO bid a cheaper four-card suit before repeating a six-card suit

DON'T bid a second suit without five cards in your first

DON'T repeat a five-card suit

Competitive Bidding

Overcalling and SQOT

Bidding to the level of the fit

Supporting an overcall — level of the fit

Bidding 1NT as an overcall

The Take-out Double

Don't play 5♣/5♦

You, must, must, must…

DON'T bid a new suit after partner has preempted

Responding to Preempts

If you are short of spades, beware

High Level Competition

Choice of Trump Suits

When to make a penalty double

When not to make a penalty double

Should you double a slam with two aces?

Think before playing at trick one

Do not rush to make the 'obvious' play before following the three key stages

Count and make a plan

The Importance of Planning

What do you want to win?

Avoid reflex plays

Use this planning process for notrumps

The Unblocking Rule

Blocked Suits

Set up a long suit a.s.a.p.

Ducking to preserve entries

In notrumps, play your long suit when you win lead

Do not overlook a long suit, even a weak one

In notrumps, focus on each opponent separately: 'safe hand' or 'danger hand'?

Don't allow the 'danger hand' on lead

If you have to lose a trick in a suit, lose it in the first round

If you can choose the danger hand, avoid the one winning a subsequent lead

Duck your ace until one opposing hand is void in the danger suit

When to duck and the Rule of Seven

Why I dislike the Rule of Seven

Basic Percentage Play

The Power of a Five-card Suit

The power of the thirty point pack

Which card should declarer play?

The Easy Life

Trumping in Dummy

Trumping in Dummy — Fun

False Preference

A good time to lead trumps

With trump length, lead length

Routine Errors

What constitutes a sequence vs Notrumps

When finessing, lead from the opposite hand to the card you are trying to promote

Retaining a Finesse Position

Principle of Restricted Choice

Watch Those Cards!

When to accept an invitation

Interpreting the opening lead

DON'T lead fourth highest without an honour — lead high for hate

Andrew's favourite lead

Which card to lead back for partner to trump

Confidence

False Preference

Preference or Support?

Consider how things may look to partner