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Guided Topics - Responding to Opening Bid

How to answer partner’s opening bid, overcall, or any other fancy convention they toss out.



No-Trump Challenge
Do you have the skill to bring your contract home?






A responder’s rebid at the two-level can indicate as few as 8 points
Draw trumps promptly to keep the opponents from ruffing your winners.






Learn to judge when a finesse is best and when to rely on the drop
Keep honing that judgment by regularly practicing “play-for-the-drop” scenarios






How should you react to partner’s weak-two opening?
Do you press on by introducing your own suit?






Three possible finesses
Yet every one lies badly for us






Stayman vs. Transfer
Mastering three-level Stayman and transfer bids






Hold off on drawing trumps
Show your four-card major before you raise partner’s minor






No-Trump is the wrong place to land
If East unblocks the club suit, West can shred the contract






Penalty Doubles
When a well-timed double can pay more than bidding a vulnerable game






Play the honor cards from your shorter suit first
Consider whether a quantitative 4NT bid should be in your repertoire