Improvers Checklist

Here is a quick summary of all the basics that you should be confident on before you move on to the rest of the improvers section. If anything looks unfamiliar, then click the title to have a look at a more detailed guide.

Basic Play Technique

You should know how to plan a hand using basic tactics for setting up extra tricks in no trumps and throw away losers in trumps. This includes finessing, setting up long suits and establishing sequences.

1 Level Suit Openers and Responses

Opening 1 of a Suit

Shows 12-19 points and at least 4 cards in the suit opened

Responding with Support

Raise to 2 level shows 6-9 points and 3+ card support
Raise to 3 shows 10-12 points and 4+ card support
Raise to 4 shows 13+ points and 4+ card support
With 3 card support and 10+ points bid something else and support when you know partner has a 5 card suit
Show a major if you can before supporting a minor

Responding Without Support

If you have 6+ and the bid is available you can bid your longest suit at the 1 level
If you have 10+ points you can bid a new suit at the 2 level
With 6-9 and no support bid 1NT

Openers Rebid

If the opening hand can support a suit shown by partner then they should show it (especially a major).

Rebidding 2 of partners suit shows 4 card support and 12-15 points
Rebidding 3 of partners suit shows 4 card support and game invitational points
Rebidding 4 of partners suit shows 4 card support and game points

If the opening hand has only 1 long suit then they should rebid their suit

Rebidding at the 2 level shows a 5 card suit and 12-15 points
Rebidding at the 3 level shows a 5 card suit and 16+ points

For 2 suited hands and NT rebids see the sections below…

Bidding 2 Suited Hands and The Barrier

You have opened and parner has responded with a change of suit. If you have a 2 suited hand (at least 5-4) then you have the following options

If you have 12-15 points then rebid your second suit BELOW the barrier if you can
If you have 12-15 and cannot rebid your second suit below the barrier then repeat your longest suit
If you have 16+ then rebid your second suit ABOVE the barrier

Rebidding in No Trumps

If you have a balanced hand with more than 14 points you must open 1 of a suit with the intention of rebidding in NT. If the opening hand rebids in NT it shows…

1NT – 15-16 points
2NT – 17-18 points
3NT – 19 points

If you open 1 of a suit with the intention of rebidding 1 NT but partner responds at the 2 level you may have to bid 2NT, but partner should bear in mind that you might be a little light in this position.

1NT Openers and Responses

Any hand which is balanced and has 12-14 points should open 1NT. A balanced hand cannot have a singleton, 2 doubletons or a 5 card major.

Responding to 1NT

If you have a 5 card major then TRANSFER

2♦ tells partner to bid 2♥
2♥ tells partner to bid 2♠

If you have a 4 card major and 11+ points then use STAYMAN

2♣ asks partner to bid a 4 card major if they have it. Otherwise they will bid 2♦

With no major to investigate –

2NT shows 10-12 points
3NT shows 13+ points

Overcalls

To overcall a suit you need a good 5 card suit and…

8+ points to overcall at the 1 level
10+ points to overcall at the 2 level

If partner overcalls and you have fewer than 12 points you should bid to the level of the fit with partner.

If partner overcalls and you have 12-18 points and 3 card support for partner then ask how good their hand is with an unassuming cue bid.

If partner overcalls and you have a very good hand (18+ if they overcall at the1 level, 16+ if they overcalled 2) you can bid your own suit, or bid to game with support.

Fit Points

If you know you have a fit with partner then you can add the following points for shortages

4 for a void
3 for a singleton
1 for a doubleton

you also get 1 point for every trump above 8 you are sure you have.

Defence Basics

Opening Leads

Against Trumps – NEVER LEAD A SUIT WITH AN UNSUPPORTED ACE!!

Priority 1 – If partner has bid a suit, lead that suit.

Priority 2 – Establish a sequence

Priority 3 – Lead a shortage

Priority 4 – Lead the unbid suit

Against No Trumps

Priority 1 – Lead partners suit

Priority 2 – Lead top of a sequence

Priority 3 – Fourth highest of your longest and strongest

Using Information from Dummy

Leading through strength
Leading into weakness

If you are happy with all of this then it is time to move on to the more complicated stuff.

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