Use this long term partnership checklist to make sure you are ready for winning Bridge. Also, to have a solid & comprehensive technique and partnership. Not only you will become a good player, but also you will enjoy Bridge like you never before. If you are determined, try to complete this checklist within a few months. Remember Bridge is a partnership, the slowest of the partner will set the pace.
For a new partner checklist that will get you ready for Bridge within 15 minutes with a new partner: click here.
Core Bidding System
- Opening Bidding list is covering as maximum as possible of the Bridge Spectrum
- Your opening bid should cover all possible two suiter (both major, both minor, a major and a minor) in the 6-11 HCP range
- You use reverse bid vs jump shift vs splinter vs cue-bidding effectively
- Have a strong opening system (i.e:2♣) that solve the problem that it has no upper limit (i,e: when responder can pass? )
- Detail up to 3-level bidding, show all the detail that needed
- Incorporate all 2-suiter opening
- Differentiate long suit bidding: pre-empt, solid, strong, good, average, etc
- Bid and handle strong (4441) distribution
- Get additional “branching” using Kokish relay
- Use Gazilli variations to look after 1M – 1NT sequence
- Splinter or not to splinter
- Effective cue bidding
- Occasional effective psyche bid
- King-asking, Queen-asking, and-void showing in the slam bidding
- Specific Ace Asking/Exclusion asking bid: asking key card with the exception of a certain suit
Defensive Bidding System
- Using Responsive Double, Negative Double, Maximum Double Effectively
- Precaution if the opponent is doing a psychics bid
- Bid after opponent overcalled a 1NT opening, Rubensohl/Lebensohl sequence
- Using Redouble bid effectively
- Converting take-out double into a penalty double
- When to do negative double, cuebid or pass after the opponent does pre-emptive bid.
- Recover after disruption, e.g use ROPE/DOPE after 4NT got disturbed
Competitive Bidding System
- Comprehensive takeout double sequence
- Using Responsive Double, Negative Double, Maximum Double Effectively
- Doubling or sacrificing?
- Bluff bid
- Block bid
- All 2-suiter strong bid over Level 1, 1NT, Weak Two, Pre-emptive level-3, High-level bid
- All weak 2-suiter bid over Level 1 or strong 2C
- Comprehensive takeout double sequence
- Strong pass manoeuvre
- Reopening bid
- Balancing Bid
- Special bid for 2C Strong
- Defence for Strong Club/Precision
- Special defence for Brown sticker/ HUM
- High-level competitive bidding, i.e: positive slam double/negative slam double
Defender Skill
- Know the difference and the effective lead against NT vs Suit contract, part-score vs game, game vs slam, etc
- Understand the intention behind your partner’s opening lead.
- Know what NOT to lead.
- Visualize what partner’s holding from bidding, lack of bidding, dummy and how declarer plays the first 2 tricks.
- Visualize what declarer’s holding from bidding, lack of bidding, dummy and how declarer plays the first 2 tricks.
- Using the attitude signal correctly
- Unblocking: throwing honour or significant card for your partner’s benefit
- Effective signalling by a discard/suit preference
Declarer Skills
- Statistics knowledge of outstanding cards: when to drop, when to finesse
- Safety play vs looking for a maximum trick
- Multiple plans for a contract
- Leverage your weak opponent: get the most
- Know the intention behind an opening lead
- Know how to set up and play advanced technique such as squeeze, double squeeze, Vienna coup, etc
Partnerships Aspects
- Has the long term partnership goals aligned? e.g: casual player vs serious player will not get a maximum result.
- Get a third person to settle differences with your partner. Someone that you both respect. A coach is ideal.
- Know the antique and behaviour of your partner on the table, e.g: when he/she preempt with no honour, etc
- Have a goal to achieve
X-Factors
- Know the rule and regulation to use it for your maximum advantage: go to Director training?
- Pacing your play to get that subtle information from your opponent
- Maintain stamina for long-board tournament
- Memorizing most of bidding, distribution and play (proof of focus during session)
You need to keep playing while perfecting this long term partnership checklist above.
Have a good workout with your partner!
