Learn Bridge: The Bridge Centre Podcast

“Helen, I made an overtrick on Tuesday and my partner high-fived me. Then I made one in a teams match on Thursday, and my teammate said, "Nobody cares."”

Rules to remember: At pairs, overtricks matter and no-trump scores most. At teams, make the contract and bid your vulnerable games. Double low contracts when you hold their trumps. Don't double a freely bid game for high cards alone. Sacrifice not vulnerable against vulnerable, with a big fit and no defence. And when in doubt, defend.

Read the lesson: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/illustrated-lessons#m11

Full transcript: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/podcast/#ep11

Next Steps in Bridge is a free course from The Bridge Centre: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/

“Helen, I bid my first slam last week.”

Rules to remember: Agree trumps first. Show interest below game. Control bids find the suit with two quick losers. Blackwood counts key cards. And don't use Blackwood with a void.

Read the lesson: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/illustrated-lessons#m10

Full transcript: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/podcast/#ep10

Next Steps in Bridge is a free course from The Bridge Centre: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/

“Helen, last week my partner played the nine of hearts, then stared at me very hard.”

Rules to remember: Attitude when partner leads. Count when declarer leads. Suit preference when giving a ruff, or when the rest is obvious. Pick one discard method and stick to it. And a signal is information, not an order.

Read the lesson: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/illustrated-lessons#m9

Full transcript: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/podcast/#ep9

Next Steps in Bridge is a free course from The Bridge Centre: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/

“Helen, when I'm defending no-trump and my suit isn't working, I switch to something new.”

Rules to remember: Pick one suit and keep attacking it. Third hand high, but only as high as needed. Return the right card. Unblock for partner. And discard from the suit nobody needs.

Read the lesson: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/illustrated-lessons#m8

Full transcript: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/podcast/#ep8

Next Steps in Bridge is a free course from The Bridge Centre: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/

“Helen, I worked out that when I'm defending, I mostly just follow suit and wait for something to happen.”

Rules to remember: Decide your defence when dummy goes down: active, passive, trump attack or forcing. Count declarer's tricks. Second hand low, third hand high. Cover an honour when it can promote something. And count everything.

Read the lesson: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/illustrated-lessons#m7

Full transcript: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/lessons/intermediate/podcast/#ep7

Next Steps in Bridge is a free course from The Bridge Centre: https://victorianbridgecentre.com.au/