These presentations were made as part the Palo Alto Bridge "Lecture Series."
This wonderful free lecture series debuted in 2008 and is ongoing. The unit hosts lectures each month from September through June. Visit the website to see upcoming
lecture topics and read handouts, download PBN hand files, and even view slides from previous lectures.
My lectures are aimed at intermediate players, but I hope to include something for all levels. I see bridge as a problem-solving exercise, so my lectures tend
to proceed from that point of view. You don't need to play a complicated bidding system to understand the principles taught here.
I have two talks scheduled for 2016. The first, "Director, Please!" will discuss the bridge director's prime directive, "Restore equity," and give players an opportunity
to learn more about those puzzling propriety questions. The last, "Second Hand High," is not a misprint.☺ I hope to see you there.
- Five Clubs Making Was a Zero?!
"Don't play five of a minor, unless it's right." That was something Steve Robinson said many years
ago. "Well, duh!" I thought. "Don't we always want to play the right contract?" When a world
champion bridge player says something, though, one should always think about it.
- Got Stoppers? Do Tell!
Opponents do love interfering with our auctions. Although this interference can cause
complications, it also creates opportunities.
- Bid Your Slams! (Part One)
When one member of the partnership shows a strong balanced hand in the bidding, his or her partner
will be the first to visualize the possibility of a slam. That person is the captain of the bidding.
- Bid Your Slams! (Part Two)
When one member of the partnership shows a strong unbalanced hand in the bidding, either partner may
be the first to visualize a slam possibility. Although bidding tools may differ when investigating trump slams,
the basic art is the same.
- Firing the First Shot: The Opening Lead
The privilege of making the opening lead gives the defenders an advantage in the play of a bridge
hand.
- Don't Drop the Ball!
Your partner has put the opening lead on the table, but the work is not over. It is your job to read
the clues provided by that opening lead and continue the defense of the hand.
- On Your Mark--Get Set--STOP! Adventures at Trick One
Does this scenario sound familiar to you? The opening lead is made; dummy is tabled; declarer
plays a card from dummy; defender makes a play -- and declarer stops -- for a loooong time. If you're
this declarer, you may already be in trouble. The time to think about the play of the hand is before you
play a card from dummy, not after.
- Get the Children Off the Street: Sound Strategy or Terrible Tactic?
If you learned to play bridge at your parents' kitchen table, you probably heard many maxims:
"Cover an honor with an honor." "Eight ever, nine never." "Get the children off the street." You know
now that bridge is a problem-solving game, and if you want to play it well, following old maxims
might not be your best strategy.
- End Plays
End plays, as a group, are declarer plays that force an opponent to concede the final tricks in a
hand. They include the throw-in play and the elimination play. Despite the name "end play," if
declarer does not plan these plays early in the hand, he or she may not be able to execute the play when
the time comes.
- The ABCs of Legal Defensive Signals
When defending a hand, every card you and your partner play should have a purpose. If the card
played cannot win a trick or generate a trick, then it should give partner information about your hand.
- The Art of the Discard
How do you feel when declarer starts running a long suit? Do you find it hard to breathe? Do you
panic? Or do you confidently discard knowing exactly which cards to save?
- Strategy and Tactics--The Opening Gambit
You've studied opening leads. You know when to give an attitude signal and when to give a count
signal. You can quote the books on hold-up plays and unblocking plays. Still, you and your partner
never seem to get your defense right. Reluctantly, you have reached the conclusion that maybe it's not
always your partner's fault. What are you doing wrong?
- Strategy and Tactics--The End Game
There is no substitute for counting when defending a hand. No matter how many tactics you know,
choosing the right strategy, i.e., solving the problem, requires an accurate picture of declarer's and
partner's hands, knowledge only gained by counting.
- I Know I Should Be Thinking--But What Should I Be Thinking About?
The dummy is tabled and you panic. It doesn't look anything like you imagined, and you have no idea what to do.
Your mind hops on the hamster wheel and starts an endless run. Sound familiar?
- Second Hand High
You've all heard the old saying, "Second hand low, third hand high." Like all bridge adages, this one has some
validity, but if you follow it blindly, many a declarer will be very pleased.
- "Director, Please!"
Your opponents have just called the director to the table, and you feel as if you've been sent to the principal,
or worse, you feel that your opponents are trying to intimidate you. Understanding the director's role may help alleviate
some of these feelings. Understanding the concept of proprieties will help you feel more confident in uncomfortable
situations. Understanding your own responsibilities to uphold the ethics of the game will make you a more respected
partner and opponent.
