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In our continuing saga of opening leads, this month our feature article shifts from leads against Notrump contracts to defending against opponents’ suit contracts. Whether declarer or defender, playing a suit contract is often a “ruff” life.

Last month’s article on Laws discussed the opening lead out of turn, but things could be worse – what about when partner exposes a card before the opening lead? Rubber Bridge players, check out Law 23.

We’ve discussed the Rule of 15 and Rule of 20, so let’s have some fun with the Rule of Anticipation.

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When opponents begin and end the auction in Notrump and partner doubles, what are your partnership agreements? Do you lead a long or short major, certain minor, shortest suit, Spade, or something else? Does it matter if opponents made suit bids en-route to their game or higher contract? Read on – we’ll take a look at agreements and a few situations where the top-dogs have shown their mortality like the rest of us.

On the topic of lead directing doubles, what better time could we find to review agreements when Right Hand Opponent cuebids our suit? Be careful before smartly placing your double card on the table.

Turning to the Laws, the ACBL has recently clarified its position when declarer begins to play a card from hand (L45C2). If you are a tourney player, check out this article.

Just for fun – the “knee jerk” Amnesia Double is one convention you do not want in your bidding arsenal! Also, “Holy Smoke, Batman – are we playing with a Pinochle deck?”

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For the last few months, we featured two of declarer’s favorite play strategies – the finesse and the promotion play. This month in our first of a two part article, we will explore considerations for the defender to make the best lead when opponents are playing a Notrump contract. There’s more to this game beyond leading your fourth-best card: find out why.

With our focus on leads this month, let’s review the Laws when something goes awry on the opening lead.

Everyone loves to open a hand for bidding. Last month we learned how the “Rule of 15” gives us another hand evaluation criterion when partner is a passed hand. Now let’s explore the “Rule of 20” – a third hand evaluation method, useful even when partner hasn’t bid.

My, partner, you have great shape – referring to your hand distribution, of course! Some hands have cute colloquial names associated with them to describe the shape: Swan, Rattlesnake, Two/Three Suiter, Pancake, (Ugly) Duckling, Freak, and Stiff. Regardless of how you play the cards, use these clichés and you’ll sound like you really know your stuff after you have finished this month’s newsletter.

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Last month we featured forcing bids and promised to delve into the Forcing Pass. If you haven’t discussed various scenarios or guidelines with your partner, hopefully this article will enlighten you.

Next, we will check out the Grosvenor Gambit, an unusual play that seemingly forfeits a trick, but… sometimes even an expert pulls one off!

The Michaels Cuebid is not a big deal, but even the professionals can get confused when the opener “could be short”. We’ll look at both the bid and what happens when when the Director is called to handle mis-information.

This month’s hand comes from the Denver NABC Barometer game where Jim Krekorian both jumped into 3 Notrump (Bob Hamman style), then managed a nice double squeeze.

Lastly, we’ll take a look at Multiple Compression – every bit as painful as it sounds!

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Dear Bridge Friend,

Welcome to our introductory issue of BridgeHands Newsletter for Intermediate and Advanced Bridge Players. While this issue will highlight features of the BridgeHands website, we promise to include the type of interesting Bridge information you’ll find in future issues.

Navigating BridgeHands

Game Tries, Losing Trick Count, and Cover Cards

Forcing Bids

Nice Bluhmer, partner!

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Last month we featured the finesse, widely enjoyed by bridge players. Unfortunately, finesses do not always work, nor do we always have an opportunity to finesse. To further complicate the matter, in many situations attempting the finesse is not the best strategy. This month we will take a look at one such tactic, the promotion of a long suit.

Our second topic mixes the Laws and Jargon: Coffeehousing – beware of the “dark side” and learn how ethical Law 73 protects us.

The “Rule of 15” has nothing to do with the Laws yet helps us effectively compete when we anticipate a competitive auction.

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Dear Bridge Friend,

Welcome to our introductory issue of BridgeHands Newsletter for Newcomers and Novice Bridge Players. While this issue will highlight features of the BridgeHands website, we promise to include the type of interesting Bridge information you’ll find in future issues.

Navigating BridgeHands

Hand Evaluation

Know Thy Law – Shuffling

Jargon – The opponents have the bathtub on their side!