Issue 13 - Standard American

Editorial by Paul Bowyer

Welcome to the thirteenth edition of V-Blue, the interactive magazine for those “experienced learners” of the wonderful game of bridge.

In this issue there are four series. In two of them we are looking at defense, specifically in the area of signaling. This is employed by the third player in response to partner’s opening lead. Do you like the opening lead? Do you hate it? Either way it’s your duty to tell partner what you think.

How? No, you can’t smile and nod vigorously, nor shake your head. These machinations are strictly forbidden!

You have to make sure you play and encouraging or discouraging card. Here, in this series, we show you how to do that.

When you have worked your way through these twelve highly instructive deals you may care to head for the two “General Series” of six and four hands respectively. The first series has been written by our famous guest author from across the water in Britain, the prolific David Bird. There’s no theme to these half a dozen deals and the level of difficulty varies from hand to hand. That’s precisely as it should be of course – when playing the game in practice some hands are easy and some... aren’t.

The final set of four deals comes with a theme, again it’s on defense. We also have a quiz for you to try. Ten questions on “balancing” or “protective bidding”. This is when the opponents bidding peters out at a low level and you have to decide whether to come in again. There’s plenty for you this edition – enjoy!

Series #2352 - Encouraging/discouraging signals - Part I (SA)

This series of deals and its brother, elsewhere in this edition of V-Blue, are on defensive signals.

The declarer has the advantage of seeing his entire hand, both his half and his partner's. The defenders don't have that advantage.

Or do they...?

What if there were a way to help your partner read through the back of your cards? Is there a way to tell each other what you have?

There certainly is, and welcome to the world of Legal Table Talk. There are several kinds of defensive signalling, In the next eight hands, we're going to look at Attitude Signals, the most important (and in fact, your default signal).

Series #2352 - Encouraging/discouraging signals - Part I (SA):

The Balancing position Quiz

In this series we are looking at Balancing. Here, the auction is about to die (at a low level), and you have to decide whether to allow the opposition to buy the hand cheaply or whether you should bid something in an attempt to steal the deal. You have a whole new set of decisions to make about whether to bid and what to bid. The Balancing position Quiz: click here

Series #2353 - Encouraging/discouraging signals - Part II (SA)

This is the second series of deals on defensive signals. The first series can be found elsewhere in this edition of V-Blue.

The basic principle here is that a high card by third hand encourages partner to continue the led suit. A low card, though, suggests no interest in that suit (and may suggest that there are better prospects elsewhere).

Series #2353 - Encouraging/discouraging signals - Part II (SA):

Series #2346 - Improve your Card Play by David Bird (SA):

Series #2348 - General Hands (SA):