Better bidding is most certainly not all about the conventions you choose to use (or not use). There are some things you can do better without adding anything new to your bidding system. Modern bridge players seek greater accuracy in their bidding, so that they can reach good contracts and stay out of bad ones. Here are a few simple things that you and your partner can do to make your bidding flow more easily and achieve greater accuracy.
| Do not respond 2NT or 3NT to a One of a Suit Opening Bid |
| The Proper Use of the Game-Forcing Jump Takeout |
All of these conventions are part of all standard bidding systems, such as Standard American and Standard English.
| Stayman over an opening 1NT | Blackwood ace-asking |
| Takeout Doubles | Negative Doubles |
| Fourth suit forcing | |
| Red Suit Transfers over an opening 1NT | Slam-try cue bids |
| Help Suit Trial Bids after a raise to the two-level | Splinter bids |
| Truscott 2NT (2NT after an opponent's takeout double) | |
| Weak Two Openings (I don't teach the Ogust Convention - I do recommend it though) | |
| Unassuming Cue Bids in competitive auctions | |
There are many more conventions described in the advanced section of this site.
This section contains some notes on when and how to compete in the auction and, importantly, when not to.
| Overcalls |
| When to bid, when to pass |
For further and more detailed reading about these topics, choose from some of my recommended books on bidding. The ones highlighted in green or yellow will be suitable for players of intermediate level.
Author: Chris Burton
bridgeinfo.net