Building A Bidding System

by Hughes, Roy

• ISBN13: 9781897106020
• ISBN10: 1897106025
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-01
• Publisher: Master Point Pr

Summary

This book discusses the theory of bridge bidding for advanced players, with emphasis on the principles behind an effective bidding system. These include the concepts of Useful Space. Relays. Transfers and Dialogue Bidding, as well as creative ideas about Slam Bidding and Deception. The book addresses the conflicting requirements for a system that is at the same time robust and antagonistic, but also accurate. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY FRED GITELMAN	VII
FOREWORD BY ERIC KOKISH	VIII
AUTHOR'S PREFACE	IX
1. A DAY AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP	1	(6)
2. METHODS AND PARTNERSHIP	7	(12)
Artificiality and Naturalness in Bridge	9	(1)
Methods and Human Performance	10	(2)
Consistency	12	(1)
Completeness	13	(1)
Bidding to Tell and Bidding to Play	14	(1)
Limits to Accuracy	15	(1)
System Regulation and Good Citizenship	16	(1)
The Good Methods	17	(2)
3. USE OF SPACE IN CONSTRUCTIVE BIDDING	19	(14)
Partitioning	21	(1)
Opening the Bidding	22	(1)
Drawing the Boundaries	23	(2)
ColoursFirst	25	(2)
Colour Groups	27	(2)
Spades are Different	29	(4)
4. RELAYS	33	(14)
The History of Relay Bidding	33	(1)
Terminology	34	(1)
Showing Pattern	35	(1)
Relay System Design	36	(1)
How Effective is Relay Bidding?	37	(3)
Mainstream Relay Strategy	40	(1)
Human Performance	40	(1)
Algorithmic and Custom Replies	40	(1)
Optimizing the Relay Responses	41	(1)
Identifying Honors	42	(5)
5. TRANSFERS	47	(14)
Passing the Declaration	47	(2)
Transfers to Increase Expressiveness	49	(1)
Second-Round Transfers after 1 NT	50	(1)
Second-Round Transfers and Third-Suit Bidding	51	(2)
One-Level Transfers	53	(1)
Some Other Transfers	54	(2)
Transfers in Competition	56	(1)
Placing the Declaration after Intervention	57	(1)
Pass as a Transfer	58	(1)
Transfers after Intervention over a Strong Club	58	(3)
6. DIALOGUES: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL	61	(8)
Probing for Strain	62	(1)
Preserving Bidding Space	63	(2)
Fourth Suit Forcing	65	(2)
Raises and Use of Space	67	(2)
7. SLAM BIDDING	69	(14)
Definition of Sequences	69	(1)
ColoursFirst and Slams	70	(3)
Requirements for Slam	73	(2)
Trick-Taking Potential	75	(1)
Trump Strength	76	(1)
Checking on Aces	77	(1)
Control of All Suits	78	(5)
8. BEING ANTAGONISTIC: OBSTRUCTING, CONCEALING, DECEIVING, CONFUSING	83	(14)
Obstructing	84	(5)
Concealing	89	(4)
Deceiving	93	(2)
Confusing	95	(2)
9. FIGHTING BACK - COUNTERING OBSTRUCTIVE METHODS	97	(16)
The Multi 2 Diamonds	97	(2)
The Noncommittal Double	99	(1)
A Transfer Preempt	100	(2)
Pursue or Ignore?	102	(2)
Hidden Costs of Conventional Interventions	104	(2)
Play Good Methods!	106	(3)
Defense to Multi 2Diamonds	109	(4)
10. A TOUR OF THE SYSTEMS WORLD	113	(16)
Standard American	115	(1)
Four-Card Majors with Strong Notrump	116	(1)
Weak Notrump with Five-Card Majors	116	(3)
Acol	119	(1)
One-Club Systems	119	(4)
Multi Clubs: Polish, Swedish and From Elsewhere	123	(1)
Getting More Aggressive	123	(1)
Weak One-Bid Systems	124	(1)
MOSCITO	125	(1)
Little Major	126	(3)
11. ANOTHER LOOK AT COLOURSFIRST	129	(10)
Over a Strong Club	137	(2)
12. A SYSTEM	139	(9)
Opening Schedule	140	(1)
Responses to 1Club	141	(1)
Opener's Rebid after 1Club-1Diamond	142	(1)
Responder's Rebid after 1Club-1Diamond;1Heart	142	(1)
Opener's Rebid after 1Club-1Heart	143	(1)
Responder's Rebid after 1Club-1Heart;1Spade	143	(1)
Responder's rebid After 1Club-1Diamond;1Spade	143	(2)
Developments after 1Club-1Spade	145	(1)
Responding with Diamonds	145	(3)
AFTERWORD	148