1. Lesson 5 Introduction to Bidding
Bridge for Beginners
Lesson 5
Introduction to Bidding

2. Bidding MiniBridge has shown us how to play
But you could select the contract
After seeing both hands
In Bridge you have to take part in an Auction
Seeing only your hand
And opponents may interfere

3. The Auction To arrive at a sensible contract we must
Use a system of bids that you and partner understand
There are many systems
You will learn a version of ACOL
The Version of ACOL is Standard English
Developed by the EBU (English Bridge Union)

4. General Rules for Bidding
You can bid NT; a suit; or Pass
Dealer makes the first Bid
The bidding continues round the table in a clockwise direction
Any player can Pass but if you bid it must outrank any previous bid
The lowest bid is 1
Then 1;Then 1 ; then 1 ; then 1NT
Next 2; 2; 2 ; 2 ; 2NT
Next 3 etc…. To 7NT

5. General Rules for Bidding
You can make as many bids as you like in turn
But 3 passes in a row ends the auction
The side to make the last bid wins the auction
Declarer is the first person on that side to have bid the contract suit (or NT)
NOT the last person to bid
If all 4 players Pass on the first round the board is not played – a throw in

6. After the Auction is complete
The player to the left of Declarer makes the opening lead
Dummy is put down AFTER the opening lead has been made
Declarer may get a nasty shock
Or a pleasant surprise
If you both know the system well declarer should know what to expect
Because there is a clear set of rules
Play now continues as you have learned

7. The Bidding In any system:
Each bid should tell partner more about your hand
So that your pair arrive at the best contract
It is our only means of communication
You may not speak to partner to explain your bid
Nods and winks are cheating!

8. Bidding Boxes Help with the bidding
Show all of the bids in the bidding sequence
Are very easy to use after a bit of practice
Open your bidding boxes

9. Opening the Bidding If it is your turn to bid
And no one else has bid other than PASS
And you have 12+ HCP
More than ¼ of the HCP in the pack
You should not PASS
You must make a bid
Our first opening bid to learn
Is 1NT

10. 1NT Opening Bid Shows 12-14 HCP No 5 card major No singleton or void
Not more than 1 doubleton
Very specific bid

11. 1NT Opening hands 12HCP Very balanced shape 4333 Open 1NT K 5 4 K 9 8 K  5  4
12HCP
Very balanced shape
4333
Open 1NT  K  9  8  4  A  T  5  Q  7  6

12. 1NT Opening hands 14 HCP Balanced shape 4432 Open 1NT A 9 4 3 A K 6 5 A  9  4  3
14 HCP
Balanced shape 4432
Open 1NT  A  K  6  5  Q  3  J  T  4

13. 1NT Opening hands 13 HCP Semi balanced shape 5332 A  4
13 HCP
Semi balanced shape
5332
The 5 cards are a minor
Open 1NT  K  J  5  T  6  3  K  Q  T  4  3

14. 1NT Opening hands Remember the rules 12-14 HCP No 5 card major
No singleton or void
Not more than 1 doubleton
If your hand fits these criteria and no one else has bid
You WILL open 1NT

15. When Partner Opens 1NT We play 12 – 14 HCP
But there are many other systems with different HCP for 1NT Opener
To make it clear
As soon as partner puts the 1NT bid down
You must say “12 to 14”
This is termed an Announcement

16. Partner has opened 1NT And your opponent has passed
What will you reply?
Lots more rules
We know that we need 25 HCP for game
And partner has 12 – 14 HCP
With 10 or fewer HCP game is not on
Without a 5 card suit we Pass
With a 5 card suit we bid that suit at the 2 level

17. Responding to 1NT 6 HCP No 5 card suit The bid is Pass A  9  4  3
6 HCP
No 5 card suit
The bid is Pass
If you bid anything you may end up in a very poor contract
Partner may just get to 1NT
With a following wind!  J  8  6  5  7  3  J  T  4

18. Responding to 1NT 6 HCP 5 card suit Bid 2 A weakness take out
Opener MUST Pass
Any 2 level suit response to 1NT is weak and MUST be Passed  A  9  4  J  8  6  5  2  7  3  J  T  4

19. It may be this weak! 0 HCP! 1NT has no chance T  9  4
0 HCP!
1NT has no chance
2 may well fail but not quite so disastrously
The weaker the hand the more important is the weakness take out  9  8  6  5  2  7  3  8  6  4

20. Above 10 HCP Game may be on We should tell partner more
With a balanced hand
And HCP
Bid 2NT
Opener will Pass with a minimum (12)
Or bid 3NT with a maximum (14)
With 13 it’s a bit of a guess
Are you an optimist or pessimist?

21. Responding with 11 – 12 HCP Partner opened 1NT We have 11 HCP A  9  4
Partner opened 1NT
We have 11 HCP
Balanced hand
Game may be on
But we are not certain we have enough HCP
Bid 2NT
Invitational
Showing 11 – 12 HCP  J  8  6  A  T  7  3  Q  T  4

22. Responding with 11 – 12 HCP Partner opened 1NT We have 12 HCP A  J  4
Partner opened 1NT
We have 12 HCP
Semi balanced hand
Game may be on
But we are not certain we have enough HCP
Bid 2NT
Invitational
Showing 11 – 12 HCP  J  8  A  T  7  3  2  Q  T  4

23. Responding with > 12 HCP A  J  4
Partner opened 1NT
We have 14 HCP
Balanced hand
Game is on
We know we have enough HCP
Bid 3NT
Showing 13+ HCP
Good Luck Partner  K  8  A  T  7  3  Q  T  4  3

24. Opening 1 NT Summary What are the rules? 12 – 14 HCP Balanced hand
4333; 4432; 5332
No 5 card major
No singleton or void
Not more than 1 doubleton

25. Responding to 1NT Summary
0 – 10 HCP with no 5+ card suit
Pass
0-10 HCP with a 5 card suit
Bid the suit at the 2 level
A weakness take out
11 – 12 HCP and balanced
Bid 2NT Invitational
13+ HCP and balanced
Bid 3NT ( Game)