Simple bidding for beginners

[helene_t]

My experience is that beginners find five-card majors confusing, especially since they don't yet understand the importance of major suits over minor suits.

I think if that is the case then you have started teaching them bidding at an earlier stage than I would. I would say that they need to understand the basic objectives of bidding before they start bidding.

 

The decision tree:

 

Do we have enough values for game?

---Yes -> Do we have a fit in a major suit?

-------Yes -> 4M

-------No -> Usually 3NT

 

is something they will learn during the mini-bridge phase.

[pdmunro]

* 2 points for making a partscore

* 5 points for bidding and making game

* 10 points for bidding and making slam

* 20 points for bidding and making grand slam

* 1 point/undertrick for setting the opponents

(For a doubled contract, just double the bonus for setting the opponents, or add a flat +2 for making.)

 

I like it. Nice and simple and captures the spirit of the game. Will try it, if the staff at work want me to host a bridge night.