How to best sharpen my bidding & play?

[nekthen]

I would consider joining the BIL and or IAC clubs. They have regular group teaching sessions and tournaments where you will hopefully find some partners of a similar standard. There are some conventions that were considered esoteric 20 years ago, that are standard now and it would be best to learn how to play them. Google will tell you what you need to know.

1. RKCB is so much better than Blackwood

2. Puppet Stayman over 2N

3. 4 suit Transfers

4. Unassuming Cue Bids

5. Michaels Cue Bids

6. Support doubles

7. Jacoby 2N

 

There are others but I would guess this is what the majority would expect you to play in a pick up game on bbo

 

As well as being a mind game bridge is a partnership game and finding some people to play with is far better for you and your bridge than playing with robots

[phikappaph]

Robots are robots and the point is to improve what you can using that format. I find robots are great to improve several things about my play: First, counting cards as the play goes on. Knowing card count was always a weakness for me and now it is almost automatic. Second, review and appreciate conventions that the robots use that I do as well: Overcalls to a 1NT opening, slam conventions (for me, trying to predict what the robot will bid if it has a void!) and the continuing dilemma of SYAC vs. 2 over 1. - I am becoming more of a 2 over 1 player because of the robots. Defense is hit or miss but my defense is much better because I know the count.

 

One has to learn conventions these days to play bridge at any rewarding level. My suggestion is using SAYC as the card is specific and the conventions are easily understood. I would also observe hands by players using the convention you decide to use. Try to predict bids before they are made. Try and predict opening leads before they are made.

 

As for casual format playing. They play is not great all the time, agreed. But, start off there to feel comfortable playing and if you keep at it, you will find you are one of the better players, then look for a better table. My play with friends has greatly improved since I have played with the robot format.

 

Good luck.

[Joe_Old]

There's no substitute for hard work if you want to improve your game. Reading is essential, and BBO offers another opportunity: Vugraph. The players are almost always excellent, if not world class. While their bidding may be more complex than you want, you can always learn from the declarer play and defense.

The secret to getting the most out of Vugraph is to kibitz only one player. Don't be lazy and "see what she/he does". Count the hands and plan the play yourself, then see what the expert does. Then analyze why the play did or didn't work (while the commentary is usually excellent, don't look until the hand is over - the point is for you to think about the hand).

[msjennifer]

Sir,

I am too junior to give an advice but the way I learnt Bridge ,step by step,

1.Read a book on a standard system.2.Read any good book on intervention bidding 3.Keep on watching international players on VU GRAPH and/or tables 1/2 in your local area tournaments. 4.BROWN ON WINNING DEFENCE. 5.George S Coffins A to Z 6.Coffins SURE TRICKS 7.KELSEYS BOOKS on Bridge.8.A huge book perhaps out of print on TRUMP CONTROL 9.LOVE'S Bridge squeezes complete.10.Coffins ENDPLAYS IN BRIDGE 11.Adventures in card play( but remember that even as a 14 yr old ,I found at least two ""COOKS"deals in it where the contract can be made on a double squeeze rather than the back wash etc as depicted) 12 Any good books on Latest Conventions in Bridge.

 

Finally ,it is READ and REMEMBER as much as one can in the time available.Then comes PRACTISE what one has learnt.One must take part later in the various individual or Pairs events and try and reach the 50%mark.(Not easy, playing with unknown partners).Playing after 20 years is a difficult proposition.

Sorry for taking a big morsel in mouth.THANKS and BEST OF LUCK.

[blackshoe]

Hm. Let's see if I can't format that list a little more readably. :ph34r:

 

1. 
    
   
2. Read a book on a standard system.
   
3. Read any good book on intervention bidding
   
4. Keep on watching international players on VU GRAPH and/or tables 1/2 in your local area tournaments.
   
5. BROWN ON WINNING DEFENCE.
   
6. George S Coffins A to Z
   
7. Coffins SURE TRICKS
   
8. KELSEYS BOOKS on Bridge.
   
9. A huge book perhaps out of print on TRUMP CONTROL
   
10. LOVE'S Bridge squeezes complete.
    
11. Coffins ENDPLAYS IN BRIDGE
    
12. Adventures in card play( but remember that even as a 14 yr old ,I found at least two ""COOKS"deals in it where the contract can be made on a double squeeze rather than the back wash etc as depicted)
    
13. Any good books on Latest Conventions in Bridge.
    

 

There ya go.

[pilowsky]

Hm. Let's see if I can't format that list a little more readably. :ph34r:

 

• Read a book on a standard system.
• Read any good book on intervention bidding
• Keep on watching international players on VU GRAPH and/or tables 1/2 in your local area tournaments.
• BROWN ON WINNING DEFENCE.
• George S Coffins A to Z
• Coffins SURE TRICKS
• KELSEYS BOOKS on Bridge.
• A huge book perhaps out of print on TRUMP CONTROL
• LOVE'S Bridge squeezes complete.
• Coffins ENDPLAYS IN BRIDGE
• Adventures in card play( but remember that even as a 14 yr old ,I found at least two ""COOKS"deals in it where the contract can be made on a double squeeze rather than the back wash etc as depicted)
• Any good books on Latest Conventions in Bridge.

 

There ya go.

 

lookatallthehelpfulpeopleyoucanfindontheforum

[pescetom]

My 2 cents:

 

1. Take playing lessons from the best pro you can afford. A pro can quickly zero in on problem areas, steer you away from stuff that isn't helping and provide relevant bidding practice and discussion. Gavin Wolpert is giving lessons online that are not too expensive. He may be available to discuss your game and help you come up with a plan.

2. Read The Language of Bridge by Kit Woolsey and his posts at bridgewinners.com.

 

But also ask Kit about his 3 clubs lead in Wuhan :)

We are all human.

[Jschatzman]

O.k. I have tried playing with the robots in BBO Prime. They seem to be better than the free robots, but they are still frustrating:

 

1) They bid too aggressively for my tastes.

 

2) Partner does not lead well - seems like leads have very little to do with the bidding, nor with common sense.

 

So playing with the robots is not a waste of time, because after having left the game for quite a few years, it helps me remember. I think it may be most useful for catching my own mistakes.

 

But... I am back to my original question. What is a recommended learning/fun environment to get my skills up? I would go to a club except....

[Stephen Tu]

But... I am back to my original question. What is a recommended learning/fun environment to get my skills up? I would go to a club except....

 

As mentioned often above, BIL:

https://www.bilbridge.com/

+Baron Barclay

https://www.baronbarclay.com/ for books on any particular topic you want particular focus on, ask here for specific recommendations.

[Jschatzman]

My mistake- I didn't notice that there was a second page of responses. Thank you to everyone! I did obtain a couple of the recommended books, and I am joinging BIL now. Thanks again!

[Jschatzman]

Thanks to everyone!

 

I did sign up for BIL but I was barely able to use the website because of so many errors. Also, it appears that unless you pay the $45 you can't actually see what the website is for, other than buying educational materials.

 

Thanks very much for all the suggestions. I may try BIL again some time in the future when I am retired and/or am in the mood to be more patient with website errors.

 

Jim