Masterclasses by Robert Baker
Masterclasses are aimed at those already playing bridge at club level. Then, as all those who have taken the step from social bridge to duplicate will know, the competition is more challenging. Prospective partners start to ask about new conventions, and any weaknesses in bidding, play or defence are exposed when results are compared to what others achieved with the same cards. In this environment it becomes important to learn more about this fascinating game.
12th June
Detective Work by Declarer – How to be a Good Guesser
I often hear a player say “I will never be a really good player – I am no good at maths!” My answer is always the same: “The best players are not mathematicians, they are detectives.”
On many hands the clues to success are all there – if we can spot them. It may be the choice of opening lead that tells us all we need to know; on other occasions it will be the enemy bidding (or lack of it!) which provides the winning clue.
Learn to be a Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot. Spot the clues, then put the information gained to good use and solve the puzzle – and make the contract.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17th July
Supporting Partner’s Major Suit
When partner opens with a bid of a major it is vital to let him know at once if you have support for his suit. We are all familiar with the standard limit raises of 1♥ - 2♥ and 1♥ - 3♥ which form a basic part of Acol. However, when responder has a stronger hand than this – i.e. opening strength or better – and knows that game is certain then simply to raise straight to game (e.g. 1♥ - 4♥) is very clumsy. Opener often needs to know more about responder’s hand to determine if there are slam prospects, but the bidding is already uncomfortably high.
The modern style is to reserve an immediate raise to game for weaker hands with good trump support and strong distribution but limited high-card strength. Hands with opening values and support need to be described in a different way. We shall examine Splinter Bids – recently voted one of the top three innovations in bidding in the past 50 years – and the Jacoby 2NT response, which fits well into our more sophisticated structure of raises.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future Topics Include:
Elimination Play
Hand Evaluation
Suit Combinations, and how to play them
Bidding after a 1NT opening, including Lebensohl
Places are £10, which includes refreshments and handouts.
To reserve a place please send an email
Alternatively you can call Phil Cooke on 01225 310 232
The start time is 2pm
.........................................................................................
Robert is an EBU Life Master and a full time bridge and chess teacher. He has independently developed teaching material that is marketed by the EBU. Most importantly several of the new generation of players in local clubs have already benefited from his bridge teaching.
Masterclasses will conform to the classic formulae for bridge teaching: a structured presentation followed by supervised play of relevant hands. The presentation will include the use of Power Point slides to help clarify the concepts involved. Additionally Robert is always happy to discuss any tricky issues that you have recently encountered at the bridge table.
The topics will be chosen according to demand, so feedback on the topics of particular interest to you will be much appreciated.