Guide 7Z67 Main

About the Bidding Practice

by Richard Pavlicek

The FUN way to improve your bidding!

Each bidding practice set is provided in a PDF file with separate pages for the West hands, East hands, and the actual or recommended bidding. The 12-deal sets also include an award scale for various contracts reached. Alternately, each practice set can be viewed in HTML (click on the title) or downloaded in RBN data format.

First bid the East-West hands with your favorite partner. West is always the dealer, except for defensive conventions that require an opposing dealer, then North. Switch directions periodically to balance the experience; e.g., if a topic has Parts I and II, take West for one part and East for the other. It is helpful to write down your bidding for comparison.

Immediately after bidding a set, compare your bidding to the recommended bidding.

Sets with Awards

Keep score! The first 20 sets (12 deals each) include awards on a 1-10 scale for contracts reached. If the contract you reach is unlisted, score is zero unless a higher contract in that strain with an equivalent bonus (game or partscore) is listed. For example, if you reach 2 (unlisted) and 3 is awarded 7, you also score 7 since both are partscores and the lower level must be just as good if not better.

Sets Bid by RP

These two sets (50 deals each) were played on OKbridge by me and my son Rich (or other partner). Our actual bidding is shown for comparison. The final contract we reached is not necessarily best — the story of my life? Please don’t beat us too bad!

These sets (and all that follow) have a landscape page layout, designed to be cut into strips of five deals each. Note the hash marks along the top, which are guides to allow easy preparation with a paper cutter. After cutting, assemble the strips into three packets (West hands, East hands, results) and staple each packet at the top.

Sets Bid by Computer

These six sets (100 deals each) were randomly generated and bid by computer, or more specifically by the infamous Maniac-Lunatic partnership, so expect a laugh or two when comparing results. Have fun!

Challenge the Stars

These 12 sets (100 deals each) allow you to compare your bidding with the best partnerships in the world. If interested you can click on “System” for a summary of their methods. For face-to-face practice, print the sheets and cut them in strips (described above). Bid five hands (one strip) then compare. To determine your score:

If you reach the same strain as the star pair (or other table) assume you win the same number of tricks.
If you reach a different strain, determine your tricks won from the double-dummy analyses.*
Add your score to the other table (your teammates) and convert the net plus or minus into IMPs.

*Five hexadecimal digits show the tricks makable in each strain in ranking order (NSHDC).
If the declaring position matters, two sets of digits are given, first for West then East.

If you happen to beat the star pair on any five boards, it’s party time!

Guide 7Z67 Main Top About the Bidding Practice