As teachers, we should try to keep up with developments in bidding. The play and defence aren't quite the same, as these skills don't change. But... the bidding is dynamic and styles change, so being aware of new trends helps.  

The hand here (from Modern Bidding Methods) is great to use in a class, as it shows the destructive power of preempts (especially when partner increases the preempt, based on trumps, not points). Most East West pairs will find it hard to enter the auction, (when it goes 2H P 4H) but if they do, they are able to make a slam in either minor.

Ask your students to play this hand once, bidding by themselves, then suggest they redeal the East West cards, leaving North South as they were. Play it again, this time inisisting that East West  reach a  minor slam. (It will always make, even though the cards are different at each table!).   

16 exciting hands, including the one above, are part of the material I use for the ABF Continuing Professional Development Days. Three of these days were completed in 2014, and more are on the agenda for 2015. The pic is at Toowong Bridge Club after the CPD on November 23rd. 
These days represent Phase 2 of the ABF plan to support teachers. Each workshop is 6 hours long, focusing mainly on lesson content. They are funded by the ABF and free for you! Great value! Attendance will give you 10 Accreditation points too.

A 45 minute video/podcast is now available on the ABF site (Teaching and Learning, Accreditation) and on joanbuttsbridge.com, covering the content.  While it is of value for teachers who come along to the day, it should also be useful for those unable to attend. Watch the video, answer the questions, and send those answers to teaching@abf.com.au to accrue 5 points.

Pro Development Days for 2015 will be at: Kiama on Feb 15, and expected to be in Victoria in late March, Perth in July, and Brisbane and ACT later in the year. if your region would like to host one, please contact me. Dates will be posted on the ABF website. 

Congrats to the first ABF Accredited teachers! Cath Whiddon (Peninsula BC, Sydney) Sandra Mulcahy (pictured) (Toowong BC, Brisbane) Stuart Packington (Randwick BC, Sydney) Trish Thatcher (Port Stephens, NSW) 

NB: You are invited to a Celebration Ceremony (drinks and nibbles) for these newly accredited teachers, to be held from 6.00 - 7.00 pm in Canberra on Saturday 17 January, during the Summer Festival of Bridge, at Rydges Hotel, in the official SFOB suite. Please advise if you will be attending. It will also be a general get together for teachers. 

 

(1) Jacoby 2NT. Strong major raise (12+ pts), 4+ card support (1♥ p 2NT)

(2) Roman Key Card Blackwood. Ace ask that includes 5 key cards (trump king + 4 aces) &/or trump queen

(3) Inverted Minors. 1m p 2m = 10+, 1m p 3m = preemptive (1♣ p 2♣, and 1♣ p 3♣)

(4) New Minor Forcing. Bid other minor, after 1m, p 1M, p 1NT/2NT (1♣ p 1♠ p 1NT p 2D) Forcing, asks for 3 card support for the bid major, or further hand description. 10+pts

(5) Lebensohl. When opps compete over our 1NT, eg 1NT (2♣) 2NT = Lebensohl, relay to 3♣. Can show stoppers, other major and more.

(6) Negative & Support Doubles. 1♣ (1♠) X = negative, showing hearts and maybe other suit. 1♣ p 1♥ (2D) X = 3 card support for partner’s hearts. With 4, bid 2♥.

(7) Drury. 2♣ by passed hand after pd's 1M opening = support, 10,11 pts, asks if pd has opened light in 3rd or 4th  (p p 1♥ p 2♣ - 2♥ = light opener).

(8) Michaels Cuebids 
Two-suited 5/5 overcalls. 1♣ (2♣) = both M, 1♥ (2♥) = 5  spades & 5 m. Usually weakish.

(9) Splinters. 4 card+ support for opener, with shortage in suit bid, eg 1♥ p 4♣ = a raise to 4♥ with singleton/void club. 

(10) Help Suit Game Tries. New suit after major fit is agreed (1♥ p 2♥ p 3♣) asks pd to bid 4♥ with help in clubs. Otherwise bid 3♥.

(11) Cue Raises. Bid of opps’ suit shows 10+ raise of pd's suit 1♥ (1♠) 2♠ = good ♥ raise.

(12) Bergen Raises. After 1M opening
1♠ p 3♠ = 4 trumps and weak (less than 6 pts)
1♠ p 3♣ = 4 trumps 10- 12
1♠ p 3D = 4 trumps 6 - 9 (Can reverse the meaning of 3♣ & 3D)

(13) Cappelletti over Opps’ 1NT. 1NT (X) = pen, (2♣) = single suit ,(2D) = both majors, (2♥) = H & minor, (2♠) = S & minor, (2NT) = both minors. Other conventions are possible too. Mainly need to use one that shows single suited, and two suited hands. 

(14) 2/1 Game Force. Two over one responses show 13+, not 10 – 12, with own suit. (1D p 2♣ or 1♥ p 2♣/D or 1♠ p 2♣/D,♥)

I have books and notes covering all these topics. Your club might consider buying a set of books for the library.  

Merry Christmas from the ABF and me.

See you in 2015

Joan