Educational articles - General topics

For more details on the article index see here.

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Subject/title Author Page Issue Series
Duplicate Pairs tactics Andrew Robson page 5 August 2007 Pairs tactics
A bold bidding tip Andrew Robson page 5 October 2007 Pairs tactics
Play for all the tricks you can make Andrew Robson page 5 December 2007 Pairs tactics
Finessing partner Freddie North page 40 December 2007 Fine-tuning
Choose to defend against vulnerable opponents Andrew Robson page 5 February 2008 Pairs tactics
As declarer, don’t lose sight of the wider picture Freddie North page 19 February 2008 Fine-tuning
Pairs is about frequency of gain, not amount of gain Andrew Robson page 5 April 2008 Pairs tactics
The best tip I ever received Freddie North page 11 April 2008 Fine-tuning
Pre-protection Ed Scerri page 32 April 2008 Bridge extras
Concentration, concentration, concentration Andrew Kambites page 38 April 2008 Bridge psychology
Leading against 5-of-a-minor Andrew Robson page 5 June 2008 Pairs tactics
5-3-3-2 hands Freddie North page 11 June 2008 Fine-tuning
Understanding competitive bidding Andrew Kambites page 34 June 2008 Competitive bidding
Don't push for close slams at pairs Andrew Robson page 5 August 2008 Pairs tactics
Think pairs Ed Scerri page 27 August 2008 Bridge extras
The Henry VIII Coup Freddie North page 41 August 2008 Fine-tuning
4H/4S or 3NT Andrew Robson page 5 October 2008 Pairs tactics
Sacrificing is rarely right at pairs Andrew Robson page 5 December 2008 Pairs tactics
Playing a contract after opponents open 1NT Heather Dhondy page 9 December 2008 Heather's hints
Support once in competitive auctions Andrew Robson page 5 February 2009 Pairs tactics
Deception in defence Freddie North page 19 February 2009 Fine-tuning
Even a weak hand can be important in defence Heather Dhondy page 23 February 2009 Heather's hints
The development of Acol Sally Brock page 29 February 2009 Your questions
Don't push for close games at pairs Andrew Robson page 5 April 2009 Pairs tactics
Think before you win a trick Heather Dhondy page 19 April 2009 Heather's hints
Double fits Freddie North page 25 April 2009 Fine-tuning
IMPs v Match Points Brian Senior page 38 April 2009 Top Table
Law of total tricks - part 1 Andrew Kambites page 44 April 2009 Competitive bidding
Let the opponents playin a vulnerable part score Andrew Robson page 5 June 2009 Pairs tactics
Jeremy Flint's leading tip Freddie North page 11 June 2009 Fine-tuning
Leave two-way guesses to the last possible moment Heather Dhondy page 19 June 2009 Heather's hints
Law of total tricks - part 2 Andrew Kambites page 38 June 2009 Competitive bidding
Compete at a low level at Love All Andrew Robson page 5 August 2009 Pairs tactics
Think about partner's opening lead Freddie North page 11 August 2009 Fine-tuning
Playing for overtricks Heather Dhondy page 21 August 2009 Heather's hints
Law of total tricks - part 3 Andrew Kambites page 38 August 2009 Competitive bidding
Make plays that work most of the time Andrew Robson page 5 October 2009 Pairs tactics
When making a plan, consider how the opponents might ruin it Heather Dhondy page 23 October 2009 Heather's hints
Drawing the necessary conclusions Andrew Robson page 7 December 2009 Pairs tactics
Playing a squeeze Heather Dhondy page 19 December 2009 Heather's hints
Opponent pre-empts Andrew Kambites page 40 December 2009 Competitive bidding
Play in your major, not NT Andrew Robson page 5 February 2010 Pairs tactics
Endplays Freddie North page 11 February 2010 Fine-tuning
Think before you win a trick Heather Dhondy page 19 February 2010 Heather's hints
Limit your loses in a popular contract Andrew Robson page 5 April 2010 Pairs tactics
Finesses Heather Dhondy page 9 April 2010 Heather's hints
Leaving in take out doubles Andrew Robson page 5 June 2010 Pairs tactics
Bidding judgment Heather Dhondy page 9 June 2010 Ask Heather
A little extra chance Heather Dhondy page 21 June 2010 Heather's hints
Hidden depths Freddie North page 41 June 2010 Fine-tuning
Play a slam with me Gunnar Hallberg page 46 June 2010 Expert play
Don’t take risks Andrew Robson page 5 August 2010 Pairs tactics
Watch partner's small cards carefully Heather Dhondy page 33 August 2010 Heather's hints
Passive leads against 1NT Andrew Robson page 5 October 2010 Pairs tactics
Don't conceal your major suits as responder Michael Byrne page 13 October 2010 Traps for the unwary
Good declarer play, very hard defence Heather Dhondy page 45 October 2010 Heather's hints
When not to lead partner's suit Andrew Robson page 7 December 2010 Pairs tactics
Don’t consider one suit in isolation Heather Dhondy page 11 December 2010 Heather's hints
First & last boards of the session Andrew Robson page 5 February 2011 Pairs tactics
Awkward hands, akward calls Heather Dhondy page 9 February 2011 Ask Heather
Don't bid close slams Andrew Robson page 5 April 2011 Pairs tactics
Scrutinise the small cards Heather Dhondy page 9 April 2011 Heather's hints
Cashing out Andrew Robson page 5 August 2011 Pairs tactics
Clues to the defence Heather Dhondy page 9 August 2011 Heather's hints
Shapely & balanced hands Heather Dhondy page 33 August 2011 Ask Heather
Stayman or raise to 3NT Andrew Robson page 5 October 2011 Pairs tactics
Maximise your tricks at pairs Heather Dhondy page 9 October 2011 Heather's hints
Don’t let the opponents steal undoubled Andrew Robson page 7 December 2011 Pairs tactics
Try to stay one step ahead of your opponents Heather Dhondy page 11 December 2011 Heather's hints
Common Sense Defence Part 1 Frances Hinden page 22 December 2011 Defensive bidding
Don’t worry about overtricks Derek Patterson page 25 December 2011 Teams tactics
Partner's problems Heather Dhondy page 9 February 2012 Heather's hints
Common Sense Defence Part 2 Frances Hinden page 17 February 2012 Defensive bidding
When in doubt bid game Derek Patterson page 21 February 2012 Teams tactics
Trick targets Andrew Robson page 9 April 2012 Heather's hints
Doubles of partscores Derek Patterson page 17 April 2012 Teams tactics
Don’t cue bid Andrew Robson page 5 April 2012 Pairs tactics
Don’t guard against bad breaks at pairs Heather Dhondy page 11 June 2012 Heather's hints
Heather's hints Heather Dhondy page 28 June 2012 Heather's hints
Penalty doubles of game contracts part 1 Derek Patterson page 19 June 2012 Teams tactics
Don't 'try' for game Andrew Robson page 7 June 2012 Pairs tactics
Cashing trumps Heather Dhondy page 17 August 2012 Heather's hints
Evaluating balanced hands Andrew Kambites page 41 August 2012 Bidding judgment
Penalty doubles of game contracts part 2 Derek Patterson page 9 August 2012 Teams tactics
Competitive auctions Andrew Robson page 5 August 2012 Pairs tactics
Don’t ruff unless it gains Heather Dhondy page 9 October 2012 Heather's hints
Light opening bids Andrew Kambites page 40 October 2012 Bidding judgment
Sacrificing Derek Patterson page 17 October 2012 Teams tactics
Aim high in a universal contract Andrew Robson page 5 October 2012 Pairs tactics
Be cautious without a fit Heather Dhondy page 11 December 2012 Heather's hints
Fits and misfits Andrew Kambites page 42 December 2012 Bidding judgment
Advance sacrifices Derek Patterson page 19 December 2012 Teams tactics
Quick or slow defence Andrew Robson page 7 December 2012 Pairs tactics
Avoidance plays Heather Dhondy page 9 February 2013 Heather's hints
Re-evaluating your hand Andrew Kambites page 40 February 2013 Bidding judgment
Taking risks at teams Derek Patterson page 16 February 2013 Teams tactics
Protecting (balancing) Andrew Robson page 5 February 2013 Pairs tactics
Declarer play at trick 1 David Bakhshi page 18 April 2013 Mistakes people make
Judgment in slam bidding Andrew Kambites page 40 April 2013 Bidding judgment
Leading from AK v. No trumps Derek Patterson page 34 April 2013 Opening leads
Using stayman Andrew Robson page 5 April 2013 Pairs tactics
Errors in signalling David Bakhshi page 18 June 2013 Mistakes people make
Planning at trick one Heather Dhondy page 9 June 2013 Heather's hints
Judgement in competitive auctions Andrew Kambites page 40 June 2013 Bidding judgment
Staying focussed in defence Andrew Robson page 5 June 2013 Pairs tactics
Mistakes in planning David Bakhshi page 34 August 2013 Mistakes people make
Conning the defence Heather Dhondy page 40 August 2013 Heather's hints
Clues from the bidding Derek Patterson page 37 August 2013 Opening leads
Practical bidding Andrew Robson page 5 August 2013 Pairs tactics
Blackwood errors David Bakhshi page 39 October 2013 Mistakes people make
Deceptive defence Heather Dhondy page 9 October 2013 Heather's hints
Longest and strongest leads? Derek Patterson page 13 October 2013 Opening leads
When you shouldn’t overall Andrew Robson page 5 October 2013 Pairs tactics
Trouble with trumps David Bakhshi page 34 December 2013 Mistakes people make
Planning ahead Heather Dhondy page 13 December 2013 Heather's hints
Listen to the bidding Derek Patterson page 27 December 2013 Opening leads
Passing take-out doubles Andrew Robson page 7 December 2013 Pairs tactics
Memory mishaps David Bakhshi page 44 February 2014 Mistakes people make
Isolating the menace Heather Dhondy page 9 February 2014 Heather's hints
Cutting down ruffs Derek Patterson page 17 February 2014 Opening leads
Don’t make bad choices Andrew Robson page 5 February 2014 Pairs tactics
Negative inferences Heather Dhondy page 9 April 2014 Heather's hints
Leading to 3NT Derek Patterson page 35 April 2014 Opening leads
Overcalling 1NT Andrew Robson page 5 April 2014 Pairs tactics
Guarding against bad breaks Heather Dhondy page 9 June 2014 Heather's hints
Leading against 6NT Derek Patterson page 19 June 2014 Opening leads
4H/4S or 3NT Andrew Robson page 5 June 2014 Pairs tactics
Bid safely, play boldly Andrew Robson page 5 August 2014 Pairs tactics
Bidding and play problem Heather Dhondy page 10 October 2014 Heather's hints
Take your time at trick one David Gold page 17 October 2014 Bridge tips
Responding to partner's overcall Andrew Robson page 6 October 2014 Pairs tactics
Unblocking Heather Dhondy page 12 December 2014 Heather's hints
Setting problems for the opponents David Gold page 15 December 2014 Bridge tips
Leading against six of a suit Derek Patterson page 47 December 2014 Opening leads
Declaring an anti-room contract Andrew Robson page 8 December 2014 Pairs tactics
Partner's signals Heather Dhondy page 10 February 2015 Heather's hints
Keeping your hand hidden David Gold page 13 February 2015 Bridge tips
Third-in-hand openings Andrew Robson page 6 February 2015 Pairs tactics
Safety plays Heather Dhondy page 10 April 2015 Heather's hints
Light non-vul responses David Gold page 13 April 2015 Bridge tips
Love all part scores Andrew Robson page 6 April 2015 Pairs tactics
Identifying the problem Heather Dhondy page 10 June 2015 Heather's hints
Leading trumps part 1 David Gold page 15 June 2015 Bridge tips
Leading an ace Andrew Robson page 6 June 2015 Pairs tactics
Gathering clues Heather Dhondy page 10 August 2015 Heather's hints
Leading trumps part 2 David Gold page 15 August 2015 Bridge tips
Slam bidding Andrew Robson page 6 August 2015 Pairs tactics
Conning declarer Heather Dhondy page 10 October 2015 Heather's hints
After partner has shown a 6-card suit David Gold page 15 October 2015 Bridge tips
Defending anti-room contracts Andrew Robson page 6 October 2015 Pairs tactics
Risk assessment Heather Dhondy page 12 December 2015 Heather's hints
Weak jump overcalls Andrew Robson page 8 December 2015 Pairs tactics
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 12 February 2016 Heather's hints
NT opening shape part 1 David Gold page 6 February 2016 Bridge tips
Bidding with Qs & Js Andrew Robson page 8 February 2016 Double bid or pass
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 24 April 2016 Heather's hints
NT opening shape part 2 David Gold page 6 April 2016 Bridge tips
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 44 and 50 April 2016 Sleuth's quiz
Showing extra strength Andrew Robson page 8 April 2016 Double bid or pass
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 12 June 2016 Heather's hints
Low level doubles David Gold page 10 June 2016 Bridge tips
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 14 and 26 June 2016 Sleuth's quiz
Sacrificing Andrew Robson page 6 June 2016 Double bid or pass
Pairs v teams Simon Cope page 8 August 2016 Tactics
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 12 August 2016 Heather's hints
Strong pre-empt in 3rd seat David Gold page 28 August 2016 Bridge tips
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 22 and 40 August 2016 Sleuth's quiz
5-level bidding Andrew Robson page 6 August 2016 Double bid or pass
Counting hands Neil Rosen page 20 August 2016 Advanced defence
Bidding at MP Pairs Simon Cope page 30 October 2016 Tactics
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 8 October 2016 Heather's hints
Jump shifts David Gold page 6 October 2016 Bridge tips
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 27 and 50 October 2016 Sleuth's quiz
Bidding based on vulnerability Andrew Robson page 12 October 2016 Double bid or pass
Par contracts - declarer Simon Cope page 20 December 2016 Tactics
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 12 December 2016 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 38 December 2016 Sleuth's quiz
Low level doubles Andrew Robson page 18 December 2016 Double bid or pass
Par contracts - defending Simon Cope page 20 February 2017 Tactics
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 8 February 2017 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 14 February 2017 Sleuth's quiz
Bidding for the lead Andrew Robson page 6 February 2017 Double bid or pass
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 6 April 2017 Heather's hints
Sacrificial slams Andrew Robson page 8 April 2017 Double bid or pass
Insurance plays Simon Cope page 22 April 2017 Tactics
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 24 April 2017 Sleuth's quiz
Should you head for slam? Michael Byrne page 24 and 68 June 2017 Traps for the unwary
Leading with style Simon Cope page 20 June 2017 Tactics
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 18 June 2017 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 16 and 19 June 2017 Sleuth's quiz
After partner has passed Andrew Robson page 6 June 2017 Double bid or pass
Law of total tricks Andrew Robson page 12 August 2017 Double bid or pass
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 22 August 2017 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 26 August 2017 Sleuth's quiz
Distribution counts Graham Osborne page 28 August 2017 Passive v aggressive
Cutting communications Heather Dhondy page 26 October 2017 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 24 October 2017 Sleuth's quiz
Take note of the bidding Graham Osborne page 58 October 2017 A hand from life
Bidding over the opposition's 1NT Andrew Robson page 18 October 2017 Double bid or pass
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 30 December 2017 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 36 December 2017 Sleuth's quiz
Careful defence at trick one Graham Osborne page 26 and 68 December 2017 A hand from life
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 20 February 2018 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 22 February 2018 Sleuth's quiz
Increasing your chances Graham Osborne page 14 February 2018 A hand from life
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 18 April 2018 Sleuth's quiz
Olly pulls a fast one Graham Osborne page 20 April 2018 A hand from life
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 26 April 2018 Heather's hints
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 26 June 2018 Heather's hints
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 24 June 2018 Sleuth's quiz
Cross-ruffing Graham Osborne page 20 June 2018 A hand from life
Bidding is a give-away Graham Osborne page 7 August 2018 A hand from life
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 9 August 2018 Sleuth's quiz
Discovery plays Heather Dhondy page 20 August 2018 Heather's hints
Weigh up the evidence David Gold page 28 August 2018 Bridge tips
Partnership quiz: Acol Sarah Bell page 12 October 2018 ACOLytes - Know the basics
Limit bid or forcing bid? Michael Byrne page 16 October 2018 Traps for the unwary
Five card majors - we open 1 minor, they intervene Chris Chambers page 26 October 2018 Transition
Reversing Neil Rosen page 30 and 68 October 2018 Add one thing
Clever play Heather Dhondy page 20 December 2018 Heather's hints
Picturing partners shape David Gold page 24 December 2018 Bridge tips
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 26 December 2018 Sleuth's quiz
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 15 April 2019 Sleuth's quiz
Sleuth's quiz Ron Klinger page 12 June 2019 Sleuth's quiz
A few ways to make 8 IMPs David Burn page 28 September 2020 Great Bridge Disasters
The Greatest Diaster of All David Burn page 30 December 2020 Great Bridge Disasters
Senior Moments Simon Cocheme page 24 December 2020 Bridge with a twist
The Greatest Diaster of All David Burn page 40 February 2021 Great Bridge Disasters
Holding Hands Simon Cocheme page 16 February 2021 Bridge with a twist
Whangdepootenawah David Burn page 36 May 2021 Great Bridge Disasters
Ask Simon 2021 Simon Cocheme page 14 May 2021 Bridge with a twist
Slam trickery Simon Cocheme page 29 July 2021 Discovery
Play the King & Play the Fool Simon Cocheme page 24 September 2021 Bridge with a twist
Respond with a major or minor? Frances Hinden page 22 September 2021 Ask Frances
Christmas Quiz 2021 Andrew Robson page 6 December 2021 Christmas Quiz
Conventional Wisdom Simon Cocheme page 24 December 2021 Bridge with a twist
Marry up the bidding and the play Harold Schogger page 14 February 2022 Marriage & Divorce
What has history taught us? Simon Cocheme page 24 February 2022 Bridge with a twist
Missed Slam David Burn page 30 February 2022 Great Bridge Disasters
Ask Simon 2022 Simon Cocheme page 24 May 2022 Bridge with a twist
Naughty coups Simon Cocheme page 22 July 2022 Discovery
The Headmaster's Unlucky Board David Bird page 20 September 2022 Bridge Fiction
Michael's Response Disaster David Burn page 44 September 2022 Great Bridge Disasters
The Recommended Lead David Bird page 20 December 2022 Bridge Fiction
You were a knave, Jack Simon Cocheme page 24 December 2022 Bridge with a twist
Crockfords 2022 Disaster David Burn page 28 December 2022 Great Bridge Disasters
Two poor slams David Burn page 14 February 2023 Great Bridge Disasters
Norma's Masterclass David Bird page 18 February 2023 Bridge Fiction
Sally & Harry and the beautiful game Simon Cocheme page 24 February 2023 Bridge with a twist
Half an IMP David Burn page 19 May 2023 Great Bridge Disasters
Stefan Gotel's Highlight David Bird page 20 May 2023 Bridge Fiction
Ask Simon 2023 Simon Cocheme page 28 May 2023 Bridge with a twist
Summer Meeting Eastbourne 2023 Ros Wolfarth page 30 May 2023 Time for Eastbourne
England hold on to the Trophy Peter Hasenson page 42 May 2023 Camrose Trophy
Burn those Flippers & Flow Charts Mary Sharp page 49 May 2023 Teaching Bridge
Eye Gaze gives one sufferer the chance to play bridge Susan Fletcher page 58 May 2023 Medical Triumphs
The chatty know-it-all Simon Cocheme page 26 July 2023 Discovery
The Matron's Risky Raise David Bird page 14 September 2023 Bridge Fiction
Simon Plays Bridge Simon Cocheme page 24 September 2023 Bridge with a twist
Blackwood or Gerber? Frances Hinden page 28 September 2023 Ask Frances
Montenegro Missive Chris Benneworth page 30 September 2023 Overseas Congress
Pieces of Gold, Silver & Bronze David Bird page 38 September 2023 European Transnationals
James Fletcher's Debut David Bird page 18 December 2023 Bridge Fiction
Agatha Christie Plays Bridge Simon Cocheme page 24 December 2023 Bridge with a twist
A clear Blue Sky David Burn page 30 December 2023 Great Bridge Disasters
Take the red pill Mary Sharp page 41 December 2023 Teaching Bridge
Test Your Transfers Lorna Watson page 42 December 2023 EBED
Prospecting for Gold David Bird page 46 December 2023 Gold Cup Finals
Voluptuous Venice Chris Benneworth page 56 December 2023 Overseas Congress
Norma Doulton's Discard David Bird page 18 February 2024 Bridge Fiction
Dumb and dummy Simon Cocheme page 26 February 2024 Bridge with a twist
Keep listening: I have two suits David Burn page 36 February 2024 Great Bridge Disasters
Black Day for Premier League David Bird page 42 February 2024 Premier League
What's the point? Mary Sharp page 56 February 2024 Teaching Bridge
Within your limits? Lorna Watson page 58 February 2024 EBED