Marty Bergen Audio Visual Lessons

Longtime bridge teacher and author Marty Bergen is offering audio visual online bridge lessons.
Using your web browser, you will hear Marty's voice discussing the lesson
while simultaneouly viewing the bridge on your screen.

Effective Overcalls (Hide Details)

Knowing what to do after your right hand opponent (RHO) opens is crucial.
On 50% of the deals you play, the player who opens the bidding is your opponent.
When that opponent is your RHO, the player in the hot seat is YOU.
When your side opens the bidding, HCP play a very significant role in your decision-making.
But, things are very different when the enemy bids first.
When your RHO opens, HCP are no longer the key.
Level, distribution, vulnerability, suit quality and your holding in RHO’s suit are now more important.

Marty will discuss the following topics:

Why you should be super-aggressive after your RHO opens 1♣
When to pass a strong hand
Very flexible takeout doubles
1-level overcalls: All you need is a reason
1NT Overcalls: Very descriptive
2-level overcalls: 6-card suits are the norm
Two-suited overcalls: Some are better than others
Jump Overcalls: How aggressive should you be

Here is an example of what Marty will discuss in the lesson:

Neither side is vulnerable.
You hold: ♠32 ♥K1054 ♦KQ6 ♣AQ97

You right hand opponent opens 1♦.
What is your call?

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Bid 1NT.
I know that you have only 14 HCP, and I'm not asking you to lie.
But when your side is not vulnerable, I strongly recommend
defining a 1NT overcall as 14-17 HCP.
This modest change will allow you to take action with many hands
that otherwise would have forced you to pass.

When you are the dealer and have a good hand,
if you don't have a perfect bid, you can always open a minor.
That luxury is not available when an opponent opens.
That's all the more reason to make it easier for your side to compete
by lowering the traditional requirements for 1NT overcalls.

To Finesse or Not To Finesse (Hide Details)

“A finesse is a tool; and you don’t use a tool without rhyme or reason,
just because it happens to be lying about.” Alfred Sheinwold

When it comes to finesses, a major philosophical difference
separates the masses from the most accomplished players.
Most players love to finesse. Finessing is usually simple,
and it provides immediate gratification (when it works).

However, experts don’t like to finesse; never have and never will.
Why? Finesses lose half the time.
Marty compares the expert’s mindset with that of a professional gambler.
He certainly doesn’t get rich on 50-50 propositions.
Of course, that does does not mean that you should never finesse.
Finessing will always be an important part of the game.

For each deal, Marty will explain exactly how and what
you should think to decide whether or not you should finesse.

How to give yourself an extra chance
When should you play differently at matchpoints
When it is more helpful to count winners in a suit contract
What you must know about suit combinations
How to avoid annoying misguesses
How to make the most of 5-card suits
How to prevent the dangerous opponent from gaining the lead
The right time to lose your loser(s)
The right time to throw a loser on a loser
The right time to go for an endplay
The right time to take a safety play

Here is an example of what Marty will discuss in the lesson:

West ♠ 5 4 ♥ A Q 7 ♦ A K 10 8 4 3 ♣ 10 3	North ♠ 10 9 8 3 ♥ 4 3 ♦ J 9 ♣ K 8 7 5 2	East ♠ 7 ♥ J 10 9 6 5 ♦ 7 6 5 2 ♣ Q J 9

	South ♠ A K Q J 6 2 ♥ K 8 2 ♦ Q ♣ A 6 4

South is the declarer in 4♠.
West leads the ♦A and continues with the ♦K.
How would you play?

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	North ♠ 10 9 8 3 ♥ 4 3 ♦ J 9 ♣ K 8 7 5 2
West ♠ 5 4 ♥ A Q 7 ♦ A K 10 8 4 3 ♣ 10 3		East ♠ 7 ♥ J 10 9 6 5 ♦ 7 6 5 2 ♣ Q J 9
	South ♠ A K Q J 6 2 ♥ K 8 2 ♦ Q ♣ A 6 4

Contract: 4♠ by South
Opening Lead: ♦A

As is often the case, you are in 4 of a major with 4 possible losers.
On a bad day, you'll lose 1 diamond, 1 club, and 2 hearts.
If East has the ♥A, then 4♠ is cold, so assume that West has it.

You’d like to establish dummy’s clubs and discard a heart or two.
But, if East gets in and leads a heart through your ♥K,
you will have no alternative to finessing.
In fact, because of your tenuous heart holding,
it is fair to say that East is a dangerous opponent.
On the other hand, if West has the lead, you are safe.
If he wants to lead a heart, that’s just fine with you.

Meanwhile, here you are at trick 2.
When West leads the ♦K, you have an opportunity
to lose a trick to the safe opponent, so DO NOT ruff.
Instead, discard your inevitable club loser.
Once you reduce your club holding to a ♣A6,
you'll be able to set up dummy’s clubs without any chance that East will get the lead.

West will probably exit with a trump.
No other lead would affect the outcome.
Once you no longer have a club loser, you're now happy to work on that suit.
You'll draw their trumps in two rounds.
Cash the ♣A and ♣K, and hope both opponents follow to 2 rounds.
As long as clubs split 3-2, you are all set.
Ruff the 3rd round, and lead a low trump to dummy.
Cash the two established club winners and discard your two small hearts.
Your only remaining loser is the ♥K.

If clubs were 4-1, you would lead to your ♥K and hope for the best.
If that lost, you'd be down one, but you'll have no regrets.
If clubs are 4-1 and West has the ♥A, E-W would be cold for 11 tricks,
so you will still be delighted with your result.

Marty has prepared a demonstration lesson for you to try.
It is a very interesting hand with many decisions in the bidding, play, and defense.
If you would like to view the lesson, fill out your name and email address below.
Then click Submit.

All technical issues are handled by computer expert Howard Schutzman.
Howard is also a prominent online bridge teacher.

If you have any questions or technical difficulties, click here to email Howard.
Click here if you would like to email Marty.

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Audio Lesson and Transcript	$25.00
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Effective Overcalls	Order	Details
To Finesse or Not To Finesse	Order	Details

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