Law of Total Tricks: Bridge is for Everyone - Extensions #10.

[@lalitgupta9439]

Thank you for this excellent video. As an inexperienced player, I often get perplexed on how to respond to my partner who has opened the bidding, and my RHO has overcalled. The textbooks suggest use of " jumps to show a weak hand", "cuebids" and "redoubles". Despite many readings, I am unable to grasp these concepts. I understand "negative doubles" after watching you video on that topic. Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve my comprehension of this essential topic ? Thank you.

[@jadbridge]

Hi. This is a very complicated situation. I think it best to simplify the process as much as possible so you can make a good start and introduce more nuance as you gain experience. Here are the principles I recommend to start: with a strong hand, use a negative double, bid your own new suit or jump raise Partner’s suit. With a weak hand support Partner if you can and then apply the law of total tricks when you bid again. Remember, if you can’t bid, Partner will always get another bid. As you gain experience, you can use a cue bid to show good support for partner and use the law of total tricks immediately. Negative doubles will still be useful as well. Note that you can’t redouble an overcall, only a double. If you have any specific situations you need advice on, you can always ask me. Unfortunately, I find most Bridge books deal with this topic in many pieces that can’t easily be put together, which I think is the problem you describe. You can gain some insight by looking at the examples, rather than the text. I hope this helps. Cheers.