Sin #3. End Plays and Hesitation and Forcing Bids. Oh My!

The first five rounds have been less than stellar. I estimated at least 8 fixes. Our opponents were landing in perfect contracts by sheer Christmas magic and there was nothing we could do.

How about this auction...

Pass-pass-pass-1S

Pass-1NT-pass-2S

pass- 2NT

Defensive Errors #1 - Unsupported Aces Part 1 of a 100 Part Series

"Unsupported what?!"

As my brain remained fried from a long day of bridge, I thought back over some of the most sinful bridge mistakes of the day.

Singleton leads rarely work.

Unsupported Aces almost never work.

So why do we keep doing them?

Sin #2. Sacrificing

Frussell sacrificing his partner to the bridge gods for a 12% chance at a top

I am the expert on bad sacrifices. 

It's because I suck at them.

Better Bidding #1 - Pre-empts (4 Level)

"I'm stealin' yer bidz, yo."

It was an unusually warm, November day, and once again I was stuck inside playing bridge. I spent most of the day following suit, wishing good luck to my partner and going down in cold part scores. 

In my youth, it was these types of days where I would start to bid more aggressively, making bad pre-empts, off shape takeout doubles and bid every 30% slam. 

I could share plenty of sinfully bad pre-empts of the past, however, today's post focuses on two hands in back to back rounds which feature disciplined pre-empts.

Sin #1. Redoubling.

"I've got more redoubles than LeBron" - Ed Scanlon

It was a dreary, overcast day at the Bridge Boardroom... 

My partner and I are playing 2/1 but it hasn't come up at all. We've been having what feels like a good game. Nothing flashy, but some good cards and a little luck always helps.

Unbeknownst to me, we are in a tight race for 1st when in the last round I pick up my typical array of riches: