Author Archives: Julian Foster

Pre-empts make bidding harder – but play easier!

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Julian Foster

A pre-empt forces you to start bidding at a much higher level which naturally makes it harder to reach the best contract. On the other hand, a pre-empt can often help declarer figure out the shape of the hand and … Continue reading →

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Is there any chance left?

Posted on July 12, 2026 by Julian Foster

Sometimes your contract looks completely hopeless. At that point you have to consider is there any chance left? Today’s hand was an example where there was – but it’s not that easy to see. It’s also so obscure that it’s … Continue reading →

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Stoppers and Lebensohl

Posted on July 5, 2026 by Julian Foster

On some hands it’s essential to play no-trumps from one direction. Today’s hand (taken from the Newcastle Congress played the weekend of June 13-14) is an example. 3NT played by West is hopeless because North can lead ♦Q and the … Continue reading →

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When it’s dangerous to come into the auction

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Julian Foster

There are times when it’s quite dangerous to come into an auction. Today’s hand taken from the Newcastle congress held over the weekend of June 13-14 is an example. The bidding at the table began Pass 1NT (11-14) P 2♣. … Continue reading →

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Cover honours but not touching honours

Posted on June 21, 2026 by Julian Foster

A theme in bridge is to “cover an honour with an honour” – the idea being to promote lower value cards in either your, or your partner’s, hand into winners. That’s good advice. But, like all bridge “rules”, it’s not … Continue reading →

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