BiddingPlayOne hand, all the way through.

Let's Bid This Hand Together

Novice
7 min · single video

About this lesson

A real hand from a student game, bid and played from start to finish. South opens a big hand; Lorna walks the whole table round the auction, then picks the opening lead and counts tricks suit by suit to make the contract.

What you'll pick up

  • Why a balanced 20–21 count opens 2NT — and how partner reads that big bid
  • Using Stayman (3♣) over 2NT to ask for a four-card major, and reading the reply
  • Landing in 3NT when no major fit appears — and why a ragged five-card minor still belongs in no-trumps
  • Picking an opening lead: fourth-best from your longest and strongest
  • Counting winners suit by suit to know the contract is there before you play a card