Stayman and Transfers
Two commonly-played conventions over a 1NT or 2NT opening are Stayman and Jacoby transfers—helping partnerships find 4–4 and 5–3 major-suit fits.
Stories & Bridge Education
The CBE Blog
Hand analyses, tournament recaps, bridge conventions, and stories from the Center for Bridge Education community.
Preempting in a Nutshell
If you had 9 high card points, a 6-card suit, and a singleton as dealer, what would you bid? A look at when and how to open preemptively at the 2-, 3-, and 4-levels.
Saturdays are for bridge
The Saturday Cardology team game began under a clear sky on August 8th. Right off the bat, there was a 6-IMP swing on the opening board—what could go wrong?
Over 2NT Opening (Stayman and Transfers)
Focusing on Board 2 from the August 4th Cardology team game: how responder uses 3♣ Stayman and red-suit transfers after partner opens a strong 2NT.
Drippin' in Finesse
As players share their excitement for back-to-school season, we break down Board 5 from Saturday’s game, where both tables faced a key trump finesse decision.
Woah, what?!
Yep, you read the title right. That was my reaction when looking over the boards played in the Tuesday Team Game on July 28th—featuring wild distributions and swings.
Cardology Kidz at YNAOBC 2020
“It felt great [to win],” says Kyle Lin, 12, looking back on his standout performance in the Youth North American Online Bridge Championships with his brother Keith.
Double Games, Double Fun [Team Game #2: Pro vs. Am]
With 16 Cardology Kidz players turning out on July 18th, we ran two simultaneous team matches—here is our breakdown of a key board from the Pro vs. Am match.
Double Games, Double Fun [Team Game #1: Bidding to Game]
An outstanding 16-player turnout let us run two full team matches at once! In Part 1, we examine how both tables evaluated their hands to bid a vulnerable game.
Reverse Time
Analyzing Hand 3 from the July 14th team game: what opener’s reverse bid shows (17+ points and longer first suit) and how responder should rebid.
Teams Boomers vs. Zoomers: Slurpee Day Edition
Instead of celebrating Free Slurpee Day at 7-Eleven, Cardology Kidz players faced off in a tight Boomers vs. Zoomers Saturday team match.
July 7th Team Game Recap
Comparing Table 1 and Table 2 on Board 3 from our July 7th team game—looking at competitive bidding decisions and declarer play.
CK Team Games: July 4th Special
Players had the chance to mix up their partnerships for our July 4th special team match—let’s look at the fireworks on the scorecard.
Let's Review Opening Bids and Doubles
A practical refresher on opening bids and the difference between takeout, penalty, and negative doubles using real auctions from our team games.
Luck or Skill? 3NT-2 vs. 6NT=
The hands dealt in Saturday’s team game were extraordinary—especially Board 9, where one table went down two in 3NT while the other made 6NT!
Let's Learn New Minor Forcing
Analyzing Board 9 from the June 23rd team game: how responder uses New Minor Forcing after opener’s 1NT rebid to check for a 5–3 major-suit fit.
Fire vs. Ice (Review: Opening Leads)
Switching up partnerships for the June 20th match brought fresh perspectives—and a great opportunity to review choosing the right opening lead against suit and NT contracts.
Nourishing Foundational Knowledge
Reviewing essential bidding and defensive guidelines through real auctions and hands from this week’s Cardology Kidz team game.
Slam! - Team iOS vs. Team Android
June 13th’s match pitted Team iOS (Nathan, Helen, Chloe, Nancy) against Team Android (Edmond, Victorin, Joe, Joey) in a slam-filled showdown.
Dbl Action - Team Taco vs. Team Burrito
Wild distributions and extreme shapes defined the June 9th clash between Team Taco and Team Burrito, leading to plenty of competitive doubles.
Team Potatoes vs. Team Tomatoes (which veggie won?)
Saturday’s June 6th match came down to the wire as Team Potatoes (Nathan, Chloe, Helen, Nancy) narrowly edged out Team Tomatoes (Joe, Joey, Alex, Edmond).
CARDology Kidz Online
While shelter-in-place paused our in-person Saturday club, our students kept playing twice-weekly virtual team games and reviewing hands together on Zoom.
CBE Goes National During Shelter-in-Place!
How CBE’s volunteers launched free online youth bridge lessons during shelter-in-place, welcoming students from across California and nationwide.