Minnesota Bridge

Unlearning

Many years have passed since I began my first bridge lessons.  No matter how much time passes, however, I think I shall still remember my struggles to learn our complex yet fascinating game.  So many rules - and so many that seemed to conflict with one another!  Yet, it is the complexity and the difficulty that makes it all so worthwhile.

At times, it also seems that for every rule I memorized and learned - circumstances arise where ignoring that rule is what works!  If you are a beginning bridge player and fret that you will never master it all - not to worry.  None of us ever achieves "bridge nirvana" - and that is part of bridge's charm.

This week, John Koch features a trick that we are told never to do as beginners:  underleading aces.  How can this maneuver be correct?  When is it the right thing to do?

As he does so well, John shows us the way with some fascinating hands. 

What's Happening?

This week, John Koch presents us with a query from bridge great Bob Hamman.  If something seems a bit odd, ask yourself, "What is going on?"  Sometimes, a strange action can aid us in putting together all the pieces of a bridge puzzle.

Declarer did so on this hand.  See if you can match him!

Percentages and Perception

Many qualities contribute to success at the bridge table.  Have a sense of likely percentages is but one.

This week, John Koch demonstrates how we can weigh what we know about odds, along with common sense and straightforward logic.  Enjoy his insightful column and ask yourself:  are you applying percentages and perception?

Bid 'Em Up

If you're going to be super-aggressive in the auction, then you'd better have a good follow-up in the play!

John Koch shows us how to put your money where your mouth is.

The Fumble

Everyone knows you can fumble on the football field. But, sometimes it happens at the bridge table, too.

Is your opponent someone who doesn't realize fake fumbles are against the laws of the game?  Did your opponent simply have difficulty manipulating the cards?  Was this competitor's mind somewhere else?

This week, John Koch teaches us how to analyze the play and play amateur psychologist, too!

At Last!

Though unclear about the original problem in receiving John's article, I am clear about this:  John Koch columns are definitely worth the wait!

Today's lesson involves waiting.  Wait until you get all the information you need to make the best decision possible about a hand. 

Here is John's column below.  Your wait is over!

Auto Pilot: Off

Sometimes when we play bridge, we go on "auto pilot."  Something feels natural and "standard," so we do it.

"Auto pilot" can work - but - it can be dangerous, too.  Always think through the conclusions to doing what appears routine.  Will that course work well for you?  Or - is there something a bit more "out of the box" that will pay better dividends?

This week, John Koch tells us how to steer our ship to victory by turning off that auto pilot!

Leading Questions

When declaring, much data must be recalled and weighed.  Not only does one have to think about the actual cards and what makes the most theoretical sense.  One must also wonder "what are the opponents' hands?  What would opening leader choose with various holdings?"

On a tough but fascinating hand, John Koch demonstrates how to work it all out.  If you can't quite do this - not to worry!  It ain't easy!  Still - instructive and fun to see how a top player like John takes all the evidence to reach a winning conclusion.

Anticipation

Sometimes, we can play bridge on "auto-pilot."  In other words, doing what seems natural and normal is the winning play.

Other times?  We must look deeper into a hand.  Something that seems innocuous or irrelevant is anything but.

This week, John Koch presents us with such a fascinating hand.  Thanks, John!

Outside the Box

In the beginning, much of bridge is learning rules . . . many, many rules.  Once you have mastered a good portion of these rules - then you must learn when to break them!  Yes, it's true!

This week, John Koch helps us to recognize when we need to follow the rules - and when we need to think outside the box.

The Hitch

Some players pride themselves on being able to read their opponents at the table.  This week, John Koch shows us just how to do it.

Rational Explanations

It's Wednesday.  John Koch has new and exciting lessons for us!

Today, John presents us with a tough play hand.  Although the hand is instructive for how declarer should calculate to bring his slam home, defenders get instruction, too.  Duck an ace that is not going away, to deprive declarer of squeeze opportunities.  Make your plays in tempo, so declarer does not have vital information.  Plan your discards in advance.

Do this, and you will be in the league of the very best!  Just like John

Base Instincts

We all have instincts.  When we play bridge, they appear - just as they do in other walks of life.

Should we act upon them?  Should we look more deeply and ignore them?

As always, John Koch has keen insights as to what we ought to do - and why.  Here is a most instructive hand, explained wonderfully as only John can.

Plan Ahead

When you give a bridge problem to someone, are your hands often filled with lots of "x's"?  I know mine are.

Sometimes an "x" is just an "x".  And - sometimes it is not!

This week, John Koch demonstrates just how important those spots can be!

Good and Great

Good players perform good plays at the table.  Great ones investigate to make certain that something outside of "normal" isn't required.

Good players don't make obvious errors.  Great ones search all the available information, to see if an unusual play is necessary.

Good players play well.  But great ones don't give up, even when a session has been difficult.

John Koch is a great player.  Read today's "Koch's Korner" column - and you will better understand why.

Think Big

When I first began to learn bridge, it appeared I would have to memorize hundreds of rules to master it.  Soon, I began to realize that frequently "the rules" would be logically inconsistent.  Knowing what to do seemed impossible!

Later, I realized that "the rules" are but guidelines.  When you begin to appreciate that each bridge hand is a little puzzle, you are closer to reaching bridge success.  Why is partner doing what he is doing?  Why is declarer taking the line that he is?

In today's hand, John Koch demonstrates how thinking about the sense in declarer's play can make you a winner.

Two Tables

This week, John Koch favors us with some fine declarer play from the recent District 14 regional in Des Moines.  John's teammate, Keith Connolly, was the star.  When you read the column, you will appreciate just how deserving Keith is of this star!

Double!

There are penalty doubles, takeout doubles, support doubles, card showing doubles, maximal doubles and lead directing doubles.  Probably double more doubles out there!

There are also hands with double inferences.  This Wednesday, John shows us one - along with how to figure it out.  Thanks, John!

Safe Haven?

Against slams, players often search for what looks like a "safe" lead.  No one wishes to give away what might be the twelfth trick on the go.

But what may appear to be "safe" as the opening shot may not always turn out to be so.  This week, John Koch explains how to turn their purported safety into your success.

Trick One Alert

How do the experts do it?  They seem to know where to find queens, recognize when a suit is splitting poorly - and even drop those stiff kings offside.  Are they mind readers?

They are not - but - they are able to examine all the evidence available and deal with it logically.  Today, John Koch demonstrates step by step how all of us can engage in this process!