Lesson library›Lesson series›Basics with Hazel

Basics with Hazel

May 2020 – Oct 2020Hazel Wolpert16 lessons

Hazel Wolpert breaks down fundamental bidding concepts at a nice calm pace. This series is a great refresher for intermediates who want to brush up on the fundamentals and also for people who have recently taken beginner classes and want to learn more about bidding.

Splinter Bids and Control Bidding2$10.00Buy

Tue, Oct 20, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 2 · Fundamentals

This lesson is the first in the series to discuss slam bidding. Hazel will introduce her students to Splinter bids. She will show you how having a singleton can help you make a trump suit slam with fewer than the typical 32 high card points.

Lesson notes: 18 pagesVideo recording: 90 minsGo to lesson

Showing a Fit in Competition2$10.00Buy

Tue, Oct 6, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 2 · Fundamentals

Hazel will discuss how the opponents bidding affects how we show our fit for partner. She will introduce you to the concept of cue-bidding the opponents suit to show a good hand with support for partner. She will also discuss the concept of weak jump raises in competition. This critical subject is a must learn for every bridge player.

Lesson notes: 39 pagesVideo recording: 80 minsGo to lesson

Opener's 3rd Bid3$10.00Buy

Tue, Sep 22, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 3 · Fundamentals

After opener’s rebid, responder conveys an important message of sign off, invite or game force. One of the most common mistakes in bridge happens on opener’s next call. In this class Hazel will review all of the bids leading up to opener’s 3rd bid and then discuss when opener should take a very descriptive 3rd call and when they should pass.

Lesson notes: 46 pagesVideo recording: 95 minsGo to lesson

Opener's Strong Rebids2$10.00Buy

Tue, Sep 8, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 2 · Fundamentals

When opener has more than a minimum opening bid, they use their rebid to convey their strength to partner. Hazel begins by reviewing what to open with strong hands and then she breaks down the different types of rebids one by one. This lesson covers 18-19 balanced, showing a fit, strong one suited hands, strong jump shifts and reverses.

Lesson notes: 39 pagesVideo recording: 97 minsGo to lesson

Opener's Balanced Hands and Responses1$10.00Buy

Tue, Aug 18, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 1 · Fundamentals

When opener is balanced, they must try to describe their point count to partner. Our point ranges are split into many point ranges: 12-14, 15-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-24. This class discusses what to open with your balanced hands and how to respond

Lesson notes: 40 pagesVideo recording: 89 minsGo to lesson

Strong 2C Opening2$10.00Buy

Tue, Aug 11, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 2 · Fundamentals

When we are too strong to open at the one level, we use our strong, artificial and forcing 2C Opening Bid. This class discusses the hand types we open 2C, what our responses mean and how to proceed

Lesson notes: 38 pagesVideo recording: 101 minsGo to lesson

Weak Two Bids/3 Level Preempts2$10.00Buy

Tue, Aug 4, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 2 · Fundamentals

Part of being a tough opponent is taking away your opponents bidding room. Having a good long suit gives us the safety to do so. This class discusses the requirements for opening weak two bids and 3 level preempts. Hazel talks about how to respond to weak two bids as well as when to stay out of trouble.

Lesson notes: 45 pagesVideo recording: 93 minsGo to lesson

Takeout Doubles Part 23$10.00Buy

Tue, Jul 21, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 3 · Fundamentals

The takeout doubler has given a message to their partner with the initial double. This class discusses how the takeout doubler should continue at their next turn. We discuss the Power double (Super Duper Double) along with a lot of discussion about respecting partner’s range.

Lesson notes: 40 pagesVideo recording: 86 minsGo to lesson

Opener's Rebid in Competition3$10.00Buy

Tue, Jul 14, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 3 · Fundamentals

In this critical subject, we continue discussing how to deal with the opponents overcalls. The negative double was a way for responder to get involved in the auction, now it is opener’s responsibility to react. This class discusses what opener should do with a fit and without a fit.

Lesson notes: 40 pagesVideo recording: 92 minsGo to lesson

Negative Doubles1$10.00Buy

Tue, Jul 7, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 1 · Fundamentals

Perhaps the most important and common convention in bridge. When the opponents overcall we need a good way to uncover major suit fits. Negative doubles are that tool. Every bridge player needs to play negative doubles. This class discusses what the requirements are for the negative double and how they change by level.

Lesson notes: 39 pagesVideo recording: 89 minsGo to lesson

Takeout Doubles 11$10.00Buy

Tue, Jun 30, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 1 · Fundamentals

Unlike overcalls, takeout doubles do not have a long suit to fall back on for tricks. We need to have a full opening hand to enter the opponents auction with a takeout double. This class discusses the range and distributions required along with how to react to partner’s takeout double.

Lesson notes: 40 pagesVideo recording: 89 minsGo to lesson

Overcalls 11$10.00Buy

Tue, Jun 23, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 1 · Fundamentals

Aggressive overcalling is a big part of being a tough opponent. There is a major difference between one level overcalls and two level overcalls. This class discusses those differences along with how our reactions to overcalls differ from our reactions to opening bids.

Lesson notes: 43 pagesVideo recording: 87 minsGo to lesson

Fourth Suit Forcing3$10.00Buy

Tue, Jun 16, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 3 · Fundamentals

When responder has an opening hand, they need to make sure they reach game. Fourth Suit Game Forcing is a tool which gives responder the flexibility to take the bidding slowly and find the right final contract. This class talks all about responder’s responsibilities and how opener should react to the fourth suit

Lesson notes: 38 pagesVideo recording: 88 minsGo to lesson

New Minor Forcing3$10.00Buy

Tue, Jun 9, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 3 · Fundamentals

When Opener rebids 1NT they are denying a 4 card fit for responder’s major and showing 12-14 points. When Responder is interested in game, they may need a way to ask opener for more information. New minor forcing is the way. This class teaches you another necessary convention to add to your convention card.

Lesson notes: 31 pagesVideo recording: 74 minsGo to lesson

Jacoby Transfers3$10.00Buy

Mon, Jun 1, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 3 · Fundamentals

Jacoby Transfers are a partner in crime with Stayman. We use Jacoby when we have 5+ cards in a major. Transfers allow responder to escape from 1NT with a weak hand as well as show their major on their way towards game. This class talks about how to use Jacoby Transfers and how to follow up after using it.

Lesson notes: 40 pagesVideo recording: 93 minsGo to lesson

Stayman2$10.00Buy

Mon, May 25, 2020Hazel WolpertLevel 2 · Fundamentals

This is our introduction to conventional bidding. Stayman is a tool we use to discover 4-4 major suit fits after NT. This class discusses how to use stayman, how to respond to stayman and how to react to opener’s response

Lesson notes: 22 pagesVideo recording: 84 minsGo to lesson