Bridge Unleashed · Workshop #13

Defend
Against 1NT

Their 1NT.
Your partnership’s next move.

Explore DONT, Cappelletti and Woolsey with Tracey Bauer. Learn what your bid tells partner, how to find a fit, and when passing makes sense.

See workshop details

$25 for both sessions. Included for VIP members.

Tracey at the blackboard for Workshop 13: Defend Against 1NT, covering DONT, Cappelletti and Woolsey.

Defenses to Opponents’ NT

01 / The lessonWed, September 16, 20263 PM Pacific
02 / Play of the HandMon, September 21, 20263 PM Pacific
One ticket$25 · Both sessionsRecordings and practice materials included
A plan for the auction

Three methods.
One partnership conversation.

We’ll take each method in turn, then compare the calls that are easy to mix up.

01 / DONT

Find the second suit.

Follow the suit ladder and see how partner can uncover the other suit.

02 / Cappelletti

Read the artificial bid.

Separate a one-suited hand from both majors, and keep penalty double in view.

03 / Woolsey

Count the major.

See why a four-card major and a five-card major can take different routes.

At the table

Know when to pass.

Consider shape, suit quality and vulnerability before deciding to compete.

Try a convention comparison

Same double.
Different message.

Your right-hand opponent opens a strong 1NT. You double. What have you told partner?

Choose the method to see how the meaning changes.

(1NT) DoubleTheir bid → Your call

One long suit.

In DONT, double starts a one-suited hand. Partner’s usual 2♣ response gives you room to show the suit.

This workshop’s Woolsey agreement uses double for a four-card major and a five-card or longer minor.

Learn it. Then play it.

Bring the lesson to the table.

September 16 · 3 PM Pacific

Work through the bids.

Join Tracey for the live lesson, moving through DONT, Cappelletti and Woolsey in that order.

  • What each first call shows
  • How partner finds the hidden suit
  • When a call asks, shows or offers a choice
  • What to agree before your next game
September 21 · 3 PM Pacific

Practice the decisions.

Return for Play of the Hand and work with the ideas from the lesson. Connect your partnership’s bidding agreement to the hands you play.

Ask about the call while the hand is in front of you, then revisit the recordings when you want another look.

Live lessonPlay of the HandSession recordingsWorkbookPBN practice hands

Recordings will follow the sessions. Workshop materials are being prepared for this event.

Before you join

A few practical things.

Is this about bidding or defending the play?

It’s about competitive bidding after an opponent opens 1NT. We’ll cover DONT, Cappelletti and Woolsey. Opening leads and card-play defense are separate topics.

Do I need to know these conventions already?

No. Bring your basic bidding knowledge. We’ll introduce each method before comparing them.

What if I miss a live session?

Recordings of both sessions are included, so you can return to the lesson and Play of the Hand afterward.

What does the $25 ticket include?

Both live sessions, their recordings, a workbook and PBN practice hands. VIP members have this workshop included in their membership.

Are all versions of Woolsey the same?

Partnership agreements vary. We’ll use the Bridge Unleashed version with a four-card major and a five-card or longer minor for double, and explain the agreements as we go.

September 16 + September 21 · 3 PM Pacific

Give partner a bid
they can read.

Learn three ways to compete over 1NT, then come back to practice.

$25Register now

One ticket includes both sessions. Included for VIP members.