The following Michael Berkowitz seminars are available for purchase.
After purchasing a seminar you will be sent the link and password to view the seminar and associated documentation. If you do not receive this information, please contact Unit503.seminars@gmail.com
How to Find Tricks: Card Combinations for Declarer Play
March 2024
Level: Beginner – Intermediate
Now that you’re the declarer and you have too many losers (or not enough winners), how are you going to make the contract? Having a basic understanding of card combinations and when to play them (listening to the bidding) will help you to maximize the odds of taking tricks.
Michael will be going over when to play for the “drop” and when to finesse. He’ll also discuss where to lead into card combinations to make more tricks (our hand, dummy or the opponents).
Slam Bidding with Big Distributional Values
June 2023
Level: All
Michael Berkowitz is a young bridge professional, son of David Berkowitz, a bridge legend. Michael works with Larry Cohen giving webinars and other forms of instruction. He also has a column in the ACBL Bridge magazine. Michael has a delightful sense of humor as well as insightful instruction.
l with the major problem with reverse auctions in that opener only promises 17 and responder only 6. This means we are not necessarily going to game. On the other hand, responder is unlimited and may have an opening hand that wants to look for slam. This well-known problem has been solved with a modern method of having a “slow down” bid. This class will go through the modern standard method for how responder can slow down reverse auctions by using the cheaper of 2NT and the 4th suit. We will go through responder’s responsibilities and how opener should react.
Michael Berkowitz hated bridge right up until he loved it. With two World Champion bridge players as parents, conversations at the dinner table often devolved to bridge. Each time that happened, Michael and his sister would charge their parents a quarter. This fund paid for their college education.
While Michael learned to play as a seven year old, he didn’t get serious about bridge until after college. He worked as a teacher and director at Honors Bridge Club in New York City, and became the Head Director for both Aces and Cavendish Bridge clubs. He’s known as New York’s most-loved director for his friendliness, quick wit, and compassion.
As a teacher, he models his instruction style after his mother, and takes his humor from his father. The combination has allowed him to teach all levels and pass his love of the game to others.
In addition to directing and teaching, Michael edits for several bridge publications. Larry Cohen recognized Michael’s natural teaching abilities (very similar to his own style) and has added him as a member of the “Bridge with Larry Cohen” travel and teaching team.
Michael lives in Salt Lake City with his wife Emily, whom he met at a bridge tournament.