# Bidding Skills

> Bridge bidding practice app focusing on overcalls with expert-composed hands. (iPhone/iPad app by Marcel Hofstede.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bidding-skills/id1041896893 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Marcel Hofstede](https://appshunter.io/developer/845130681)
- Category: Games, Card
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 2.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 45 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-11-11
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bidding-skills/id1041896893/reviews.md

## What is Bidding Skills?

Bidding Skills is a must for anyone who wants to improve his/her bidding techniques and wants to be a feared opponent. 
The program focuses on the topic Overcalls and it includes a comprehensive bidding contest.

"Overcalls" includes more than 650 hands. The hands are composed by Mike Lawrence and he explains the theory behind the auction.
Step by step you will be taught when to overcall and when not to overcall, how to evaluate your hand in the light of the auction and how you have to overcall. Very instructive if you want to improve your bidding skills.
About Mike Lawrence
In the world of contract bridge, there is no one who comes close to matching his combined record as a player, author and teacher. As a player Mike has won three World Championships and three times he was second. He won more than twenty major National Championships, including more than ten wins in the Vanderbilt, Reisinger and Spingold.

With the Bidding Contest you can bid up to 1000 hands according your own bidding system. It is not important how you bid; the only thing that counts is the result. After the auction is finished you will see your score and what the the best contract is.

You also have the possibility to enter your comment to the auction. Here you can explain why you did a certain bid.

One of the nicest things is that you can compare your bidding with the bidding of your partner. This certainly will lead to interesting discussions and an improvement of your partnership understanding

You also can bid the hands let's say two month later and compare your new biddings with the previous ones. Did you bid the same way and if not why is it now different?

The hands are composed by Ed Hoogenkamp. He played for many years in the international top.

The program does not need an internet connection.

## Key features

- Overcall bidding lessons
- 650+ expert-composed hands
- Bidding contest with scoring
- Hand evaluation guidance
- Partnership bidding comparison
- Offline play

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Overcalls | $7.99 | one-time |
| Bidding Contest | $6.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bidding-skills/id1041896893/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Fraud

*2017-06-27, version 2.3*

Free but the only thing you can do is buy buy modules.  No free content!

### 1/5 — Misleading description therefore useless

*2016-08-24*

Sadly what looked like a useful app turns out to do absolutely nothing unless you pay 9.99 in app. 
It should have said that before I wasted bandwidth downloading it.

### 1/5 — All purchase content - no free content

*2016-01-08, version 2.2*

This a pretty narrow focused bidding skill (over calls) and offers no content that is not purchased.   Should be a purchase up front app.

## Frequently asked questions about Bidding Skills

### What is Bidding Skills primarily about?

Bidding Skills focuses on improving your overcall bidding techniques in contract bridge. It provides lessons and practice hands to help you become a more feared opponent.

### How many hands are included in Bidding Skills?

The 'Overcalls' section includes over 650 hands, all composed by Mike Lawrence. The bidding contest allows you to bid up to 1000 hands according to your own system.

### Does Bidding Skills require an internet connection?

No, the program does not need an internet connection to function. You can practice your bidding skills offline.

### Who is Mike Lawrence and why is he featured?

Mike Lawrence is a highly accomplished figure in contract bridge, with three World Championships and numerous National Championships. He explains the theory behind the auctions in the app.

### Can I compare my bidding with others in Bidding Skills?

Yes, you can compare your bidding with your partner's, which can lead to interesting discussions and improved partnership understanding. You can also re-bid hands later to compare your progress.

### What is the user rating for Bidding Skills?

Bidding Skills has a rating of 2.0 stars based on 3 ratings.

### Is Bidding Skills suitable for all ages?

The app has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in learning bridge bidding.

### When was Bidding Skills last updated?

The latest version of Bidding Skills was released on September 1, 2019.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4 — 2019-09-01

Some minor modifications

### 2.3 — 2017-04-12

Some minor changes.

### 2.2 — 2015-12-17

Minor bugfixes

### 2.1 — 2015-12-03

Now compatible with iPhone

### 1.2 — 2015-11-10

No release notes.

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## More apps by Marcel Hofstede

- [Robson Bridge](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/robson-bridge/id1083001247)
- [Bergen Bridge](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bergen-bridge/id1179383390)
- [Bid with Bergen](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bid-with-bergen/id1222438386)

All apps by Marcel Hofstede: https://appshunter.io/developer/845130681

## Related topics

[bidding skills](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bidding-skills)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*