Opening Bids
1 = 11-21 points, 3+ .
1 = 11-21 points, 3+ .
1 = 11-21 points, 5+ .
1 = 11-21 points, 5+ .
1NT = 10-12 in first and second seats non-vul, 15-17 in third seat vul, 12-14 any other position / vul, may contain a five-card major.
2 = Game Force or 23-24 points balanced.
2 = ???
2 = ???
2 = ???
2NT = (20)21-22.
3 – 3 = Natural pre-empt.
3NT = Gambling, Long running suit with little or no outside strength.
4X = Natural pre-empt, may be undisciplined as to length or strength.
With a five-card major and a longer minor, we open the major first unless the values for a reverse are held.
1 is almost always a four card suit unless it is specifically a 4432 shape.
5422 in the appropriate range can be opened 1NT if it best describes the hand.
Responses to 1/1
Responses by unpassed hand
1/1 = 6+ points with 4+ of suit.1.
1NT = 6-9(10) points, no four card majors.
2NT = (10)11(12) points, balanced hand, denies major.
3NT = Long running suit little outside.
1- 2 = 10+ points with 4+ clubs.2.
1- 3, 1- 2 = 7-9 points, 5(4)+ card support. 3.
Single raise = limit raise or better.4,5.
Jump raise = 0-6 points, 5(4)-card support, denies major.
2M = 6-card suit. Non-invitational opposite a NT rebid. 6,7.
Double jump shift = Splinter, slam interest.
1/1 = 6+ points with 4+ of suit.1.
1NT = 6-9(10) points, no four card majors.
1- 2 = 10+ points with 4+ clubs.2.
Single raise = 6-9 simple raise, denies major.
Jump raise = weak raise, denies major.
Jump shift = fit showing jump
2NT = Limit raise in minor.
3NT = Long running suit little outside.
Double jump shift = Splinter.
Over 1, with 5(6) diamonds, four of a major and less than a game-force opposite a 1NT rebid we respond in the major rather than 1.
After 1-2, 2= natural and forcing to 2NT (and may contain a reverse in a major), 2 = exactly 4441 shape, 2 = forcing club raise, 2NT = 15-16 or 19-21, 3NT = 17-18.
After a jump shift to the other minor we play short suit trials.
Over an inverted minor raise, the auction is forcing to 3m. New suit = short-suit trial and F1. When playing weak NT, 2NT = Balanced or semi-balanced 15-16 or 19-21, 3NT = 17-18. When playing mini NT, 2NT = Balanced or semi-balanced 13-15 or 18-20, 3NT = 16-17. 3m is always to play opposite an invitational raise.
After inverted raise a 4m bid by responder is RKC in m.
Over 1m-2M, 2NT = Good/Bad (either good raise or weak m rebid).
1m-1M-2m-3M = GF, 6+M. 1m-1M-2m-2M = INV, 6+M.
Responses by unpassed hand
1/1 = 6+ points with 4+ of suit.
2/1 = GF, 4+ of suit.1,2.
1NT = one round forcing, 5-11 points.
Single raise = 6-9(10) points, exactly 3-card support.
Jump raise = pre-emptive, 0-5 points with 4-card support.
1 - 2, 1 - 2NT = GF raise, 4+ card support.3.
1
- 2NT, 1
- 3
= 10-11 points, 4 card support.4.
1
- 3,
1
- 3
= limit raise 3 card support.5.
1 - 3, 1 - 3 = 6-9 points, 4 card support.
3NT = Long running suit little outside.
Double jump shift = Splinter.
1/1 = 6+ points with 4+ of suit.
1NT = 6-9.
Single raise = 6-9(10) points, exactly 3-card support.
Jump raise = pre-emptive, 0-5 points with 4-card support.
Jump shift = Fit showing jump.
2NT = Limit raise.
3NT = Long running suit little outside.
Double jump shift = Splinter.
Usually 12+, can be less with exceptional hand or a fit. 1- 2 must be five hearts unless 3-card support. 2NT rebid by opener shows 15-16 or 19-21, a 3NT rebid shows 17-18.
1NT can be passed by a minimum opener with either a balanced hand or 45(xx) shape.
Over GF raise (1 - 2 or 1 - 2NT), step = any splinter or 17-18 Bal, 2 steps = solid 4 card suit, two of the top three honors, 3 steps = any 5 card suit, 4 steps = 6 card suit (6332), 3NT = 15-16 or 19-21, jump shift = cue minimum no good feature, 4M = sign off. After unspecified feature, step asks for symmetric resolution (hi-mid-lo) (with 4 steps showing bal 17-18 in the case of the splinter). Any other bid is a cue.
Over 4 card LR (1 - 2NT or 1 - 3), step = GI or SI requesting a shortage response, 2 steps = GI or SI requesting a cue response (3M=first round control in trumps 3NT= second round control in trumps).
Over 3 card LR (1 - 3, 1 - 3), step = GI or SI requesting a cue response (3NT= first round control in trumps).
Subsequent auction after 1-level openings:
The emphasis is on natural bidding.
A 2/1 response is GF.
Our general style after a fit is shown is to make short-suit trials below the level of game (a jump trial, if still below game, shows 5/5) unless the trial is in partner’s suit, in which case it shows a fitting card. A rebid of a suit shown by the raiser shows a trick source.
A 1NT rebid shows 13-16, 15-18 or 11-14 balanced and does not deny unbid majors after which we play two-way checkback.
A 2NT rebid shows 19-21 HCP, after which natural bidding up the line takes the place of checkback. Support of opener’s minor shows four, rebidding a major shows five, 3 after 1 shows 4-4 majors (with 54 we rebid 3).
With 19-21 and 6m, we usually rebid 2NT.
Forth suit forcing is used in constructive auctions.
In any GF auction, fast arrival principles are used.
With 6/4 shapes we open the 6-card suit then rebid the 4-card suit unless it is at the 2-level and we have less than reversing values, in which case we rebid the 6-card suit.
If there is a guarantied 9 card major fit we do not play in anything lower than 4M. 3NT asks partner to cue if possible before 4M.
2 = simple Stayman. Partner responds with four or five card majors equally.
2/ / / NT = transfers to / / / respectively.
3 = weak 5/5 minors.
3 = slam try in a minor (6+ cards).
3M = (31)(54) shape, singleton M, GF.
3NT = to play.
4/ = transfer to / respectively, either weak or strong slam try. 4NT continuation is RKC.
After Stayman and 2 response, 2 is weak with both majors (may be 4-4) and 2 shows 54 and an invitational hand (with 54 invitational we transfer to then bid ). 3M shows a splinter with four of OM and a game-force.
After Stayman and 2M response, 3 = checkback and 3 = minor-suit Baron.
After a major suit transfer and simple accept, 4NT = Quantitative.
After a major suit transfer and simple accept a direct raise to 4M, is a weak slam try.
After a major suit transfer and any accept 4NT = quantative.
Over major-suit transfers, opener super-accepts with four-card support and usually not 4333 shape. With a promising hand and 4-card support, opener bids a doubleton or 2NT. If opener makes a normal accept, a direct game bid in the suit by responder is a mild slam try.
Over a major-suit transfer and minor-suit rebid, opener bids 3OM to show good raise in minor.
Over minor-suit transfers, opener super-accepts (bidding the intermediate step) to show three to an honour, or four small, or better.
1NT-2-2NT/3-3 = 5+/4+ either way in minors and slam interest. Opener replies 3/ to show 3 card support for / respectively, 3NT = 3/3 minors and 4/ show 4+ card support.
After 3 minor-suit slam try, 3 = relay, over which 3/ 3NT = mild slam try in / , 4/ 4= strong.
2 = negative (denies three controls).
2 = positive hand 5+.
2 = balanced or semi-balanced positive hand.
2NT = positive hand 5+.
2- 2- 2 forces 2(Kokish relay), showing strong bal or natural. After 2, 2NT = 25-26 bal, new suit = natural with hearts also. 2- 2- 2NT = 23-24. 2- 2- 3NT = 27+.
After any auction to 2NT, 3 = 5-card Stayman, 3/ are transfers and 3 shows a slamish hand with minors (5,5).
After 2- 2- 2NT- 3- 3, responder bids the major he doesn’t have, or 4 with both.
After a transfer bid by responder simple accept generates a queueing auction.
Any jump shift to a major by opener is 20-22 6+ in the major
Responses to 2//
2NT = Ogust GF oppisite any positive response
New suits are forcing at least 1 round
Jump shifts are lead directional.
Our weak twos will vary in strength dependant on vulnerability
Over the 2NT Ogust - 3C = weak suit, poor hand, 3D = strong suit, poor hand, 3H = weak suit, good hand, 3S = strong suit, good hand, 3NT = AKQxxx of trumps
2NT Ogust is at least GI with a long suit that may want to sign off a one round force of 2/3X is used.
Responses to 2NT
3 = puppet Stayman.
3/ = transfer to /.
3 = slam try in the minors (5,5).
3NT = to play.
4X = Suit setting, slam try.
Responses to higher bids.
Over a 3-level pre-empt, new suits are natural and forcing. A jump suit response shows two losers in the suit bid and is a slam try in opener’s suit.
Overcalling.
1/1 overcalls normally 5+ of suit. If suit is excellent, as little as 7 or 8 HCP are acceptable. With poorer suits, better hands are required. Occasionally we overcall four-card suits of good quality, usually AQJx or better.
2/1 overcalls are sound, very good 5-card suit with opening values and good distribution, or 6+ suit as little as 9 or 10 HCP with working values.
All jump overcalls are weak. 2/1 jump overcalls may be 5-card suits at favourable vulnerability.
A cue of opponents’ suit is a Michael’s cuebid; over a minor it shows both majors 5+/ 5+ weak or strong, over a major it shows the other major and a minor 5+/ 5+ weak or strong. With intermediate range we show first one suit, then the other. In response to a major/minor Michael’s, 2NT is correctable and 3m is to play.
Fit-showing jumps are used after an overcall by partner, and in any competitive auction. Support must be three to an honour or better, and the suit must be a decent 5-card suit. After a fit-showing bid, the overcaller must courtesy-raise with a fitting card; with good support a cue-raise is implemented.
Over opposition strong 1, we play Dbl = diamonds and spades, 1X = that suit and the next higher suit (1= and ), 1NT = clubs and hearts, 2C = clubs and diamonds. 2NT = highly distributional 2 suiter.
Over opposition strong 2 or 2 opening bids, we play X = two suits with spades, 2NT = two suits without spades.
Over opposition weak 2M, 4m shows 5+/5+ in m + OM (Leaping Michael’s)
Over opposition weak NT we play Capeletti over a strong NT we play DONT.
Over a 3m pre-empt, 4m = 5/5 majors. Over a 3 pre-empt, 4 = Michael’s, 4NT = minors. Over a 3 pre-empt, 4 = 2 suits and strong, 4NT = 2 suits and distributional.
Carding.
Lead 4th highest from honours (AKQJ against suit, AKQJ10 against NT) or second highest from small cards (except top of doubleton).
Against NT, the lead of a K asks for unblock of Q (or count); a Q lead asks for unblock of J.
Lead top of sequences headed by the ten or higher; from 987 we lead the eight.
In partner’s suit we give natural count leads vs. suit contracts, and normal attitude leads vs. NT.
On the lead of an Ace we give reverse attitude, or revolving s/p if a singleton or K in dummy.
First discard may be revolving s/p, except against 1NT when it is always s/p.
All other signals are reverse count.
When giving partner a ruff, revolving (rather than McKenney) signals are used.
High Level Bidding.
If 4NT (Blackwood or RKCB) is interfered with, we play DOPI, ROPI or DEPO.
Cueing is preferred in slam investigations. We use standard cueing methods, with NT cues showing A or K of trumps. 1st and 2nd round controls are cued equally in the first bid suit, any five-card suit or any long-suit trial suit by partner. After a 2 opening bid, responder cues 1st and 2nd round controls equally if a cueing auction is initiated.
After either a cue-initiating bid or a cue is made by either player, 4NT = trump cue at any time. A splinter is not considered to be a cue-initiating bid.
Competitive Bidding .
We make heavy use of take-out doubles and re-opening doubles. We can be quite agressive with these, and when obliged to reopen we can often be off-shape. The only exception is if a penalty sequence is set up. In this case all subsequent doubles are for penalty and passes are ostensibly for take-out.
After a take-out double, a jump response in a suit shows around 8-11 HCP with 4M or 5m. Notrump responses promise a stopper. Cue responses are Staymanic (partner forced to bid cheapest 4-card M) and a re-cue is also Staymanic and GF. If a 1M response to a t/o Dbl is not interfered with, then a raise shows ~15-17 HCP with support, and direct raises to 3 or 4 show distributional type hands. All strong raises go via a cue of the opponents’ suit, which does not necessarily show support.
After 1X (Suit) Dbl, a new suit by the negative doubler is forcing and shows some reason for not bidding the suit directly (e.g. only four of them and an INV+ hand). Support by the negative doubler shows the unbid major (if there is one).
After 1X Dbl, any jump shift shows support with a good suit (fit showing as above), 2NT is a limit raise or better hand with support for openers suit.
Use cue-raises in competitive auctions, all direct raises are pre-emptive. Also play support doubles to 2 and use good-bad 2NT in various sequences, with all bad bids or good raises going via 2NT. If a cue raise is available in this sequence, then a two-level normal raise shows 3-card support and a 3-level raise shows 4-card support, minimum hands in both instances. Good 3-card raises then go through Dbl, and a cue raise is made with 4-card support and an invitational or better hand.
If auction goes (Bid) Dbl (Rdbl), Pass is only penalty if one of the options of the opening bid is a weak hand with the bid suit as an anchor.
In general, if opposition interfere after a fit is shown, Dbl = penalty, rebid of suit = competitive and other = game try (long suit trial). If no game try is available then Dbl = game try. If only one game try is available then it is a generic game try, not necessarily a suit trial.
If opposition balance, Dbl = penalty by either hand.
After (1X) Pass (1Y), Dbl = t/o and 1NT = weak two-suited hand, generally 5+/4+. 2X/Y = 6+ of lowest/highest ranked unbid suit and at least intermediate jump overcall strength. After (1X) Pass (1Y) Dbl/1NT (2Z), if Z = Y then double now = t/o, equal length in the other suits (3/3 if majors, 4/4 otherwise.) Otherwise Dbl = penalty. After (1X) Pass (1Y) Pass (2X), Dbl = t/o, even if Y = notrumps.
Situations where we bid NT without necessarily having a stopper are 1X (1Y) 1Z/Dbl (Pass) 1NT with the overcaller interchangeable, and (1X) Pass (Pass) 1NT. In both cases the partner can check back for stoppers by transferring to the opponents’ suit (opener accepts without stopper).
If our NT is interfered with, we play Rubensohl, including balancing seat.
After 1NT (Pass) 2 (X), Pass = 4-card major(s), 2= no major, XX = 4+ clubs with two tricks in suit, 2M = 5-card suit.
After 1NT (Pass) M transfer (X), Pass = 2 of suit, 2M = 3-card support, XX = 4+ of bid suit with two tricks in suit, other = normal super-accept.
When our 1NT is doubled, we play the following rescue system:
1NT (X) XX = single suited hand.
Pass = flat or penalty. Partner bids a 5-card suit, passes with a
balanced hand or occasionally redoubles with two four-card suits.
2-2 = suit + higher suit, at least 4/4.
2 = GF Stayman.
2NT = minors 5/5.
NT Rebids
Over mini-NT
1X 1Y
1NT 13-16
1X 1Y
2NT 17-19
Over Weak NT
1X 1Y
1NT 15-18
1X 1Y
2NT 19-20
Over Strong NT
1X 1Y
1NT (11)12-14
1X 1Y
2NT 18-20
Two Way Checkback
1X 1Y
1NT 2C forces opener to rebid 2D. Any further bids by responder
are GI.
2D = GF after which opener responds natural shape
showing.
2Y = sign-off.
2NT forces opener to rebid 3C.
3Z = slam try. If Z = Y then single suiter, otherwise 5/5.
Rubensohl
1NT (2+, or 2Y no anchor) Dbl = t/o (if anchor), else pen. interest (subsq. Dbl = pen.)
2-level = NNF.
2NT to 3 = transfer to suit above(1).
3 = GF, no stopper in their suit, no unbid major.
3NT = to play.
1. Transfer to their suit = Stayman. If 2Y shows two anchor suits, transfer to either suit shows a GF Stayman with no stopper in that suit. Opener accepts transfer without a stopper.
Lionel
1NT 2 4+ Clubs and 4+ hearts 10+ points.
1NT 2 4+ Diamonds and 4+ hearts 10+ points.
1NT 2/ Natural 5+ in the major, 10+ points.
1NT X 4+ Spades and 4+ in a minor, 11+ points.
1NT 2NT 5/5 minors.
Reopening can be bidding can be weaker, X should be 13+ otherwise the same.