| 1N opening |
15-17hcp balanced (may have 5cd major), full writeup of 1N responses includes Stayman, transfers, Smolen, handling interference, Garbage Stayman. Nick's Garbarge Stayman notes |
| 1N opening --- bill |
15-17hcp balanced (may have 5cd major), full writeup of 1N responses includes Stayman, transfers, Smolen, handling interference, Garbage Stayman. Nick's Garbarge Stayman notes |
| 1N opening --- care |
15-17hcp balanced (may have 5cd major), full writeup of 1N responses includes Stayman, transfers, Smolen, handling interference, Garbage Stayman. Nick's Garbarge Stayman notes |
| 2N opening |
20-21hcp balanced (may have 5cd major), full writeup of 2N responses. Use Puppet Stayman to respond. |
Responding to 2N by 2 opener |
Puppet Stayman may be ON or may be OFF. !! Discuss with your partner !!
All other NT systems are ON.
|
| Responding to 2N by 2 opener --- bill |
Puppet Stayman is ON.
All other NT systems are ON.
|
| Responding to 2 opener "control showing" |
2 =King or less (0-1 control)
2 =Ace or 2 Kings (2 controls)
2 =Ace & King (3 controls)
2N=3 Kings (so lead comes to you)
3=2 Aces or Ace & 2 Kings (4 controls)
and so on
|
| Responding to 2 opener "waiting" |
2=At least 1 King;
2=bust;
opener shows hand, then bid on. Better to use "control showing" responses.
|
| 2-way New Minor Forcing |
Improvement to New Minor Forcing
Writeup at La Jolla Bridge Club website
|
| Two-way Reverse Drury |
Similar to Reverse Drury, but now over 3rd/4th seat
major-suit opener 2
or 2 asks if it's a full opener.
2 promises 4+ card support
w/ 10+ hcp.
2 same with exactly 3-card support.
Opener then responds:
| 2 of their suit | Light opener |
| Anything else | Full 13+ opener |
Responder continues as needed. Notes:
1. if responder holds long club suit they bid 2, then 3 over any bid by opener.
2. Drury is OFF over any interference.
|
| Four-way transfers |
Special handling with minor-suit transfers
(1N-2,
1N-2N)
If opener has Hxx or better in the transferred suit, bid
the "in-between" suit. Responder can bid 3N if
appropriate. Otherwise, bid the transfer suit.
|
| Four-way transfers with "range ask" |
Special handling for club transfer
(1N-2). Transferor now can have EITHER 6+ clubs, OR
the standard invitational 8-9hcp balanced without 4-card major.
Opener shows whether or not they'd accept a balanced invite:
| 2N |
Have minimum 1N; would not accept a balanced invite.
Transferor either passes or corrects to 3 |
| 3 |
Maximum 1N. |
Transferor rebid after opener bids 3:
| 3, 3, 3 |
1st round control, slam interest. |
| 3N
| Good club suit. Enough values to expect game. |
| 4 |
Gerber. |
|
| "8 over 8" |
Responding to 1N opener, holding 8hcp and 8 cards 8 or higher,
invite with 2N. Otherwise, PASS.
Also applies when holding flat 14hcp. Consider opening 1N with 8 cards 8 or higher.
|
| Bergen Raises |
With 4-card support for a major, expands beyond Jacoby 2N:
| 3 |
Constructive |
| 3 |
Limit |
| 3 of other major |
Ambiguous splinter |
| 3 of major |
Pre-emptive |
|
| Checkback club |
Improvement over New Minor Forcing
Writeup |
| Fitting jump shift | Jump-shift response by passed hand (OR in competition!) shows that suit (must be a source of tricks) plus at least a 3-card limit-raise in opener's suit. |
| Fourth suit forcing |
Bidding 4th suit - game-forcing, asks partner to describe hand (in priority order):
- Raise partner's suit with 3 cards
- Bid NT if 4th suit stopped
- Raise 4th suit with 4 cards
- Make most natural bid otherwise
EXCEPTION: 1 in this sequence: 1-1-1-1 is NOT forcing.
|
| Help-suit game try |
When opener's 1-of-major opening is raised to 2, bidding another suit is the help-suit game try. It asks partner if he can "help" in that suit. Maybe you have a half-stopper, or Axxx, or whatever. It's a mechanism like splinters, for finding games (or even slams) with less than the normal 26 (or 32) HCP.
This could be used over a limit raise, if you are slamming?
|
| Impossible Spade |
After this sequence, 1 - 1N (forcing) - 2 or 2
| 2 |
limit raise of the minor; with either 5+ clubs or 4+ diamonds.
Responder can't have a Spade suit as they would have bid that instead of 1N. |
| 3 or 3 |
8-9hcp raise or minor. |
| 2 or 2N |
If neither of the above bids is correct, choose the appropriate one of these |
|
| Major openings |
partial writeup of 1 of major responses
Modified Jacoby 2N, Splinters
2-over-1 partial writeup, 2over1 agreement with Nick
Raising with 3-card support (article by Dave Vidaver) |
| Major openings --- bill |
partial writeup of 1 of major responses
Modified Jacoby 2N, Splinters
2-over-1 partial writeup
, 2over1 agreement with Bill
Raising with 3-card support (article by Dave Vidaver) |
| Mini-Roman 2 |
Shows 11-15HCP, and 4-4-4-1 distribution. Or 4-4-5-0, as long as 5-card suit is not a major. Make sure to have 14-15 HCP if opening with Spade shortness. Responses:
| Weak hand (<10HCP) | Bid fragments up the line. Strive to find lowest level 4-3 or better fit. |
| Forcing hand | Bid 2N, asking for shortness. Take from there. |
|
| Minor openings |
Minor opening / major response scenarios
Minor opening / non-major response scenarios
Inverted minor raise shows 4-cd support, opening hand, denies 4-cd major. [With Scott, I play it this way]
Criss-cross (jump-shift into other minor shows limit-raise) |
| "Muppet" Stayman |
Tweak of Puppet Stayman: swap meaning of 3 and 3N:
3: opener has no 4-card majors
3N: opener has 5-card Heart suit
Now responder has room to show their own 5-4 major suit distribution by bidding
3
|
| New Minor Forcing |
INCOMPLETE Used after 1m - 1M - 1N sequence.
Opener has limited their hand to 12-15hcp.
Responder bids other minor to inquire about support for their major.
Openers responds (in priority order):
| 2M | 3-card support for major. Less than maximum hand. |
| 3M | 3-card support for major. Maximum hand. |
| 2 | If major was , shows 4-card heart suit. |
| 2N | Balanced minimum. |
| 3N | Balanced maximum. |
| Rebid own minor at cheapest level | Default. Long minor only.
Missing stoppers in other minor. |
|
| Reverse Bergen |
With 4-card support for a major, expands beyond Jacoby 2N:
| 3 |
10-11 HCP; limit raise |
| 3 |
7-9 HCP; weak hand |
| 3 of opener's major |
0-7 HCP; pre-emptive |
|
| Reverse Bergen (1st/2nd seat open only) |
With 4-card support for a major, expands beyond Jacoby 2N:
| 3 |
10-11 HCP; limit raise |
| 3 |
7-9 HCP; weak hand |
| 3 of opener's major |
0-7 HCP; pre-emptive |
Bergen is OFF if responder is a passed hand.
3 becomes weak jump shift;
3 is 8-9hcp with 4-cd support.
Reasoning: with 4-card support, responder should use
Drury.
|
| Reverse Drury |
Over 3rd/4th seat major-suit opener, 2 asks if it's a full opener. Promises
3+ card support w/ 10+ hcp. Opener then responds
| 2 | Full 13+ opener |
| 2suit | Light opener |
| 2 | Special case if Spade opener -- shows good opener w/ 4-cd Heart suit. |
Responder continues as needed. Notes:
1. if responder holds long club suit they bid 2, then 3 over any bid by opener.
2. Drury is OFF over any interference.
|
| Rule of 15 |
In 4th seat, open any hand where high card points plus the number of Spades is 15
or higher. Concept is that a weaker hand would have more Spades -- and can find a
partial there. |
| Rule of 20 / (Rule of 22) |
When evaluating a borderline opening hand, add the number of cards in the
two longest suits to the high card points. If that is 20 or higher, go ahead and open.
Note: Jerry Helms recommends that you additionally have 2 quick tricks. |
| Rule of 9 |
Helps to decide when to make a penalty double, or how to proceed after partner makes a takeout or re-opening double.
In either case, first add up:
- Level of the contract
- Number of cards in opponent's suit
- Number of honors in opponent's suit (including 10s)
NOTE: Devalue honor holdings such as KQ, KJ, KQJ, QJ, QJT by 1
Double for penalty, if count is 9 (with extras). Always double with 10 or more.
In a competitive auction, when partner has doubled,
if above sum is 9 or more, PASS.
Otherwise, either bid your best suit, or raise your partner with a minimum of two card in
their suit.
Exceptions:
- If count comes to 8 AND you have at least 2 unexpected tricks, you may pass -- converting the double to penalty.
- If opponents open in a game bid, it is often correct to pass even your count is less
than 9
|
| Checkback 2N (aka Spiral) |
Responder inquires about strength of support in 1m-1M-2M sequence. See
Minor opening / major response scenarios
|
| Wolff Relay |
Used after 1m - 1M - 2N sequence to show weak hand, less than game-going values.
PASS, 3N, or 4M -- are signoffs.
Any other bid except for 3 is game forcing.
Possible bids:
| 3 | Relay to 3, then: |
|
| Same major | Pass or correct (staying on 3 level!) |
| 3 | After 1 shows weak 5-5 in majors. Opener passes or corrects to 3 |
| 3 | Unknown -- needs discussion!! |
| 3N | Slam interest in opener's minor |
|
| 3 | Similar to New Minor Forcing: |
|
| 3OM | 4 cards in other major. Responder can bid 3N or 4M accordingly |
| 3M | 3-card support. Responder bids accordingly. |
| 3N | Neither of the above. |
|
| 3M | 5+ cards, extras, slam interest |
| 3 | After 1, shows 5-5 or better in majors, forcing |
| 3 | After 1, Unknown -- needs discussion!! |
|
| XYZ |
Supersedes New Minor Forcing or Checkback Club
Writeup at Larry Cohen's website
Writeup from Ted Muller.
|
| XYZ --- bill |
Supersedes New Minor Forcing or Checkback Club
Writeup at Larry Cohen's website
Writeup from Ted Muller.
XYZ is OFF if there is any interference.
|
| Feature ask (over weak 2s) |
Basic method for responder to find out strength of
partner's weak 2 bid. With good hand, opener bids
a "feature" -- usually a short suit, or suit with
an honor. With a lousy hand, opener rebids their suit.
|
| Gambling 3N | Long, running minor with outside Ace. Writeup at bridgehands.com |
| Namyats |
Allows pre-empting opener to differentiate between a
strong, distributional opener that may have slam potential --
and weaker pre-emptive suits.
| 3 |
Standard 7-card heart pre-empt |
| 3 |
Standard 7-card spade pre-empt |
| 4 |
Strong 8-card heart suit |
| 4 |
Strong 8-card spade suit |
| 4 |
Weak 8-card heart suit |
| 4 |
Weak 8-card spade suit |
Responses to the "strong" pre-empt:
| In-between suit |
Have slam interest. Opener then uses Blackwood, control-bids,
or just bids the slam. |
| 4 of major |
No slam interest |
|
| Ogust (over weak 2s) |
popular alternative to "feature ask" response -
Evaluate suit quality based on partnership agreement!
Weak hand is generally lower half of weak-2 point range.
| Bid | Hand | suit |
| 3 |
weak | poor |
| 3 |
weak | strong |
| 3 |
strong | poor |
| 3 |
strong | strong |
|
| Preempt hand evaluation |
Opener:- count "playing" tricks:
- Every card after 3rd in trump
- Aces, supported Kings (Kx), covered Queens (AQx, KQx)
- Then bid count +2 Vul, or +3 NotVul -- but don't go above a "game" bid in that suit
Responder: subtract 2 (Vul) or 3 (NotVul), then - Add quick tricks:
- A, K, or Q of trump = 1 trick each
- In other suits: AK=2, AQ=1.5, KQ=1, A=1, Kx=0.5
- Singleton, with trump support = 1 trick
- Void, with trump support = 2 trick
- And bid or pass accordingly. Example: Vul, opener has 7 playing tricks -- opens 3; responder has 5 quick tricks -- bids 6
|
| Preemptive Gerber |
When partner preempts 2X or 3X, 4 is Preemptive Gerber (4 if partner bid ), and you have slam interest (Full writeup by Sara Rothmuller & Harvey Brody).
Key cards are A or K of trump, or outside Ace. Preemptor can't have all 3!
| | 4 | 4 |
| 1st step | 0 key cards | 4 | 4 |
| 2nd step | 1 key card | 4 | 4 |
| 3rd step | 1 key card, plus Q of trump | 4 | 4N |
| 4th step | 2 key cards | 4N | 5 |
| 5th step | 2 key cards, plus Q of trump | 5 | 5 |
|
| Rule of 17 |
Responding to partner's weak-2, add the number of trump cards
you hold to your HCP. If the total is less than 17, there is
no game. Otherwise, you can explore for game. |
| Rule of 2-3-4 | Ely Culbertson's rule on how high to make a preemptive call. Writeup at bridgehands.com |
| Step Rebids (over weak 2s) |
responses to 2N force over weak 2 Summary (Original writeup by Ronnie McMurdie) |
| Weak 2s |
6-card suit, usually a major. 5-10hcp normal range.
Standard treatment - vulnerable should have 2 of top 3
honors. Experts disagree... |
| 1430 Gerber |
4 over NT opening asks for Aces 4=1 or 4; 4=0/3; 4=2.
Now, there is always room for asker to bail at 4N.
Then, 5 asks for Kings.
|
| Asking Bids |
With a known major-suit fit, a non-jump to the 5 level (bypassing 4N) asks for first-
or second-round controls in that suit. Bid:
| 5 of agreed suit | no controls in asked suit |
| 6 of agreed suit | second round control of asked suit |
| cuebid of asked suit | first round control of asked suit |
Note that you can only ask about suits lower than the agreed suit.
|
| DOPI/ROPI | Handle interference over Ace-asking bids:
DOPI over suit interference: (think D0P1) DBL=0, PASS=1, then up the line otherwise
ROPI over DBL interference: (think R0P1) RDBL=0, PASS=1, then up the line otherwise
|
| Exclusion Blackwood |
With a known fit, a jump to the 5-level in another suit is RKC1430 excluding the Ace in the suit bid. |
| Gerber |
4 over NT opening asks for Aces 4=0 or 4; 4=1; 4=2; 4N=3.
Then, 5 asks for Kings.
Over response to 4, 4 means "bail out at 4N". See 1430 Gerber below if you want to avoid problems when the response is 4N and you can't bail.
|
| Grand Slam Force | With a known fit, a jump bid of 5N inquires about partner's top three trump honors. With 2 or more trump controls, responder makes a Grand Slam call in the trump suit. Otherwise, the responder signs off in a Small Slam. |
| Kickback |
If "slamming" suit is Hearts, 4 is RKC1430 ask:
| 4N | 1 or 4 |
| 5 | 0 or 3 |
| 5 | 2 or 5, no queen |
| 5 | 2 or 5, have queen |
Now asker always has room to bail at 5. Further
bids are same as RKCB.
NOTES:
- Not alertable during auction as it can "wake up" partner. Must
be disclosed before opening lead.
- Because 4 is Kickback, 4N is a Spade cuebid.
|
| Minorwood (RKC1430) |
4 of trump-suit after inverted minor raise, or 4-level bid after 1N transfer, asks how many of 5 "controls" -- 4 aces & K of trump. my writeup
| 4 asking | 4 asking | |
| 4 | 4 | 1 or 4 |
| 4 | 4 | 0 or 3 |
| |
cheapest non-signoff bid (skipping 4N) is "queen ask" (iow over 4, 5 is ask)
| 5trump | No Queen, unknown # of Kings |
| 5N | Have Queen, but no Kings |
| 6suit | Have Queen, and King of suit |
|
| 4 | 4N | 2 or 5, no queen of trump |
| 4N | 5 | 2 or 5, with queen of trump |
| |
5 or is signoff
5 or is "specific King ask" - guarantees all 5 controls
| 5 or 6 suit (below trump) | Kings of suit |
| 6trump | No kings below trump |
| 6suit (above trump) | Some partnerships agree that asking for Kings means a strong desire to get to 7.
Thus one can respond with a void ABOVE 6 of trump. |
| | 5, 5, 5 | 5, 5, 6 | odd number with a useful void in indicated suit |
| 5N | 5N | even number with a useful void somewhere |
|
| Roman KeyCard Blackwood (1430) |
4N asks how many of 5 "controls" -- 4 aces & K of trump:
| 5 | 1 or 4 |
| 5 | 0 or 3 |
|
cheapest non-signoff 5-lvl bid is "queen ask" (iow over 5, 5 is ask)
| 5trump | No Queen, unknown # of Kings |
| 5N | Have Queen, but no Kings |
| 6suit | Have Queen, and King of suit |
|
| 5 | 2 or 5, no queen of trump |
| 5 | 2 or 5, with queen of trump |
|
5N "specific King ask" - guarantees all 5 controls
| 6suit (below trump) | Kings of suit |
| 6trump | No kings below trump |
| 6suit (above trump) | Some partnerships agree that asking for Kings means a strong desire to get to 7.
Thus one can respond with a void ABOVE 6 of trump. |
| | 5N | even number with a useful void somewhere |
| 6x (below trump) | odd number with a void in this suit (iow 6 == void in clubs) |
| 6trump | odd number with a useful void above trump suit (iow, if trump is , 6 == void in ) |
|
| Roman KeyCard Blackwood (3014) |
4N asks how many of 5 "controls" -- 4 aces & K of trump:
| 5 | 0 or 3 |
| 5 | 1 or 4 |
|
cheapest non-signoff 5-lvl bid is "queen ask" (iow over 5, 5 is ask)
| 5trump | No Queen, unknown # of Kings |
| 5N | Have Queen, but no Kings |
| 6suit | Have Queen, and King of suit |
|
| 5 | 2 or 5, no queen of trump |
| 5 | 2 or 5, with queen of trump |
|
5N "specific King ask" - guarantees all 5 controls
| 6suit (below trump) | Kings of suit |
| 6trump | No kings below trump |
| 6suit (above trump) | Some partnerships agree that asking for Kings means a strong desire to get to 7.
Thus one can respond with a void ABOVE 6 of trump. |
| | 5N | even number with a useful void somewhere |
| 6x (below trump) | odd number with a void in this suit (iow 6 == void in clubs) |
| 6trump | odd number with a useful void above trump suit (iow, if trump is , 6 == void in ) |
|
| DONT |
DONT (Disturb Opponents NT)
| DBL | Single-suited |
| 2 | 2-suited (~5-5) & higher |
| 2 | 2-suited (~5-5) & higher |
| 2 | and |
|
| Brozell around Spades |
All 2-suited bids include Spades:
| DBL | Either , or and minor |
| 2 | 2-suited (~5-5) and |
| 2 | 2-suited (~5-5) and |
| 2 | 2-suited (~5-5) and |
| 2 | just [not alertable as it's natural!] |
| 2N | Both minors |
|
| Cappelletti (Hamilton) |
Common 1N interference bid:
| 2 | Long suit |
| 2 | Both majors (min 4-4) |
| 2 | & a minor |
| 2 | & a minor |
| 2N | Both minors |
| DBL | Penalty |
|
| Compressed Cappelletti |
We want to interfere with a major against NT. Normal Cappelletti would promise a 2-suiter. We've modified the convention:
| 2 | Long minor OR 2-suited (~5-5) major & minor |
| 2 | Both majors (min 4-4) |
| 2 or 2 | Natural |
| 2N | Both minors |
| DBL | Penalty |
|
| Landy |
| DBL | Penalty |
| 2 | Both majors(5-4 or 4-5 min.) |
| 2 - 2 | Natural |
| 2N | Both minors |
|
| Leaping Michaels |
Strong 5-5 over weak 2s (and 3s!); better than opening hand; suits should be: AKxxx, AQxxx, KQJxx (one suit has to have an Ace!)
| Opps. bid | Our bid | Meaning |
|---|
| 2 or 3 | 4 | Clubs + a major |
| 2 or 3 | 4 | Both majors |
| 2 or 3 | 4 | Clubs + Spades |
| 2 or 3 | 4 | Diamonds + Spades |
| 2 or 3 | 4 | Clubs + Hearts |
| 2 or 3 | 4 | Diamonds + Hearts |
| 3 | 4 | Both majors |
| 3 | 4 | Diamonds + a major |
| any 2 or 3 bid | 4N | Both minors |
|
| Responses to Leaping Michaels: | |
|---|
| Both suits known | Pick one! |
|---|
| Clubs + unknown major | Bid 4 to ask for major (you can support either); 5 otherwise |
|---|
| Diamonds + unknown major | Bid 4 to ask for major -- leaper passes or corrects; 5 otherwise |
|---|
|
|
| Mathe |
Against Strong 1 opens (e.g., Precision):
| 1// | Natural overcall |
| DBL | 4-4 (or better when vulnerable) in the majors |
| 1N | 4-4 (or better when vulnerable) in the minors -- can be pre-emptive |
| 2 | natural overcall -- alertable! |
|
| McCabe |
[Taken from this article by Robert Todd.]
When partner opens a 2-level preempt and RHO makes a takeout double,
we know that the auction is about to become competitive.
Most of the times that we want to compete in the bidding in this kind of auction
are when we have a fit for partner's suit.
Since this is the case, then it makes sense to assign more than one bid
to promise a fit for preemptor's suit --
to allow us more than one way to show a fit for partner's suit.
Over Weak-2 - (DBL):
| Bid | Meaning |
| 2 (over 2) | Raise to 3,
with values in -- asking for lead |
| 2 (over 2 or 2) | Raise to 3
or 3,
with values in -- asking for lead |
| 2N | Normal ask as if there was no competition, e.g., Ogust |
| 3 | Raise to 3, with values in -- asking for lead |
| 3 | Raise to 3, with values in -- asking for lead |
| 3 | Raise to 3, with values in -- asking for lead |
| 3 | Raise to 3, with values in -- asking for lead |
| RDBL | Long suit, cheapest next suit asks. 3-level (or cheapest) response is the suit, and is to play. |
Over 2 - (DBL): 2 replaces 3 above.
|
| Meckwell |
| 2 | 2-suited (~5-5) & major |
| 2 | 2-suited (~5-5) & major |
| 2 or 2 | Natural |
| 2N | Both minors |
| DBL | Long minor OR both majors (4-4 min). Bid 2 to ask which. Answer with PASS, 2, or 2. |
|
| Michaels cue bid |
Showing 5-5 distribution; most of hcp should be in these suits
Over a major, shows other major & unspecified minor. 2N asks for minor.
Over a minor, shows BOTH majors.
Normally, hand is weak or strong. With intermediate hand, make an overcall instead.
Advancer makes minimum response with weak hand, otherwise jumps or cuebids.
|
| Meckstroth Advances - complex response to Michaels overcall |
[Taken from this article by Robert Todd.]
When the opponents open the bidding with a Major suit at the 1-level and partner makes a Michaels cuebid,
showing 5+ cards in the other major and a 5+ card minor suit,
then Advancer has only a small amount of space to describe their hand and figure out the best place to play.
Most partnerships use a 2N by Advancer to ask the Michaels bidder to bid their minor suit,
while some partnerships use 3 to accomplish the same thing
with the Michaels bidder passing or correcting to 3.
Meckstroth Advances are a system of bids for Advancer
that allow us to describe a large variety of hands in these highly competitive auctions.
Advancer must have better than opening to employ any of the invitational bids as partner could be very weak.
Assuming auction as gone (1M) - 2M - P - ?, Advancer bids as follows:
| 2 | Weak 2+ card support for Spades, less than invitational values. |
|---|
| 2N* | Game try with fit for both minor suits. Invitational+ values. |
|---|
| 3 | Pass or correct. |
|---|
| 3* | Invitational with 3+ card fit for OM |
|---|
| 3 |
Over 2 bid (OM is ),
this is game forcing Western Cuebid.
Usually no major suit fit.
Over 2 bid (OM is ),
this to play, weak 2+ card support for Hearts.
|
|---|
| 3 |
Over 2 bid (OM is ),
this is shapely invite, 4+card , fewer values.
Over 2 bid (OM is ),
this is game forcing Western Cuebid.
Usually no major suit fit.
|
|---|
| 3N | To play |
|---|
| 4 | Pass or correct. Large fit, 4+cards, for both minors. Less than invitational values. |
|---|
| 4* | Game Forcing OM raise. 3+ card OM. Forcing Passes On! |
|---|
| 4 |
* Over 2 bid (OM is ),
Splinter in support of .
Over 2 bid (OM is ),
to play, shapely hand. Not a lot of values.
|
|---|
| 4 |
Over 2 bid only.
To play, shapely hand. Not a lot of values. |
|---|
| 4N | Game Forcing raise to 5-minor. Asks opener to bid minor. Strong hand. |
|---|
| 5 | Pass or correct. Large fit, 4+cards, for both minors. Pre-emptive, not a lot of values. |
|---|
|
| Suction |
Over strong artificial club openings (Standard American 2; Precision 1) -- shows either single- or two-suited hand.
2 shows Hearts or Spades/Clubs
2 shows Spades or Clubs/Diamonds
2 shows Clubs or Diamonds/Hearts
2N shows either Clubs/Hearts or Diamonds/Spades
Easy memory aid: whatever suit you bid, is the one you CAN'T have.
Advancer bids the single suit; if two-suited, overcaller corrects to lower suit; advancer can correct to other suit.
|
| Unusual NT |
Jump to 2N over 1-lvl bid 4N over pre-empt. Shows 5-5 in 2 lowest unbid suits; most of hcp should be in these suits.
We also play "Unusual 1N" when bid over opponents' 1-over-1 auaction. Eg. 1 - P - 1 - 1N shows 5-5 in the black suits. |
Four-suit transfers
(used when opponents
double 1N for penalties) |
RDBL is transfer to 2, 2=2, 2=2, 2=2
|
| Handle lead-directing doubles of 1N responses (e.g., transfers or Stayman) |
When opponents double a transfer (or Stayman) bid, it's usually lead-directing. Use RDBL to mean "I want to play here." Thus, the sequence 1N - P - 2 - DBL - RDBL means "I want to play 2 redoubled!"
| 1N Response |
Bid (by 1N opener) after lead-directing double |
| Transfer, e.g., 2 |
RDBL="to play"; 2="I have 3+ spades"; PASS="fewer than 3 spades, don't like hearts" |
| Stayman, e.g., 2 |
RDBL="to play"; 2="No 4-card major"; 2|2="I have 4-card major"; PASS="No 4-card major, don't like clubs" |
Transferor then bids appropriately:
- Leaves redouble in with support.
- Bids the transfer suit (2 over 2**) -- drop bid.
- Bids transfer again at 3 level -- please accept the transfer!
|
| Interference over 2 |
Control responses are OFF; DBL == bust; PASS == have something; any other bid shows slam interest. |
| Jordan | 2N following takeout double of partner's opener, shows good support with 10+ hcp. |
| Lebensohl
|
Used in 3 different scenarios:
- handling 1NT interference,
- response to takeout double over weak-2 opening by opponents, and
- response to opener's reverse
1) Over 1NT interference:
Initiated by responder after partner has opened 1NT and right hand opponent (RHO) has overcalled with two in a suit.
Off over 2 interference, except if artificial showing specific suits (e.g., Landy showing majors).
| Opener |
Overcaller |
Responder |
| Response |
Meaning and Subsequent Bidding |
| 1NT |
2, 2, or 2 |
2 in a higher ranking suit |
natural and non-forcing |
| 2NT |
a puppet bid forcing the opener to bid 3; after that:
- 3 in suit of lower rank than overcalled: natural, to play
- 3 in suit of higher rank than overcalled: natural, invitational
- 3 in the overcalled suit: Stayman, asking partner to bid a 4-card major suit and showing a stopper in the overcalled suit
- 3NT: to play, showing a stopper
|
| 3 in any suit except that overcalled |
natural, forcing to game |
| 3 in the overcalled suit |
Stayman, asking the partner to bid a 4-card major suit and denying a stopper in the overcalled suit |
| 3NT |
to play, denying a stopper |
Over artificial interference (e.g., Cappelletti, DONT):
- Both suits known: cheaper cuebid is invitational, higher is forcing. All Lebensohl rules are on.
- One suit known: known suit is cuebid.
- No known suit: you can't use cuebid.
- Cuebid is Stayman-like unless overcall shows both majors (e.g., Cappelletti 2)
- Delayed cuebids deny stopper
- 4-level jumps retain original meaning
- Delayed DBL (after PASS) is penalty.
- Delayed suit bid is competitive.
- Vs. artificial doubles (e.g., DONT): IGNORE IT! 2 is Stayman, etc.
- Vs. penalty doubles, use four-suit transfers (RDBL is , 2 is , etc.)
|
2) Response to takeout double over opponent's weak 2 bid (eg., 2 - DBL - P - ?):
- With weak hand (0 to bad 7 hcp), bid 2N which relays to 3. Doubler either passes or corrects.
- With intermediate hand (good 7 to 11 hcp), bid directly at 3 level.
NOTE: when holding 4 or 5 cards in a major ABOVE the weak-2 suit:
- With 4-card major, relay through 2N, then cue-bid.
- With 5-card major, relay then bid the suit.
- With game values, bid the game.
If there is room at 2-level, for example over 2, 2 is weak.
Relay to 3 is now intermediate with 5-card suit.
Direct to 3 would be game forcing.
NOTE: with strong hand, opener can bypass 3 relay and bid appropriately.
3) Responding to opener's 2-level reverse
With 2-level reverse, opener shows 16+ hcp. Using Lebensohl, responder with weak hand (5-7 hcp) can stop short of game. With better hand, responder can now make game-forcing bid.
3a) Responding to opener's reverse to 2
(eg., 1 - P - 1 - P - 2 - P - ?):
- With weak hand, bid 2N. Opener relays to 3. Responder either passes or corrects. Opener should then drop.
- Any other bid is game forcing.
With a strong hand, opener can and will bid more than 3.
3b) Responding to opener's reverse to 2
(eg., 1 - P - 1 - P - 2 - P - ?):
- With weak hand, bid 4th suit which relays to 3. Responder either passes or corrects. Opener should then drop.
- Any other bid including 2N is game forcing.
Again, with a strong hand, opener can and will bid more than 3.
|
| Maximal double |
After 1M-2M sequence, over inteference where normal
invites are not available, DBL shows game invite.
Partner bids 3M or 4M depending.
Can leave double in, with stack in their suit.
Examples: 1 - (2) - 2 - (3) - DBL;
1 - (2) - 2 - (3) - DBL
Also used when we are overcalling & opponents bid & raise in a lower suit:
Example: (1) - 1 - (3) - DBL (3 would be merely competitive); |
| Negative Double |
Over 1 of minor and opponent's 1-level overcall, DBL promises:
| 1 - (1) - DBL |
6+ hcp, and 4+ cards in BOTH majors |
|---|
| 1m - (1) - DBL |
6+ hcp, and either 1) 4 spades, or 2) weaker with 5+ spades |
|---|
| 1m - (1) - DBL |
10+ hcp, and either 1) 4 hearts, or 2) weaker with 5+ hearts |
|---|
| 1 - (2) - DBL |
8+ hcp, and 4+ cards in at least 1 major |
|---|
| 1M - (2m) - DBL |
8+ hcp, and 4+ cards in other major |
|---|
| 1 - (2) - DBL |
10+ hcp, and 4+ cards in BOTH minors |
|---|
|
| Responsive double | Response to a takeout
double or overcall, when opponents have bid & raised
their suit.
1M - X - 2M - X is responsive double, scattered values,
4 cards in the other major
and no long suits (because you would bid a 5-cd suit
if you had it!).
When you double over partner's overcall
(e.g., 1H - 1S - 2H - X), you should also be able to tolerate
partner bidding their suit again (IOW, have 2+ cards in
that suit.)
6-8 hcp at 2-level;
9+ hcp at 3-level
NOTE: if opponents have bid & raised a minor, the responsive
double promises 4-4 in the majors.
|
| Rule of 2 1 0 |
When deciding to bid 5 over 5 in a competitive auction:
- With 2 of their suit, X for penalty
- With 1 of their suit, pass
- With no cards in their suit, bid 5
|
| Support double / redouble | Over interference following 1x - any - 1M - any, double shows 3-cd support.
Ex: 1 - P - 1 - 2 - DBL shows 3-cd spade support.
Support redouble used over takeout-double interference.
Ex: 1 - P - 1 - DBL - RDBL shows 3-cd heart support.
We play no upper limit on this type of double. NOTE: many players set the limit at 2 or 2 |
| Transfer Lebensohl |
Similar principle as Lebensohl, except there are only 2 hand strengths to consider: weak or invitational+.
Writeup at Larry Cohen's website |
| Unusual vs. Unusual (method 1) | Mechanism for handling Michaels or Unusual NT interference (most common version I play):
| Cue bid higher suit | 10+ hcp with a fit (iow, limit raise or better) |
|---|
| Cue bid lower suit, IF KNOWN | 10+ hcp, no fit |
|---|
| Raise our suit | Competitive with support |
|---|
| New suit (or new minor if 2nd suit not known) | Invitational with 5cd suit |
|---|
| Double | Values in one of opps. suit & ability to penalize opps. in one or both suits. |
|---|
| Pass |
Several possible hands:
- Good defensive hand, but not sure if we can set them.
- Lousy hand.
- No other bid makes sense.
|
|---|
|
| Unusual vs. Unusual (method 2) | Mechanism for handling Michaels or Unusual NT interference (aka, lower-lower higher-higher):
The unusual bid usually shows 2 suits. Cue bids indicate one of the other 2 suits.
| Cue bid lower suit | 10+ hcp with a fit in the lower of two other suits |
|---|
| Cue bid upper suit, IF KNOWN | 10+ hcp, fit in higher of two other suits |
|---|
| Raise our suit | Competitive with support |
|---|
| New suit (or new minor if 2nd suit not known) | Invitational with 5cd suit |
|---|
| Double | Values in one of opps. suit & ability to penalize opps. in one or both suits. |
|---|
| Pass |
Several possible hands:
- Good defensive hand, but not sure if we can set them.
- Lousy hand.
- No other bid makes sense.
|
|---|
|
| A is for Attitude, K is for Count |
Against 5-level contracts or higher:
- Ace is led. Partner shows attitude -- high suggests continue leading same suit
- King is led. Partner shows count -- high implies even number.
|
| Ace is led, singleton on board |
Against suit contracts, show suit preference.
|
| Lavinthal discards |
First discard against NT is suit you don't want led. Size of spot indicates suit preference.
Preserves suit length in your good suit.
Not recommended against suit contracts as you often want to discard in a short suit to increase ruffing chances.
|
| Leading doubleton Ace-King |
Against suit contract, lead King from Ace-King to show doubleton.
|
| "Obvious" shift |
Writeup by Dave Vidaver here.
Discuss with partner which signal -- "obvious shift" or "singleton on board"
applies when there is singleton or void on the board.
|
| "Obvious" shift --- bill |
Writeup by Dave Vidaver here.
Obvious shift is OFF is there is a singleton or void on the board.
|
| Odd-even attitude discards |
When giving attitude, even card discourages, odd card encourages.
|
| Trump suit echo, Smith echo |
Writeup |
| Upside-down attitude (standard count) |
When giving attitude only, reverse the standard convention.
I.e., attitude: high card discourages, low card encourages.
For count, use the standard echo: high-low means even count.
|
| Upside-down count & attitude |
When giving count or attitude, reverse the standard convention. I.e., attitude: high card discourages, low card encourages; count: low-high means even count.
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