Program : Blue Chip Bridge

Program : Blue Chip Bridge

Basic System : Acol with weak 2H/2S

(1) Opening NT bids and responses

(i) 1NT opening bid and responses

1NT : 12-14 (some 12 point hands might be passed)

any variation depending on vulnerability ? *No*

5-card major possible ? *Yes*

6-card minor possible ? *No*

two doubletons possible (5422 shape) ? *Yes*

2C : Stayman

does 2C promise at least one 4-card Major ? *Yes*

does 2C promise any HCP ? *No*

2D : transfer to 2H, 5+ hearts

2H : transfer to 2S, 5+ spades

2S : transfer to 2NT

2NT : transfer to a minor

3C/3D/3H/3S : natural, forcing

4C : Gerber

4D : transfer to 4H

4H : transfer to 4S

4S : both minors

If 4D & 4H are transfers, are they slam invitational ? *No* or weaker ? *Yes*

(ii) 2NT opening bid and responses

2NT : 20-22

could contain a 5-card major ? *Yes* or a 6-card minor ? *Yes*

could contain two doubletons ? *Yes*

could be 4441 shape ? *Yes*

3C : Stayman

after Stayman 3C :

3D : denies a 4-card major

3H : shows 4 hearts

3S : shows 4 spades

3NT : denies a 4-or 5-card major

3D : transfer to 3H

3H : transfer to 3S

3S : shows 5 spades & 4 hearts

4C : Gerber

4D : transfer to 4H

4H : transfer to 4S

4S : both minors

(iii) 3NT opening bid

3NT : solid minor

If 3NT shows a solid minor, what is outside suit strength ? *0-3 points*

(2) No-trump rebids (after a non-jump response)

1x-1y-1NT : 15-16

any specials ? *No*

1x-1y-2NT : 17-18

1x-1y-3NT : usually a balanced 19 points, maybe less with good minor

1x-2y-2NT : 15-16

1x-2y-3NT : 17-19

(3) 1M opening bids and responses

1M : 4+ cards

(i) Responses to 1M in an uncontested auction

1NT : non-forcing, 6-9. Occasionally 10.

2m : natural, forcing

Is 2m forcing if by passed hand ? *No, but rarely passed*

2M : weak limit raise, 3+ cards

2NT : natural, invitational, balanced

If natural, does it guarantee exactly 2 cards or 3 cards in opener's suit ? *No*

3C : natural, game force (by unpassed hand)

3D : natural, game force (by unpassed hand)

3M : invitational

3NT : balanced raise to 4M

4m : splinter

(ii) Responses to 1M in a contested auction

3M : weak raise, usually 3-8 points

cue-bid : forcing, usually to game

after 1M-(Dbl) :

2NT = invitational raise to 3M

3M : weak raise

any specials after an overcall or a double ? *No*

(4) 1m opening bids and responses

1m : 4+ cards

(i) Responses to 1m in an uncontested auction

1NT : 6-10

2m : weakish raise

2M : game force

2NT : natural, invitational, balanced

If natural, does 2NT deny a 4-card major ? *No*

3m : invitational raise

3NT : balanced 13-15

Does 3NT deny a 4-card major ? *No*

4m : pre-emptive raise

(ii) Responses to 1m in a contested auction

after 1m-(simple suit overcall)

2m : weak raise, maybe 3 cards

3m : preemptive raise, 4/5 cards, usually 4-8 points

cue-bid : forcing

after 1m-(Dbl) :

2NT = invitational raise to 3m

3m : weak raise

any specials after an overcall or a double ? *No*

(5) Opening 2-bids and Responses

(i) Opening 2C : 23+, game-force (but maybe less points in a

distributional hand)

Responses to 2C

2D : negative, usually <8 points, rarely 8.

Other suit responses show positive values and 4+ cards. 2NT shows a balanced positive, 8+ HCP and does not deny a 4-card major.

(ii) Opening 2D : strong in diamonds

Responses to 2D

2H/2S/3C : natural, forcing

2NT : negative

(iii) Opening 2H : weak

Responses to 2H

2S/3C/3D : natural, non-forcing

2NT : artificial, forcing (usually opening bid strength+)

2H-3H is a pre-emptive raise

(iv) Opening 2S : weak

Responses to 2S

3C/3D/3H : natural, non-forcing

2NT : negative

2S-3S is a pre-emptive raise

General questions on 2-openers :

If 2H/2S weak, what range ? *3-10 HCP*

Minimum length ? *5*

If it guarantees a certain number of HCP in the suit, how many ? *usually 3+*

2 opening bid deny 4+cards in an unbid major ? *No*

2NT is used an a forcing enquiry after a weak 2H or 2S. Responses are

feature showing, typically an Ace or King in the bid suit.

If 2H/2S/3C/3D are positive responses to a 2C opener, what suit strength do they guarantee ? *No guarantee, but 4-card suit should be decent* and suit length ? *4+ cards*

(6) Opening 3-bids and Responses

3C/3D/3H/3S

Guarantee a minimum suit quality ? *Usually 3+ points*

Very light (eg Qxxxxxx and nothing else) ? *No*

3NT : Gambling (solid minor)

If Gambling, what is maximum outside strength ? *0-4 points*

(7) Opening 4-bids

4C : natural, pre-emptive

4D : natural, pre-emptive

4H : natural, pre-emptive

4S : natural, pre-emptive

(8) Overcalls

(i) Suit overcalls

Simple overcall (non-jump) : 1x-(1y) or 1x-(2y) : *natural, usually 5+ cards*

Can a 1-level overcall *ever* be made on a 4-card suit ? *Yes*

Cue-bid overcall : *Michaels, usually 6-15 points*

(ii) Jump overcalls : intermediate (~11-16)

(iii) NT overcalls

Direct 1NT overcall : *15-18*

If two suits bid, 1NT overcall is : *Unusual*

Balancing 1NT overcall : *11-15*

If two suits bid, 1NT overcall is : *Unusual*

Jump to 2NT : *both minors*

After a 1NT overcall : *systems on*

9. Doubles

(i) Action over an oppos take-out double [1suit-(Dbl)-?]

Simple change of suit response is forcing ? *Yes*

Jump shift response is weak, non-forcing ? *Yes*

What does a 2NT response mean after 1-suit-(Dbl) ? *Limit raise to 3-suit*

(ii) Negative/Support/Responsive/Competitive doubles

Which of these do you play ? negative doubles *Yes* support doubles *No* responsive doubles *Yes* competitive doubles *Yes*

Any special agreements ? *No*

Up to what level do these doubles apply ?

negative doubles *3S*

responsive doubles *3S*

competitive doubles *2S*

After (1M)-Dbl-(2m/3m)-*Dbl*, does this responsive double say anything definite about the unbid major suit ? *No*

Anything special about any of your doubles ? *No*

10. Defence to 1NT

[Please describe 2C / 2D / 2H / 2S / 2NT overcalls. If any are conventional, please give approx. HCP range.]

2C = both majors, usually 5-4 but could be 4-4. Approx 8-15 points.

2D/2H/2S = natural

What are 3-level overcalls ? *All natural. 3C normally a goodish hand, usually 10-14 points. 3D/3H/3S weaker, usually 6-10 points*

Is double always for penalty ? *Yes*

What about a balancing double ? *Maybe slightly weaker than direct double*

If any 2-level overcall is conventional, what conventional responses are available to advancer ?

*after (1NT)-2C : 3C invitational, showing support for both majors.

4C asks overcaller to choose 4H or 4S.*

11. Defence to Weak 2's / 3's /4's

At the 2 and 3-level : *Double is for take-out*

At the 4-level : *Double is for take-out*

Any special defence(s) to weak 2's / 3's ? *No*

Do you play Lebensohl after a weak 2 opening is doubled ? *No*

Do you play Leaping Michaels ? ie after (weak 2H/2S), does a jump to 4m show the bid minor + the other Major ? *Yes*

12. Slam Conventions

Which do you play ? *Gerber, Blackwood*

If Gerber, when ? *after 1NT and 2NT opening bids*

Any special slam bidding agreements ? *No*

13. Opening leads / Signals / Discards

General style : *4th*

(i) Leads against suit contracts (more detailed list to follow)

x x : high

x x x : mud

x x x x : second

x x x x (x...) : second

10 x x : low

10 9 x : 10

H x x : low

H x x x : 4th

A K x (x..) : Ace - Any difference if AK doubleton ? *King*

(ii) Leads against NT contracts

*as above*

(iii) Signals / Discards

Primary signal to partner's lead is : *attitude*

First discard is generally : *count*

If count, does hi-lo show an even number ? *Yes*

14. Other Conventions

*Splinters, Unusual NT, 'Sandwich' NT, Unassuming cue-bids, Stayman in doubt*

15. General :

Fourth Suit : *GF at 3-level or higher*

What about 1C-1D-1H-1S : *The 1S bid is natural*

Jump shifts : *always strong*

Any special defence to a strong 2C or 2D opening bid ? *No*

In general, does a first cue-bid always show an Ace ? *Yes*

After partner's 1C opening bid, do you bypass diamonds if you hold 4 diamonds and 4 cards in a major ? *Sometimes, but usually only on weak hands*

If your 4NT bid is overcalled, do you play DOPE etc.. ? *No*

Do you use 'negative free bids' ? *No*