Stephen Joseph Smith
stephen@bridgebaron.com
Lead Programmer
Great Game Products
7825 Tuckerman Lane, Suite 206
Potomac, MD 20854
United States of America
+1-301-299-9005
Fax: +1-301-765-8004
http://www.bridgebaron.com/

a bold font is used to indicate something that did not precisely fit Mike's convention card format

Program _Bridge Baron_________________

Basic System _Standard American Five-Card Majors_

(1) Opening NT bids and responses

(i) 1NT opening bid and responses

1NT: 12-14 ___ 13-15 ___ 14-16 ___ 15-17 ___ 16-18 _Yes_

any variation depending on vulnerability? _No____________

5-card major possible? _No__ not even xxxxx ? _Not even xxxxx_

6-card minor possible? _No__

two doubletons possible (5422 shape)? _Yes_

2C: Stayman _Yes_

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

does 2C promise any HCP ? _No_

2D: transfer to 2H, guarantees 5+ hearts _Yes_

2H: transfer to 2S, guarantees 5+ spades _Yes_

2S: minor-suit Stayman (very rarely with a 4-card major) _Yes_ (denies 4-card major) minimum raise to 2NT ___
      transfer to 2NT ___ to 3C ___

2NT: invitational _Yes_ maximum raise to 2NT ___ transfer to 3C ___ to 3D___ to a minor ___

3C: natural, forcing _Yes_ invitational ___ transfer to 3D ___

3D: natural, forcing _Yes_ invitational ___ 3-suiter, short D ___

3H: natural, forcing _Yes_ weak ___ both majors, 5+/5+, invitational ___
weak ___ 3-suiter, short H ___ not used ___

3S: natural, forcing _Yes_ weak ___ both majors, 5+/5+, forcing ___ weak___ 3-suiter, short S ___ not used ___

If 3H/3S are weak responses, what is minimum suit length & hand strength____________

4C: Gerber _Yes_

4D: natural, forcing ___ both majors, 5+/5+ ___ transfer to 4H _Yes_

4H: natural, sign-off ___ transfer to 4S _Yes_

4S: natural, sign-off ___ both minors, 5+/5+ _Yes_ not used ___

If 4D & 4H are transfers, are they slam invitational? _No_ or weaker _Yes_

(ii) 2NT opening bid and responses

2NT: 20-21 ___ 20-22 ___ 21-22 _Yes_ other_____

could contain a 5-card major? _Yes_ or a 6-card minor? _No_

could contain two doubletons? _Yes_ could be 4441 shape? _Yes_

3C: Stayman _Yes_ Baron ___

after Stayman 3C:

3D: denies a 4-card major _Yes_ denies a 5-card major ___

3H: shows 4 hearts _Yes_ shows 5 hearts ___ shows 4 spades ___ shows 5 spades ___

3S: shows 4 spades _Yes_ shows 5 spades ___ shows 4 hearts ___ shows 5 hearts ___

3NT: denies a 4-or 5-card major ___ not used _Yes_

3D: transfer to 3H _Yes_ natural, forcing ___ Flint ___

3H: transfer to 3S _Yes_ natural, forcing ___

3S: minor-suit Stayman (very rarely with a 4-card major) _Yes_ (denies 4-card major) ___ natural, forcing ___ transfer to clubs ___ not used ___

4C: Gerber _Yes_ transfer to diamonds ___

4D: natural, forcing ___ transfer to 4H _Yes_ 5-5 majors ___

4H: natural ___ transfer to 4S _Yes_

4S: natural ___ not used __ both minors _Yes_

(iii) 3NT opening bid

3NT: 25+ _Yes_ solid minor ___

If 3NT shows a solid minor, what is outside suit strength? ___________

[Assumed that a 4C response says "pass or bid 4D"]

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

1x-1y-1NT: 12-14 ___ 12-15 _Yes_ 15-16 ___ 15-17 ___ 15-18 ___

any specials ? _No___________

1x-1y-2NT: 17-18 ___ 18-19 ___ 18-20 ___ 19-20 _Yes_

1x-1y-3NT: 19-20/21 ___ 20-21 ___ ~16-19, long x ___ forcing major suit raise if y = hearts or spades _Yes_

1x-2y-2NT: 12-14 _Yes_ 12-17 ___ 14-15 ___ 15-16 ___ 15-17 ___ 15-18 ___

1x-2y-3NT: 15-2017/18/19 _Yes_ 16-19 ___ 17-19 ___ 18-19 ___ 19-20 ___

(3) 1M opening bids and responses

1M: 4+ cards ___ 5+ cards _Yes_

If 5+ cards, can it *ever* be on a 'good' 4-card suit? _No_

(i) Responses to 1M in an uncontested auction

1NT: non-forcing ___ forcing _Yes_ : what range _6-12 Total Points_

2m: natural, forcing _Yes_ natural, game-forcing ___ Drury, by passed hand___

If Drury, what does 2C show ? ______________

Is 2m forcing if by passed hand ? _Yes_

2M: [Assumed to be weak limit raise, 3+ cards]

2NT: natural, balanced, invitational ___ forcing, agrees M _Yes_ forcing,

12-15 ___ Baron ___

If forcing, agreeing M, is it game forcing? _Yes_

If natural, does it guarantee exactly 2 cards or 3 cards in opener's suit?___

3C: natural, game force (by unpassed hand) ___ weak raise to 3M (Bergen style) ___ Weak Jump-Shift _Yes_

3D: natural, game force (by unpassed hand) ___ invitational raise to 3M (Bergen style) ___ Weak Jump-Shift _Yes_

3M: invitational _Yes_ forcing ___ weak raise (Bergen style) ___

3NT: natural, balanced ~13-15 ___ balanced raise to 4M ___ natural, balanced 16-18 _Yes_

4m: Splinter _Yes_ Swiss ___

If Swiss, please explain 4C and 4D ________________

(ii) Responses to 1M in a contested auction

3M: weak raise ______ Invitational _Yes__ (please specify approximate strength) 10-12 Total Points

cue-bid: forcing _Yes_ forcing, agrees M ___ directional asking bid ___

after 1M-(Dbl):

2NT: invitational raise to 3M ___ forcing, agrees M _Yes_

3M: weak raise ___ Invitational _Yes_

any specials after an overcall or a double? _No_________________

(4) 1m opening bids and responses

1m: 3+ cards (1C if 3-3) _Yes_ 4+ cards ___

Could a 1C opening bid show just 2 clubs (4432 shape)? _No_

(i) Responses to 1m in an uncontested auction

1NT: 6-9 ___ 6-10 _Yes_ 7-10 ___ 9-11 ___ 1C=7-10, 1D=6-10 ___

2m: weak raise ___ ; good raise (8-10) _____ ; inverted raise, forcing _Yes_

2M: game force ___ Weak Jump-Shift _Yes_

2NT: invitational, balanced ___ forcing, balanced 1213-15 _Yes_ weak raise

to 3m, with bad suit ___ Baron ___

If balanced, does 2NT deny a 4+-card major? _Yes_

3m: invitational raise ___ preemptive raise ___ weak raise to 3m, with good suit _Yes_

3NT: balanced 13-14 ___ balanced 13-15 ___ balanced 16-18 _Yes_ 4-3-3-3 with three trump____

Does 3NT deny a 4+-card major ? _Yes_

4m: preemptive raise _Yes_ strong raise (15+) ___

(ii) Responses to 1m in a contested auction after 1m-(simple suit overcall)

2m: weak raise _Yes_ good (inverted) raise ___

3m: weak (inverted) raise ___ Invitational _Yes_

cue-bid: forcing _Yes_ forcing, agrees m ___ directional asking bid ___

after 1m-(Dbl):

2NT: invitational raise to 3m ___ forcing, balanced 13-15 _Yes_

3m: weak raise ___ Invitational _Yes_

any special bids after an overcall or a double ? _No_________________

(5) Opening 2-bids and Responses

[some 2C and 2D opening bids might be multi-meaning, so tick whatever variations apply]

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

distributional hand) _Yes_ Benjamin-style (8 playing tricks or 21-24 balanced)___

"23+", game -force, but not after a 3C rebid ___ strong in one major ___

strong in clubs ___ strong, 22-23 'total points' ___

Responses to 2C

2D: negative (<8 points) ___ waiting _Yes_

[Assumed that 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 : weak _Yes_ strong, forcing ___ Flannery (4-5 in H/S) ___

strong 3-suiter ___ strong in diamonds ___ strong, 24+ 'total points' ___

Flannery is assumed to show 11-15 points. If your version of Flannery is different, please tell us here : _____________

Responses to 2D

2H/2S/3C: natural, forcing (usually opening bid strength+ in response to a weak 2D) _Yes_ natural, non-forcing ___
natural, forcing (Acol style) ___

2NT: artificial, forcing (usually opening bid strength+ in response to a weak 2D) _Yes_
negative (Acol style) ___ positive, balanced (modified Acol style) ___

If 2NT is used an a forcing enquiry after a weak 2D, what do opener's rebids show:

feature ? _Yes_ or Ogust style ? ___

[Assumed that 2D(weak)-3D is a preemptive raise]

(iii) Opening 2H: weak _Yes_ strong, forcing ___

Responses to 2H

2S/3C/3D: natural, forcing (usually opening bid strength+ in response to a weak 2H) _Yes_ natural, non-forcing ___
natural, game-forcing (Acol style)____

2NT: artificial, forcing (usually opening bid strength+ in response to a weak 2H) _Yes_

negative (Acol style) ___ positive, balanced (modified Acol style) ___

[Assumed that 2H(weak)-3H is a preemptive raise]

(iv) Opening 2S: weak _Yes_ strong, forcing ___

Responses to 2S

3C/3D/3H: natural, forcing (usually opening bid strength+ in response to a weak 2H) _Yes_
natural, non-forcing ___ natural, game-forcing (Acol style)_____

2NT: artificial, forcing (usually opening bid strength+ in response to a weak 2S) _Yes_ negative (Acol style) ___

[Assumed that 2S(weak)-3S is a preemptive raise]

General questions on 2-openers:

If 2D/2H/2S weak, what range _5-13 HCP_ Minimum length ? _6_ If it guarantees a certain number of HCP in the suit, how many ? ___ Does any weak

2 opening bid deny 4+cards in an unbid major? _only in 1st or 2nd seat_

If 2NT is used an a forcing enquiry after a weak 2H or 2S, are responses

Ogust style ___ or feature showing _Yes_ ?

Assumed that Ogust 3C and 3D show the weaker hand, with 3D showing a better suit quality. If your version is different, please explain here :  ___________________________

If 2H/2S/3C/3D are positive responses to a 2C opener, what suit strength do they guarantee? _none_
and suit length? _5+ major, 6+ minor_ and overall strength _8-11 Total Points_

(6) Opening preemptive 3-bids and Responses

Does it guarantee a minimum suit quality non-vulnerable? _No___  If vulnerable? _No____

Could it be very light non-vulnerable (e.g. Qxxxxxx and nothing else)? _No___  minimum Vulnerable? _No____

Assumed that new suit responses to an opening 3-suit bid are natural and forcing. Game bids are to play. Direct raises are to play, either 'real', or sacrifice. If that's not you, please explain ________________________________

3NT: Gambling (solid minor) _____ Strong, balanced _Yes_

If Gambling, no outside A or K in 1st or 2nd position? ____, if so what about 3rd and 4th position?____
or what is maximum outside strength? _____

[Assumed that a 4C or 5C response to a Gambling 3NT says "pass or correct to diamonds"]

If strong, balanced, what range? _25-37_

(7) Opening 4-bids

['Good' is assumed to be ~8-9 playing tricks. 'Bad' could be KJxxxxxx and nothing. 'Natural' is ~7-8 playing tricks.]

4C: natural, preemptive _Yes_ 'good' opening 4H bid ___ 'bad' opening 4H bid ___
something else (what?) _______________

4D: natural, preemptive _Yes_ 'good' opening 4S bid ___ 'bad' opening 4S bid ___
something else (what?) _________

4H: natural, preemptive _Yes_ 'good' 4H bid ___ 'bad' 4H bid ___
something else (what?) __________

4S: natural, preemptive _Yes_ 'good' 4S bid ___ 'bad' 4S bid ___
something else (what?) __________

(7) Overcalls

(i) Suit overcalls

Simple overcall (non-jump) : 1x-(1y) or 1x-(2y) : natural, 5+ cards _Yes_ very light? ___

["natural" is assumed to be ~ 7-16 HCP]

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

Jump overcalls : weak _Yes_ intermediate (~11-16) ___ strong (~15-18) ___

Ghestem (please explain) ______________

If weak jump overcall, what suit quality is guaranteed? _None_

Cue-bid overcall : Michaels _Yes_ Ghestem ___ very strong ___

If Michaels or Ghestem, what HCP range? _5-11_

If "very strong", is it game-forcing? ___ or not? ___

(ii) NT overcalls

Direct 1NT overcall: 15-18 ___ 16-18 _Yes_

If two suits bid, 1NT overcall is : strong, balanced _Yes_ Unusual ___

Balancing 1NT overcall : 11-14 (over 1C or 1D) ___ 11-16 (over 1H or 1S) ___

11-15 ___ 12-14 ___ 12-15 _Yes_ 10-12 (passed hand) ___

If two suits bid, 1NT overcall is : strong, balanced _Yes_ Unusual ___

Jump to 2NT: both minors ___ lowest two (or both) unbid suits _Yes_

After a 1NT overcall : systems on _Yes_ systems off ___ only Stayman on ___

8. Doubles

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

Simple change of suit response is forcing?_Yes_ non-forcing? ___

Jump shift response is weak, non-forcing? _Yes_ invitational, non-forcing? _____

If you normally play 1m-2m as an inverted raise, is it still an inverted raise after the intervening double?

Yes (still inverted)_Yes_ No (it's weak)____

What does a 2NT response mean after 1-suit-(Dbl)? Limit raise to 3-suit (Truscott) ___ game-forcing (15+) _Yes_

[Assumed that (i) a redouble shows ~9+ HCP and will generally deny 4+-card support for opener's suit (maybe not if it's a minor), and (ii) a jump to 3-same suit by responder is a preemptive raise.]

(ii) Negative/Support/Responsive/Competitive doubles

Which of these do you play? negative doubles _Yes_ support doubles ___

responsive doubles _Yes_ competitive doubles ___ Don't ever use negative Dbls _____

Any special agreements? __________________________

Up to what level do these doubles apply?

negative doubles _2S___

responsive doubles _4D___

support doubles ______

competitive doubles ______

If you play support doubles, do you also play support redoubles ? ___

After (1M)-Dbl-(2m/3m)-*Dbl*, does this responsive double say anything definite about the unbid major suit ?
(Like, "I have exactly four" or "I don't have four") _No______

Anything special about any of your doubles ___________________

[Note: Some high-level doubles might be interpreted differently by various programs.

This is inevitable and we'll just have to look out for instances of these and deal with them if/when they arise]

9. Defence to 1NT

Please describe 2C / 2D / 2H / 2S / 2NT overcalls. If any are conventional, describe_Cappelletti________

What are 3-level overcalls ? Intermediate ___ Weak _Yes_

Double: Penalty? Yes _Yes_ No ___

If 'No', describe _____________________

Balancing double? _Penalty______

If any 2-level overcall is conventional, what conventional responses are available to advancer ? [e.g. if partner's 2C is Landy, 3C by me is game invitational, showing support for both majors] _Over 2H/2S, 2N = "bid your minor"_

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

At the 2 and 3-level, Double is for take-out _Yes_ penalty ___

At the 4-level, Double is take-out _4C/4D/4H_ value-showing _4S_ (please specify if this depends on the suit opened)

Any special defence(s) to weak 2's / 3's? _Lebensohl____________

Do you play Lebensohl after a weak 2 opening is doubled? ie, after (weak 2)-Dbl-(pass) would 2NT by advancer be natural ___ or weak or strong, forcing doubler to rebid 3C _Yes_

Do you play Leaping Michaels? ie after (weak 2H/2S), does a jump to 4m show the bid minor + the other Major
Yes ___ No _X_

11. Slam Conventions

Which do you play? Gerber _Yes_ Blackwood _Yes_ Key-card Blackwood ___
something else (what)__________

If Gerber, when? _response to 1NT/2NT, rebid after 1NT-2C__

If Key-card Blackwood, does 5C show 1/4 ___ or 0/3 ___

Any special slam bidding agreements? _GSF, Voluntary Five-Major Bids, Control Asking Bids__

12. Opening leads / Signals / Discards

General style: 4th _Yes_ 3rd/5th ___

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

x x

x x x

x x x x

x x x x (x...)

10 x x

10 9 x

H x x

H x x x

A K x (x..) any difference if AK doubleton? _No_

(ii) Leads against NT contracts

x x

x x x

x x x x

x x x x (x...)

10 x x

10 9 x

H x x

H x x x

A K x (x..) any difference if AK doubleton? _No___

(iii) Signals / Discards

Primary signal to partner's lead is: count ___ attitude _Yes_ nothing relevant ___

First discard is generally attitude _Yes_ count ___ suit preference ___ nothing relevant ___

If first discard shows attitude, does high encourage? _Yes_ or discourage?____

If count, does hi-lo show an even number? _Yes_ or an odd number? ____

13. Other Conventions

Smolen _Yes_ Lebensohl _Yes_ Reverse Drury _Yes_ Splinters _Yes_

Unusual NT _Yes_ 'Sandwich' NT _No_ Checkback Stayman _No_ Puppet Stayman _No_

14. General:

Fourth Suit Forcing : always game forcing ___ GF at 3-level or higher?_Yes_ GF at 2-level or higher? ___

What about 1C-1D-1H-*1S*: do you play the 1S bid as natural? ___ or Fourth Suit Forcing?_Yes_

Jump shifts: always strong ___ weak (uncontested only) _Yes_ weak (contested only) ___ weak (always) ___

A Double of a 1NT opening bid is assumed to be for penalty. If you don't always play that, tell us about it here _______________________________________

Any special defence to a strong 2C or strong 2D opening bid? _No__________

In general, does a first cue-bid always show an Ace? Yes _Yes_ Maybe a King if bidding is below game-level ___ No, cheapest control (A or K) is shown first ____

After partner's 1C opening bid, do you bypass diamonds if you hold 4 diamonds and 4 cards in a major?
Yes, regularly _Yes_ Never ___

Sometimes, but usually on weak hands only ___

If your 4NT bid is overcalled, do you play DOPE ___ DEPO ___ DOPI ___ or

ROPI ___ or anything similar? Double if LHO stole bid, make normal response if possible, else pass

Do you use 'negative free bids'? Yes ___ No _X_ [ie, after 1H-(2C), would a 2S bid be forcing or weak
(a negative free bid)]