Basic System __5 cards major__
(i) 1NT opening bid and responses
1NT : 12-14 ___ 13-15 ___ 14-16 ___ 15-17 _Yes_ 16-18 ___
any variation depending on vulnerability ? __No_____________
5-card major possible ? _No____ not even xxxxx ? __No___
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 ? _8HCP__
2D : transfer to 2H, guarantees 5+ hearts _Yes__
2H : transfer to 2S, guarantees 5+ spades _Yes__
2S : minor-suit Stayman (denies 4-card major) ___ minimum raise to 2NT
___ transfer to 2NT ___ to 3C _Yes__
2NT : invitational _Yes__ maximum raise to 2NT ___ transfer to 3C ___ to 3D
___ to a minor ___
3C : natural, forcing ___ invitational ___ transfer to 3D _Yes__
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 ___
4C : Gerber ___natural, forcing _Yes__
4D : natural, forcing ___ both majors, 5+/5+ _Yes__ transfer to 4H ___
4H : natural, sign-off ___ transfer to 4S ______ not used _X__
4S : natural, sign-off ___ both minors, 5+/5+ ___ not used _X__
If 4D & 4H are transfers, are they slam invitational ? ___ or weaker ? ___
(ii) 2NT opening bid and responses
2NT : 20-21 _Yes__ 20-22 ___ 21-22 ___
could contain a 5-card major ? _No__ or a 6-card minor ? _No__
could contain two doubletons ? _Yes__ could be 4441 shape ? _No__
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 : shows 4 spades and 4 hearts
3D : transfer to 3H _Yes__ natural, forcing ___ Flint ___
3H : transfer to 3S _Yes__ natural, forcing ___
3S : minor suit Stayman (denies 4-card major) ___ natural, forcing ___
transfer to clubs _Yes__ not used ___
4C : Gerber ___ transfer to diamonds _Yes__
4D : natural, forcing ___ transfer to 4H ___ 5-5 majors _Yes__
4H : natural ___ transfer to 4S ___ not used _X_
4S : natural ___ not used _X_ both minors ___
(iii) 3NT opening bid not used_X_
(2) No-trump rebids (after a non-jump response)
1x-1y-1NT : 12-14 _Yes__ 12-15 ___ 15-16 ___ 15-17 ___ 15-18 ___
any specials ? ___1H-1S-1N :12-17
1x-1y-2NT : 17-18 ___ 18-19 _Yes__ 18-20 ___
1x-1y-3NT : not used _X_ except 1H-1S-3NT :20-21
1x-2y-2NT : 12-14 ___ 12-17 _Yes__ 14-15 ___ 15-16 ___ 15-17 ___ 15-18 ___
1x-2y-3NT : 15- 17/18/19 ___ 16-19 ___ 17-19 ___ 18-19 _Yes__ 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 _Yes__ forcing ___ : what range _6-10_____
2m : natural, forcing _Yes__ natural, game-forcing ___ Drury, by passed hand___
2M : [Assumed to be weak limit raise, 3+ cards]
2NT : natural, balanced, invitational _Yes__ forcing, agrees M ___ forcing,
12-15 ___ Baron ___
If natural, does it guarantee exactly 2 cards or 3 cards in opener's suit ?
_2cards__
3C : natural, game force (by unpassed hand) _Yes__ weakish raise to 3M
(Bergen style) ___
3D : natural, game force (by unpassed hand) __Yes_ invitational raise to 3M
(Bergen style) ___
3M : invitational _Yes__ forcing ___ weak raise (Bergen style) ___
3NT : natural, balanced ~13-15 _Yes__ balanced raise to 4M ___
4m : Splinter ___ Swiss ___natural,7+,forcing_Yes_
(ii) Responses to 1M in a contested auction
3M : weak raise ___ Invitational _Yes_11-12 TP_ (please specify approx strength)
cue-bid : forcing _Yes__ forcing, agrees M ___ directional asking bid ___
after 1M-(Dbl) :
2NT = invitational raise to 3M ___
3M : weak raise ___ Invitational _Yes__
any specials after an overcall or a double ? __ReDouble: _>10_________________
(4) 1m opening bids and responses
1m : 3+ cards (1C if 3-3) ___ 4+ cards __1D shows 4+cards
Could a 1C opening bid show just 2 clubs (4432 shape) ? Yes _X__ No ___
(i) Responses to 1m in an uncontested auction
1NT : 6-9 ___ 6-10 ___ 7-10 _X_ 9-11 ___ 1C=7-10, 1D=6-10 ___
2m : weakish raise _Yes__ inverted raise, forcing ___ goodish raise (8-10)___
2NT : invitational, balanced _Yes__ forcing, balanced 12-15 ___ weak raise
to 3m, with bad suit ___ Baron ___
If balanced, does 2NT deny a 4+-card major ? _Yes__
3m : invitational raise _Yes__ pre-emptive raise ___ weak raise to 3m, with
good suit ___
3NT : balanced 13-14 ___ balanced 13-15 _Yes__ balanced 16-18 ___
Does 3NT deny a 4+-card major ? _Yes__
4m : pre-emptive 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 _No__
3m : weak raise ___ Invitational _Yes__
any specials after an overcall or a double ? ___ReDouble: _>10_
(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) ___ 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' _Yes__
Responses to 2C
2D : negative (<8 points) _Yes__ waiting ___
[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 ___ strong, forcing ___ Flannery (4-5 in H/S) ___
strong 3-suiter ___ strong in diamonds ___ strong, 24+ 'total points' _Yes__
Responses to 2D
2H: 0 As and <7H
2S: 1 As and <7H
2SA: 0 As and >8H
3C: 1As and >8H
3D,3H,3S: 0As and 6cards.
3SA: 2As
4SA: 3As (rare)
[Assumed that 2D(weak)-3D is a pre-emptive 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) ___ natural, non-forcing _Yes__ natural, game-forcing (Acol style)___
weak 2H) ___ negative (Acol style) ___ positive, balanced (modified Acol
style) _Yes__
[Assumed that 2H(weak)-3H is a pre-emptive 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) ___ natural, non-forcing _Yes__ natural, game-forcing (Acol style)___
weak 2S) ___ negative (Acol style) ___positive, balanced (modified Acol
style) _Yes__
[Assumed that 2S(weak)-3S is a pre-emptive raise]
General questions on 2-openers :
If 2D/2H/2S weak, what range ? _9-13 TP_______ Minimum length ? _6__ If it
guarantees a certain number of HCP in the suit, how many ? _No__ Does any weak
2 opening bid deny 4+cards in an unbid major ? _Yes__
If 2H/2S/3C/3D are positive responses to a 2C opener, what suit strength do
they guarantee ? ______ and suit length ? _5____
(6) Opening 3-bids and Responses
[Assumed that an opening 3-suit bid shows a 7-carder, possibly 6 or 8. HCP
range between 5-9 (maybe a point or two less at favourable vulnerability
and/or position)]
Does it guarantee a minimum suit quality ? _Yes_but depends on the vulnerability
Could it be very light (eg Qxxxxxx and nothing else) ? __Yes only not vulnerable against vulnerable
[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]____can be strong or weak; the openee always pass____________________________
3NT : Gambling (solid minor) ___ Strong, balanced-ish ____not used
(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, pre-emptive __Yes_ 'good' opening 4H bid ___ 'bad' opening 4H
bid ___ something else (what ?) __
4D : natural, pre-emptive _Yes__ 'good' opening 4D bid ___ 'bad' opening 4S bid
___ something else (what ?) _________
4H : natural, pre-emptive _Yes__ 'good' 4H bid ___ 'bad' 4H bid ___ something
else (what ?) __________
4S : natural, pre-emptive _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) ______________
Cue-bid overcall : Michaels ___ Ghestem _Yes__ very strong ___
If Michaels or Ghestem, what HCP range ? ___8-16___depends on the vulnerability
If "very strong", is it game-forcing ? ___ or not ? ___
(ii) NT overcalls
Direct 1NT overcall : 15-18 _X__ 16-18 ___
If two suits bid, 1NT overcall is : strong, balanced ___ Unusual ___
1NT sandwich for a passed hand, strong for a non passed hand
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) ___
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 oppos take-out double [1suit-(Dbl)-?]
Simple change of suit response is forcing ? _Yes__ non-forcing ? ___
Jump shift response is weak, non-forcing ? ___ invitational, non-forcing ?
___ forcing _Yes_
What does a 2NT response mean after 1-suit-(Dbl) ? Limit raise to 3-suit
(Truscott) ___ game-forcing (15+) ___ 11-12Hcp balanced_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-samesuit by responder is a pre-emptive raise.]
(ii) Negative/Support/Responsive/Competitive doubles
Which of these do you play ? negative doubles _X__ support doubles ___
responsive doubles ___ competitive doubles ___ Don't ever use negative
doubles _____
Any special agreements ? _1C-1D X shows 4Hearts___
1m-1H-X show 4 spades______________________
Up to what level do these doubles apply ?
negative doubles ___2S___
responsive doubles ______
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") _________
Anything special about any of your doubles ?
1m-X-2m-X shows 4 4 major; 1M-X-2M-X shows 4 4 minor
[Note : Hans L reckons that 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,
please give approx. HCP range ___2C landy 10+HCP____
2NT 55minor_10+HCP_______________
What are 3-level overcalls ? Strongish ___ Weak __X_
Is double always for penalty ? Yes _X__ No ___
If 'No', when is double not for penalty ? _____________________
What about a balancing double ? ______________
If any 2-level overcall is conventional, what conventional responses are
available to advancer ? [eg if partner's 2C is Landy, 3C by me is game
invitational, showing support for both majors] ___________________
Response to 2C Landy:
2H: 3+Heart, 2S:3+spade 2D 0-2Spades and 0-2Hearts
10. Defence to Weak 2's / 3's /4's
At the 4-level, Double is take-out ______ value-showing __Yes___ (please
specify if this depends on the suit opened)
Any special defence(s) to weak 2's / 3's ? ______________________
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, forcing doubler
to rebid 3C ___
Do you play Leaping Michaels ? ie after (weak 2H/2S), does a jump to 4m show
the bid minor + the other Major ? _Yes ___
11. Slam Conventions
Which do you play ? Gerber ___ Blackwood ___ Key-card Blackwood _X__
something else (what)__________
If Key-card Blackwood, does 5C show 1/4 ___ or 0/3 _X__
Any special slam bidding agreements ? _______________________
12. Opening leads / Signals / Discards
General style : always count
(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 ? ______
(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 ? ______
(iii) Signals / Discards
Primary signal to partner's lead is : count _Yes__ attitude ___ nothing
relevant ___
First discard is generally : attitude ___ count _Yes__ suit preference ___
nothing relevant ___
If count, does hi-lo show an even number ? _Yes___ or an odd number ? ____
13. Other Conventions
Smolen ___ Lebensohl ___ Reverse Drury ___ Splinters ___
Unusual NT _Yes__ 'Sandwich' NT _Yes__ Checkback Stayman _Yes__ Puppet Stayman ___
14. General :
Fourth Suit Forcing : always game forcing ? _No__ GF at 3-level or higher ?
___ GF at 2-level or higher ? ___
What about 1C-1D-1H-*1S* : do you play the 1S bid as natural ? _Yes__ or FSF ? ___
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 2D opening bid ? _No____________
In general, does a first cue-bid always show an Ace ? Yes ___ Maybe a King
if bidding is below game-level ___ No, cheapest control (A or K) is shown
first ___ NOT USED
After partner's 1C opening bid, do you bypass diamonds if you hold 4
diamonds and 4 cards in a major ? Yes, regularly ___ Never ___ Sometimes,
but usually on weak hands only _X__
If your 4NT bid is overcalled, do you play DOPE ___ DEPO ___ DOPI ___ or
ROPI ___ or anything similar ? No
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)]
[ends]