1. 1C: 16+ (less with strong suit or suits)
a) NEGATIVE : 1D: 0-7 or Impossible
negative(4441) 8 or more points
i) 1 NT: 16-18 balanced, maybe 5 card minor
Pass: 0-6 balanced
2C: non forcing stayman
2D: Forcing Stayman
2H/2S: 0-5 unbalanced, signoff
2NT: 7 balanced or 6 with a 5 carder
Jump to 3C/3D/3H/3S : Impossible -ve, singleton in
next higher suit
3NT: 7 with a 5 carder
4C: Gerber Ace Asking (0-4/1/2/3)
4D/4H: Texas transfer to 4H/4S
ii) 2 NT: 19-21 balanced, maybe 5 card minor
3C: Baron, asking partner to bid 4 carder upwards
3D: Flint(transfer to 3H for later signoff
in 3H/3S/4C/4D)
3H/3S: 5 carder, forcing
3NT: 4-5 balanced, sign off
4C: Gerber
4D/4H: Texas transfer to 4H/4S
iii) 3NT: 24-26 balanced, maybe 5 card minor
4C: Baron
4D: Flint
4H/4S: 5 carder, forcing to 4NT level
(iv) 1H/1S: maybe 4 carder with another lower 5 carder or
only 5 carder major.
Pass: 0 - 4
1S: 4 - 7, one round force, 5 carder major
1NT: 5 - 7 or 4 with no support
2C/2D: 5 - 7, five carder non forcing
raise to 2H/2S: 5 - 6 including distribution
2NT: Impossible negative.
3C: relay asking for singleton
openers suit 3H/3S: singleton, 8-10 or 14+
3NT: singleton in openers suit, 11-13
new suit: own singleton
(v) 2C/2D: 6 carder or 5 carder with weak major or both minors
Pass: 0 - 4
2H/2S: Maybe suit, maybe NT probe, 1 round force
2NT: 5-7, scattered values, balanced
3C: values in C's, one round force
single raise (3D): non forcing
jump to 3H/3S: 6 carder with 2 top honors
3NT: Impossible negative, singleton in partner's suit
(vi) Jump to 2H/2S/3C/3D: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 losers
minimum NT: minimum and no support
raise: minimum and support
new suit: values in the suit
opener's rebid non forcing
new suit: forcing
(vii) Double jump to 3H/3S: solid suit, asking for Aces in
side suit
new suit: ace in the suit
3NT: no ace
openers next bid is relay
king or singleton with trump support
b) CONSTRUCTIVE: 2H/2S: 3-6, 6 carder with 1 top
honor
Pass: Game unlikely
new suit: 1 round force
rebid H/S: min. no support
raise: xxx or Qx support
2NT: support in suit, forcing
rebid H/S: minimum
new suit: values in suit bid
3NT: suit with AQ or KQ
raise 3H/3S: inviting
Pass: minimum
raise: game going
3NT: shutoff bid
c) CONSTRUCTIVE: 3C/3D: 7 carder with AQ or KQ
Natural bidding
3H/3S: 4 - 6, 7 carder
Natural bidding
4H/4S: 4 - 6, 8 carder
Natural bidding
d) POSITIVE: 1H/1S: 8 points, 5 carder
new suit 1S/2C/2D: ALPHA asking for support and controls
jump to 3 in original suit: 7 carder
jump in new suit: 6-5 or 5-5, singleton in
opener's suit
ALPHA RESPONSES
----------------
1 step: Less than Qxx, max 3 controls
2 step: Less than Qxx, 4+ controls
3 step: Qxx or better support, max 3 controls
4 step: Qxx or better support, 4+ controls
5 step: Qxxx or better support, 4+ controls
responders suit(3H/3S): GAMMA for quality
1 step: No top honor
(0)
2 step: 5 carder, 1 top honor (1)
3 step: 5 carder, 2 top honors (2)
4 step: 6 carder, 1 top honor (1)
5 step: 6 carder, 2 top honors (2)
6 step: 3 top honors
(3)
1NT: BETA asking for number of controls
BETA RESPONSES(A=2, K=1 control)
--------------
1 step: 0-2 controls
2 step: 3 controls
3 step: 4 controls
.....
.....
responder's suit(3H/3S): Gamma
GAMMA RESPONSES
2H/2S raise: GAMMA
GAMMA RESPONSES
e) POSITIVE 2C/2D: 8 with 5 carder
New suit 2D/2H/2S: ALPHA
ALPHA responses
Responder's suit at 3 level(not beyond): GAMMA
raise 3C/3D: GAMMA
GAMMA RESPONSES
4C Beta(4D if C was the suit)
2NT: Natural
e) POSITIVE: 1NT: 8-13 balanced, no 5 carder
2C: Stayman and relay for point range
2D: 8-10 no major
2NT: non forcing
2H/2S: 8-10 major
2NT: no forcing
2NT: 11-13, maybe with major
3C: Baron
3D/3H/3S: suit
2D/2H/2S: suit and ALPHA
ALPHA responses
2NT: 16-17 minimum, non forcing
Natural
f) POSITIVE: 2NT: 14+ balanced, no 5 carder
3C: Baron
3D/3H/3S: suit and ALPHA
ALPHA responses
4C: modified BETA
2-3 controls: 1-st step
4 controls: 2-nd step
....
....
g) POSITIVE: 3NT: 14-15 balanced
4C: modified stayman asking responder
to start bidding his
4 carder starting from lowest
RESPONSES AFTER INTERVENTIONS
-----------------------------
Double :
Pass: 0 - 4
1D: 5 - 7 no major
redouble: 5 - 7 at least 1 major
At 1 level:
Pass: 0 -4
Double: 5 - 7, negative or 8+ without a stopper
1NT: 8 - 10 with a stopper
cue bid: 9+
1NT:
Pass: 0 - 4
Double: 5 - 7, negative or 8+ without a stopper
suit: 5 - 7, 5 carder
At 2 level:
Pass: 0 - 4 or 8+ with strength in opponents suit
Double: 5 - 7, negative or 8+
suit: 7+, one round force
At 3 level:
Double: optional
After intervention to Alpha and Gamma, Double: 1 step
Pass: 2 step
2. 1D: 12-15, min. 3 carder diamond
a) 1H/1S: 7-15 (Less if D singleton)
i) 1NT: Minimum
Lower Suite / Rebid H/S / Jump to 3D: Non-forcing
Reverse to 2S/2H: Forcing
ii) Raise
(2H/2S): Minimum
New suite at 3 level / 3D: Forcing
ii) New suite
at 2 level: 14/15
Lower suite / rebid H/S / 3D: Non-forcing
iii) 2 NT :
Maximum 15
New suite at 3 level : Forcing
iv) Double
Raise: 3H/3S: Maximum
b) 1 NT: 8-10 balanced, No Major
c) 2C: 10+ (less with long suite) Forcing
upto 3NT
i) 2D: five card suite
Rebid 3C: Non-forcing
ii) 2H/2S: 14-15, NT Probe, Stopper Showing may be a suite
Rebid 3C: Non-forcing
iii) 2NT: 12-13, minimum
Rebid 3C: Non-forcing
iv) raise 3C: Non-forcing
v) jump to 3D: Maximum, Good Diamond suite
vi) jump to 3H/3S: Maximum, NT Probe, Good support for C
vii) Jump to 3NT: Max., Stoppers in both majors
d) 2D: 10-15, no major, good D support, one
round force
i) 2H/2S: stoppers, NT Probe
ii) 2NT: stoppers in both majors
iii) 3C/3D: no stopper in at least one major, Non-forcing
e) 3D: Pre-emptive, 5 card D
f) 2H/2S/3C: 18+ Strong suite or 15+ fair
suite with good D support
g) 2NT: 16+, balanced, Baron
h) 3NT: 14-15 balanced 4-3-3-3
RESPONSES ON INTERVENTION
-------------------------
Double:
Suite Call: Non-Forcing
2NT: 10-11, support in D
3D: 6-9, Preempt
Suite call
upto 2S level:
Double : Negative
Suite call: Non-forcing
2D: 6-9 support in D
3D: 10-11
2NT: 11-13, balanced, Stopper in Opponent's suite
3. 1H/1S: 12-15, 5 carder
(a) Pass: 0 - 7, poor support
(b) 1S: 7 - 15, maybe with a longer
minor if 7 - 9
(i) 1NT: 12 - 14 minimum
Rebid/lower suit/2NT: non-forcing
(ii) New Suit: 13 - 15, non forcing
(iii) 2NT: 15, stoppers in remaining two suits
(iv) Raise(2S): 12-14
New suit at 3 level or joining opener in 3H: forcing
(c) 2C/2D/2H: 10+, maybe 4 carder but
H 5 carder
(i) Rebid 2H/2S: not necessarily a 6 carder
New suit at 3 level or reverse in 2S: forcing
(ii) Reverse in 2S: 14-15, forcing
(iii) New suit at 2 level: may not be suit, 1 round force
(iv) 2NT: 12 - 14, stoppers in remaining two suits
(v) Raise to 3C/3D/3H: 12-14, good support, non-forcing
(vi) Jump in a new suit: 14-15, good support, control in suit
(vii) Jump in original suit: 14-15, very good 6 carder
(viii) Jump to 3NT: 15, stoppers in remaining suits
(d) 1NT: 8-11 balanced
OR
6-8 with a long suit(L-type, L for limited)
OR
8-11, 3 card support and ruffing value
OR
11-14,
very strong support (KQxxx with a side A or AKxxx with K) OR
11-14,
good trump support, a singleton or void(S Type, S for
singleton,) 4+ controls
(i) New Suit 2C/2D: C /D maybe 3 carder but H/S 4carder. With
both 3 carder, bid 2C
Pass: 8 - 11, 4 carder support
Revert to first suit H/S: 8-10, poor support
New Suit: 6-8, long suit (L Type)
Raise 3C/3D: 9-11, 5 carder support
2NT: 10-11 balanced
Jump in first suit 3H/3S: 10-11, 3 card support
with a doubleton
Jump to 4H/4S: 11-14, very good trump support
Jump to 3NT: 11-14, S type, singleton or void in
second suit
Jump in a new suit: 11-14, S type, singleton or
void in suit bid
(ii) Rebid 2H/2S: 6 carder or solid 5 carder, no second suit
(iii)
Jump in suit 3H/3S: very good suit, good playing values
(iv) Jump in a new suit: 13-15, 6-5 or 5-5
(v) 2NT: 14-15, 6 carder with AKQ(Big H or S hand)
(e) Raise 2H/2S: 7 - 9, 3
carder support and a ruffing value
(f) Double Raise 3H/3S:
10 - 11, 3 card support
(g) Triple Raise to
4H/4S: 7 - 11, 5 card support max 3 controls,
Pre-emptive
(h) Jump in a new suit:
15+ strong suit, or good support and fair suit
(i) Jump to 2NT, not a
passed hand:15+, no 5 carder or strong
support: BARON
New suit: 4 carder
Jump in new suit 5-5 or 6-5
3NT: 5-3-3-2
(j) Jump to
2NT(passed hand): 10-12, very strong support or style
3C: asking for singleton
3D: Minimum opening 12-13
3H: sub minimum opening(9-12)
4H: Game Call
(k) Jump to 3NT: 14-15,
4-3-3-3
(l) Jump to 4C(Swiss):
14-15, good support(at best AJxx), minimum 4
controls, no singleton or void
(m) Jump to 4D(Swiss):
14-15, very good support(AKxx or KQxx),
min 4 controls, no singleton or void
AFTER INTERVENTION
------------------
1S:
Double: 8-10, -ve 4 carders C and D(penalty if responder
is a passed hand)
2C/2D/2H/2S:
Double: 8-10 negative, 2 remaining suits are 4 carder
Pass: 0-7 or 8+ and waiting for penalty if opener
reopen's with a double
4. 1 NT : 13-15 balanced, may be five card minor
(a) 2 C : 8-11 non-forcing Stayman or 0-4 to avoid heavy penalty on
double.
(i) 2 D : no major
pass: 0-4
2 H/S: 8-11 five carder, inviting.
2 NT: 10-11 balanced with one four card major.
3 C : 6-9, sign off, may be with 4 card major.
3 D : 10-11, asking opener to bid 3 card major.
Jump to 3 H/S : 10 -11 good but broken 6 carder, asking
for support, strongly invitation.
(ii) 2 H/S : major ( H first if both majors)
Pass : 0-4
2 S: 8-11 five carder, inviting.
2 NT: 10-11 balanced, with the other 4 card major.
Raise : 10 -11 inviting, four card support.
Jump to 3S : 10-11 good but broken 6 carder, asking
for support, strongly invitation.
(b) 2 D : 12+ game forcing stayman
(i) 2 H/S : major ( H first if both)
2S/ 3C/ 3D: five card
2NT : balanced, asking opener to show second suit if any
(ii) 2NT : no major, no five card minor.
3C: Relay asking for opener's distribution shown by:
3D: 3-3-4-3 only D suit
3H: 2-3-4-4 both minor with 3 card H
3S: 3-2-4-4 both minor with 3 card S
3NT: 3-3-3-4 only C suit
(iii) 3 C/D : five carder
(c) 2H/S : weak, sign off
(d) 2 NT: 10-11 balanced, no major
(e) Jump to 3 H/S : 9-11, good six card, not requiring trump support,
inviting.
(f) 4 C: Gerber
(g) 4D/H : Texas
RESPONSE ON INTERVENTION
________________________
Double quit call: weak
Redouble: 9+, followed by cue bid if 12+
Suit call 2 level Double: penalty
Suit call 3 level Double: optional
5. 2C: 12-15 six-carder C or a good 5-carder with a major
(a) Pass: 0-8
(b) 2D : Relay 9+, one round force,
game likely.
(i) 2H/2S : Suit
2S: 10+, 5-carder, one round force
2NT: 10-11, other major, four support for C.
3C: 9-11, other major, non-forcing
4C: 12+ game forcing
(ii) 2NT : No Major, Stoppers in 2 side suits
3C: 9-11, One major, non-forcing
3D: Relay asking for suits stopped. Opener bids:
3H: H & D Stopped
3S: S & D Stopped
3NT: H & S Stopped
(iii) 3D: 14-15, 4-carder D with 6-carder C.
(iv) 4C: 13-15, 7-carder good C.
(c) 2H/2S: 8-11 5-carder non-forcing.
(i) 3C: Weak, No support
(ii) Others: Natural.
(d) 2NT: 10-12 stoppers in both majors, no majors
(e) 3C: 8-10, No major.
(f) 3D: 6-9, Very Good 6-carder D
(g) 3H/3S: 12+, Very Good 6-carder, strongly invitational
(h) 3NT: 13-16, to play, maybe less with C support.
(i) 4C/5C: Preemptive
RESPONSES ON INTERVENTION:
suit at 2-level:
Pass: Weak OR 8+ for converting into Penalty if opener
reopens with a Double.
Double: Negative (8-10) or 11+ with No stopper.
2 NT: 10-11 with a stopper
Suit bid: 7-10 non-forcing.
Cue Bid: 12+ with full or partial stopper (Jxx or Qx)
asking opener to bid 3 NT with a full or even
partial stopper.
6) 2D: 12-15, singleton or void in D, no 5 card major (4414)
(a) Pass: 0- 6, 6 carder D
(b) 2H: 0-6, minimum 3 carder H
(i) Pass: 4 carder H
(ii) 2S: 4 carder S, 3 carder H
Pass: 3 carder S
3C: 3 carder C, less than 3 carder S
(c) 2S: 0 - 6, minimum 4 carder S
(d) 2NT: 11+, forcing 1 round, asking
for strength and pattern
(i) 3C: 12-13, 4-4-1-4
3H/3S: non-forcing
(ii) 3D: 14-15, 4-4-1-4
(iii) 3NT: 14-15, 4-4-1-4 D A or K singleton
(e) 3C: 0-6, 4 carder or 3 carder
with no 3 carder H or 4 carder S
(f) 3D: 11-12, very good 6 carder D
(i) Pass: void in D
(ii) 3H/3S: good suit, minimum singleton D
RESPONSES AFTER INTERVENTION
----------------------------
suit call:
Double: Penalty
2NT: stopper in the suit and D
3 of a suit: 9-11, non-forcing
cuebid: 12+, forcing
7. 2H/2S: 7-11, good 6 carder, no second major, no void, rule of 2 and 3
(a) New Suit: 9-11 good suit,
inviting support, one round force
(b) 2NT: 12+, game likely,
relay asking for points and quality
(i) 3C: 7-9, no 2 top honors
(ii) 3D: 7-9, 2 top honors
(iii) 3H: 10-11, no 2 top honors
(iv) 3S: 10-11, 2 top honors
(v) 3NT: suit with AKQ
(c) raise to 3H/3S: Pre-emptive
(d) Jump to 4H/4S: Maybe
preemptive, maybe strong, no slam likely
(e) 3NT: shutoff
8. 2NT: 22-23 balanced
(a) 3C: Baron
(b) 3D: Flint
(c) 3H/3S: 5 carder, forcing
(d) 3NT: shutoff
(e) 4C: Gerber
(f) 4D/4H: Texas
9. 3C: 12-15, 7 carder semi-solid C, 7-8 playing tricks
(a) 3D:10+,stopper in D(if
rebid, then 11+ strong 6 carder, game force)
(i) 3H: stopper in H, not in S
3S/3NT: stopper also in S
(ii) 3S: stopper in S, not in H
3NT: stopper in H
4C: no stopper in H, non-forcing
(iii) 3NT: stoppers in H and S both
(iv) 4C: no stopper in either H or S or in both
(b) 3H:10+, stopper in H, not
in D(if rebid, then 11+ strong 6 carder,
no slam likely)
(i) 3S: stopper in D, not in S
3NT: stopper in S also
4C: no stopper in D
(ii) 3NT: stoppers in S and D both
(iii) 4C: no stopper in D
(c) 3S: 10+ stopper in S but
not in H & D(if rebid then 11+, strong 6
carder, no slam likely)
(i) 3NT: stoppers in both H and D
(ii) 4C: no stopper in either or both
(d) 3NT: 10+ stoppers in D,H,S,
shutoff
(e) 4C: Weissberger: 9+ good 6
carder major or 5-5 majors asking
for 3 carder
(i) 4D: no support for either major
(ii) 4H: support in H
4S: S six carder
5C: S singleton
(iii) 4S: support in S
(f) 4D: 12+, void in 1 suit,
support for C, asking for side A
(i) 4H/4S: H or S Ace
(ii) 4NT: D Ace
(iii) 5C: no side Ace
(g): 4H/4S: 16+, powerful 6
carder, slam likely
10. 3D/3H/3S: 7-11, 7 carder suit, Rule of 2 and 3
(a) New Suit: forcing 1 round
(b) Others: Natural
(c) Raises: Pre-emptive
11. 3NT: Gambling, solid 7 carder minor, atmost a Q outside
(a) Pass: To play
(b) 4C/5C: signoff in C or D
(c) 4D: Relay asking for
singleton
4H/S: H/S singleton
4NT: No singleton
5C: D singleton
5D: C singleton
12. 4C/4D: 12-15, 7 carder major, Texas transfer to 4H/4S
13. 4H/4S: 7-11, 7 carder, Rule of 2 and 3
14. COMPETITIVE BIDDING
--------------------
(a) Suit Call
(i) 1 over 1 or 2 over 1: 8+, very good suit, rule of 2 and 3
Raise: 7+
Cue Bid: 9+ with support; 11+ if raised next round
Double Raise: Pre-emptive
(ii) Jump in a suit: 11-14, 6 carder
Raise: 7-8 with fit (xxx or doubleton honor)
Cue Bid: 9-11 with support
(iii) Michael's Calls:
2C over 1C: 7-11, at least 5-4 in 2 majors
2D over 1D: 7-11, at least 5-4 in 2 majors
2H over 1H: 9+, 5 carder S with at least 3 carder D and C
2S over 1S: 11+, 5-5 in H and 1 minor
2NT: asking partner to show minor
(iv) 2NT: 11+, with 5-5 in 2 lowest unbid suits
(b) 1NT weak(12-15)
Unpassed Hand
-------------
(i) Double: 15+, for penalties
(ii) 2C: 10-14, 4 carder with 2 other suits 4-4 or 5-3
suit: lowest
Next higher if short in the suit
(iii) 2D: Landy 10-14, at least 4-5 in majors
(iv) 2H/2S: Natural
(v) 2NT: 10-14, 5-5 (not in both majors)
Passed Hand
-----------
(i) Double: 9-11, 5-5 in majors or minors
Better minor, partner to correct to 2H for majors
(ii) 2C: 9-11, 4 carder with 2 other suits 4-4 or 5-3
(iii) 2D: 9-11, 4 carder with 4-4 or 5-3 in majors
(iv) 2H/2S: Natural
(v) 2NT: 9-11, 5-5 (not in both majors or minors)
(c) 1NT strong(16-18): same as Passed Hand against weak
NT open
(d) Weak 2 of a suit:
(i) Double: 14+, shortness in opener's suit, 16+ if taken a
second bid
(ii) Suit: 14+, good suit
(e) Weak 3 of a suit
3C/3D:
(i) Double: 16+, support for both majors
(ii) 3H/3S: 16+, maybe 4 carder with a longer minor
cue bid: 10+ asking for better suit if any
Double: 8+, moderate support
3H/3S:
Double: 16+, with second major
(f) Weak 4 if a suit
4C/4D: (i) Double:
16+, for penalty with quick tricks
4H:
Double: 16+, tolerance for S
15. COMPETITIVE DOUBLES
-------------------
Following doubles are competitive and not for penalties
(a) Double by opener or partner at 2 levels, when opponents
have supported
each other
(b) Doubles by opener at 3 level, after both sides have bid
only one suit
each and supported(game inviting)
16. Slam Conventions:
a) 4NT Blackwood:
(i) Ace asking: Only when bid by a player in second round of
bidding or
with a jump.
Responses Normal: 0-4/1/2/3 Aces
stepwide OR
5 Aces Blackwood: 5C: 0-3 aces
5D: 1-4 aces
5H: 2 aces
5S: 2 aces with K of side suit bid by
partner
5NT: 2 aces with 2Ks of suits bid by partner.
(ii) Quantitative : When 3NT is raised to 4NT, asking
partner
to bid 6 with max.
(iii)Natural : When no suit has matched, as a sign
off.
(iv) General try : When suit has matched & some extra
information or
control is required from the partner.
b) 5NT Trump asking bid (not K asking)
Trumps S/H : 6C - No top honor
6D - with Q
6H - with A or K
6S - with 2 top honors or with Kxxxx
6NT- with AKQ
Trumps D : 6C -
with Q or less
6D - with A or K
6H - with two top honors or with Kxxxx
6S - with AKQ
Trump C : 6C - Maximum 1 top honor
6D - Two top honors
6H - with AKQ
c) 5 of a major
If bid without cue bids or 4NT ace asking, by
(i) the original bidder of the suit: slam interest but
weakness in suit
(ii)the partner who has shown support: Slam interest, very
good support bit
no controls in unbid suits.
d) cue-bidding: only after suit has matched and game is certain
(i) any bid below game level is cue bid showing 1st or 2nd round
control
(A or K or singleton or void), starting from
control in lowest suit.
(ii) If a suit is by passed, it shows no control in the suit bit if
bid
next time, it promises first round control
in first suit and second
round control in the suit originally
bypassed.
(iii) Partner must cue bid his lowest control below the same level
even if
weak. If he by passes same level & cuebids,
he shows a strong hand.
(iv) If one player has by passed a suit showing no control and his
partner
still cue bids a new suit, he promises
control in the by passed suit.
SUMMARY AND GUIDELINES
OPENING BIDS
============
1. Opening Suit Bids
-----------------
Honor Tricks: AK=2,
KQJ, AQ, AJ10: 1-1/2
Kx, QJ=1/2
Qx=+, AKQ=++, ++=1/2
Opening Point Count (HCP)
ADD
SUBTRACT
1 for all Aces 1 for no Ace
1 for doubleton 1 for unguarded singleton
or
2 for singleton doubleton honor K, Q, J or
KQ
3 for void
or QJx.
Principle: Open when
13 HCP: but not necessarily a 5 carder
12 HCP: 5 carder, 2 1/2 HT
10-11 HCP: good 6 carder or 2 good 5 carders, 2+ HT
2. Opening 1C
----------
Must open with 16 HCP.
14-15: very good 1 suit or 6-5 with
points in those suits
3. Opening 1D/1NT/2C
-----------------
1NT : never on 12 HCP
2C: 6 carder or 5 carder with 4 carder major
4. Opening 2H/2S
-------------
Rule of 2 and 3. At least one Ace, no second major, max 3 controls
RESPONSES
=========
1. On 1C opening
-------------
(i) Jump to 2H/2S: max 6 points, no second
playable suit
(ii) Impossible Negative
--------------------
1C-1D-1NT: Jump to next below singleton
1C-1D-2NT/3NT: use 3C/4C baron and show additional strength later
1C-1D-1H/S: Jump to 2NT. Any singleton
1C-1D-2C/D: Jump to 3NT: singleton in partner's suit
2. On 1D opening
-------------
On every weak hand and 1 or 2 carder
D, bid your suit, even if it is a
4 carder major in preference to a 5
carder minor. Similarly with less
than 10 points but long C, bid and
rebid C.
3. On 1H/1S opening
----------------
(i) 8-10: 1NT followed by support with no roughing
value
Raise: 3 card with roughing value
Triple raise: 5 carder with roughing value
(ii) 9-11: 1NT followed by jump support, 3 carder with no
roughing value
Double Raise: 3 card with roughing value
1NT followed by jump to 4: KQxxx with side A or AKxxx with side K
(iii)11-14: 1NT followed by jump in new suit: good support, 4
controls,
singleton/void
(iv)14-15: Jump to 4C: Swiss, Good support with A. 4
controls, no singleton
or void
Jump to 4D: Swiss, Good support with AK or AQxx. 4 controls
no singleton or void
(v)15+: Jump to 2NT: no support or very good support
Jump to
new suit: very good 6 carder or 5 carder with good support
4. On 1NT opening
--------------
(i) to find a 4-4 fit in a major, to play or to
invite
(ii) to escape penalty double on very weak hand
(iii) to invite game
5. Negative doubles after 1C opening
---------------------------------
It shows 5-7 points, but maybe positive
6. Negative double after suit opening
----------------------------------
Any double upto 2S level shows 8-10 points but may be
stronger for
penalties later on. After this opener should bid even 3
carder major if
partner's bid shows second major or even if it is not
guaranteed.
7. Asking Bids
-----------
(i) Only possible sequences are:
Alpha
followed by Beta 4C
Alpha
followed by Gamma
Beta(1NT) followed by Gamma
(ii) When to apply Alpha: when own suit is broken eg. AJxxx with
Kxx support
(iii) When to apply Beta: When own suit is strong eg. AKQJxx with Kx
support
8. Principles for overcalls in 2nd position
----------------------------------------
(i) Double shows opening hand with shortness in
opponent's suit and 3
card support in remaining 3
suits UNLESS doubler holds 15+ points
and takes a second bid. With
minimum hand and 2 suits show suit
(ii) 1NT shows 16-19 with a stopper
(iii) Do not pre-empt with 2 defensive tricks or on 2 suiter
CONVENTIONAL BIDS
=================
1. Baron
-----
1C-1D-2NT-3C
It asks partner to bid 4 carder from
1C-2NT-3C
lowest to find a 4-4 fit.
1C-3NT-4C
2NT-3C
2. Texas
-----
1NT-4D
transfer to Hearts
1NT-4H
transfer to Spades
4C/4D
transfer to H/S
3. Flint
-----
2NT-3D
It is transfer to 3H with firm signoff
1C-1D-2NT-3D
later in 3H/3S/4C or 4D.
4. Gerber
------
1NT-4C
It is Ace asking(0-4/1/2/3) enables for
2NT-4C
signoff in 4 or 5 level if missing A
5. Swiss
-----
1H/1S-4C
14+, good support max AJxx,no singleton
or void, 4+ controls
1H/1S-4D
14+, AK, AQ or KQxx, no singleton or
void, 4+ controls
6. Weissberger
-----------
3C-4C
3 card or Qx holding in a major suit
with slam interest.
7. Drury
-----
1D/1H/1S (3rd or 4th hand)-- Opener can be weak (8+).
2C ? is Drury asking for strength.(It implies 11 points
and support for partner's suit).
With sub-minimum (8-11) opener bids 2D.
8. Epsilon
-------
Asking Bid after 1C opening in Precision Bidding
If partnership does not play ALPHA then it plays BETA, GAMMA & EPSILON
On Positive response of 2C/2D, rebid 3C/3D is GAMMA
On 1H/1S, 1NT is BETA & joining in H/S is GAMMA. After these sequences,
any new suit bid by opener is Epsilon, asking for holding in that suit.
Responses:
1st step: 3 or more low cards (No control)
2nd step: Doubleton or Qxx (3rd round control)
3rd step: Singleton or Kx (2nd round control)
4th step: void or Ace (1st round control)
5th step: AK or AQ (Two top
controls)
9. Non Forcing Stayman:
-------------------
i) 1NT - 2C? 8-11, normally one major or first bid to later
sign off in 3C/3D.
ii) 1C-1D-1NT-2C? 4-6, unbalanced, one 4/5 carder major
10. Forcing Stayman:
---------------
i) 1NT - 2D? 12+ with major (game forced) or 16+ maybe
without major, trying to find a 4-4 fit
for slam.
ii) 1C-1D-1NT-2D? 5-7, unbalanced, 5-4-3-1 or 5-5-2-1
11. Asking Bids after 1C opening and a positive response:
A) ALPHA
------
Any suit bid by opener on his next turn after a positive response is
ALPHA, asking for support in the suit & also for controls.
Responses are
1 step: Less than Qxx, max 3 controls
2 step: Less than Qxx, 4+ controls
3 step: Qxx or better support, max 3 controls
4 step: Qxx or better support, 4+ controls
5 step: Qxxx or better support, 4+ controls
If responses to ALPHA is Positive i.e 3rd step or better, it can
be followed by
Gamma asking for quality in partner' suit OR
Beta 4C: to ask for exact number of controls i.e.,
0,1,2,3 if response showed max 3 controls OR
4,5,6,... if response showed 4+ controls
B) GAMMA
-----
Raise of partner's suit after a +ve response is Gamma asking for quality of
suit. Responses are
1 step: No top honor
(0)
2 step: 5 carder, 1 top honor (1)
3 step: 5 carder, 2 top honors (2)
4 step: 6 carder, 1 top honor (1)
5 step: 6 carder, 2 top honors (2)
6 step: 3 top honors
(3)
Remember as 012-123.
Only if Gamma is employed for a minor suit i.e. raising 2C/2D to 3C/3D, it
can be followed by BETA 4C (or 4D if C is the suit) asking for controls.
Responses are (A=2, K=1 control)
1 step: 0-2 controls
2 step: 3 controls
3 step: 4 controls
.....
.....
If Gamma is employed for a major suit it cannot be followed by BETA 4C.
C) BETA:
----
1C-1H/1S-1NT is BETA asking for controls.
Responses are (A=2, K=1 control)
1 step: 0-2 controls
2 step: 3 controls
3 step: 4 controls
.....
.....
Beta can be followed by Gamma by joining partner's suit.
D) BETA 4C (or 4D) can be employed only after two sequences:
i) Positive response in major, then Alpha & +ve response to Alpha, then 4C
Beta
for EXACT number of controls.
ii) Positive response in minor, then Gamma, then Beta 4C (or 4D if C is the
suit), for exact number of controls.
12. Defensive Overcalls in 2nd position on Suit opening by Opponents-2 suiters
1C-2C? 5-5 S & D (extreme 2 suits)
1C-2D? 5-5 majors
1C-2N? 5-5 H & D (lowest 2 suits)
1C-3C? Preemptive; long 6-carder
1D/H/S-2D/H/S? {Cue Bid} 5-5 2 extreme suits (S-C/S-C/H-C)
1D/H/S-2N? 5-5 2 lowest suits (H-C/D-C/D-C)
1D/H/S-3C? 5-5 2 remaining suits (S-H/S-D/H-D)
13. Slam Bidding Conventions
a) 4NT Blackwood:
-------------
(i) Ace asking: Only when bid by a player in second round of
bidding or
with a jump.
(ii) Quantitative : When 3NT is raised to 4NT, asking partner
to bid 6 with max.
(iii)Natural : When no suit has
matched, as a sign off.
(iv) General try : When suit has matched; asking for
additional controls
b) 4NT Five Ace Blackwood: Responses are
5C:0-3 aces
5D:1-4 aces
5H: 2 aces
5S: 2 aces with 1 K
5NT: 2 aces with 2Ks
14.
a) Josephine (Grand Slam Force)
When Trumps are agreed:
i) Jump to 5NT asks partner to bid 7 with two top honors
ii) bid of unbid minor (6C/D) after employing ace asking 4NT also is asking
partner to bid 7 with 2 top honors (same holds when 5 of an unbid suit is bid
if C is the suit).
iii) Without 2 top honors, responder shows quality of trumps. Response depends
on space available to be able to sign off at 6 level.
Trumps S
: 6C - No top honor (J or less)
6D - with Q
6H - with Axxx or Kxxx
6S - with Axxxx or with Kxxxx
7S - with 2 top honors
Trumps H
: 6C - Q or less
6D - with Axxx or Kxxx
6H - with Axxxx or Kxxxx
6S - -----------------
7H - with 2 top honors
Trumps D
: 6C - with Q or less
6D - with A or K
6H - -----------------
6S - -----------------
7D - with 2 top honors
Trump C
: 6C - Maximum 1 top honor
6D - -----------------
6H - -----------------
6S - -----------------
7C - with 2 top honors
Remember Spade Responses. Others can be obtained by compressing lowest 2
responses into one.
b) Cue Bidding
when suit has matched either partner can start bidding his lowest control
(A or K or singleton or void). If a partner bypasses a suit & cue bids in
that suit in next round, it promises A (or void) of first suit & K
(or singleton) of 2nd suit. Below game level, even the weak partner must bid
his control if cue bidding is initiated by his partner.
c) Transfer's for 1 suiters when opponents have bid 1NT or 1C
In second position:
On 1 C opening by opponent
Double: D suit
1D
: H suit
1H
: S suit
1S
: C suit
On 1NT opening by opponent
Double: C suit
2C: : D
suit
2D
: H suit
2H
: S suit
