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
