PRECISION BIDDING TODAY ----------------------- 1. 1C: 16+ (less with strong suit or suits) a) NEGATIVE : 1D: 0-7 i) 1 NT: 16-19 balanced, maybe 5 card minor Pass: 0-6 balanced 2C: Stayman 2D = 16-17 HCP, no four-card major 2H = 16-17 HCP, four hearts;possibly four spades 2S = 16-17 HCP, four spades;denies four hearts 2N = 18 HCP, no major 3C = 18-19, at least one major. Responder bids 3D to ask which 3D = 19 HCP, no four card major 2D/2H: Transfer to 2H/2S of 5+ cards and pass with 0-6 HCP 2NT: 7 balanced or 6 with a 5 carder 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: 20-21 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 (v) 2C/2D: 5 carder 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 (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: 4-6, 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 d) POSITIVE: 1H/1S/2C/2D: 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: 5+ carder, 3 top honors (3) Repeat Tab: If you have shown 0 or 3 top honors 1 step: 7 card suit 2 step: 6 card suit 3 step: 5 card suit If you have shown 1 top honors 1 step: A 2 step: K 3 step: Q If you have shown 2 top honors 1 step: AK 2 step: AQ 3 step: KQ The Control Asking Bid 1 step: No control: Jxx or worse 2 step: Third round control: Q or doubleton 3 step: Second round control: K or singleton 4 step: First round control: A or void 5 step: AK or AQ Repeat Cab: 1 step: length 2 step: strengh If CAB is at 5C or higher: 1 step: 0 controls 2 step: second round control 3 step: first round support 1NT on 1H/S, 2NT on 2C/D: 16 - 19 HCP 2NT on 1H/S: 20-21 e) POSITIVE: 1NT: 8-13 balanced, no 5 carder 2C: Stayman and relay for point range 2D: 8 - 10 HCP with 4 carder H, may have S also 2NT: Do you have second suit 3H: Spades 2H: 8 - 10 HCP, 4 carder S 2NT: Do you have a second suit 2S: 8 - 10 with no 4 card major 2NT: further description 3C: 3-3-3-4 pattern 3D: 3-3-4-3 pattern 3H: 2-3-4-4 pattern 3S: 3-2-4-4 pattern 3NT: 3-2-4-4 or 2-3-44 with good cards in majors 2NT: 11-13 HCP with 4-3-3-3 shape, any 4 carder 3C: which 4 carder 3NT: C 3C: 11-13 HCP with 4 C and another 4 card suit 3D: Which 4 carder 3NT: 4 card D 3D: 11-13 HCP with 4D and 4H 3H: 11-13 HCP with 4H and 4 S 3S: 11-13 with 4 S and 4 D 3NT: 11-13 HCP, with a poor 5 card minor 2D,2H/2S/2NT: 5 carder suit and ALPHA ALPHA responses If you choose to not play 2NT as C, 2NT: 16 points balanaced hand 2NT: balanced hand, 16 points exactly Pass: exactly 8 points 3D: 9+ HCP, with 4 card H, possibly 4 card S 3H: 9+ HCP with 4 card S. Denies 3 card H 3C/3D/3H/3S: Suit Asking Bid. Strong hand, slam interest 1 step: 2 or 3 carder support 2 step: doubleton honor 3 step: Tripleton honor 4 step: Two honors doubleton 5 step: Two honors, tripleton 6 step: 4 card support f) POSITIVE: 2NT: 14+ balanced, no 5 carder, forcing till 4NT 3C: Baron 3D/3H/3S: suit and ALPHA** Not recommended ALPHA responses g) 3C = 1-4-4-4 or 4-4-4-1 black singleton less than 4 controls, 8 - 11 points h) 3D = 4-1-4-4 or 4-4-1-4 red singleton, less than 4 controls, 8 - 11 points i) 3H = 1-4-4-4 with 4+ controls, usually 12+ HCP j) 3S = A Solid 7 or 8 carder suit headed with AKQ 4C: Any outside controls 4D: 0 controls 4H: 1 control 4S: 2 controls 4NT: 3 or more controls k) 3NT = 4-4-4-1 with 4+ controls, usually 12+ HCP l) 4C = 4-4-1-4 with 4+ controls, usually 12+ HCP m) 4D = 4-1-4-4 with 4+ controls, usually 12+ HCP 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 iii) New suite at 2 level: 14/15 Lower suite / rebid H/S / 3D: Non-forcing iv) 2 NT : Maximum 15 New suite at 3 level : Forcing v) 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: 12-13, NT Probe, Stopper Showing may be a suite Rebid 3C: Non-forcing iii) 2NT: 12-13, minimum stopper in both suits 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: 8 - 15, maybe with a longer minor if 7 - 9 (i) 1NT: 12 - 13 minimum Rebid/lower suit/2NT: non-forcing (ii) New Suit: 12 - 13, 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 (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 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 (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. (b1) 2 D : 12+ game forcing stayman (original system) (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 (b2) If Playing Jacoby transfers on 2D (new ***) Opener must accept the transfer unless he has 15 points and 4 card support. Then he can say 3H. 2D is transfer to 2H/2H is transfer to 2S. Shows 5 carder (i) Pass (content to play in 2H) (ii) 2N/3H is invitational (iii) 3C/3D: natural and game forcing (iv) 3NT (asks for pref of game in 3NT or 4H) 3H: 15 HCP and 4 H (i) Pass/3NT/4H: sign off (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 ------------------------ if Opponents bid over 1NT, Stayman and Jacoby are off if Opponents bid Double over 1NT, Stayman and Jacoby are ON 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 3C = 3-4-1-5 3D = 4-3-1-5 3H = 4-4-1-4 (11 -13 HCP) 3S = 4-4-1-4 (14-15 HCP) 3N = 4-4-1-4 with DA or DK, 14-15 HCP) 4C = 4-4-0-5 (11-13 HCP) 4D = 4-4-0-5 (14-15 HCP) (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 Trumps 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 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