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(Last idea added 5-3-08 REOPENING
AFTER THEY DIE OUT IN 1NT South
West (you) North
East 2D (majors-weak) The rationale is that you are unlikely to have diamonds since you didn't overcall 1D. Also, the 2D reopening bid must be weak because you didn't bid 2C originally, Michaels, to show the majors. South
West (you) North
East 2D (natural) The rationale is that North usually has clubs for a 1NT response to a one DIAMOND opening so you probably wouldn't be a happy camper if you repened with a natural 2C bid. After a minor suit opening bid by partner and a 1NT overcall. 1C 1NT 2C (you) Majors J10xxx A10xxx x xx 1D 1NT 2D (you) Majors (same as above) You get
more mileage by showing both majors with a single raise than you
do with a natural raise. Without this convention, you have to guess
which major to bid. AFTER
A MAJOR SUIT OPENING BID, 1S
1NT Sorry, no clubs! This set of responses gets the hand played from the right side, plus allowing the responder to show a two-suiter. 1H
1NT 3D (natural, not forcing) 3H
(weak raise to 2H)
AFTER
A 1NT OPENING BID AND A NATURAL 2H or 2S OVERCALL. North
East South
(you) 2S= Natural, not forcing. 3S = Forcing, natural 3NT= Natural with
a heart stopper After a 2NT transfer to 3C, after partner bids 3C, you can: (1) Pass After a 3C transfer to 3D, you can: (1) Pass After a 3D transfer to 3S, you can (1) Bid 3NT and give partner
a choice of game contracts. North
East
South (you) 1NT 2S ? (similar to previous list) Double= Stayman
with a spade stop. 3NT= Natural, with
a spade stop.
The downside of this method is that you cannot double 2H or 2S for penalties. However, if you have length and strength in their suit but not enough to guarantee game, pass. If partner is short in their suit and has a maximum or near maximum, he is supposed to reopen with a takeout double which you will pass. A METHOD FOR RESPONDING TO PARTNER'S 2NT OVERCALL OF A WEAK TWO OPENING Opener
Partner Responder
You 3C= Stayman Opener
Partner Responder
You 3C= Transfer to 3D. After the transfer you can pass, bid 3H to show a diamond slam try with a singleton heart, bid 3S to show 6 diamonds and 4 spades, bid 3NT or 4NT to show balanced slam tries in diamonds or bid 4C to show a minor two-suiter. 3D= Transfer to 3S (partner should bid 4S with a max) 3H= Stayman- if
followed by 4C, clubs plus spades, slammish. Opener Partner Responder You 2S (weak) 2NT Pass ? 3C= Transfer to diamonds (if followed by 4C= minor two suiter, ) 3D= Transfer to
hearts. If followed by 4NT, natural. 3S= Stayman 4C= Gerber 4D= Transfer to 4H. If followed by 4NT, keycard for hearts.
After a 3C transfer to diamonds you can: (1) pass. (2) bid 3H to show 6 diamonds and 4 hearts. (3) bid 3S to show a singleton spade, slammish in diamonds. (4) bid 3NT or 4NT, natural, with long diamonds. (5) bid 4C to show the minors, slammish. (6) bid 4D Keycard in diamonds.
After a 3D transfer to hearts, you can: (1) Pass (2) cuebid 3S, a slam try in hearts (3) bid 3NT to give partner a choice between hearts and notrump. (3) bid 4C or 4D to show a two-suited hand with hearts and the bid minor
SEQUENCE IDEAS
Opener Responder 1S 1NT 2C 3D? What does 3D mean in this sequence? If you play that 2D followed by 3D is forcing, you could use 3D as an invitational bid in diamonds. However, if you play that 2D followed by 3D is invitational, you don't need 3D to be invitational. My idea is that shows something like: S. 4 H. A9432 D. A86432 C. 10 A diamond-heart two suiter with 5-5 or 5-6 in the reds (6 diamonds, not 6 hearts) and not quite enough to respond at the two level originally.
If you play that the sequence 1C-2NT or 1D-2NT by responder shows 13-15 balanced, this might work for you. It sure has for me. 1C- 2NT 13-15 allowed to have a four card major lacking three honor cards. 3C Stayman, balanced, no singleton 3D,3H,3S Singleton (could have a four card major) 4C Gerber, clubs agreed. 1D-2NT 3D
Stayman, balanced, no singletons 3C Shows one of three hand types: (1) Singleton club (2) 5-5 diamonds and clubs) (3) 2-2-5-4 with slam possibities (17-18 HCP) Responder relays to 3D (forced) to find out which hand type opener has. 1D-2NT 3C-3D 3H Singleton club 3S 5-5 minors 3NT Strong, balanced with a 2-2-5-4 hand pattern.
Opener Responder S. Kxx S. Axxx H. x H. Axx D. AJxxx D. Kx C. A109x C. Qxxx 1D 2NT
3NT (3) 4C (4) 5C (5) Pass (1) Singleton (2) 4 card suit (3) Partner knows of the singlleton heart- partner may have two heart stoppers. (4) Does not want to play notrump facing a singleton heart (5) Good luck, partner. At least I don't have to play it! Joking aside, 5C is a far better contract than 3NT. Responding to a Flannery 2D opening bid. If you play Flannery, you might want to try these responses to a 2D opening bid. 2D- 2H, 2S, 3NT, 4H, 4S To play 2D- 3C, 3D Forcing 2D- 3H, 3S Game forcing, slammish 2D- 4C Transfer to 4H If followed by 4NT, RKB with 3014 responses. 2D - 4D Transfer to 4S If followed bv 4NT, RKB with 3014 responses 2D- 2NT Asks for distributional clarification. Opener rebids as follows: 2D - 2NT
Three card suits (If responder now bids 3H, 3S, 4C or
4D opener can pass- these bids are all invitational, not forcing)
4C,4D Four card suits. Need a maximum to do this. 3H 4-5-2-2
minimum 4H 4-6 in the majors with strong spades and weakish hearts. Not everyone agrees with this: AK109 Qxxxxx Ax x
THE 5NT RESPONSE TO 4NT PLAYING KEYCARD BLACKWOOD The 5NT response to a 4NT ask (let's say that spades is the agreed suit), shows some void with '2' keycards. (Too dangerous to use the bid to show a void with '0' keycards.) The 4NT bidder usually will know where that void is, but just in case, a bid of 6C asks the 5NT bidder to name his void: 6D= diamond void 6H = heart void 6S= club void If the 4NT is more interested in making a queen-ask, a grand slam try, instead of bidding 6C, 6D can be used as the queen-ask. If hearts is the agreed suit and the response is 5NT, 6C once again asks for the void and the responses are: 6D Minor suit void 6H spade void If a spade void is impossible, then: 6D Diamond void 6H Club void With 1' or '3' keycards and a void, the responder jumps to the six level of the void suit, so there is no need to ask for the void. The next step, if not the agreed suit, is the queen-ask, a grand slam try. AFTER A MAJOR SUIT RESPONSE TO A STAYMAN ASK. Opener Responder 1NT 2C 2S ? How does responder make a slam try? How about this? Opener Responder 1NT 2C 2S 3H Unknown singleton. Opener bids 3S to find out where the singleton is. Responder bids the singleton suit. 4C Keycard Blackwood for spades 4D Balanced slam try with four spades: (15-16 HCP) S. AQxx H. Kx D. AJxx C. Jxx 4H Six hearts and four spades, slammish. Opener Responder 1NT 2C 2H 3S Unknown singleton, slammish. 3NT asks. 4C =singleton club , 4D =singleton diamond, and 4H =singleton spade. 4C Keycard Blackwood for hearts 4D Balanced slam try
RESPONDING TO EXCLUSION BLACKWOOD After major suit agreement, a jump above the game level by the stronger hand is Exclusion Keycard Blackwood. There are four keycards in play the three aces outside of the ask suit (the asker's void suit) plus the king of the agreed suit. Responses are by steps and the first step is '0', the second step is '1' etc. The next step after the response is the queen-ask. If the asker's next bid is 5NT and it is not a next step queen-ask, it is a specific king ask and the king of the asker's void suit is not counted. The major exception to a king ask response occurs when the responder has only one king, it is the king of the asker's void suit, it is lower ranking than the agreed suit AND THE RESPONDER ALSO HAS THE ACE OF THE SUIT, a card that the asker doesn't know about. Knowing that the responder has the AK of the void suit might allow the asker to play 6NT, perhaps a grand slam. The bid costs nothing as it is beneath the six level of the agreed suit.
Essays started 1/28/03 Let's begin with an article I wrote for the ACBL Bulletin back in June of 1979, entitled: DRAWING TRUMPS IMMEDIATELY-AN IDEA WORTH SOME THOUGHT * To be a good bridge player you must be technically sound-but you must be psychologically sound as well. The latter is known as "reading the position" or knowing something the cards don't actually tell you. Knowing what's going on is another way to put it. Along with others, I like to think that I can read my opponents- their mannerisms as well as their telltale hesitations. Once diagnosed they can be put to good use during the play. Not long ago my good friend John Szeps and I were looking for some tough competition so we decided to play in the mighty side game at a Torrance Sectional. I told John to fill out the convention card. Whatever he put down would be our system for the evening. He returned his scratch marks to me and I noted we were playing strong two bids! Strong two bids? Oh well, I thought, they never come up, so what if I don't remember the responses. As luck would have it, one came up and we survived it. However, the experience was so unnerving that John suggested we go back to Weak Twos and Flannery. "Fine" I said, feeling a little more comfortable. But I did hear John muttering: "I hate Flannery." Things were going along
smoothly (no revokes) until the next to last round when I picked
up vul. vs not, this motley collection: I heard John open 2D in the North seat. I immediately alerted. My RHO, PhyLLis* Cook asked about the bid, received an explanation that it showed five hearts and four spades with about 12-15 HCP and passed. *PhyLLis with two l's and one s. I was married to a Phyllis and misspelled it once. Not good. Anyway, I tried 2H which ended the auction. I did notice that PhyLLis passed slowly and John once again muttered: "I hate Flannery." My LHO, Audrey Ellis of
Manhattan Beach, led the CK at which time John asked if he was allowed
to bid over 2H. I said it would be unusual, but would he please
put down the dummy so I could see what was bothering him so much.
Finally he produced: I told him he had done just fine... that his hand wasn't worth another bid. He nodded, but I knew he wanted to bid again. And now on to the play-the memorable play. North ( Disgruntled John) S. A632 South (Reasonably contented
Eddie) At trick two Audrey shifted to the D10. I decided to win this in dummy and lead a low spade-a play which met with universal approval from the players (two) I dared show the hand afterwards. What followed can hardly be described. PhyLLis won the SK and Audrey discarded a club. Very well, I thought, if they want to revoke, let them. A spade came back and Audrey ruffed and returned a diamond which PhyLLis ruffed and returned another spade. I decided to discard my now blank DA, a big play in a side game and Audrey ruffed. Unhesitatingly she played a third diamond which PhyLLis ruffed with the nine, of course. A fourth spade was returned ruffed by Audrey with the king. She then played a 4th diamond allowing East (I won't write her name again) to make her now blank HQ. At this point both opponents cheerfully conceded ("I don't have any more trumps!" "Neither do I.") Dummy had all trump and nothing else. It was time to assess the debacle, but it was difficult because everybody (except South) was laughing hilariously. I mentally noted the following: (1) I had taken five tricks. (2) Trumps were 3-3, the honors divided and I had managed to lose 6 trump tricks (3) Had I ruffed the third spade with the H7 I would have saved two tricks. (4) I had probably set a record which I should submit to the Guiness Book of Records for most trump tricks lost in a part score contract. (5) Drawing trumps immediately is a technique I will consider more carefully in the future. The following is an amended article I wrote for Popular Bridge REDOUBLE (PART I) The purpose of this article is to review some of the common sequences dealing with the redouble and finally to present ideas on the subject from experts around the world. Let's start with the one we are all familiar with: South West North East 1H Dbl. Rdbl. ? *North is announcing a hand of upwards of 10 HCP (usually 11+) and does NOT promise a heart fit. In fact, the redouble usually denies four or more hearts. In addition, North promises another bid. " The bottom line is that either North-South declare or East-West play the hand.... doubled! * An idea worth considering sitting North with 9-10 support points in the above sequence: S. A87 H. J105 D. KJ32 C. J54 is to pass and then bid hearts at your next opportunity to show this strength hand. This assumes partner passes at his next opportunity. If partner bids, jump in hearts. It works like a charm and allows you to raise to 2H directly with 6-8 support points and redouble with 11+ support points. Don't forget to mention this to your partner, by the way. . What do East's actions mean over the redouble? Keep in mind that it is unlikely that East has very much. There just isn't room for all four players to have to have good hands and three have already announced as much. Assume South, North are ALL bidding on minimums. Let's say South and West each have 12 HCP and North has only 10. This leaves East with an unlikely 6 HCP. In real life it is more like 2 to 4! One option East has is to pass which denies a five card side suit or a strongish four card minor. (East should bid 1S with any four spades). A pass suggests that West should rescue himself. A 1NT response indicates strength in the opponent's suit and little else. It will probably be doubled, but still may be the best place to play. Finally, a jump in a new suit is preemptive and should be taken with a grain of salt. When the bid to your right is strong (redouble), a jump by you is weak. How would you handle these East hands on the above sequence, neither vul. a. S. 84
H. KJ106 D. 7643 C.
943 a. Pass. If partner bids 1S and they double, run to 1NT. Basically you are trying to get out alive (undoubled). You could bid 1NT immediately, but that is sure to be doubled. b. 2C. Be thankful you have a five card suit. c. 2S Preemptive. Partner usually has 4 spades, so nothing terrible is going to happen. Besides, you may uncover a good save. d. 3D Preemptive. This one is a stand out with a six card suit. e. Pass. With nowhere to go- go nowhere. Let partner bid his best suit. f. 2C A strong 4 card suit can be shown at the two level particularly without spade length. Let's go back to the redoubler. All hands with 11+ HCP do not have to redouble. A new suit at the ONE level is forcing and unlimited as is a follow up jump in a new suit. South West North (you) East 1C
Dbl. 1H (1)
Pass (1) Forcing Experience has shown that it seldom pays to redouble with a two-suited hand. Before you can show both suits you may be in the stratosphere particularly if they bid, or heaven forbid, they find a preempt. North might have: S. 97 H. AK865 D. AQ1094 C. 8 Even though a one level response after a takeout double is forcing, a two level response is NOT. Therefore, you almost have to redouble with 10+ HCP- when you have a suit that has to be shown at the two level. For example: South
West North (you) East a. S. A87 H. 43 D. 87 C. QJ10743 (Bid 2C, not forcing) b. S. AK7 H. 43 D. 107 C. QJ10743 (Rdbl and then bid clubs (forcing) Hand 2 is a bit too strong to make a non-forcing response. Fortunately pure 10 point hands with suits that require a 2 level response don't up come up all that often. Another idea which has taken
hold is this: South
West North (you) East You are looking at: S. AQ108 H. 2 D. KQ94 C. QJ93 Clearly the opponents are in BIG trouble and you are definitely looking at a juicy penalty even at the one level- so why not redouble? The reason is subtle. If you redouble, partner with a weak hand and a long suit is allowed to bid in front of you to warn you of that weak hand. However, If you pass, partner will fear bidding again with a weak distributional hand thinking you may have nothing. Since you do not want partner to bid with a weak hand, pass to shut him up! Later when either East or West runs, you lash them with a double. Finally if you have four or more cards in partner's major which means you have at least a nine card fit (and means they have at least an 8 card fit), it is a waste of time to redouble. What you can do is respond 2NT, artificial, to show a limit raise in partner's suit, or 3NT, also artificial, to show an opening bid, balanced, with at least 4 card support. With a natural 2NT or 3NT response, you redouble first. Given the previous sequence: With: S. K4 H. QJ86 D. K432 C. 654 Respond 2NT With S AJ8 H. A10874 D. K5 C. 976 Respond 3NT. Finally, put yourself in the South position, the opening bidder, and assume that East, 4th hand, has either bid or passed. What should you do? Usually nothing! Your partner has PROMISED another bid and you should not cross his intentions by making a noise unless you have a "weak freak". Most strong hands and all balanced hands pass and give partner a chance to clarify the redouble and perhaps double the opponents. Given the model sequence, these are South's options assuming RHO has bid 1S. a. Pass The most common action. The "pass" denies a weakish or freakish distributional hand. b. Rebid your orginal suit. A simple rebid indicates a minimum opening bid with a 6 or 7 card suit and not much defense. c. Jump in your suit. Not all that strong a rebid. It shows a trick-taking hand, a little too good to preempt originally, but limited in HCP- usually 11-13. d. Bid a new suit. Normally a weak 5-5 hand. e. Jump in a new suit. This is similar to jumping in your own suit. You have a trick-taking two-suiter, but limited in high card strength, usually 11-13 HCP. Keep in mind these jump bids are nothing to write home about. Assume the bidding has proceeded with neither side vulnerable: South (you) West North East 1H
Dbl. Rdbl. 2C What would you do with each of the following hands? a. S. A87 H. AKJ85 D. 976 C. 82 b. S. 864 H. KQJ865 D. KQ8 C. 4 c. S. A4 H. AK875 D. KQ107 C. 97 d. S. 86 H. KQJ9764 D. KQJ C. 2 e. S. A9 H. KQ987 D. Q8 C. Q1076 f. S. 94 H. KQ865 D. KQJ85 c. 2 g. S. 4 H. AQ9764 H. KQJ96 C. 3 H. S. A8 H. AQJ87 D. AQ1095 C. 8 a. Pass You have a balanced hand. End of discussion. b. 2H Showing a minimum opening with at least 6 good hearts c. Pass Give partner a chance to double- he promised another bid. d. 3H Strictly a trick taking bid-notice the 12 HCP. e Dbl. With four reasonable cards in their suit, you are expected to dbl. f. 2D A weak 5-5 because you didn't give partner a chance to dbl. 2C. g. 3D Not strong, but distributional- more distributional than a rebid of 2D. h. Pass A jump would show a weakish two-suiter. Not exactly what you have! End of Part I. REDOUBLE! PART II A redouble can be, and is, frequently used as a request for partner to bid another suit. These S.O.S rescue redoubles are relatively common. It goes without saying that misunderstandings over the possible meanings of "redouble" have cost many a partnership, friendship, marriage (pick three). Let's get this common sequence out of the way: South (you)
West North East This is NOT an S.O.S redouble. This is a strength-showing redouble, typically upwards of 18 HCP. It announces to partner that this may still be "our hand" if he can cough up something. Your hand should be stronger than a strong notrump opening bid. Assuming the opponents bid, partner should mention any five card suit or give belated support if he has it. Before leaving this sequence, assume for the moment that you are West sitting in back of the redoubler. Without the redouble, you would be forced to bid (unless you had length and strength in diamonds). With the redouble are you off the hook? Not really. A PASS WHEN SITTING IN BACK OF A SUIT THAT HAS BEEN REDOUBLED IN THIS SEQUENCE IS CONSIDERED A PENALTY PASS. Unless you have great diamonds, you have to come up with some bid. Now put yourself in the East seat in this sequence: South
West North East (you) This time you are sitting
in front of the diamonds (the diamonds are to your left as opposed
to being to your right). In such sequences a pass is non-committal
perhaps: Now it is time to look at a sequence where a takeout double has been followed by a penalty pass. South (you)
West North
East This is a new ball game. East's pass indicates long and strong diamonds. You might be in big trouble if your diamonds are relatively weak. AFTER A
PENALTY PASS OF A TAKEOUT DOUBLE, Say you are gazing at:
S. A54 H. AQ4 D. 10876 C. QJ4 Clearly you don't relish
playing 1D doubled against a known stack. " Redouble"
asks partner to bid her longest suit. If partner has something like: Partner bids 1H, surely a better contract than 1D doubled! Here are some other S.O.S. sequences you should be familiar with. This one comes up after a 1S opening specifically. East
South (you) West North Partner's pass is non-committal
denying a five card side suit. Indeed on a bad day partner might
have something truly beautiful that looks like this: S 10764 H. J42 D. 8742 C. 1087 You, on the other hand,
may have doubled with something like this: What should you do keeping in mind partner has no five card suit (other than perhaps, spades)? With these two hands you belong in diamonds, but how to get there? Bid 1NT! This will surely be doubled and now you can redouble for rescue. Partner bids 2D, they may double, but at least you are in your best spot, and even better you don't have to play it, partner does! One of the beauty of S.O.S. redoubles is that it is a great way of avoiding being declarer on hands where you are about to go for a number. Don't get too carried away. You are still going for a number, but it is partner who is going, not you. Then there are the those times when partner's overcall has been doubled for takeout and converted by a penalty pass: West North
East South (you) Say you hold: East has announced heart length and strength by passing. It is likely that partner has six hearts and East five or worse, partner has five hearts and East six! In any case, if you decide to run, run with an S.O.S. redouble telling partner you have SERIOUS length in the unbid suits. On a good day partner will have three cards in one of your minors and a tragedy may be averted. Notice that you shouldn't run just because you are short in partner's suit, you must have one or two reasonable suits of your own. A few more principles: AFTER A FIT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AT THE TWO LEVEL, A REDOUBLE BY THE OPENING BIDDER CREATES A FORCING AUCTION TO AT LEAST THREE OF THE AGREED SUIT. South
West North (you)
East Partner's pass is forcing as the redouble has committed your side to playing in at least three spades or doubling the opponents. AFTER A FIT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AT THE TWO LEVEL, A REDOUBLE BY THE WEAKER HAND SHOWS MAXIMUM DEFENSE AND SUGGESTS DOUBLING THE OPPONENTS OR BIDDING ON, BUT DOES NOT CREATE A FORCING PASS AUCTION. South (you)
West North
East Your final pass is not forcing. North is the "weak hand" and has shown a maximum raise with good defense. Your final pass shows a minimum with the inability to double 3C. The final decision is up to North, but he is allowed to pass. And finally dealing with an obvious cuebid partner makes in a slammish auction. South (you)
West North
East (1) Limit raise Good partnerships have agreements on the meaning of your various possible bids at this point. The following is a possibility: Pass — Denies 1st or 2nd round diamond control. Bidding anything including 4S — Shows 1st rd diamond control, ace or void. You don't figure to have either of these. A return to the agreed suit, besides showing first round control in the doubled suit also denies anything else to cuebid. Redouble — Shows 2nd round diamond control. (king or singleton) Let's say you are looking at each of these three hands in this sequence: (a) S. AKJ53 H. KQJ3 D. 875 C. A (b) S. AKJ53 H. AQ104 D. 7 C. A94 (c) S. AK8743 H. AQ4 D. - C. KQ52 With (a) pass denying 1st or 2nd round diamond control. With (b) redouble showing 2nd rd. control (either the king or a singleton). With (c) bid 4H showing 1st round diamond control and 1st round heart control. A TROUBLESOME SEQUENCE 1D- 2C Does the 2H bid show extras? Can opener have three diamonds? Does opener promise more diamonds than hearts? This sequence is troublesome. My take: I think 2H shows extras, typically with five or six diamonds and four hearts. I also think that 2S by responder in this sequence can, by agreement, serve as a relay asking opener to clarify distribution and strength. 1D
2C Opener rebids as follows: 2NT
(4-4-4-1 - 12-14 HCP) Reminders: If you use this scheme, rebid 2NT over 2C with: S. Kxx H. KQxx D. AJxx C. xx . Do not rebid 2H, you are not strong enough. If you have 15-17 with this distribution, open 1NT; with 18-19, open 1D and rebid 3NT over 2C. It is basically responder's duty to show majors after a minor suit opening. The 2C response doesn't deny a four card major, but if responder has one, he should be strong enough to show it later. Also, rebid 2D with hands like this: S. Kx H. Axxx D. KQxxxx C. xx You are not quite strong enough to rebid 2H even with this promising distribution. Responder uses the 2S relay only when he wants information. If responder wants to give information, he dismisses the 2S relay and makes a natural rebid. What should opener (you) do with the following hands after partner makes a 2S relay ask? Opener (you)
Responder (a) S. 2 H. AKJ4 D. KQJ874 C. 93 (b) S. A876 H. KJ98 D. KJ97 C. 5 (c) S. 5 H. AKJ4 D. KQ874 C. A54 (d) S .K1076 H. KQ94 D. AKJ9 C. 6 (e) S. 43 H. AKQ8 D. AK984 C. 108 (f) S. AJ8 H. AK54 D. KJ1087 C. 3 (g) S. 4 H. AKJ94 D. AQJ876 C. 2 (h) S. AKJ4 H. AQ109 D. AJ54 C. 9 Solutions: (a) 3D 4 hearts and 6 diamonds - 14+ HCP. (b) 2NT A 4-4-4-1 - 12-14 HCP. (c) 3C Showing this exact distribution - 15+ HCP) (d) 3NT A 4-4-4-1 hand - 15-17 HCP. (e) 3D 2-4-5-2 with 15+ HCP (f) 3S This exact distribution - 15+ HCP. (g) 4H 5 hearts and 6 diamonds - 14-16 HCP (h) 4NT 4-4-4-1 - 18-20 HCP The Bottom Line: Opener cannot have three diamonds in this sequence. Opener cannot have four hearts and five diamonds and a minimum opening. Opener cannot have 4-4 in the red with 3-2 in the blacks. With this distribution, opener rebids 2NT or 3NT or opens 1NT. If you try this, let me know how it works. RESPONDING TO A NATURAL FOUR LEVEL OPENING BID In response to a 4C opening bid, it is not a bad idea to play a response of 4D asks opener for any singleton. Responses are as follows: A response of 4H or 4S shows a singleton in that suit, a response of 4NT shows a singleton diamond and a return to 5C denies a singleton. Opener
Responder Opener
Responder (1) Asks for singleton This method does not work after an opening bid of 4D unless you are prepared to use 4H to ask for a singleton. After opening bids of 4H or 4S it is reasonable to play that a response in a new suit is an asking bid in that suit, NOT natural. Opener Responder Opener
Responder (1) What do you have in clubs? Responses are by steps, but a return opener's suit (5H) is the weakest response. It shows two or more quick losers and does not count as a step. In this sequence, 5D is the first step: 1st step-5D= a singleton. 2nd step: 5S= the ace
3rd step= Void Nearest notrump shows the guarded king and takes precedence over all other steps. In the example opener rebids 5H showing 2 or more quick club losers and responder passes. RESPONDING TO 1NT This article was inspired by an idea that I always thought was playable, but was afraid to mention it in print, namely responding to 1NT with a jump to the three level to show a singleton in the bid suit. More about that later. Well, when I read a Ron Klinger article promoting this idea, (he only mentions that the jump must not include a five card major) I came up with this to follow up on that premise. Opener
Responder S. Kxxx H. x D. xx C. A10xxxx 3H, 3S Smolen. Game force showing four cards in the bid major and five cards in the other major. This allows the hand to be played from the strong side if opener has three cards in responder's five card major. S. AJxxx H. KJxx D. xx C. Jx Bid 2C and then 3H over 2D. 1NT
2D 1NT 2D,2H, 4D,4H All Transfers THE 2S RESPONSE 1NT 2S (forces opener to rebid 2NT) 1NT
2S If opener has a major he bids it, otherwise he can rebid 3NT or raise the minor, slammish. Opener
Responder Opener
Responder With one fewer spade and one more diamond (or heart) opener rebids 3NT over 3C. 1NT 2S 1NT
2S 1NT 2H 2S 3H (also shows 5-5 majors, game forcing, but not slammish)
1NT- 2NT
1NT 2NT Forces opener to rebid 3C 1NT
2NT 1NT
2NT S. x H. xx
D. KQxxx C. AJxxx Bid 2NT and then 3S. 1NT
2NT S. Qxx H. xx D. AKxx C. KQJx
1NT 3C, 3D, 3H, 3S These jumps are all game forcing and all show singletons. My idea about these jumps is this: 1. No hand with a five card major (transfer) 2. No hand with two five card minors. (start with 2NT) 3. No hand with a six card minor and a four card major (start with 2S) 4. No slammish minor one- suiter (start with 2S) Basically responder's distribution should be 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-3-1, the five card suit a minor or any non-slammish 6-3-3-1 hand, the six card suit a minor. Note: When responder's singleton is in spades, he denies 4H. With a singleton spade and 4 hearts, responder starts with 2C, Stayman. Opener
Responder With this hand responder starts with 2C, not 3S.
Opener
Responder Opener
Responder Opener is strong enough to bid on (xxx facing a singleton is fantastic holding) even though responder didn't cuebid 4H, slam try in spades. Amen. RESPONDING
TO 2NT WITH SLAM INVITATIONAL MINOR SUIT HANDS It has always been a problem to show the minors in response to a 2NT opening bid. You might want to try this: Opener Responder (you) 2NT 3S *(forces 3NT and starts minor suit slam oriented auctions) 3NT 4C One-suited slam try in DIAMONDS. 4D One-suited slam try in CLUBS. 4H Singleton heart with both minors 4S Singleton spade with both minors 4NT Both minors (4-4 or 5-4), balanced, not forcing. * If responder just wants to raise to 3NT, he must go through 3S. The 3NT response is a transfer to 4C (Coming up).
The reason for having 4C mean diamonds and 4D mean clubs is to allow the strong hand to declare in case the opener is interested in playing in that suit. An example of a 3S bid followed by 4C might be: S. xx H. Jx D. AQ9xxx C. K10x An example of a 3S bid followed by 4H might be: S. xx H. x D. AJxxx C. KQxxx An example of a 3S bid followed by 4NT might be: S. Kxx H. xx D. Axxx C. AJxx After responder makes a slam try, it is now up to the opener to decide whether to sign off, usually with 4NT or try for slam. After responder bids 4C, a slam try in diamonds, if opener is interested in asking for keycards, he bids 4D. After responder bids 4D, a slam try in clubs, 4H the next ranking suit, is the keycard ask in clubs. After responder shows a singleton HEART, 4S by the opener can be used as "double keycard" asking for aces, kings, and queens in both minors! As most players don't use that, and probably have never even heard of it, it is easier to play 4NT as a signoff after a singleton showing response and leaping to slam with a maximum plus a fit for one of the minors. If opener retreats to five of a minor it is up to responder to bid the slam with a maximum. 2NT-3NT (Transfer to 4C) 2NT-4C
(Transfer to 4D) Here are some sequences that develop from this start: 2NT 3NT 4C 4D (6 clubs and 4 diamonds, slammish) x xx AJxx KJ10xxx 2NT 3NT 4C 4H, 4S (5 or 6 clubs with four cards in the bid major, 4NT playing strength). S. AJxx xx xx AJ10xx (bid 3NT and then 4S if partner opens 2NT) 2NT 4C 4D 4H, 4S Same as above only with long diamonds. 2NT 3NT 4C 4NT Natural with long clubs. 2NT 4C 4D 4NT Natural with long diamonds One advantage of having a way to show the minors appears in some Stayman sequences: 2NT 3C 2H 3S Unknown singleton with heart support. 3NT asks for singleton. 4C Keycard for hearts (3014 responses) 4D Balanced slam try in hearts 2NT 3C 3S 4C Keycard for spades (3014 responses) 4D Balanced slam try in spades 4H Singleton heart, slam try in spades.
RESPONDING TO FLANNERY If you are of the persuasion that a Flannery 2D opening bid to show five (maybe six?) hearts and four spades with 11-15 HCP is a good idea, this is a possible method for responding. 2D - 2H,2S, 3NT,4H,4S To play 2D- 3C,3D Invitational (usually looking for a stopper in the other minor) 2D- 3H,3S Slam tries 2D- 4C Transfer to 4H. If followed bv 4NT, RKB with 0314 responses. 2D-4D Transfer to 4S. If followed by 4NT, RKB with 0314 responses. 2D-4NT Simple ace asking 2D- 2NT Asks for clarification 2D - 2NT 3C,3D Three card suit 3H 4-5-2-2 minimum 3S 4-5-2-2 maximum- most of the strength in the majors. 3NT 4-5-2-2 maximum- stoppers in both minors.
4H Six card suit. Usually 4 strong spades and six nondescript hearts. 2D- 2NT (the meanings of the follow up bids after a 2NT response) 3x - 3H,3S Invitational 4C,4D Natural, forcing, slammish. (a direct 3C,3D is invitational) 4H, 4S To play 4NT Natural (a good 18 to a bad 20- balanced. ) THE LEAD-DIRECTING PASS! (FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS) Say you overcall or preempt and later your RHO opponent cuebids your suit. What should you do? Traditionally you double to make sure your partner leads the suit, but is this a good idea? Your double now gives your LHO two additional options- pass or redouble. Good opponents will have an easier time reaching 3NT (among other contracts) because they can "redouble" to show a 1/2 stopper and 'pass to deny a stopper, etc. At higher levels, they can use 'redouble' to show 2nd round control in the doubled suit, etc. Clearly it is not in your best interests to double a suit that your partner was probably going to lead anyways. Picking up on an idea that has been making the rounds for some time, I have done a little homework on the subject and this is what I have come up with: (Remember, you have either overcalled or preempted in the suit RHO is cuebidding.) 1. THE CUEBID IS MADE AT THE TWO OR THREE LEVEL AND THE OPPONENTS WIND UP IN NOTRUMP. Your options are either "pass" or "double". "PASS" means you WANT your suit led, "DOUBLE" says you DON'T. Say you are sitting South with either of these hands: (a) S. Qxx H. KQJxx D. Kx C. xxx (b) S. x H. Kxxxx D. Kxx C. KQJ10 East South (you) West North 1D 1H 3D Pass 3H ? With (a) you want a heart lead against a likely 3NT contract, so you pass. With (b) you don't want a heart lead so you double. Now let's say regardless of what you have bid, the opponents wind up in 3NT anyways. You still have another bid coming! Basically you have four options: (1) Pass the cue
bid and pass 3NT. (2) Pass the cue bid
and then double 3NT. (3) Double the cuebid
and then pass 3NT. (4) Double the cuebid
and then double 3NT. 2. THE CUEBID IS MADE AT THE TWO OR THREE LEVEL AND THE OPPONENTS WIND UP IN A SUIT SLAM. You have the same four options: Pass/pass, pass/double, double/pass or double/double. Let's see what they should mean: Pass/Pass — Asks for your suit. Pass/Dbl — You wanted your suit for notrump, but now that they have arrived in a suit contract, you want something else. The most likely possibility is that you have a side suit void. A Lightner type double. Double/Pass — You have a weakish suit with strength on the outside. Double/ Double — This one is rare, but if it comes up, it shown an outside AK (as opposed to a void). 3. THEIR CUE BID (OR RESPONSE TO BLACKWOOD) IS MADE ABOVE THE LEVEL OF 3NT. In other words, they seem to be headed for a suit slam. This time you can actually tell your partner which suit to lead! Pass/Pass — Asks partner to lead your suit. Pass/Dbl — Asks for the lower ranking side suit Dbl./Pass — Shows scattered outside strength Dbl/Pass — Asks for the higher ranking side suit. This one you have to plan in advance when you know where they are heading.
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Ideas