inquiry2over1

Index

2006-07-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

I am currently rearranging this blog into a "book" format. This is change is ongoing, so not all parts are working yet. However, most of these links work

Table of Contents

This Index

Introduction Inquiry 2/1 GF

PART ONE:
STONG OPENING BIDS

Ch 1A: Strong 2 Clubs Opening Bid

Ch 1B: Opening 2C with Strong 3 Suiters

Ch 2: Multi-2D

Ch 3: MisIry Transfers

Ch 3a. New MisIry

Ch 4: Opening and responding to 2NT auctions

NORMAL STREGTH OPENING BIDS

Ch 5: 1NT openers

Ch 6: 2H/2S openers

Ch 7A: 1-Major Open

Ch 7b\B: 1M-"semi-Force" 1NT

Ch 7C: Kaplain Inversion

Ch 8: 1 minor opening

Ch 9 : XYZ over 1-minor

Ch 10: New Minor Forcing by Opener (NMFO)

Rules on Splinter bids

Notes on Kantar Roman Keycard Blackwood

OPPONENTS OVERCALL/DOUBLE

Ch 11. When they overcall or double, part I

New MisIry - 2NT through 3D

2005-07-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

MisIry, as defined in chapter three, starts with 3♣ a bid which includes three different strong hand types, and this cramps the auction. And ends with 3♥ which has only one strong variety. This distorts the ease of the method and taxes memory. Another trade-off is that an opening preempt in ♣ is not possible. Worse, with clubs and hearts, or diamonds and hearts and four losers, you can not get out at the three level.

A solution to all these problems is quite easy, and allows the same rules as with MisIry, that is, the transfer preempt is two sutier without the transfer suit or preempt in the transfer suit. However, the transfer preempts start with 2NT as club preempt or a strong two suiter with HEARTS and without CLUBS. Then the 3♣ opening bid becomes a preempt with CLUBS and WITHOUT diamonds, and 3♦ a preempt with hearts or a Two suiter with DIAMONDS and without hearts. Thus, each bid show only two possible strong hands. And, except for minor two suiter, all the other two suiters can stop at three level if responder is broke.

In addition, the uncertainly associated with 3C-3D-3S (3 or 4 losers) is gone. Against all of these tremendous advantages is only one disadvantage. You lose natural 2NT opening bid. If you want to play New MisIry, you have to open 1♣ or 1♦ and then, if given chance, use new minor forcing followed by 3NT with 20-21 hcp.

The strong two suiter is defined as:

5-5 or better in two suits, with
FOUR or fewer losers.

The hand should also have a fair number of controls and good intermediates in any long "weak" suits. Just because you CAN open with a MisIry bid doesn't mean you have too. If you have a four loser hand that you feel uncomforable with, you may elect to open at the one level. This is especially true of a spade-club two suiter with a weak version of the bid (as we will see). In addition, always have at least Q97xx or better in your worse suit. Also, if your controls are in your short suits, with weak in both long suits, you need very good hand to open with this bid. Since MishoVnBg and Inquiry developed this convention (others use very similiar versions), we named this one MisIry transfer preempts

Any strong two suiter with spades is shown by

Opener rebidding in spades, or
Opener rebidding in the opened suit (opening 2NT shows hearts), so after 2NT opening bid this means heart rebids.

Any strong two suiter without spades are shown by opener:

Rebidding anything other than the opened suit or spades
Stated this is the know short suit, NT and the "other" suit.

As in normal MisIry, the higher opener's rebid, the better his hand. Without spades, there are three bids at each level above the 3 level to show the quality of the two suiter, with spades, there are two bid at each level to show the quality of the suits.

Let's start with spades. The cheapest bid shows 4 losers, the next cheapest shows 3 losers. After that, each bid shows sequentially a lower number of losers with and then without a need for a cover card in the cheapest non-anchor suit. As always, if opener's rebid forces responder to take preference at a higher level, it shows 1 less loser. Any bid that allows responder to choose between teh two suits at the same level differentiates between need for a cover card in the cheapest non-anchor suit.

Hearts and Spade two suiters

2NT-3C, opener then rebids

3H 4 losers, both majors
3S 3 losers, both majors, need a club cover
4H 3 loser, no need club (same losers as 3S since choice is 4 level)
4S 2 loser, need club (one less loser since choice chances level)
5H 2 loser, no need club
5S 1 loser, need club
6H 1 loser, no club needed
6S 0 loser, better spades or equal
7H 0 loser, better hearts

Club Spade two suiter
3C - 3D, opener rebids

3S - four losers, Spades and clubs
4C - three losers, Spades and club
4S - 2 losers, need diamond, spades and clubs
5C - 2 loser, no diamond needed, spades and clubs
5S - 1 loser, need diamond, spades and clubs
6C - 1 loser, no diamond loser, spades and clubs
6S - 0 loser, equal or better spades
7C - 0 loser, better clubs

Diamond Spade two suiter

3D - 3H, opener rebids

3S 4 loser,
4D 3 loser,
4S 2 loser, need Club
5D 2 loser, no need for club
5S 1 loser, need club
6D 1 loser, no need for club
6S 0 loser, equal or spades
7D 0 loser, better diamonds

When your two suiter excudes spades, you are offered three rebids at most level to show loser count and needs in the short suit. When three bids can be used without furhter raising the level, they show need for lowest non-anchor suit king (note, ACE of the higher non-anchor suit is a substitute, so opener can show need for king in lower suit when holding AK in that suit and small singleton in the higher suit), need specifically for the ACE in the lower suit, or no need for a cover in the lower non-anchor suit. This also allows opener to show 0 loser hand with no preference (AKQxx AKQxx or AKQxxx AKQxxx) or with preference AKQxxx versus AKQxx, or AKQJx versus AKQxx) directly.

With Heart and Diamond Two Suiter
2NT --> 3♣

3D 4 losers, hearts and diamonds
3NT 3 losers, H+D, need club King (or spade ACE)
4C 3 loser, H+D, need for club Ace
4D 3 loser, H+D no need for club
4NT 2 losers, H+D, need club King (or spade ace)
5C 2 loser, H+D, need for club Ace
5 D 2 loser, H+D, no need for club
5NT 1 losers, H+D, need club King
5C 1 loser, H+D, need for club Ace
5D 1 loser, H+D, no need for club
6C 0 loser, H+D, better hearts
6D 0 losers, H+D, better diamonds
6NT 0 loser, H+D equal suits

Club Heart two suiter

3C - 3D, opener rebids

3H 4 loser, heart plus club two suiter
3NT 3 loser, need diamond (no room at 4 level to differentiate between king and ace needs)
4C 3 loser, no need for diamond
4H 2 loser, need diamond king (or Ace Spades)
4NT 2 loser, need diamond Ace
5C 2 loser, no need for diamond
5H 1 loser, need diamond King (or Ace Spades)
5NT 1 loser, need diamond Ace
6C - 1 loser, no diamond end
6H - 0 loser, better hearts
6NT - 0 loser equal suits
7C - 0 loser, better clubs

Diamond Club two suiter

3D-3H, Opener rebids

3NT - 4 loser
4C - 3 loser
4H - 2 loser - King H useful (or spade Ace)
5NT - 2 loser - Ace H useful only
5C - 2 loser - No heart needed
5H - 1 loser - King H useful
5NT - 1 loser - Ace heart useful
6C - 1 loser - No heart useful
6H - 0 loser, hearts better
6NT - 0 loser, equal suits
7C - 0 loser, prefer clubs

As you can see, depening upon room available with rebid, you can show just 3 losers, 3 losers with need for some undefined cover in lowest side suit, or 3 losers with need for King, then ace in lowest side suit. With 1 or 2 losers, you can pinpoint need in the lowest non-anchor suit.

After Opener's rebid, responder bids are

3NT by responder is natural.
Rebids in the anchor suits are natural (a jump to 5 of a major ask for six if missing the QUEEN)
Non-anchor suits at three level are Denial Cue-bids (see below)
Non-anchor suit bids at four level are Denial cue-bids
4NT always shows King of highest non-anchor suit
A jump to 4NT when 3S is available as denial cue-bid shows King of spades and ACE of lowest side suit.
A four level bid in a denial suit that could have been bid at the three level shows both side suit kings
Cue-bids above 4NT (if 4NT was available) shows rather than denies values in bid suit.

DENIAL CUE-BIDDING at the four level

To discover working cover cards, we start by determining which non-anchor cards might be useful. Opener helps when his losers are few with rebids at four and higher levels. But many of openers rebids provide no clues as to what kind of side suit covers might be needed. We explore this with DENIAL CUE-BIDS in the non-anchor suits at the three or four level.

Denial Cue-bids: Responder cheapest rebid in a non-anchor suit at the three or four level denies a control in that suit, a skipped side suit promises a control (AK or distributional)

4NT, rather or not you skipped a non-anchor suit or not, promises the king in the highest non-anchor suit as one of the controls. Bidding past 4NT (if denial cue-bid was possible) promises the ace in the highest non-anchor suit: such that, for instance, 3♣-3 ♦-3♥-5♣ shows ♣-king and ♦-Ace. While, 5♦ on this auction shows AK A in the two off suits, it doesn’t matter which, as that will always cover any non-anchor losers. (if it was not possible to make a denial cue-bid the lower side suit at the four level, then bypassing the suit at the five level denies a control in that suit rather than shows the king. With two non-anchor aces, consider that is two covers and bid accordingly (see below). Also, responders bids in a suit ABOVE 4NT, are never denial cue-bids, but rather asking if king in that suit is useful or other conventional meaning.

Opener's Action After Denial Cue-bidAfter responder describes his non-anchor holdings, opener evaluates his hand as if the “showing” of controls by responder was a question. If responder shows no cover in one of the non-anchor suits, opener signs off in the cheapest anchor suit if:

A --> He also lacks a stopper in that suit (two quick loser), or
B --> He has no use for a cover card in the other non-anchor suit

The signoff in case “A” is obvious. But why does opener signoff in case “B”? The answer is easy. Responder is “counting” his sure covers. Your signoff simply says that his higher non-anchor covers are not working and/or you are off two quick tricks in the other non-anchor minor. However, if responder has three anchor covers, you can not be off two quick tricks in both non-anchor suits (that would be five losers). This allows responder to accurate count the usefulness of his non-anchor ACE should he have three sure covers plus that ace.

If opener does not signoff after a denial bid, then opener has a stopper in the denial suit and he has a possible use for the stopper in the other suit. Note, if responder uses denial bid in the cheapest non-anchor suit, he may or may not have a stopper in the higher side suit, but if makes denial bid in higher suit, he has stopper in skipped suit. The second suit (where presumably a stopper is held by responder), could be ACE or King. If responder needs the ACE (and not king) in the second suit, he show this as follows:

If only the ACE is working cover, opener makes a single step response (the cheapest anchor suit is not a step, but rather a signoff). This ask if the stopper in the second suit is the ACE? If it is not, responder must signoff (this can be in slam if he has three other sure cover cards so just his king in this suit is not working.) If responder does not signoff, it means he has the ACE and a "potential distributional queen" in one of the anchor suits and he needs more info (if he has the ace and no potential queen, he signoff at approriate level too).

If Opener needs either kind of stopper (that is, if opener has a small doubleton, or Kx or Ax), he is free to instead to skip the first cheapest non-signoff. The reason is two fold: first responder will know that any cover he has in the other anchor is working (and importantly, that AK in that suit is a double cover card!). Second, opener can show with his next bid what anchor queens might be missing (see next paragraph)

Part II looking for "distributional Queens"

A. Opener shows missing Queens: Over the denial cue-bid, if OPENER needs a cover in the second side suit and has a cover in the denied suit, and he has both anchor queens, he bids the second anchor suit (skipping the cheapest). A return to anchor suits are negative, the cheapest anchor rebid suggest two losers in denied suit, the second cheapest shows cover for the side suit, but need for distributional queen and so it is the second most negative bid.

Any non-anchor suit (other than cheapest step which is ace ask) shows a missing queen, the cheaper one shows missing queen in lower suit, the next cheapest missing queen in the higher. Should opener be missing both anchor queens, a jump to 5NT shows both missing but so is the ACE of the suit responder denied a stopper in (thus no grand slam is possible).

If opener has the ACE of the suit responder denied a stopper in, he jump to six of the cheaper anchor suit (pass/correct), with responder having the power to correct to seven with adequate covers.

B. Responder shows distributional queens: Sometimes it is cheaper for opener to make the ACE ask question EVEN when he knows responder holds the ACE in the non-anchor suit (say he has Kx), as it gives responder a chance to show if he has a distributional cover for the missing queen. Responder “signs off” in either anchor suit without the ace, and bids cheapest non-signoff to show one "distributional queen". Opener then uses paradox bids in response to this to show which distributional queen might be useful. For instance, if anchor suits are clubs or spades, and responders last bid was 4NT to show a distributional club control. Opener would bid 5C only if he holds the club queen (so that five clubs or doubleton club is not useful). This way no slam, or grand slam will be missed.

Responders ReBids at 4NT or higher

Now assume that partner shows the king of higher suit (4NT) and an unknown stopper in the lower suit. At least one of these is usually working, and sometimes both. Opener can ask about the nature of the cheapest suit with the cheapest non-signoff (higher is king, with 4NT bid). Other than that, the other bids are the same, the second non-cheapest anchor suit shows no missing anchor queen, and the other bids show different anchor queens missing. 5NT shows ACE of highest suit missing, pick a slam, 6 of the cheapest anchor shows both missing queens, but both non-anchor suit aces held. Same rules also reply if responder bypasses 4NT with his response to show Ace of top suit and king of the lower suit. If opener shows 3 loser, and king of the side suit is useful. Cheapest non-signoff ask if king of the other suit is useful, opener tries to signoff if it is not useful, and shows missing queens if it is. Now you see why the name MisIry, but examples posted in comments or elsewhere will help you see how this works.

Responders jump to 5NT or 5 of the highest non-anchor suit. Shows both side aces, and a distiributional queen in lower or higher suit and looking for grand if the distributional queen is working.

Let's see how this works with the five possible cover hand we held earlier

♠ K x x
♥ K x x x x
♦ x x
♣ A x x

Partner opened 3H and rebid 3NT over 3S. This shows a H/D two suiter with four losers. We bid 4NT to show spade King and ACE or king of clubs. If partner bids:

5C he is asking for club ace, we would confirm ace and show two distributional queens
---> bid 5S to show a distributional queen, you will hear paradox bid
5D return to the lowest side suit, shows spade king not working
---> bid 6H
5H shows holding both queens, but suggest controls working,
---> bid 6H
5S shows black controls working, and missing diamond queen
---> bid 7H
5NT shows black controls working, missing both queens BUT ace S too
---> bid 6H
6D shows both black working, has spade ace, and missing both queens
---> bid 7H

Showing strong two suiters in competition

The rules for showing strong hands in competition. If opener doubles their suit that has not been supported it shows the bid suit as one of openers (if one doubles for takeout and the other bids, double is now takeout strong, with four losers)

If opener does not double, but rather bids, he shows a strong two suiter. If the strong two suiter must be known, the rules are: Cheapest bid, 4 Losers, 2nd cheapest 3 losers, 3rd cheapest 2 losers, 4th cheapest, 1 loser, except, if the bidding is still at the three level, openers rebids are as if no-competition.

One piece of evil competition is when your own partner raises your suit, or bids a new suit forcing. Below are the rules for this situation.If partner bids a new suit (not the transfer), this is forcing. Opener will rebid his suit with a real preempt. Opener may raise responder suit with a fit but a preemptive hand. Any strong hand, and fit, should go through 4NT RKCB, as grand slam is almost surely assured.

Any bid but raise or preempt suit rebid show strong two suiter, that does not include the suit bid by partner. The bids are, cheapest, 4 losers, 2nd cheapest 4 losers – partial fit for responder suit, 3rd cheapest 3 losers, 4th cheapest 4 loser – partial fit for responder suit, etc. Partial fit is two cards. A rebid of the suit by responder warns of misfit. Natural bidding after openers rebid on these auctions.

If Responder jumps in a suit, he is showing a SOLID suit (AKQJxx or better). If partner wants to play in his suit even if we have a strong two suiter, he bids his suit (forcing) then rebids it. If partner raises our presumed weak suit (raising the preempt, or bidding game to make), we simply bid our cheapest suit, or higher if the any of the bids show the right hand. In other words, if we were going to bid 4NT over partner completion of the transfer, we can still bid 4NT to show the same kind of hand.

With Multi-2D, MisIry Transfers, and the 2Club methods described, we have pulled a lot of hands out of the meaning of our one level opening bids, and have put a top on what reverses and jump rebids can show. If you start thinking about the hands that have been removed, you will see how this can greatly simplify all your "normal" auctions.

The auctions are very similiar to original MisIry, but much simplified. It also is a little more precise. The major disadvantage, as listed earlier, is the effect on 2NT. With 2NT hands, at most tables, the bidding might go 2NT-3C-3H-4H where the strong hand is the declarer. Here the bidding will go 1m-1H and responder will be the declarer. That seems to be the bid disadvantage.

Against that disadvantage you can also stay out of bad slams.

========================================
C:\BRBR\Nm4.txt
Produced by BRidgeBRowser on 7/21/2005
========================================
MP-4        bevb        Dlr: North
Board 1017  S AQ97652   Vul: E-W
            H 5
ChrisC      D J94       pcharles
S K4        C J3        S T83
H 84                    H T9762
D KQ753     kresh       D AT2
C T642      S J         C 98
            H AKQJ3
            D 86
            C AKQ75

1/28/2000 10:28:21 PM Duration 04:06
First  9:52:07 PM, Last 10:33:20 PM

North    East     South    West
                          3C       Pass
3D        Pass      3NT     Pass
4C       Pass       4H      All Pass

3C = diamonds weak or H+not D strong
3D = this might work
3NT = H/C, 3 loser, need D
4C = dang
4H = really good hearts

=======================================
  # Contr   Ld  Decl     Tr  Score   Pts
=======================================
  1 6H    W DK  Stephan   8  -400   0.85
  2 6N    W DK  mzh       8  -400   0.85
  3 6H    W DK  jiml1     9  -300   3.39
  4 5H    W DK  aliang    9  -200  10.17
  5 5S    E DA  lclarke   9  -200  10.17
  6 5S    E DA  SSikkes   9  -200  10.17
  7 5S    E DA  clio      9  -200  10.17
  8 6S    E DA  sallyjn  10  -200  10.17
  9 6S    E C9  Sai      10  -200  10.17
10 6S    E DA  brasco   10  -200  10.17
11 4S    E C9  sterrett  9  -100  31.36
12 4S    E HT  pod       9  -100  31.36
13 4S    E DA  yh-c      9  -100  31.36
14 4S    E DA  Falco     9  -100  31.36
15 4S    E DA  tonkaxx   9  -100  31.36
16 4S    E HT  wusui     9  -100  31.36
17 4S    E DA  leah      9  -100  31.36
18 4S    E DA  dogofwar  9  -100  31.36
19 4S    E D2  pooch     9  -100  31.36
20 4S    E H7  stuartm   9  -100  31.36
21 4S    E DA  miamijd   9  -100  31.36
22 4S    E DA  gshalom   9  -100  31.36
23 4S    E HT  harm      9  -100  31.36
24 4S    E DA  bookie7   9  -100  31.36
25 4S    E DA  evilyn    9  -100  31.36
26 4S    E DA  mominka   9  -100  31.36
27 5S    E DA  Hoot     10  -100  31.36
28 6S    E DA  knllees  11  -100  31.36
29 4C    W H8  finess   11   150  47.46
30 3H    W C2  sperng   10   170  50.85
31 3H    W DK  weiyin   10   170  50.85
32 3H    W C6  Hasty    10   170  50.85
33 5C    W DK  patti111 11   600  55.93
34 5C    W DK  icj      11   600  55.93
35 5C    W S4  lennox1  11   600  55.93
36 4H    W DK  maxell   10   620  61.86
37 4H    W DK  kresh    10   620  61.86
38 4H    W C2  zukejb   10   620  61.86
39 4S    E C9  frion3   10   620  61.86
40 4S    E HT  trudy    11   650  72.03
41 4S    E C9  tulip    11   650  72.03
42 4S    E C9  mashee   11   650  72.03
43 4S    E C9  lynne    11   650  72.03
44 5S    E C9  cody     11   650  72.03
45 5S    E DA  BPratico 11   650  72.03
46 5S    E DA  alexa    11   650  72.03
47 5S    E DA  BIGSKY   11   650  72.03
48 4S    E C9  estellel 12   680  86.44
49 4S    E C8  bengat   12   680  86.44
50 4S    E S3  zucker   12   680  86.44
51 4S    E HT  zzsenc   12   680  86.44
52 4S    E HT  PV       12   680  86.44
53 4S    E S3  RalphH   12   680  86.44
54 4S    E C9  barrjac  12   680  86.44
55 4S    E C9  jss      12   680  86.44
56 5S    E C9  mamajay  12   680  86.44
57 4S    E C9  henry    13   710  96.61
58 4S    E C9  lotsopt  13   710  96.61
59 4S    E HT  wschramm 13   710  96.61
60 4HXX  W SK  song     11  1480 100.00
=======================================

Rules on Splinter Bids

2005-07-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Splinter are a wonderful tool. They show support, they establish trumps, they show distributional control in the suit bid. We all love splinters. But I have special rules for using them.

The most common splinters are: 1H - 3S/4C/4D. and 1S-4H/4D/4C. These are adequately described as 7-11 hcp, short in the bid suit (never singleton ACE) and in the neighboorhood of 26 to 29 Zar points.

But splinters crop up on other auctions as well. After, for instance, 1C-1M-3D and 1C-1M-4D. Not to mention, 1C-2C-3H, 1D-2D-3S. 1S-2H-4C, and the like. We have hard and fast rules about use of splinters in these situations.

Here are the rules for splinters in GAME forcing situations (before the splinter, or if game force and fit can be easily established without the splinter), or a splinter where the bid is the second one being made by the person making the splinter.

Splinter never will be a singleton ACE
After 2/1 GF splinter never with VOID or singleton ACE.
In support of a major with two suits bid before the splinter, a splinter in support of a major denies DENIES first or second round control of the fourth suit
In support of a minor in GF situation, a splinter at the three level denies stopper in fourth suit (if one exist), and at the four level promises a stopper in the fourth suit (if one exist).
The splinters 1m-1M-4om, and 1m-1M-3OM (OM and 0m = other minor), use same rule, no control in off suit, but 1m-1S-4H shows void. With control in off suit, go via 2NT (jacoby by responder).

This type of splinters after a 2/1 GF also allows for picture jumps... let's imagine an auction where you open 1S and partner bids 2H (GF). And give you a couple of hands.

♠ AKxxx
♥ Kxxx
♦ KQx
♣ x

Not 4♣ because you have a diamond control. Bid 3♥ and take your time. Note, 3H promises control outside of majors (not picture jump to 4H)

♠ AKQxx
♥ Kxxx
♦ xx
♣ xx

Bid 4♥ (picture bid), values and controls in the two majors only.

♠ AKxxx ♥ KJxx ♦ Qxx ♣ x, or ♠KQJxx ♥KJxx ♦Qxx ♣x

Bid 4♣, splinter in clubs, fit for hearts, no first or second round control in diamonds. ((NOTE: After 1♠-2♥, an immediate 4NT is 18-19 hcp balanced, not blackwood, although if responder bids again, he replies to blackwood. See rules for 4NT bids.))

Kantar Roman KeyCard Blackwood

2005-07-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

I use Kantar Roman Keycard Blackwood. It is simply the best. If you are not familar with it, buy his book. It will be among the best, most useful 18 dollar (US) you have ever spent. It is some 26 chapters (gasp) long. In the meanwhile here is a very short summary of the methods. If you think reading this will substitute for what is in his book, you are sorely mistaken.

Responses to RKCB

Kantar has cleverly decided to use 1403 and 0314 responses to Blackwood! The idea is to try and increase the frequency of the cheapest response. When the "strong" hand ask the "weak" hand for key cards, the strong hand will have 3 or more keycards most of the time. Turns out the "weak" hand will generally have one keycard (At least when the hand is going slamming). So the weak hand responds with 1403 responses. When the weak hand ask the strong hand for keycard, turns out the strong hand never has one, and usually has three (instead of four), so when weak hand ask the strong hand, the responses are 0314.

Of course this means you have to KNOW who is suppose to be weak, and who is suppose to be strong. Opener is always "strong" UNLESS

When OPENER ASK for keycards, he is always strong, and thus responder uses 14, 03 responses unless:

He opened 1m and rebid 1NT (but not 1C-1D-1NT)
He opened 2H/2S (major+clubs, weak opening bid)
He opened 1m and rebid 2m (exception, 1D-2C-2D where opener is presummed to be strong)
He responds 3♣ to a Jacoby 2NT Plus bid and responder then immediately jumps to 4NT blackwood (if opener ask for key cards after bidding 3♣ then opener is assumed to be strong)
On this auction, 1D-2C-3C opener is presumed "weak"

When Responder ASK, opener is presumed to be strong and therefore uses 03, 14 responses, except for the same limited conditions listed above.

In addition, we show voids in response to the blackwood as follows. With 0 or 2 keycards plus a void, bid 5NT, with one or three keycards plus a void, jump in void suit, or if void suit is above 6 of our suit, jump to 6 or our suit.

QUEEN ASK. If the response to RKCB shows 03 or 14 keycards, the cheapest non-signoff bid ask for the trump queen. The responses are: Return to the trump suit cheaply with out, cue-bid the cheapest king with it, with Queen without a king to cue-bid, bid 5NT with "no king" but with "extra value" (long trump, queen in partner suit, etc. Read Kantars Book for more details).

Specific King Ask

A bid of 5NT by the RKC bidder ask for specific kings. A new suit after the response is a further king ask. However, if the responder to RKB has already denied the king in the second ask suit (during a cue-bidding sequence for instance), the ask is for 3rd control

Specific Suit Ask

A specific suit ask is after RKCB, responder bids a new suit (other than the one that ask for trump queen), is a specific suit ask. The responses are: Negative return to the trump suit. With Qx(x) bid first step. With Kx(x) bid the second step. With KQ raise. Note, ignore the ACE in that suit. We use SSA and SKA only when in possession of all controls and trying for grand slam.

This thread is a work in progress, so more will be added to it. But it really is best to get his book. For now simple rules, what bids are RKCB?

4NT after major fit is found,

4 of the agreed minor in a game forcing auction (a limited hand can not ask for aces, even with 4NT or 4 of agreed minor). So, 1m-2m-any-4m is RKCB. But, 1m-2m-2any-3m (forcing one round)-bid-4m is not, and can be passed.

Here is a hand that would have worked well on.

Had this hand yesterday. It was not a huge success for me.

Dealer:	North
Vul:	EW
Scoring:	IMP

♠	AJ92
♥	J9
♦	K853
♣	A85

♠	Q86
♥	KQT3
♦	4
♣	J9642

♠	T743
♥	87654
♦	6
♣	QT7

♠	K5
♥	A2
♦	AQJT972
♣	K3

West North East South
- 1♦ Pass 2♦Pass 2! Pass 3♣Pass 3♦ Pass 3♥Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣Pass 5♦ All Pass
This was not a bidding success. Playing Kantar Roman Keycard Blackwood our auction should have been
1♦ - 2♦2♠ - 4♦4♥ - 5♠6♦ - pass Where 2D was inverted raise, quasi game-force. 2S was balanced hand that didn't want to bid NT (here because of the heart weakness wanted to "right side" NT. Usually because too good). 4D is RKCB. Opener is not limited so responses are 03,14, so 4H shows 0 or 3 keycards. Slam must be reached with three keycards, so responder could bid 4NT which opener could pass with 0 or show useful extra cards without. Over 4NT, opener would simply bid 6D (no useful unshown cards). But here we have responder take the different route looking for an extra card. The truth of the matter is, after 2S (balanced hand), and then three controls (AKA), that comes to 11 hcp. Opener can not have another king, unless he is too strong for 1NT. So opener bids 5S looking for Queen of hearts. If opener is sitting on 17+ he is sure to bid grand anyway over this even without the queen. 6D denies the queen and ends the auction.

One of Major Opening Bid

2005-07-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

Opening bid of 1 of a Major shows an opening hand (by ZAR standards), and five or more in the major. A few rules,

I open 1NT with balanced 14-16 hand even with a five card major
Acol two bids in major are opened 2♣ so the quality of the strong one suited hands is limited
Very strong two suiters are opened with MisIry Transfer preempts, so jump shifts after opening a major is limited by the in ability to open with the MisIry bid.
I will open 1C with 5-5 in the black suits when strong, when 5-5 in the black suits and very weak (for opener), I will open 2S (see chapter on 2M opening bid). And when intermediate, I will open 1S.
With 5-5 in hearts and a minor, I open 1H (or 2H if clubs and weak)

The responses to 1M are based upon show support with support, and several ways to "unload" traditional forcing 1NT. Also, remember that over 1H, we play modified Kaplan Inversion, so be sure to read the chapter on that to see the exceptions to the auctions given below.

Reponses to 1 MAJOR

1NT = semi-forcing (See also Kaplan inversion)
2C (after 1st/2nd seat opening bid), three way,
---------> 5+ Clubs, GF values
---------> (10)11+ balanced hand
---------> 7-9 hcp 4 card support or 8-12 with 3 card M support
2C after 3rd/4th hand opening, 3 card Reverse Drury
2D after 1st/2nd seat opening, GF, 5+ diamonds
2D after 3rd/4th seat opening, 4 card drury
Raise to 2M weak raise, 3 cards, up to bad 8 hcp
2H (over 1S), GF, 5+ hearts
2S (over 1H), weak, six card plus suit
2NT - Jacoby 2NT Plus (limit raise or better, 4 card support)
3C/3D = invite, six card suit, fair values (think 9 to 12)
3H (over 1S) = invite, six card suit, fair values (think 9 to 12)
Double jump shift = splinter (limited values)
3NT = three card support, 13-15 (without bid 2C first, with more bid 2NT).
3M = preemptive 4 card support, generally 7 hcp or less
4M = to play, generally five card support
4NT = Natural 18-19 hcp, balanced, to use RKC, start with 2NT then bid 4NT

In choosing to opening, I apply ZAR points. With 25 ZAR points and four or more spades I tend to open, with 26 ZAR points and 4+ spades, I do open. With 26 ZAR points and five hearts, I tend to open, with 27 ZAR points and five hearts, I do open.

Three suiters with a five card major. We open 2C with three suiters and five or less losers with five or more controls. An exception is with weaker versions of 5440 hands where you have five losers, or four losers and weaker hcp totals.

Opening hands. What do you open?

♠ A K 10 6 3
♥ Q 6 5 2
♦ A Q 10 3
♣

Open 2C, three suiter, 5 control 4 loser, extra values

------------------

♠ A K 10 6 2
♥ Q T 9
♦ A Q 8
♣ 8 2

Open 1NT, 14-16 hcp, balanced. Don't worry about clubs

------------------

♠ Q 10 9 6 5 3
♥
♦ A K 10 6
♣ Q 9 7

Open 1S, 30 ZAR points, more than minimum

------------------

♠ A J 10 8 4 2
♥ 10 9 2
♦
♣ K Q 7 3

Open 2 Spades, Black 2-suiter minimum opening hands

------------------

♠ A Q 8 7 3
♥ A K J 8
♦ J
♣ K 9 5

Open 1S, planning on 2C over 1NT, 2D over 2C, 2H over 2D
Notice the 2C rebid, over 1NT is Riton 2♣ showing better than mininum. Given chance, you will rebid 2♥ showing 5-4 and good 15+. Over 2♣ by partner, you are too good to respond 2♥, so you bid 2♦ showing better than minimum, planning on bidding hearts next.

------------------

♠ A K 10 9 4
♥ J 10 9 4
♦ A 9 2
♣ 5

Open 1S, planning 2Hearts over any bid, showing min.

------------------

♠ A K 9 8 6 3
♥ A 8 3
♦ 9 7
♣ A Q 6

Open 1S, 2D over 2C, 2C over 1NT, pass 2S, 4S over 3S
Here, your spade suit is not good enough for jump to 3♠, Bid 2♣ (Riton 2♣) and then rebid 2♠

------------------

♠ A K J 8 3
♥ A 2
♦ 9 8 7 6 5
♣ 9

Open 1S, rebid 2D over 2C or 1NT (different meaning). Over 2C, 2D shows better than minimum, while over 1NT, 2D shows minimum with diamonds. How can it be better than minimum over 2C and minimum over 1NT. The answer is simple. Over 1NT, your parnter may be long in clubs and weak. Over 2C, if he is long in clubs, he is strong. If over 2C, parnter might have a spade fit, over 1NT he DOES NOT HAVE A SPADE fit. With possible diamond or spade fit, this hand is a ZAR monster. 14 distributional, 12 hcp, and 5 controls for 31 ZAR points before fit is found. 30 or more Zar's virtually always requires 2D response to 2C.

------------------

♠ A K J 8 4
♥ Q J 7 4 2
♦
♣ K 8 4

This is a two suiter, 5 losers, so no choice but 1S, then 3H (not strong enough for MisIry

------------------

♠ A K 9 8 3
♥ A 8 2
♦ 9 7
♣ A Q 6

Too strong for 1NT, no choice but 1S

------------------

♠ K J T 9 6 5 2
♥ K Q
♦ 9 8 7
♣ 9

Open 1S, no need to preempt 3H (trasfer) with opening hand. Note Zar would open this with a 3 level preempt. So if you feel that 3 hearts (transfer to 3S preempt) is right, go for it.

--------------
♠ A K Q J 6 2
♥ K Q 3
♦ J
♣ Q J T

Looks like 8 tricks, but clubs slow, best 1S, 3S

------------

♠ A K J 10 7 6 5 3
♥ A 8 3
♦ 9 7
♣ A Q 6

Open 2C, too many controls for Namyats 4D, too many tricks for 1S

-------------

♠ A K J 8 3
♥ A 2
♦ 9 8 7 6 5
♣ 9

Open 1S, rebid 2D over 2C or 1NT (different meaning). Over 2C, the 32 ZAR points is too much for a 2S rebid. Over 1NT, the weakness of diamonds and the likelyhood partner is long in clubs and weak make anything but 2D ill advised.

Now for some routine auctions to demonstrate the methods


IMP-7           
Board 5     S J2   
            H K764 
            D A76           
S 953       C KJ82      S QT   
H QJT52                 H 83   
D T3                    D Q9542
C AT4       S AK8764    C 7653 
            H A9   
            D KJ8  
            C Q9   

North    East     South    West
Pass     Pass     1S       Pass
2C!      Pass     2D       Pass
3NT      Pass     4S/Pass

2C! three way 2C
2D extra values
3NT balanced 11-12

IMP-8       South       Dlr: South
Board 7     S Q5        Vul: Both
            H T72  
East        D T9763     West   
S K7        C K43       S JT86 
H KQ5                   H J64  
D A542      North       D Q8   
C J862      S A9432     C QT97 
            H A983 
            D KJ   
            C A5   

East     South    West     North
         Pass     Pass     1S  
Pass     Pass     Pass

No need to stretch to respond. Our
1S opening bids are limited. Compare
with the next hand.

MP-17                   Dlr: North
Board 1     S QT9764    Vul: None
            H AKQJ 
            D 3     
S A85       C AT        S K2   
H T74                   H 8    
D AQ72                  D JT84 
C J74       S J3        C Q98652
            H 96532
            D K965 
            C K3   

West     North    East     South
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1S       Pass     1NT! 
Pass     2C       Pass     2D  
Pass     2H       Pass     4H All Pass

This time you respond with a weak hand
because if parnter has good hand and hearts
you can easily have game. Even good hand
with spades your two kings and spade jack
might be more than enough for game.

2C is riton 2C, showing good hand, and 2D
is waiting for open to define his hand.
When parnter bids 2H (at least 15 hcp, four
hearts, ZAR points kick in. South has 23 fit
Zar points more than enough to bid game.

IMP-14                  Dlr: West
Board 8     S JT42      Vul: None
            H T862 
            D AK5     
S 875       C T9        S K    
H AJ54                  H Q97  
D J32                   D QT874
C J63       S AQ963     C K742 
            H K3   
            D 96   
            C AQ85 

West     North    East     South
                  Pass     1S  
Pass     2C!      Pass     2D! 
Pass     2S!      Pass     3C
Pass     4S       All Pass

Jacoby 2NT PLUS - by responder or Opener

2005-07-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

Inquiry 2 over 1 uses 2NT artificially as a MAJOR suit raise in a lot of situations. The basic situation is after partner opens 1H or 1S. Here 2NT shows a four card fit (or three cards with 16+ hcp, and no side five card suit) and limit raise or STRONGER hand. Only two example auctions, 1H-2NT, and 1S-2NT.

Jacoby 2NT is also used by opener, after 1m-1M-2NT. This shows a great hand with a four card fit. It is the STRONGEST fit showing response. Examples are 1C-1H-2NT, 1D-1H-2NT, 1C-1S-2NT, 1D-1S-2NT. We also play 1H-1NT-2NT as the same hand type (note 1NT promises five spades).

In competition, where one or the other partner has bid a major 2NT with a jump is also such a raise. A "slow 2NT" preceded by a pass, or a bid of a different suit, is not (obviously) Jacboy 2NT plus.

The responding scheme to this 2NT is pretty much the same regardless of how it is issued.

---> 2NT Jacoby 2NT Plus
--------> 3C, no game interest or monster slam interest
--------> 3D, Game interest, no slam interest, but better than 4M
---------------> 3H now ask partner to show shortness anyway.
--------> 3H, ask for 2NT bidder to show shortness if you have
-------> 3S short in "other major"
-------> 4C/4C short in bid suit (if not bid before naturally)
-------> 4M Just enough for game, no more

New Minor Forcing by Opener

2005-07-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

Inquiry 2/1 GF uses new minor by opener as forcing on 1minor-1y-2Club or 2Diamond, where the minor bid is a new suit. We play this as artificial and meant as "forcing". The new suit can come as a reverse (opener started with 1C) or not (opener started with 1D). But, in either case, there are four hand types for the new minor forcing

True reverse with both minors (even if not reverse). Not strong enough for MisIry transfer opening bid (with the bid suits), or possibly six-four or five-four
Balanced 17-19 hcp (planning on rebidding 2NT if given a chance)(If you play new MisIry, a jump to 3NT instead of NMFO shows balanced 20-21).
Strongish three card raise for openers major (weak raise raise immediately), remember, opener can not have strong 4 card support because we use immediate 2NT to show those hands.
Strongish one suited hand in original minor (a jump rebid shows 6-3 with three card support).

There are two way this minor rebid can be made. One is as a reverse the other as a non-reverse. However, both the reverse and the non-reverse show “extra value”. With the reverse showing as a rule, slightly higher minimum value. Remember, 1D-1M-3C shows a WEAK minor two suiter.

Over both of these bids, 2NT by responder begins transfers, all bids a the three level are transfers. Some transfers are forcing, some are always weak.

Continuations after 1C-1M-2D

1C-1H-2D
---> Pass, long D, short clubs, weak (so new minor is only 99% forcing)
---> 2H = weak hand, willing to play 2♥ opposite 17-19
---------> Pass
---------> 2S real minor two suiter *with spades bid spades insted of 2D)
---------> 2NT, good 18 to 19 balanced
---------> 3C, only clubs
---> 2S = waiting bid, unsuited for anything else, can be strong if rebids
---------> 2NT balance 17/19
---------> 3C club one suiter
---------> 3D minor two suiter
---------> 3H strong three card raise,
---------> spade stopper, very strong long clubs, maybe heart void
---> 2NT = transfer to 3♣ for signoff or game try in another suit
---------> 3C
--------------> 3D game try in diamonds
--------------> 3H game try in hearts
--------------> 3S transfer to 3NT, balanced 9-12 with five hearts, no spade stop
--------------> 3NT mild slam try in clubs
---> 3C = transfer to 3D and weak, opener can pass with long clubs
---> 3D = transfer to 3 hearts, GF (invite using 2NT first)
---> 3H = transfer to 3S, shows five plus hearts and real spades, GF
---> 3S = transfer to 3NT, balanced 9-12 with five hearts, with spade stopper
---> 3NT = balanced 9 to 12, 4 hearts, bigger hands bid 2S first

1C-1S-2D
---> Pass, long D, short clubs, weak (so only 99% forcing)
---> 2H = waiting bid, unsuited for anything else, can be strong if rebids
---------> 2S three card support
---------> 2NT, 17/19 balanced
---------> 3C, only clubs
---------> 3D, minor two suiter
---> 2S = weak hand, willing to play 2♠ opposite 17-19
---------> Pass, must pass with 17/19 balanced
---------> 2NT minor two suiter
---------> 3C club one suiter
---------> 3S strong three card raise,
---------> 3NT heart stopper, very strong long clubs, maybe spade void
---> 2NT = transfer to 3♣ for signoff or game try in another suit
---------> 3C
--------------> Pass to play clubs
--------------> 3D game try in diamonds
--------------> 3H transfer to 3NT, balanced 9-12 with five spades, no heart stop
--------------> 3S game try in spades
--------------> 3NT mild slam try in clubs
---> 3C = transfer to 3D and weak, opener can pass with long clubs
---> 3D = transfer to 3 hearts,GF, shows 5+ spades and 4+ hearts
---> 3H = transfer to 3S, GF
---> 3S = 3S transfer to 3NT, balanced 9-12 with five spades, and heart stopper
---> 3NT = balanced 9 to 12, 4 hearts, bigger hands bid 2S first

Contintuations afer 1D-1M-2C

The same rules apply, but now you have two negative bids. The bid of 2&D which opener can pass, and the rebid of your own major.

1D-1H-2C
---> 2D maybe false prefernce
------> pass, to play
------> 3C, minor two suiter, responder picks best strain, nf
------> 2H, strong 3 card support, spade shortness
------> 2S, strong minor two suiter, 6D, 4C, looks for NT by responder
------> 2NT balanced 17/19
------> 3D very strong diamond one suiter
---> 2H weak signoff, no real tolerance for diamonds
---> 2S promises real values this time, since 2D available
---> 2NT = transfer to 3♣ for signoff or game try in another suit
---------> 3C
--------------> Pass to play clubs
--------------> 3D game try in diamonds
--------------> 3H game try in hearts.
--------------> 3S transfer to 3NT, balanced 9-12 with five spades, no spade stopper
--------------> 3NT mild slam try in clubs
---------> 3D strong diamond one suiter, short clubs
---> 3C
---------> 3D almost forced
--------------> 3H game try, etc like earlier auctions

1D-1S-2C
---> Pass (very rare, long clubs, short diamonds, very weak)
---> 2D maybe false prefernce
------> pass, to play
------> 3C, minor two suiter, responder picks best strain, nf
------> 2H, strong minor two suiter, 6D, 4C, looks for NT by responder
------> 2S, strong 3 card support, spade shortness
------> 2NT balanced 17/19
------> 3D very strong diamond one suiter
---> 2H waiting bid, but with real values this time, GF
---> 2S weak suit, no diamond tolerance
---> 2NT = transfer to 3♣ for signoff or game try in another suit
---------> 3C
--------------> Pass to play clubs
--------------> 3D game try in diamonds
--------------> 3H transfer to 3NT, balanced 9-12 with five spades, no heart stop
--------------> 3S game try in spades
--------------> 3NT mild slam try in clubs
---------> 3D strong diamond one suiter, short clubs
---> 3C
---------> 3D almost forced
--------------> 3H game try, etc like earlier auctions

NOTE: The same rules apply after a 2S/2H reverse. Except that 2S is waiting even if 1S was the intial response, and the transfers still on at three level, four level natural or splinter for openers major (don't splinter in openers first suit-- 4 of openers first suit is RKCB and trump agreement).

Example hands.
1. Weak rebids after 1m-1M, these do not use NMFO



IMP-13      West        Dlr: East
Board 708   S 65432     Vul: E-W
            H AQJ974 
South       D           North    
S AQJ       C 65        S T987   
H K53                   H 862    
D QT432     East        D 985    
C Q8        S K         C A72    
            H T      
            D AKJ76  
            C KJT943 

South    West     North    East    
                           1D    
Pass     1H       Pass     3C    
Pass     Pass     Pass    

3C = weak two suiter


IMP-13      South       Dlr: East
Board 59121 S JT874     Vul: N-S
            H QJ65   
East        D T2        West     
S 63        C 43        S K52    
H AT72                  H K      
D J7653     North       D K984   
C A6        S AQ9       C T8752  
            H 9843   
            D AQ     
            C KQJ9   

East     South    West     North     
Pass     Pass     Pass     1C        
Pass     2H       Pass     3H     
Pass     Pass     Pass  

2H = reverse flannery by responder
3H or pass seem right.
   so no chance for NMFO here

IMP-13      West        Dlr: East
Board 59313 S AT983     Vul: Both
            H 3      
South       D Q8432     North    
S KQ765     C KJ        S J2     
H K86                   H JT9754 
D 965       East        D K      
C 42        S 4         C A873   
            H AQ2    
            D AJT7   
            C QT965  

South    West     North    East     
                           1C       
Pass     1S       Pass     1NT          
Pass     2C       Pass     2D       
Pass     3D       Pass     3NT/5D       
All Pass             

1C = since not plannng on NMFO, open better m
1NT = off shape ok
2C = xzy
2D = as requested
3D = presumed fit (i got D;s)


IMP-13      East        Dlr: West
Board 59685 S AQJ3      Vul: Both
            H AQJ3   
North       D 63        South    
S 85        C 864       S K97642 
H K8652                 H 97     
D JT4       West        D KQ85   
C J32       S T         C 9      
            H T4     
            D A972   
            C AKQT75 

North    East     South    West      
                           1C        
Pass     1H       Pass     2C        
Pass     3C       Pass     3D        
Pass     3NT      Pass     Pass  
Pass

2C = close to 2D, just not there
3C = second chance, NF
3D = stopper
3NT = enough

Example hands,
2. Strong hands after 1m-1M, the use NMFO


IMP-13      North       Dlr: East
Board 10    S J6        Vul: None
            H QT874  
West        D 72        East     
S KT83      C Q872      S Q974   
H A3                    H K952   
D 85        South       D J3     
C KT963     S A52       C J54    
            H J6     
            D AKQT964
            C A      

West     North    East     South      
                  Pass     1D         
Pass     1H       Pass     3NT        
Pass     Pass     Pass  

3NT = don't mess with NMFO with
      stoppers and running suit
      3NT shows this hand.

IMP-13      East        Dlr: West
Board 76    S K85       Vul: Both
            H T954   
North       D 952       South    
S Q62       C T87       S AJ943  
H K82                   H AQJ76  
D 74        West        D T3     
C QJ632     S T7        C 5      
            H 3      
            D AKQJ86 
            C AK94   

North    East     South    West    
                           1D      
Pass     1H       Pass     2C      
Pass     2D       Pass     3D      
Pass     Pass     Pass  

2C = nmfo
2D = real weak, willing to hear pass
3D = strong diamonds, like this
Pass = told my story

IMP-13      East        Dlr: West
Board 365   S Q987      Vul: N-S
            H AT9742 
North       D           South    
S AT54      C AJT       S K62    
H Q863                  H 5      
D T98       West        D K53    
C 74        S J3        C Q98632 
            H KJ     
            D AQJ7642
            C K5     

North    East     South    West     
                           1D       
Pass     1H       Pass     2C       
Pass     3S       Pass     4D       
Pass     4H       Pass     4NT      
Pass     5H       Pass     6H    
Pass     Pass     Pass

2C = nmfo
3D = transfer GF with hearts
3H = ok, probalby 3 hearts or 2 with long D's
3NT = choice
Pass = ok.

IMP-13      South       Dlr: South
Board 59364 S K986      Vul: None
            H KQ862  
East        D KT3       West     
S AQJT4     C 6         S 532    
H JT975                 H 4      
D 4         North       D A9872  
C 43        S 7         C T987   
            H A3     
            D QJ65   
            C AKQJ52 

East     South    West     North 
         Pass     Pass     1C      
Pass     1H       Pass     2D    
Pass     2S       Pass     3C
Pass     3NT      All Pass  

2S = waiting


IMP-14      South       Dlr: West
Board 60029 S A7654     Vul: None
            H J92    
East        D J97       West     
S K83       C 75        S T2     
H Q653                  H A874   
D K8654     North       D AQT2   
C J         S QJ9       C 863    
            H KT     
            D 3      
            C AKQT942

East     South    West     North       
                  Pass     1C          
Pass     1S       Pass     2D          
Pass     2S       Pass     4S    
Pass     Pass     Pass  

2D = NMFO
2S = pass with balance 17/19
4S = too many tricks to pass or invite

IMP-13      North       Dlr: South
Board 417   S 7         Vul: E-W
            H AQJ4   
West        D J95       East     
S AJ652     C AQ743     S KT9843 
H T62                   H 985    
D 43        South       D Q2     
C 852       S Q         C T6     
            H K73    
            D AKT876 
            C KJ9    

West     North    East     South   
                           1D      
Pass     1H       Pass     2C      
Pass     3C       Pass     3D      
Pass     4C       Pass     4NT   
Pass     6D       Pass     Pass  
Pass            
            
3C = tranfer 3D, here never signoff as opener
     promise diamonds
4C = rkcb, diamonds agreed
4NT = two plus the queen (show it with six)

IMP-13      East        Dlr: South
Board 59203 S KQT9643   Vul: E-W
            H 43     
North       D AQ        South    
S 85        C 65        S J      
H KQJT9                 H 8652   
D T75       West        D 84     
C KJ7       S A72       C QT9832 
            H A7     
            D KJ9632 
            C A4     

North    East     South    West  
                  Pass     1D    
Pass     1S       Pass     2C    
Pass     3H       Pass     3S
Pass     4D       Pass     4NT
Pass  


IMP-13      East        Dlr: West
Board 59403 S AKT8      Vul: N-S
            H 73     
North       D A76       South    
S Q7        C K542      S J6432  
H JT84                  H 652    
D T92       West        D J843   
C 9873      S 95        C 6      
            H AKQ9   
            D KQ5    
            C AQJT   

North    East     South    West    
                           1C      
Pass     1S       Pass     2H      
Pass     3C       Pass     3D      
Pass     3S       Pass     4D      
Pass     4S       Pass     5D
Pass     5H       Pass     7C
All pass

2H = revrese, don't use nmfo with 4 in major
3C = GF, 3D, 3S, cue's
4D = blackwood, 4S = 0-3 keys, 5D = kings?
5H = 1 or 4,
7C = 2S, 3D, 3H, 4C, heart ruff.

IMP-13      East        Dlr: East
Board 60570 S 864       Vul: E-W
            H A542   
North       D 92        South    
S QJ92      C KJ95      S 753    
H QJ96                  H K873   
D QJ4       West        D 7      
C 63        S AKT       C AQ874  
            H T      
            D AKT8653
            C T2     

North    East     South    West      
         Pass     Pass     1D        
Pass     1H       Pass     2C        
Pass     Pass     Pass 

2C = NMFO
2S = too good 2D
3S = minor one suiter, plus good spades             
3NT = wish us luck.
Note, opener CAN NOT have spades for this NMFO

IMP-13      East        Dlr: East
Board 60578 S A9432     Vul: N-S
            H J4     
North       D 2         South    
S KJ86      C T8765     S QT7    
H KT3                   H Q9875  
D 743       West        D Q8     
C 932       S 5         C KQ4    
            H A62    
            D AKJT965
            C AJ     

North    East     South    West  
         Pass     Pass     1D      
Pass     1S       Pass     2C      
Pass     2S       Pass     3D      
Pass     Pass     Pass  
2S = pass if balanced 17/19 with super fit
3D = one suiter, everyone else got here
     via 1D - 1S - 3D

IMP-13      North       Dlr: North
Board 59278 S KT6       Vul: Both
            H JT872  
West        D T875      East     
S A742      C 2         S QJ953  
H 6                     H Q943   
D QJ9       South       D A4     
C KQ854     S 8         C J6     
            H AK5    
            D K632   
            C AT973  

West     North    East     Sout  
         Pass     Pass     1C        
Pass     1H       Pass     2D        
Pass     Pass     2S       3H        
Pass     Pass     Pass  

1C = best here to start 1C, due to poor suits             
2D = nmfo
2H = if you are 17/19 balance, play 2H
Pass = good enough for me.

IMP-13      South       Dlr: North
Board 61546 S A952      Vul: N-S
            H K8     
East        D K4        West     
S QJ8763    C AJ432     S KT4    
H T95                   H J6432  
D 63        North       D T8     
C 95        S           C T87    
            H AQ7    
            D AQJ9752
            C KQ6    

East     South    West     North    
                           1D       
Pass     1S       Pass     3NT      
Pass     5C       Pass     5S       
Pass     7NT      All pass

5C = super gerber
5S = two aces
7NT = Remember the kind of hands that
      jump rebid 3NT

IMP-13      South       Dlr: North
Board 59234 S KQ76      Vul: None
            H AK2    
East        D T93       West     
S A8        C JT3       S T932   
H JT9843                H Q75    
D 8654      North       D J2     
C 5         S J54       C K942   
            H 6      
            D AKQ7   
            C AQ876  

East     South    West     North     
                           1D        
Pass     1S       Pass     2C        
Pass     3NT      Pass     6NT       
Pass               
                 
2C = nmfo
2H = waiting with values
2S = three card support (unbalanced)
3H = forcing
3NT = not serious as no sure 8 card fit
6NT

IMP-13      East        Dlr: West
Board 59174 S KJ        Vul: None
            H Q843   
North       D T5        South    
S Q652      C JT732     S 8743   
H KJ962                 H AT5    
D K942      West        D 876    
C           S AT9       C A64    
            H 7      
            D AQJ3   
            C KQ985  

North    East     South    West     
                           1D       
Pass     1H       Pass     2C       
Pass     2S       Pass     3C    
Pass     4C       Pass     Pass
Pass

1D = as a rule open your better minor, but
     when planning nmfo auction with hands like
     this, open 1D and rebid clubs twice works

IMP-13      East        Dlr: East
Board 21    S AQ82      Vul: E-W
            H KJ87   
North       D 7654      South    
S 9765      C 6         S KT43   
H Q652                  H T94    
D 932       West        D KJ     
C T4        S J         C KJ75   
            H A3     
            D AQT8   
            C AQ9832 

North    East     South    West  
         Pass     Pass     1C    
Pass     1H       Pass     2D    
Pass     2S       Pass     3C
Pass     3S       Pass     3NT




IMP-13      South       Dlr: North
Board 360   S Q7        Vul: None
            H KQJ98  
East        D QJ32      West     
S KT986     C AT        S AJ5432 
H 54                    H T62    
D A75       North       D 96     
C 864       S           C 52     
            H A73    
            D KT84   
            C KQJ973 
  
                           1C        
Pass     1H       Pass     2D        
Pass     3D       Pass     4S        
Pass     5H       Pass     6H
All Pass  

2D = NMFO, 3D = transfer to 3H GF,
4S = Exclusion blackwood
5H = two with heart queen

IMP-13      North       Dlr: East
Board 465   S T2        Vul: N-S
            H AQJ962 
West        D 753       East     
S Q763      C T5        S A9854  
H 83                    H KT74   
D AJ642     South       D K8     
C 73        S KJ        C 86     
            H 5      
            D QT9    
            C AKQJ942

West     North    East     South     
                  Pass     1C        
Pass     1H       Pass     2D        
Pass     2NT      Pass     3C        
Pass     3H       Pass     Pass      
Pass  

2D = NMFO
2NT = transfer to 3C
3C = as requested
3H = game invite, all hearts
Pass = whoops, hope we are not too high

IMP-13      West        Dlr: East
Board 536   S KT6432    Vul: N-S
            H Q62    
South       D 5         North    
S 5         C K76       S QJ7    
H K9543                 H AT7    
D KJ83      East        D 9764   
C T53       S A98       C J98    
            H J8     
            D AQT2   
            C AQ42   

South    West     North    East     
                           1D       
Pass     1S       Pass     2C       
Pass     3H       Pass     3S       
Pass     4C       Pass     4D       
Pass     4S       All Pass

2C = NMFO
3H = transfer to 3S, GF
3S = set trumps
4C/4D = cue-bids
4S = ran out of gas

IMP-13      South       Dlr: North
Board 583   S KT743     Vul: N-S
            H KJ8    
East        D 732       West     
S 652       C A5        S QJ     
H 3                     H QT9762 
D KQT9865   North       D J4     
C T3        S A98       C QJ7    
            H A54    
            D A      
            C K98642 

East     South    West     North     
                           1C        
Pass     1S       Pass     2D        
Pass     2H       Pass     2S        
Pass     3H       Pass     3NT
Pass     4C       Pass     4D
Pass     4H       Pass     4NT
Pass     5H       Pass     6S
All Pass

2D = NMFO
2H = waiting
2S = three card support, good hand
    some hands are worth 3S jump, not this one

IMP-13      East        Dlr: West
Board 644   S Q8642     Vul: E-W
            H KQT6   
North       D 985       South    
S J3        C 8         S KT5    
H 932                   H 874    
D AQJ76     West        D KT432  
C 543       S A97       C A7     
            H AJ5    
            D        
            C KQJT962

North    East     South    West   
                           1C     
Pass     1S       Pass     2D     
Pass     2H       Pass     3S     
Pass     4S       All pass

2D = NMFO, void? No problem
2H = waiting
3S = this one good enough for jump
4S


IMP-13      South       Dlr: West
Board 973   S KT75      Vul: None
            H QT762  
East        D QJ        West     
S 963       C 97        S AQJ82  
H 854                   H 93     
D 9643      North       D K82    
C Q42       S 4         C J53    
            H AKJ    
            D AT75   
            C AKT86  

                  Pass     1C      
Pass     1H       Pass     2D  
Pass     2S       Pass     4NT     
Pass     5C*      Pass     6H      
Pass     Pass     Pass  


2D = NMFO
2S = waiting (opener never 4Ss
3H = three card support
4H = slam is a little less than 50/50

IMP-14      South       Dlr: West
Board 1023  S AQJ432    Vul: N-S
            H A65    
East        D A5        West     
S T8        C T8        S 96     
H QT9743                H        
D JT8       North       D K976432
C 94        S K75       C K762   
            H KJ82   
            D Q      
            C AQJ53  

                  Pass     1C            
Pass     1S       Pass     2S        
Pass     2NT      Pass     3H        
Pass     4D       Pass     4H        
Pass     4NT      Pass     5H        
Pass     6S       All Pass    

2S = close to NMFO by opener,
2NT = asking bid      
3H = three card support, short diamonds
4D = slam try, no club control,
4H = last train  (maxium, with club control)
4NT, 5H blackwood

IMP-13      West        Dlr: North
Board 59492 S AK642     Vul: N-S
            H 83     
South       D QT8       North    
S Q7        C KT4       S JT985  
H JT96                  H Q74    
D KJ9754    East        D 62     
C 9         S 3         C J32    
            H AK52   
            D A3     
            C AQ8765 



South    West     North    East    
                  Pass     1C      
Pass     1S       Pass     2C      
Pass     3C       Pass     3D      
Pass     3S       Pass     4D      
Pass     4NT      Pass     5D
Pass     5H       Pass     6C
All pass

2H = reverese
3C = Game force
3D, 3S cue-bids
4D = rkcb, 4NT = 2 no Q
5D = kings, 5H = 1

IMP-13      South       Dlr: East
Board 59576 S KQ2       Vul: Both
            H AT9752 
East        D 84        West     
S J9865     C 32        S 743    
H K                     H 8643   
D T932      North       D K75    
C A54       S AT        C QJ8    
            H QJ     
            D AQJ6   
            C KT976  

East     South    West     North   
Pass     Pass     Pass     1C      
Pass     1H       Pass     2D      
Pass     3D       Pass     3H      
Pass     3S       Pass     3NT     
Pass     4H       All pass      

2D = nmfo
3D = heart transfer, GF  
3H = willingness for hearts
3S = spades cue?
3NT = to play
4H enough

IMP-13      West        Dlr: North
Board 59620 S K5        Vul: Both
            H KJ98   
South       D J64       North    
S QJT964    C QT43      S 72     
H 642                   H QT75   
D Q92       East        D T53    
C 7         S A83       C AJ86   
            H A3     
            D AK87   
            C K952   

South    West     North    East       
                  Pass     1D         
Pass     1H       Pass     2C         
Pass     2S       Pass     2NT        
Pass     3NT      All pass 
          
A lot of bidding to normal spot
2C = nmfo
2S = waiting
2NT = 17/19
3NT enough

IMP-13      South       Dlr: South
Board 59681 S KT542     Vul: None
            H Q7     
East        D T82       West     
S A3        C T52       S Q986   
H KT42                  H J853   
D J953      North       D A6     
C QJ6       S J7        C 974    
            H A96    
            D KQ74   
            C AK83   

East     South    West     North       
         Pass     Pass     1D          
Pass     1S       Pass     2C          
Pass     2S       Pass     Pass        
Pass  

2C = NMFO
2S = pass if you are 17/19 balance
     without super fit
Pass = ok

IMP-13      East        Dlr: South
Board 62180 S QJ84      Vul: E-W
            H J75    
North       D T92       South    
S AK32      C 754       S 765    
H 92                    H QT643  
D Q3        West        D 7      
C QJ932     S T9        C KT86   
            H AK8    
            D AKJ8654
            C A      

North    East     South    West    
                  Pass     1D      
Pass     1S       Pass     2C      
Pass     2D       Pass     3NT     
Pass     Pass     Pass

South hand might be just worth 2D opening
it also is probably worth 3NT over 1S
but over 2D "preference" (can be false), surely
worth 3NT now

IMP-13      South       Dlr: West
Board 62644 S Q832      Vul: E-W
            H 97653  
East        D           West     
S 754       C AQ83      S KJT    
H Q4                    H AT82   
D T65       North       D 9843   
C JT764     S A96       C 95     
            H KJ     
            D AKQJ72 
            C K2     

East     South    West     North   
                  Pass     1D    
Pass     1H       Pass     2C    
Pass     2S       Pass     3NT   
Pass     Pass     Pass  

2C then 3NT shows this type hand

When opponents interfer with our auction

2005-06-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

I play basically two different methods of competitive bidding. One is fairly "vanilla" version with transfer advances with Jordon 2NT, unassuming cue-bids, all direct raises weak. The other most definitely not-vanilla, named Equality and invented by Misho Nedyalkov (MishoVnBg on the BBO). Equality is the better of the two options, and since the vanilla version can be followed by anyone, I will explain Equality after WE OPEN. Turns out we also play EQUALITY after they open and partner overcalls as well. It is a "meta" defense and works in both situations. A very large Word document describing Equality can be found on Dan Neill's system page.

Equality bids

Transfer bids after takeout doubles and to some extent, transfer bids after an overcall are all the rage now. Equality is a meta method that uses specialized transfer bids not only after your RHO overcalls or makes a takeout double, but also after your partner overcalls or doubles and your right hand opponent bids.

Equality bids not apply to your OPENING bids, but also to your partners responses to your direct second seat overcalls or takeout doubles if your RHO bids. The main principles of Equality bids are the following assuming your partner has made a bid and your RHO made a bid (your partner’s bid could be an opening, on overcall, or a takeout double.Your bids are:

Natural bids

1NT or 3NT are both always natural
Rebid of your suit is always natural
Major suit raises are always natural
Minor suit raises to 3 and above are always natural
SPECIAL NOTE: 2NT is never natural. If your partner has bid a major suit, it is a good raise of partner's major suit. If your partner has bid a minor, it is either super preemptive raise or a game forcing raise.

Other bids are transfers

Dbl is transfer to next higher suit
Cheapest transfer to unbid minor is a two way bid. It shows either the indicated minor, OR a balanced hand (typically a misfit) unsuited for a natural NT bid (could be too strong for 1NT, or might lack a stopper).
Raise/response of 2 of minor of your partners opening bid is a transfer for unbid major. However, over 1M-(DBL)- 2♣ is transfer to ♦, 2D is transfer to ♥ (Ruben transfers)
Bids in suits above transfer level are natural and round force (fit jumps)
Cue-bids are never transfers, and we don’t “make a cue-bid” by transferring into their suit (we never transfer into their suit) ·

Scope of transfer bids

When DBL/REDBL are available, including dbl/redbl up to cue-bid/raise of partner suit
When DBL/REDBL are not available (responding to our partners overcall), transfers start at cue-bid up to jump cue-bid ·
Stopping transfers and return to standard bidding when:
---->we already establish fit
----> We have both bid naturally once
----> Opponents bid 3NT and above
----> Opponents bid shows 2 suits (use unusual versus unusual)
----> We used transfer or distributional bid (such as meckwell)
----> NT natural or nebulous was bid by opponents
----> Reopen position

Details of Equality:

If opponent's intervention is dbl or the very cheapest suit - transfer advances include 2 way raise of partner's suit (direct raise weak, transfer raise strong), else 1 way but raise to 2 of minor is always transfer for unbid major.

If transfer is in impossible suit (like transfer rebid in opener's suit at 2 level), then transfer show next cheapest possible suit.
If rebid of opener's suit is available only at 3 level, then 2 way rebids, where direct one is competitive and transfer rebid is constructive+.
Special transfer responses (M=major; UM=unbid major)
----> 1m-(1M)-?--> 2♣: 4UM;
----> 1m-(1M)-?-->2♦: 5+UM
----> 1m-(1S)-?-->2H: negative free bid (weaker than 2D) *
----> 1♣-(1♦)-? -> 2♣: 5+♥;
----> 1♣-(1♦)-? -> 2♦: 5+♠
----> 1♦-(2♣)-? -> dbl: take out;
----> 1♦-(2♣)-? ->2♦: 5+♥;
----> 1♦-(2♣)-? ->2♥: 5+♠
----> 1H-(2♣)-? -> 2♦ = 4+♠, 1RF
----> 1H-(2♣)-? -> 2 ♠= 5+♠, non forcing (negative free bid)
----> 1H-(2♣)-? -> DBL = transfer to D or balanced misfit unsuited for 3NT bid

*when 2H or 2S can be balanced hand or other major, that takes precedent over use as negative free bid. 2H and 2S can also be “FIT NONJUMP” on some auctions where both opponents show strength as opposed to transfers or simple negative free bids.

Equality over opponent’s redouble. We use both double and redouble as transfers, but equality takes a slightly different approach if RHO redoubles partner’s takeout double. The assumption is the opponents have points so we need distribution to bid much in this case. Here are the rules.

Over a redouble

a pass is a “transfer” to the next higher suit (or no preference)
a new suit is a transfer bid as before
1NT is no longer natural but rather shows , highest and lowest suits.
Cue-bid is top two suits
2NT is lower two unbid suits

Remember, the 1S bid (or pass of 1Sx) still shows cheapest unbid minor or semibalanced as always.

Example auctions, to illustrate points.

1S-(2C)
---->DBL “diamonds or balanced unsuited for 3NT”
---->2D shows 4+ hearts, round force
----> 2H Hearts negative free bid, not forcing
----> 2S Raise
----> 2NT Useful raise or better
----> 3C Mixed raise
----> 3D, 3H Fit jump

1S-(2D)
----> DBL = “hearts – next suit, 1RF”
----> 2H = Clubs or balanced hand unsuited for 3NT (not negative free bid, as need it to show diamonds)
----> 2S = Spade raise
----> 2NT=Useful raise or better

1S - (2H)
----> DBL “Transfer to 3C, or balanced”
----> 2S Raise
----> 2NT Useful raise or better
----> 3C Transfer to 3D

1H-(1S)
----> DBL Transfer to 2C or balance unsuited for 1NT or 3NT
----> 1NT Natural, non-forcing
----> 2C No unbid major, so transfer to diamonds
----> 2D “sound raise heart raise”
----> 2H Weak raise
----> 2S Mixed raise, balanced type hand,
----> 2NT Useful raise

1H-(2C)
----> DBL “diamonds or balance mis-fit”
----> 2D = 4+ spades, 1RF
----> 2H “any kind or raise”
----> 2S = 5+ spades, (since !D shown by dbl) not forcing
----> 2NT = Useful raise
----> 3♣ Mixed raise
----> 3♦/3♠, Fit jumps
----> 4C splinter

1S - (2D)
----> DBL “heart transfer”
----> 2H Balanced or clubs (no room for neg free bid)
----> 2S raise
----> 2NT Useful raise

1D- (1H)
----> DBL Shows spades
----> 1S Clubs, or balanced misfit
----> 1NTNatural, non-forcing
----> 2C 4+ spades, relatively balanced
----> 2D 5+ spades, forcing
----> 2H Diamond fit, invite (not GF, see 2NT)
----> 2S Fit jump, NF
----> 2NT Weak or game forcing raise
----> 3C, 3S Fit jump, NF
----> 3D Weak (but not desperately weak)
----> 3H Looks for 3NT with stopper

1D-(1S)
----> DBL - Club or balanced misfit
----> 1NT Natural, non-forcing
----> 2C = 4+ hearts, balanced pattern
----> 2D = 5+ hearts, forcing
----> 2H 5+ hearts, negative free bid thing, not forcing,
----> 2S = Mixed raise, not game forcing, see 2NT
----> 2NT = Weak or game forcing raise
----> 3C, 3H Fit jump, NF
----> 3D Weak (but not desperately weak)

1D- (2C)
----> DBL, Regular takeout double, wow.
----> 2D “5+ hearts, RF”
----> 2H “5+ spades, RF”
----> 2S Spades, not forcing
----> 2NT Weak or game forcing raise
----> 3C Mixed raise, not game forcing
----> 3D Weak (but not desperately weak)
----> 3H/3S Fit jump
----> 4C Splinter

1C-(1D)
----> DBL 4+ hearts, tends to be balanced (see 2C)
----> 1H 4+ spades, tends to be balanced (see 2D)
----> 1S Balanced only (no unbid minor) unsuitable for 1NT (too strong? Wants partner to play NT, etc. may include fair club support
----> 1NT Natural, limited (see 1S)
----> 2C 5+ hearts, stronger than dbl, more distributional
----> 2D 5+ spades, stronger than 1H, more distributional
----> 2H/2S Fit jumps, this time, not forcing (see 2C/2D)
----> 2NT Really, really weak club raise, or GF club raise
----> 3C Typical preemptive club raise
----> 3H/3S Preemptive this time since 2H/2S available

1C - (1H)
----> DBL 4+ spades, good defensive hand, deny short H
----> 1S is bal hand unsuitable for nat 1/3NT bid or 5+D
----> 1NT Natural, NF
----> 2C 4+ spades, offensive hand
----> 2D 5+ spades, forcing game invite plus
----> 2H Constructive raise
----> 2S Fit jump
----> 2NT Very preemptive or game force
----> 3C Preemptive but better than 2NT
----> 3D, 3S Fit jumps
----> 3H Ask for heart stopper for nt
----> 3NT To play

1C - (1S)
----> DBL Balanced or shows diamonds
----> 1NT Natural, non forcing
----> 2C 4+ hearts, 1RF
----> 2D 5+ hearts, forcing
----> 2H Non-forcing, 5+ hearts
----> 2S Good limit raise (GF raise uses 2NT) also see 2C
----> 2NT Very Preemptive raise or GF raise
----> 3C “good raise but preemptive”
----> 3H, 3D Fit jump
----> 3S Bid 3NT with stopper

Over doubles

1S-(DBL)
----> Rdbl balanced or diamonds
----> 1NT natural nf
----> 2C trasfer to diamonds
----> 2D transfer to hearts
----> 2H "sound" raise to 2S
----> 2S preemptive spades raise
----> 2NT useful spade raise or better

1H-(DBL)
----> Rdbl shows hearts
----> 1H shows spades
----> 1NT natural nf
----> 2C trasfer to diamonds
----> 2D sound heart raise
----> 2H preemptive heart raise
----> 2S fit jump
----> 2NT useful raise or better

1D-(DBL)
----> Rdbl hearts
-----> 1H shows spades
-----> 1S shows clubs or balanced unsuited for 1NT
----> 1NT natural nf
----> 2C 5+H's, 1RF
----> 2D 5+S's, 1RF
----> 2H fit jump
----> 2S fit jump
----> 2NT weak or GF diamond raise

1C-(DBL)
----> Rdbl shows diamonds
----> 1D shows hearts
----> 1H shows spades
----> 1S shows balanced unsuited for 1NT
----> 1NT natural nf
----> 2C 5+H's, 1RF
----> 2D 5+S's, 1RF
----> 2H fit jump
----> 2S fit jump
----> 2NT weak or GF diamond raise

Next time, equality after they open the bidding.

XYZ Convention

2005-06-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

BBO Advanced, and Inquiry 2/1 GF systems (and many others), use a convention called XYZ or two way checkback. So what is xyz? No doubt you have heard of "new minor forcing"? Well, xzy is just an extension of this principle. After opener makes his rebid, a rebid of either 2♣ or 2♦ are both forcing. 2♣ is a transfer to 2♦ which responder either passes (if he wants to signoff in diamonds), or he bids again to invite to game. While 2♦ by responder is game force.

The name, "XYZ" comes from this..
1x-(P)-1y-(P)
1z-(P)-BID

Where x, y, z can be any bids, as long as responder has a choice to bid 2♣ or 2♦. In fact, the way I play it, as long as responders second bid can be two of either minor, then xzy is still on. This includes hands where opponents have bid (responder must have made a bid or double at his first opportunity or XYZ is off). So 1C-(1H)-DBL-(1S)-P-(P)- xyz is still on. 1C-(1H)-Pass.... after this pass by responder, XZY is off forever. Also, note that most people don't play XZY after 1C-1D-1any, however, I do. Some people don't play xzy after 1H-1S-1NT, but again, I do.

In XYZ, a bid of 2♣ by responder at second turn forces opener to bid 2D, this might be signoff attempt in diamonds, or any game invite hand. Likewise, a bid of 2D by responder is absolutely game force. Part of xyz, often overlooked, is that an 2NT rebid by responder is also part of the system, and yes, xyz also in effect on 1H-1S-1NT.

XYZ Convention, how it works

1X-1Y-1Z
----> 2C forces 2D
-------->2D more or less forced
-----------> any bid game try, including 2NT, jumps stronger game tries than non jumps
----> 2D game force, all further bids forcing
-----------> opener rebids unbid 4card major before raise with three
----> 2NT forces 3C
-----------> 3C
----------------> pass (signoff in clubs)
----------------> any other distribution game try (as opposed to 2♣ then 3 level, more hcp based)

All simple raises are weak, all jumps are forcing and very distributional. In addition, playing XYZ, not all game force hands start with 2♦. A jump shift shows a 5-5 hand and game forcing values. This means of course that jumps always show a real second suit with good distribution as does jump rebids, rather than some artificial force thing. Also, note. Inquiry 2/1GF uses Reverse flannery by responder. So that 1m-1S-1NT-2H is not forcing, but better than minimum. This addes definition to 1m-1S-1NT-2C-2D-2H, which is stronger than the direct 2H rebid (PFA). 2H here by opener is not forcing.

One issue in XZY is if game invites begin with 2♣, so to invite to 3NT, the auction would be
1x-1y
1z-2♣
2♦-2NT

Since that is the case, what is 1m-1M-1N-2N for instance? And if 2♣ is game invite how does one signoff in partners (or your own) club suit? In XYZ as played by some people, a 2♣ followed by 3♣ bid is signoff. I DONT PLAY that way, if I use the 2♣ bid and then bid again, it is invitational, not signoff.

The solution is simple. A direct rebid of 2NT by RESPONDER is lebehnshol, and meant to be either:

A signoff in clubs (pass forced 3♣ )
A game try with good distribution for any suit other than clubs, but less hcp than an XYZ 2♣ followed by the 3 level bid
Can also be used as slam tries with rebids of 3NT/4 level suits

Item number 3 above is interesting, and shows that when playing XYZ, you have GREATLY increased your accurately describe your hands types. The seperation of different game invites via 2NT versus 2♣'s is also expanded to different game forcing hands as well using 2♦, direct jumps to three/four level, 2NT -followed by 4 level rebid, and 2♣'s followed by four level bids. Here are the rules for "game forcing" auctions by responder.

Direct Jumps to GAME by advancer on second turn is descriptive. If opener's rebid had been 1NT, these jumps are direct signoff. If opener had rebid 1♥ or 1♠ , responders leap to 4 of openers major shows four card support to two top honors, and five cards responders suit headed by AKJ or AKQ, no side suit singleton, no other significant values.
A direct jump rebid to GAME in responders major (1♦-1♥-1♠ -4♥, or 1♣-1♥-1♠-4♥) shows a broken seven card suit, no control in the unbid minor, and an A or K in openers major, and minimum game going values. Typical hand might be: Ax AQJxxxx xx xx (*** I use 1m-4C and 1m-4D to show seven card solid major C=H, D=S, with no side suit A or K***).
Delayed jumps to 4M after using 2♣ (1m-1M-1y-2♣-2♦-4M) shows the same kind of hand as under #2, except the side control is in opener's minor
Delayed jumps to 4M after using 2NT (1m-1M-1y-2NT-3♣-4M) shows the same kind of hand as under #2 , except the side control is in the 4th suit
Delayed jumps to four of opener's major, show the same hand types, as in number 1 above, except it conveys info about controls in one or the other suits. As before, 2♣ followed by jump to four of partners major shows additional side control openers major. On 1m-1♥-1♠-2♣-2♦-4♠, the 4S bid shows 4-5-2-2 with two top spades, two of the top three in hearts, and A or K of opener's minor. Delayed jumps via 2NT shows the same kind of hand, but with A or K of the "unbid" suit.
Jumps to 4♣ and 4♦ are splinter jumps (yes, even after 1m by opener), showing four card support for opener major (or self-splinter but ONLY if opener had rebid 1NT). This shows any great game going hand with no control in the fourth suit. Once again, it also shows minimum values for game going hands if in support of openers major.
Delayed direct jumps to 4♦ and 4♣ likewise show splinters. Again, the splinter is in support of opener's major (if he rebid one), or self-splinter. We apply PFA to these splinters, the lower the first rebid, the better the splinter. But in EACH CASE, the splinter denies a control in the fourth suit. So 1m-1x-1M-2NT-3♣-4m shows a stronger hand than the immediate (non-delayed) 4♣ rebid, while 1x-1M-2♣-2♦-4m shows a better hand (it started lower with 2C). You might think same logic would apply to using game forcing 2D then rebidding 4m, but no, since over 2D you have no control over openers rebid. He might jump 3NT or 3M for instance, taking the ability to use 4m as a splinter. The 2NT then 4m rebid promises a control in responders first suit (unless splinter is in that suit, in which case a control is held in the fourth suit after all), but maybe only one top card in the agreed major, while the auction through 2♣ shows control in openers first minor (unless splinter is in openers first suit, in which case it shows ACE in the fourth suit, plus one surpise extra card).
Direct jumps to 3M (1m-1M-1NT-3M or 1m-1x-1M-3M) shows better hands than any in the group above, but with great distribution (unsuited for the jump). With more balanced hands, unsuited for any of the above bids, simply bid game forcing 2♦-then raise the major. PFA (principle of fast arrival) applies after 2♦ then raise.

Even without discussing it, 1m-1M-1N-3N is weaker than 1m-1M-1N-2C-2D-3NT, 1m-1M-1N-2D-2x-3NT, 1m-1M-1N-2N-3C-3N. The first auction is game signoff, the auction with 2D was using checkback, finding no fit is signoff, the two auction using 2NT and 2C are slam invites. Both slam invites are based upon fit for openers minor using PFA principles so that the one starting 2C is the strong of the two slam invites. Below are some examples of expaned xyz auctions using these principles.

RESPONDER HAS SPADE SUPPORT FOR OPENER

1C-1H-1S-2S = 3/4 card support, not encouraging (1)
1C-1S-1N-2S = five six card suit, very mildly encouraging (2)
1C-1D-1S-2S = three card support, encouraging (3)
1C-1D-1S-2♣-2D-2S strong game invite, but 3 card support (else Walsh 1S first)

Footnotes

(1) - 3/4 card support since with 44 or 45 in majors would start, not invitational becase didn't start with 2C
Mildly encouraging because didn't preempt with 2S immediately
Three card support because with 4S's Walsh would have required 1S response. Mildly encouraging because 1C-1D-1H/1S specifically is not forcing the way we play. So a three card raise is not required.
This shows four card support (with three raise immediately). Opener can pass only with a truly horrible hand.

1C-1H-1S-2♣-2D-2S mild game invite, generally four card support
1C-1H-1S-2♣-2D-3S strong game invite, based more on hcp than distribution
1C-1H-1S-2N-3C-3S, strong invite, based but with more distribution (includes singleton)
1C-1H-1S-3S game force with good distribution (five+ in first suit), at least four in spades

1C-1H-1S-4S = picture jump, five hearts, four spades, 2-2 other suits. values in majors
1C-1H-1S-2♣-2D-4S Picture jump 4522, A/K in C, good good quality H &S, no D control
1C-1H-1S-2NT-3C-4S Picture jump, 4522 with A/K in Diamonds, good quality majors, no club control
1C-1H-1S-4C/4D = picture jump, splinter, 4531 or 4621 or minor, no control in 3 card suit, min game values
1C-1H-1S-2♦-2H-2S game force, possible 3 card support
1C-1H-1S-2♦-2x-3S strong slam try, sets trumps, more balanced than direct 3S
1C-1H-1S-2♦-2x/3x-4S - minimum GF hand unsuit for any non-2D auction

RESPONDER HAS HEARTS

1C-1H-1S-2H not even mildly invitational
1C-1S-1N-2H mildly encouraging (if you play reverse flannery by responder)
1C-1H-1S-2♣-2D-2H mild to normal game try in hearts
1C-1H-1S-2♣-2D-4H Picture jump, 7H missing an honor, plus A or K Spade
1C-1H-1S-2NT-3C-3H strong game try with good distribution
1C-1H-1S-3H Game force, good hearts, strongest rebid by responder in hearts
1C-1H-1S-2♣-2D-3H strong game try in hearts, based upon HCP

1C-1H-1S-4H Picture jump, 7H missing an honor, plus A or K Spade
1C-1H-1S-2N-3C-4H Picture jump, 7H missing honor, plus Aor K of 4th suit
1C-1H-1S-2C-2D-4H Picture bid, 7 card suit missing honor, plus A or K of parnters minor
1C-1H-1N-4H - I want to play 4H, all other ways to force to 4H after 1NT rebid seek more info from 1NT bidder However, self-splinters also in effect if opener rebids 1NT. If the splinter hits openers weak suit, slam is almost surely forced.

As you can imagine, with such precise agreements, the bidding is greatly simplified. The points to remember are: PFA with leaps to game, with lower responders second bid, the stronger the hand. Direct leaps deny control in suits not bid by leaper, 2C first show control in partners first suit, 2NT first shows control in the "off-side suit". Splinters also exist, and deny control in the off-side suit, splinters also go through 2C and 2NT and direct.

You hold..♠A2 ♥KQJ9875 ♦KQ4 ♣9 Partner opens 1C, you respond 1H. Hand is too good for self splinter if partner bids 1NT, and is too good for the various jumps to 4H (1C-1H-1S-4H would be right missing the K of diamonds and the singleton club; 1C-1H-1S-2NT-3C-4H would be right if the ACE of spades was the two of clubs, and 1C-1H-1S-2C-2D-4H requires a club control (A or K) and no control in the spades or diamonds). The solution is a forcing 3H bid (over 1S or 1NT) followed by 4NT with hearts agreed as trumps. This hand can also just start with 1C-4NT if you like, asking for ACES, but then no easy way to ask for spade king.

You hold..♠2 ♥AKT7532 ♦AJ ♣Qxx Partner opened 1C, you bid 1H, partner bid 1S, time for a toy. You bid 2NT, forcing partner to bid 3C, they you leap to 4H. This shows this kind of suit plus a diamond control. Partner with ..♠Axxx ♥Q ♦Kxx ♣AKJxx can take control. He bids 4NT (blackwood), finds you have three controls (5C response), then bids 6C as a specific sauit ask. 6D shows third round control, grand slam is bid (see Kantar Roman Keycard blackwood/ By agreement after jump to 4M, responder is identified as the strong hand).

You hold..♠AT4 ♥AQJT985 ♦K ♣K4 Two possible plans. An immediate 4NT over 1C/1D which ask for aces, then drop contract in some number of hearts. Better is 1H, followed by 3H (forcing, or 4NT if partner raises hearts), then 4NT. No need for fancy stuff here. Hands like this one is why hands like the one above it are so useful. If you are strong enough, you can generally simply take control.

You hold..♠Q95 ♥AQT98652 ♦2 ♣2 A dangerous kind of hand to respond to 1C/1D with playing my system. If you respond 1H, your follow ups will be limited (unless you invite only to game). One option is to bid 4H, but with eight good hearts, I prefer not. So I will treat this as a splinter hand, showing broken heart suit, and no control the other suits. So over 1C, I respond 1H, planning or rebidding 4D if partner bids 1S and 4H if he bids 1NT (4H is signoff). If partner raises hearts, the 4D splinter is once again my choice.

You hold..♠- ♥AKQT985 ♦AJ98 ♣T9 Partner opens 1C. This hand is too good for the fancy stuff. So 1H, when partner rebids 1NT, a couple of options, 4S Exclusion Blackwood, or 3H. Here, since 2S if forcing, 3S is self-splinter, so that is another possibility. So I like 3S and if partner bids 4C, then 4S Exclusion blackwood.

You hold..♠AK3 ♥KJ98754 ♦5 ♣54 No fancy stuff. Too good for anything other than 1H response. If partner bids 1NT, signoff in 4H. If he bids 1S, dont use 3H then 4H if you are going to insist on hearts, instead, bid 2D followed by hearts and hearts.

You hold..♠K5 ♥AQJT853 ♦JT ♣85 Partner opens 1C, you bid 1H and he bids 1S. Perfect for you. Now you can show the semi-solid suit plus a spade control via a bid of 4Hs. Reverse the black suits, and you would bid 2C then jump to 4H over forced 2D. Swap spades and diamonds, and you would bid 2NT and jump to 4H over forced 3C.

You hold..♠K5 ♥AQJT853 ♦T84 ♣A Now you respond 1H to 1C, and over 1S you are too good for any of the great heart showing leaps to the four level. So you have to revert to 3H (not 2D then hearts, as you are too heart oriented on this hand, 3H insist on hearts). If partner cooperates with 3S. 4C or 4D, you will make slam try. If he bids 4H, you give.

S Vul: E-W
H AQJ9753
D K
S AK742 C KJ762 S QJT8
H H 842
D J76532 D QT84
C 85 S 9653 === C T3
H KT6
D A9
C AQ94

West North East South
Pass 1C
Pass 2H Pass 4S
Pass 5H Pass 6C
Pass 7C Pass 7H
all pass

4S = exclusion
5H = 3 key cards
6C = SSA
7C = third round club control

No one on BBO bid the grand.

You hold..♠653 ♥AKJ7642 ♦KJ ♣9 Partner opens 1C, you think, oh boy, I can bid 1H then might be able to show this heart suit with a diamond control via 2NT then 4H. You bid 1H, partner bids 1S, your 2NT and over partners 3C (Forced), you leap to 4H.

Enough long heart hands, lets look at some other hand types.



S 865       S AQJ7        --   1C  
H KQ53      H A           1H   1S  
D 63        D KJ7         2C   2D
C A942      C KT765       3C   3NT

2C = xyz, force 2D    
2NT = natural game invite in NT

S QT87      S J42       1C  1H     
H JT        H AK652     1S  2D     
D A9        D KQT4      3C  3NT    
C KQ942     C 6   

2D = GF
3C = five+ clubs, 2 or less hearts

Notice on this last hand, after 2D, you
know if partner has three card support or not
(generally not), so you can then rebid 3H
with six, and four hearts with seven and
no slam interest or yucky suits. Which
adds VALUES to the immediate jump to 3H,
as given above, and other auctions where
you insiste on hearts.

ZAR Points and opening one of a minor

2005-06-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

When deciding whether or not you have an opening bid, count your ZAR Points, with 26 open, or at least strongly consider opening. To determine you ZAR points.

Count your HCP,
Count the number of controls you have (A=2, K=1),
Count the number of cards in your two longest suits, and
Subtract your shortest suit from you longest suit. Then add all these numbers together.

1♣ Minimum 3 card suit. With weak hand (11-13) and four-four in minors, tend to open 1♣
1D = More likely to be 4 cards than 1♣, but minimum of 3

Remember when your partner opens 1 minor, he can not have: 9.5 tricks and great one suit hand (open 2D), a strongish three suiter with five or less losers (open 2♣), a balanced hand of 22 or more hcp (open 2♦ or 2♣), nor a strong two suiter with four or less losers (he would open a MisIry tranfer bid of 2NT to 3♦).

1.1 Responses to 1♣
1♣-?
---> 1D With a four card major, show D only with a hand with game force values
----------> 17 to 19 balanced (only on 1C-1D)
----------> 1M, may be three card suit
----------------> 1NT = 6-8 hcp
----------> 2C weak
----------> 2D weak
----------> 3C good suit
----------> 3D strong raise
----------> 3NT balanced 20-21 hcp (normal 2NT opener)
---> 1♠/1♥ = 4+ suit, 5+ points (sometimes lighter)
----------> 1S = tends to be unbalanced (XYZ on, see XYZ)
----------> 1NT = 11-13, can have 4S over 1H (XYZ on, see XYZ)
----------> 3NT = 20-21 hcp ("normal" 2NT opener)
----------> 2C weak, clubs
----------> 2♦ NEW MINOR FORCING BY OPENER
----------> 2M raise, frequently 3 card support very weak raise
----------------> 3♣ invitational, but not forcing
----------------> 2NT inquiry
---------------------> 3♣ only three card support
-------------------------->3♦ re-game try, opener rebids
------------------------------> 3M really sorry I opened, up to you
------------------------------> 3OM stopper
------------------------------> 3NT no stopper in OM
------------------------------> 4♣ splinter OM
------------------------------> 4&diamonds, splinter in diamonds
------------------------------> 4M picture bid, 3226, slight extra values
---------------------> 3♦ four card support, maximum 2M raise, GF
---------------------> 3M four card support, minimum 2M raise
---------------------> 3OM splinter, maximum 2M raise with three card support
---------------------> 3NT splinter in ♦ maximum 2H raise with three card support
---------------------> 4♣ splinter in other major, four card support
---------------------> 4 ♦ splinter in ♦ four card support
---------------------> 4M maximum, four card raise, picture bid (4-2-5-2) no control in either side suit.
----------> 3M raise, four card support, 29 to 32 ZAR points
----------> 4M raise, long ugly clubs, four card support
----------> 4C, long solid clubs, four card support
----------> 3C, long good clubs, three card support, good hand, not forcing
----------> 3♦ , mini-splinter, four card support, same ZAR range as 3M but more dist.
----------> 2NT Jacoby 2NT by opener, strong game try or game force
---------------> 3C will not accept game try
--------------------> 3♦ re-game try
--------------------> 3OM ask for shortness
--------------------> 3M signoff
--------------------> 3NT always choice contracts
--------------------> 4C spinter in other major, still slam try
--------------------> 4♦ diamond splinter, still slam try
---------------> 3♦ Accept game try, no slam interest
---------------> 3H Slam interst, asking opener for shortness, 3S low, 4C upper
---------------> 3S splinter in other major
---------------> 3NT - splinter most in other minor
---------------> 4C - second suit very strong slam try
---------------> 4D - second suit very strong slam try
---> 1NT 9-10 HCP (stronger than 1D then rebid 1NT)
--------------> 2C signoff
--------------> 2D new minor forcing by opener
--------------> 2H/2S strong reverses
---> 2NT 11-12 balanced, no 4 card major (prefer limit raise to 2NT if option)
---> 2♣ Inverted minor, Quasi-Game force.
------------> 2D Minmum unbalanced hand (ie singleton or void somewhere)
-------------------> 2H ask where is singleton (low, middle, high)
------------------------> 2S = diamond (low)
------------------------> 2NT = heart (middle)
------------------------> 3C = spade (high)
-----------> 2H Balanced had that didn;t want to bid NT
-----------> 2S Balanced GF with 5+ clubs
-----------> 2NT = Natural, forcing to 3C (could be 17-19 but see 3NT below)
-----------> 3♣ = 5+ clubs one round force
-----------> new suit jump, GF, splinter, not three suited (would open 2♣)
-----------> Jump to 4 of agreed minor=RKCB
-----------> Jump above 4 of agreed minor=Exclusion RKCB
---> 2D = criss cross, limit raise of clubs (11-bad 13)
---> 2H = Reverse flannery by responder (5+♠ and 4+♥, 4 to bad 10 pts)
---> 2S = Minimum hand, six spades
---> 3C = preemptive raise
---> 3D/3H/3S preemptive jump shifts
---> 3NT 15-17 hcp, balanced, no significant four card major
---> 4♣ solid heart suit AKQJxxx with no side A or K
--------> ask for singlton
-----------> 4&heats, no singleton or void
-----------> new suit, singleton or void in bid suit
---> 4♦ solid seven card spade suit AKQJxxx, no side A or K
-----------> 4♠ to play
-----------> 4♥ ask for singleton
---> 4NT balanced 18/19
---> 4H/4S long suit, to play

Responses to Diamond opening bid

1D-?
---> 1♠/1♥ = 4+ suit, 5+ points (sometimes lighter)
----------> 1♠ = tends to be unbalanced (XYZ on, see XYZ)
----------> 1NT = 11=13, can have 4S over 1H (XYZ on, see XYZ)
----------> 2♣ NEW MINOR FORCING BY OPENER (denies 4S's)
----------> 2D weak
----------> 3♣ weak minor two suiter
----------> 2M raise, frequently 3 card support very weak raise
----------------> 3D invitational, but not forcing
----------------> 2NT inquiry
---------------------> 3♣ three card support maximum,
-------------------------->3♦ not willing to stop (bid 3D immediately in that case)
opener rebids
------------------------------> 3M poor "maximum"
------------------------------> 3OM stopper in this major
------------------------------> 3NT no stopper in OM
------------------------------> 4♣ splinter in clubs
------------------------------> 4♦ , splinter in other major
------------------------------> 4M picture bid, 3262, nice max, but remember no 3D initially
---------------------> 3♦ three card support, minimum 2M raise
---------------------> 3M four card support, minimum 2M raise
---------------------> 3OM splinter, maximum 2M raise with three card support
---------------------> 3NT splinter in &DIAMS:, maximum 2H raise with three card support
---------------------> 4♣ splinter in other major, four card support
---------------------> 4 ♦ splinter in ♦ four card support
---------------------> 4M maximum, four card raise, picture bid (4-2-5-2) no control in either side suit.
----------> 3M raise, four card support, 29 to 32 ZAR points
----------> 4M raise, long ugly clubs, four card support
----------> 4D, long solid diamonds, four card support
----------> 3D, long good diamonds, three card support, good hand, not forcing
----------> 3C, Weak minor two suiter, NOT FORCING
----------> 2NT Jacoby 2NT by opener, strong game try or game force
---------------> 3C will not accept game try
--------------------> 3D re-game try
--------------------> 3OM ask for shortness
--------------------> 3M signoff
--------------------> 3NT always choice contracts
--------------------> 4C spinter in other major, still slam try
--------------------> 4D diamond splinter, still slam try
---------------> 3D Accept game try, no slam interest
---------------> 3H Slam interst, asking opener for shortness, 3S low, 4C upper
---------------> 3S splinter in other major
---------------> 3NT - splinter most in other minor
---------------> 4C - second suit very strong slam try
---------------> 4D - second suit very strong slam try
---> 1NT 6-10 HCP
--------------> 2C new minor forcing by opener
--------------> 2D signoff
--------------> 2H/2S strong reverses
---> 2NT 11-12 balanced, no 4 card major (prefer limit raise to 2NT if option)
---> 2♣Kokish relay, forcing, almost surely to game,
---------> 2D five+ diamonds
---------> 2H specifically 4441 (singleton club), not suited for 2&Club opener
---------> 2S strong club raise
---------> 2NT balanced minimum
---------> 3C club raise, weaker than 2S
---------> 3D solid diamond suit
---------> 3M splinter for clubs
---------> 3NT 17-19 balanced
---> 2D = Inverted minor, Quasi-Game force.
------------> 2H Minmum unbalanced hand (ie singleton or void somewhere)
-----------------> 2S ask where is singleton (low, middle, high)
---------------------> 2N = club (low)
---------------------> 3C = heart (middle)
---------------------> 3D = spade (high)
-------------> 2S Balanced had that didn;t want to bid NT
-------------> 2NT=Natural and forcing to 3 of the agreed minor (could be 17-19 but see 3NT below)
-------------> 3♣ =Balanced minimum hand with 5+ of minor
-------------> new suit jump, GF, splinter, not three suited (would open 2♣)
-------------> Jump to 4 of agreed minor=RKCB
-------------> Jump above 4 of agreed minor=Exclusion RKCB
---> 2H = Reverse flannery by responder (5+♠ and 4+♥, 4 to bad 10 pts)
---> 2S = Minimum hand, six spades
---> 3C = criss cross, limit raise of diamonds(11-bad 13)
---> 3D = preemptive raise
---> 3H/3S = preemptive shifts
---> 3NT = 15-17 hcp, balanced, no significant four card major
---> 4C seven solid hearts, no side A or K, 4D ask for singleton
---> 4D seven solid spades, no side A or K, 4H ask for singleton
---> 4NT balanced 18/19
---> 4H/4S long suit, to play

See the post on NEW MINOR FORCING BY OPENER and the one on XYZ to see how those conventions work.

Kokish Relay

♠ 854
♥ A32
♦ KQJ98
♣ AK

♠ AQ
♥ J84
♦
♣ QJ987432

1D - 2C
2D - 3C
3H - 3NT
4C - 4S
5C - all pass

2C = quasi game force, forcing to 4Clubs only. 2D is 5+ diamonds
3C = lots of clubs
3H = 3NT game try, or advanced cue-bid
3NT = spades controlled
4C = after 3NT, this is game force, set trumps, pass is also possible

Bd: 5
Dlr: North
Vul: NS
North
S QJ103
H K106
D AQ54
C 107

West East
S 98642 S AK5
H 432 H J5
D K7 D 1096
C Q42 C AJ865

South
S 7
H AQ987
D J832
C K93
Auction from Junior European championship, July 17, 2005

Open Room:
West North East South
1NT Pass 2D
Pass 2H Pass Pass
Pass

Inquiry 2/1 would be..
West North East South
1D Pass 1H
Pass 2H Pass 4H
Pass Pass Pass

Explaination. North has 12 hcp, 3 control points, and 10 distributional points. With
25 ZAR points, and four spades, open.

South starts with has 10 hcp, 3 control pts, 13 distributional points, then gains 2 pts for singleton spade and fifth heart, and one point for diamond jack. Total of 30. Leap to game is automatic. Four hearts made at other table after an exploratory auction, which seems unnecessary.

1D - 1H
1S - 2C
2H - 3H
4H

Semi-forcing 1NT, direct raises, and invitational jump shifts

2005-06-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Our one of a major is not as limited as in systems like precision, but is much more limited than in normal 2/1 GF and "standard" systems. We saw how in first or second seat, we use a 2♣ conventional bid to show balanced hands game invite or stronger, or hands with three card support, game invite or stronger, or true 2/1 GF with five clubs. These are the kind of hands that normal 2/1 players stick into their forcing 1NT, thus making a rebid by opener mandatory. Since our 1NT forcing bid does not include any of these strong varients, we call it a semi-forcing 1NT (opener can pass without worrying about missing game).

We further limit the scope of our forcing 1NT in two important ways. First, we remove all three card raises from it..... even those too weak to use the 2♣ convention. Second, we remove all 12 point type hands with one good suit from it, we use a non-forcing invitational jump shift to show those hands.

Here is the outline of the full responding scheme to 1S (don;t forget modified Kaplan Inversion). Responses to 1H are the same except for the modified kaplan thing

1S-?
----> 1NT - none of the below, semi forcing
----> 2C - 1st or 2nd Seat Drury convention (see that topic)
----> 2D - GF 2/1
----> 2H - GF 2/1
----> 2S - preemptive raise, up to bad 8 hcp, three card support as a rule
----> 2NT - Jacoby 2NT PLUS (four card raise, good 10+ or better)
----> 3C goodish six card suit, 11-12 points
----> 3D goodish six card suit, 11-12 points
----> 3H, goodish six card suit, 11-12 points
----> 3S preemptive raise, 0-7 hcp, four card support
----> 3NT
----> 4C/4D/4H = splinters,
----> 4S preemptive raise, five card support

The semi-forcing 1NT will never have a good suit and decent values, balanced or semi-balanced hand with good 10 plus, three card+ support for first major. Let's see the follow ups, remember 2♣ riton is used.

After Semi-forcing 1NT

1S-1NT
----> Pass (to play)
----> 2♣ (riton), shows good hand with no easy bid
----------> Pass, rare but possible
----------> 2D can be diamonds, or waiting. Opener will not pass this
-----------------> 2H strong hand with 4 hearts and spades, good hcp
-----------------> 2S six card suit, poor suit quality so no jump
-----------------> 2NT balanced 17-19
-----------------> 3C four card club suit
-----------------> 3D four card diamond
----------> 2H weak five or six card suit
----------> 2S weak preference, no diamond fit, only 2D
----------> 3C = long clubs, too weak for invite 3C to start with, to good to pass
----------> 3D = long diamonds, too weak for invite 3D (with weaker, bid 2D then 3D)
----> 2D real diamond suit, weak hand
----------> Pass (not good enough for 2NT-->3D, or immediate 3D)
----------> 2H weak suit of own
----------> 2S No fit, two card support
----------> 2NT Reverse good bad 2NT, opener must bid 3C
-----------------> very weak with clubs, no fit
-----------------> intermediate for 1NT response with diamond fit
-----------------> good hand for diamonds, "strong raise"
----> 2H real heart suit, weak hand
----> 2S weak hand with spades, must be six
----> 2NT bid diamond fit (can't be balance, can't be spades)
----> 3D preemptive diamond fit
----> 3C preemptive, to play

After Invitational jump shift
1M - Jumpshift
----> pass to play
----> Raises natural
----> 3NT natural
----> new suit forcing
----> rebid opener suit mildly invite

Direct raises are always weak
1M - 2M = weak three card raise
1M - 3M = weak four card raise
1M - 4M = weak five card raise
1M - 2C (1st and second seat convention, may be non=support as well)
1M - 2C (3rd and 4th seat = 3 card constructive raise always)
1M - 2D (3rd and 4th seat = 4 card constructive raise always)
1M - 2NT = four card limit raise or BETTER, even by passed hand
1M - double jump shift = splinter




IMP-13      North       Dlr: West 
Board 669   S AKT642    Vul: Both
            H AK3      
West        D Q6        East       
S QJ7       C KQ        S 83       
H Q982                  H JT74     
D K95       South       D AT73     
C 864       S 95        C JT5      
            H 65       
            D J842     
            C A9732    

4/2/2005  7:53:44 PM
First 7:45:21 PM, Last 7:53:44 PM

West     North    East     South    
Pass     1S       Pass     1NT!    
Pass     2C!      Pass     2S
Pass     3NT      Pass     Pass    
Pass    

 1. Maybe unbalanced
 2. Good hand, not clubs
 3. Warning, very weak hand, 2 card support
 4. 3NT, too much not to insist on game


IMP-13      North       Dlr: North
Board 697   S Q4        Vul: None
            H 964      
West        D AJ7       East       
S T         C J9532     S 76532    
H KQJ8732               H 5        
D 65        South       D KT2      
C T87       S AKJ98     C AQ64     
            H AT       
            D Q9843    
            C K        

4/2/2005  8:12:38 PM
First 8:06:33 PM, Last 8:12:38 PM

West     North    East     South   
         Pass     Pass     1S      
Pass     1NT !    Pass     3D !     
Pass     4S       All Pass    

 1. 1NT can be off-shaped, not forcing
 2. 3D two suiter, 5-5 or better, 5 loser
 3. 4S what else with two tricks
    and bonus DJ


IMP-13      West        Dlr: West 
Board 776   S T3        Vul: Both
            H JT72     
South       D AK86      North      
S K92       C Q62       S J75      
H K43                   H 9        
D QJ742     East        D T3       
C KJ        S AQ864     C AT98754  
            H AQ865    
            D 95       
            C 3        

4/2/2005  8:31:44 PM
First 8:28:38 PM, Last 8:36:45 PM

South    West     North    East    
         Pass     Pass     1S      
Pass     1NT !    Pass     2H      
Pass     3H  !    Pass     4H      
Pass     Pass     Pass    

 1. 2H not all 5-5 hands allow jumps
 2. responder can raise hearts a
    couple of ways. Direct raise,
    stongest, 2NT followed by 3H
    weakest. This raise 24-25 Zars
 3. 4H justified on 5-5 and bullets

IMP-13      East        Dlr: East 
Board 996   S AT9762    Vul: E-W
            H A73      
North       D K         South      
S K53       C KQ3       S J4       
H 65                    H QJT9     
D AT5       West        D J98      
C JT862     S Q8        C A754     
            H K842     
            D Q76432   
            C 9

North    East     South    West    
         1S       Pass     1NT !    
Pass     2C !     Pass     2D
Pass     2S       All Pass       

 1. Can be unbalanced, not "forcing"
 2. Good hand, 15+,
 3. With 7, too good to show weak
 4. Six spades, not good enough
    for immediate or delayed 3S
    but too good for 2S over 1N
 5. Pass, high enough on good day
    4S might make. 3S would be
    invite. 2NT natural as rebid
    here over 2S afer 2D.

IMP-13      East        Dlr: North
Board 1019  S 52        Vul: N-S
            H AQ962    
North       D J92       South      
S KT        C KJ2       S 983      
H J543                  H K8       
D K865      West        D T74      
C T43       S AQJ764    C A9876    
            H T7       
            D AQ3      
            C Q5       

North    East     South    West    
Pass     Pass     Pass     1S      
Pass     1NT !    Pass     2C
Pass     2D       Pass     3H
Pass     3S       PAss     3NT
All Pass    

 1. 1NT semi forcing thing
 2. 2C good hand


IMP-14      North       Dlr: South
Board 1052  S 85        Vul: None
            H AT9872   
West        D Q864      East       
S 96        C 4         S T72      
H Q43                   H KJ6      
D J9        South       D A72      
C AT9753    S AKQJ43    C KQJ8     
            H 5        
            D KT53     
            C 62       

West     North    East     South   
                           1S      
Pass     1NT !    Pass     2C      
Pass     2H       Pass     2S
All Pass       

 1. 1NT = less than 3S's, less 12pts
 2. 2C = too good for 2S, p
 3. 2H = hearts, weak
 4. 2S = too good not to rebid

1st and 2nd Seat Reverse Drury

2005-06-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

I like a convention that i call 1st and 2nd seat reverse drury. After partner opens 1H or 1S in the first or second, seat, Responder can bid 2♣ with any of these three hand types:

A hand with five or more clubs, game force
A balanced hand of 10+ hcp or more
A hand with three card support from good 8 hcp or more (can inlude hands with four card support and 7 to 10 hcp)

Opener's first assumption is that the bid shows item number three. Since partner can be as light as 8 hcp and three card support, or perhaps 12 and three hcp, opener first conveys rather or not he has game interest opposite such a hand. If opener would PASS a game try where responder has 11-12 hcp and three card support, opener REBIDS two of his major (there is one exception, if opening bid was 1S and opener has four hearts and a WEAK hand, he rebids 2H). If opener would bid game opposite a 11-12 hcp raise with three cards, he rebids 2D.

The 2D bid shows better than a minimum opening hand (or at least good distribution), but says nothing at all about diamonds. Over 2D, responder rebids 2M only with the trump raise and weak hand (good 8 to 12). This bid is forcing one round, as opener must have extra for his 2D bid. RESPONDER does not jump to 3M over 2D with 11-12 (2M is forcing), as the jump shows a true 2/1 GF and starts slam investigation (using Serious 3NT, so opener can seperate a "good hand" from a "bad hand" for his 2D bid which already showed extras).

There is one special case. With a minimum hand, and 5S and 4+H's, opener rebids 2H instead of 2D with extra values and this pattern he still bids 2D). (This is a simplification of old method that had opener rebidding 2H anytime he held four, but the conventional follow up was too convoluted. Opener with extra values still has time to find 4-4 heart fit. )

Opener's First rebid over 2Clubs

1M-2C-? (see exception for 1S-2C-2H later)
>>> 2D = extra values
>>> 2M = minimim opening, NF
>>> 2OM = if reverse, GF. If non-reverse,4H's, non-forcing minimum
>>> 3♣/3D = second five card suit, GF values -- generally 5 losers since not misiry
>>> 3M = one loser suit, great hand not suited for 2C or 4C/4D opening
>>> Jump major, or 4C/4D = self splinter, broken seven card suit
>>> Broken seven card suit, no singleton or void
>>>2NT = (six spades, four clubs, extra values, no sure this is best)
>>>3NT = 20-21 HCP if playing MisIry and strong 3 suiters open 2C

Full 1st/2nd seat drury scheme

1M-2C-?
---> 2M
---------> pass, to play. Have to pass with 11-12 hcp or bid 2NT
---------> 2NT forcing, stronger than 3NT, Game forcing
---------> Other major, True 2/1 GF, suit
---------> 3C True 2/1 GF,
---------> 3D True 2/1 GF, second suit or values
---------> 3M True 2/1 GF, slam try, can be long support
--------------> 3NT is cue-bid hardest to cue-bid control since slam try already
---------> 3NT any balanced hand with no slam interest
---------> 4S any hand with support and no slam interest
---------> 4C, solid clubs, strong spade support, no control in either red suit
---------> 4D, splinter, no control in hearts
---------> 4H, splinter, no control in diamonds
---> 2D
---------> 2M (8 to 12 hcp, three card support, one round forcen)
---------> 3M true 2/1 GF, true support, slam try in effect
---------> 4M Picture jump, five clubs, four support, no control in other suits
---------> 4D True 2/1 GF, 4+ Support, Splinter, no control in other major,
---------> Jump other major, True 2/1 GF, splinter, no control in D.
---------> new suit or 3C, true game force
---------> 2NT, GF, seek more info. If balanced, 14+
---------> 3NT, balanced 11 to 13, no support
---> 2H (when spade was opened, minimum with 4 hearts.)
---------> Pass, only with 8-10 and four card support
---------> 2S shows 8 to 10 and 3 card support, not 4 card heart support, NF
---------> 3S now shows 11 to 12 and 3 card support
---------> 3H now shows 11 to 12 and 4 card support
---------> 2NT shows true 2/1 GF, no fit for majors,
---------> 3C shows true 2/1 GF and a fit for one of the majors,
-------------> 3D (forced - one exception)
------------------> 3H sets trumps, slam try
------------------> 3S sets trumps, slam try
------------------> 4C picture jump in support of spades (only spade and Club values)
------------------> 4D Picture splinter in support of spades, no heart control
------------------> 4H picture splinter in support of spades, no diamond control
-------------> 4H (pass/correct picture bid,min value, no D control, no C honor
---------> 3D shows true 2/1 GF, and is like 4th suit forcing
------------------> 3H five card suit
------------------> 3S no diamond stopper, 4 hearts only
------------------> 3NT diamond stopper, 4 hearts only
---------> 3NT to play
---------> 4C picture bid in support of hearts, can not show spade splinter
---------> 4H To play
---------> 4S to play

Playing MisIry tranfer, openers jumps (and club raises) immediately over 2C will not occur often, but if they do, they show 5-5 or 6-5 distributional hands and 5 losers common (since no MisIry). Some magic fit slams can be found. The general rule is leap to game in major shows 8-9 hcp and 8 loser hand. Cheapest bid over the reverse shows fit for the suit that a direct raise would use up more space, the next cheapest bid for the second suit, and ask for to start cue-bidding. The third bid is RKCB for both suits shown by opener. 3NT is always natural

1H-2C
---> 2S (6H, 5S. forcing )
--------> 4S 8-9 hcp,
--------> 4H 8-9 hcp, hearts
--------> 2NT heart fit, asking for cue-bidding
--------> 3C spade fit, asking for cue-bidding
--------> 3D = RKCB two suit agreement, both majors
---> 3C (5-5 or better)
------->4M is 3 card fit, 8-9 points (but 8 losers)
------->3NT balanced 10-12
------->3D spade fit start cue-bidding
------->3H club fit, start cue-bidding
------->3S RKCB two suit agreement
---> 3D (5-5 or better)
-------> 3NT balanced 10-12
-------> 3H fit for Major
-------> 3S fit for diamonds
-------> 3NT natural
-------> 4C RKCB two suit agreement

Opponent overcalls or double the 2C response

Should opponents overcall after the 2C response at the two or three level. We play Garrazzo 2/3 doubles (exception, with very weak hand if they overcall below 2 of your major, you can rebid 2M which is weaker than pass, as we are forced to 2M). A pass by opener shows 1 or 4 cards in the bid suit, and a double shows 2 or 3.

The Garozzo 2/3 Doubles occurs in a forcing pass situation below game when our side has shown the majority of the high cards (1M-2C, 1 any - 2 any, the following approach is used in carefully defined situations):

direct DBL shows 2 or 3 cards in the suit doubled and interest in possible penalties.
direct pass shows either 1 or 4+ cards in the suit.
cuebids show void in the suit bid.
direct bids are descriptive, with non-jump bids often just having minimum values.

After the direct double, partner can pass with length too, or can bid if short. After the direct pass, partner can double with either length or shortness (but not extreme shortness, ie no void), and partner will figure out what to do - if in doubt the player with shortness does not double but bids instead.

1S-(P)-2C-(2H); DBL shows 2 to 3 H’s
1S-(P)-2C-(2H); pass shows 1 or 4+ H’s
1S-(P)-2C-(2H); 3H shows a H void.
1S-(P)-2C-(2H); 2S shows no desire to play for penalty and weak hand
1S-(P)-2C-(X); RDBL = cards, game force, no good "C fit",
1S-(P)-2C-(X); Pass = equivalent to the 2D bid, waiting.
1S-(P)-2C-(X); 2D = this time real D’s and weak, not the waiting game
1S-(P)-2C-(X); 2H = real suit, not game force
1S-(P)-2C-(X); 2S = very weak, opening

1H openings with modified Kaplan Inversion

2005-06-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

In Inquiry-2over1 system, the one of the major opening bid is limited. The limts are by enforced by a number of issues. These are:

The really good one suited hands are opened 2 ♣ (8 tricks, 6 card suit, 5 controls)
The strong two suiters (4 losers or less) are opened with MisIry transfers
The long suit, strong hand, not suited for 2 ♣ are opened with namyats
The "strong" three suiters (5-4-4-0) are opened 2 ♣
The "strong" balanced hands are opened 2D (22-24), or 2 ♣ (25+)
Weak hands with five plus major and 4+ clubs are opened 2M

This means that an opening bid is limited to less than each of those possible holdings. This has important implications for the subsequent auctions, especially opener's rebids.

Over one of a major, we play a semi-forcing 1NT but with modified Kaplan inversion, invitational jump shifts, and a specialized inverted drury after a first or second seat opening bid. Two notrump by either partner is often a game try in the other partners major. But this post deals with how Modified Kaplan Inversion along with Riton 2♣ are used after a 1♥ opening bid. Here is the scheme, first with what is unique to 1H opening bid.

Unique Auctions related to Modified Kaplan Inversion

Normal Kaplan Inversion is fairly simple. After a 1♥ opening bid, responder bids 1♠ with 0-4 spades and a hand unsuited for another bid, and bids 1NT with 5+♠. Opener's rebids are 1NT showing a minimum hand with 11-15 and 4♠s, and new minors as better minor. Inquiry 2/1 modifies this. We use responders 1♠/1NT as per normal, but opener's rebid varies from standard a little depending upon rather the initial response was 1♠ or 1NT.

First, over 1♠, we will rebid 1NT with all weak balanced hands lacking four card spade suit. A 2♦ rebid by opener promises 4♠'s, so a 1NT rebid also includes hands with 4♦'s), 2♣ rebid is Riton ♣, showing a good hand of 15HCP or more. Over a 1Spade response, a jump to 2NT shows BAL 20-21 HCP.

Over responders 1NT, 2♠ is a simple raise, and may be with three card support. And over 1NT, 2NT is "Jacoby 2NT by opener" showing four card support and game invite stregth". Over 1♠ by responder, spades have not been promised, so 2♠ is a true reverse, and in fact, shows 5♠/6H's. Ritong 2C followed by 2♠ (if given an opportunity) shows four card spade suit and good hand. Jumps to 3♣/3♦ are true two suiters, 5-5 or better.

If responder bid 1S which denies five+ spades and three hearts, 2NT can no longer the "Jacoby 2NT by opener" because partner hasn't promised spades.

1H -- 1S = Modified Kaplan Inversion

1NT	Balanced hand with 3S or few spades, or unblanced with 4 diamonds. Always weak.
	Pass:
	2C --> To play
	2D: --> To Play
	2H: To play
	2♠: ART - GAME FORCE (3C/3D instead are invite)
	2NT: GI without four spades, balanced
2D	Five hearts, four spades, minimum hand
	Pass: To play
	2H: weak preference, clearly a doubleton
	2/3/4♠ To play or invite
	2NT Transfer to 3C (like on stayman auctions)
	3C: transfer to 3D (like on stayman auctions)
	3D: Game invite or better in hearts
	3H: Slam try in hearts,
2H	Weak with hearts, tends to be six card suit.
	Pass: to play
	2♠ Range Check, or GAME FORCE with a minor
	2NT: Transfer to 3C
	3C: Transfer to 3D
	3D: Game invite or better in hearts
	3H: slam try in hearts
2C	Riton 2C
	Pass: willing to play in 2C opposite any hand partner could hold
	2D, waiting to hear what partner's hand is (not game force - see 2S), 2D followed by 3C/3D is invitational
	2H, two card support. warning to partner not to bid more
	2S, GF (since can't have long spades)
	3C/3D weak bids, long suit
	Modified Kalplain Inversion after 1H-1NT-?
2D	Four plus diamonds, weak hand
	Pass: To play
	2H: Weak preference
	2S: constructive S's, not forcing
	2NT: transfer to 3C
	3C: Transfer to 3D
	3D: Transfer to 3H (game invite or better)
	3H: Game force, slam ambition
	3S: Long spades, forcing, to invite use 2S range check followed by 3S
2H	Generally six hearts, weak hand
	Pass: to play
	2S: Range check (remember, to use 2S over 1H with long spades, weak hand)
	2NT: Transfer to 3C
	3C: Transfer to 3D
	3D: Transfer to 3H, game invite or better
	3H: slam try
	3S: Great spades, forcing (to invite in spades, bid 2S then rebid 3S)
2S	Three or four card support, weak hand
	2NT: check back, opener bids 3C/3D to complete distributional picture with shortness in other minor. Rebids 3H to show 3532, minimum, rebids 3s to show 4522 minimum, rebids 3NT to show 4522 maximum.
	3C/3D/ forcing, cue-bid
	3H: two suit trump fit, start cue-bidding (if blackwood is used, 6 key cards)
2NT	Jacoby 2NT by Opener (forcing spade raise)
	3C: No game interest (3D reask), or strong slam interest ----> 3D Fragment with club shortnese, re-game try ----> 3H Fragment with diamond shortness, re-game try ---->3S ok, (if responder bids 3NT, it ask for cue-bidding up the line, and is strong slam try)
	3D: Accept game try, minimum values for game going
	3H: Accept game try (two suit agreement)
	3S: Accept game try, shows heart fitting card
	3NT: Accept game try, offer choice of contract
	4C/4D: Accept game try, splinter, no control in other minor
	4H/4S: Accept game try, very minimum
3S	Mild game try, not as strong as 2NT raise
	Pass: to play
	3NT: serious 3NT showing heart control
	4C: slam try, showing club control, denying heart control
	4D: slam try, denying club control or heart control, showing D control
	4H: last train, in this context looking for great trumps to continue, or establishing two suit trump agreement for blackwood (next)
	4S to play
3C/3D	Major minor two suiter, at least 5-5. Not good enough for MisIry initial bid.
	Pass: to play (this jump is not forcing)
	3H: weak preference
	minor raise: invitational
	All others, GF, including 3S rebid
4C/4D	Splinter, no control in "other minor"
	4S: to play
	4H: Last train, promise control in other minor
	4NT: Roman Keycard Blackwood
2C	Ritong 2C (may have three card support)
	PASS: Extremely rare, clubs is responder suit, weak hand
	2D: waiting now
	2H: warning, weak hand
	2S: real spades, weak hand, unsuited for 2S preempt (probably five only spades)
3H	Great suit (one loser opposite singleton), unsuit for acol 2C opening
	Pass to play
	3NT: to play
	3S: general force, not a cue-bid
	4C: forcing, cue-bid (may have spade control)
	4D: forcing, last train (lacks club control)

The disadvantage of this system, is the 1H-1NT is now forcing, whereas other systems might have an auction that goes 1H-1S-1NT all pass. Exceot for that auction, we gain precision on bidding of all other auctions. The trade off, is we can get into 1NT on auctions that go 1H-1S-1NT where other 2/1 GF auctions begin 1H-1NT (forcing).

Not discussed above is the unexpected opener rebid of 3NT over 1 level responses. This shows 20-21 balanced if new MisIry is being played (where 2NT opening is preempt in clubs or strong in hearts and a suit other than clubs).

Let's examine some hands to see who riton 2C and other methods described above work after a 1H opening bid.

Hands where RESPONDER has spades

(2005 US Womens Bridge championship,
semi-finals)
Axxx   KQ9xx    1H   1NT
AQxxx  Jx       2NT  3D 
AK     xxx      4S   Pass
Qx     Kxx

1NT = 5+ spades
2NT = big spade raise           
3D = accept game try, no slam interest
    4S = ok


IMP-19      North       Dlr: West
Board 10840 S           Vul: N-S
            H AT976
West        D K432      East        1H = not strong enough for 2C
S K872      C AQ86      S A53
H KQ5                   H 43
D J86       South       D T97
C K53       S QJT964    C JT974
            H J82
            D AQ5
            C 2

West     North    East     South
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2D       Pass     3D
Pass     4H       Pass     Pass

1NT = five plus spades
2D = minimum hand softpedal misfits
3D = transfer to 3H, game try
4H = accept game

----------------

IMP-19      East        Dlr: North
Board 10890 S K         Vul: None
            H AT763
North       D K32       South
S 93        C QJ87      S A72
H KQ54                  H 98
D 87654     West        D AQJ9
C 53        S QJT8654   C K964
            H J2
            D T
            C AT2

North    East     South    West
Pass     1H       Pass     2S
Pass     Pass     Pass

2S is preemptive (2S over all one
suit bids...even 1S is preemptive)

IMP-19      West        Dlr: West
Board 10927 S AQT843    Vul: N-S
            H T
South       D 973       North
S J9652     C K86       S K7
H K6                    H QJ432
D AQ62      East        D JT8
C T7        S           C 532
            H A9875
            D K54
            C AQJ94

South    West     North    East
         Pass     Pass     1H
Pass     1NT      Pass     3C
Pass     4C       Pass     5C
Pass     Pass     Pass

1NT = 5+spades
3C = two suiter, at least 5-5
4C = invite
5C with prime values

IMP-19      South       Dlr: West
Board 10930 S KJ3       Vul: N-S
            H K97542
East        D           West
S AT6       C AQ53      S 42
H                       H J863
D KT7642    North       D AJ83
C KT62      S Q9875     C J84
            H AQT
            D Q95
            C 97

East     South    West     North
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT 
2D       3D       3H       DBL
4D       4H       Dbl      Pass
Pass     Rdbl     Pass     Pass
Pass

1NT = 5+ spades
3D here shows spades
3H double = double fit


IMP-19      West        Dlr: North
Board 10933 S 4         Vul: E-W
            H AK975
South       D AQ7       North
S 965       C KT93      S AT72
H JT2                   H 84
D KJT       East        D 6542
C A752      S KQJ83     C QJ6
            H Q63
            D 983
            C 84

South    West     North    East
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT  
Pass     2C       Pass     3C 
Pass     4H       Pass     Pass
Pass

1NT=5+S
2C = riton 2C
2D = wait
3C = hearts, clubs, good hand
4H

-----------------

IMP-19      North       Dlr: West
Board 10938 S AK2       Vul: Both
            H Q9652
West        D 96        East
S J53       C AT8       S QT
H AJ                    H KT743
D JT2       South       D 8543
C K9432     S 98764     C 75
            H 8
            D AKQ7
            C QJ6

West     North    East     South  
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT    
Pass     2S       Pass     4S     
Pass     Pass     Pass

1NT = 5+S
2S = minimum with fit
4S is enough


IMP-19      South       Dlr: East
Board 10969 S 9832      Vul: Both
            H KT952
East        D 7         West
S Q76       C AK6       S K
H 873                   H AQ6
D QJ9654    North       D KT832
C J         S AJT54     C T852
            H J4
            D A
            C Q9743

East     South    West     North
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2S       Pass     4S
Pass     Pass     Pass

Like last one, easy?

IMP-19      East        Dlr: East
Board 10970 S 52        Vul: None
            H AKQ85
North       D           South
S AK97      C JT8763    S 3
H 32                    H JT976
D QJ8543    West        D AK7
C 9         S QJT864    C AQ42
            H 4
            D T962
            C K5

North    East     South    West
         2H       Pass     2S       
Pass     Pass     Pass              

2H = H/C two suiter, weak opener
2S = not forcing (be sure to alert)

IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11001 S KT3       Vul: N-S
            H KJT64
East        D           West
S AQ2       C AKJ87     S 76
H 53                    H Q9
D AKT94     North       D J76532
C T93       S J9854     C 652
            H A872
            D Q8
            C Q4

East     South    West     North   
         1H       Pass     2C      
2D       3C       4D       4H
Pass     6H       Pass     Pass
Pass

2C = drury
3C = GF two suiter

IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11015 S Q6        Vul: N-S
            H AKQ8753
West        D K96       East
S KJ942     C 6         S T5
H J6                    H 942
D Q5        South       D AT4
C AT75      S A873      C KQ982
            H T
            D J8732
            C J43

West     North    East     South
         1H       Pass     1S
Pass     3H       Pass     Pass
Pass


IMP-19      North       Dlr: West
Board 11035 S A73       Vul: Both
            H A8764
West        D AQ94      East
S 8         C Q         S 952
H J2                    H T953
D K85       South       D T2
C AK96543   S KQJT64    C JT72
            H KQ
            D J763
            C 8

West     North    East     South
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT  
2C       Dbl      Pass     4S
Pass     Pass     Pass

Dbl = takeout
Missed lucky 6S on pin DT


IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11159 S 864       Vul: E-W
            H AK9543
East        D JT9       West
S T9        C K         S Q72
H JT8                   H 76
D AK32      North       D Q75
C J853      S AKJ53     C QT964
            H Q2
            D 864
            C A72

East     South    West     North
         1H       Pass     1NT 
Pass     2S       Pass     2NT 
Pass     3H       Pass     4H  
Pass     Pass     Pass         

1NT = 5+S
2S = min raise
2NT = force, seek info
3H = long hearts
4H


IMP-19      East        Dlr: South
Board 11162 S J4        Vul: E-W
            H AK963
North       D 9864      South
S K2        C AT        S Q975
H J842                  H QT
D Q73       West        D AJT5
C KJ62      S AT863     C 984
            H 75
            D K2
            C Q753

North    East     South    West
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2D       Pass     2H
Pass     Pass     Pass


IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11165 S 2         Vul: E-W
            H AQT87
West        D 854       East
S A84       C A953      S QJ5
H 4                     H K9532
D AQJT7     South       D K2
C QT76      S KT9763    C J42
            H J6
            D 963
            C K8

West     North    East     South
         1H       Pass     2S
pass     Pass     Pass


IMP-19      West        Dlr: North
Board 11177 S A5        Vul: None
            H AK762
South       D AQ72      North
S K8        C 64        S Q642
H J93                   H 854
D JT63      East        D K9
C J952      S JT973     C AT83
            H QT
            D 854
            C KQ7

South    West     North    East
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2C       Pass     2D
Pass     3D       Pass     3H
Pass     Pass     Pass


IMP-19      West        Dlr: South
Board 11187 S AQ3       Vul: None
            H AJT532
South       D 3         North
S T54       C T75       S 987
H K8                    H Q7
D K54       East        D QJ96
C KJ842     S KJ62      C AQ96
            H 964
            D AT872
            C 3

South    West     North    East
Pass     1H       Pass     2C  
Pass     2H       Pass     4H  
Pass

2C = don't introduce 4 card suit
2H = minimum opening bid
4H more than 26 zar points


IMP-19      West        Dlr: South
Board 11188 S           Vul: None
            H AKJT8
South       D A5        North
S AQJ986    C AK9763    S 75
H Q52                   H 64
D Q62       East        D J9874
C J         S KT432     C Q854
            H 973
            D KT3
            C T2

South    West     North    East 
Pass     3C       Pass     3D   
Pass     4C       Pass     4H   
Pass     Pass     Pass          

3C = MisIry
3D = complete transfer
4C = C/H 2 suiter, 3 loser
4H to play

IMP-19      South       Dlr: North
Board 11249 S A3        Vul: N-S
            H AKJ974
East        D 8         West
S J92       C AJ97      S 65
H QT63                  H 52
D Q9653     North       D AJ74
C T         S KQT874    C KQ654
            H 8
            D KT2
            C 832

East     South    West     North
                           Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2C       Pass     2D
Pass     3H       Pass     3S
Pass     4S       All pass

3S = forcing, else 2S earlier

IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11269 S AT        Vul: N-S
            H KJT653
West        D T62       East
S J85       C A7        S 764
H A9872                 H 4
D AJ83      South       D 975
C 8         S KQ932     C QT9532
            H Q
            D KQ4
            C KJ64

West     North    East     South
         1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2H       Pass     3NT
Pass     Pass     Pass easy

IMP-19      West        Dlr: West
Board 11279 S Q5        Vul: None
            H QJT84
South       D K8        North
S J94       C KJ96      S AT63
H A7                    H K6532
D QJ9764    East        D T5
C 72        S K872      C Q3
            H 9
            D A32
            C AT854

South    West     North    East
         2H       Pass     5C  
Pass     Pass     Pass

2H = minimum H/C opener
5C = could explore for 3NT

IMP-19      East        Dlr: North
Board 11282 S           Vul: N-S
            H QJT632
North       D Q96       South
S K3        C AKT6      S T987
H A9                    H 74
D KJ7542    West        D A83
C 753       S AQJ6542   C J942
            H K85
            D T
            C Q8

North    East     South    West
Pass     2H       Pass     4H      
Pass     Pass     Pass             
                                   
2H = mimimum H/C opener
4H = why fool around, 2S not forcing
could bid 2NT then 3S before settling

IMP-19      West        Dlr: West
Board 11305 S           Vul: Both
            H AQJ95
South       D K85       North
S T7532     C T9873     S AJ6
H T                     H 76432
D A9        East        D QJ62
C QJ642     S KQ984     C K
            H K8
            D T743
            C A5

South    West     North    East
         2H       Pass     Pass
Pass


IMP-19      West        Dlr: East
Board 11314 S Q         Vul: Both
            H AQT932
South       D QJT865    North
S 9853      C           S A642
H K754                  H J
D           East        D K743
C AJ743     S KJT7      C KQ96
            H 86
            D A92
            C T852

South    West     North    East
                           Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1S 
Pass     3D       Pass     4D
Pass     5D       All Pass

1S = 0 to 4 spades
3D = to distributional for 2S
4D = raise, invite
5D = game, 4H maybe better

IMP-19      East        Dlr: North
Board 11325 S KQ9       Vul: None
            H AQT7643
North       D T6        South
S T87       C 7         S J43
H 8                     H KJ2
D KJ83      West        D AQ94
C A6542     S A652      C J83
            H 95
            D 752
            C KQT9

North    East     South    West
Pass     1H       Pass     1S
Pass     2H       Pass     Pass
Pass



IMP-19      West        Dlr: North
Board 11342 S           Vul: None
            H AJ763
South       D A95       North
S KJ73      C KQ743     S T864
H 85                    H KQ42
D T         East        D J863
C AJT862    S AQ952     C 9
            H T9
            D KQ742
            C 5

South    West     North    East       
                  1H       Pass       
Pass     1NT      Pass     3C         
Pass     3D       Pass     4D         
Pass     5D       Pass     Pass
Pass

1NT = 5+ clubs
3C = clubs and hearts
3D = natural 4D = natural


IMP-19      West        Dlr: East
Board 11351 S AT6       Vul: E-W
            H QT8532
South       D AJT       North
S J73       C Q         S 54
H KJ6                   H A974
D 2         East        D Q985
C KT8543    S KQ982     C A96
            H
            D K7643
            C J72

South    West     North    East   
                           Pass   
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2S       Pass     4S
Pass     PAss     Pass

1NT = 5+spades
2S = mimumm support

IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11367 S K2        Vul: N-S
            H K6532
West        D AKQ8      East
S 3         C K2        S QJ9875
H A8                    H T9
D T754      South       D 6
C JT9865    S AT64      C Q743
            H QJ74
            D J932
            C A

West     North    East     South
         1H       Pass     2NT
Pass     3H       Pass     3S 
Pass     3NT      Pass     4C
Pass     4NT      Pass     5S
Pass     6H       All Pass

2NT = Jacoby 2NT plus, ignore spades
3H = slam try
3S = cue, 3NT = serious, 4C=cue

IMP-19      West        Dlr: West
Board 11377 S 72        Vul: Both
            H AK9832
South       D AQ64      North
S AKJT      C 5         S 853
H 4                     H QJ65
D 9875      East        D J2
C AQJ8      S Q964      C 9764
            H T7
            D KT3
            C KT32

South    West     North    East
         1H       Pass     1S  
Pass     2C       Pass     2D   
Pass     2H       Pass     3D  
Pass     3H       All Pass     

1S = 0 to 4 spades, 2C = riton,
2D = waiting
2H = good hand, six hearts, not suitable
    for initial 3H jump or second round jump
3D = invite in heart s or better
3H = reject invite

IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11387 S 94        Vul: None
            H A6432
West        D A8        East
S 763       C K643      S KQJT
H JT985                 H Q7
D Q73       South       D K652
C A9        S A852      C Q85
            H K
            D JT94
            C JT72

West     North    East     South     
         2H       Pass     3C        
Pass     Pass     Pass     Pass
Pass

2H = minimum opener heart/clubs
3C = great spot


IMP-19      North       Dlr: South
Board 11404 S KJ6       Vul: Both
            H AKT832
West        D 8         East
S 4         C AK6       S AT72
H 954                   H J7
D KJT9      South       D A432
C QT875     S Q9853     C J43
            H Q6
            D Q765
            C 92

West     North    East     South
                           Pass 
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT  
Pass     2C       Pass     2H   
Pass     3S       Pass     4S
Pass     Pass     Pass

1NT = 5+spades
2C = riton 2C
2H = weak warning

IMP-19      North       Dlr: South
Board 11425 S QT8       Vul: N-S
            H AK7642
West        D           East
S 9532      C J872      S A4
H                       H QJ853
D KQJT74    South       D 852
C K94       S KJ76      C A63
            H T9
            D A963
            C QT5

West     North    East     South
                           Pass
Pass     2H       Pass     Pass
Pass  


IMP-19      East        Dlr: North
Board 11431 S A95       Vul: N-S
            H AJ972
North       D 852       South
S K3        C K6        S J42
H T6543                 H Q8
D K94       West        D AQJ76
C A75       S QT876     C T42
            H K
            D T3
            C QJ983

North    East     South    West 
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT  
Pass     2S       Pass     Pass
Pass

1NT = five+ spades
2S = minimum with spades

IMP-19      South       Dlr: West
Board 11434 S A874      Vul: Both
            H AT852
East        D 9         West
S 6         C QT9       S QJ9
H K973                  H QJ4
D K643      North       D AJT82
C AJ84      S KT532     C 75
            H 6
            D Q75
            C K632

West     North    East     South  
         1H       Pass     1NT    
Pass     2S       Pass     3C     
Pass     4S       Pass     Pass   
Pass

1NT = 5+Spades
2S = minimum raise
3C = game try
4S = minimum hcp game :-)

IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11467 S A5        Vul: Both
            H AKJ632
East        D A         West
S KT2       C Q863      S Q4
H 987                   H QT5
D J87652    North       D KT93
C 9         S J98763    C AJ42
            H 4
            D Q4
            C KT75

East     South    West     North
         1H       Pass     2S   
Pass     3S       Pass     4S
Pass     Pass     Pass

2S = preemptive
3S = game try

IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11470 S KJT2      Vul: Both
            H AKQ75
West        D K92       East
S 97        C J         S Q84
H 83                    H JT964
D A743      South       D Q
C K9632     S A653      C QT54
            H 2
            D JT865
            C A87

West     North    East     South
         1H       Pass     1S   
Pass     2S       Pass     4S
Pass     Pass     Pass

1S = 0 to 4 spades
2S = four card spade, game try


IMP-19      East        Dlr: South
Board 11485 S KJ2       Vul: Both
            H AKQJT4
North       D 2         South
S 7         C J83       S AT983
H 98                    H 762
D AKJ875    West        D QT93
C KT64      S Q654      C 9
            H 53
            D 64
            C AQ752

West     North    East     South
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1S
Pass     3H       Pass     4H
Pass     Pass     Pass


IMP-19      East        Dlr: East
Board 11497 S 75        Vul: E-W
            H AJT872
North       D A63       South
S J86       C T2        S K93
H 95                    H 43
D T54       West        D 9872
C QJ764     S AQT42     C 9853
            H KQ6
            D KQJ
            C AK

North    East     South    West 
         1H       Pass     1NT  
Pass     2H       Pass     3H   
Pass     4D       Pass     4NT  
Pass     5H       Pass     6NT    
Pass     Pass     Pass

1NT = 5+S, 2H = minimum
3H = slam try, heart raise
4D = no spade or club control
6NT = 12 top tricks, partner with
    seven hearts would show Queen

Question: Why is 3H slam try instead
of game try?


IMP-19      South       Dlr: East
Board 11525 S 97        Vul: None
            H AQ9754
East        D A         West
S QT53      C KT64      S A62
H KJ83                  H 2
D J53       North       D K872
C 98        S KJ84      C AJ752
            H T6
            D QT964
            C Q3

East     South    West     North
Pass     2H       Pass     Pass
Pass     Pass     Pass




IMP-19      North       Dlr: East
Board 11544 S AK73      Vul: E-W
            H AKQT6
West        D 62        East
S J85       C 62        S T
H J2                    H 987543
D 85        South       D AT94
C AQJT75    S Q9642     C K4
            H
            D KQJ73
            C 983

West     North    East     South
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT  
Pass     3S       Pass     4S  
Pass     Pass     Pass

1NT = 5+ spades
3S = four card support, weaker than 2NT

IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11562 S           Vul: E-W
            H AQJT82
West        D 73        East
S AKQ5      C AQJ65     S T874
H 75                    H 93
D AK864     South       D QJ2
C 98        S J9632     C T743
            H K64
            D T95
            C K2

West     North    East     South  
         1H       Pass     2H     
Pass     4H       Pass     Pass
Pass

2H with three card support and weak,
   raise immediately
This is more likely a MisIry hand
IMP-19                  Dlr: west
Board 11585 S 5         Vul: N-S
            H QJ8432
            D A4    
S AT842     C KQ52      S 973
H T6                    H 75
D 9752                  D KJT
C 74        S KQJ6      C AT983
            H AK9
            D Q863
            C J6

West     North    East     South
Pass     2H       Pass     4H
Pass     Pass     Pass     Pass



IMP-19      North       Dlr: North
Board 11605 S J85       Vul: None
            H AQT532
            D JT5   
S AT9       C A         S 432
H 76                    H KJ9
D 932                   D KQ8
C Q8652     S KQ76      C JT43
            H 84
            D A764
            C K97

South    West     North    East
                  1H       Pass
1S       Pass     2H       Pass
3H       Pass     Pass     Pass

Question, difference between this
3H and the GF 3H earlier?

IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11675 S Q         Vul: N-S
            H AKT843
East        D A743      West
S KJ653     C K9        S 97
H Q62                   H J5
D 8         North       D JT62
C A852      S AT842     C JT643
            H 97
            D KQ95
            C Q7

East     South    West     North 
         1H       Pass     1S    
Pass     2C       Pass     2D    
Pass     2H       Pass     3D    
Pass     4D       Pass     4S    
Pass     4NT      Pass     5H    
Pass     6D       All Pass

1NT = 5+ spades
2C = good hand    
2D = waiting
2H = good hand, 6 hearts
3D = real suit, forcing
4C = cue-diamond fit, 4S = cue,
5NT = rkcb

IMP-19      South       Dlr: North
Board 11687 S AT75      Vul: N-S
            H AKQT2
East        D K87       West
S J2        C 3         S Q8
H J96                   H 854
D J43       North       D AT2
C KJT94     S K9643     C A8752
            H 73
            D Q965
            C Q6

East     South    West     North  
                           Pass   
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT    
Pass     2NT      Pass     3C     
Pass     3D       Pass     4S
All Pass

1NT = five+spades, 2NT = great raise,
3C = not accept game try
3D = re-game try, short club
4S enough

IMP-19      South       Dlr: West
Board 11709 S A         Vul: None
            H 95432
East        D AKQT6     West
S 98743     C A7        S J2
H AKJT                  H Q76
D 52        North       D 843
C K9        S KQT65     C QT864
            H 8
            D J97
            C J532

East     South    West     North
                  Pass     Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     3D       Pass     4D
Pass     4S       Pass     5D
All pass
Dbl      Pass     Pass     Pass


IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11758 S Q         Vul: None
            H AK8752
East        D AT8       West
S A97       C J62       S KJ82
H 93                    H 4
D 76542     North       D QJ3
C AQT       S T6543     C 97543
            H QJT6
            D K9
            C K8

East     South    West     North
         1H       Pass     2C   
Pass     2D       Pass     2H   
Pass     4H       Pass     Pass
Pass

2C = drury, with 4card support, don't bid 1NT
2D = better than minimum
2H, 4H natural

IMP-19      South       Dlr: Souths
Board 11763 S AT7       Vul: None
            H KJ97532
East        D           West
S Q98       C KQJ       S 62
H QT4                   H A86
D A65       North       D T9832
C 9875      S KJ543     C T62
            H
            D KQJ74
            C A43

West     North    East     South      
         1H       Pass     1NT        
Pass     2C       Pass     2D         
Pass     4D       Pass     4S         
Pass     Pass     Pass

1NT = 5+S
2C = ritong 2C
2D = waiting, 2S = 3card support
4D = splinter, 3H, 4C

IMP-19      North       Dlr: South
Board 11772 S A6        Vul: None
            H AQ8432
West        D K62       East
S 9852      C A3        S J73
H J95                   H K7
D AJ83      South       D T754
C 75        S KQT4      C KT92
            H T6
            D Q9                    
            C QJ864                 
                                    
West     North    East     South    
                           Pass     
Pass     1H       Pass     1S   
Pass     2C       Pass     2S
Pass     3H       Pass     4H
All Pass

1H = too good for 1NT
1S = 0-4 spades,
2C = Riton 2C
2S = GF
3H = long hearts

IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11794 S A         Vul: None
            H KJ982
East        D AJT3      West
S KT5       C T84       S QJ94
H AQ543                 H 76
D K5        North       D 9842
C KJ7       S 87632     C Q96
            H T
            D Q76
            C A532

East     South    West     North
         1H       Pass     1NT
Pass     2D       Pass     Pass
Pass

1NT = five + spades, 2D = diamonds,weak

IMP-19      West        Dlr: South
Board 11796 S A         Vul: None
            H AQJ63
South       D KT2       North
S KQ65      C Q764      S J32
H K75                   H T82
D 86543     East        D AQ9
C 3         S T9874     C JT98
            H 94
            D J7
            C AK52

South    West     North    East      
Pass     1H       Pass     1NT       
Pass     2C       Pass     2D        
Pass     3C       Pass     3H        
Pass     4H       All pass

1NT = 5+spades,
2C = riton 2C, 2D waiting
3C = four clubs,not 3 spades
3H = mild game try, 4H good suit

IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11799 S JT        Vul: None
            H AKQ32
East        D T652      West
S K543      C Q3        S Q62
H 87654                 H J9
D AJ        North       D KQ83
C 84        S A987      C JT92
            H T
            D 974
            C AK765

East     South    West     North
         1H       Pass     1S   
Pass     2D       Pass     2S   
Pass     2NT      All Pass

1S=0-4 spades, 2D= minimum two suiter
2S = range check,2NT very minimum

IMP-19      South       Dlr: South
Board 11808 S 2         Vul: None
            H QJ764
East        D AJ5       West
S Q975      C A984      S KJT4
H AT32                  H K5
D 74        North       D KQT3
C K65       S A863      C J72
            H 98
            D 9862
            C QT3

East     South    West     North
         2H       Pass     Pass
Pass


IMP-19      North       Dlr: South
Board 11813 S K8        Vul: None
            H AKJ873
West        D AJ86      East
S A97       C A         S QJT3
H Q64                   H T9
D           South       D 7543
C QT98753   S 6542      C K62
            H 52
            D KQT92
            C J4

West     North    East     South
                           Pass
Pass     1H       Pass     1S
Pass     2C       Pass     2D
Pass     3D       Pass     4D
Pass     6D       Pass

Hands where RESPONDER does not have SPADES

Note, when you limit partner to 2 or fewer hearts (or raise hearts directly) and 3 or less spades, that means fewer hands to choose from. These hands are fairly rare.

Responder must be too weak for 2/1 GF
Responder must not be suitable for invitational jump to 3 of minor
Respnder can not be "balanced" 11 plus
Responder must have enough hcp to want to bid


IMP-20                  Dlr: West
Board 39398 S AJT3      Vul: None
            H AQJT3
            D J4       
S KQ9752    C K8        S   
H K75                   H 962
D 532                   D AQ876
C 4         S 864       C T9762
            H 84
            D KT9
            C AQJ53

North    East     South    West   
1H       Pass     1S       Pass   
2S       Pass     3NT      All Pass

1S = 0 to 4 spades
2S = good hand, 4S
3NT = what is easier?

Responding to 2 Notrump

2005-06-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

If you play new MisIry, 2NT opening is NOT natural. However, should you play a natural 2NT system with, this is the system of rebids that I use.

A two notrump opening bid shows 20 to bad 22 hcp. Here we play a fairly vanilla response scheme.

2NT
>>3♣ = Modified Puppet stayman
------> 3 ♠ = exactly 4♠’s, less than 4♥’s
------> 3 ♥ = four or five ♥’s, may also have a four card spade
--------------> Over 3♥, 3♠ ask, rebid 3NT = 4♥'s, 4♣ = 5♥
--------------> 3NT responder has need for four or five spades
------> 3NT = a FIVE card spade suit (ALERT!!)
------> 3♦ = no four card or longer major
--------------> 3♥ = I have 5♠s (smolen like)
--------------> 3 ♠ = I have 5♥ s (smolen like)
--------------> 3NT = to play

2NT
>>3♦/3♥ = Jacoby transfer
>>3♠ = transfer to 3NT
--------------> 3NT (forced, after 3NT, 4NT by both players is nonforcing) --------------------> Pass (to play
--------------------> 4 ♣ minor suit smolen, 4+ clubs, longer Diamonds, slam try
--------------------> 4♦; minor suit smolen, 4+D, longer ♣ slam try
--------------------> 4 ♥ long suit slam try in clubs
--------------------> 4 ♠ long suit slam try in diamonds
--------------------> 4 NT quantative slam try with 4-4 in minors, opener passes or shows keycards (out of six)
>> 4♣ = major TWO suiter, 5-5 are better
>> 4♦ = GERBER, asking for aces
>> 4♥ = minor two suiter, equal legnth, 5-5 or better
>> 4♠ = club transfer, not invitatonal. Responder will be in control
>> 4NT = Quantitative, flat hand (not 4432)
>> 5♣ = Diamond transfer, not invitational. Responder will be in control
>> 5♦ = Baron, looking for trump fit on way to slam
-------> 5♥ = 4+♥
-------> 5♠ = 4+♠, less than 4♥
-------> 5NT No four card+ major
--------------------> 6 ♣ shows clubs
--------------------------> pass = I have 4 ♣
--------------------------> 6♦ = I have 4♦, not 4♣
--------------------------> I lack four in either minor
>> 5M looking for good trumps for slam

The other way we can get to 2NT is Multi two diamonds via, 2♦-2M-2NT. On this auction, responder will not have the major two suiters (due ot his 2M response). But to keep things simple, we will use the above scheme as it is still playable.

What if you play New MisIry where 2NT is transfer to clubs weak, or two suiter with hearts and without clubs strong?

The just bid 3♣ most of the time. The other modifications to the system are than,

1m=1any=3NT shows balanced 20-21, without four card major, and so does 1M=1 any, 3NT. In traditional systems these jumps show long suit, but hey, we can't have that since we didn't open 2D (minor) or 2C (major). A fuzzy area is 1M-2C, where 3C will show this hand. And 1M-2D, where traditionally 3NT is weak, so we go with 5NT there.

1NT opening bid: 14-16 hcp

2005-06-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

I like the 14-16 range for 1NT. I will open it with a five card major, and with 5-4-2-2 as long as not both majors. I frequently down grade 14 point hands that are 4333 or 4432 with flaws. It is the very rare hand with 16hcp that is upgraded as being too good. I am not adverse to opening 1NT with a singleton, There are some hands with a singleton that I will open 1NT, but only when I am really worried about my rebid if I don't.

I will play about any system over 1NT, but below is my preferences taken mostly ETM victory pages (link on the side of these post).

Four level responses to 1NT opening

4♣ -> transfer to 4♥ responder in control
4♦ -> transfer to 4♠ responder in control
4♥/4♠ to play
4NT -> Quantitative balanced slam try. Opener accepts by showing ACES (responder signs off in 5NT immediately if two aces are missing).

Three level Responses to 1NT

3♣ -> Game force, minor two suiter (at least 5-4).
3♦ -> puppet stayman, looking for FIVE card major
3♥/3♠ --> singleton in bid major, 4 in other, GF.
3NT is to play, 4OM or 4m shows that opener thinks best spot is that suit with four of the minor , 3S/3H or 4S/3S shows slam interest in OM
3NT -> To play

Continuations 1NT-3♣
-> 3M to show weakness in OTHER major,
-> 3NT to suggest spot, and
-> 3♦ to find out about responders distribution.

Continuations over 1NT-3♣-3♦ are:

-> 3♥ short ♥, (3♠ ask dist: 3NT = 3 ♠; 4 ♣; = 5[5 minors)
-> 3♠ 5-5 in minors, short ♠
-> 3NT; three hearts short spade, 1345 or 1345
-> 4♣ 1-1 in majors, 6♣
-> 4♦ 1-1 in majors, 6♦
-> 4M void and 66 or 75 in the minors

Continuations over 1NT-3♦ puppet stayman

With a five card major, opener rebids it at the three level. Otherwise he bids 3NT. Over 3NT, Responders 4♣ is always Gerber (asking for aces , 4♦ showing none, 4♥ 1, etc), and over 3M 4♦ is RKCB for the major suit shown.

Openers Continuations over 1NT-3M

---->3NT is to play,
---->4 Other Major to play
---->4 minor sets trumps
---->3♠ over 3♥ = slam try in spades
---->4♠ over 3♠ = slam try in hearts

Two Level Responses to 1NT

2♣ -> stayman, does not promise a major
2♦ -> transfer to 2♥ denies DOES NOT PROMISE HEARTS (can be balance game try)
2♥ transfer to 2 ♠; denies 4+ ♥ (use stayman)
2♠ transfer to 3♣ OR A RANGE checkback.
2NT -> transfer to 3♦ or weak minor two suiter

Continution after 1NT-2NT
Opener rebids 3♦ if he likes diamonds (super accepts), and bids 3♣ if not. If opener bids 3 ♣ responder with weak minor two suiter passes. If Responder has weak diamond one suiter he corrects to 3♦.

Continuation after 1NT - 2♠
Opener rebids 2NT with 14 or bad 15 hcp, and bids 3♣ with good 15 or more hcp. Over both pass and 2NT by opener, pass and 3 ♣ are signoffs. If responder bids a new suit, he is showing values in bid suit.

Continuation after 1NT - 2 ♥;-2♠ (opener must bids 2♠)

-----> pass, to play
-----> 2NT, game invite with 5 spades
-----> 3♣: GF Diamond Transfer to ♦s
-----> 3♦: GF Transfer
-----> 3♥: Transfer to ♠s, 6+♠s, GI or better, treat as GI first
-----> 3♠: exactly 5♠s, game going or better, suit oriented
-----> 3NT: 5♠s, game going, balanced choice of games
-----> 4♣,4♦,4♥: slam try, 6+♠s. self splinter
-----> 4♠: To play.
-----> 4NT: RKCB for ♠’s.

Openers rebid after 1NT - 2♦

Unlike the 2♥ transfer, 2♦ does not promise even four hearts. Opener with less than four hearts bids 2 ♥ With four or more hearts, opener rebids as follows:
-----> 2♥ less than 4 ♥
-----> 2♠ opener has five ♥ but minimum (3♦ retransfer)
-----> 2NT openre has 4♥ minimum (3♦ retransfer)
-----> 3♣ opener has 5♥ maximum (3♦ retransfer)
-----> 3♥ opener has 4♥ max.

Continuation after 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥

Responder doesn't have to have hearts. ♥e can also be balanced 3NT game try.
-----> Pass - To play
-----> 2♠ - GI with 5♥s or CLUB Transfer GF with 5+♥s & ♣s (see Green below)
-----> 2NT - GI without 5♥s, can have 4♥s but maybe not
-----> 3♣ - GF Diamond Transfer, 5+♥s + ♦s.
-----> 3♦ - Transfer, can be Game Invite or stronger with 6+♥s.
-----> 3♥ 5♥s, GF, first offers choice of game for opener.
------------->Opener’s bids 3♠ asking for 3NT with 5-3-3-2 or 5-4-2-2
------------->3NT/4♥ to play
-----> 4♣/4♦:singleton or void in suit bid, 6+♥s, slam try.
-----> 3NT: To play, usually without 5♥s.
-----> 4♥: To play.
-----> 4NT: RKCB for ♥s.

Continuations after 1NT–2♦-2♥-2♠

Opener bids as follows:
-----> 2NT: wants to play in 2NT opposite GI with 5♥s.
-----> 3♣: maximum with 2♥’s.
-----> 3♦: maximum with 3♥’s.
-----> 3♥: wants to play in 3♥ opposite GI in ♥s.

Then opposite all these bids, responder can bid:
-----> 3NT or 4♥s to play.
-----> 4NT as RKCB for ♥s.
-----> 3♠ or 4♦ show singleton/voids in the suit bid and ♥s; ♣s.
-----> 3♥ to show ♥s & ♣s and no other good bid.
-----> 4♣ to show ♥s & ♣s, at least a good 5-5.
-----> 3m (if possible) to show a GI with ♥s & five card suit.

Continuations after 1NT–2♦-2♠ or higher

Responder rebids 3D to retransfer to hearts, bids 3C (if available) to ask for game with "useful minimum". Or responder can place contract with 2NT, 3NT, 3H, 4H. All other bids show hearts, jump to 4C/4D show second suit (so 6 keycard blackwood then enforced).

ETM Modified Stayman
Opener must rebid 2♦, 2♥, 2♠ or 2NT (2NT with both majors and minimum 1NT). The follow up after each of these bids are:

Continuation after 1NT-2♣-2♦

-----> 2♥ = Both majors, up to game invite strength. Opener passes with 3♥’s and min, bids 2♠ with 3♠’s, and bids 2NT with 3♥, 2♠ and max
-----> 2♠ = range check with GI, or transfer to clubs
-----> 2NT = 5+♠s, GI, may have 5+m or 4♥’s
-----> 3♣ = transfer to 3♦
-----> 3♦ Singleton/void in a minor, 4/5 in other minor and majors 4-4/4-3/3-4
------------->3♥ asks:
------------------->3♠: Club splinter
------------------->3NT: ♦ splinter, no slam interest unless it is working
------------------->4♣: 5♣s, singleton/void in ♦s, slam interest.
------------------->4♦: 4-4-1-4 exactly, slam interest.
-----> 3♥: Transfer with 5+♠s, GF, usually 4♥s or 5-5 in majors, modest suits.
------------------->3♠ asks hand type:
------------------------->3NT: 4♥&5♠s
------------------------->4♥: 5-5 in the majors
------------------------->4m: cuebids with 5+♠s, 4♥s and slam interest.
------------------------->4♠: 6+♠, mild slam interest.
-----> 3♠: 5+♥s, 4♠s. Yf 6+♥s has slam interest (otherwise bid 4♦ Delayed Texas)
-----> 3NT: To play
-----> 4♣: Gerber.
-----> 4♦/4♥: Delayed Texas transfer to 4♥/♠.

Continuation after 1NT-2♣-2♥

Two hearts showed 4/5 hearts, less than 4♠
-----> 2♠ = range check with GI, or transfer to clubs
-----> 2NT = 5+♠s, GI, to invite in NT use Range ask
-----> 3♣ = transfer to 3♦
-----> 3♦ = 3♥’s, 4♠’s and a minor suit singleton, GF
------------>3♥ singleton?
---------------------->3♠ = ♣’s
---------------------->3N = ♦’s
-----> 3♥= Game invite with 4♥’s
-----> 3♠ = 4♥’s, game pick with 3-4-3-3 or slam try with no singleton/void.
-----> 3NT, 4♥ = To play.
-----> 4♣;4♦: Singleton or void, four card heart support, slam try.
-----> 4NT: RKCB for hearts.

Continuation after 1NT-2♣-2♠ (four+ spade, may have 4+♥s but only with max)

-----> 2NT = Club Transfer to clubs, or info seek.
-----> 3♣ = Transfer to ♦s.
-----> 3♦ = 3♠s & 4♥s & a minor suit singleton,
-------------> 3♥ asks for minor suit singleton,
---------------------> 3♠ shows singleton ♣
---------------------> 3N shows singleton ♦.
-----> 3♥ = 4♠s, choice of game with 4-3-3-3 or slam try without singleton/void.
-----> 3♠ = Game invite with 4♠s
-----> 4♣, 4♦, 4♥ all = splinter with spade support, slam try.
-----> 3NT: Exactly 3♠s & 4♥s, offers choice between 3NT, 4♥ and 4♠. With 4♥s and 2♠s use 2♦ asking bid or use 1NT-2♣-2♠-2NT-3♣-3♦ ask sequence.

Continuations for Range Ask
Three sequences are used investigate opener’s shape. Two of them first find out if opener is minimum or maximum, but there is no range ask available over the 2♠ bid.

1NT-2♣-2♦-2♠(range asks)-2NT (min) or
1NT-2♣-2♦-2♠(range asks)-3♣ (max), in both cases, 3♦ re-asks:

-----> 3♥ = 4+♣s, can have 4♦s.
------------> 3♠ asks for 4♦s? 3NT is no.
-----> 3♠ = 5+♦s, not 4♣s
-----> 3NT: 3-3-4-3 or 3-3-3-4

1NT-2♣-2♦-2♥-2♠(range asks)-2NT or 3♣ (in both cases)-3♦ re-asks:

-----> 3♥ = 4+♣s or 3-4-3-3. 3♠ asks if 4+♣s, 3NT is no.
-----> 3♠ = 4+♦s.
-----> 3NT = 5♥s.

1NT-2♣-2♠-2NT-3♣-3♦ (asks):

-----> 3♥ = 4+♣s or 4-3-3-3.
------------> 3♠ asks if 4+♣s, 3NT is no.
-----> 3♠ = 4+♦s.
-----> 3NT = 5♠s.

After these bids, 4m is RKCB for that minor suit if both minors are available: if only 4♦ is available it is RKCB the minor opener last showed. 4NT is slam invitational, not-forcing. If opener has shown one major (and denied the other), the other major is RKCB for the major suit. Responder can choose to use RKCB in one suit, and then later correct to a different suit at the slam level, using RKCB to find out the holding in a suit.

A lot of this is "standard" so I will instead show some funky auctions in the examples below.


July 17, 2005 Junior European championships.

Bd: 8
Dlr: West
Vul: None
  North
  S K103         
  H A763         
  D J108         
  C AK9          
West    East
S J72             S Q9854        
H 982             H Q5           
D K76             D 32           
C 10752           C Q643         
  South
  S A6           
  H KJ104        
  D AQ954        
  C J8   
       
West North East South
Pass     1NT    Pass     2D    
Pass     2NT    Pass     3D    
Pass     3H     Pass     3S    
Pass     4C    Pass     4NT
Pass     5H     Pass     6H
All Pass  

2D = modified jacoby, can have fewer than 4H
2NT = four hearts, maximum
3D = retransfer to hearts (also, 4D possible)
3H = as asked
3S = slam try, cue-bid
4C = cue-bid
4NT = blackwood
5H = two without queen

2-Heart and 2-Spade opening bid

2005-06-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Since we open 2Diamonds with a typical weak two in a major, that means 2♥ and 2♠ should not be weak twos. I use to play Muiderberg 2 bids. Now, I am not so sure. I still play Muiderberg with Mishovnbg and a few others. But I think two alternative auctions might be useful. One is for 2♥ to show hearts and clubs, minimum normal opening bid, and 2♠ to show the same. This allows opener to open 1 of a major and then rebid 2♣ over partners response as artificial, stuck for a bid as it will never show clubs. I got this idea from Henri Schweitzer. Henri is from France and is not only a world class bridge expert and one of the very helpful "Yellow" host on BridgeBase Online, he is also a really nice guy.

The basic principle is if you play this type of 2M opening bid, your 1M-1NT-2C or 1H-1S-2C can not be natural. Instead it says that you have good cards without a good rebid. Hands in the 15 to 19 hcp range without a good descriptive bid. This might even include a hand with a six card major, but with a poor suit quality. I will talk about how this 2♣ rebid fits into the 2/1 structure when we get to 1M openings.

Here is how we handle the 2♠; and 2♣ ; opening bids. These show 26 to horrible 32 Zar points, five+ in the major, four+ in the clubs.

Raises are natural,
3NT and 4NT are natural,
2NT is game force.
New suits are not forcing.

Over 2NT, opener rebids:

3♣ with five card suit,
Rebids his major with six, and
Rebids a side 3 or 4 card suit. Once fit is announced, normal cue-bidding takes place.

Here is the first 2S hand I had since switching to this method. I had it with BBO's Hannie, and needless to say, I messed it up. I must say that 4S was bid at all 11 tables, and made at seven. We had no chance when the defense found the right line despite our less than revealing auction.

S-Q72 S-AJ6543
H-KQJT H-A
D-83 D-Q5
C-A875 C-JT32

-- 2♠
4♠ Pass

In theory, maybe 3♠ would have been better than 4♠ but like I said the entire field bid game. The defense was deadly. Since we made the field bid, I can't feel to bad. I used ZAR to see I had more than enough for the game. Game is not horrible, but needs 2-2 spades with King on side to make.

Opening preempts above 3 Hearts

2005-06-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Playing MisIry transfer bids, the use of 3♥ and 3♠ depends upon what is allowed in the tourney you are playing in. One option is to use 3♥ as a spade preempt and 3♠ bid to show any solid seven card suit no side ACE or KING (vul versus not, it promises a side source of side tricks) .Or you can legally reverse the meaning of these bids. The responses are easy

3♠-?

Pass - very rare, but sometimes you can know partners suit is spades based upon cards in the other suits
3NT to play. Note, we "right side" the 3NT contract compared to normal gambling 3NT
4♣ ask for opener to signoff in his solid seven card suit.
4♦; ask opener to show singleton or void, presumably responder knows openers suit
4NT ask opener to bid small slam with eight card suit.

Since 3♠ shows a solid suit, we use an opening 3NT bid as a preempt of four of Either minor. Responder with a good hand can pass. This avoids the opening preempt of four of a minor preempting you out of 3NT when partner is strong.

Over 3NT-?

Pass is to play
4♣/5♣/6♣ are pass correct
4♥/4♠ are to play
4♦ is RKCB for the minor (which ever one)

Four ♣ and 4♦ opening bids are Namyats. Remember, we can open 2♣ with 8 or 9 tricks in a major and five plus controls. Our namyats bids thus show, 1-7,8 or 9 card suit, 2- one or two KEY cards, but if only one keycard, will have the trump queen, 3 - no void, 4- max of 4 controls, 5 - 4 to 4.5 losers. The responses are:

Bid in the anchor major (♦=♠, ♣=♥) if he lacks two key cards, or lacks three possible cover cards. Opener MUST accept the signoff.
If responder has two plus keys and at least 3 possible cover cards, he can bid the in-between suit as RKCB (of course, we have limits on what opener can hold). The response are.

1st step = 1 key card and by rule, must be trump queen too
2nd step = 2 key cards without the queen
3rd step = 2 key cards with the queen

Opening bids of 4♠ and 4♥ are weak preempts

MisIry Transfer Preempts: Strong 2 suiter

2005-06-25T01:20:00.000-07:00

An opening bid of 2NT, 3♣, or 3♦ shows a preempt in the next highesuit,or a strong two suiter. A strong two suiter is defined as:

5-5 or better in two suits, with
FOUR or fewer losers.

Opener rebidding in spades, or
Opener rebidding in the opened suit (opening 2NT shows hearts), so after 2NT opening bid this means heart rebids.

Any strong two suiter without spades are shown by opener:

Rebidding anything other than the opened suit or spades
This is the know short suit, NT and the "other" suit.

The higher opener's rebid, the better his hand. With 2 suiters without spades, there are three bids at each level above the 3 level to show the quality of the two suiter, with spades, there are two bid at each level to show the quality of the suits.

Let's start with 2 suiters including spades. The cheapest bid shows 4 losers, the next cheapest shows 3 losers. After that, each bid shows sequentially a lower number of losers with and then without a need for a cover card in the cheapest non-anchor suit. If opener's rebid forces responder to take preference at a higher level, it shows 1 less loser. Any bid that allows responder to choose between the two suits at the same level differentiates between need for a cover card in the cheapest non-anchor suit.

Hearts and Spade two suiters

2NT-3C, opener then rebids

3H 4 losers, both majors
3S 3 losers, both majors (3S forces choice to 4H, so less losers than a 3H rebid, also shows need for club cover)
4H 3 loser, no need club (same losers as 3S since choice is 4 level)
4S 2 loser, need club (one less loser since choice changes level)
5H 2 loser, no need choice at a higher level for hearts,
5S 1 loser, need club
6H 1 loser, no club needed
6S 0 loser, better spades or equal
7H 0 loser, better hearts

Club Spade two suiter

3C - 3D, opener rebids

3S - four losers, Spades and clubs
4C - three losers, Spades and club (can afford distinction between 3 losers with and without need for diamond cover, since only one bid showed this two suiter at the three level)
4S - 2 losers, need diamond, spades and clubs
5C - 2 loser, no diamond needed, spades and clubs
5S - 1 loser, need diamond, spades and clubs
6C - 1 loser, no diamond loser, spades and clubs
6S - 0 loser, equal or better spades
7C - 0 loser, better clubs

Diamond Spade two suiter

3D - 3H, opener rebids

3S 4 loser,
4D 3 loser,
4S 2 loser, need Club
5D 2 loser, no need for club
5S 1 loser, need club
6D 1 loser, no need for club
6S 0 loser, equal or spades
7D 0 loser, better diamonds

When your two suiter excudes spades, you are offered three rebids at most level to show loser count and needs in the short suit. When three bids can be used without further raising the level, they show need for lowest non-anchor suit king (note, ACE of the higher non-anchor suit is a substitute, so opener can show need for king in lower suit when holding AK in that suit and small singleton in the higher suit), need specifically for the ACE in the lower suit, or no need for a cover in the lower non-anchor suit. This also allows opener to show 0 loser hand with no preference (AKQxx AKQxx or AKQxxx AKQxxx) or with preference AKQxxx versus AKQxx, or AKQJx versus AKQxx) directly.

With Heart and Diamond Two Suiter

2NT --> 3♣

3D 4 losers, hearts and diamonds
3NT 3 losers, H+D, need club King (or spade ACE)
4C 3 loser, H+D, need for club Ace
4D 3 loser, H+D no need for club
4NT 2 losers, H+D, need club King (or spade ace)
5C 2 loser, H+D, need for club Ace
5 D 2 loser, H+D, no need for club
5NT 1 losers, H+D, need club King
5C 1 loser, H+D, need for club Ace
5D 1 loser, H+D, no need for club
6C 0 loser, H+D, better hearts
6D 0 losers, H+D, better diamonds
6NT 0 loser, H+D equal suits

Club Heart two suiter

3C - 3D, opener rebids

3H 4 loser, heart plus club two suiter
3NT 3 loser, need diamond (no room at 4 level to differentiate between king and ace needs)
4D 2 loser, no need for diamond
4H 2 loser, need diamond king (or Ace Spades)
4NT 2 loser, need diamond Ace
5C 2 loser, no need for diamond
5H 1 loser, need diamond King (or Ace Spades)
5NT 1 loser, need diamond Ace
6C - 1 loser, no diamond end
6H - 0 loser, better hearts
6NT - 0 loser equal suits
7C - 0 loser, better clubs

Diamond Club two suiter

3D-3H, Opener rebids

3NT - 4 loser
4C - 3 loser
4H - 2 loser - King H useful (or spade Ace)
5NT - 2 loser - Ace H useful only
5C - 2 loser - No heart needed
5H - 1 loser - King H useful
5NT - 1 loser - Ace heart useful
6C - 1 loser - No heart useful
6H - 0 loser, hearts better
6NT - 0 loser, equal suits
7C - 0 loser, prefer clubs

After Opener's rebid, responder bids are

3NT by responder is natural.
Rebids in the anchor suits are natural (a jump to 5 of a major ask for six if missing the QUEEN)
Non-anchor suits at three level are Denial Cue-bids (see below)
Non-anchor suit bids at four level are Denial cue-bids
4NT always shows King of highest non-anchor suit
A jump to 4NT when 3S is available as denial cue-bid shows King of spades and ACE of lowest side suit.
A four level bid in a denial suit that could have been bid at the three level shows both side suit kings
Cue-bids above 4NT (if 4NT was available) shows rather than denies values in bid suit.

DENIAL CUE-BIDDING at the four level

Denial Cue-bids: Responder cheapest rebid in a non-anchor suit at the three or four level denies a control in that suit, a skipped side suit promises a control (AK or distributional)

Opener's Action After Denial Cue-bidAfter responder describes his non-anchor holdings, opener evaluates his hand as if the “showing” of controls by responder was a question. If responder shows no cover in one of the non-anchor suits, opener signs off in the cheapest anchor suit if:

A --> He also lacks a stopper in that suit (two quick loser), or
B --> He has no use for a cover card in the other non-anchor suit

Part II looking for "distributional Queens"

If opener has the ACE of the suit responder denied a stopper in, he jump to six of the cheaper anchor suit (pass/correct), with responder having the power to correct to seven with adequate covers.

Responders ReBids at 4NT or higher

Responders jump to 5NT or 5 of the highest non-anchor suit. Shows both side aces, and a distiributional queen in lower or higher suit and looking for grand if the distributional queen is working.

Let's see how this works with the five possible cover hand we held earlier

♠ K x x
♥ K x x x x
♦ x x
♣ A x x

Partner opened 2N and rebid 3D over 3C. This shows a H/D two suiter with four losers. We bid 4NT to show spade King and ACE or clubs (4S would show A or K of spades and club king). If partner bids:

5C he is asking for club ace, he shows a missing queen
---> bid 5S to ask which queen
---> bids 5NT pick slam
---> bid 6C ask if distributional spade king is useful (with real club king can't ask in that suit)
5D return to the lowest side suit, shows spade king not working
---> bid 6H
5H shows holding both queens, but suggest controls working,
---> bid 6H
5S shows black controls working, and missing diamond queen
---> bid 7H
5NT shows black controls working, missing both queens BUT ace S too
---> bid 6H
6D shows both black working, has spade ace, and missing both queens
---> bid 7H

Formal Rules
I. After Responder completes the “transfer”

SIGNOFFS: The most common response is responder will complete the transfer. Opener then shows his hand at the appropriate level. Responder first decides if game, slam, or grand slam should be bid. Sometimes, he can decide these immediately, and bid to the appropriate level. For instance imagine an auction than begins 2NT-3♣ 3♥ and you hold one of the following hands:

Hand A, you have no tricks, correct to 3♠ to play or pass 3♥
♠ J 10 x
♥ x x x
♦ x x x
♣ x x x x

Hand B, you have one tricks, correct to 4♠ to play
♠ K 10 x
♥ x x x
♦ x x x
♣ x x x x

Hand C, you have three tricks, correct to 6♠ to play
♠ K Q x
♥ A x x
♦ x x x
♣ x x x x

DENIAL CUE-BIDS. Often, however, you will have questions about what to bid. Is the Ace or king in a side suit worth a cover for one of partners four (or less) losers? If you have four or more card support, does that cover for a missing queen in that suit, or if you have such length and shortness in the second suit, does it cover for a missing queen in that suit.

As you can imagine, there has to be a uniform way to investigate with such hands. We do this with “denial cue-bids” at the three and four level, a conventional 4NT bid, and some standard asking bids. The sequence of bids is to investigate side covers first, then look for distributional queens in the anchor suits, or distributional kings in the side suits (more on these below).

To discover what might be a useful cover, we start most frequently with a denial cue-bid (or lack there of). Responder, who is thinking slam can use a denial cue-bid. The idea is bid look at the cheapest (easiest to bid) side suit. If you don’t hold Ace, King, singleton, or void in that suit, bid it (at the three or four level). This says to partner, I have no cover card in this suit. The corollary is that if don’t signoff in partscore/game/slam or grand slam, and you don’t bid the non-anchor suit, you HAVE A CONTROL in that suit. Now, if you have a control in the first suit, you look towards the second suit. Again looking to see if you have such a control. If you lack a control in that suit, you make the “denial cue-bid” in that suit. IF you have convers in both suits, you skip past both. A bid of 4NT says that you have a cover in the highest suit you skipped, and some kind of control in any lower suit you skipped.

Let’s check out some denial cue-bids (opponents kindly passing, so not shown).

2NT-3C-3D-3S where 3D showed H+D, 3S denied spade cover (3NT always natural by responder)

2NT-3C-3D-4C where 3D showed H+D, 4C promised a spade cover and denied a club

3D-3H-3S-4C, where 3S showed S+D, 4C denied a club, says nothing about hearts

3D-3H-3S-4H, where 3S showed S+D, 4H promise a club cover, denies a heart cover

3D-3H-3S-4NT, where 4NT shows HK, plus some kind of club cover

3D-3H-3S-5C, where 5C shows H-Ace and a club cover (generally king, since rule is with two aces, count them as two covers).

OPENER’s REBID AFTER DENIAL. Opener has three general responses after a denial cue-bid. The first of which is the “oh no” response, which means if you don’t have a stopper in the denial suit, they can cash quick tricks there. “Oh no” response is easy, opener bids the cheapest anchor suit. Here are some oh-no bids…

2NT-3C-3D-3S-4D, where 3S denied spade, and 4D is cheapest of hearts and diamonds

3D-3H-3S-4H-4S, where 4H is denial in hearts, and 4S is cheaper (at this point) of diamonds and spades.

Opener can also use “oh no” bid even if he has a stopper in the denial suit but a cover in the other suit does no go (this is especially useful if responder bypassed a suit to show a control). The logic here is that the “oh no” bid serves a warning that the “off-suit” cover is wasted. But if responder has 3 (or however many) cover cards needed in the anchor suits, he will not accept a signoff. For instance, imagine these two pair of hands.

♠ A K 10 x x ♠ Q x x
♥ A K 10 x x ♥ x x x
♦ void ♦ A Q x x
♣ A Q J ♣ x x x

2NT – 3♣ - 3♠ - 4♣ - 4♥ - 4♠

3S = 3 loser, major two suiter. 4C = denial cue bid, 4H = oh no, warning, diamond cover will be wasted. Pass = darn, we maybe off two tricks in clubs, or you may have no use for the diamond ACE.

♠ A K 10 x x ♠ Q x x
♥ A K 10 x x ♥ Q x x
♦ void ♦ A x x x
♣ A Q J ♣ x x x

2NT – 3♣ - 3♠ - 4♣ - 4♥ - 6♠

3S = 3 loser, major two suiter, 4C = denial cue-bid, 4H = oh no, warning. Diamond cover will be wasted. 6♠ I have two covers, slam just has to be on, despite your oh no bid. I hope you see how this second “oh no” can be a very powerful weapon to add to your arsenal.

If opener doesn’t issue the “oh no” response, he is willing to cooperate in slam try. There are a couple of obvious things. First, opener has a stopper in the denial suit, second, opener generally has use for a cover in the other non-anchor suit (especially if one was “promised” by skipping it). There are several ways opener can share the good news (as opposed to the oh no). The most positive is a leap to 5NT. This says that opener 1) has first round control in the denial suit, 2) has use for cover (ace or king) in the second suit, and 3) opener is missing both queens in the anchor suits. This is the trifecta of holdings. If partner was thinking slam, he has potential covers for sufficient losers in your hand. These jumps say, it doesn’t matter what potential cover you have, it is working!! This leap leads to some nice perfect fit grand slams. A leap to the six level BELOW the cheapest anchor suit shows the same hand but with six cards in the lowest anchor suit.

The second “great news” bid is a leap to six of the cheapest anchor suit, which is exactly like a jump to 5NT but it is clear warning that the ACE of the denial suit is missing, so no grand slam. Responder just signs off in the right suit.

More often, opener will not know exactly how to continue after hearing the denial cue bid. That is, one or more potential cover that his partner might be considering may not be “working”. A frequent concern is when opener has a singleton in the “other” non-anchor suit where responder may have a control (or where he promised a control by skipping the suit). The second will partner have enough covers situation is when opener needs any kind of cover in the “other” anchor suit, but has one or more of the anchor queens. As you can imagine one or both of these situations is very common. And these lead to the most exploratory auctions using MisIry. Let’s handle the situation where only the ACE in the off-suit is useful first (this can also be when opener is void in that suit, but has Ax in the denial suit responder bid and plans on using the ace, if it exist, to cover the loser in the denied suit).

To ask if the ACE in the second non-anchor suit is held, opener makes the cheapest step bid that is not in one of the anchor suits (if they double the denial suit, the cheapest step bid is pass, and coincidentally, redouble would be the second cheapest). After this asking bid, responder usually signs off if he was relying on the KING of the off-suit to be a cover card. Of course, the signoff can be in game or slam (never grand slam for obvious reasons). Even with the ACE in the asked suit, responder often signs off in slam (or even grand slam) if the only question he has was if that ACE was working as a cover. A non-signoff bid, promises the ACE of the second suit, and questions about the usefulness of a potential “distributional queen” or perhaps a “distributional king.” The way this works, if responder is thinking just slam or no-slam, he makes a cheapest non-signoff bid in a non-anchor suit to inquire if a distributional queen is useful. If there is two such bids available below the next cheapest non-anchor suit (this could be diamonds and hearts if openers rebid was 4NT), the cheapest ask if a distributional queen is useful in the lowest suit, the higher if a distributional queen is useful in the higher suit. If there is only one such suit (for instance if opener’s ask was 4NT and the trump suits is hearts and diamonds), then the ask is paradox in nature, where opener bids the lower anchor suit whenever a distributional queen there WILL NOT HELP. If responder then pulls to the second suit, opener is expected to bid again if a distributional queen in the second suit is useful.

If either type of cover is useful in the skipped non-anchor suit, opener can show need for distributional queens immediately, if it is convenient. If room exist, opener bids the second non-signoff to show need for distributional queen in the lower anchor suit or third non-signoff bid to show need for cover card in higher anchor suit. If there is only one such suit below five of the cheaper non-anchor, opener bids that suit (the second cheapest non-anchor) to show need for a distributional queen (non-specified which). Over this non-specific distributional queen, it is generally thought responder will know which one.

The second non-signoff shows need for a distributional queen in the lowest anchor suit, the third non-signoff shows need for a distributional queen in the higher anchor suit (needing both, don’t forget the leaps to 5NT or more).

After distributional queens have been show by opener, there is only two types of questions remaining. One is if opener could not show which distributional queen he needed, the other is if opener has shown the distributional queen(s) needed, if responder is if responder has a potential “distributional” king. If responder needs a specific distributional queen, he bids the cheapest non-anchor to ask (if this bypasses 5 of the minor, it is asking if distributional queen in major works). Opener uses paradox responses bidding cheapest signoff if he holds the queen in that suit. Bids above this ask if distributional queens work (but 5NT is always for opener to pick his better suit as trumps). The distributional king ask typically shows long trump support for one of the anchors and short enough support in the second anchor and the denial suit that the denied suit can be discarded on opener’s side suit, and then openers presumed small card in the second suit can be ruffed (hence distributional king). Obviously, opener has to have ACE and a loser in the denied suit to respond positively to the distributional king ask. Here is a couple distributional king auctions. If room exist, opener can ask about distributional king in either non-anchor suit, or can ask in one, and then in the other.

The way this works is the cheapest bid ask in the denied suit, the non-cheapest asking bid ask in the other suit (and generally shows the ace of that suit). And opener can deny stopper usefulness of distributional king in first suit, but suggest that one in second suit is useful, room permitting, responder can re-ask in second suit. See the following hands.

QJT65
976
K9
A92

AK872
A
AQJ64
J6

3D - 3H
3S - 4H
5C – 6C
7D – 7S

3D = heart preempt or 2 suiter with Diamonds
3H = signoff opposite preempt
3S = four loser, diamonds and spades
4H = denial bid in hearts, shows club control
5C = I have need for one distributional, any club control works.
6C = If you have AKxxx of spades, and AQxxx of diamonds, and xx of clubs (4 losers) We have grand slam on club ruff in my hand.
7D = distributional Club-king works for me.
7S = this is our suit.

Change opener too…

QJT65
976
K9
A92

A9872
A
AQJ64
K5

3D – 3H
3S – 4H
5C – 6C
6D – 6H
6S - pass

3D = heart preempt or 2 suiter with Diamonds
3H = signoff opposite preempt
3S = four loser, diamonds and spades
4H = denial bid in hearts, shows club control
5C = I have need for one distributional, any club control works.
6C = If you have AKxxx of spades, and AQxxx of diamonds, and xx of clubs (4 losers) We have grand slam on club ruff in my hand.
6D = distributional Club-king no good.
6H = if you have AKxxx of spades, AQxxx of diamonds, and Ax of hearts, we still have grand slam.
6S = no luck, heart dist king no help

Note, if opener had singleton small club, he would have used the ACE asking bid of 4NT and the auction would have been different.

QJT65
976
K9
A92

AK872
Ax
AQJ64
5

3D – 3H
3S – 4H
4N – 5C
5D – 6C
6D - 6H
7D - 7S
pass

3D = heart preempt or 2 suiter with Diamonds
3H = signoff opposite preempt
3S = four loser, diamonds and spades
4H = denial bid in hearts, shows club control
4N = do you have club ACE?
5C = Yes, looking for distributional queens.
5D = I have queen of diamonds, (5H here would ask for distributional queen of spades)
6C = If you have AKxxx of spades, and AQxxx of diamonds, and xx of clubs (4 losers) We have grand slam on club ruff in my hand.
6D = distributional Club-king no good.
6H = if you have AKxxx of spades, AQxxx of diamonds, and Ax of hearts, we still have grand slam.
7D = Distributional heart king is great.

When opener uses a loser showing response that also shows need or lack of need for a cover in the lowest side suit, the bidding becomes “easier”. But the same rules apply. 4NT by responder shows king in the upper suit, denial bids still occur at the four level. Exceptions, a bid of 5 of the lower suit when opener showed a none-specific need in that suit ask if king in that suit is useful. If the king or ace specifically was requested, the bid of 5 of the lower non-anchor shows king and ACE of the upper suit together. If the king of the lower suit was requested. Distributional queen ask and showing bids are the same.

- -
AKT94
KQ9842
AK

JT854
7
AJT5
T75

2N – 3C
5D – 5S
6C – 7D
Pass

2NT = club preempt or two suiter with hearts and not clubs
3C = signoff opposite preempt
5D = heart/Diamond two suiter, 2 loser, no need for CLUB
5S = distributional queen ask (room available)
6C = distributional queen heart needed (5NT = dist diam needed)
7D = whoopee…

II. After responder raises the “transfer

When you open with a transfer preempt, your partner will often “raise” to game. If you have the preempt fine, pass. This is also true if partner bids 3NT over your MisIry transfer. If you don’t pass, you promise If you fail to pass, you have a strong two suiter, you will bid again. So any bid shows the strong two suiter. What basically happens here is if partner is strong, slam will be bid, if he is weak, you will stop in partscore or game. Let’s examine the possibilities. The same rules apply to all the bids, but 3 and 4 loser responses often become compressed.

2NT-4C options are:

pass = I had clubs and weak
4D = diamond/heart two suiter, 3/4 loser
4H = spade/heart two suiter, 3/4 loser
4S = spade/heart two loser, 2 losers, need for club cover (slam likely)
4NT = diamond heart two suiter, 2 loser, need club king
5C = diamond heart two suiter, 2 loser, need club ACE
5D = diamond heart two suiter, 2 loser, no need for club, etc.

3C-4D

Pass = I had diamonds weak
4H = hearts and clubs, 4/3 losers
4S = clubs and spades, 4/3 losers
4NT = clubs and hearts, 2 losers,
5C = clubs and spades, 2 loser, need diamond honor
5D = clubs and hearts, 2 loser, need diamond, etc.

III. After responder introduces his own suit

The tricky part is when responder bids his own suit (2NT-3S for instance). This is forcing, if you opened a weak hand, you must rebid your suit or raise partners suit. Period. If you opened a strong hand, and partner didn’t raise your short suit, then rebids are in NT, the opened suit, and the fourth suit (or above the simple raise). Normally if you have the strong hand, slam will be bid, but occasionally you will stop in 3NT or game in your partners suit. Let’s examine some auctions.

2NT-3S**-?

3NT = hearts and diamond, 2 suiter, 4 losers
4C = just clubs, no spade support.
4D = hearts and diamonds, 3 losers
4H = hearts and spades, 3/4 losers *
4S = spade fit, club preempt
4NT = diamond heart two suiter, 2 loser, need club king
5C = diamond heart two suiter, 2 loser, need Club Ace
5D = diamond, heart two suiter, no need for club
5H = spade/heart two suiter, 2 loser, need club *
5S = spade/heart two suiter, 2 loser (since no club fit – with one bid more)
5NT = Diamond, heart two suiter, 1 loser, need club king
6C = diamond, heart two suiter, 1 loser, need club Ace
6D = diamond, heart two suiter, 1 loser, no need for club
6H = 1 loser, spade/heart need club ACE *
6S = 1 loser, heart/spade, don’t need club, ACE *

* don’t count spade queen as cover, presumed fit covers for queen. This is true from both sides of the table.

** A rebid of responders suit by responder over openers bids above is an attempt to play in his own suit.

Also, remember that jumpshift by responder shows solid suit This establishes trumps even if opener is strong two suited.

Another situation is where partner bids "3NT" over your transfer preempt. If you are weak, you will pass. Of course, partner may be psyching with a weak hand of his own (especially not vul). We also use this as a way to get to play in the "transfer suit" if you are CERTAIN from your hand that partner has a strong two suiter. Your partner will bid again over 3NT only with the strong hand. If you rebid the transfer suit, this is not "exclusion" but rather to play.

This method is powerful, fairly easy to implement, and can earn a bushel of imps on lots of hands. But it is not the only thing you can do with MisIry. There is another group of hands that you can use MisIry with, that I call Miserable tricks. One trick is self correcting loser count. Be careful when you use this. Here is a typical hand.

MisIry allows a lot of hands to be bid simply on automatic. But sometimes, you have to think about how to show or find out the information you need.

Here is an example.

♠ 8 7 3 2
♥ 5 3 2
♦ 9 6 5 2
♣ J 6

♠
♥ 5
♦ A K Q J 8
♣ A K 10 7 5 3 2

3D – 3H
4NT – 5D
6D

South;s hand is 2 losers, but once partner supports diamonds, it becomes a hopeful 1 loser. Explanation, 4NT = minor two suiter, need Ace of hearts only. The theory here is if partner is short in clubs, one ruff will be enough, if partner bids clubs here, you will carry on to slam hoping to drop the queen of clubs.

That kind of “trick” is easy to rationalize. Here is one that you might not think of. Look at this “one suited” hand.

♠ A K Q 8 7 6 5 4 3
♥ A K 5
♦ 8
♣

This hand is PERFECT for a Miserable Trick, but use this one with caution. When you hold a one suiter, with two or three losers, you can sometimes “show” a two suiter, to get your partner to evaluate his hand according to the presumed fit. The long suit has to be higher than the fake second suit. This hand is an excellent example. Open 2NT then rebid 4 S showing heart/spade two suiter, with two losers, not needing a club cover. This way, your partner will count heart queen and diamond ACE. Imagine a better hand,

♠ A K Q J T 6 5 4 3
♥ A K 5
♦ A
♣

Here you find the grand slam by showing a major two suiter with one loser, not needing club cover. Partner with Queen of hearts will bid grand slam in hearts, which you correct to spades.

Use these with caution. In theory, partner can work out even if you lie. Imagine you hold this monster hand…

♠ A K Q J T 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
♥
♦
♣ 2

Imagine this auction, 2NT – 3C – 5S (heart/spade two suiter, need club cover). No matter what partner holds, if he lacks the club ACE, he knows no grand slam. If he is looking at AKQ of hearts, it should still not confuse him. Even if he has just the heart queen he should not be confused. You 5S shows a need for a club cover. But like I said, use this with EXTREME caution, and always, always show a two suiter where your real suit is the higher of the two “presumed suits”.

IV. MisIry and Competition

The rules for showing strong hands in competition. If opener doubles their suit that has not been supported it shows the bid suit as one of openers (if one opponent doubles for takeout and the other bids a suit, however, double is now takeout strong, with four losers)

REVIEW OF AUCTON OPTIONS

Opener first rebid shows which two suits and how many losers.
If responder doesn’t sign off, he generally shows location of his cover cards. His first non-signoff bid at the three level or four level is a denial cue-bid (up the line).
Responders immediate 3NT rebid is natural, his immediate 4NT rebid shows the king in the highest non-anchor suit.
Responders initial bid above 4NT shows a stopper. Rules for these stopper are, if with jump, promises ACE in top higher non-anchor suit (since 4NT was not bid).
After responders “denial cue-bid”, opener signs off with either no stopper in the denial suit, OR no need for a cover in the “other” non-anchor suit (Ax in the denial suit and void in the other non-anchor suit could use ACE in second suit, so don’t signoff. Singleton ACE in the other non-anchor suit and Ax in denial suit is a wonderful holding as king in other suit is useful.
After responder’s “denial cue bid” or a cue-bid at the four level that doesn’t promise a specific control in the other non-anchor suit, opener’s cheapest non-anchor bid ask if responder has the ACE of the “other” non-anchor suit, and promises a stopper in any denied suit. (Cheapest bid would be pass if they double the denial cue-bid)
After responder’s denial cue bid, opener might bid skip the cheapest anchor suit to bid the second anchor suit. This shows a need for a cover in the other non-anchor suit, a stopper in denied suit, but possession of both anchor suit queens.
After responder’s denial cue bid, opener might jump to 5NT or 6 of the cheapest anchor suit. Both jumps show the queens of the anchor suits are missing, the jump to 5NT promises first round control in the denied suit, jump to six shows second round control in the denial suit. A jump to six of the suit below the cheapest anchor suit shows same hand but with 6+ in the lower anchor suit.
After responder’s denial cue-bid, opener might make the second or in some cases, third cheapest bid (if room permits). IF there is room below five of the cheapest suit, these two bids show missing queen in the lower suit and missing queen in the higher suit respectively. If opponents double the denial cue-bid, pass and redouble becomes steps for the opener. If there is only one spot to show a missing queen, then opener bids that to show that one (non-specified) is missing. Responder, if he has queen, he knows which is missing. If responder bids the cheapest intermediate suit between the two suits, it is asking opener to bid beyond five of the top suit if he is missing the queen in that suit (paradox). If responder makes a non-signoff bid above such a cheapest non-anchor bid, it is asking if distributional king is useful (see what a distributional king is next).
After side suit is checked and after anchor queens are accounted for, new suit bids by responder are asking if a distributional king might be useful. In general, distributional king ask are made in cheapest step. Cheapest ask if lower anchor suit distributional king is useful, second cheapest ask if distributional king in the higher non-anchor suit can help. Sometimes, you can ask in both with the third step, or asking in the cheapest. If that doesn’t work, partner can ask bid in the cheapest non-anchor (if below the top anchor) to say would be helpful in the OTHER suit. Likewise, if trumps would be clubs or spades, if 5H ask if distributinonal king in diamonds works, opener rebid 5NT to say no, but one in hearts works. If trumps is diamonds or spades, if responder bids 6C to ask in clubs, and opener bids 6D (no), responder can bid 6H to ask if distributional king in hearts works.
5NT by responder, always, is give us your best suit (pick a slam). If responder then pulls the cheaper suit to the higher suit, it changes the pickem to distributional king ask in the cheapest.



Opener     Responder
S A4       S T976    3C  3D
H A9843    H K       3H  3S
D K        D AQ82    3N  4D
C AKQ96    C J875    4NT 6C
                     7C  Pass
3C MisIry transfer
3D In case partner has D weak
3H H/C two suiter, 4 loser
3S no Spade cover, presumed diamond cover
  (HK, DA = 2 covers, distribution HQ?)
3NT Asking about Diamond ACE?
4D = have ace, plus a distributional queen
4NT = missing heart Queen (both 4nt and 4S
   below five of cheaper anchor)
7C = your diamond ace is a suprise
   two covers

When this hand was played, only 4 of 21 tables reached six clubs, none seven. And the auctions to 6C were not that convincing. Six clubs here is automatic. Seven clubs requires slow bidding and thinking, but is possible.



♠          ♠ KQ92      3D  3H
♥ A        ♥ JT7       5C  5NT
♦ KQJT954  ♦ A86       6D  7D
♣ KQ765    ♣ A92           

3D = heart preempt, or Diamond + black suit
3H = you can bid 4H if judge game good shot
5C = two loser, heart control useless
     if heart was useful, i bid 4D
5NT = pick slam
6D = like D's better
7D = easy

If you had bid 4H, bidding is 4NT showing
minor two suiter and extras

-------------------------

S A        S T95       3D  3H
H A8       H K964      3N  4S
D KJ643    D A52       5N  Pass
C AK653    C Q92       

3N = minor two suiter, 4 loser
4S = denial bid, shows something in H
5N = missing both Queens, have spade A
     your heart control is working

-------------------------
S A        S T95      3D  3H
H A8       H K96      3N  4S
D KJ643    D A5       5N  7C
C AK653    C Q9742    Pass          

3N = minor two suiter, 4 loser
4S = denial bid, shows something in H
5N = missing both Queens, have spade A
     your heart control is working
7C = distribution dQ = 4th cover

-------------------------

♠ KQJ43    ♠          3D  4H
♥ K9       ♥ AQ762    4S  6D
♦ AK753    ♦ J9842    Pass
♣ 9        ♣ 763

4H = ok, because we can play diamonds
     if partner is two suited
4S = diamond.spade 2 suiter, 4 loser
6D = gamble. Easier if I bid 3H... see

3D  3H    3S = 4 loser, D+S
3S  4C    4C = denial
4NT 6D    4H = need heart ACE

Over 4C,
    4D = says, off two club tricks
    4H = ask for heart ACE
    4S = says all ok, but i have both queens
    4NT = missing DQ
    5C = missing SQ
    5NT = missing both Q, no club A
    6D = missing both Q, i have club A

-------------------------

♠ AQJ74  ♠ 8652       2N  3C
♥ AQT86  ♥ K73        3H  5C
♦ T      ♦ AJ763      5D  6S
♣ AQ     ♣ 8          Pass


3H = four loser, major two suiter
5C = second round control C, first D
5D = Not missing any queens, your covers work
     No need to ask for Aces here. Technical
     bid is probably 5S (both queens, all go)
6S = three covers, = slam

-------------------------
♠ AKT53    ♠ Q764    3C  3D
♥ K4       ♥ J       5C  5H
♦          ♦ KT754   5S  6S
♣ AKQJ95   ♣ T76     Pass
                    

4S = two losers, clubs/Spades
5C = 2L, no need for D
5H = does seond round heart control help
5S = no
6S = you no fun, but Spade Q works

-------------------------
Victorian Pennant SF 4 of 4, board 20

X         AQx     3C  3D
AKxxx     J9      3H  6C
Qx        ATxxx   Pass
AKQxx     J9x

These are tough. Over 3NT, figure 2 covers
plus bonus "Q" of spades. Plus possible useful
jack-nines. I would just blast 6C and hope a
finesse would be enough if it is not cold.
This is a rare-hand.

-------------------------
Hand 95 from Brazilian Team Trial finals

AKQxx     Txx     2N  3C
AKxxx     xx      3S  4S
T         A9xx
Kx        Qxxx

I think i would miss this one. It needs
lucky breaks in both majors to make.

-------------------------
Hand 96, same event.
QJ9xx    T87     3D  3H
Void     Qxx     4D  4S
AKQJx    986     Pass
AQx      KJTx

4D = S/D two suiter, 3 loser
4S = 0 to 1 covers

-------------------------
Board 73 of C_N_Echipe Diviizia A standza 5 is
interesting. Both pairs stopped in 6H. With
MisIry, grand slam is "automatic". Let's see why.

AQ9xx   Kx        2N  3C
AKxxx   QJxxx     3H  4D
A       Qxx       4NT 5C
Qx      ATx       5D  6C
                  7H  Pass

3H = four loser, Major 2 suiter
4D = denial, shows a club control
4NT = what kind of club control?
5C = club ace, do you missing a queen?
5D = yes, 
6C = Distributional king useful?
7H = great news, pick major

-----------------------------

Board 7, Icelandic championship, round 11
Jx      5         3C  3D
A9xxx   KJx       3H  4NT
Void    AQxxxxx   5C  5H
AKQTxx  8x        Pass

3NT = heart/club two suiter, 4 loser
4NT = 2nd round S control, some D control
5C = yuck, something wasted
5H = hope not too high then.

------------------------------
Here is board 29 from Brazilian Team Finals,
semi-finals (2 of 4).

KQT87    93       3C  3D
A9       QT2      3S  4S
6        AQ98xx   Pass
AQT54    J7

3S = C/S two suiter, 4 losers
4S = lets try game.


-------------------------
Icelandic Team trials, round 8, Board 5

AQxxx    xxx      3D  3H
AK       QTxx     4D  4S
AKxxx    xxx
2        9xx

4D = 3 loser, D+S

-----------------------------

The very next hand (board 6) was

AQJT7   xx        3C  3D
Void    Jxxxx     3S  4C
AQx     KJ9       Pass 
KJxxx   xxx

3S = black 2 suiter
4C = yuck
Pass to play

--------------------------

Board 7 Icelandic Team championship, rd 3

Void      AKQJx   3D  3H
KJ        Txxx    4C  4H
AQJT95    xxx     5C  5D
KQxxx     x       Pass

4C = minor 2 suiter, 3 loser
4H = denial cue-bid
5C = responders spade control wasted
    so ok to "signoff" with stopper in hearts
    Responder with sufficient covers bids
    on even after signoff.
5D = preference

---------------------------

Final II, deal 11, page 173

♠ AKQxx  ♠ xxx      3D   3H
♥ K7     ♥ A9xx     3S   6S
♦ AJ9xx  ♦ Q        Pass
♣ J      ♣ A97xx

3S = 4 loser, D/S two suiter
6S = count 2 ACES as two cover,
     diamond Q = 3rd

--------------------------
♠ AQ9xxx  ♠ K4       2N  3C
♥ AJ98x   ♥ K65      3H  4H
♦         ♦ QJ9xx    Pass    
♣ A9      ♣ xxx             
                             
3H - 4 Loser. major two suiter
4H - I don't have enough covers even if you
     missing Spade Q, as 3 hearts is not enough to
     ruff sufficient spades

Maybe slam if heart queen on side with one
or two more

-------------------------

♠ KQ       ♠ JT54    3C  3D
♥ AKT973   ♥ 65      4N  5H
♦          ♦ K65432  Pass
♣ AKQ72    ♣ 5

4N = C/H 2 suiter, 2 loser, no D help needed
5H = hope suits split ok, 1C ruff, lose H+S

-------------------------
♠ KT      ♠ J962     2N  3C
♥ AKJ87   ♥ T65      4C  4H
♦ AKJT93  ♦ 842      Pass
♣         ♣ AT9

4C = D/H three loser, no need for Club control
4H = end, now if your black suits were reversed,
       your bid would have been 4C, and slam would bid

-------------------------
♠ K        ♠ 62      2N  3C
♥ AQT54    ♥ 876     3H  Pass
♦ AKJ98    ♦ T42    
♣ AT       ♣ Q8632

Pass . Not every hand
turns to gold even with MisIry

--------------

♠ A4      ♠ T        3D  3H
♥ A       ♥ 9832     4C  4H
♦ AQT86   ♦ K942     5D  5S
♣ KQT72   ♣ AJ85     7C  Pass 

4C = 3 loser, minor two suiter
4H = denial cuebidding
5D = any spade control working, both minor Q
7C

-------------------------

♠ AKQ65  ♠ 84        3D  3H
♥ 4      ♥ JT873     4D  4H
♦ AQT98  ♦ KJ754     5D  6D
♣ A7     ♣ 9        Pass 

4D = 3 loser, diamond/spade two suiter
4H = DENIAL cue, denies heart cover
5D = i have both queens, and H control,
     and any club cover works
6D = DK, Club = two covers, small slam
     If you were missing diamond Queen
     we could be in grand. Say you had
     AKQxx A AT98x Ax, you would show
     missing diamond queen.

-------------------------
♠ AKQ84   ♠ T9       3D   3H
♥ KQ      ♥ 7542     4D   5D
♦ AQT64   ♦ K832     Pass
♣ 2       ♣ T73

4D = diamond/spade two suiter, 3loser
5D = could try for six with 4H bid,
     denial but need to catch partner
     with missing spade Q

-------------------------
♠ AKQJ2   ♠ 63       3D  3H
♥ AK      ♥ J862     5S  6C
♦ AKQ94   ♦ J852     6D  Pass
♣ J       ♣ K74           

5S = one loser, need help in clubs
6C = I have club king, is that enough?
6D = no, pick suit
Pass, ok we play 6D

-------------------------

♠ AKQJ2   ♠ 63       3D  3H
♥ A       ♥ J862     5S  6C
♦ AKQ94   ♦ J852     7D  Pass
♣ AJ      ♣ K74          

5S = one loser, need help in clubs
6C = I have club king, is that enough?
7D = yes! pick suit
Pass, ok we play in diamonds

-------------------------
S T         S AKQJ9   --  3C 
H Q32       H AT      3D  4C
D 98        D A       4D  5D
C KT95432   C AJ876   6C  7C
                      Pass

3S = black 2 suiter, 3/4 loser
4D = denial cue bid
5D = missing club queen 
6C = No way to find out about the
     all the aces and solid spades
7C = too good to languish in six, a
     Careful partner passes.

-------------------------

S          S 872      3C  3D
H AK873    H 64       3N  4S
D A6       D KT853    6C  7C
C AKT742   C Q86      Pass

3N = 3 losers, heart/club two suiter
4S = no S control, some D control
5N = DA, missing both Q, your DK working
7C = would like one more club, maybe 6C better

-------------------------

S KQJ97   S 843       3C  3D
H K       H J9832     4C  4S
D K       D 53        Pass
C AKQJ84  C 763           

4S = S/C two suiter, 3 loser

-------------------------

S 7         S J654    3D  3H
H 7         H A52     3NT 4S
D AKJT5     D Q976    5C  5D
C AQ9432    C 65      Pass

3NT = minor 2 suiter, 4 loser
4S = DENIAL cue, no S control, some H control
5C = if partner has 3 covers he bids on anyway
5D = like diamonds lot better than clubs

-------------------------

            S J52
            H QT742
            D J95 
S 9         C 86        S A
H AJ863                 H 9
D AT7                   D KQ832
C KQ52      S KQT87643  C AJ9743
            H K5
            D 64
            C T

West     North    East     South
                  3D       3S
4H       Pass     5C       Pass
7C       Pass     Pass     Pass

4H = two places to play
5C = minor 2 suiter, four losers
5H = cue-bid, at five level, shows honor
5S = is ace or not?
7C = four covers,HA, CKQ, DA,

Multi 2Diamonds

2005-06-25T01:17:00.000-07:00

If you have slugged your way through my preferred 2♣ method, you have discovered one large systemic bidding hole. There is no way there to show a hand too strong for an opening 2NT bid, but not strong enough for 2♣ followed by 3NT. This flaw is solved by the use of the very popular (everywhere but the US) Multi-2 Diamonds.

An opening bid of 2♦ thus includes the same kind of hands that most standard american players would open 2♣ and then rebid 2NT. For me, this shows a good 22 hcp to a very bad 25 hcp. The normal expect range is 23-24, it has to be a serious good feature to upgrade 22 or seriously flawed to downgrade to 24.

Of course, multi-2 Diamonds includes a number of other hand types besides the big balanced hand. It includes a weak two in either major, and promises six cards in the major (not five). We also throw in one other hand type, a VERY strong Acol 2 bid in a minor, promising 5 controls+ and 9.5 tricks in the minor. The reason for this is that if you open 2♣ and rebid 3 of a minor, it is game force, so that simplifies the 2♣ auctions.

Responding to 2♦ is simple. First, you treat it as a weak two in a major, and use paradox responses as defined by Chris Ryall. The basic principle is that if you would not make a game try over a normal weak two in hearts, you BID 2♥ in case that is what your partner has. The responses I like are:

Pass = almost never occurs. must have lots of diamonds and a complete lack of hcp. Remember, partner can have 24 hcp!!!
2♥ = pass/correct. With a weak two, opener passes, or bids 2♠ if that is his suit. Responder may have game try in ♠ but no hope opposite hearts
2♠ = game try in ♥ opener can bid 3 or 4♥ with hearts, and pass with weak two in spades. Any other bid shows the opening stronger hands.

3♣ or 3♦ = both are natural and forcing

3♥ or 3♠ = Pass or correct at 3 level

3NT = Preemptive major raise (4-4 in majors)

4♣ = 4♠ and 5♥

4♦ = 5♠ and 4♥

4♥/4♠ = my suit, i don't care what you have

2NT = asking bid. If responder is bidding 2NT, and you have one of the big hands, slam is certain, so,
----> 3♣ shows minimum 2♥ opening (3♦ then game try in ♥'s)
---->3♦ minimum 2♠ opening, (3♥ then game try in ♠'s)
----> 3♥ and 3♠ show maximums both suits
---->4♣ or 4♦ over 2NT shows the ACOL 2 of a minor
----> 3NT shows balanced big hand (forcing after 2NT)
-----------> 4♣ baron looking for 4-4 fits
----------->, 4♦, 4♥, 4♠, 4NT show bid suits
-----------> 4NT shows clubs,
-----------> 5♣ is super gerber).

If you don't want to play multi 2♦, you can still play the 2 Club system with the three suiter, if you keep 2♦ as mexican 2♦ showing a big balanced hand with 2♥ asking for range or play the normal mexican 2♦.

Strong Three suiter using 2C

2005-06-25T01:11:00.000-07:00

In Chapter one, most of the 2♣ opening bids and continuations were covered. One case was only mentioned: the "strong" three suiter. This post will cover how to bid with them.

Over a 2♥ or 2♠ game is not forced when opener shows his three suiter. Over 2♦'s, game is more likely, but not forced. In all three cases, opener starts with a 2NT rebid to show the unknown three suiter. If responder had responded with the bid of misery (2♥ or 2♠) then over openers 2NT rebid, all responder bids are natural, looking for a fit. So if responder rebids 3♣ opener can pass with clubs. If opener is short is clubs, he bids 3♦ and the auction is still alive until a fit is found.

When responder uses a semi-positive bid, game doesn't have to be bid. If responder has only one likely trick, over 2NT, he can bid 3♦ or 3♥ to show that suit and only one likely trick. Opener can pass or bid the next highest suit. But 3♠ over 2NT shows a weak 6 card suit and only one trick. However, if responder has two or more tricks, he bids 3♣ over openers 2NT rebid to start an artificial auction.

Responder is in control. He uses a series of relays to ask for the short suit and losers, then controls, then missing queens. The asking bids are always in the short suit (or 5NT if the next easiest bid to ask is 6 of the short suit). The best write up on this is on Chris's page, see
http://www.cavendish.demon.co.uk/bridge/two/clubs-4441.htm

So I will summarize here, and you can go read his text/examples.

2♣ - 2♦ -2NT -3♣ <<=== 1st ask Over the 1st relay ask, opener bids the suit below his shortness (singleton or void) in steps. First group of steps is 4-5 losers (3♦ = 4/5 with short ♥'s; 3♥ = 4/5 losers short ♠). Then 2-3 losers. There is one small problem you don't want to go beyond 3NT on some hands, so a 3♠ rebid by opener shows 2-3 losers and shortness in one or the other minor. Then 3NT shows 4-5 short club, etc. A second gotcha, if responder has diamonds, he should just bid 3NT over 2NT (shows diamonds) becase all the weak responses (4-5 losers) are at 3NT or lower except for the one with diamonds, which is at four clubs.

At any time, if responder bids a non-short suit it is a signoff. But responder can keep asking questions by bidding the short suit. The second question ask, how many losers (4 or 5) or (2 or 3) and how short. The steps are 1st step=most loser-singleton, 2nd step = fewest loser singleton, 3rd step = fewest losers singleton, and 4th step fewest losers void. After finding loser count and length in short suit, next rebid in short suit ask for controls. This is straight foward count. Minimum is five, so first step shows five, each step shows one more (Ace=2, K=1 control, but don't count singleton king). If opener had shown 2-3 losers, the cheapest step shows six controls.

After showing number of controls, the next question ask for cheapest suit in which the QUEEN is missing. Any skipped suit has the queen, and remember that for this asking bid you use the short suit or 5NT, which ever is lowest.

Special Sequence
2♣ - 2♦ 2NT - 3♣ - 3♠ Remember that this three spade bid shows 2 or 3 losers and a minor short suit. Responder bids 3NT to find out what openers hand is. Opener rebids 4♣ with a short Diamond, and 4♦, 4H, 4S and 4NT with short club and losers (4H and 4NT show club void, 4S and 4♦ show three losers).

Below are some example auction. For other real world example hands and a rehash of the methods, see the following two links. Feel free to add hands you discover this method works for to either of these threads examples. Introduction to three suited 2♣ opening bid. http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?showtopic=1646&st=0&#entry10168

More example hands using three suited 2♣ opening bids http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?showtopic=4058&st=0&#entry31145

Word of caution. Chris Ryall suggest NOT using this bid with three suiter containing a five card major. I think this is a well crafted caution on MINIMUM hands you might consider opening with 2 clubs. But any 3 loser or fewer hands, you must open 2Clubs even with a five card major. And control rich four loser hands might be considered. With five losers, open these 1M.


S AQJ6      S 872       
H AK63      H 75        
D QJT6      D K743      
C 3         C AQ84    
  
2C  2D      2D = semi positive
2NT 3C      2NT = 3 suiter
3NT Pass    3C = at least two tricks
            3NT = 4/5 loser, short club

-------------------------

IMP-16      altairds    Dlr: South
Board 5449  S T65       Vul: None
            H 864     
            D KJ8                  2C  2D
S Q93       C KJ73      S J87      2NT 3C
H Q7                    H AJ93     3D  Pass
D 732                   D 964     
C A8642     S AK42      C Q95     
            H KT52    
            D AQT5    
            C T     

Even with this horrible minimum, 3NT wins 8 imps.

-------------------------
  
S AKQT      S 832    2C   2D    
H Q         H 94     2NT  3D    
D AK62      D T953   Pass       
C QT54      C AJ83              

2D=semi+ or better
2NT=three suiter
3D= one tricks, diamonds, 3C would be ask
PAss, fit found, high enough.

-------------------------    
S AQ72      S KT4    2C  2D    
H AKT4      H 95     2NT 3C    
D K         D J54    4C  4D    
C AJ63      C KQT94  4H  6C    
                     Pass
3C = ask
4C = short D
4D = Ask
4H = 4414, 5 losers

This is the problem hand for this method, as 
you quickly run out of spade to investigate, but 
with KQ of clubs and king of spades, partner 
needs excellent hearts. You can hardly be off 
two aces, as partner needs five controls, and 
good suits with minimum hands.

-------------------------

IMP-19      bulent34    Dlr: North
Board 11228 S T9        Vul: Both
            H 53      
bob1l       D J93       zely      
S J643      C A96532    S 852     
H AKQ976                H JT84    
D T         sezerc      D K8642   
C 87        S AKQ7      C T       
            H 2       
            D AQ75    
            C KQJ4    

East     South    West     North     
                           Pass      
Pass     2C       2H       Pass      
3H       DBL      Pass     5C        
Pass     6C       All Pass           

1-Pass = see chapter one for interference
2-DBL = takeout, shows this type hand
3-5C = reason to bid, long clubs, a useful card
     (not two sueful cards, since no bid earlier
4 6C reasonable gamble.

-------------------------

S KQJ32    S 7        
H AKT9     H Q53      
D AKQ2     D T75      
C          C AKQ873

2C    2NT      2NT = AKQxxx or AKJxxxx or better, little else
3NT   4H       4H = suprise heart card, must be queen
6NT   Pass     6NT, worth shot

3NT after 3C is to play, as REsponder has shown 
his hand. 

(note, Chris Ryall doesn't open show this as 
three suiter, but this hand would still open 
2C anyway. I don't mind having five card major 
for three suiter, but do require higher standard
to open with one. Two losers is higher standard).

-------------------------

S K632     S T754    2C    2D    
H AKQJ     H 9732    2NT   3H    
D          D AJ5     4H
C AKQ65    C J9     
                  
3H looking for fit, warning of only 1 trick
4H one trick is enough

-------------------------  

S AKQ7     S J62     2C   2D     
H AKQ8     H J6      2NT  3D     
D 3        D J9642   3NT  4S     
C AT84     C K96     Pass        

2D = semi+ or better
2NT = three suiter
3D = one trick, Diamonds
3NT = short D, great hand

-------------------------    

S AK83     S JT7654    2C   2D    
H Q        H JT532     2NT  3H    
D AKQ5     D 32        3NT  4S    
C AQ92     C           Pass       

2D = one trick for either major
2NT = three suiter
3H = warning, weak hand (hehehe)                                 
3NT = short heart
4S = game

------------------------- 

S AK64     S J875    2C   2H   
H KQJ3     H 874     2NT  3D   
D          D J982    3S   4S   
C AKQ72    C 84      Pass      
                                                
2H = no trick for H contract
2NT = three suiter
3D = maybe we can play in diamonds
3H = I have short diamond
3S = spades then
4S, you only need 4 spades, is that too much to ask?

-------------------------

S AKT4     S 876      2C    2D
H AKQ5     H T7       2NT   3C
D K643     D 85       3S    3NT
C A        C K86432   4D    4S
                      Pass

2NT = three suiter, you know now.
3C = with clubs, ackward. Could bid 4C to 
     show one trick, long clubs, but risk
     missing 3NT
3S = short minor, 2-3 loser
3NT = ask, partner could be
      AKQx AKxx A AQJx
4D = 4441 with 2-3 losers
4S = hope for the best. 

-------------------------

    

S AKT4     S 876      2C   2D   
H AKQ5     H T7       2NT  4C    
D K643     D 85       3S   4C        
C A        C K86432   Pass

3C (shudder, we may be in 4NT too soon)
4C = I have just clubs, and weak hand,
5C = you must have six, to King and out

S AKQT      S J32      2C   2H      
H AKQ2      H 543      2NT  3C      
D A         D 543      6C   wow     
C KQJT      C 6543                  

2H = no trick for hearts
2NT in theory 2-5 losers, here lie
3C = can we play 3C?
6C = twice.

---------------------------

S AKJ8     S T97       2C   2H      
H 3        H J98762    2NT  3H      
D AK82     D T9        3S   Pass    
C AK95     C T7          

2H = no trick for hearts
3H = four plus hearts
3S = whew, just in time

Not all hands using this method turn out wonderfully. When
responder is weak and opener has the three suiter, it is possible to get to impossible 3NT contracts or delicate 4-3 fits at the three level. The worse ones seem to be hands where opener has five losers, and responder has one winner and there is a misfit. I will show one example, plus an example of a good hand for the method below.

First the bad hand for the method. Over 2NT, opener has a choice, he can bid 3NT (anytime with diamonds afte 2NT, you have to bid 3NT since opener has short diamonds if you bid 3C, his reponse of 4C might take you past the best spot. However, with only one trick, rather than 3NT, your reply should bid 3D. This doesn't help a lot, as partner will try to correct to 3H. You are stuck, so you pass 3H, and partner plays in 4-3 fit. Realistically this should be down two. But will probably be down one. This is not going to be a good result for you, either way (it will not be as bad as reflected in the scores on this hand, as the +1000 your way at one table is not realistic).


                        Dlr: West 
            S J8        Vul: E-W
            H T75       
            D KT652       
S KQ9653    C T42       S 7         
H 96                    H KJ42      
D 87                    D AQ943     
C A87       S AT42      C 953       
            H AQ83      
            D J         
            C KQJ6      
East     South    West     North    
                  Pass     2C       
Pass     2D       Pass     2NT
Pass     3D       Pass     3H
All Pass

2NT = three suiter
3D = warning, one trick, I have diamonds
3H = I have hearts, 4/5 losers, short diamond     
Pass = yuck. I know we are too high. 

 =======================================
  # Contr   Ld    Tr  Score   Pts
 =======================================
  1 3DX   W CK   5  1100  14.13          
  2 1NX   W CJ   5   500   7.80          
  3 3N    E C2   6   300   4.00          
  4 2S    E C2    6   200   1.67          
  5 2S    E C2    6   200   1.67          
  6 1N    S DA     9   150   0.47          
  7 2N    N SK    8   120  -0.07          
  8 2S    E HT    7   100  -0.93          
  9 2S    E CT    7   100  -0.93          
 10 2S    E C2  7   100  -0.93          
 11 1C    N D8   8    90  -0.93          
 12 2N    N S6      7   -50  -4.47          
 13 3H    N D8  8   -50  -4.47          
 14 2H    N SQ     7   -50  -4.47          
 15 3N    N D8   7  -100  -5.73          
 16 2H    N D8   5  -150  -6.80

Next a good hand for the method. Note in this example,
not one pair out of 16 even found hearts as a trump suit (disaster for matchpoints). And quite a few overreached to 6 clubs off two aces. Look at the suggested auction.


IMP-15                  Dlr: East  
            S KJ32      Vul: None
            H 6542      
            D 6               
S A954      C T643      S QT876     
H 93                    H AT7       
D T7543                 D J82       
C A2        S           C 75        
            H KQJ8      
            D AKQ9      
            C KQJ98     

South    West     North    East    
                           2C       
Pass     2D       Pass     2NT
Pass     3H       Pass     4S
Pass     5C       Pass     5H
Pass

2NT = three suiter
3H = one trick warning, hearts
4s = Exclusion keycard blackwood
5C = 0 key cards outside of SPADES*

*note this 4S is funny 6 Keycard ask, 
three aces, three kings So if opener was
-- KQJ9 AKQ9 AQJxx, and responders spade
king was club king, slam would be bid
as the club king would be shown in the
steps. Simple, huh? 

Opening lead: H9    Result: Made 5
Score: 150          

  # Contr   Ld  Decl     Tr  Score   Pts
 =======================================
  1 6DX   W HA     7 -1100 -15.67          
  2 6CX   E SA     11  -100  -6.27          
  3 6CX   E SA     11  -100  -6.27          
  4 1C    E H9     11   150  -0.87          
  5 1C    E H9     11   150  -0.87          
  6 1C    E H9     11   150  -0.87          
  7 1C    E H9     11   150  -0.87          
  8 1C    E H9     11   150  -0.87          
  9 3C    E CA     11   150  -0.87          
 10 1C    E H9     11   150  -0.87          
 11 2H    E D3     11   200   0.67          
 12 5C    E H9     11   400   4.93          
 13 5C    E D3     11   400   4.93          
 14 5C    E D3     11   400   4.93          
 15 3DX   S C6     06   500   7.07          
 16 5CXX  E H3     11   800  11.73

Strong Two Club Opening

2005-06-25T01:09:00.000-07:00

This is the first post of what I like to play as my favorite system. The way I play 2♣ essentially as described on Chris Ryall's webpage (link on right).

The opening bid of 2♣ can be considerable weaker than most 2/1 GF systems. One reason is that it includes ACOL two bids in either major: these are hands with a good suit, at least five controls, and at least eight "sure" tricks. Another reason why it is weaker, we include "strong three suiter" that, to be quite honest, don't have to be all that strong. Once again a minimum of five controls, but the hcp required is only around 16. The other requirement is for 5 losers or less. To see more about these opening bids, see Chris's page, or the examples below. But my system does have one big differences from Ryall's, we don't open 2♣ with any strong two suited hand (see chapter on MisIry transfer preempts). Taking the strong two suiters out, simplifies the bidding after the 2♣ opener, because if opener shows a second suit, IT IS LIMITED TO 4 cards (or less). Opener may temporize with a second suit (to establish game force) with a great first suit.

Opening two bids, hence, can be:

Acol two in a minor with 5+ controls (S-Ax H-AKQJTxx D-xx C-xx would be ideal minimum)
A strong three suiter (4441 or 5440) with five or fewer losers. This would be typical minimum hand: (S-AJTx H-x D-KQxx C-AQxx)
Any balanced hand 25 hcp or more (we do not open 2NT with balanced hands with less than 25 hcp).
Any true Game Forcing hand, with two notable exceptions. First, I prefer to play namyats, so game force major one suiter with less than five controls, open four of the correct minor. Second with game forcing hand (or near game forcing hand) that contains two five card or longer suits, open with the transfer preempts mentioned above.

So the opening two bid can be quite weak, by standard american standards. Not coincidentally, we have not one, but two negative responses to this opening bid. The first negative bid is 2♥ which denies the ability to win even one trick in a heart contract. Thus, 2♥ is not even forcing. Opener with an acol 2 bid in hearts (see example above) can pass 2♥ and take his promised 8 tricks. If he has an acol 2 bid in ♠ he bids 2♠ over 2♥. With true game force hand (any), he bids something other than 2♠ over 2♥ (even a raise of 2♥ to 3♥ is GF).

So what constitutes a trick? Any king, any two queens, several hearts and a ruffing value. With a trick (or better), you must respond 2D which is semi-positive (a trick) or BETTER. So what if you a ruffing trick for a potential heart contract, but no tricks for a spade contract? Then you bid 2♠ which shows a ruffing trick for hearts. If you had a natural trick, you would bid 2D. AFTER a TWO DIAMOND response, a 2NT rebid by RESPONDER is a warning, it says "I have only one trick for your major suit contract". And a jump to 4 of openers major is a similar warning, it says, "I have only two tricks for your major suit contract".

So with two negative bids, and a semi-positive (or better) bid, what does the other bids by responder show?

Responses to Two Club Opening

2D = 1 or more tricks for a major suit contract
2♥ = no tricks if the hand is played in hearts
2♠ = no tricks if hand is played in spades, one if played in hearts
2NT = Some solid suit (AKQxxx or AKJxxxx, or better). Can have side cards too.
3 any = a six card suited headed by KJ or KQ or better, no second suit. Generally not too much on the side either
3NT = I play this two suits (unknown) both five cards plus, both headed by two of top three honors (never happened yet)

The bidding after these response are quite simple.

"Optional BLACKWOOD" Over 2D by responder, I play a jump to 3H or 3S as GF, optional blackwood. It establishes the trump suit, but the responses are "optional". Responder can bid 1st step to show horrible hand for 2D bid (one trick, or 1.5 tricks with no fit). Opener can then bid the next cheapest suit (3NT is to play) to force responder to respond to blackwood. Clearly after the denial response to the original blackwood, responder will NEVER have more than one keycard (not even one key card plus trump queen). So normal responses are not needed. First step is no keycards (or trump queen), second step is one key card (or trump queen), third step is one key card an a lower suit queen, fourth step is one keycard and the middle suit queen, and fifth step is one key card and the higher suit queen.

Also after this denial bid, opener can bid a suit OTHER than the re-ask to ask about controls in the bid suit. This is specific asking bid stuff, like kantar uses.

Another unusual rebid is 2NT by opener. This shows the three suited hand. There is an entire bidding scheme following this response, which is posted in chapter 2 (also on the Ryall page). Other bids by opener are natural, show the bid suit. Opener can not have two long suits, nor generally a balanced hand, but he can be 5431 or 6421 or 6430. So if opener bids a second suit later, it is never more than 4 cards.

The 2D response is forcing to 3 of a major. The logic here is opener has an acol 2 bid in a major or a true game force hand. But since 2D only promises 1 trick, 8+1 = 9, so may not have enough for game. If opener rebids 2♥/2♠ over 2D - responders 2NT rebid is forcing, but promises exactly one trick for that major. Any bid other than 2NT by responder is game force. If opener rebids the major, the auction can end. Over 2♥/2♠ with only two tricks in support of the major, responder jumps to game in it. Any other support shows potential for 3 or more tricks in support.

OVER INTERFERENCE

Over interference, responders doubles are takeout, his NT bids shows stoppers in their suit, and his free bids show 2+ useful cards and generally a suit Kxxxx or better. But we keep 2♥ and 2♠ to their usual meaning (as if no interference) if responder has a chance. So in these cases pass is semi positive. If RHO doubles 2C, then pass shows ONE TRICK only, 2D shows two tricks or more and is now game force.

Openers doubles are takeout and show the three suited hands, his notrump is natural, his new suits are one round force, and his cue-bid is looking for a stopper.

Finally, a NOTE about BLACKWOOD. I use Eddie Kantar's Roman Keycard Blackwood where=ever possible. Buy his "Roman Keycard Blackwood, Slam bidding in the 21st century" 4th edition by Master Point Press, Toronto Ontario. Buy it, use it.

Some example auctions.


Opener     Responder  
S AQT      S 54 
H AKJ4     H 73                      
D AKT      D 7532
C A62      C J9754   

2C - 2H             2H = no tricks   
3NT - Pass          3NT = 25-27 hcp

---------------------------
S AQJT52   S 84        
H K        H QT63      
D A9       D T8764
C AQJT     C 52

2C   2S     2S = on trick for hearts, none for spsdes
Pass        PAss = I got four losers.
---------------------------

S KJ       S 97652       
H AQJ653   H 8           
D AJ       D Q64
C KJT      C 9872

2C    2H    2H = no trick for Hearts
Pass  

------------------------------- 
S AQ       S 432      
H A        H K972     
D AKQ963   D T42      
C AK96     C 732

2C  2D      3D = 100% game force
3D  5D      5D = one trick, and modest fit
6D  Pass    6D = this has to have some play
-------------------------------

Opener      Responder
S A8        S J52       
H 5         H QJ93      
D AKQ942    D J863      
C AK85      C T9

2C   2S      2S = trick for H, not spades
3D   3H      3D = 100% GF
3NT  Pass    3H = some heart stuff

--------------------------------
Opener      Responder
S KT9       S QJ654      
H AKQ75     H J          
D AKQ9      D J73        
C 8         C 6542      
2C   2D    2D=semi+
2H   2S    4C=splinter  
4C   4S    4S=no interest
Pass

-------------------------------
S AKQ6      S J985       
H KQJ952    H 7          
D AQ7       D J92
C           C T9642

2C  2H     2H = negative, no tricks
4H         4H = too good to invite

----------------------------

S K76       S Q854       
H AKQT65    H J8         
D KT4       D 7532       
C A         C K65

2C  2D     2D = semi
2H  2NT    2NT = one trick only
3NT Pass   3NT = educated gamble
----------------------------

S A5        S 6          
H AKQ976    H 83         
D K5        D A732       
C A84       C T97652 

2C  2D     2D = semi+
2H  2NT    2NT = one trick only
3N/4H

---------------------------
S AK7       S 8532         
H AK542     H QJ         
D AQ97      D            
C A         C QJT7432    

2C  2D     2D = semi+ 
2H  3C     3C=show clubs twice,GF
3D  4C     4C=forcing
6C  Pass

---------------------------
S Q8        S T76        
H KQJ874    H 93         
D AK6       D 95
C AQ        C J76543

2C  2H      2H = no tricks
Pass        Pass

--------------------------

S AKQT76    S 82         
H KQ        H T85        
D J9        D 76542      
C AQ5       C KT7        

2C  2D     2D = semi+
2S  2NT    2N = one trick warning
3C  3S     3C = GF, 4 or less clubs
4S  Pass   Pass = remember no 2 suiters
-------------------------------

S AKQ65     S 9872       
H A4        H 76         
D AQT9      D 863        
C A4        C Q632   

2C  2H     2H = no trick
2S  3S     2S = passable
4S  Pass   3S = some mild hope

--------------------------------
S AQJ765    S 9          
H K8        H AJT632     
D AK        D 952    
C K74       C 986    

2C  3H     3H = broken 6 card suit
4H  Pass

------------------------

S AKQJ6     S 9742       
H A9        H 63         
D A853      D T92        
C AJ        C K875       

2C  2D     2D = semi+
2S  2NT    2N = one trick
3NT 4S     4S = real spade support
Pass

---------------------------
S AKQT94    S 6          
H T8        H J9753      
D AT        D KJ4        
C AK4       C T762       

2C  2D     2d = semi+
2S  2NT    2NT = one trick
3C  3NT    3C = four (or less) gf
Pass       3NT = reds fine
---------------------------

S AKQJ8532  S T          
H           H KQ2        
D A         D T98742     
C AQ95      C T76        
                                                
2C  2D     2d = semi+                         
3S  3NT    3S = optional RKCB
4C  4D     3N = refuse to say
5C  5S     4C = blackwood
Pas        4D = 0 keycards
           5C = SSA
           5S = no control
---------------------------

S AKQJ8532  S T          
H AJ95      H KQ2        
D A         D T98742     
C           C T76       
 
2C  2D     2d = semi+                         
3S  3NT    3S = optional RKCB
4C  4D     3N = refuse to say
5C  5S     4C = blackwood
Pass       4D = 0 keycards
           5H = SSA (Kantar RKCB)
           6H = KQx(x)
           7S = wow, perfect

---------------------------
S KJ7642    S Q53      
H A8        H Q972     
D AQ        D T2       
C AQT       C 9875   

2C  2D      2D semi plus
2S  4S      4S two possible tricks
Pass

---------------------------

S AKJT962   S Q53      
H KQ        H 972      
D AK43      D J9       
C           C J8743                   

2C  2D      2D semi + or better
2S  2N      2NT one trick warning
3D  3S      3D four or less spades
4C  4S      4C Cue, 4S no DQ, no Red control
5C  5D      5C Cue
6S  Pass    5D doubleton D, 6S bingo

---------------------------
S AKJT873   S 6542     
H A63       H T954     
D K         D 864      
C A6        C K5      

2C  2D      2D semi plus
2S  2NT     2NT one trick warning
4S  Pass    4S enough

---------------------------
S AQ9872    S T6       
H KJ5       H 732      
D AKJ       D T84       
C A         C Q9743   

2C  2H      2H = no tricks for heart contract
2S  Pass    2S passable
           Pass = glad you let me pass

---------------------------

S KQJT7     S A5       
H 3         H J8652    
D AQ94      D K52      
C AKQ       C 985       
                    
2C  2D     2D = semi + (or better)
2S  4S     4S = with two tricks, show them
Pass       Six spades not horrible spot

---------------------------

S AKJ98     S T54      
H K2        H JT8      
D AQ54      D J8       
C AJ        C K9653    


2C  2D      2NT = one trick warning
2S  2NT     3D = GF, 4 or less D's
3D  4S      4S = didn't excite me
Pass

---------------------------

S AKQJ6     S 32       
H AQJT      H 854      
D 8         D K642         
C AK7       C Q965     

2C  2D      2NT one trick waring (no fit, side
2S  2NT         queen discounted as trick)
3H  3NT     3H four cards or less
Pass        3NT opener doesn't have to pass

---------------------------

S AKQ985    S J3       
H AK5       H J73      
D Q2        D 98643   
C K3        C 976     

2C 2H       2H = WEAKNESS
2S Pass     2S = Passable


---------------------------

S AK9832    S 64       
H A762      H KJ5      
D Q         D KJT6     
C AK        C 9853     
          
2C 2D     3D = more than one trick, GF
2S 3D     3H = no more than 4
3H 3S     3S = natural
3N Pass   3NT = suggestion, responder with 3S pulls

---------------------------
S AKJ865    S 3        
H           H QT542    
D KJT       D A43      
C AQJ3      C 8765     

2C  2D    3H more than one trick
2S  3H    3S with a heart void, no rush to bid 3NT
3S  4S    4S nothing extra
Pass

---------------------------

S           S JT8752   
H AKQ9873   H 6        
D AK        D 964      
C KQT5      C A83      
                       
2C  2D     3H = optional blackwood                            
3H  3S     3S = refuse blackwood, poor hand
4S  5C     4S = Exclusion blackwood
6C  6H     5C - one control
7H         6C = Modified Specific Suit Ask, 3rd round control
           6H = no third roudn control

6C = modified specific suit ask. After the 3S refusual 
to answer optional blackwood, responder will not have and 
ACE and King. So this has to be looking for third round 
control. This is unnecessary here. If responder has Ax 
of clubs, you can hope to ruff one, If he has Axxx 
(or more) in clubs, you can hope they are all good. 
And if he has Axx? Well odds are with you to drop 
jack anyway, thanks to club ten.

---------------------------

S AQ        S 754      
H AK8653    H 4        
D AK43      D QJ982    
C J         C QT32     
                      
2C  2D    2D = semi plus twith two queens and a jack
2H  2NT   2NT = warning
3D  4D    3D = GF, four or less diamonds
6D  Pass  4D = fit, no more than one key card (see 2NT)
---------------------------

S AKJ842    S 97       
H 6         H JT75     
D AKJ4      D 72       
C A6        C KJT97    
          
2C  2D     2NT = warning
2S  2NT    3D = 4 or less D
3D  4S     3S = choices
Pass       4S
---------------------------

S Q3        S T976     
H AKQJ2     H 98       
D AKQ5      D T9762    
C A2        C T4         

2C  2H     2H = no trick opposite heart hand 
3H  3S     3H = too good to pass, 3H = GF
3NT Pass   3S = ok, some spade cards
         3NT = five diamonds might be ok

---------------------------

S AK        S T753     
H AQ98752   H 43       
D A5        D K983     
C K7        C 653     

2C  2D     2D = semi+ or better
2H  2NT    2NT = warning
4H  Pass   4H = ackward, 3H not forcing, so pass

---------------------------

S AKQT8632  S J        
H A         H K5       
D A         D JT9765   
C QJ4       C T763     
                       
2C  2D     3S = optional blackwood
3S  3NT    3NT = not telling you my keys
4C  4D     4C = demand blackwood
5C  5S     4D = no key card, no trump queen
Pass       5C = specific suit ask (modified)
           5S = no control
---------------------------

S AQT6532   S 84       
H AK5       H QT94     
D 5         D 8632     
C AK        C 764     

2C  2D     2D = semi plus (got heart trick/ruffing trick)
2S  2NT    2NT = one trick warning (might not have that)
4S  Pass   4S = 3S would not be forcing, (east would pass)

---------------------------

S KQ        S T8532     
H AKQT87    H J         
D 8         D AQT743    
C AJ73      C 8       

2C  3D    3D = this kind of suit, nothing else
3H  3S    3S = maybe 3NT?
3NT Pass

---------------------------

S AQ        S KT873     
H AKQ875    H 3         
D AK        D J632      
C AT7       C K85       
      
2C  2D   2NT = after 2D, forced to 3 of a major
2H  2S   3C = game force, club value                  
2NT 3C   3H = still game force, good hearts
3H  3NT
6H  PAss

1) Responder would not cound once king and 
a side queen as "two tricks", which the 3C 
bid confirmed, so must have a two black suit 
kings for sure with the encourgging 3C bid.

---------------------------

S AQ        S T52       
H AKQJ95    H T6        
D 8         D QT975     
C KQ64      C AJ8     

2C  2D     3H = optional blackwood
3H  3NT    3NT = 1 or 4 key cards, two possible tricks+
6H  Pass   May need a finessee

---------------------------

S           S AJ87654    
H KJ8764    H            
D AKQ4      D 962     
C AKT       C 984     

2C  3S      3S = suit like this
3NT Pass    3NT = yuck

---------------------------

S AKQJ962   S           
H AQ2       H J873      
D K7        D QT52      
C 7         C QJT96                 

2C  2D      2D Two queens, semi +
3S  3NT     3S Optional blackwood
4S  Pass    3NT = yuck, no I not tell you. 
            4S = ok, we stop

---------------------------

S AQ8       S JT53     
H AKQJ6     H T        
D AQJ6      D 432      
C 7         C AQJ92   

2C  2D      3C = game force
2H  3C
3NT Pass

---------------------------

S KQ        S 982      
H AKQJT6    H 94       
D 952       D K43       
C AK        C QJT63   

2C  2D    2NT one trick warning,
2H  2NT   3H = passable.
3H  Pass  Pass = I might regret this decision

---------------------------

S AKQT942   S 73        
H AQ4       H T53       
D 52        D A87       
C A         C QJ976     

2C  2D     3C with ACE and Queen, ok to bid 3C
2S  3C     3H = four or LESS
3H  3NT
Pass

---------------------------          
          
S A         S T8642     
H AQJ76     H K2        
D AQ92      D J873      
C AK6       C QJ        
                        
2C  2D      2NT with Kx support, plan on 3H next
2H  2NT     3D = four or less, GF
3D  3S      3S = gentle explore,
3NT 4C      3NT = club stuff
6D  Pass

Bridge logiC. East was heading for 3/4H. 
Parnter's 3D opened the door to 5/6D. If over 3S, 
partner retreats to 4D/4H, enough. But 3NT 
suggest a hand similar to one partner has. 
Four diamonds, five/six hearts, club control. 
4C here cant be to play, and can't be showing 
a stopper. This MUST be diamond fit, with a 
sure control, and queen or doubleton club.

This auction is possible because with hearts, 
over 3D, responder would bid 3H. So the 
implication about diamond fit is strong. 
Responder surely has a red king and diamonds, 
plus useful card in clubs.





---------------------------

S AKQJT6    S 7         
H K5        H QT4       
D AQ        D T7654     
C K93       C AT84    

2C   2D     3C = with Ace and queen, not 2NT
2S   3C     3NT = stoppers in reds, if partner has three
3NT  Pass         tricks he will call again.

---------------------------

S AQ54      S K6        
H AKT9653   H 874       
D           D AK83      
C AK        C QJ53      
                        
2C  2D    2D semi+ (or a LOT BETTER)
2H  3H    3H three or more possible tricks (Qx or xxx+)
4NT 5C    4NT RKCB 
5S  6C    5C = 1 key card
7NT       5S = SSA
          6C = Kx of spades
          7NT = matchpoint bid 7H, 3S, 2C, 1D

---------------------------

S AQ9       S K6542     
H AKQ864    H J         
D K4        D A653      
C Q4        C KT6   
     
2C  2D    3S = game force                        
2H  2S    4NT = RKCB
3S  4NT   5S = 2Keys with Q
5S  6S 
Pass

---------------------------

S AQ9       S KJ32      
H AQJT764   H 93        
D AK        D Q6        
C 8         C K7642   

2C  2D      3H = optional blackwood
3H  3NT     3NT = 0 key cards, but some tricks
4H  Pass    4H = to many missing.

---------------------------

S AQ8       S              
H AKQ742    H T83       
D AK6       D T975      
C 5         C KQ9742                 

2C  3C       3C = this kind of suit
3H  4S       3H = too good for 3NT immediately
6H  Pass     4S = splinter here, void
             6H = hope your club is AJ, or KQ...

---------------------------

S AKQ432    S J98       
H A3        H K5        
D KT3       D AQ964     
C A5        C T42       
                        
2C   2D     4NT = RKCB, agreeing Spades
2S   4NT    5C = four controls
5C   5D     5D = queen ask
6D   7S     6D = Q + DK, no heart k, no club king
Pass

---------------------------

S AKQT94    S J3        
H A         H KQ64      
D KQJ4      D A8765     
C A5        C 82        

2C  2D      4D = GF raise to 4 minor RKCB
2S  3D      4H = one keycard
4D  4H      7NT/7D = plenty of tricks, MP bid 7NT
7D  Pass

---------------------------

S AK642     S Q9853     
H K8        H JT3           
D AK        D 64        
C AKQ6      C 987     

2C  2D       4S = two tricks (theoretically)
2S  4S 
6S  Pass

---------------------------


S AKQ654    S 972       
H           H J98       
D AK5       D 863       
C KQ93      C A874    

2C  2D
2S  2NT
3C

---------------------------

S AKQT97    S 543       
H           H Q87543    
D AQ3       D T8        
C AKQ8      C 64      

2C  2S    2S = heart trick, no spade trick
3S  4C    3S = Game force
4D  6S    4C = probably doubleton or queen, encouraging

Ok, this takes some getting use to. 2S = no trick for 
spade contract. 3S = game force ANYWAY, 4C = can not 
be to play, can not be A or K (since would respond 2D), 
so something like this hand), 4D = slam try, 
6S I have distributional control in diamonds too, 
and, get this, actually spades.

---------------------------
S AQJ7642   S T953      
H AJT3      H K75       
D A         D T74       
C A         C 965    
   
2C   2D       2S = might play in hearts, so not 3S                        
2S   2NT      2NT = one trick warning                        
3H   4S       3H = GF
4NT  5C       4S = real spades
5H   5NT      4NT = modified RKCb (responder has 1 at most)
6S   Pass     5C = none, no queen either
              5H = asking, 1st step 5NT Kxx(x)

---------------------------

Introduction to inquiry2over1

2005-06-25T01:05:00.000-07:00

This blog documents the preferred 2/1 bidding system I use with select partners. My other blog, http://bboinquiry.blogspot.com/ deals with bridge hands, and general issues. Feel free to ask questions about the bidding system or to submit hands for discussion.

This electronic book details the bidding system that I play, primarily with BBO member MishoVnBg. Much of this system is modular. That is, even if you have no desire to play the entire system (some of this system is Mid-Chart and some Super-Chart), you may find some of the treatment/conventions highly useful.

This introduction provides the concept behind choosing the different aspects of the bidding system (details of which are found in the individual chapters).

An overriding concept of the Inquiry 2over1 system is to provide support with support. Both with and without competition, the system provides a number of ways to raise partner that show different stregth level. In general, DIRECT RAISES are weaker than non-direct raises [ 1H-2H, 1S-3S, 1H - 4H ] are all weak raises, in general, the higher the "raise" the more cards support.

This system is built upon another concept: Get in and out of the auction quickly. Towards this goal, Inquiry 2 over 1 GF opens nearly all hands with 26 ZAR points, and most hands with 25 Zar points when holding a four or more spades. However, some balanced hands with less than 26 ZAR points are opened, since our 1NT rebid shows 11-13 hcp. In deciding to open thes very light balanced hands with less than 26 ZAR points, deciding factors include: vulnerability and intermediate cards (tens). When vul at imps, we tend not to open these hands. The reason is partner will push to try to bid close games, and these hands are always a disappointment. Second, the penalty for overbidding vulnerable can be very high. At matchpoints, we tend to open these hands without regard to vulnerabilty. To find out more about ZAR points see http://www.aci.on.ca/~zpetkov/TheNeverMiss.html

The inquiry 2 over 1 system is a natural bidding system, but with some severe limits on the opening bid of one of a suit. This limitation (which mimic the limitations on the old Romex system with the "dynamic 1NT and mexican 2D") on the opening of one of a suit is useful for two reasons. First, since we open very light, the range from very light to super stong 1 bids is too wide for effective constructive bidding. Second, Inquiry 2 over 1 uses a variety of specialized auctions to show strong one, two, and three suiters. The availability of these "strong opening bid options" effectively limits the upper limit for all natural openings at the one level.
Here are the type of strong hands that ARE NOT opened at the one level.

BALANCED HANDS
Game force, open 2C
(22)23-24 open 2D (part of multi-2D)

ONE SUITER
Game force, open 2C
Game invite, major, open 2C (8 tricks, good suit, 5+ controls)
Game invite, minor, open 2D (9-9.5 tricks, part multi 2D)

TWO SUITER
Open 2NT, 3C, or 3D (MisIry Transfer Preempt), 4 losers or less,

THREE SUITER
All strong three suiters, open 2C, (15)16+ hcp, 5 or less loser, 5+ controls

These strong options mean an opening bid of at the one level can be characterized as less than an acol 2 bid in any suit, less then 20 hcp balanced, less than 16 to 18 if three suiter, and less than four losers with fair values if two suiter. If you think about it, these restrictions convey a lot of information. For example, if the bidding goes...

1H-1S-3H, how strong can your partner be? He couldn't open 2C with the strong heart opener, so this jump rebid in his own suit is limited. We "define" this hand by the fact that opener choose not to use riton 2C, a convention recently added to Inquiry 2/1