The Caroline Club

(Based on the Sukoneck-Ekeblad Club)

Originally developed by Scott Benson and Doug Bone
September 26, 2020 Revision

Questions or comments? Contact floyd{dot}mcwilliams{at}gmail{dot}com.


Contents:

Opening Bids

Caroline Club is based on 4 card majors, 10-12 NT, a strong club, and two-suited 2-level openings. All 10-counts are opened in first or second seat.

In third and fourth seat opening bids are two points stronger, 12 or more points (and the notrump opener is 12-14). Also, red-on-white notrump openings are three points stronger.

This section explains what to open with a given hand; the meanings of the individual openings and follow-up sequences are covered in later sections.

The One Diamond Opening

The one diamond opening shows four types of hands, and can be summarized as follows:

Responses to One Diamond

Note that with 10+ points and no 4 card major, we simply bid the better minor, ignoring the fact that diamonds was opened.

4441 Rebids After One Diamond - One Major

Originally the Caroline Club had 10-12 notrumps at all vulnerabilities. When the 1 opener had a four card major, the hand was 13-15 balanced or 10-15 with 4441 shape. This was a range of 13-18 support points; the stronger hands jump raised so the single raise always showed 13-15.

In the interest of safety, we have changed the Caroline Club so that a red-white 1 opener can have 10-12 balanced. This would put the range of a single raise at 10-15. We avoid this problem by making the single raise a balanced hand, and using specialized rebids to show the minimum 4441's. (It is only necessary to play this system when red on white, but we choose to play it at all vulnerabilities for ease of memorization.)

Interference

After a double, 2D shows long diamonds, nonforcing.

After a 1 overcall:

After a 1 overcall: Other bids are the same as the uncontested auction.

At higher levels we play negative doubles through 4, new suits strong. We play support doubles and redoubles.

After an overcall, 2D is a 2/1, not a raise. If fourth hand does not bid the 2/1 structure applies.

The One Heart Opening

This is treated considerably differently than the 1 opening due to the possibility of the hand with 4 hearts and 5 spades. The one heart opener is essentially divided into four types of hands:

Responses to One Heart

2/1 Bidding

Responder can make a 2/1 with 11 or more points in Caroline Club. A 2/1 can be one of the following hand types: Note that there is no such thing as a delayed limit raise of diamonds, as opener could have only two or three in that suit. If responder has good diamonds he can just bid 2 which functions as a 2/1, not a raise.

Reverse Lebenshol after 2 of a minor responses

After the following three auctions, opener has a rebid problem if he holds a minimum canape that cannot be bid out at the 2-level: Even when responder bids 2, a club canape can be awkward as the partnership is in a forcing auction with potentially 21 HCP. So really any minimum canape is in trouble after a 2-over-1.

Therefore after any 2-over-1, a 2NT rebid by opener is Reverse Lebensohl and is game forcing. The immediate canape is non-forcing, showing a minimum. This solves one of the main holes in the system, that opener can be forced to rebid at the 3-level with no fit and as few as 10 opposite 11.

Responder's Rebid After 2NT Reverse Lebensohl

With a pure hand, responder should describe his hand rather than bidding 3C: Otherwise bid 3C.

Opener's Direct 3-Level Rebids

If opener bids a suit suit lower ranking than responder's 2/1 suit, he shows a minimum canape. The bid is to play. Responder can return to his own suit, or bid opener's suit; neither bid is forcing.

Opener's Rebids After Reverse Lebensohl

If opener bids three of responder's 2/1 suit, he shows a maximum with a canape in responder's 2/1 suit.

The cheapest 3 level bid that is not needed naturally shows a maximum club canape. (Usually this is the suit above the 2/1 suit, since that suit can be bid at the 2 level or 3 level directly.)

What Is Forcing

Opener's rebids at the 2 level are forcing, as opener could have extra values with no convenient way to show them. 2N is of course artificial and game forcing. Opener's non-jump 3 level rebids are non-forcing. Jumps to the 3 level are of course forcing.

Example

Putting it all together:

1H - 2D
2N - 3C:

Heavy 1N Responses When Vulnerable Against Not

Normally when a 1H or 1S opener is 5332, he has a maximum balanced hand (13-15 or 15-17) and can drive to game after a 2/1 (usually via 2N, then 3N). But when red on white, a balanced 1 major opening is a minimum.

Therefore when vulnerable against not, responder should bid 1N with balanced 11, 12, or even some 13 point hands. Opener will pass with 10-12, but will bid again with shape -- responder can then bid 2N with extras.

If responder makes a 2/1 when vul vs. not, he has a game force or one of these hands:

Therefore it is never necessary for opener to bid 3N after 2N with 10-12 unless responder shows a good hand by bidding 3C.

After a 2/1, if opener bids 2N, responder should allow for 10-12 balanced. Rebidding responder's suit shows an invitational single-suiter; rebidding opener's major suit shows a limit raise. (Note that there is no limit raise of diamonds, so after 1D - 2C - 2N, responder must have a game force, or long clubs.)

Note that if responder's suit is clubs, he must bid the cheapest unbid suit to force -- 3C should be taken as offering a place to play:

Red/white
1H - 2C
2N - ?

Passed Hand Responses to 1 Heart

Interference

After overcalls: We play preemptive raises, cue bids as 4-card LR+, negative free bids in some situations (the other major when major is overcalled by a minor, or the minors after major suit overcall), fit showing jumps, and 2N as a 3-card LR+.

2N raise: Applies after any overcall of a major, even 1H - 1S. It shows limit raise or better values and 3-card support. Rebids, using 1H - 2D as the example auction:

After takeout doubles: Jordan 2NT, Manfield redoubles (shows ability to penalize in 2 suits). Therefore, with 10-12 balanced and no 4 card support, pass and plan to take some action later. A later double by responder if the bidding is at the 2 level or higher shows this 10-12 balanced hand.

After 1H - pass - 1 - 2C/2D, opener's double shows a canape -- we do not play support doubles here.

After second hand (opener's LHO) has bid, we can have normal 2/1 auctions. If fourth hand bids, Reverse Lebensohl is off. Opener raises with a minimum and support, cue bids (or redoubles) with a maximum and support, bids 2N with a notrump hand and a stopper, and passes with minimums. Thus: 1 H - (P) - 2C - 2D:

Insinuating Doubles

Problem: the 1 opening tends to lead to problems when LHO overcalls 2 of a minor and opener has spades, as opener can rarely reopen with 2, and having the balancing double show spades only is wasteful. Therefore, we play "insinuating doubles" over 1-(2) and 1-(2). Like a negative double, they show spades, but only 3 or more. They should be combined with Negative Free Bids in spades only; 1-(2)-2 is still forcing 1 round since responder can have a good hand w/o 3 spades or support. Negative Free Bids in spades are still a good idea since with a forcing spade hand responder can double and then bid spades. Thus: We play insinuating doubles through 3.

Reopening Doubles

After 1-(1) - Pass -(Pass), double shows any hand that is somewhat takeout oriented (2=5=3=3, 1=6=3=3, 1=4=5=3, 1=4=3=5). 1N by responder asks for opener's best minor.

After a 2 level overcall, the reopening double shows a major suit canape, and therefore better spades than hearts. (We arbitrarily choose the major canape because it allows us to stay at the 2 level.)

The One Spade Opening

This is considerably simpler than One Heart.

Responses to One Spade

Passed Hand Responses to 1 Spade

Interference

Same systems as over 1. Preemptive raises, cue bids as (4 card) LR+, 2N as 3-card LR+, negative free bids in some situations, fit showing jumps, Jordan 2NT, Manfield redoubles (shows ability to penalize in 2 suits). Therefore, with 10-12 balanced and no 4 card support, pass and plan to take some action later. A later double by responder if the bidding is at the 2 level or higher shows this 10-12 balanced hand.

Insinuating Doubles

This is based on the Insinuating Double defense to 1 interference, described above. We play insinuating doubles through 3.

Reopening Doubles

The One NoTrump Opening

One NoTrump openings are 10-12 in 1st and 2nd, 13-15 in 3rd and 4th, and 3 points stronger when vul vs not (so 12-14 and 15-17 respectively).
All responses to a 12-14 notrump are natural! No systems.
We use strong notrump systems in response to a 15-17 notrump.
Responses by an unpassed hand are shown below.

Responding to 15-17 Notrump

We play strong notrump systems over our 15-17 notrump (red-white 3rd/4th).

Runouts

Over a double in direct seat: Over a balancing double:

1NT Interference

After a non-penalty double or any 2 bid, systems are on. After a call of 2 or higher we play standard: After a bid that shows another suit, we cue the actual suit: [1NT] - ([2] showing hearts): Responder can lurk over an ambigious bid then use the same treatments on the next round after overcaller shows his suit.

If an artificial call shows one suit (known or unknown), double shows the suit bid and is competitive (no stronger than bidding that suit over a lower call).

If an artificial call shows a 2-suiter (known or unknown), double suggests penalizing them.

Responder's Doubles

Doubles of responder's RHO are penalty. Doubles of responder's LHO (after a reopening bid) are takeout.

Two Level Openings

The reader is advised to remember Doug's Rule: "Those two-suiters always play better than you think."

General Rules For Responses

Openings and Responses

Three Level Transfers

When opener makes a two-suited two bid, most suit bids at the three level are transfers, showing the next higher suit. After 2H, transfers start at 3D; after other two-suited opening bids, they start at 3C. 3S is the highest transfer bid.

Transfer Raises

When responder transfers to one of opener's suits, he is showing at least invitational values. Opener accepts the transfer to reject the invite, or makes a bid to further describe his hand with extras. The meaning of the bid depends on whether 3N is playable and biddable:
Transfer Raises of a Major
Opener accepts by bidding above 3 of the major, to show his shape:

2D - 3D (showing hearts):

If opener rejects the invite by accepting the transfer, responder can bid the next step to ask opener to bid out his shape. There are one fewer steps (four) than hand types (five); four of the major shows either 5422 or a sixth card in the major. (Opener would strain to accept the invite with a sixth trump, so it's likely that opener will have 5422, or a really bad hand with a six card major.) 3N shows a spade fragment if the suit raised was hearts. Thus:

2D - 3D (showing hearts): 3H (minimum) - 3S (relay asking shape):

Transfer Raises of Diamonds
Different from major-suit transfers because 3N is a likely contract.

After 2D - 3C:

2S - 3C is a puppet to 3D, and opener has no opportunity to accept an invitation. Responder's rebids:
Transfer Raises of Clubs
After 2H, responder raises clubs by bidding 3H. This bid is game forcing, and there is no room to probe for 3N.

Transfers to New Suits

When responder transfers to his own suit, opener primarily shows shape rather than strength. He can bid 3N to reject the transfer, accept the transfer to show doubleton support, bid one of his own suits, or bid the fourth suit to show that responder hit his fragment. So:

2S - 3D (showing hearts):

When a Transfer is Doubled

If responder has transferred to a suit that opener has shown but not bid (e.g. 2S - P - 3C - X), pass says opener is willing for responder to play it.

If responder has transferred to a suit that opener has bid (2S - P - 3H - X), pass just shows a minimum.

If responder has transferred to his own suit, pass shows that opener has no fit, but cannot stop the transfer suit for notrump. 2H - P - 3S - X, pass says opener can't raise diamonds but can't stop spades either.

After a 2S Response

Rebids after 2D/2H - 2S:

After a 2N Response

Opener can pass with 5-4 and a minimum, sign off in one of his suits with a shapely minimum, or bid a new suit to accept the game try. 3 of the other minor is an artificial game force; 3 of the other major is a fragment.

2D - 2N

Interference

After 2C - X, systems are on. XX shows a good hand short in clubs, willing to penalize.

After 2C - P - 2D - X, systems are on, ignore the double. Redouble shows 4 good diamonds (and clubs; it would be silly to bid an ambigious 2C with 5044 when the diamonds were good).

After 2C - P - 2D - 2H, pass is a junky minimum, double is the max spade-club hand, and all other bids are unchanged (but deny minimums with bad suits).

After 2C - P - 2D - 2S, pass is ambiguous, double is penalty but NOT required with spade/club hand, 2N is max with clubs, 3C a minimum.

After 2C is overcalled with 2D or 2H, double by responder is like a 2D response without competition. (After a 2H overcall and double, opener should bid 2S with any spade/club hand.)

After higher overcalls of 2C, double just shows values and willingness to compete opposite either hand type.

After 2D or 2H is overcalled with 2S, double is penalty and systems are on.

Otherwise: all doubles are penalty, all new suits are forcing, all raises are competitive.

Miscellaneous

Other Openings

Competitive Bidding

Balancing

After 1 of a suit - pass - pass:

Carding

The One Club Opening

The one club opener is used for all 16+ hands (18+ in third and fourth seat). Positive responses show 9+, 7+ if the opener is 3rd or 4th seat.

Responses

All followup bidding is natural except after the 1 negative sequence, the 2 balanced sequence, and the 2 4441 sequence. They are covered in the following sections.

After a game forcing response showing a suit:

The 1=1 Sequence

  • [1] Natural, non-forcing, 5 card suit. We play a form of 2/1: After responder's 1N: After responder's 2/1 showing 6-8:
  • [1NT] 16-18 balanced. Strong 1NT system: we play Stayman with Smolen, 4-suit transfers (bidding the minor over 2/2N accepts), South African Texas, 2=2=2 is garbage Stayman, 3 is 55 minors signoff, 3 is 55 minors game forcing. 3 is 55 majors invitational, 3 is 55 majors game forcing.
  • [2/2] Natural, non-forcing. Responder's new suits are constructive but not forcing. Jumps by responder are splinters.
  • [2] 19+ hcp with 54 or better in minors:
  • [2/3/3] Strong 2. Next non-NT step is negative no fit, cheapest NT is max with no fit, jump shifts are splinters, 4 over 2 is min with a fit. Other suit bids are cue bids with fit.
  • [2NT] 21-22 balanced. Strong 2NT sytem: we play Romex Stayman, Jacoby transfers, South African Texas, and 3 as a transfer to 3NT showing minors.

    Romex Stayman is:

    The 3NT relay is:
  • [3] 65 or better in minors
  • [3] 65 or better in majors
  • [3NT] 25-26 balanced

    The 1=2 Sequence

    Recall that this shows 9-11 balanced or 16+ balanced, with no 5 card major. 2 is Stayman in response, with the following responses. 2N implies interest in a minor suit fit. All other bids are natural. We are forced to slam in the 16+ case unless 2 keycards are missing (though it may not always be possible to find out about keycards. If opener signs off in 3N and responder has 16+, rebids are: A passed hand 2 bid shows 7-9.

    The 1=2 Sequence

    Recall that this shows any 4441 with 9+ points. 2 asks where singleton is; responder bids 2NT with spade singleton, otherwise bids singleton. Opener will set trump (or sign off in 3N). Further bidding is natural/cue-bidding.

    2NT shows spades, suit bids are natural; responder shows support for opener's suit by bidding:

    Followup bidding is natural/cue-bidding.

    The 1=2/2NT Sequences

    These sequences show 12-13 and 13-15 balanced. The next step is Baron, asking for 4 card suits up the line. Either player can show a slam try raise by bidding a suit that cannot be natural:

    1=2
    2NT [Baron] = 3H
    3S = 4

    4 must be a good hand for spades since responder bypassed diamonds.

    If opener bids a suit, responder can bid 3N with a doubleton, raise with 3 or more, cue bid with a good raise, or jump shift with an exceptional hand with four trumps, to show a concentration of values:

    1=2NT
    3H = 4S

    Should be something like SKQJx HQJxx Ax JTx.

    High responses to 1C

    After 3 or 4 of a suit: Opener's major suit bids are natural, minor suit bids are cue bids agreeing responder's suit. 4N is keycard.

    After 3N:

    Interference

    Responder's first bid after an overcall: After 1 - (overcall) - P - P, 1N: Strong notrump systems on.

    General principles for competitive auctions:

    Dropped from the Caroline Club

    These conventions and treatments used to be part of the Caroline Club, but have been dropped:

    Revisions