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.
- 16+ points: Open 1. (18+ in 3rd/4th
chair. Add 2 points to all opening bid ranges in this table.)
- 10-12 balanced: Open 1NT. This may have a 5 card major.
5422 hands can be opened 1NT if they don't feel suit-oriented.
- Exception: 1NT shows 13-15 points when vulnerable against not.
- 13-15 4432, 4333, or 5332 with a 5-card minor: Open 1 and
rebid NT.
- Exception: This shows 10-12 when vulnerable against not.
- 10-15 4441: Open 1. After this, you can pass, raise, or
occasionally bid 2 (see the One Diamond Opening)
- 13-15 5332 with a 5-card major: open suit and rebid NT.
- 10-15 major one-suiter: open and rebid suit.
- 10-15 minor one-suiter: open 1 or 2 as appropriate.
- 10-15 with 4+ of a major and longer minor: open major, rebid
minor.
- 10-15 with 5+ of a minor and longer major: see Two-Level
Openings.
- 10-15 with minor two-suiter: open 1, rebid clubs.
- 10-15 with a major two-suiter (equal lengths): open the weaker major, rebid other major.
- 10-15 with 5+ hearts and 4+ spades: open 1, rebid hearts.
- 10-15 with 4+ hearts and 5+ spades: open 1. See the One Heart Opening
for follow-ups.
- 10-15 4=4=0=5: Pick a major and treat as a major/club canape. Not a good hand for the system.
- 10-15 4=4=5=0: Open 1, treat as if 4=4=4=1.
The One Diamond Opening
The one diamond opening shows four types of hands, and can be
summarized as follows:
- A 6+ card diamond one-suiter with 10-15. These hands
make the cheapest diamond rebid or occasionally bids 3.
- A minor two-suiter with 10-15, either way. These hands
make the cheapest club rebid, or occasionally bids 3.
- Balanced 13-15 (10-12 vul vs. not) with no 5 card major. All other rebids show
either this hand or the 4441s below.
- Any 4441 with 10-15. These hands can pass 1NT, raise, or bid 1
over 1. There are a few special rebids hands over a suit response; see below.
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.
- [1] 6+ points, 4+ card suit.
- [1] Any 4441 hand. See 4441 Rebids After One Diamond - One Major.
- [1NT] 13-15 balanced, without 4 hearts. (10-12 vul vs. not)
- [2] is an invitational or worse relay, forcing 2, after which:
- [2 major] is natural, invitational
- [2NT] invites in clubs
- [3] is a signoff
- [3] invites in diamonds
- [2] is game-forcing checkback; showing heart support is first priority.
- [2] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way
- [2] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
- [2] 13-15 balanced with 4 hearts (10-12 if vul vs. not)
- [2] Mini-splinter with specifically 1444 shape.
- [2NT] Good hand, good diamonds, 3 hearts.
- [3] Maximum, 10 or more cards in the minors.
- [4] by responder is forcing.
- [3] Good hand, good diamonds, fewer than 3 cards in partner's suit.
- [4] by responder is forcing.
- [3] Does not exist. (This used to show 13-15 with 4441 or 4441 shape,
but that hand now bids 1 then continues with 3 of the singleton.)
- [1] 6+ points, 4+ card suit.
- [1NT] 13-15 balanced, without 4 card support. (10-12 vul vs. not)
- [2] is an invitational or worse relay, as above.
- [2] is game-forcing checkback, as above.
- [2] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way or 1444 shape.
- [2] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
- [2] 10-12 with 4 spades and 4441 shape (any non-spade singleton).
Can also be 13-15 with 4441 or 4414.
- [2] 13-15 balanced with 4 spades (10-12 vul vs. not)
- [2NT] Good hand, good diamonds, 3 spades.
- [3/3] See rebids over 1
- [3] 13-15 with 4 spades and 4144 shape
- [3] Does not exist. (This used to show 13-15 with 4441 or 4441 shape,
but that hand now bids 2 then continues with 3 of the singleton.)
- [1NT] 6-10 balanced, no 4 card major (6-12 when vul vs. not)
- [2] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way
- [2] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
- [2] Vul vs. not only: 13-15 with specifically 4441.
2NT, 3 or 3 by responder is a signoff.
- [2] Vul vs. not only: 13-15 with specifically 4414.
2NT, 3 or 3 by responder is a signoff.
- [2NT] Depends on position:
- 1st/2nd: 6+ diamonds, either a max with decent diamonds, or solid diamonds/not a max.
- 3rd/4th (unless red/white): 16-17 balanced
- [3/3] See rebids over 1
- [2] 11+ points with clubs (note that it could be 11-13 balanced; 8-9 with
real clubs by a passed hand)
- [2] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
- [2] 10-15 with specifically 4441. 2NT, 3 or 3 by responder is a signoff.
- [2] 10-15 with specifically 4414. 2NT or 3 by responder is a signoff.
- [2NT] Reverse Lebensohl 2N, showing a balanced hand or a max club raise (both minors) -- no need to
show any other suit.
Responder relays with 3:
- [3] shows the forcing club raise (further bidding at the 3 level is stoppers for notrump)
- [3] balanced hand in range, heart stopper, no spade stopper
- [3] balanced hand in range, spade stopper, no heart stopper
- [3N] balanced hand with both majors stopped
(Note that a red/white responder should bid
3 with clubs, 3 with a GF hand --
3 would then show the club raise. Responder does not have a "diamond limit raise".)
Responder can also relay with 3/3. This shows a stopper and says that
responder wants to play 3N if the other major is stopped.
- [3] Minimum with good clubs, not balanced (therefore both minors). Not forcing.
- [3] Good hand with a good diamond suit
- [3/3] splinter
- [3NT] Max with AKQxxx of diamonds.
- [2] 11+ points with diamonds (note that it could be 11-13
balanced, or 8-9 with real diamonds by a passed hand.)
- [2/2] 4441 and 4414 as in the 1=2 case.
2NT, 3 or 3 by responder is a signoff.
- [2NT] Reverse Lebensohl 2N, showing a balanced hand, a max with both minors,
or a max with real diamonds. Over the 3 relay:
- 3 is max with diamonds
- 3 is max with diamonds and clubs
- 3N is balanced hand of the appropriate range
Responder can also relay with 3/3. This shows a stopper and says that
responder wants to play 3N if the other major is stopped. Responder should seriously consider this over 2NT,
because there may not be space for stopper-asks if opener shows clubs by rebidding 3.
- [3] Minimum minor 2-suiter, could be 1444 or 4144.
- [3] Minimum diamond one-suiter
- [3/3] splinter
- [3NT] Max with good diamond suit. Note that since responder has promised support it doesn't need to be solid.
- [2/2] Game forcing hand with good suit?
- [2NT] 14-15 balanced or 18+
Most of the time opener will bid 3N, even with a somewhat unbalanced hand.
Bidding shows concern for 3N and of course could be the start of a slam try:
- [3] Both minors.
- [3] Long diamonds, unbalanced.
- [3] 4=4=4=1
- [3] 4=4=1=4
- [3/3] These are preempts.
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.)
- After 1 - 1, the 2 rebid shows a 4441 hand
with four-card spade support.
- 2 is to play opposite 10-12. Opener must bid 3/3
with extras and a minor suit singleton.
- 2N asks for opener's singleton. Opener rebids the suit of his singleton. 4 of a minor shows extras (and a singleton
in that suit.) 3 by responder is a signoff.
- 3, 3, 3 are game tries (or slam tries)
with a second suit, looking for honors in that suit -- even a singleton honor is acceptable.
Opener goes back to 3 of the major if he has a small singleton or four small. Otherwise he bids his
third four-card suit, or bids 3N with a singleton honor::
1 - 1
2 - 3 (10-12 4441, game try in clubs)
- 3: 4144
- 3: 4414
- 3: Any 4441, either small singleton or four small in the game try suit.
- 3N: 4441 but with a club honor
- After 1 - 1, 1 shows any 4441 with 10-12 HCP
(10-15 HCP with a singleton heart).
- 1N is to play opposite specifically 4144. Obviously opener will rebid 2 when he has four hearts
(or 3/3 with 4441/4414 and 13-15).
- 2 asks opener for his hand type.
- 2 shows the 4144 hand, over which:
2 is a signoff; 2 is invitational with spades, and 3 is a forcing spade raise.
- 2 shows any other 4441. Responder can rebid as after
1 - 1 - 1 above,
with 2 asking for the singleton and a new suit being a natural game try.
After 2, 2N shows a spade singleton.
2N is a game try in spades.
- 3 shows a max (13-15 or 15-17 in 3rd/4th) with 4441.
- 3 shows a max with 4414.
- 2 shows a minimum with four diamonds and four hearts; opener passes or corrects, or bids
3/3 with 4441/4414 maximum.
- 2 shows a minimum hand with four spades and four or more hearts.
Opener passes with four hearts, or bids 2 with 4144, or bids
3/3 to show the max with a stiff in a minor.
(Responder, with 6 or more hearts,
must not bid 2 over 1; he must relay with 2.)
Interference
After a double, 2 shows long diamonds, nonforcing.
After a 1 overcall:
- Double shows values to compete, not a notrump hand, 3 or fewer spades.
- 1: any 4441. Responses:
- 1N: pick a minor. Responder can continue on with a max.
- 2/2: natural, 1-round force,
Could be a 4 card suit.
Opener bids their singleton or 2N with a singleton in the suit bid.
- 2: asking for a partial stopper
- 1N: balanced hand in range, doesn't promise a stopper.
- 2/2: natural, signoff
- 2 asks for a stopper, invitational+.
- 2/2/3/3:
Same hand types as uncontested auction.
- 2N: as 1D-1N-2N, but promises a stopper
- 1: 4 or more spades. Same response structure as uncontested auction.
- 2/2: Normal 2/1 showing 11+,
sytems on if 4th hand passes.
- 2: Game forcing with both minors
- 2: Natural, game forcing, 6+ spades
- 2N: invitational, good stopper, denies 4 spades.
- 3N: to play.
After a 1 overcall:
- Double: 8+, does not guarantee 4 hearts but should have two places to play
if minimum. If opener bids 2, 2N denies 4 hearts and asks
opener to pick a minor; 2 denies 4 hearts and is game forcing.
- 2: Game forcing with both minors
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, 2 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:
- A 6+ card heart one-suiter with 10-15. These hands (almost always) make the cheapest heart rebid.
- 5332 with 13-15 (10-12 vul vs. not) and 5 hearts. These hands (almost always) make
the cheapest NT rebid.
- 9 cards in the majors, 10-15, hearts shorter than spades, or weaker if same length.
If partner bids 1, raise; pass 1N; rebid 2 over 2 of a minor.
- 4 hearts, 5 or more clubs or diamonds, 10-15 points. Rebid the minor (or possibly a Reverse Lebensohl 2N over partner's 2-over-1).
Responses to One Heart
- 1 Shows 3+ spades
- [1NT] 13-15 with 5332 (or 10-12 when vul vs. not).
- 2 is invitational checkback, forcing opener to bid 2.
- 2 is game-forcing checkback.
- [2/2] 4 card major with 5+ minor.
- [2] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
- [2] 10-15 with 5+ spades and 4+ hearts
- 2N is an artificial game try:
- [3/3] 3-4 card minor, minimum
- [3] 55 majors, minimum
- [3] 5422 minimum
- [3NT] 5422 maximum
- [4/4/4] as above,
but a maximum
- [4] minimum with 6 spades
[3/3] are natural game tries
- [2NT] Good hand, 6+ good hearts, 3 spades.
- [3/3] Max canape with good 6-card or longer minor.
Responder's raise to 4 is forcing.
- [3] Max hand with a good suit
- [3] Max spade canape
- [3NT] asks for opener's shortness
- [1NT] Shows 6-10 (6-12 red/white!) and denies 3 spades
- [2/2] 4 card major with 5+ minor.
- [2] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
- [2] To play, at least 6 spades.
- [2NT] Depends on position:
- 1st/2nd: Medium hand with 6+ good hearts, or maximum hand with 6+ hearts.
- 3rd/4th (unless red/white): 16-17 balanced
- [3/3] Max canape with good 6-card or longer minor
Responder's raise to 4 is forcing.
- [3] Max hand with a good suit
- [2/2] Shows 11+ [8-9 by passed hand]; denies 3 spades if invitational strength.
(Most 5332 hands with 3 spades should go through 1.)
- [2] 4 hearts and 5+ diamonds.
- [2] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit, forcing.
- [2] 5+ spades, usually minimum, forcing.
- 3 by responder is game-forcing.
- 2N, a rebid of responder's 2/1 suit, and 3 can all be passed.
- [2NT] Reverse Lebensohl; see below.
- [raise to 3 of minor] Promises a minimum canape, though could occasionally be 5404 or 5440.
- [3 over 2] Minimum club canape.
- [3 over 2] Canape with diamonds, max hand and good diamonds.
- [3] Max hand with a good suit.
- [3] Max spade canape with good suit.
- [4 over 2] Splinter in a max canape, very good playing strength.
- [4 over 2] Same.
- [2] Natural raise, usually denies 3 spades.
- Next step is Reverse Kokish, asking partner to bid (up the line) which short-suit game try he would accept.
(After 1 - 2 - 2, 2N accepts a short suit game
try in spades.) A further rebid by opener below 3 of the trump suit shows shortness.
- 3 of a suit is a long suit game try, showing a canape opener and four trumps. (After
1 - 2, 2N shows a spade canape.)
- Reraise looks for 2 of top 3 trump honors.
- [2] Strong jump shift; game forcing with good suit. Followups Soloway-style.
- [2NT] 14-15 or 18+
Opener must bid naturally here! Showing the balanced 5332 will allow responder to pull to the 5-3 fit (when responder has 3-card support). (Also there might be a slam if opener has a canape with extras.)
- [3] Game forcing raise.
- [3] Shapely minimum; responder's 3 shows extras and asks for further description.
- [3] One-suiter with extras
- [3] asks opener to bid his singleton (3N = spades) if he has one
- [3N] is a substitute slam try in spades
- [3/4/4] Canape with extras
- [3NT] 13-15 with 5332 (or 10-12 vul vs. not)
- [4] One-suiter minimum
General principles for game-raise auctions: New suits are trick source slam tries. 3N shows strong trumps.
- [3] Limit raise
- [3] Preemptive raise
- [3NT] 16-17 or a bad 18
- [3/4/4] Splinter raise, must have 4 trump
- [4] To play, could have moderate values
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:
- All game forcing hands that don't fit other precise categories (like a forcing raise, strong jump shift, 2N, 3N).
- Invitational limit raise in a major: 4 card support for partner's suit, values in 2/1 suit
- Invitational single suiter
- 11-13 balanced, but not when vul vs. not
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 3:
- Rebid the 2/1 suit with an invitational one-suiter (obviously this doesn't work when responder's suit is clubs).
- Bid 3 of opener's major with a limit raise.
With a forcing raise in opener's major, bid 3 then 3 of the major. Responder emphasizes the
2/1 suit when doing this since an immediate 3 forcing raise was not used.
Otherwise bid 3.
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:
1 - 2
2N - 3:
- [3] Maximum diamond canape.
- [3] Maximum club canape.
- [3N] 13-15 balanced (or 10-12 balanced vul vs. not)
Heavy 1N Responses When Vulnerable Against Not
Normally when a 1 or 1 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:
- Single suiter: Reponder rebids his suit after 2N
- Limit raise in opener's major: Responder returns to opener's suit after 2N
Therefore it is never necessary for opener to bid 3N after 2N with 10-12 unless responder shows a good hand by bidding
3.
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 1 -
2 - 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 -- 3 should be taken as offering a place to play:
Red/white
1 - 2
2N - ?
- [3] To play opposite 10-12 notrump
- [3] Artificial force; 3 (the next step) shows the club canape
- [3] To play opposite 10-12 notrump
Passed Hand Responses to 1 Heart
- [2, 3, 3] Fit-showing
- [2NT] Limit raise
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 1 - 1. It shows
limit raise or better values and 3-card support. Rebids, using 1 - 2
as the example auction:
- [3] Club canape, non-forcing
- [3] Some game-forcing canape (so responder's 3 would show 3 spades in case opener has 5)
- [3] To play if responder has a limit raise
- [3] Spade canape, non-forcing
- [3N] Could be the very awkward hand where opener's canape is the enemy suit. Or could be a soft 5332 with stoppers (or 5=2=4=2 that
opener chose to treat as balanced). Or it could be a black-suit canape with a double stop in diamonds.
- [4] Club canape, forcing, obviously extra shape.
- [4] Splinter, long hearts, max.
- [4] To play.
- [4] To play, likely 6 spades, 4 hearts, not a minimum.
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 1 - pass - 1 -
2/2, 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 - (P) - 2 - 2:
- [Pass] Most minimums
- [Double] Heart-diamond canape
- [2] 6 hearts, not a max but not a totally trashy hand
- [2] spade/heart canape, again not a bad minimum
- [2NT] balanced 5332 in range with diamonds stopped
- [3] club canape, minimum
- [3] club canape, maximum
- [3/3] these are unchanged
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:
- 1-(1):
- double = positive double: shows values, responder's new suit rebid is forcing.
- 2/2 = Negative Free Bid
- 1-(2):
- double = insinuating, 3+ spades, 7+ HCP
- 2=1 round force w. diamonds and not 3 spades
- 2=Negative Free Bid
- 1-(2):
- double = insinuating, 3+ spades, 7+ HCP
- 2=Negative Free Bid
- 3=1 round force w. clubs and not 3 spades (right now this is the same except for the 0-2 spades)
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
- [1NT] Shows 6-10 (6-12 red/white!).
- [2/2/2] 4 card major with 5+ of other suit
- [2] 10-15 with 6+ card spade suit
- [2NT] Depends on position:
- 1st/2nd: Medium hand with 6+ good spades, or maximum hand with 6+ spades.
- 3rd/4th (unless red/white): 16-17 balanced
- [3] Max with a very good suit.
- [2/2] Shows 11+ [8-9 by passed hand]
- [2] 4 spades and 5+ diamonds.
- [2] 4+ spades and 5+ hearts.
- [2] 10-15 with 6+ card spade suit
- [2NT] Reverse Lebensohl; see above.
- [raise to 3 of minor] Minimum canape. Shouldn't be 4504 or 4540 as we should bid 2 with that.
- [3 over 2] Min canape
- [3 over 2] Max canape with six good diamonds
- [3] Max spade-heart two-suiter with better hearts
- [3] Max with a very good suit
- [4 over 2] Splinter in a max canape, very good playing strength.
- [4 over 2] Same.
- [4] Same.
- [2] 10+, 5 card suit. These rebids are special so pay attention!
- [2] 10-15 with 6+ spades, could have 3 hearts.
- 2NT rebid is Reverse Lebensohl, with the following rerebids
after 3:
- [3] Max diamond canape
- [3] Max hand with 3-card support, not balanced, not
6-3 (rebids 2, therefore a minor canape with 3 hearts.
Responder can bid 3N to ask for opener's minor.
- [3] Max club canape
- [3N] Balanced hand in range, but only 2 hearts
- [4/4] Max canape with shortness in the bid suit
- [4] Max 4522
- [3/3] Minimum canape, fewer than 3 hearts
- [3] Minimum 3-card raise, same shape as the delayed raise (but can be 5332 if red/white).
- [3] Max hand, good suit
- [3N] Balanced hand with 3-card heart support (not if red/white -- that hand raises to 3)
- [4/4] Minimum splinter with 5+ hearts
- [4] Minimum 4522
- [2] Natural raise. 3-way game tries, as for 1=2
- [2NT] 14-15 or 18+. Opener clarifies hand type (see discussion after 1).
- [3] Game forcing raise (same general style as 3 over 1)
- [3] Shapely minimum
- [3] Second suit with extras
- [3] One-suiter with extras
- 3N asks opener to bid his singleton if he has one
- [4/4] Second suit with extras
- [3NT] 13-15 with 5332 (or 10-12 vul vs. not)
- [4] One-suiter minimum
- [3] Limit raise
- [3] Strong jump shift; game forcing with good suit
- [3] Preemptive raise
- [3NT] 16-17 or a bad 18
- [4/4/4] Splinter raise, must have 4 trump
- [4] To play, could have moderate values
Passed Hand Responses to 1 Spade
- [2NT] Limit raise
- [3, 3, 3] Fit-showing
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.
- 1-(2):
- double = insinuating, 3+ hearts, 7+ HCP
- 2=1 round force w. diamonds and not 3 hearts
- 2=Negative Free Bid
- 1-(2):
- double = insinuating, 3+ hearts, 7+ HCP
- 3=1 round force w. clubs and not 3 hearts (right now this is the same except for the 0-2 hearts)
- 2=Negative Free Bid
- 1-(2):
- double = positive double
- 3/3 = Negative Free Bid
We play insinuating doubles through 3.
Reopening Doubles
- 1-(2) - Pass -(Pass): Double is a canape in
either red suit. Opener can pull 2 to 2,
so responder can bid diamonds without clear direction.
6=3=3=1 is possible if opener feels comfortable rebidding 2.
- 1-(2): Double shows a club canape.
- 1-(2): Double shows a canape in either minor,
responder can bid 2N for opener's minor or bid 3 of a minor with length.
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.
- [2] Game-forcing relay.
- [2] Forced unless opener has a 5-card major. Responder's
bids are:
- [2/2] 5+ card suit; opener bids 2NT without Hxx in
support. Suit bids show at least Qxx in support and an outside
concentration. 3NT shows 3 key cards and 4 trump (of any quality).
When 1N is 13-15, 3N here still shows 3 (or 4) key cards and 4 trumps. It also shows a good hand.
- [2NT] is Baron (bid 4-card suits up the line). If one player bids a suit he or his partner is known
not to have -- basically any lower ranking suit -- that is a cue bid agreeing the suit that was just bid.
- [3/3] 5 card minor
- [3/3] Reverse Smolen (5 in that major, 4 in other)
- [2/2] Shows 5 of the other major
- [2] Invitational major ask
- [2] Min without 4 hearts; 2 asks for 4-card
spade support and is forcing.
- [2] Min with 4 hearts but not 4 spades
- [2NT] Min with 44 in the majors
- [3] Max with a 5 card major, 3 asks responder to bid the
one he doesn't have.
- [3] Max with no major
- [3] Max with spades but not hearts
- [3] Max with hearts but not spades
- [3NT] Max with 44 in the majors
- [2/2] To play. Opener can raise with 4 card support.
- [2NT/3/3/3] Transfer preempt or game forcing; no
superaccepts. If responder bids again, it shows a game forcing hand,
as follows:
- higher suit: 2-suited
- lower suit: cuebid (1st-round control) with semi-solid suit.
- 3NT: 6322 with a mild slam try.
- [3NT] To play
- [4/4] South African Texas
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:
- [pass] forces redouble to play or a 1-suiter or specifically 4441
(bid 2 and redouble if doubled).
- [redouble] diamonds and clubs or diamonds and hearts
- [2] clubs and a major
- [2] diamonds and spades
- [2] both majors
- [2] to play
Over a balancing double:
- [redouble] shows a 5 card suit. 2 by responder relays for
the suit. Responder can instead bid a suit of their own, of course.
- [pass] shows no 5 card suit. Responder redoubles to relay for a
1-suiter, other bids are DONT.
1NT Interference
After a non-penalty double or any 2 bid, systems are on.
After a call of 2 or higher we play standard:
- 2 of a suit is to play
- 2N is Lebensohl. 2N then 3N is to play, 2N then cue is Stayman with stopper, 3 of a higher ranking suit
invites.
- 3 of a suit is a natural game force.
- Cue bid is Stayman, no stopper.
- 3N is values for 3N but no stopper.
After a bid that shows another suit, we cue the actual suit:
[1NT] - ([2] showing hearts):
- [double] competitive w/ diamonds (see below)
- [2] 4 spades, no stop
- [3] Natural game force
etc
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
- After heart openings (2, 2),
2 is a one-round force with spades -- could be a so-so 5-card suit.
3 is not needed as a transfer to spades, so it shows clubs.
- After club openings (2 (hearts and clubs), 2 followed by relay),
3 is a signoff, other suits at the 3 level are transfers.
- After diamond openings (2, 2),
3 of any suit is a transfer.
- An immediate 4 is keycard in opener's minor.
- After 2 - 2, the cheaper of the paired bids (2,
2N) shows the stronger hand-type. This lets opener bid again with a very distributional hand.
Openings and Responses
- [2] either 6+ clubs with no 4 card suit or 4+ clubs and 5+ spades
- [2] is a relay. This is not game forcing or even invitational!
- [2] Maximum with 5+ spades, 4+ clubs -- responses as 2 below.
Transfer responses are on:
- [2] To play.
- [2NT] Invitational without 3 spades. See After a 2N Response.
(As opener showed a maximum, 2N is game forcing. The same set of responses apply -- opener can choose
to emphasize extra length, or shortness.)
- [3] To play.
- [3] Shows hearts, game forcing.
- [3] Agrees spades, invitational+ strength (but game forcing since opener
has shown a max)..
- [3] Shows diamonds, game forcing.
- [3NT] To play
- [4] Strong club raise. (This is the only case in all the two-bids
where responder must go beyond 3N to show a suit and force to game.)
Opener's next bid shows shape.
- [4] Keycard in clubs.
- [2] Minimum with 5+ spades, 4+ clubs.
Transfer responses, as 2 above:
- [2NT] Invitational without 3 spades. See After a 2N Response.
- [3] To play.
- [3] Shows hearts, game forcing.
- [3] Agrees spades, invitational+.
- [3] Shows diamonds, game forcing.
- [3NT] To play
- [4] Strong club raise. (This is the only case in all the two-bids
where responder must go beyond 3N to show a suit and force to game.)
Opener's next bid shows shape.
- [4] Keycard in clubs.
- [2NT] Maximum club one-suiter.
- [3] To play.
- [3] , [3], [3] all natural, GF.
- [3N] To play
- [4] Slam try, opener bids singleton, or 4N with no singleton.
- [4] Keycard in clubs.
- [3] Minimum club one-suiter. Responses as 2N above.
- [2] Natural, forcing, invitational+
- [2] 6+ spades, stiff or void in hearts, minimum.
3 is an artificial force, anything else natural
and invitational.
- [2NT] 6+ clubs, maximum, game forcing, may or may not have heart support. Then:
- [3] Natural.
- [3] Stopper.
- [3] Extra length.
- [3] Stopper.
- [3NT] To play.
- [3] Clubs, no fit, minimum. Same responses as to 2N above
(though 3 is nonforcing). 4 is forcing.
- [3] Max spade/club hand (may or many not have fit.)
- [3] Extra length in hearts.
- [3] Doubleton spade, forcing.
- [4] Natural.
- [3] Minimum with 3 hearts, ambiguous as to hand type.
- [2] natural, forcing, invitational+
- [2NT] 6+ clubs, no fit, may or may not have spade support.
- [3] Clubs, no fit, signoff.
- [3] Stopper.
- [3] Extra length.
- [3] Stopper.
- [3NT] To play.
- [4] Forcing.
- [3] Maximum spade-club hand with short diamonds.
- [3] Max spade-club hand with short hearts.
- [3] Clubs, minimum with support.
- [3NT] Max 5=2=2=4.
- [4] Max spade-club hand with at least 5 clubs.
- [4] Minimum spade-club hand with short diamonds.
- [4] Minimum spade-club hand with short hearts.
- [4] Minimum 5=2=2=4.
- [2NT] invitational with support for either hand type, thus 3+ spades and 2+ clubs.
- [3] Club hand, min.
- [3/3] Club hand with stopper in suit bid,
other red suit unstopped.
- [3] Spade/club hand, min.
- [3NT] Club hand, max, both red suits stopped.
- [4] Spade/club hand, max.
- [3] Moderately preemptive, denies 3 spades
- [3/3/3] Strong jump shift, game-forcing good suit
- [3NT] To play, usually denies 3 spades
- [4] Preemptive, denies 3 spades
- [4] Keycard in clubs.
- [2] 5+ hearts and 4+ diamonds.
- [2] To play
- [2] Shows spades, one round force, does not promise a rebid. See
After a 2S Response.
- [2NT] Invitational without 3 hearts. See After a 2N Response.
- [3] Agrees diamonds, invitational+.
- [3] Agrees hearts, invitational+.
- [3] Shows clubs, game forcing.
- [3] Undefined; could be strong jump shift in spades.
- [3NT] To play
- [4] Keycard in diamonds.
- [2] 5+ hearts and 4+ clubs.
Responses are similar to 2:
- [2] Shows spades, one round force, does not promise a rebid. See
After a 2S Response.
- [2NT] Invitational without 3 hearts. See After a 2N Response.
- [3] To play.
- [3] Agrees hearts, invitational+.
- [3] Shows clubs, game forcing.
- [3] Shows diamonds, game forcing.
- [3NT] To play
- [4] Keycard in clubs.
- [2] 5+ spades and 4+ diamonds.
Responses by analogy with 2:
- [2NT] Invitational without 3 spades. See After a 2N Response.
- [3] Shows diamonds; to play, or game forcing if responder bids again.
(This is the only case in all the two-bids where responder's transfer to opener's suit is
not invitational+)
- [3] Shows hearts, game forcing.
- [3] Agrees spades, invitational+.
- [3] Shows clubs, game forcing.
- [3NT] To play
- [4] Keycard in diamonds.
- [2NT] 55 minors, preemptive (6-9, 6-11 in 3rd or 4th)
- 3 of a major is forcing
- 3NT and all minor suit bids are to play
- 4NT is 6-ace keycard:
- 5 = 0
- 5 = 1
- 5 over 5 asks for number of queens;
5 = 0, 5NT=1, 6=2.
- 5 = 2 + no queens
- 5 = 2 + one queen
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 2, transfers start at 3; after other two-suited opening
bids, they start at 3. 3 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:
2 - 3 (showing hearts):
- [3] Minimum
- [3] Spade fragment
- [3N] 2542
- [4] Club fragment
- [4] 5 diamonds
- [4] 6 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:
2 - 3 (showing hearts):
3 (minimum) - 3 (relay asking shape):
- [3N] Spade fragment
- [4] Club fragment
- [4] 5 diamonds
- [4] 6 hearts or 5422
Transfer Raises of Diamonds
Different from major-suit transfers because 3N is a likely contract.
After 2 - 3:
- [3] Minimum hand
- [3] Doubleton heart
- [3] Spade stopper
- [3N] To play
- Suits above 3N are trick source slam tries
- 4 Shape re-ask as above. Five steps are available so bids have their normal meanings.
- [3] Max with 6 hearts
- [3] Max with spade stopper
- [3N] Max, 5 hearts, no spade stopper
2 - 3 is a puppet to 3,
and opener has no opportunity to accept an invitation. Responder's rebids:
- [3] Shows heart stopper
- [3] Doubleton spade
- [3N] Shows club stopper (if responder wants to play 3N, bid it directly over 2)
- Suits above 3N are trick source slam tries
- 4 Shape re-ask as above. Five steps are available so bids have their normal meanings.
Transfer Raises of Clubs
After 2, responder raises clubs by bidding 3.
This bid is game forcing, and there is no room to probe for 3N.
- [3] Spade fragment, extras
- [3N] Minimum hand; responder can bid 4 as a shape ask
- [4] 2524 or any hand with 5 clubs, extra values
- [4] Diamond fragment, extras
- [4] 6 hearts, extras
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:
2 - 3 (showing hearts):
- [3] 5251, 5242 without good clubs, 5341 (if minimum with bad hearts)
- [3] 6 spades (without heart support)
- [3N] 5143, or 5242 with something like AQ
- [4] 5341 (not a minimum), 6340, 5350
- [4] 5152, 5161
- [4] Exactly 5242 with Ax or better in hearts, no A or K of clubs.
When a Transfer is Doubled
If responder has transferred to a suit that opener has shown but not bid (e.g.
2 - P - 3 - X), pass says opener is willing for responder
to play it.
If responder has transferred to a suit that opener has bid (2 - P - 3 - 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.
2 - P - 3 - X, pass says opener can't raise diamonds but can't
stop spades either.
After a 2S Response
Rebids after 2/2 - 2:
- [2N] Minimum with no spade fit, stopper in the other minor.
- [3 of opener's minor] This is a default for minimum hands that don't fit spades -- does not necessarily show
a 5th card in the minor.
- [3 of the other minor] Game force, no fit for spades, no obvious other bid to make (so no stopper in the other minor).
- [3] 6 hearts, minimum, no spade fit
- [3] Mild fit. 3-card support with a total minimum, or honor-doubleton in a decent hand.
Passable.
- [3N] To play; max, no spade fit, stopper in other minor
- [4 of opener's minor] Natural, max, probably at least 65 since 3N bypassed.
- [4 of the other minor] Maximum with 3-card spade support
- [4] To play
- [4] Medium-strength 3-card raise
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.
2 - 2N
- [P] Minimum, no extra shape
- [3] Artificial game force (lacking 3 spades)
- [3] 5 diamonds, to play
- [3] 6 hearts, to play
- [3] Spade fragment, extras
- [3N] 5422 with extras. (5431 is acceptable with singleton king or ace.)
- [higher] Some freakish hand.
Interference
After 2 - X, systems are on. XX shows a good hand short in clubs, willing to penalize.
After 2 - P - 2 - X, systems are on,
ignore the double. Redouble shows 4 good diamonds (and clubs; it would be silly to bid an
ambigious 2 with 5044 when the diamonds were good).
After 2 - P - 2 - 2,
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 2 - P - 2 - 2,
pass is ambiguous, double is penalty but NOT required with spade/club hand, 2N is max with clubs,
3 a minimum.
After 2 is overcalled with 2 or 2, double by
responder is like a 2 response without competition. (After a 2 overcall
and double, opener should bid 2 with any spade/club hand.)
After higher overcalls of 2, double just shows values and willingness to compete opposite either hand type.
After 2 or 2 is overcalled with 2, double is
penalty and systems are on.
Otherwise: all doubles are penalty, all new suits are forcing, all raises are competitive.
Miscellaneous
Other Openings
- NAMYATS; intermediate step asks for 2 quick losers. Opener bids
a suit with 2 quick losers in that suit, 4 of the major with quick
losers in more than one suit, 4NT with no 2-loser suit.
- 3NT is a minor preempt.
Competitive Bidding
- DONT vs strong NT, Landy vs weak NT. After DONT, bids other
than the next step are natural suits, not really invitational. If
they double our DONT bid, redouble is rescue and all other bids are
natural.
After 1N - Landy 2 (showing majors) - P, responder's 2
shows no preference between majors.
- 1NT overcalls are 15-18 with the response structure as if overcaller had opened a strong club and rebid 1N. Transferring into their suit is natural!
If 1NT is doubled, we use the same runouts as when our opening weak notrump is doubled.
- Michaels cue bids. 2N (and 4N) ask for the minor.
- Against opponents weak 2s, leaping Michaels, cue-bid at 3-level
asks for stoppers, Lebensohl after doubles, special systems after 2N:
- 2N overcall of weak two:
After a weak two in a minor we play our strong 2N systems.
After a weak two in a major:
- 3 of a suit that is not a cue bid is a transfer to the next unbid suit.
So after 2 - 2N - Pass, 3 shows spades.
- 3 of their suit is Stayman.
- 3N is natural.
- 4 of a minor is South African Texas.
This structure is on if they double, off if they bid a suit.
- Against a strong 1 and after 1=1,
double shows majors and 1N shows minors. Against strong 2, everything one level higher.
- Unusual vs. Unusual:
- double suggests penalty
- 3 of opener's suit is a good single raise
- 3 of the fourth suit is non-forcing constructive
- lower ranking cue bid is forcing in the lower-ranking of the other two suits
- higher ranking cue bid forcing for higher-ranking unbid suit
- delayed double after passing 2N is takeout
- Flannery defense:
- Double balanced, strong notrump values or better
- [2] takeout of hearts
- [2] natural
- 2N minors
- [3] strong, like a jump over a weak two
- Redoubles are for rescue unless they can't possibly be anything else.
- A reopening double of 1m - pass - 1N (by the player over the minor suit bidder) is a light reopening takeout.
A reopening double of 1M - pass - 1N is penalty, asking for a lead of the bid suit.
- After a suit is bid and raised, and we double, 2N by advancer is scrambling.
Balancing
After 1 of a suit - pass - pass:
- 1N is 11-14 (maybe 15 over a major), strong notrump systems on.
- Cue bid is Michaels.
- 2N is 18-20, strong 2N systems on (Romex Stayman, etc).
- Jumping in a suit is intermediate, say 13-16 with good 6-card suit.
- Double jump in a suit is like a single jump but with a 7 card suit.
Carding
- Upside down count and attitude
- Odd-even discards
- 4th best leads vs NT
- 3rd and 5th leads vs suits, low from 3 small
- A from AK
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
- [1] 0-8, 0-6 by passed hand.
- [1/1] 9+, 5+ cds in other major
- [1NT] 9+, 5+ diamonds, not 5332
- [2] 9-11 or 16+, balanced, 5332 possible only with long minor
- [2] 9+, 5+ clubs, not 5332
- [2] 9+, 4441
- [2] 12-13 balanced. 2NT is Baron (bid 4-card suits up the line.)
- [2NT] 14-15 balanced. 3 is Baron.
- [3/3/3/3] one-loser 7-card suit
- [3N] Solid suit, no outside A/K
- [4/4/4/4] one-loser 8-card suit
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:
- A single jump in a new suit by the 1 opener is a strong two with a
very good suit.
- A double jump in a new suit is a splinter in support of responder's suit.
- A double raise (such as 1 - 1N (),
3) is very good support, opener would have rebid that suit
over another response.
- A jump in notrump shows a huge notrump hand, at last an ace more than a minimum
strong club. A jump to 3N cannot be passed.
The 1=1 Sequence
- 1 Kokish, hearts or 19-20 bal or 23-24 bal or 27+ bal
- 1 Forced. (However responder can break the relay with a terrible hand and a 7-card suit,
or even a 6-card suit if afraid of opener's likely two-suiter.)
- [1NT] 19-20 balanced. See the 1NT rebid below for system.
- [2/2] hearts + that minor
- [2] Minimum with 6+ hearts
- [2] hearts + spades with some extras
- [2NT] 23-24 balanced. See the 2NT rebid below for system.
- [3/3/3] game forcing with hearts + that suit
- [3] Strong 2 in hearts
- [3] Bad hand no fit
- [3NT] Good hand no fit
- [4/4/4] Good hand with fit, 1st or 2nd round control
- [4] Bad hand with fit
- [3NT] 27-28 balanced
- [4NT] 31-32 balanced
- [1NT] Shows long spades, usually 7, and a terrible hand.
[2] by opener is a signoff, [3] is a slam try.
- [2/2] Terrible hand with that minor, a raise is a slam try.
- [2] Also a signoff, though less likely to be needed since opener will never misfit hearts.
[1] Natural, non-forcing, 5 card suit. We play a form of 2/1:
- [1NT] Forcing, 4-8 balanced, 4-5 with a suit, or a 6-8 point raise (jump in spades on the next bid)
- [2/2/2] 6-8 points, 5+ cards in suit
- [2] Single raise, 3-5 points
- [3/3/3] Splinter, 4 trumps, game forcing
- [3] Game forcing raise, probably 7-8 points with 4+ trumps, no singleton
After responder's 1N:
- [2/2/2] Natural, non-forcing
- [2] Non-forcing
- [2N] Invitational
- [3/3/3] Natural, forcing
- [3] Forcing
After responder's 2/1 showing 6-8:
- Opener can pass
- New suit natural, one-round force
- [2] Non-forcing
- [2N] Invitational
- Raise to 3 of responder's suit is forcing
- [3] Forcing
[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] game forcing inquiry:
- [2NT] 5422 either way with 19-22
- [3/3] shortness in corresponding major
- [3/3] 3-card fragment
- [3NT] 5422 either way with 23-25
- [4/4] 65 or better, very good hand, bid better minor
- [4NT] 5422 either way with 26+
- [2N] asks opener to pick a minor.
If responder raises the minor, or bids the other minor, that is a natural invite.
- [3] Signoff.
- [3] Signoff.
[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:
- [3] Denies 4 hearts, may have 4 spades. 3 shows a 5
card spade suit, 3 asks for 4 card spade suit.
- [3] 4 or 5 hearts, not 4 spades. 3 asks opener to rebid
3NT with 4 hearts and 4 with 5.
- [3] 5 spades
- [3NT] 44 in majors. Responder now can transfer into the correct major.
The 3NT relay is:
- [4/4] to play
- [4] mild slam try with both minors
- [4] mild slam try with one minor. Opener bids 4NT.
- [4NT] pick a minor, non-slammish
- [5/5] to play
[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.
- [2] 9-11, spades but not hearts
- [2] 9-11, hearts but not spades
- [2NT] 9-11, 44 in majors
- [3] 9-11, no 4-cd major
- [3] 16+, no 4-cd major
- [3] 16+, spades and not hearts
- [3] 16+, hearts and not spades
- [3NT] 16+, 44 in majors
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:
- [4/4] Natural, 4 cards
- 4N by opener denies a fit.
- [4/4] Natural, strong 4 card suit.
- 4N by opener denies a fit.
- [4N] 16+ no good suit to bid.
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:
- 1st step stiff 2-10
- 2nd step stiff J or Q
- 3rd step stiff A or K
- 4th-6th 4-cd support, singleton shown in steps up (starting with clubs, or diamonds if opener bid clubs).
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] = 3
3 = 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
3 = 4
Should be something like KQJx QJxx 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:
- 4 asks responder to bid his suit.
- 4 of any other suit is a cue bid -- opener can tell responder's suit. Responder's cue bids are shortness.
- 5M asks responder to raise to 6 with a suit that can play opposite a void.
- 5N asks responder to bid 7 with a suit that can play opposite a void, else sign off in 6.
Interference
Responder's first bid after an overcall:
- [They double] ignore, redouble shows interest in penalizing (must have clubs)
- [They bid 1] pass = 0-4, double = 5-8, otherwise ignore
- [They bid 1] pass = 0-8, double = 9+ HCP/5+ spades, otherwise ignore
- [They bid 1 or higher]
- pass: Bad hand.
- double: 7+ (5+ by a passed hand)
- 1NT is 6-9 balanced with a stopper
- 2-level suit bids natural, one round force (2N or single raise by opener is passable)
- 2NT (even if not a jump) is GF with a stopper
- 3-level suit bids game forcing
- JS is good suit, NF, eg KQJxxx and out
After 1 - (overcall) - P - P, 1N: Strong notrump systems on.
General principles for competitive auctions:
- If responder bids a suit OR doubles a bid of 2 or lower, we cannot let the
opponents play at 2 or lower undoubled. Opps can play 2 undoubled.
- If responder didn't show GF values we're not in a force; doubles of their bid and raised suit are takeout.
- If responder made a GF call (which includes a double of 2 or higher), we're in a force.
Doubles below game are takeout. At the game level we play normal forcing pass stuff, where double suggests penalty.
- If advancer's first bid is a new suit that overcaller did not show, double by opener is penalty.
Otherwise they steal the pork chop off your plate.
1 - (2) - X - (2)
X is penalty
Dropped from the Caroline Club
These conventions and treatments used to be part of the Caroline Club, but have been dropped:
- We used to play a conventional 2N bid after opener's two-suited 2-level opener, or canape-showing 2-level rebid. This was called the "Willow Enquiry." This bid has been dropped; all 2N bids in these situations are natural and invitational.
- We used to play Transfer Baron after some notrump openings. We now play normal Baron.
- There are several instances in which one player shows a hand with an unknown singleton, and partner relays to find out what it is. We bid naturally where possible, in suit order when not. (We used to play varying schemes.)
- We used to play that bidding the agreed suit after the first round of a 1 - 2 sequence asked for 2-1 controls, but we never remembered that and dropped it.
Revisions
- 9/26/20: New treatments of double after 1 is overcalled with
one of a major.
Defined reopening sequences after 1 of a major is overcalled.
1N - 2, 2 - 2
is forcing.
2 - 2 of a major is now forcing.
After 1 - 2, raising hearts
(directly or through Lebensohl 2NT) shows specifically a spade-minor canape with 3 hearts.
- 11/29/19: Noted that 1 can be 5-5 in the majors (if hearts weaker).
Defined 1 - 1,
2 - 2NT, 4
2 checkback is invitational not invitational "or worse"
1 - 1 something, 3 is not canape.
After opener jumps to 3 of a minor, responder's raise to 4 is forcing.
After a 2/1, opener's rebid at the 2 level is forcing.
- 7/18/19: Discussed opener's rebid after 2N response
We no longer play passed hand 2/1 as 6-9.
Switched the meaning of 2 and 2N in a 4441 auction.
2 in response to Landy 2 says pick one.
New systems over weak two - 2N
Clarified U/U and Flannery Defense
Added "General principles for competitive auctions" in strong club auctions.
- 3/31/18: P - 1x, 1N - 2N is 16-17
Added Competitive Bidding section for competition over 1N openings.
Can bid stoppers after 2 - 2N.
We play scrambling 2N after a bid and raise is doubled.
Only minor suits are cue bids after 1 - P - 3 or 4 of a suit.
Added some definition to 1 - 1 -
2/2
Added section for reopening.
Systems on after 2/2 - (2)
Defined passed hand jumps over 1M.
- 1/1/18: Clarified some auctions.
- 4/1/17: Cleaned up several 2-bid auctions.
Added 1 - 1,
2 - 2NT and 1 - 1,
3 - 3NT.
After 1 - P - 1 - 2 minor,
opener's double is now penalty (canape), not support.
Defined 2/1 auctions in competition.
More detail on "natural bidding" after strong club and response.
1 - 1,
2: 2 is game forcing.
2NT can be bid with an invitational hand.
- 10/23/16: Cleaned up lots of little typos.
Replaced Wonder Bids with Mathe.
- 10/1/16: Cleaned up the 1 - 2 auction.
Added followups to the 1 - 1
- 1 auctions.
Added definition to the 1 - 2
case where responder has 16+.
Defined reopening doubles of (1 suit) - pass - (1 N).
- 3/9/16: Clarified what to do with 4=4=(5-0).
Added 4441-showing rebids when vul-vs-not.
2 - 2 major rebids are now more consistent.
Can break the Kokish relay (1N shows spades).
Fixed some typos. Lots of small clarifications.
- 2/28/16: Jump to 2N after one-over-one is now a 6-3 raise (used to be a medium single suiter).
2N in competition is now a 3-card raise of partner's major.
We no longer ask for controls in 1 - 2 auctions.
- 12/23/15: Cleared up interference after 1 and 1.
Changed responses to 2 - 2 (old system had only
one bid for clubs with no fit).
Doubles by responder after 2 openings are no
longer penalty.
- 6/23/13: Mostly cleanup, added 4-level splinters to 2/1 auctions.
- 7/10/12: Added forcing notrump after 1 - 1
- 1.
Defined rebids after 1 - 2/2N.
- 11/25/11: Cleared up transfers to a minor after 2-suit bid.
Changed responses to 2-suit - 2N.
Opener and responder can bid stoppers in 1 - 2/
2 - 2N auctions.
- 11/23/11: 1 - 2N - 3 is now Baron.
Defined responses to 1 above 2N.
Defined rebids after 2 - 2 major.
Defined rebids after 2 red - 2.
1 - P - 1 - overcall - X is now support.
- 8/27/11: No more 1 - 1M - 3M; those hands now make the single shapely
raise (other major) then bid 3 of the stiff.
Also clarified positive doubles and added "When a Transfer is Doubled".
- 2/17/11: Minor corrections; clarified that responder does not use a 2/1 in clubs to make a diamond limit raise.
- 2/13/11: 2 - 2 - 2
now shows spades/clubs with a max.
- 12/9/07: Fixed a few typos (especially relating to 2N-then opener's suit, which is not intermediate in a
2/1 auction).
Added Reverse Lebensohl to 1D - 2 minor 2/1 auctions; clarified red/white Reverse Lebensohl auctions.
- 12/5/07: Reworked 2/1 auctions so that new (non-jump) suits at the 3 level are non-forcing, and 2N is Reverse (strong) Lebensohl.
- 2/18/07: 2 over 2 of a red suit became forcing.
Transfers were redefined to allow all suits to be shown at the 3 level.
3 no longer shows clubs after
2-2-2.
4 is now keycard.
Redefined new suit game tries after 4441 major raises; they now show broken honor sequences. Also made small
clarifications to 2N singleton ask (2N is not GF; 3H shows spade stiff after 2N if hearts is trump).
We no longer play that there are two sets of bids to show major fragments after 1 -
1 - 2.
Insinuating doubles are on through 3 (not 2).