5-Card Major Bidding Flipper

Transcription

1 5-Card Major Bidding Flipper

2 ADVANTAGES OF 5-CARD MAJORS 1. You do not need to rebid your major suit to indicate a 5-card holding. If you open 1 or 1 and partner does not raise, you do not feel the compulsion to repeat your major to let partner know you have five. 2. When you do rebid your major, it will usually show a 6-card suit. There are a few exceptions to this but in most cases, the rebid of a major promises a 6+ suit. 3. After a major suit opening, if opener bids a second suit, opener s shape will be at least 5-4. This gives responder a quick insight into opener s hand pattern. 4. The frequent minor suit openings provide you with extra information to judge prospects in no-trumps. The opponents will often bid over your minor opening. You now know what dangers are lurking. If they pass over your minor suit opening, they are not likely to hold a decent fivecard major. 5. Responder is able to raise opener s major to the two level on 3-card support without fear of playing in a 4-3 fit. Playing 4-card suits, there is a constant conflict whether responder should rise on three or whether opener should rebid a 5-card major. Playing 5-card majors, such conflicts are eliminated. 6. If responder has a weak hand and does not raise opener s major at once, delayed support may be made later with just a doubleton. Playing 4-card suits, delayed support is encouraging. With 5-card majors, it is not encouraging. 7. In a competitive auction, responder can support opener s major with three trumps in comfort. Playing 4-card suits, there is a constant fear that support in a competitive auction might be only three trumps.

3 8. If playing 4-card suits, most major suit openings are 5-card suits anyway. When playing 4-card suits, there are many benefits in choosing cheapest 4-card suit for your opening bid. It follows that 1 and 1 openings with just a 4-card suit are in the minority anyway. 9. Playing 5-card majors finds the 5-3 fits quickly and the 4-4 fit on the second round. With 4-card suits, there is some risk of missing a 5-3 major suit fit. 10. Most players in the world championships play 5-card majors so if most experts prefer it, there must be a sound basis for it. WHICH SUIT TO OPEN IN BETTER MINOR : The term better minor is ill-chosen. More descriptive is 5-Card Majors Longer Minor, since the quality of the minors is not relevant in deciding which suit to open. If your hand does not fit a 1NT or 2NT opening: With a 5-card or longer suit: Open your longest suit. If 5-5 or 6-6, start with the higher-ranking suit With no 5-card or longer suit: Open your longer minor suit With 4-4 in the minors, open 1 With 3-3 in the minor, open 1 The 1 and 1 openings in Better Minor are not forcing. With a rotten hand, responder should pass. In first or second seat, opening 1 or 1 promises a 5+ suit and responder may raise with 3 trumps. In third or fourth seat, you may open 1 or 1 with a powerful 4-card suit if you have just points.

4 Although 1 is the opening with 4 spades, 4 hearts, 3 diamonds and 2 clubs, the 1 opening is almost always a 4+ suit (responder may raise with 4 trumps). 1 can be a 3-suit and support is normally 5 trumps. In a competitive auction, you may support clubs with just 4 trumps as opener usually has 4+ clubs. WHICH SUIT TO OPEN IN SHORT CLUB : The 1 opening in Short Club is forcing and this allows you to play the 1 opening as a 5+ suit too. With 5+ spades, hearts or diamonds: Open your longest suit If 5-5 or 6-6, start with the higher-ranking suit With 6+ clubs and a 5-card suit, open 1, the bid and rebid the 5-card suit if no fit is found earlier. With no 5-card or longer suit outside clubs: Open 1 (forcing for one round) The 1 opening does not promise any length in clubs. Indeed a singleton is possible if the pattern is a All s are opened 1 and so are all the or patterns outside the NT ranges. The drawback in Short Club is that you cannot play precisely in 1. Some consider this a plus. The great advantage of 1 forcing is that the partners can explore the best part-score at the one- or two-level without grinding to an abrupt halt in an unpalatable spot. Opener can start with 1 on very strong hands without the fear that it might go Pass: Pass: Pass. If opener starts with 1 and responder has a very weak hand, the response is 1 (the diamond bust ). The 1 negative is not a difficult concept. After a 2 opening, 2 is used as a negative reply. Short Club uses the same idea on level lower. The 1 negative allows responder to show a weak hand and still keep bidding later if opener s rebid is not a suitable spot.

5 RESPONDING TO THE 1 and 1 OPENINGS IN BETTER MINOR Pass = 0-5 points, any shape. With 5 HCP and a 5+ suit, be prepared to reply. New suit = 6 points and a 4+ suit is the expectancy for a response at the 1-level. Standard principles apply. Bid your longer suit first. With a 5-5 or 6-6 pattern, bid the higher-ranking suit first. Bid 4-card suits up-theline. With 4+ diamonds and a 4-card major, choose the 1 response. 1 :2 = 10+ points and a 4+ suit, forcing for one round. Jump-shift = 16+ points and a strong 5+ suit. The NT responses 1NT = 6-9 points, no 4-card major 2NT = points, balanced, no 4-card major. With 10 points, change suit and bid no-trumps later. 3NT = points, pattern, no 4-card major Raising opener s minor Raising a minor denies an available major suit. When supporting, add points for shortages on the scale: void =5, singleton = 3, doubleton =1. Support for diamond =4+trumps. Support for clubs is 5+ trumps. 1 : 1NT = pattern (4 clubs). 1 :2 or 1 : 2 = 6-9 points, no 4-card major 1 :3 or 1 : 3 = points, no 4-card major With support and 13+ points, choose a change of suit or a jump-shift initially. Prefer a major suit response to raising opener s minor or to a response in notrumps. Any 4-card major can be bid. There is no minimum suit quality.

6 1 :4,1 :5,1 :4,1 :5 are all pre-emptive raises based on exceptional support, unbalanced shape, fewer than 10HCP and no 4+ major. RESPONDING TO SHORT CLUB RESPONDING TO 1 The principles are the same as responding to 1 in Better Minor (see previous page). Given the 1 shows a 5+ suit, 3+ support is adequate. RESPONDING TO 1C FORCING 1 = 0-5 points, any shape, or 6-9 with no 4+ major 1 or 1 = 6+ points, 4+ suit, forcing 2 or 2 = 10+ points 5+ suit, forcing When holding a 4-card major and a longer minor bid the major with 6-9 points but bid the minor fist with 10+ points (show the major on the next round). Other than that, suits are shown in the normal order longest suit first, the higher suit first if 5-5 or 6-6, and 4-card suits up-the-line (other than the 1 negative). The NT responses 1NT = 9-10 points, balanced, no 4-card major 2NT = points, balanced, no 4-card major 3NT = points, pattern, no 4-card major Jump-shifts (2 /2 /3 /3 ) = 16+ points, strong 5+ suit, forcing to game. These are best played as one- suiters. With a two-suiter or three-suiter, bid your first suit at the cheapest level. Suit bids beyond 3 are pre-emptive, with a good 7+ suit in a weak hand (below 10HCP). In Short Club, there are no awkward responding hands to the 1 opening. The no-trump responses are closely defined and hands of 6+ points with a 4+ major are generally bid in the

7 same manner as they would be in any standard system. After 1 : 1, opener bids a 4-card major if possible. The 1NT rebid is and 2NT is The 2 rebid shows 5+ clubs and no major. Rebids of 2, 2 and 2 show 19+ points, 4 cards in the suit bid and 5+ clubs. They are natural rebids but are not forcing. After 1 : 1, responder should bid again with 6-9 points and may do so with less to locate a better spot. THE NO-TRUMP OPENINGS The 1NT opening points, , or a pattern with a 5-card minor. With a and five spades, open 1. With a and five hearts, open 1 if you hold 3 spades (raise a 1 response to 2 ) but with a doubleton spade the 1NT opening causes the least problems. The 2NT opening points, , or a pattern. A 5-card major is permissible. With balanced hands in the range, start with a suit opening and perhaps bid no-trumps later if no fit in a major suit has been discovered. The 3NT opening The Gambling 3NT shows a solid 7-card minor and no ace or king in any other suit. If you prefer a different meaning for the 3NT opening, by all means adopt it. As an ace lead against 3NT usually puts the defenders on the right track to beating the contract, the Gambling 3NT is not in favour among expert players.

8 Responding to 1NT 2 = Stayman, asking for a 4-card major. Opener bids 2 with no major, 2 or 2 with that major and 2 when 4-4 in the majors. 2 /2 /2 = weak hand, 5+suit. Opener should pass. At duplicate, many partnerships use transfer bids at the two-level. See the Common Bridge Conventions Flipper for details about transfers over 1NT and 2NT. 3 /3 = 5+ suit, game-force, slam interest. With only enough for game, tend to stick with no-trumps if you have length in one minor or both minors. 3 /3 = 5+ suit, forcing to game 2NT = points, no 4-major, inviting game Any response in game after 1NT is to play. Responding to 2NT 3 = asking for a 5-card major. Opener bids 3 or 3 with five, 3 with no 5-card major but at least one 4-card major and 3NT with no 4- or 5- card major. 3 /3 /3 = 5+ suit, forcing to game Any response in game after 2NT is to play. RESPONDING TO MAJOR SUIT OPENINGS Pass = 0-5 points, any shape 1 : 1 = 6+ points, 4+ spades, forcing New suit at the 2-level = 10+ HCP, 4+ suit, forcing for one round. With a 5-card suit, 9 HCP will do and with a 6+ suit, 8HCP is acceptable. The specific sequence 1 :2 promises 5+ hearts.

9 Jump-shift = 16+ points, strong 5+ suit. A powerful 4-card suit is acceptable if responder also has support for opener s major. The NT responses In standard methods these tend to deny support for opener s major suit but with a pattern, a response in no-trumps is acceptable. 1NT = 6-9 points. 1 : 1NT denies four spades 2NT = 11-12, balanced, no 4-card major 3NT = points, pattern, no 4-card major Raising opener s major 1 : 2 or 1 : 2 = 6-9 points, 3+support 1 : 3 or 1 : 3 = points, 4+ support 1 : 4 or 1 :4 = pre-emptive, 4+ support, up to 10 HCP, unbalanced shape (void or singleton). When partner opens with a major suit, the #1 priority is to support the major as long as your hand fits the requirements for an immediate raise. With and 3-card support, change suit and support the major later. With support for opener and 13+ points, change suit initially and support next round. A jump-rebid to game in opener s major indicates about points. A response at the two-level followed by a jump-raise below game (e.g., 1 : 2, 2 :3 ) is forcing to game and suggests slam. With hopes for slam, 4 th suit forcing can be used to check on opener s strength. Splinters: These provide a better use for the double-jump response than as a pre-emptive hand type. Playing splinters, 1 :3 /4 /4 and 1S:4 /4 /4 show a singleton or void in the suit bid, 4+ support for opener and 10+ HCP.

10 Splinters are a short suit try for slam. With extra strength, opener should make a slam move. Head for slam also with just a sound opening but no wasted cards in the splinter suit. Waster cards opposite a short suit are the king, queen and jack. THE JACOBY 2NT RESPONSE This is a valuable alternative to the standard 2NT response showing points and balanced shape. The Jacoby 2NT shows 4+ support for opener s major and 13+ points with no singleton or void. With a singleton or void outside, use a splinter response. With only 3-card support, start with a change of suit. It is a game-forcing raise in a balanced hand (but a pattern is permissible as long as the 5-card suit is weak). With a good 5-card suit outside, prefer to bid that suit first and support later. Slam bidding is greatly enhanced with this cheap game-forcing raise. If you adopt Jacoby, you can show the balanced hand by changing suit first and rebidding 2NT on the next round. Opener s rebids after the 2NT Jacoby response Opener s primary duty is to show a singleton or void or a powerful second suit. New suit at the 3-level (e.g., 1 : 2NT, 3 ) = a singleton or void in the suit. New suit at the 4-level (e.g., 1 : 2NT, 4 ) = a strong 5+ side suit, K-Q-x-x-x or better. Showing such a suit takes priority over showing a singleton void. With no shortage and no strong side suit, opener may: Bid 4-agree-major with a minimum opening (about points) and , or pattern. Responder may still push on to slam but has been warned about opener s lack of strength. Bid 3-agreed-major with 6+ trumps and extra values at least 14 HCP. Bid 4NT to ask for aces / key cards.

11 Responder s rebid If opener showed a singleton or void, opener may be weak or strong. With a minimum, particularly with wasted strength opposite opener s known short suit, responder can jump to game in the major, meant as a sign-off. With a strong hand, opener is entitled to continue slamward either with a cue-bid or with 4NT. With slam prospects, responder can bid 3-of-the major to ask for cue bidding or can made a cue-bid (any new suit beyond 3-of-the-major). 3NT on either side is now used to leave room for a cue-bid in clubs. If opener rebid 3-of-the-major or 3NT, a new suit is a cue-bid and 4NT asks for aces / key cards. Opener s Rebids After Opening 1 or 1 After 1 : 1 or 1 : 1, opener should bid a 4-card major if available (any suit quality acceptable). With 4-4 in the majors after 1 : 1, rebid 1 ( upthe-line ) regardless of the relative quality of the majors. The 1NT rebid (e.g., 1 : 1, 1NT) is recommended as points, not forcing, and the jump-rebid to 2NT (e.g., 1 : 1, 2NT) as points and forcing to game. This dovetails with a NT opening. After opener s 1NT rebid, responder can: Pass Make a weak bid at the two-level by repeating responder s suit or bidding any cheaper new suit (other than see below) Bid any game Force to game with any jump rebid below game Force to game with a new suit bid at the two-level and higher ranking than responder s first suit. (e.g., 1 : 1, 1NT : 2 ). This sequence is

12 usually adopted with a three-suiter. Thus, 1 : 1, 1NT : 2, 2NT : 3 would show a singleton or void in diamonds. Bid 2 ( checkback ) to invite game Bid 2NT as a puppet bid to 3, either as a sign-off in 3 or as the next step in describing a specific hand pattern in a game-forcing auction. Opener s rebids after 2 Checkback (game-invite) 2 = Minimum 1NT, 15 points exactly. Responder rebids naturally. A jump rebid is a strong game invite. 2 / 2 /2NT = 16 points or a poor 17. Opener makes the cheapest descriptive rebid. 1 : 1, 1NT : 2, 2 not only shows 3 spades but also denies 4 hearts (as opener makes the cheaper rebid of 2H with 4 hearts). Responder may pass, jump to game, make a simple, non-forcing rebid or force to game with a jump-rebid below game. Other rebids 3-level = natural, descriptive, 18 points or a good 17. Opener chooses the cheapest rebid if more than one option exists. The 3- level rebid is forcing to game. Other situations follow standard bidding methods. Raise responder s major suit to the two-level with a minimum hand, to the three-level with points and to game with 19+ points. A new suit rebid below 2-of-opener s-suit is strong (a reverse;, 16+ points ) and is forcing for one round. Opener s jumpshift is 19+ points and forcing to game. Variations for Short Club After 1 : 1, rebids of 2 or higher are very strong. 1 : 2 or 1 : 2 (10+ points) are forcing. Opener can rebid 3 or raise to 3 if weak. Others are strong. Opener s Rebids After Opening 1 or 1 (1) Opener is with a 5-card major

13 The 5-card suit adds 1 point to the value of the hand. With HCP: After 1 : 1, raise to 2 with three spades. If , either open 1NT or rebid in a strong 3-card minor after a 1 response. After 1 : 1NT or 1 : 1NT, pass. After a response of 2 or 2 : raise to 3 /3 with a decent 3-card holding, otherwise rebid your major. After 1 : 2, raise with 3 hearts, else rebid 2. After a 2-level response, rebidding your major suit does not guarantee a 6-card suit. It promises only that you have a minimum opening. With HCP: After 1 : 1, rebid 1NT (also with a very good 14). Use the 2 Checkback structure. After 1 : 1NT or 1 : 1NT, pass with 1, raise to 2NT with After 2 or 2, rebid 2NT. After 1 : 2, jump to game with 3 trumps, rebid 2NT with a doubleton heart. With HCP: After 1 : 1, rebid 2NT forcing to game. After a response of 1NT or at the two-level, jump to 3NT. (With 20 HCP and a ,open 2NT.) (2) Other patterns after 1 : 1 With support for spades, 2 = minimum, 3 = points and 4 = 19+. Opener can also splinter-raise with 4 or 4 (see Responding To Major Openings). After 1 : 1, without support for spades, bid 2 or 2 with a 4+ suit and points, 3 or 3 with a 4+ suit and 19+ points. Each of these show 6+ hearts: 1 : 1, 2 = points (any 6-card suit is all right)

14 1 : 1, 3 = points (decent 6+ suit) 1 : 1, 4 = 19+ points (strong 6+ suit) After a 1-level response, rebidding your major promises at least a 6- card suit. A jump-rebid of your first suit shows a 6+ suit. (3) Other patterns after 1 : 1NT or 1 : 1NT Rebidding your major promises a 6+ suit, weak at the two-level, at the three-level and 19+ (or 8 winners) at game-level. A 2 or 2 rebid shows points and at least a 5-4 pattern. Ditto for 1 : 1NT, 2. The jump-shift to 3 or 3 forces to game and shows 19+ points + at least a 5-4 pattern. Ditto for 1 : 1NT, 3. With a 6-card major and 4-card minor, rebid the major if it is excellent and the minor is weak. Otherwise, show the minor. With 6 spades and 4 hearts, show the hearts rather than repeat the spades. 1 : 1NT, 2 is a reverse, forcing for one round, with 16+ points and at least 5 hearts and 4 spades. (4) Other patterns after a 2-level response With a minimum, do not bid beyond 2-of-your major except to raise responder s suit. With 16+ you may bid beyond 2-of-your-major. Change of suit is forcing after a 2-level response.

15 REBIDS BY RESPONDER 1 1. Responder had 6-9 points (weak hand) Responder aims to stay as low as possible but by all means makes a second bid if opener s rebid is not an attractive contract. Responder is entitled to bid twice to find the best spot. All of these actions show a weak responding hand: Raising opener s second suit (1 : 1, 1 : 2 ) Reverting to opener s first suit (1 : 1, 1 : 2 ) This is known as giving a simple preference. Rebidding 1NT (1 : 1, 1 : 1NT). Responder s 1NT rebid promises no more than a 1NT response. Repeating responder s first suit (1 : 1, 1 : 2 ) which is the least attractive rebid. To repeat your suit after opener rebids at the 1- level, responder should have a 6-card suit, or a 5-card suit with three honours. Naturally responder may pass if opener s rebid was not forcing (1 : 1, 1NT : Pass or 1 : 1,2 : Pass or 1 : 1,2 : Pass or 1 : 1 : Pass.) After opener rebids in a suit, not rebid with a new suit at the two-level without 10 or more points, since your new suit bid will be forcing. You may bid a new suit at the two-level with a weak hand only after opener s 1NT rebid (e.g., 1 : 1, 1NT : 2 = weak rebid). If opener has made a jump-raise (1 : 1, 3 ) or a jump-rebid in opener s suit (1 : 1, 3 ), responder may pass with 5-7 points but should head for game with 8 HCP or more. If opener has made a forcing rebid (such as a jumpshift), responder must bid again, even with the weakest responses.

16 After a 1NT response and a change of suit by opener responder s new suit bid indicates a 6 card suit (e.g., 1 : 1NT, 2 : 2 ). Responder, too weak for an initial 2-level response, will have about 5-8 HCP and no fit for opener s suits. With a moderate hand, opener should usually pass this rebid by responders, since it is better to play in the weak hand s trump suit. Do not rescue into 2NT (that should show points, inviting game). If weaker, pass even with a singleton in responder s suit. With 3-card support for responder, consider raising to game or to the 3-level to invite game. REBID BY RESPONDER 2 Responder s rebids after opener s reverse These weak rebids (5-8 points) are not forcing: Raising opener s second suit (1 : 1, 2 : 3 ). Reverting to opener s first suit (1 : 1. 2 : 3 ). Rebidding 2NT (1 : 1, 2 : 2NT). Repeating responder s first suit (1 : 1, 2 : 2 ). Opener may still bid on despite the weak rebid. After a 2-level response and a reverse, the situation is game-forcing and there are no weak rebids. These strong rebids (9+ points) are forcing to game: Any jump-rebid below game (1 : 1, 2 : 3 ). Bidding the fourth suit (1 : 1, 2 : 3 ) Responder s rebids after opener s jump-shift Revert to opener s first suit with 3+ support, raise opener s second suit with 4+ support, rebid your suit with a 5+ suit, rebid in no-trumps with the unbid suit stopped or, if none of these applies, bid the fourth suit. 2. Responder has points

17 After a 1NT rebid, this is enough for game. After opener s suit rebid which does not promise a strong hand, these values are enough to invite game. This can be done with a 2NT rebid, or by raising a suit to the 3-level, or by rebidding your suit at the 3-level. If none of these is suitable, you may bid the fourth suit. 3. Responder has 13+ points (enough the game) Responder must insist on reaching some game or other. If you know the best game and have no slam ambitions, go ahead and bid it (e.g., 1 : 1, 2 : 4 ). If uncertain of the best spot, make sure to make a forcing bid. Do not fall into the trap of making a weak rebid with a strong hand. After three suits have been bid, bidding the fourth suit is a handy way of exploring the best contract. 4. Responder s rebids after a trial bid (1 : 2, 3 ) A new suit after a major suit raise to the two-level is a trial bid with a game invitational value. It shows a week 3+ suit and asks for help in that suit. With no loser or just one loser in the trial suit, bid game (1 : 2, 3 : 4 ). No-loser holdings (A-K bare, A-K-Q, ace singleton or a void) are rare. One-lose holdings: a singleton, ace-doubleton, king-doubleton or suits headed by A-K, A-Q or K-Q. With two losers in the trial suit, bid game if you are maximum but only 3-ofyour-major if minimum. Two-loser holdings: Q-X or worse doubletons or suits with only one of the top three honours (e.g., K-8-7-4). With three losers in the trial suit, sign off in 3-of-your-major. Three-loser holdings are suits headed by J-10-x or worse. 5. Fourth-suit forcing After the partnership has bid the three suits, these principles apply:

18 The first partner to bid no-trumps promises at least one stopper in the missing suit. If you have a clear-cut, natural bid, make that bid. Raising opener s second suit promises 4+ support. Responder s jump-rebid in his own suit promises a 6+ suit. A bid of the fourth suit is artificial and shows: a) A good hand worth at least an invitation to game b) Inability to make a clearcut, natural bid. Responder may have no stopper in the fourth suit. Responder may be seeking 3-card support for a 5-card major. Responder may wish to know opener s strength in order to judge chances for slam. The fourth-suit is forcing on opener who must keep bidding. Responder is entitled to pass a minimum reply by opener. Therefore, opener must make more than a minimum bid with 15+ points. If responder bids again after using fourthsuit, the auction is game-forcing. A jump-rebid in the fourth-suit (e.g., 1 : 1, 2 : 3 ), is natural and forcing to game with at least a 5-5 pattern. It is sensible to play 1 : 1, 1 : 1 as 6+ points and four spades and 1 : 1, 1 : 2 as fourth-suit. TIPS & PRIORITIES 1. Do not raise opener s second suit with only 3 trumps. 2. In choosing a game contract, prefer 4 or 4 (as long as you have 8+ trumps between you) to 3NT but in general, prefer 3NT to 5 or Do not repeat a 5-card suit if any other reasonable action is available.

19 2-OPENINGS & PASSED HAND BIDDING BENJAMIN TWOS: WEAK 2 / 2, STRONG 2 / 2 Your two-openings are not related to whether you play 5-card majors or 4- card suits. Benjamin Twos work well because they provide constructive preempts in the majors and two grades of powerful openings. 2 and 2 weak are pre-empts with a 6-card suit, no worse than Q-10-x-x-xx. The strength is 6-10 HCP. In first or second seat, the hand should not contain a void or two singletons or four cards in the other major. Responding to a weak two opening: Change of suit is forcing, raises are preemptive and 2NT is played as OGUST, a strong enquiry to which opener replies: 3 = Minimum hand, weak suit 3 = Minimum hand, strong suit 3 = Minimum hand, weak suit 3 = Minimum hand, strong suit 3NT = A-K-Q-x-x-x, three top honours Minimum = 6-8 points (8 losers), maximum = 8-10 points (7 losers). Poor suit = one top honour, good suit = two top honours. Top honours = ace, king, or queen. Memory guide: minor = minimum, honours 1-2, THE 2 AND 2 OPENINGS 2 + artificial, strong, showing 8½ - 9½ playing tricks. The hand type is either any unbalanced count or a hand in the range with a 6-card suit (or perhaps points with a 7-card suit). 2 = 23 + HCP or 10+ playing tricks if below 23 HCP.

20 Responses to 2 or 2 : Cheapest suit = artificial, negative responses, 0-7 HCP, 0-1 quick trick. All other responses are natural and positive, 8+ HCP or 1½ + quick tricks. Quick tricks are those that win on the first two rounds of a suit : A-K = 2, A-Q = 1½, A = 1, K-Q = 1, K-x = ½. BIDDING BY A PASSED HAND Most responses stay exactly the same except that, in general, no action by a passed hand is forcing. A new suit at the 1-level shows 6+ points (a good 5 will do) and a 4+ suit, same as for an unpassed hand. In standard style, a new suit at the two-level shows a 5+ suit. To bid a 4-card suit at the two-level is risky since opener is entitled to pass. It follows that a 2- level change of suit denies support for opener s major. Jump-bids by a passed hand show a maximum pass. The jump-shift to the three-level (No: 1,3 ) is generally played as showing a respectable 5+ suit plus support for opener s major. Some pairs extend that concept to the jumpshift to the two level, such as No: 1, 2, to show a maximum pass, a 5-card major and 4+ support for opener s minor. The Drury Convention Since partners are prone to open light in third seat, there is some risk in a passed hand raising opener to the 3-level (No: 1,3 ). The Drury 2 Convention reduces this risk and so is popular among tournament players when its use is permitted. Drury is an artificial 2 response by a passed hand after a major suit opening. No: 1, 2 or No: 1, 2 says to opener: Is your opening bid sound or light? Opener replies: 2 = I have a minimum or sub-minimum opening (up to 13 points). Responder can attempt to sign off at the 2-level (with good shape and

21 12-13 HCP, opener may still make an effort for game) or jump to the 3- level as a strong invitation to game. All other rebids by opener show a decent opening hand, 14+ points, and will lead to game at least. COPING WITH INTERFERENCE 1 Negative Doubles Whether playing 5-card majors or not, negative doubles deal efficiently with disruptive methods. A negative double is a takeout double by responder after a suit opening and a suit overcall. For example, 1 : (2 ) : Double. Bids in brackets are those made by the opponents. Negative doubles are used at the 1-level or 2-level with 6+ points, but they can sensibly be extended to the 3-level (9+ points) and to the 4-level (12+points) to combat pre-emptive overcalls. A negative double denies support for opener s major and promises 4+ cards in any unbid major. Thus after 1 : (2 ). Double shows both majors. If both majors have been bid, such as 1 : (1 ). Double shows at least 4-4 in the minors. A major suit response at the 2-level, 1 : (2 ) : 2, show 5+ cards in the major and 10+ points. It is forcing for one round (like any new suit response). With fewer points or with only 4 spades in the above auction, responder would double. If responder makes a negative double at the 1- or 2-level and later changes suit, that implies a 5+ suit but only 6-9 points. With 10+ points, responder could have made a natural bid in the long suit at once.

22 Opener s reply to the negative double Treat the negative double as a 1-level response. Bid a major shown by responder f possible. Minimum bids show minimum hands, jump-bids show points and with 19+ points, bid game if the right game is clear, otherwise bid the enemy suit to force to game. Responder s rebid You may pass opener s minimum rebid. With rebid 2NT or raise one of opener s suits to the 3-level. With 13+, bid game or the enemy suit as a gameforce. Playing for penalties After a suit opening and a suit overcall, playing for penalties is attractive if you have: Strong trumps (5+ trumps with 3+ honours at the 1-level, 4+ trumps with 2+ court cards at the 2-level) Shortage in opener s suit (singleton or void is best, doubleton is acceptable). 10+ HCP (your side has the greater strength) Since double would be negative, for takeout, to score penalties, you pass the overcall. When this reverts to opener, a takeout double is usually the best re-opening action, and responder passes this takeout double for penalties. For example: WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1 2 No No Double No No No

23 West s double is for takeout. East s pass is penalties. Double of a 1NT overcall, 1 : (1NT) : Double, is played for penalties. Hands with 10+ points are suitable. Over Their Takeout Double If partner opens 1 or 1 and next player doubles: Jump-raises to the 3- and 4-level are pre-emptive. Change of suit = normal meaning and is forcing. Redouble = 10+ HCP and denies 3+ support for opener s major. Redouble is looking for penalties and any double by either partner of any suit bid by an opponent is for penalties. 2NT = Truscott Convention, showing 10+ HCP and support for opener s suit. Over 2NT, opener may bid 3-major or 4-major as a sign-off, but responder can still bid further. A new suit by opener below 3-major is a trial bid and a new suit beyond 3-major is a cue-bid with prospects for slam. The same methods can be used after a minor suit opening except that 2NT will deny a major suit. COPING WITH INTERFERENCE 2 HOW TO COUNTER THEIR UNUSUAL 2NT 1 or 1 : (2NT) = a weak hand with at least 5-5 in the minors. This countermeasure works well: 3-0f-opener s major is a weak raise, 6-9 points. 3 = artificial, 10+ points with hearts. May have spades as well. 3 = artificial, 10+ points with spades. Denies hearts.

24 3-other-major = 6+ suit, 9-11 points, not forcing, and denies support for opener s major. 4 and 4 are splinter-raises of opener s major. Double = looking for penalties: 10+ points and short in opener s major. Double by either partner from here on is for penalties. Double, and a new suit later by responder, is forcing. Pass = not enough to bid. Pass and a later double of 3 or 3 is for takeout, but below 10 HCP. HOW TO COUNTER THEIR MICHAEL S CUE-BID 1 : (2 ) or 1 : (2 ) shows a weak hand, like the Unusual 2NT with at least a 5-5 pattern, including 5+ cards in the other major and 5+ in one of the minors. To cope with the problems that this creates: 3-of-opener s major is a weak raise, 6-9 points. 4, 4 or a jump-bid in their major is a splinter-raise of opener s major. 2NT = natural, invitational, and 3NT = to play. Bidding their major, 1 : (2 ) : 2, or 1 : (2 ): 3, = 10+ points with support for opener s major. With a minimum, opener can bid 3- major )responder may still bid further with extra values). A new suit beyond 3-major is a cue-bid with small in mind. Double is looking for penalties with the same hand type as for 1- major : (Double) : Redouble, 10+ points and short in opener s suit. Double and a new suit later forcing. Double creates a forcing auction: either double them or bid on. SPECIAL POINTS TO REMEMBER 1. When does opener s rebid of the major suit opened promise a 6-card suit?

25 After a 1-level response (1 : 1NT, 2 ) If opener makes a jump-rebid (1 : 2, 3 ) If there is an intervening bid after a two-level response and opener rebids the major. For example: WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1 No With just a 5-card major, opener could simply pass with a nondescript opening. Since opener bid when a pass was available, the bid shows extra length. If there is no interference does not promise six. It merely shows a minimum opening with 5+ in the major and no other descriptive, minimum rebid. 2. How can responder tell when opener s minor suit opening is genuine? Opener rebids the minor (1 : 1, 2 ). Opener jump-rebids in the minor (1 : 1, 3 ) Showing a strong hand with 6+ in the minor and no other 4+ suit. Opener s two-level reverse (1 : 1, 2 ), a rebid in a new suit higher-ranking than the suit opened, shows 5+ cards in the minor opened.

26 OTHER TIPS Opposite a 1 or 1 opening, responder should respond in a 4-card major (any quality) rather than respond 1NT, 2NT or 3NT. Raising a minor suit denies a 4+ major. 1 : 2 shows 5+ hearts and opener should support with 3+ trumps. Failure to support at once implies 0-2 hearts only. After a 2-over-1 response, change-of-suit by opener is forcing.