DEFENSIVE AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING OVERCALLS (Style: Responses: 1 / 2 Level; Reopening) LIGHT STYLE.NEW SUIT NF EXCEPT WHEN THEY OPEN @2+LEVEL ONE-LEVEL OVERCALLS COULD BE 4+, FOR LEAD 1MAJOR - 3NT OVERCALL = EXTREME MINORS LEADS AND SIGNALS OPENING LEADS STYLE Lead In Partner s Suit Suit 4TH TOP NT 4TH TOP Subseq Other: MUD FROM THREE, LOW PROMISES HONOUR W B F CONVENTION CARD CATEGORY: NATURAL - GREEN NCBO: CYPRUS EVENT: PLAYERS: TAKIS POLITIS GEORGE KOLETTIS OR GEORGE GEORGIADES 15/09/2013 1NT OVERCALL (2nd/4th Live; Responses; Reopening) 15 18 IN 1ST-3RD POSITION RESPONSES AS OPENING 1NT 12 15 IN BALANCING POSITION RESPONSES AS AFTER OPENING 1NT JUMP OVERCALLS (Style; Responses; Unusual NT) WEAK 2NT = UNUSUAL Reopen: WEAK DIRECT & JUMP CUE BIDS (Style; Response; Reopen) 1-2 = MAJORS, 1-2 = MAJORS 1-2 /1-2 = OTHER MAJOR & MINOR VS. NT (vs. Strong/Weak; Reopening;PH) CAPELLETTI -> DOUBLE = PENALTIES, 2 = SINGLE SUIT, 2 = &, 2 = + MINOR, 2 = + MINOR, 2NT= MINORS LEADS Lead Vs. Suit Vs. Ace AK, A(x) AK, A(x), ATT/UNBLOCK King AKx, AKx, COUNT Queen QJ+, Q(x), QJ+, Q(x) Jack J10x,KJ10(x), Jx J10x,KJ10(x), Jx 10 109+, 10, 10x 109+, 10, 10x 9 98+, 9, 9x 98+, 9, 9x Hi-X xx xx, xxxx Lo-X SIGNALS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY Partner s Lead Declarer s Lead Discarding 1 LOW = ENC. HI=EVEN FAST DEFENCE Suit 2 HI ODD HI= HI SPS 3 HI ODD = LO SPS 1 HI = DISC AS SUITS NT 2 HI = DISC 3 SYSTEM SUMMARY GENERAL APPROACH AND STYLE 5-CARD MAJORS 2 = GAME FORCE 2 = MULTI 1NT=15-18 IN ALL POSITIONS OPENINGS MAY BE LIGHT, ESP. IN FAV. VULN. & 3RD JUDGEMENT ALLOWED IN ANY SITUATION SPECIAL BIDS THAT MAY REQUIRE DEFENSE 2 =MULTI 2 = WEAK OR STRONG 2 = WEAK OR STRONG INVERTED MINORS = 12+ Signals (including Trumps): STANDARD CARDING, AGAINST SUIT CONTR. 1ST DISCARD =ENC. AGAINST. NT CONTR. = DISC. DOUBLES VS.PREEMTS (Doubles; Cue-bids; Jumps; NT Bids) X=T.O. THRU 4, 4NT=T.O. OVER 4,GAMBL. 3NT ->NOTE 5 2 /2 -> 4 / =OTHER MAJOR + /,NAMYATS->NOTE 6 LEBENSOHL OVER WEAK 2 /2, OVER MULTI 2 NOTE 4 VS. ARTIFICIAL STRONG OPENINGS- i.e. 1 or 2 TRUSCOTT: 1 : 1 /2 = SUIT+SUIT ABOVE TAKEOUT DOUBLES (Style; Responses; Reopening) CAN BE LIGHT, SUPPORT IN UNBID MINOR(S) SUSPECT JUMP=INV., CUE BID =GAME FORCE REOPENING CAN BE LIGHTER, VULN. DEPENDENT SPECIAL, ARTIFICIAL & COMPETITIVE DBLS/RDLS SPECIAL FORCING PASS SEQUENCES AFTER COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND THEIR SACRIFICE, PASS = I HAVE FIRST 1ST ROUND CONTROL IN THEIR SUIT 1 : DBL = &, 1NT = &, 1 : 2 /3 = 6+ CARD SUIT, 1 : 2NT = EXTR. 2-SUIT OVER OPPONENTS TAKEOUT DOUBLE RDBL=10+ WITHOUT SUPPORT OVER 1 / -> 2NT=10-12, 4+ SUP, NEW S. = NF RAISES= WEAK, JUMP NEW SUIT = WEAK X OF HIGH-LEVEL BID = I HAVE DEFENCE & POOR DISTRIBUTION X OF SUIT BID OR RAISED = DON T LEAD IT X = D0P1 AS PART OF ACE SHOWING PROCESS X OF INTERFERENCE AFTER 2 OPENING BID = PENALTIES IMPORTANT NOTES PSYCHICS: RARE, LIGHT OPENING 3RD SEAT
OPENING TICK IF ARTIFICIAL MIN. NO. OF CARDS NEG.DBL THRU DESCRIPTION RESPONSES SUBSEQUENT ACTION PASSED HAND BIDDING 1 X 2 4 1 4 4 1 5 4 1 5 4 INT 4 11-19 2 =INVERTED 12+, 2 / / =WEAK 3 =0-9 &VALUES IN CLUBS 11-19 2 =INVERTED 12+, 2 / /3 = WEAK, 3 =0-9 11-19 2NT=JACOBY, 3 /4 /4 =SPLINTER, DIR RAISES LIMIT 11-19 2NT=JACOBY, 4 /4 /4 =SPLINTER, DIR RAISES LIMIT 15-18, MAY HAVE 5-CARD 2 =STAYMAN, 2 / / /NT=TRANSFER, MAJOR (RARE) REST -> NOTE 7 AFTER 1 & WEAK BID, ANY BID BY OPENER IS ONE ROUND FORCE AFTER 1 & WEAK BID, ANY BID BY OPENER IS ONE ROUND FORCE LONG-SUIT TRIAL BIDS, SEE NOTE(1) FOR JACOBY RESPONSES LONG-SUIT TRIAL BIDS, SEE NOTE(1) FOR JACOBY RESPONSES AFTER TFER 4NT=RCKB AFTER OPS INTERFERENCE ->NOTE 8 2 = REVERSE DRURY 2 = REVERSE DRURY 2 X 0 4 2 X 0 NO 2 5 NO 2 5 NO 2NT 4 3 6 NO 3 6 NO 3 6 NO 3 6 NO 3NT X 7 NO GAME FORCE, 23+ BALANCED OR 20+ UNBALC. MULTI,STRONG MINORS, WEAK MAJORS, ROMAN DISTR. WEAK (WITH SIDE MINOR) OR STRONG IN THE MAJOR WEAK (WITH SIDE MINOR) OR STRONG IN THE MAJOR 2 =0 ACES NO 2 KINGS, 2 /2 /3 /3 =ACE IN NAMED SUIT, 2NT=7+ OR TWO KINGS, 3NT=BLCK & RED ACE, 3 = TWO RED ACES, 3 = TWO BLACK ACES 2 =PASS/CORRECT, 2NT = 1 RND FORCE, 3 = PASS/CORRECT, 3NT = 4-4 WEAK IN MAJORS 2NT=RELAY (NOTE 2) 8+, RAISES = PRE- EMPT 2NT=RELAY(NOTE 3) 8+, 3 =PRE-EMPT 20-22, AS 1NT SHAPE 3 =STAYMAN, 3 / =TFER, 3 = STAYMAN FOR MINORS, 4 =GERBER 4NT=QUANTITATIVE PRE-EMPT 3NT=TO PLAY, RAISES PREEMPT,OTHER BIDS ARE FORCING, 4 = RCKB PRE-EMPT 3NT=TO PLAY, RAISES PREEMPT,OTHER BIDS ARE FORCING, 4 = RCKB PRE-EMPT 3NT=TO PLAY, RAISES PREEMPT, ALL OTHER BIDS ARE FORCING PRE-EMPT 3NT=TO PLAY, RAISES PREEMPT, ALL OTHER BIDS FORCING GAMBLING SOLID MINOR, NOTHING OUTSIDE 4 =PASS/CORRECT, 4 =SHORT ASK, 5 =PASS/CORRECT 4 BY OPENER = ASKING FOR KINGS PASS/CORRECT, 2NT REBID = 4-4-4-1/ 4-4-0-5 IN ANY, 3 ASKS FOR SHORTNESS AFTER TFER 4NT=RCKB 4 7 NO PRE-EMPT VUL. DEPENDENT 4 = RCKB 4 7 NO PRE-EMPT VUL. DEPENDENT 4 = RCKB 4 7 NO PRE-EMPT VUL. DEPENDENT 4NT=RKCB 4 7 NO PRE-EMPT VUL. DEPENDENT 4NT=RKCB 4NT 5 7 NO PRE-EMPT VUL. DEPENDENT HIGH LEVEL BIDDING 5 7 NO PRE-EMPT VUL. DEPENDENT RKCB->5 =1/4, 5 =0/3, 5 = 2, 5 =2+Q, 5NT = SPECIFIC KING REQUEST 4 = RCKB FOR MINORS, 5NT=GRAND SLAM FORCE, D0P1/P0R1 SPLINTERS, SEE NOTE 9 FOR SLAM BIDDING
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES: TAKIS POLITIS / GEORGE KOLETTIS Note 1: After 1 /1-2NT (Jacoby GAME FORCING), opener bids as follows: - Any side suit bid at the three level is short-showing and game forcing - A 3 / bid shows a better than minimum opening hand - A 4 / bid shows a minimum opening hand - A 4 bid shows at least 5-5 and a better than minimum hand - A 4 bid shows at least 5-5 and a better than minimum hand - A 4NT is RKCB Note 2: After 2 2NT (Positive Relay), opener bids: - 3 = Weak with hearts and clubs (5-5 at least) - 3 = Weak with hearts and diamonds (5-5 at least) - 3 = Strong with hearts 3 = Negative relay, opener passes or corrects Note 3: After 2 2NT (Positive Relay), opener bids: - 3 = Weak with spades and clubs (5-5 at least) - 3 = Weak with spades and diamonds (5 5 at least) - 3 = Strong with spades 3 = Negative relay, opener passes or corrects Note 4: Defence after Multi 2 by ops Suits DBL 2NT 3NT = Natural, intermediate = 16+, any hand = 19-21 balanced = 22-24 balanced After DBL, responses are: 2-level suits = weak 2NT = relay for minors 3-level suits = forcing 3 = strong & slam interest
Note 5: Defence after Gambling 3NT by ops DBL = Strong hand, suggestive of penalties if they run to 4-minor 4 = Takeout for the majors with preference for hearts 4 = Takeout for the majors with preference for spades 4 = to play 4 = to play Note 6: Defence against 4 /4 by ops showing strong / (NAMYATS) Against 4 opening, showing strong DBL 4 4 4 4NT = Takeout, not as strong as 4 - can play in 4 = Natural, generally denying 4 spades = Strong takeout, with 0-1 hearts = Natural, generally one-suited hand = Strong two-suiter in minors Against 4 opening, showing strong DBL = Takeout, not as strong as 4 - wish to keep 4 available 4 = Natural, generally one-suiter hand 4 = Strong takeout, with 0-1 spades, suggestive of slam 4NT = Strong two-suiter in minors Note 7: Bidding after 1NT opening - 2 = Stayman, could be without 4-card major and invitational hand - 2 = Transfer to hearts - 2 = Transfer to spades - 2 = Transfer to clubs - 2NT = Transfer to diamonds - 3 = 5-5 in minors, weak - 3 = 5-5 in minors, game forcing - 3 = 3-1-4-5 or 3-1-5-4, short in hearts, GF - 3 =1-3-4-5 or 1-3-5-4, short in spades, GF - 3NT =To play - 4 = Gerber - 4 = Texas, transfer to 4-4 = Texas, transfer to 4-4NT = Quantitative
Note 8: After our opening 1NT and interference by ops, our bids depend on the meaning of the opponents bid, as follows: Bidding after 1NT DOUBLE PASS = transfer to RDBL RDBL = transfer to 2 2 = transfer to 2 2 =transfer to 2 2 = transfer to 2 Bidding after 1NT 2 (natural) A pass indicates nothing worth mentioning or strength in clubs (trap pass) A double by responder is penalties All 2-level suit bids are weak hands, to play. 2NT = Lebensohl 3 = Stayman without stop 3 / / = 5+ cards, GF 3NT = strong hand, no stop in clubs, no 4-card major If the opponents bid further than the initial overcall, a double by either partner is for penalties. If the 2 overcall is artificial This usually shows an unspecified single suit (Capelletti) or a two-suited hand (Astro, Landy, Ripstra, Becker, etc) If 2 = one-suited hand A pass indicates nothing worth mentioning or could be a trap pass A double is showing penalty in clubs 2 / / = natural, 6+cards, to play If 2 = two-suited hand A pass indicates nothing worth mentioning or strength in clubs (trap pass) A double is Stayman, indicating at least one 4-card major, unless 2 =both majors. Then, the double suggests penalties against their eventual major contract 2 = 5+ diamonds, non-forcing 2 = Heart stop for possible NT game this is invitational, opener should bid 3NT with max and stops 2 = Spade stop for possible NT game - this is invitational, opener should bid 3NT with max and stops 2NT = Lebensohl, opener being asked to bid 3 in the usual way. Responder is either weak in clubs or diamonds 3 = strong clubs, G.F. 3 = Strong diamonds G.F. 3 = G.F. with short heart singleton/void 3 = G.F. with short spade singleton/void 3NT = to play, with stops in both majors
- 4NT = Strong minor two-suiter Bidding after 1NT-2 (natural) Pass indicates no interest in competing. Might have strength in diamonds Double = Penalties 2 = 5+ hearts, weak 2 = 5+ spades, weak 2NT = Lebensohl, opener being asked to bid 3 in the usual way. Responder is either weak in clubs or invitational in /, which he shows by following up with 3 = hearts and 3 = spades 3 = strong clubs, G.F., no -stop 3 = Stayman without -stop 3 = 5+ hearts, G.F. no -stop 3 = 5+ spades, GF no -stop 3NT = GF, with no stop 4 = Texas transfer to hearts 4 = Texas transfer to spades Bidding after 1NT-2 (artificial) This usually shows two types of two-suited hand: both majors or diamonds with one major If 2 = Diamonds + major or both majors Pass may be trap pass or indicates no interest in competing. Double = 9+ points, no other clear bid 2 = 5+ hearts, weak 2 = 5+ spades, weak 2NT = Lebensohl, opener being asked to bid 3 in the usual way. Responder is either weak in clubs or invitational in /, which he shows by following up with 3 = hearts and 3 = spades 3 = strong clubs, G.F. 3 = strong diamonds, GF 3 = singleton/void in hearts 3 = singleton/void in spades 3NT = to play, with stops in both suits 4 = Texas transfer to hearts 4 = Texas transfer to spades
Bidding after 1NT-2 (natural) or hearts and another Pass indicates no interest in competing. Might have strength in hearts Double = Generally negative, usually promises four, could also have 5+ & invitational 2 = 5+ spades, weak 2NT = Lebensohl, opener being asked to bid 3 in the usual way. Responder bids: Pass = weak with clubs 3 = Weak with diamonds 3 = Four spades with heart stop, G.F. 3 = Five spades with heart stop, G.F 3NT = To play but with heart stop 3 = strong clubs, G.F. 3 = strong diamonds G.F. 3 = Four spades without heart stop, G.F 3 = Five spades without heart stop, G.F. 3NT = to play, without stop 4 = Texas transfer to spades 4NT = Strong minor two-suiter Bidding after 1NT-2 (natural) or spades and another Pass indicates no interest in competing. Might have strength in spades Double = Negative, usually promises four 2NT = Lebensohl, opener being asked to bid 3 in the usual way. Responder bids: Pass = weak with clubs 3 = Weak with diamonds 3 = Weak with hearts 3 = Five hearts with spade stop, G.F. 3NT = To play but without spade stop 3 = strong clubs, G.F. 3 = strong diamonds G.F. 3 = Five hearts without spade stop, G.F. 3 = Four hearts without spade stop, G.F. 3NT = to play, with spade stop 4 = Texas transfer to hearts 4NT = Strong minor two-suiter
Note 9: Slam bidding 4NT is a question for the 4 Aces and the King of trumps (=5 keycards). The responses are the following: 5 1 or 4 5 0 or 3 5 2 or 5 without the trump Queen 5 2 or 5 with the trump Queen After a 5 or 5 bid, the 4NT bidder can bid the cheapest non-trump suit to ask for the trump Queen. The responses are then: Bidding the trump suit = No trump Queen 5NT = Trump Queen but no outside Kings Any non-trump suit = The trump Queen and the King of the suit bid. Extra length allows the responder to show the trump Queen even without having it 5NT is a question for specific Kings. Responder will bid the suit in which he has the King. Without a King he will bid the trump suit, with two Kings he will bid the cheapest. After a bid showing the existence of a side King, a new suit asks partner to bid the Grand if he has that King too for example after: (spades agreed)... 5NT 6 6 asks partner to bid 7 if in addition to the K that he showed, he has the K too After a trump suit has been agreed a bid in the level of 5 in a suit is Exclusion Blackwood and asks partner to respond on how many keycards he has outside the suit bid. The steps are as follows: 1 1 or 4 2 0 or 3 3 2 without the trump Queen 4 2 or 5 with the trump Queen After a minor suit has been agreed 4 is used as a question for keycards and the responses are as follows: 4 0 or 3 4NT 1 or 4 5 2 or 5 without the trump Queen 5 2 or 5 with the trump Queen 5 is then a question for specific Kings. Responder will bid the suit in which he has the King. Without a King he will bid the trump suit, with two Kings he will bid the cheapest. 5NT is used to show either the King or a King of higher ranking than the trump suit. After a bid showing the existence of a side King, a new suit asks partner to bid the Grand if he has that King too for example after: (diamonds agreed)... 5 5
Responses 6 asks partner to bid 7 if in addition to the K already shown, he also has the K too. After a 4NT keycard asking bid, a responder with a void bids as follows: 2 keycard and a void jumps to the 6 level in the suit of the void. If the void is higher than the trump suit, responder bids 6 of the trump suit 1 keycard and a void 5NT 3 keycards 5 (ie same response as without a void). Keycards asking bids summary: Keycard asking bid Step Meaning 4NT RKCB 4 minors RKCB 5 excl 5 excl 5 excl 5 excl 1 0 or 3 5 4 5 5 5 5NT 2 1 or 4 5 4NT 5 5 5NT 6 3 2 no Q 5 5 5 5NT 6 6 4 2 + Q 5ª 5 5NT 6 6 6