DEFENSIVE AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING LEADS AND SIGNALS W B F CONVENTION CARD OVERCALLS (Style: Responses: 1 / 2 Level; Reopening) OPENING LEADS STYLE 4 card suit permitted at 1 level; range 7-17 occasionally light Lead In Partner s Suit CATEGORY: Green NSF by UPH responder. Transfer advances starting at Q bid Suit 3 rd from even, low from odd Same; high from 3 if raised NCBO: Canada (Note 7) NT 4 th best, 2 nd from 4+ small PLAYERS: Michael Roche & John Rayner Subsequent Attitude style Other: 3/5 th through dummy after signal K lead at game or higher asks count 1NT OVERCALL (2 nd /4 th Live; Responses; Reopening) LEADS SYSTEM SUMMARY 15-17 natural - Stayman and 4 suit transfers Lead Vs. Suit Vs. NT Balancing 11+ to 14, strong NT system on Ace AKx (x) AKx GENERAL APPROACH AND STYLE King KQx(x) or AK alone Unblock or Count 12-14 NT except 3 rd and 4 th seat VUL (Note 1) Queen Promises J or shortness KQx(x) 15-17 NT only 3rd and 4 th seat VUL (Note 2) Jack JT(x) HJT(x) or shortness QJx(x) 2/1 =GF by unpassed hand except 2C over 1D JUMP OVERCALLS (Style; Responses; Unusual NT) 10 Promises 9 or shortness J or shortness Intended as pre-emptive 9 9x, 98xx 10 or shortness 1C 2D = Always Michaels and 1D 2H = Michaels if 0-2 1D Hi-X Top from doubleton Balancing 2NT = 19-21 system on Lo-X Reopen Jumps = Intermediate SIGNALS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY DIRECT & JUMP CUE BIDS (Style; Response; Reopen) Partner s Lead Declarer s Lead Discarding SPECIAL BIDS THAT MAY REQUIRE DEFENSE Michaels over M openings = 2 suits variable strength 1 Attitude low = Enc Count low = odd # Odd = Enc 2D Multi (Weak 2 only) in 1 st 2 nd position Leaping Michaels over weak 2 s Suit 2 Count Even = SP 2H in 1 st and 2 nd = Hearts and Another suit 5-5 expected 1C 2C = Always Natural; 1D 2D natural vs. 0-2 D 3 Suit Preference 2S in 1 st and 2 nd = Spades and a minor 5-5 expected 1 Same Same Same (Note 10) VS. NT (vs. Strong/Weak; Reopening;PH) NT 2 Vs ST- X = 4M&5+m or strong hand, 2C = M s, 2D = 1 M, 2M = 2 suiter Major/minor 3 Over Opponents Strong 1NT opening 2D = 1 Major Vs WK- X = P, 2C =Majors, 2D/ 2H = transfers; 2S = a good minor Signals (including Trumps): occasional trump suit preference signal By a Passed hand Reverse Smith vs. NT Reverse remainder count Transfer responses after we overcall starting at Q bid (Note 7) X = 1 suit not H or Both majors Odd/Even Discards; Upside down attitude/standard count 2C = Clubs and higher, 2D = D + Major, 2M = Major/minor DOUBLES Transfers after 1M X starting at 1N (Note 8) 2 SUITED OVERCALLS VS.PREEMTS (Doubles; Cue-bids; Jumps; NT Bids) TAKEOUT DOUBLES (Style; Responses; Reopening) 2D over 1C = Michaels (5-5 expected) T/O X, Leb over weak 2 s by UPH Normal support for all suits unless very strong 2H over 1D(0-2) = Michaels (5-5 expected) Over natural 2M Q asks stopper shows 1 or 2 suits After XX our jumps are PRE and based on shape Q bids are forcing to suit agreement VS. ARTIFICIAL STRONG OPENINGS- i.e. 1 SPECIAL FORCING PASS SEQUENCES Vs 1C X through 1S = constructive values SPECIAL, ARTIFICIAL & COMPETITIVE DBLS/RDLS In forcing pass situation Pass and pull - strongest 1NT = any suit weak, 2C and higher = DONT style Most low level X are for take out After weak NT X or 1N overcall X passes are forcing and opp s 3 Level and higher = natural Negative Responsive Support and Maximal can t play below 2S unless X d. First X by either hand = T/O OVER OPPONENTS TAKEOUT DOUBLE IMPORTANT NOTES XX = 10+ HCP In comp single jumps to 3 level INV 2NT Limit or better; Transfers over 1M X starting at 1NT DONT runouts after our weak NT X Fit jumps some weak jumps into 2M by UPH PSYCHICS: rare very light actions
OPENING TICK IF ARTIFICIAL MIN. NO. OF CARDS NEG.DBL THRU DESCRIPTION RESPONSES SUBSEQUENT ACTION COMPETITIVE & PASSED HAND BIDDING 1 3 3S Natural: 11-21 HCP Natural, inverted raise, 2N GF 2way checkback after 1N rebid Fit jump responses limit values JS other minor = mixed raise; into M = weak Artificial inquiry after Major raises (Note 3) 1 3 3S Same as 1C Same as 1C; Only 3 cards if 4-4-3-2 XYZ only after 1D Fit jumps as above 2C over 1D not forcing to game 1 5(4) 3S 11-21 HCP Forcing NT by UPH, 2/1 GF, Modified Jacoby 2 way game try (Note 4) Modified BART Drury 2C(3) and 2D(4) (Note 5) Modified Bergen Raises, Limited splinters, RKCB Non-serious 3NT is slam auctions (Note 10) Fit jumps; In Comp 2N acts as Q 1 5(4) 3S 11-21 HCP Same as 1H, Jump raise by UPH = 3 card INV Modified BART (Note 9) Same as 1H; 2N by PH = fit INT 3S 12-14 all 1 st /2 nd and3 rd 4th nonvul 2 way Stayman, 3 level signoff, 4D/H = Transfers Baron Corollary PH 2D = Major Scramble INV Stayman doesn t promise M 3S 15-17 3 rd and 4 th VUL 4 suit transfers, Smolen, Texas OM artificial slam try except 2S/2H Transfer Leb in competition 2 X 0 Strong and artificial 2D GF, 2H negative, 2S 8-11 balanced 2N = M 3M by opener = Major and longer Diamonds X by responder = negative hand Kokish relay Stayman and Transfers after NT bids P = Game Force and values 2 X 0 1 st /2nd Multi weak in 1 Major 2M P/C, 2N inquiry, 3C strong, 3D Inv in both M After 3 level overcall (Note 11) If possible bids retain original 6(5) 3rd Natural weak 3 rd seat only Natural non-forcing, 2N asks meaning through 4D X 0 4th Flannery 11-15, 5(6) H 4S 2NT = 3 card H INV, 3 minor non-forcing 2 X 5 1 st /2nd Hearts and Another 5-5 (1 st /2 nd ) 2S and 3C = P/C 2NT asks other suit, 3D = INV Shape ask; Modified RKC 2 /2 6(5) 3 rd /4th Natural weak 2NT asks strength 2 X 5 1 st /2nd Spades and a minor 3C = P/C; 2N asks, 3D = INV 2NT 20-21 HCP Stayman and Transfers, 3S = relay to 3N After transfer or Stayman other M is artificial Optional RKC in some minor auctions 3 6 Natural pre-emptive NSF by UPH, 4D = Modified KC 3 6 4C = Modified KC 3 6 Same 3 6 Same 3NT X Solid minor no outside ½ seat 4C = P/C, 4D asks shortness 4N asks Queens To Play in 3 rd /4th 4 7 Natural pre-emptive 4 7 4 7 4 7 4NT X Specific Ace ask 5C = 0, 5D/H/S = that Ace 5N = C, 6C = any 2 5 HIGH LEVEL BIDDING 5 RKCB 1430, D1P2 and DOPE 5 Exclusion 0314 5 KC after pre-empts = 0, 1, 1 and Q, 2, 2 and Q Non-serious 3S/3N Q bid style = 1 st and 2 nd round controls equally In comp 2NT often a Q bid (NOTE 6)
Notes for Roche-Rayner CANADA 1. 1NT 12 to 14 except vulnerable in 3 rd and 4 th. UPGRADES AND DOWNGRADES ALWAYS PERMITTED Balanced or semi-balanced including singleton honours 2C or 2D Stayman doesn t promise a major 2D as a passed hand is a major suit scramble After any X DON T runouts; XX forces 2C After 2C (any meaning but both M s) X = Stayman and ST NT system on After 2C (Majors) X = Values; 2M = competitive with both minors; 2NT is one minor; 3 level minor is natural and forcing After 2D and higher negative X and Transfer Lebensohl 2. 1NT 15-17 3 rd /4 th when vulnerable UPGRADES AND DOWNGRADES ALWAYS PERMITTED Stayman and 4 suit transfers, Smolen, Negative X s 1NT 2C 2H 2S is 4S INV After X - XX is relay to 2C for 1 minor, otherwise system on Other competitive situations as for weak NT 3. 1m 1M 2M structure - Weak NT situations a raise to 2M shows 4 trumps (99%) Next highest bid is a relay. Step responses show distribution and strength. In Strong NT situations a raise shows 3 or 4 card support. 2NT is artificial and inquires. 4. 2 way GT after 1M 2M. Cheapest bid is a relay starting a short suit try. 1H 2H 2N = S as a long (help) suit try. 1M 2M 3M is a try in NT usually with a 6 card M 5. Drury (fit) 2C shows 3 card support. 2D reply to 2C is either sub-minimum or a hand that will make a game try as per note 4. Repeat of M shows a normal opener that would not accept a LR. Responder may bid again. 2D Drury (fit) shows 4 card support 6. Major suit raises in competition 2NT is always artificial Our lower Q bid is GF and higher Q = limit. If responder is a passed hand then lower Q is best possible hand and higher Q is a mixed raise 7. Transfers after overcalls. If next hand X P or bids 1NT, we use transfers starting at the Q bid of opener s suit. 8. Transfers after 1M X starting at 1N = C. Single raise weak. Transfer raise is constructive values or better.
9. Modified BART. After 1M P 1NT (forcing) - direct responses show stronger hands and slow step-like transfer bids indicate some sort of flaw, and are often artificial. 10. Polish 2H = H and another suit usually at least 5-5 5-10 HCP (MAY UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE) 2S = Pass or correct later 3S = to play 2NT asks and 3H = Majors 3C Pass or Correct 3D INV in Hearts 3H Non-forcing 3S = Invitational (Responder s own suit) Polish 2S = S and a minor usually at least 5-5 5-10 HCP (MAY UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE) 3C = P/C 3D = INV in Spades 3H = Invitational (Responder s own suit) POLISH INTERFERENCE 2H (2S) X = P/C 2N = H INV 3 of minor to play 2H (3C) X = P/C 3D to play 3S = INV 2H (3D) X = P/C 3H = competitive 3S = INV 2S (X) 2NT = S INV 2S (X) 3C = P/C 2S (X) 3D = own suit to play
11. MULTI INTERFERENCE We bid 2H (P/C) and they bid 3 of a minor We seldom (closer to never) bid in this situation We bid 2S (P/C) and they bid 3 of a minor X = H Pass = S 3H = H with Club tolerance We bid 2N (Values) and they bid 3 of a minor X = Min weak 2 in H, P = min weak 2 in S - Bid 3M with a maximum