Copyright 1934 by Vienna System, Ltd

The Vienna System of Contract Bridge Bidding Copyright 1934 by Vienna System, Ltd

The Vienna System of Contract Bridge Bidding Copyright 1934 by Vienna System, Ltd. The Vienna System The object of the Vienna System, which originated abroad, is to portray Quick Trick values accurately, and at the lowest possible level. Quick Tricks - not honor tricks - are the basis of the Vienna System. Beginning at the lowest possible point, bidding rises gradually to the ultimate objective. All Initial Bids and Responses, both the conventional and the artificial, in this System, indicate the number of Quick Tricks held in each hand. Possessed of such knowledge, the partners can determine if the hand should be played for a Partial Score, a Game, or a Slam. Their subsequent bidding will enable them to arrive at the proper contract. Since the vienna System enables each partner to visualize accurately the weakness or the strength of combined hands in the early stages of bidding, Games and Slams are rarely missed. This system is logically and mathematically correct, and will get the most out of every hand if there is no deviation from its fundamental principles. Partial Scores are tremendously important When you have forty or sity on Game, your opponents may be forced to overdid to save the Game. Unless it includes a long suit, a combined four and a half tricks will not often make a Game from no score; it usually requires five or more tricks in combination to produce a Game Bid. Si and one-half to seven tricks in combination are nearly always needed for a Small Slam; while seven and one-half to eight tricks are usually required for a Grand Slam. In bidding Slams the Responder should always be guided by his partner, save in cases of freak distribution. Thus, when the Original Bidder goes to a Small Slam, a Grand Slam should only be attempted by his partner when it seems unbeatable.

In the long run, users of the Vienna System will get far better-than-average results from average cards. The eposition of the Vienna System, which follows, assumes you know as much about Bridge as the average player. It does not begin by telling you that Bridge is played by four persons, that the Dealer opens the bid, or that a bid of one Spade is higher than a bid of one Heart. It assumes you know these and other fundamental rules of Bridge, and are already familiar with one or more bidding systems in vogue. TABLE OF QUICK TRICKS AK AKQ 2 quick tricks AQ AQJ 1½ quick tricks A AJ10 1 quick trick KQ KQJ 1 quick trick K KJ ½ quick tricks The additional Queens, Jacks and Tens in the second column do not add to the Quick Trick value but are considered plus values. The Vienna System advocates an Opening Bid on two and one-half to three Quick Tricks and Biddable Suit. However, there are a few hands which, due to the lack of plus values either in intermediate cards or distribution, should be passed. EXAMPLES A A Q K A A

A A A DISTRIBUTION With such distribution as 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 more Quick Tricks are needed to fulfill Game contracts. With distribution such as 5-5-3, 5-4-4, 6-5-2, 6-6-1 Games are more readily made in suit contracts and need fewer Quick Tricks. Hands which are obvious misfits had better be signed off at the lowest level possible. BIDDABLE SUITS Four Card Suits A four card suit must be headed by at least two honors, the minimum being KJ Eamples: KQ - AJ - AQ and stronger. Five Card Suits Any five card suit headed by the Queen, King, or Ace, or minimum of J10, with which holding the hand should contain some plus values to offset the weakness of the suit. Si Card Suits Any suit of si cards or more. ORIGINAL SUIT BIDS OF ONE Requirements for all Opening Bids are the same for any position at the table. The conventional bid of one Diamond, one Heart or one Spade indicates a Biddable Suit with one and one-half to three Quick Tricks only. The one Club bid will be eplained later. With two Biddable Suits of equal length, bid higher suit.

EXAMPLES OF OPENING SUIT BIDS OF ONE A K J Q Q J A Q K A 10 Q Q A K J K Q J A K K 10 J Q Q 10

RESPONSES TO SUIT BIDS OF ONE 1 With less than 1½ Q T.* Pass - *Quick Trick 2 With 1½ to 2½ Q.T. (no biddable suit). Bid one No Trump 3 With 1½ to 2½ Q.T. (biddable suit). Bid two No Trump. 4 With 3 or more Q.T. (no biddable suit). Bid three No Trump 5 With 3 or more Q.T. (biddable suit). Bid one more than necessary in biddable suit. EXCEPTIONS TO RESPONSE NUMBER ONE With one Q.T. and any suit of si cards or more - bid suit. With one Q.T. and distribution such as 5-5-3, 5-5-2-1, overcall in higher valued suit. With one Q.T. and void in partner s suit, overcall in best suit. EXAMPLE 1 A Q Over 1D - Pass Over 1 H - Pass Over1 Spade - Pass EXAMPLE 2 A K Q J Over 1D - Bid one No Trump Over 1H - Bid one No Trump Over 1S - Bid one No Trump

EXAMPLE 3 Spade s Heart s Over 1D - Bid one Heart Over 1H - Bid one Heart Over 1S - Bid one Heart EXAMPLE 4 Diamon ds Club s Q K K J J A K K Q Q Q Over 1D - Bid two No Trump Over 1H - Bid two No Trump Over 1S - Bid two No Trump EXAMPLE 5 A K K Q Q Q Over 1D - Bid two Hearts Over 1H - Bid three Hearts

Over 1S - Bid three Hearts ORIGINAL BIDS OF ONE NO TRUMP An Opening Bid of one No Trump indicates no Biddable Suit and a minimum of three and one-half Quick Tricks, but may have as many as five Quick Tricks. A hand containing three and one-half Quick Tricks plus intermediate values may be as strong as a five trick hand having no plus values of any kind such as: 3½ Q.T. A K A K J 10 10 Q 5 Q.T. K K K A J Q EXAMPLES OF OPENING BIDS OF ONE NO TRUMP K A K A J 10 K

K A K A Q J 10 J RESPONSES TO OPENING BIDS OF ONE NO TRUMP 1. With less than 1 Q.T. plus, Pass 2. With 1 plus to 2 Q.T. (no biddable suit). Bid 2NT 3. With 1 plus to 2 Q.T. (biddable suit), Bid 2NT 4. With 1½ to 3 Q.T. (no biddable suit), Bid 3NT 5.With 2½ to 3 Q.T. (biddable suit), Bid 3 in biddable suit 6. With 3½ or more Q.T. (no biddable suit), Bid 4NT* A K Q 7. With 3½ or more Q.T. (biddable suit), Bid 4 in biddable suit. * The four and five No Trump bid, which has been the source of comments, disputes, and rulings, is not recognized or required. The opening, responding, and subsequent bids in the Vienna System are intended to give more complete information. EXAMPLE 1 K Q Pass

EXAMPLE 2 Spades Hearts Diamonds Club A K Q Q Bid two No Trump EXAMPLE 3 A K Q Bid two Spades EXAMPLE 4 A K K Q Q Bid three No Trump

EXAMPLE 5 Q K A J K Bid three Diamonds EXAMPLE 6 A K K J K Q Bid four No Trump EXAMPLE 7 A K X K K J X Q Bid four Spades EXCEPTIONS, RESPONSE No. ONE With Less than one Quick Trick

Holding any freak distribution such as 5-5-3, 5-5-2-1, 5-4-4 or any suit of si cards or more, the hand must respond to one No Trump despite any lack of Quick Tricks. EXAMPLES Q J Bid two Spades - if partner bids three Spades - pass. If partner bids two No Trump, bid three Hearts. Should declarer bid three No Trump, bid four Hearts, which he may pass or bid four Spades. J Q Bid two Spades - If partner bids two No Trump, bid three Spades - a definite sign-off. Q K

Bid two Diamonds - If partner bids two No Trump - bid three Diamonds - a definite signoff. ORIGINAL BID OF ONE CLUB Holding between three and one-half and four and one-half Quick Tricks and a Biddable Suit - an Artificial Bid of one Club is made in any position requiring a response from the partner. EXAMPLES OF OPENING BIDS OF ONE CLUB A A K Q Q K K A Q Q K J Q K A K Q K Q J

A K A Q Q K Q RESPONSES TO OPENING BID OF ONE CLUB 1. With less than 1½ Q.T. Bid one Diamond/ 2. With 1½ to 2½ Q.T. (biddable suit or not) Bid one No Trump 3. With 2½ to 3 Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid two No Trump 4. With 2½ to 3 Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid two Clubs, two Diamonds, one Heart or one Spade 5.With 3½ or more Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid three No Trump 6. With 3½ or more Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid three Clubs, three Diamonds, two Hearts or two Spade EXAMPLE 1 J Q K J Bid one Diamond

EXAMPLE 2 A K Q Bid one No Trump EXAMPLE 3 K A K Q Q J 10 Bid two No Trump EXAMPLE 4 K A Q J K Bid two Diamonds Change D. to S. holding bid one S. Change D. and C. holding bid two C. Change D. and H. holding bid one H.

EXAMPLE 5 A A K J Q Q Bid two Diamonds Change Diamond and Club holding - bid three Clubs Change Diamond and Heart holding - Bid two Hearts Change Diamond and Spade holding - Bid two Spades INTERVENING BIDS Do not overcall an opponent s bid unless holding close to an Opening Bid. When Vulnerable have as good as an Opening Bid and a hand strong enough either in Quick Tricks or distribution so that you can stand being doubled with little or no harm to yourself. Never overcall in a four card suit. By passing you may lull your opponents into bidding unnamable contracts which you can double profitably. INTERVENING BIDS BY OPPONENTS After an overcall by the opponent to the left of the original bidder - partner has a choice of two bids. He may make his conventional response if able to do so or he may pass. In the event his partner opens with one Clubs and an overcall of one Spade is made, holding between one and one-half and two Quick Tricks, he should make the conventional response of one No Trump, which may or may not indicate a stop in the Spade suit. He should pass if his holding indicates a one Diamond response. The accuracy of the Vienna System enables players to make many successful doubles even of low contracts. Eample, opening bidder bids one Club - partner responds with one No Trump (the combined holding is at least 5 Q.T.). Now should right hand opponent put in an overcall of two in any suit the original bidder can double if that seems more profitable than a Game. After partner has responded to Original Bid any double made by either player is for business. SIGN-OFF BIDS There are times when a player must indicate a minimum holding by use of the sign-off bid. The original bidder must heed this warning and proceed further entirely at his own risk. For instance - original bidder bids one No Trump, partner responds with two Clubs, original bidder bids two No Trump, and the net response is three Clubs.

This says, in effect: Partner, I have a weak holding, have no assistance for the No Trump, and believe this to be the best contract. The original bidder should pass. EXAMPLES J J Q Other eamples of the sign-off bid: - Declarer one Club, partner one Diamond, declarer one Spade, partner two Hearts (sign-off). Q Declarer two No Trump, partner three Diamonds, declarer there No Trump, partner four Diamonds (sign-off).

J J ORIGINAL BID OF TWO CLUBS An opening bid of two Clubs is an Artificial Bid to which the partner must respond. The hand contains a minimum of five Quick Tricks and a Biddable Suit. EXAMPLES A A K A K Q A K A K K J K Q J

K A A K Q K Q A K A A Q K J Q RESPONSES TO ORIGINAL BID OF TWO CLUBS With less than 1 Q.T. Bid two Diamonds 2.With 1 to 2 Q.T Bid two No Trump 3. With 2 to 2½ Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid three No Trump 4. With 2 to 2½ Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid three Clubs, three Diamonds, two Hearts, or two Spades EXAMPLE 1 K Q Bid two Diamonds

EXAMPLE 2 J A K X X X X X X X X X X Bid two No Trump EXAMPLE 3 K Q A Q Bid three No Trump EXAMPLE 4 K A Q Q J Bid three Diamonds Change Diamond and Club holding - Bid three Clubs Change Diamond and Hearts holding - Bid two Hearts Change Diamond and Spade holding - Bid two Spades

ORIGINAL BIDS OF TWO NO TRUMP An Opening Bid of two No Trump guarantees five Quick Tricks plus (*See Paragraph on Quick Tricks.) or more, having no Biddable Suit in the hand. *See Paragraph on Quick Tricks. EXAMPLES K K A A Q J K 10 10 10 A K A A 10 Q K Q J A K A K Q 10 K Q J J RESPONSES TO OPENING BID OF TWO NO TRUMP 1. With less than ½ Q.T. (biddable suit or not), Pass 2. With ½ to 1 ½ Q.T. (no biddable suit), Bid 3 N.T. 3. With ½ to 1 ½ (biddable suit), Bid 3 in a suit 4. With 2 Q.T. or more (no biddable suit), Bid 4 N.T. 5. With 2 Q.T. or more (biddable suit), Bid 4 in a suit

EXAMPLES 1 Q Pass EXAMPLES 2 J K Q Bid three No Trump EXAMPLES 3 A Q J Bid three Spades

EXAMPLES 4 K A J Q Bid four No Trump Q A K J Q Bid four Spades EXCEPTIONS TO RESPONSE NUMBER ONE Of Opening Bid of Two No Trump Holding any freak distribution, such as 5-5-3, 5-5-2-1, 5-4-4, or any suit of si cards or more, a response must be made to the Opening Bid of two No Trump. EXAMPLES J Q Bid three Spades. If declarer bids three No Trump, bid four Hearts. Declarer can not pass or bid four Spades.

Bid three Clubs with si or seven Clubs. If declarer bids three No Trump, sign off with four Clubs. If declarer bids four Clubs, or five Clubs, instead of three No Trump, pass. Bid three Diamonds. If declarer bids three No Trump, sign off with four Diamonds. SLAM BIDDING Q The accurate count of Quick Tricks, accomplished through the use of the Vienna System, enables you to arrive a=t many Slam Bids which would be difficult under other systems. It is important to remember that with twelve certain tricks, every suit stopped with K Q or A, that a si No Trump contract is safer than si in a suit. Similarly, with thirteen tricks seven No Trump is safer than seven in a suit - as it eliminates the possibility of a first round ruff.

EXAMPLE West Spades - Hearts - J10 Diamonds - void Clubs - QJ10 North Spades - KQJ10 Hearts - K Diamonds - AK Clubs - AK South Spades - A Hearts - A10 Diamonds - Clubs - East Spades: - Hearts - Q Diamonds - QJ10 Clubs - void

Summary Initial Bid One Diamond, one Heart, or one Spade (2½ to 3 Q.T. Responses 1. With less than 1½ Q.T. Pass 2. With 1½ to 2½ Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid one No Trump 3. With 1½ to 2½ Q.T. (biddable suit) Overcall in the biddable suit 4. With 3 or more Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid two No Trump 5. With 3 or more Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid one more than necessary in biddable suit) Initial Bid One No Trump (3½ to 5 Q.T.) no biddable suit. Responses 1. With less than 1 Q.T. plus Pass 2. With 1 plus to 2 Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid two No Trump 3. With 1 plus to 2 Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid two in biddable suit 4. With 2½ to 3 Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid three No Trump 5. With 2½ to 3 Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid three in biddable suit 6. With 3½ or more Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid four No Trump 7. With 3½ or more Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid four in biddable suit Initial Bid One Club (with ½ to 4½ Q.T.) with biddable suit. Responses 1. With less than 1½ Q.T. Bid one Diamond 2. With 1½ to 2 Q.T. (biddable suit or not) Bid one No Trump 3. With 2½ to 3 Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid two No Trump 4. With 2½ to 3 Q.T. Bid two Clubs, two Diamond, one Heart or one Spade 5. With 3½ or more Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid three No Trump 6. With 3½ or more Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid three Clubs, three Diamonds, two Hearts or two Spades.

Initial Bid Two Clubs (with 5 Q.T.or more (with biddable suit. Responses 1. With less than 1 Q.T. Bid two Diamonds 2. With 1 to 2 Q.T. Bid two Diamonds 3. With 2 to 2½ Q.T. (no biddable suit) Bid three No Trump 4. With 2 to 2½ Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid three Clubs, three Diamonds, two Hearts or two Spades. Initial Bid Two No Trump (with 5 plus or more Q.T. (no biddable suit) Responses 1. With less than Bid three Clubs, three Diamonds, two Hearts or two Spades. Pass 2. With Bid three Clubs, three Diamonds, two Hearts or two Spades. Bid three No Trump 3. With ½ to 1½ Q.T. (biddable suit) Bid there in suit 4. With 2 Q.T. or more (no biddable suit) Bid four No Trump 5. With 2 Q.T. or more (biddable suit) Bid four in suit The preceding pages present in a simple and clear manner the essentials of Contract Bridge and Contract Bridge Whist Bidding. The Vienna System in a few pages presents sufficient information for any Contract player of a known system to step forward from his or her present system to they advanced system of bidding. As the years roll by the toll of Contract Bridge systems continues to be heavy, and as each system outlives its usefulness,credit must be given it for its use in furthering correct Bridge. We wish to pay tribute to the systems of bygone years and to the two popular and ecellent (to the etent of their scope) systems of today, epressing thanks for the good work they have done in the past toward creating interest and popularizing Contract Bridge, thereby creating a place for this modern and advanced book on bidding.