1ª 2ª 8-10 HCP semi-constructive, by an unpassed hand

1ª 3ª 10-12-, 4 trumps

1ª 2N Jacoby raise

1. The opener rebids 3 spades with extra values and no singleton.
2. The opener rebids 4 spades with a minimum opener with no singleton.
3. The rebid of 3N demands a cue bid.
4. All 3 level bids show shortness, 1 or 0 in the suit bid including a stiff ace or king. (You must show shortness regardless of HCP values.)
5. 4 Level new suit bids show a second "good" 5 card suit. Two of the top 3 honors.
6. The bids that show extra values request a cue bid if there is interest.

1ª 1N

2? 3N 12-14

1ª 1N

2? 3ª 10-12 3 trumps

2§ 2? Two level bids in all suits are non-forcing

1ª 1N

2§ 2N Invitational

1ª 1N

2§ 3? New suits at the 3 level are invitational. (6 cards or longer)

1ª 1N

2§ 4ª 12-14 three trump (the club suit may only be 4 cards long)

1ª 1N

2N 3§ ,¨ ,© natural and game forcing

1ª 1N

2N 4© to play, long suit weak hand

1ª 3§ 15-17 balanced either 3-3-4-3 or 2-3-4-4 Petunia

1ª 3N Better hand than 1ª 4ª tends to be 5 trump

1ª 4ª Preemptive

1ª 2ª

3ª 1-2-3 Stop 3ª is preemptive

2§ 2ª Impossible cue bid. Shows super support for the minor.

1© ,ª 2§ may only be a 4 card suit if 3 hearts and 14+ HCP

1© 3ª ,4§ ,4¨ Splinter Bids, 4 trumps and either a singleton or a void.

1ª 2§ natural, but could be a 4 card suit if the hand is 3334 with 14 or more HCP

1ª 2¨ © natural 5 card suit or longer game going values

1ª 2§

3§ no extra values

1ª 2§

3ª solid suit, not necessarily extra values

1© 2§

2ª not a reverse, pattern only

1ª 2§ forces a cue bid, usually 4 card support

2¨ 3ª

1ª 2§ minimum points with all the values in the bid suits

2¨ 4ª

1ª 2§ Drury 3 or more trumps 10+-12 pts. Asks whether partner has a

1ª 2§

2ª Denies an opening bid.

1ª 2§

2¨ An opening bid that would have passed a limit raise

1ª 2§

2© ,3§ ,3¨ ,3ª mild slam tries

1ª 2§

2N Jacobyesque, 3 level response is shortness and 4 level response is a

second good 5 card suit

1ª 2§

3N demands a cue bid

1ª 3§ ,3¨ ,3© Fit showing jumps. A good 5 card suit with 4 card support in the

1ª 3¨

4N RKC for spades

1ª 1N not forcing by a passed hand

1ª 2N balanced 12

1ª 2§ 3ª is preemptive

1ª 2§ 3§ is a limit raise or better

1ª 3§ 4ª raise made on shape rather than HCP

1ª 3§ 4§ high card raise

1§ 1¨ we bid up the line

1§ 2§ 6-9

1§ 1N 8-10

1¨ 1N 6-10

1§ 2N 13-15

1¨ 2N 11-12

1§ 3N 16-18 3-3-3-4

1¨ 3N 13-15

1§ 3§ 9-11 5 card trump support

1§ 3¨ ,© ,ª Splinters

1¨ 3§ Invitational 6 card club suit

all rebids by opener are forcing to game

1¨ 2§

3§ 4 card support

2¨ 5 card ¨ suit

2© ,ª 4 card suit, not necessarily extra values

2N 3-3-4-3 distro

1§ 1©

4§ heart raise with solid clubs

1§ 1©

4© heart raise with 19-21, no singletons

1§ 1©

3N solid minor, 9 tricks probably no more than 2 hearts

1§ 1©

2N 3§ natural and forcing

3¨ artificial and forcing, 3card © support or 4 ª

3© 6 card suit, forcing

3ª 5© 4ª

1§ 1ª

2N 3© 5© and forcing

1§ 4© 8 card suit no worse than K 8^th, no better than KQ 8^th, no more than one

side K

1§ 1© More values and possibly more side suit strength, but still primarily

1? 4© preemptive.

1§ 1ª 3§ preemptive

1§ 1ª 2ª limit raise or better

2§ Strong, forcing and artificial

2§ forcing to 3 of the major or 4 of the minor

2§ 2© artificial denies an ace or a king, double neg. 0-3 HCP

2§ 2© forcing to game

3©

2§ 2¨ artificial and waiting

2§ 2ª natural positive 5 card suit headed by 2 of the top 3 honors

2§ 2? DBL Penalty no slam interest

2§ 2? Pass ambiguous

2§ 2? P P

DBL shows a balanced 22-24

2§ 2? P P

2N shows a balanced 25-27

2¨ ,© ,ª In 1^st or 2^nd seat it is always a 6 card, occasionally 7 card suit. The suit

1. new suits by an unpassed hand are forcing. The opener may raise on 3 small or honor dbleton. (Ace, King, or Queeen)
2. 2N by responder is forcing and asks for a feature which would provide a stopper in NT.

The rebid of 3 of the suit is minimum.

A rebid of 3N shows a solid suit.

If the interference is a suit bid or double:

McCabe: New suits are lead directive. The weak two bidder must return to 3 of

1N 2¨ Transfer to hearts

1N 2© Transfer to spades

1N 2ª Transfer to Clubs. Opener must bid in the gap with the Ace or the King.

1N 2N Transfer to diamonds. Opener must bid in the gap with the Ace or the

A two level transfer followed by a game bid is a mild slam try.

A two level transfer followed by a jump in new suit is a splinter.

A two level transfer followed by a new minor suit is forcing.

1N 2¨

2© 3§

4§ agrees clubs, slam interest

1N 2¨

2© 2ª Invitational 5 hearts, 4 spades

1N 2©

2ª 3© Invitational 5 spades, 4hearts

1N 3© Invitational 5-5 majors

1N 3ª Forcing 5-5 majors

1N 3§ Non-forcing 5-5 minors

1N 3¨ Forcing 5-5 minors, major suit bids are cue bids

1N 4§ Gerber

1N 4¨ Texas Transfer to hearts 6 card or longer suit. 4N is RKC Blackwood

1N 4© Texas Transfer to spades 6 card or longer suit. 4N is RKC Blackwood

1N 4ª Minor Suit Stayman Quantitative. 4-4 minors 16-17 HCP

4N rebid after 4ª is to play.

1N 4N Quantitative If accepting bid aces at the 5 level and a 5 card suit at the 6.

1N 2§ Stayman, but does not promises a 4 card major. Opener bids hearts first

1N 2§

2© 2N denies 4 spades

1N 2§

2© 2ª invitational values with 4 spades

1N 2§

2¨ 2© at least 4 hearts and 4 spades non-forcing Partner may not raise.

1N 2§

2¨ 2ª 5 spades and 4 hearts non-forcing. Partner may not raise.

1N 2§

2ª 3© game forcing and a cue bid

1N 2§

2? 3§ ,¨ 3 level minor bid after Stayman is forcing - 6 of minor,(possibly 5)

SMOLEN:

1N 2§

2¨ 3© 4 hearts 5 spades forcing

1N 2§

2¨ 3ª 4 spades, 5 hearts forcing

1N 2§

2¨ 3©

3N 4ª 6 spades and 4 hearts

1. If the competition is DBL, Redouble relays to 2§ . All transfers are on.

2. If the competition is 2§ than DBL= Stayman and the system is on

3. If the competition is any other suit bid, Lebenshol applies.

1N 2¨ 2? 2 level suit bids are non-forcing

1N 2¨ 3? 3 level bids are natural and game forcing

1N 2¨ 3N Shows a stopper in the bid suit. If the bid shows

1N 2¨ 3¨ Cue bid is Stayman with a stopper in the bid suit

1N 2¨ 2N Relays to 3§

1N 2¨ 2N

3§ 3? new suits are non-forcing, (if they could have been bid at the 2

1N 2¨ 2N

3§ P 3¨ Cue bid is Stayman without a stopper in the bid suit

If it is discovered that the partnership does not have a stopper in the bid suit, we bid 4 card suits up the line.

Texas is still on over all interference as long as you can still jump.

Gerber is on over all interference as long as you can still jump.

1. Double of Stayman

a) opener must show a four card major.

1. redouble shows four good clubs or better

2. Double of transfer

1. must accept transfer with 3 or more
2. redouble shows 4 good or more in the doubled suit.

1N P 2§ DBL

P pass is ambivalent

REDBL 4 very good clubs

2¨ 5 Diamonds

1N 2S P P

DBL takeout (over/under)

1N P P 2S penalty (over/under)

DBL

1N P 2© DBL

REDBL 4 very good hearts, denies 3 spades

1N P 2§ DBL Smolen

P P 3H

1N P 2§ DBL 4 good clubs to play

P P REDBL

1N P 2¨ DBL

P P REDBL 4 good diamonds

2© natural to play

3¨ retransfer, 6 card suit, forcing (3N demands

2N 3§ Puppet Stayman asks for a 5 card major

2N 3§

3© ,ª 5 cards in the suit bid

2N 3§

3N no 4 card major

2N 3§

3¨ at least one 4 card major

2N 3§ 2N 3§

2N 3¨ transfers to hearts rebid of 4 hearts is a mild slam try

2N 3© transfer to spades rebid of 4 spades is a mild slam try

2N 3ª relay to 3N

3N 4§ ,¨ single suited slam try

4© ,ª 5-5 in the minors shortness in the bid suit and a slam try

2N 3ª

3N 4§

4N shows no slam interest

If you insist on slam respond to 4N with a RKC response.

2N 4ª Minor Suit Stayman Quantitative

2N 4¨ ,© Texas followed by 4N is RKC

2§ 2¨

3N 4§ Stayman

4¨ Transfer to hearts

4© Transfer to spades

4ª Quantitative 4-4 minors

5§ Gerber

3N 4?

4? 4N quantitative raise

3N 4?

4? 5§ RKC Gerber

3N 4§

4? 5§ stayman followed by 5§ is to play

The balancing NT shows 9-14 HCP

Over spades we could have more

It tends to show a stopper but you might not have one.

System is on over the balancing NT

3N 5§ game bid in either minor

2D 2© takeout double of hearts

2ª natural overcall

2N unusual for the minors

3§ ,¨ natural overcall

DBL shows the values of a strong NT

2© transfer to spades

2ª relays to 3 § ( correction to diamonds)

2N to play

3§ ,¨ natural and game forcing

1§ 1¨ ,© ,ª ,2§ natural overcalls

1N minors

DBL majors

It also applies over 1§ P 1¨ ?

3N DBL 15-18

3N 4§ Takeout for the majors longer clubs than diamonds.

3N 4¨ Takeout for the majors longer diamonds than clubs.

3N 4© ,ª Natural and to play

When both the opponents are bidding a 1N overcall shows a sub-minimum takeout.

1¨ P 1© 1N spades and clubs

1§ P 1© P

P 1N This is not sandwich, must be known to have values.

Because of the sandwich NT: 1§ P 1ª 2§ natural

1§ P 1ª 2ª natural

When the sandwhich notrump is available, the jump to 2N is always minors.

All jumps by responder are invitational. Fourth suit is the only way to produce a forcing auction. Exception: 1§ 1¨

1¨ 1ª

2§ 3© 5-5 invitational

1¨ 1ª

2¨ 3© 5-5 invitational

Fourth suit is artificial. Exception:

Fourth suit by an unpassed hand is forcing to game.

Fourth suit by a passed hand is forcing 1 round.

When responding to fourth suit:

1. The first priority is 3 card support if partner’s 1st bid was a major.
2. You may only bid NT if you have a stopper in the fourth suit.
3. You may raise the fourth suit with 4 of them.

The rebid after the fourth suit confirms what the forcing call is in.

The new minor is a one round force. Unlike Fourth suit it may show only invitational values.

As all jumps by responder are invitational, in auctions where the opening bidder’s rebid is 1N the only forcing call available is the new minor. (In the auction of 1© 1ª , where both minors are unbid, 2§ is new minor and 2¨ is natural and non-forcing.)

The order of response to new minor forcing is

1. 3 card support for partner’s suit
2. an unbid 4 card major
3. rebid a 5 card minor
4. 2N with a stopper in the new minor
5. you may only raise the new minor with 4 pieces of trump

Because new minor is not game forcing you should jump respond with a good 14.

The new minor bidder can pass a minimum response.

If the new minor bidder bids anything except 2N the auction has become game forcing.

1¨ 1© forcing 1¨ 1© forcing 1¨ 1© invitational 5-5

1N 2§ 1N 2§ 1N 3§

2¨ 2© 2¨ 3§

Wolff applies over reverses and jump shifts at the 2 level. Any bid after the reverse except 2N creates a game forcing auction and is a mild slam try.

The order of preference is to first set the trump suit.

2N is a relay to 3C and starts a sign -off sequence.

If the opening bidder has a reverse of 19 or more they should not bid 3C. After a non 3C bid the auction is again game forcing.

1§ 1© 1§ 1©

2¨ 2© 2¨ 2©

2N non-forcing 3© non-forcing

After a major suit opening by us, if the opponents overcall 2N

1. 3 of the bid suit is competitive
2. 3 of the other major shows a 6 card suit but is non-forcing
3. 3§ is a forcing bid in hearts, regardless of the suit opened
4. 3¨ is a forcing bid in spades regardless of the suit opened
5. DBL shows a willingness to defend a t least one minor
6. 3N is natural and to play

1. 2© shows a heart stopper and the values of a limit raise or more
2. 2ª shows a spade stopper and the values of a limit raise or more
3. 2n shows both major suits stopped and invitational values
4. 3§ ,¨ is a natural competitive raise
5. DBL shows a willingness to defend one or both majors

Jump shifts by an unpassed hand show 6 card or longer suits and deny the values of a normal response. 2NT in response asks for a singleton and is a game try.

Jump Shifts by a passed hand show a good 5 card suit and a fit with suit which partner opened.

Negative Doubles thru 3 spades

1. If both majors are unbid at the 1 level dble shows both
2. If both majors are unbid at the 2 level dble shows 4 of one and at least three of the other
3. You must have four of the unbid major. If you don’t have four of the unbid minor you have a place to go.
4. The direct bid of 1 spade over a 1 heart overcall shows 5 or more. Negative double shows 4.
5. The opening bidder is committed to reopening with a double if partner is an unpassed hand and he has shortness in the bid suit.

A Responsive double is a negative double when our side is in the overcall position.

After our side has overcalled, a double is responsive only if the opponents have bid and raised the same suit.

1© ,ª Dbl 2© ,ª DBL denies four of the other major

Maximal doubles are used in competitive auction when the suit ranks preclude a game try.

1§ 1ª 2§ 2ª 1§ 1ª 2§ 2ª

3§ competitive DBL game try

The double of a slam or a game contract in an auction where we have not bid is a Lightner double. It calls for the first bid suit of the dummy.

1§ P 1¨ 1ª

DBL shows 4 hearts, not penalty

The system is on over all notrump overcalls, direct (15-18) or in the balancing seat (10-14+).

Jump to 2N

Unusual for the 2 lower unbid suits. 5-5 or better

1. A simple overcall show 7-17.
2. It tends to be more suit oriented than high card. The better your hand the worse your suit could be. The worse your hand the better your suit must be.
3. With a good suit at the one level, eg KQ109x we can be light.
4. The higher the level at which the auction is entered the better the hand.
5. We do not play weak over weak.
6. New suits after an overcall are constructive.
7. The cue bid is a one round force. It guarantees a fit. A jump rebid of 3 of the agreed suit demands a cue bid
8. Jump raise is preemptive
9. Jump Q is a limit raise with 4 trump.
10. Jump shift is natural and forcing.

Jump overcall is preemptive. 2N by the responder asks for shortness.

Preempts are sound applying the rule of two and three.

There is some leeway if not vul against vul.

Anything could be appropriate in third seat.

Fourth seat preempts tend to be very good hands often a full opening bid.

4§ shows 8 1/2 to 9 playing winners in hearts

4¨ shows 81/2 to 9 playing winners in spades

Bidding the next available suit asks for a worthless doubleton.

If the opponents double, ignore it.

Michaels applies in all seats over all suits. The HCP values are either strong or weak.

It is a two suited takeout which revolves around the majors.

1§ ,¨ 2§ ,¨ hearts and spades 5-5

1© ,ª 2© ,ª 5 of the other major and 5 of an unspecified minor.

Hamilton, also called Cappelletti (all seats, all notrumps, including 2N and 2§ 2N))

1N DBL Penalty

1N P P DBL Cooperative 11-14 HCP, do something intelligent

1N DBL optional, shows the top part of their range or more

1N P P DBL optional, shows the top part of their range or more

1N P 2§ DBL does not show clubs, just cards takeout

1N DBL REDBL If for real, pass is penalty and suit bids are natural

and non-forcing.

1N DBL REDBL Redouble is a runout: Pass is ambiguous. Any suit

bid is natural and non-forcing.

Jump bids are invitational.

1. All new suit bids at the 1 level are forcing
2. 2 level bids are non-forcing
3. Jump shift is weak
4. redouble implies no fit
5. 2N is a limit raise or better in the suit opened, Jordan
6. 3 of the bid suit is preemptive

Double of a weak two bid is for takeout and Lebensohl applies.( dbler is not a passed hand)

2¨ 3¨ Michaels

2© ,ª 3© ,ª Unusual

3§ ,¨ 4§ ,¨ Michaels

3© ,ª © ,ª Unusual

Over weak two bids or 3 level preempts a direct 4N bid is Blackwood. 3§ 4N

1. After partner makes a takeout double of a weak two:
2. 2 level bids are non-forcing
3. 3 level bids are constructive 8-10
4. jumps are forcing
5. 2N relays to 3§
6. New suits after the relay are not forcing
7. New suits are invitational after the relay if the suit could have been bid at the 2 level.

2© ,ª 3© ,ª is a minor suit takeout

2N natural notrump overcall 16-18

3N to play

4N Roman Keycard Blackwood.

4N 5§ 0 or 3 controls (The first available non-trump suit bid by wooder asks for

5¨ 1 or 4 controls (same as 5C)

5© 2 controls without the queen of trump

5ª 2 controls with the queen of trump

5N 2 controls and a known working void

6§ ,¨ ,© ,ª 1 control and a known working void. Jump in the suit in which

5N guarantees all first round controls and asks for number of kings or source of tricks

to bid 7

1© 4N is not RKC but straight Blackwood

2© 4N RKC

3© 4N RKC

RKC applies to the agreed upon suit. If no suit has been agreed than the last known 6 card suit.

1© 2§ 1© 2§ 1N 4¨

2© 4N hearts 2N 3§ clubs 4© 4N hearts

If two suits have been agreed upon preference is to the major. If major/major or minor/minor first suit agreed upon.

RKC Gerber is also available in NT sequences, but only in Stayman auctions.

1N 2§

2© 4C RKC for hearts

double shows 0 controls

pass shows 1 control

the next available bid shows 2 controls etc

Bids of new suits in competitive auctions guarantee another bid. 1© 1ª 2§ .

The only bid by opener that the 2 club bidder may pass is 2N.

In competitive auctions at the 5 level pass followed by bid is weaker than a direct bid

1© 1ª 2ª 3ª 1© 1ª 2ª 3ª

4© 4ª P P 4© 4ª 5© stronger

DBL P 5H

When the auction is known to be forcing a pass is forcing.

1© P 2N 3S

P

1§ 1N 2N unspecified two suited hand of invitational values

1© P 1N P penalty double with hearts

P DBL

1¨ P 1ª P penalty double with spades

1N P P DBL

1§ 1© 1§ 1©

2N 4© signoff 2N 3©

3N 4© mild slam try

P P 1© P

2§ P 3ª splinter, support of hearts

New suits after trumps have been agreed are forcing and natural.

1© 2ª P 2N asks shortness

3§ ,¨ ,© natural and forcing

3§ 3N system is on, same as 2§ 2¨

3N

1ª 2ª

3§ 3¨ acceptance, 1^st round control

1? P P 2N unusual, good hand

1ª P P DBL We do not play the penalty pass

** P

1¨ 1ª lead directive with length in the suit

2§ 2© DBL could solicit a dive

1ª 3ª lead directive, suit length is ambiguous

4§ 4© DBL

Frequent count signals

lead 3^rd or 5^th against suits

We lead Ace from Ace King except at the 5 level or higher or when we have preempted

in the suit.

At the 5 level:

Ace asks for attitude

King asks for count

4^th best leads against NT even from a worthless 4 card suit

Against NT:

Ace asks for the unblock of a high honor or count

Queen asks for th unblock of the jack or count

King asks for attitude vis a vis length

Lead the queen from AKQ

Suit Preference applies only in the following situations

1. If the dummy’s holding (eg. A singleton) suggests a continuation is impossible
2. When leading or following suit which partner is expected to ruff.
3. In a suit when partner’s opening is a singleton
4. When removing declarer’s last stopper in NT.

After leading an honor, continuing with your highest card warns partner not to unblock or overtake. Continuing with your lowest card of a sequence invites partner to do so.

When splitting honors as second hand, we play the highest of touching, the card we would have lead.

We tend to always echo in trump. Count takes precedence.

Common-sense has priority over all lead and signaling agreements. Don’t signal with a card which may be needed to win or promote tricks. Don’t signal if it can only help declarer.

Throw losers. Keep Winners.