Evaluate your hand by counting tricks. Can presume weak 2 opener has 5 tricks, responder need 4 certain tricks to bid game. Do not change partners suit unless lots of HCPs.
With an invitational hand including support in partners suit a cue bid can be used to ask partner about the pre-empt jump overcall.
If your partner opens with a preempt bid, add the number of your own high card points plus the number of your partners bid suit that you hold. If the sum is 17 or more, bid game in partner's suit.
IF YOU HAVE:
Assess opener’s hand and work out best place to be
Pass if opener repeats suit and there is no chance of game
Presume partner has a min hand (12-14 HCPs) unless signals a better hand
Discount hand by 1 HCP if 3444
Opener may only be 11 HCPs
Or could opener have balanced and be extra light?
Check vulnerability ?(if on cusp of range assess if should use lower range)
Count losers if have a fit (assume partner has 7 losers)
Also if playing 2+ clubs never leave partner in 1C
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF CLUBS BID AND HAVE 4 DIAMONDS
IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR
IF DO NOT HAVE 4 IN H/S
For minor suits - play INVERTED MINORS by agreement
IF INTERFERENCE:
HAVE 4 cards in the other major - DOUBLE (promises 6+ HCP at 1 level and 8+ HCPs at 2 level)
HAVE 5 cards in spades or hearts can overcall at 1 level
Do not go to 2 level unless supporting partners opening minor suit*
Bid 1NT if have a stopper
* Count losers, assume partner has 7 losers, bid only to 2 level if 9 losers
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF CLUBS BID AND HAVE 4 DIAMONDS
IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR
IF DO NOT HAVE 4 IN H/S
IF INTERFERENCE:
IF HAVE 5 in a major - bid it, even at 2 level
HAVE 4 cards in other major DOUBLE
Support partners minor*
Bid 2NT with a stopper
*Count losers, assume partner has 7 losers, jump to correct level
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF CLUBS BID AND HAVE 4 DIAMONDS
IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR
IF YOU CAN NOT BID 4 card suit IN D/H/S
IF INTERFERENCE:
IF HAVE 5 in a major - bid it, even at 2 level
HAVE 4 cards in other major DOUBLE
Support partners minor* - by agreement play INVERTED MINORS
Bid 3NT with 2 stoppers, or 2NT with 1 stopper
*Count losers, assume partner has 7 losers, jump to correct level
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF CLUBS BID AND HAVE 4 DIAMONDS
IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR
IF DO NOT HAVE 4 IN D/H/S
IF INTERFERENCE:
IF HAVE 5 in a major - bid it, even at 2 level
DOUBLE and bid your suit
Support partners minor
Bid 3NT with 2 stoppers or 2NtTwith 1 stopper
Presume partner has a min hand (12-14 HCPs) until partner signals a better hand
Discount hand by 1 HCP if 3444
Opener may only be 11 HCPs
Could opener have balanced and be extra light?
Check vulnerability ?(if on cusp of range assess if should use lower range)
Count losers if have a fit -> 18-7-no of your losers = level to jump to
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF HEARTS BID, NO FIT AND HAVE 4 SPADES
IF HAVE A FIT (count losers should have 9)
IF DO NOT HAVE A FIT - DO NOT OPEN A NEW SUIT AT 2 LEVEL
IF INTERFERENCE:
Do not go to 2 level unless supporting partners opening major suit
Bid 1NT if have a stopper
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF HEARTS BID, NO FIT AND HAVE 4 SPADES
IF HAVE A FIT (count TP and check losers, should have 8)
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIT
IF INTERFERENCE:
Overcall the overcall in a new suit with 5 cards - IF HAVE 5 in the other major - bid it
Support partners major as above (if have a fit) - invite to game
Bid 2NT with a stopper
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF HEARTS BID, NO FIT AND HAVE 4 SPADES
IF HAVE A FIT (count TP and check losers, should have 7)
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIT
IF INTERFERENCE:
Overcall the overcall in a new suit with 5 cards - IF HAVE 5 in the other major - bid it
Support partners major as above
Bid 3NT with 2 stoppers
NO INTERFERENCE:
IF HEARTS BID, NO FIT AND HAVE 4 SPADES
IF HAVE A FIT (count TP and losers, should have 6 or less)
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIT
IF INTERFERENCE:
If no fit DOUBLE and bid your suit
Support partners major as above
Bid 3NT with 2 stoppers
Over interference all responses of a new suit should be with a 5 card suit, otherwise double
Over partners 1S opening a response of a minor can be 4 cards but a response of 2H needs to be 5 cards.
Used after have found a fit
It is a bid of a new suit after fit has been found
May not be passed
Shows ace or void in suit bid - first round (see Splinter and Cue Bids)
Second round shows a king or singleton
Controls are bid up the line eg if spades agreed and bid to show Ace DIAMONDS this denied Ace CLUBS
Allows the better hands to be investigated at the lower level to see if they should be played in 3NTs or in the minor
OPENERS RESPONSE: PASS unless you have a strong hand (eg 16+ HCPs)
INT becomes forcing for one hand in case responder has an invitational hand
by agreement:
When deciding to raise your partners 1NT opening to 3NT, count the number of high card points and the number of cards which are valued 8 or higher. If the sum is greater than 16 you should raise partner to 3NT.
Note: This avoids the need for the use of 2NT as a bid showing 8 points and asking partner to raise if he’s at the top of his NT bid.
OPENER RE-BIDS:
RESPONDER RE-BIDS after OPENER BIDS 2D:
RESPONDER RE-BIDS after OPENER BIDS 2H:
RESPONDER RE-BIDS after OPENER BIDS 2S:
A BID of 3D after 2D after Stayman asks do you have a 3-card major.
Some people play that opener has two further options, to bid 3NT with 2-2 in the majors or 4C with 3-3 in the majors.
A BID of 3C asks do you have a 5-card major
RESPONSES BY OPENER:
RESPONDER REBIDS:
This allows the stronger hand to be declarer
Use over 2NT as it can have 5 card major. Use over 1NT with 10+ HCPs if you play 1NT with 5 card majors (by partnership agreement)
Opener has bid 1NT and responder's bids are with:
2NT is one level above and requires less points to go 3NT
*Opener’s re-bid -> must accept and circles responders bid - ALERT.
Responder circles opener's re-bid - ALERT
Opener can SUPER ACCEPT -> jumps to 3H/3S. This promises 4 card support and 17 HCP. Add TPs and if >16+ TP look for slam (cue bid or Blackwood)
With >5 card major RESPONDER REBIDS:
* Unless you have a minor second suit as well with singletons or voids
With >6 card minor RESPONDER REBIDS:
NOTE: Bid 4NT if have a hand that may make slam (16-17 TPs). This is not asking for Blackwood but is asking partner to choose slam in your major.
If stronger than that (about 18HCPs) bid 5NT. This is forcing and asking partner to choose between slam in your major or in no trumps.
If the 1NT is after a 1D/1H bid by opposition - using transfers can be a problem if you are using cue bids. DISCUSS HOW TO HANDLE THIS WITH PARTNER.
2C is used to bid any hand with more than 8-9 HCP, whether you have a 4 card major or not.
Transfer to a minor can be a 6+ card minor lacking interest in game.
A strong hand with a 5+ card major interested in slam.
If responder has values for game but not slam, the bid is 2C or 3NT.
OPENER'S REBID
If opener has 17 HCP and excellent support in the minor suit opener bids the other suit, however if opener has a lesser hand opener bids the correct minor suit.
RESPONDERS REBID
With a weak hand, responder passes when opener completes the transfer
If opener has super accepted, responder corrects to the trump suit to ask opener to pass
With a hand interested in slam responder rebids:
If 2C bid by direct seat after 1NT:
If 2D/2H/2S bid by direct seat,
If partner has 16 HCPs they should have doubled and then bid their suit.
YOUR RESPONSE:
If you have:
REMEMBER: In a competitive auction a jump with a change of suit shows a weak hand
If partner has 16 HCPs they should have doubled and then bid their suit.
YOUR RESPONSE:
If you have:
YOUR RESPONSE:
If you have
YOUR RESPONSE - NEW METHOD:
If you have
YOUR RESPONSE - TRADITIONAL
if so, downgrade response
Assume partner has 9 losers unless they have jumped
*Bid your 4 card suits up the line
*12-15 TPs, raise 1 level
*16-18 TPs, raise up to 3
*19-20 TPs, raise up to 4
*21+ TPs, investigate slam
*4 card major - bid it (do not bid if partner has jumped over this major)
*6 card minor - bid it
*5 cards in other minor (shows 5/5 or 6/5) - bid it. A reverse shows 16+ HCPs
*3 card support, can bid a new minor or if interference double
*12-15 HCPs, balanced - 1NT
*18-19 HCPs, balanced - 2NT (jump)
*20+ HCPs, balanced - 3NT
*12-14 HCPs, balanced (stoppers if interference)- bid 2NT
*15+ HCPs, balanced (stoppers if interference) - 3NT
*12-15 HCPs, unbalanced, rebid your suit with 5/6 (depending on agreement) next level up or bid another suit as long as it is not a reverse
*16+ HCPs, unbalanced, rebid suit jump a level or bid a new suit, can reverse
If so, downgrade response
Assume partner has 9 losers unless they have jumped
*12-15 TPs, raise 1 level
*16-18 TPs, raise 2 levels (up to game)
*19-20 TPs, consider slam
*if fit - support
*If have 3 cards in partners major - support DOUBLE if opposition has interfered or bid new minor forcing
*no fit, but 6 cards in own major - rebid (if 15+ HCPs bid at 3 level or higher if 7)
*no fit, 4 cards in a minor - bid it
*no fit, no 4 card minor, 12-15 HCPs, balanced - 2NT
*19+ HCPs, balanced - 3NT
*if fit - support (if a minor suit by agreement play INVERTED MINOR)
*If have 3 cards in partners major- support DOUBLE (if interference can otherwise bid a new minor)
*no fit, but 6 cards in own major - rebid (if 12+ HCPs bid at 3 level or higher if 7)
*no fit, 4 cards in a minor - bid it
*no fit, 12-14 HCPs, balanced (stoppers if interference) - 2NT
*15+ HCPs, balanced (stoppers if interference) - 3NT
NOTE: All change of suits by responder are forcing on opener for one round unless there is interference after the responder has bid. This may mean that opener bids higher than they should (eg 3 level bid after the following 1S->2C->2H->P). The responder needs to take this into account when bidding.
SPLINTER BID:
CUE BID
Italian method:
Bid suits up the line (whether first or second round) - if you skip one it means you do not have first or second round control
American method:
First bid of a suit means first round control in that suit – i.e. an ace or a void. A second bid of the same suit shows second round control of the suit (i.e. king or singleton). Skipping a suit the first time means does not mean you do not have second round control.
Using first round control bids then Blackwood can show which Aces partner has
THERE IS NO NEED TO ALERT BIDS OVER 3NT
Below 3-of-your-major, there are no control-bids. Above 3-of-your-major, once a fit has been found (a suit has been agreed), a new suit is a control-bid (ace, king, void, or singleton).
An immediate cue bid is made directly over opponent's opening bid. Traditionally, it denotes a hand unsuited for a takeout double. For example, after RHO opens 1♠, a hand such as ♠ — ♥ AKQ10985 ♦ AQ6 ♣ K85 would prefer not to double for takeout, because partner might make a penalty pass.
When your partner makes an overcall, it can be anywhere from 8 to 14 points and you often cannot decide whether to invite to game or how far to bid on. The “Unassuming Cue Bid” allows you to ask your partner how good their overcall is. To do this, you bid the “enemy's” suit !
you and partner do not have a fit and you want to bid NTs but the opponents have interfered and you do not have a stopper, you can Cue bid asking for a stopper in that suit. You should have other suits covered, because if partner has a stopper they will bid NTs.
Check your hand and bid the suit that you need help in. You can still bid 3 trumps, this just means you need help in trumps.
Expect opener to have no more than 1 top honor. To accept invitation to game responder must have one of:
Expect opener to have one of the top honors in a 3+ side suit . Responder needs a way t limit openers in a side suit by having one of:
Responder can tell partner about help in an alternative suit as long as this does not raise the bidding about 3 in the major.
If you have opened 1 of a major and your partner has responded 2 of a major and you count your losers, if you have:
IF 2NT bid:
responses of Stayman (3C)n and transfers apply with 4 or 5 cards in a major. Otherwise bid 3NT or investigate slam with an Ace
IF a suit bid:
WITH A FIT
WITH NO FIT
OPENER SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER ASKING FOR ACES WITH A SLOW ARRIVAL
IF OPENER BID NTs:
NT responses of Stayman and transfers apply with 4 or 5 cards in a major. Otherwise bid 3NT or investigate slam
IF OPENER BID A SUIT
IF INVESTIGATING SLAM
IF NOT INVESTIGATING SLAM
It does not mean that partner has a good suit in the 4th suit!
When you have game going points
If you only have invitational values:
Opener should show something to further describe her hand
With 1D->1S->2C->2D (4SF) you have shown 5 diamonds & 4 clubs
Be careful not to confuse with a strong jump shift - depending on partnership agreement
If you have
Do a jump response. You may have to jump to 3 level.
If opponents have bid you do not need to bid but if you are green if can be a good idea. Takes away opponents bidding space. be more careful if you are red and they are green.
USE IF:
1S - 3H means have 2 to 5 HCPs 6 card suit
1S - 4H do with 7 cards (shut out)
Opener response should be to pass unless they are exceptionally strong and a chance of game
NOTE: All responses need to alerted
PARTNER RESPONDED 2H (pass or correct)
PARTNER RESPONDED 2S (pass or correct)
1. PARTNER RESPONDED 2NT (Lisa)
opener weak with 6 hearts
opener weak with 6 spades
opener strong (21-22 HCPs)
Lisa goes low to change suit and high to shut out. Most go the other way as below.
2. PARTNER RESPONDED 2NT (Sharon)
opener weak with 6 hearts
opener weak with 6 spades
opener strong (21-22 HCPs)
WITH SUPPORT FOR HEARTS:
WITH NO SUPPORT FOR HEARTS
WITH SUPPORT FOR SPADES
WITH NO SUPPORT FOR SPADES