WHAT DID THAT BID MEAN?

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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.

• No fit and no chance of game - PASS
• Honor in suit, weakish hand - can extend pre-empt but can also pass
• 16 HCPs and a fit (Aces, supported kings or shortage) - BID NT (alertable, forcing, asks opener for more information about pre-empt)
• 16 HCPs, no fit, 5+ in a major - BID MAJOR (forcing, looking for game, opener to decide where to play)
• DO NOT pre-empt over a pre-empt - you must have enough points to bid at the level required

 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:

• 6-7 HCPs - bid 3 of weak 2 suit
• 9-10 HCPs - bid 3 of a different suit to show a feature of that suit e.g. A, Kx or QJx, void
• solid weak 2 suit AKQJxx - bid 3NT

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              

• Bid 1D before bidding a major. 

    IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR

• Bid 1H/S

   IF DO NOT HAVE 4 IN H/S

• Bid 1NT
• Bid 2C (if CLUBS bid and have 5 card support if playing 3+CLUBS)*
• Bid 2D (if DIAMONDS bid and have 5 card support and 4 card support if playing 2+CLUBS)*

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              

• Bid 1D before bidding a major

    IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR

• Bid 1H/S

    IF DO NOT HAVE 4 IN H/S

• Bid 2NT
• can bid a new suit at 2 level
• support partners bid minor suit if have 5 cards*

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              

• Bid 1D before bidding a major

    IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR

• Bid 1H/S

    IF YOU CAN NOT BID 4 card suit IN D/H/S

• Bid 3NT (NOTE: takes away bidding space)
• can bid a new suit at 2 level
• support partners bid minor suit if have 5 cards*

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              

• Bid 1D before bidding a major

    IF HAVE 4 IN A MAJOR

• Bid 1H/S

    IF DO NOT HAVE 4 IN D/H/S

• Bid 2NT or 3NT (NOTE: takes away bidding space)
• can bid a new suit at 2 level
• support partners bid minor suit if have 5 cards

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              

• Bid 1S 

    IF HAVE A FIT (count losers should have 9)

• Bid 2 H/S (weak 6-10 HCPs, 3-4 cards)
• Bid 4H/S (weak distributional hand usually 5+ cards & singleton - can be 4 with a void)

   IF DO NOT HAVE A FIT  - DO NOT OPEN A NEW SUIT AT 2 LEVEL

• Bid 1NT
• If 9 HCPs and a 6+ card suit can bid the new suit

IF INTERFERENCE:

     Do not go to 2 level unless supporting partners opening major suit

     Bid 1NT if have a stopper 

NOTE: After 1D->1S->2C->2D ->2S responder with a minimum hand bids takes a preference. At this stage opener with more than 15 points can rebid  spades showing only 3 spades and responder can bid 3S showing a 5th spade or 2NT with only 4 spades

 NO INTERFERENCE:

    IF HEARTS BID, NO FIT AND HAVE 4 SPADES              

• Bid 1S

     IF HAVE A FIT (count TP and check losers, should have 8)

• Bid a new suit (says I have 10 HCPs) and go back to partners suit next round (by agreement), use this if you have game points OR playing limit raises and only have 3 in the major 
• Bid 3H/S (jump) - if playing limit raises need 4 cards in the major
• IF 12+ HCPs and 4 cards bid 2NT (if playing Jacoby 2NT)
• If 4 card support and a void - splinter (double jump) - showing void in that suit (except in Queensland 4C may be Gerber)

     IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIT

• Bid 2NT (bid 1NT if playing Jacoby 2NT)
• bid a new 4 card suit at 2 level with 10 HCPs (if no interference) or 9 HCPs with 6 cards). Do not bid 2H with 4 cards (need 5 cards)

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

NOTE: After 1D->1S->2C->2NT (with stopper responder invites with 11) opener can bid 3NT (accepting with 14) or bid 3S with a 3-1-4-5 hand and holds less than 17 HCPs), so the fit maybe 4/3. 3S is forcing and asking responder to bid 3NT or with 5 spades 4S.

Responder could also bid the 4th suit not 2NT - this is forcing so needs 13-15 HCPs

  NO INTERFERENCE:

    IF HEARTS BID, NO FIT AND HAVE 4 SPADES              

• Bid 1S

     IF HAVE A FIT (count TP and check losers, should have 7)

• Bid 4 H/S if have no second suit to show
• Bid a second suit at the 2 level before going back to partners major at the 3 level (if partner has points will ask for Aces)
• Bid 2NT (if playing Jacoby 2NT) if have 4 cards in the major

     IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIT

• Bid 3NT (takes away space), better if at top of range
• can bid a new suit at 2 level

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              

• Bid 1S

    IF HAVE A FIT (count TP and losers, should have 6 or less)

• Bid 4 H/S if have no second suit to show (could bid 4NT asking for Aces)
• Bid a second suit at the 2 level before going back to partners major at the 3 level (if partner has points will ask for Aces)
• Bid 2NT (Jacoby 2NT) if have 4 cards in the major

    IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIT

• Bid 3NT (takes away space)
• can bid a new suit but jump to 3 level
• can you reverse?

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.

• A 3 level bid of a new suit shows a singleton or void in bid suit
• A 4 level bid of a new suit shows an additional 5 plus card suit
• A rebid of suit or 3NT denies a singleton or void and limits opener’s strength to below:
  • A 3NT bid shows 15-17HCPs
  • Rebid at 3 level shows 18+ HCPs
  • A 4 level rebid shows a minimum hand 12-14 HCPs and want to sign off in game

• Pass a game rebid by opener
• Attempt to sign off in game
• Bid Blackwood
• Initiate a control-slowing sequence (control bid) if interested in slam 

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

• Another control bid
• Blackwood
• If not interested in slam return to agreed suit

• If you definitely do not have enough points for game try to not bid 2NT, it is better to play 2 of a suit even with 6 or 7 cards in the suit
• If responder has almost enough points for game a 2NT bid shows 10-12/13 HCP (this is invitational to opener if they have enough points)
• If responder has enough points (13/14+) for game bid 3NT
• If you have two balanced hands and enough for game (almost) always favour NTs
• If there is one unbalanced hand try to identify how strong the stopper/s are opposite the singleton/void. If you have 2 or more stoppers, try 3NT. If less go for the minor

• With a long suit and a void in each hand in partner’s suit it is normally better for stronger hand to give up and let the weaker hand declare
• If you have a long suit only bid on if you have 4 of top 6 when your partner has shown a weak hand with a long suit.
• If you are responder only bid a third time with 7 cards and 4 of top 6
• Partner opens a weak 2, count number of points and number of cards in partners suit. If 17+ bid

• Bidding goes 1C->1H->2D. If you do not have a stopper in partners unbid suit spade suit do not bid 2NT

• You do not have a fit and want to bid NTs but opponents have bid a suit and you do not have a stopper: 

• A fit (5+ cards)
• Unbalanced hand
• No four card major 

Allows the better hands to be investigated at the lower level to see if they should be played in 3NTs or in the minor

• 11+ points (?TP or HCP)

• 6-10 points

OPENERS RESPONSE: PASS unless you have a strong hand (eg 16+ HCPs)

• 2D - a stopper in diamonds
• 2H - a stopper in hearts but not diamonds, 
• 2S - a stopper in spades but not hearts or diamonds
• 2NT - stoppers in all the suits

• 2H - a stopper in hearts, 
• 2S - a stopper in spades but not hearts
• 2NT - stoppers in all the suits
• 3C - a stopper only in clubs

• all suits covered - bid NT
• a suit is found to be not covered bid the minor at the appropriate level

•       13+ HCPs and a 5 card major or 4 card minor bid a new suit at the 2 level to show game force (1D->2C, 1H->2C, 1H->2D, 1S->2C,1S->2D, 1S->2H)
•        6-12 HCPs bid 1NT which is forcing

INT becomes forcing for one hand in case responder has an invitational hand

• interference by opposition (overcall or double)
• if responder has already passed

by agreement:

• Bidding stalls at 4C or 4D
• 1D->2C
• Opener rebids suit 3 times
• Responder rebids a minor suit opposite a misfit

•  <8HCP and no 5 card major - PASS
• 8-9 HCP, balanced - 2NT  (or rule of 16)
• 10+ HCP, no 5 card major, balanced - 3NT
• >8 HCP & 4 (or 5) card major - STAYMAN (except if hand is 4333, then PASS)
• <10 HCP, 5 card major, not balanced (if 5/4 in majors do not use) -  TRANSFER. If have 6 cards in suit, can rebid 3H or 3S after opener has transferred to your suit. If 5S & 5H - bid 2D transfer to hearts and if no match bid spades
• 10+ HCP and 5/4 in majors -  3S/3H (Opener should rebid at 4 level if have 3 of the suit otherwise will bid 3NT)
• <10 HCP, 6+ card minor - 2S (TRANSFER TO A MINOR)
• 10+ points 6+ card minor - bid minor at 3 level (can be less points the more cards you have)
• 16-17 HCP, balanced - 4NT (asking for slam), if interference at 4 level go 5NT as needs to be a jump 
• 18+ HCP balanced - 6NT
• PUPPET STAYMAN bid 3C - asks do you have a 5 card major? (used over 2NT and by partnership agreement for 1NT)

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.

• > 9 HCP - investigate slam
• 4-9 HCP - bid at 4 level (game for a major, invitational for a minor)
• 2-3 HCPs - bid game with a 5+ major (transfer if 5+ minor)
• 0-1 HCP - transfer if have a 5 card major

OPENER RE-BIDS:

• 2D - no 4 card major, ALERT
• 2H - I have 4/5H (but may also have 4S)
• 2S -  I have 4/5S (does not have 4H)

RESPONDER RE-BIDS after OPENER BIDS 2D:

• 8-9 HCP - invite with 2NT
• 8+ HCP and 5 and 4 in majors -  2S/2H (Opener should rebid at the 3 level if have 3 of the suit otherwise bid 2NT)
• 10+ HCP, no 5 card major - 3NT
• 10+ HCP and 5 and 4 in majors -  3S/3H (Opener should rebid at 4 level if have 3 of the suit otherwise will bid 3NT)

RESPONDER RE-BIDS after OPENER BIDS 2H:

• 4H & 8-9 HCPs - bid 3H
• 4H & 10+ HCPs - bid 4H
• no fit, 8-9 HCPs -  2NT (Opener will then bid Spades if have 4 spades)
• no fit, 10-15 HCPs -  3NT (Opener will then bid Spades if have 4 spades)

RESPONDER RE-BIDS after OPENER BIDS 2S:

• 4S & 8-9 HCPs - bid 3S
• 4S & 10+ HCPs - bid 4S
• no fit, 8-9 HCPs -  2NT (invite to game)
• no fit, 10-15 HCPs -  3NT

A BID of 3D after 2D after Stayman asks do you have a 3-card major.

• 3H means three hearts
• 3S means three spades (denies 3 hearts) 

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:

• 3H/3S - I have a 5 card major
• 3D - I don't have a 5 card major but I do have a 4 card major

RESPONDER REBIDS:

• 3NT - I do not have 4 card major
• 3H - I have a 5 spades
• 3S - I have 5 hearts

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:

• >5 hearts - bid 2D (opener rebids 2H/3H*)
• >5 spades  - bid 2H (opener rebids 2S/3S*)
• >6 clubs/diamonds and weak - bid 2S (opener bids 3C, if diamonds is the suit, responder corrects) DISCUSS WITH PARTNER
• >6 clubs/diamonds and strong - bid your suit at the 3 level. Opener will know that you have enough points for game and will decide if better to play in NTs or in the suit. (NTs is usually the better option) but if opener is strong in your suit and has a weak doubleton the minor suit may be better. (Opener cannot pass)

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:

• 0-7 HCPs -  PASS (except if have 5H & 5S - then after bid 2D and opener bids 2H, responder bids 2S) 
• 8-9 HCPs & 5 cards -  Invite to game with 2NT bid (except 5H & 5S as above)*  
• 8-9 TPs & 6 cards - 3H/3S
• 10-15 HCPs & 5 cards -  3NT (except if have 5H & 5S - then after bid 2H and opener bids 2S, responder bids 3H - forcing bid)*
• 10-15 TPs & 6 cards - 4H/S
• 16+ TPs & 6 cards - look for slam
• 16-17 HCPs -  4NT, quantitative bid asking partner to bid 6NT if at higher end of range
• 18+ HCPs -  5NT, forcing and is asking partner to choose between slam in your major or in no trumps

* Unless you have a minor second suit as well with singletons or voids 

•  then it is better to bid the minor suit at the 3 level

With >6 card minor RESPONDER REBIDS:

• < 7 HCPs - Pass or correct (3D)
• 7-9 TPs & 6 cards bid at 4 level??
• >10 TP - Bid game 3NT??

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.

• 2D transfer to 2H
• 2H transfer to 2S
• 2S transfer to 3C
• 2NT transfer to 3D

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:

1. 3NT - natural showing a balanced hand non-forcing
2. A new suit either shortness OR a natural suit (depending on partner ship agreement)

If 2C bid by direct seat after 1NT:

• double means I was going to bid stayman
• By partnership agreement transfers can still be on OR ELSE AS BELOW

If 2D/2H/2S bid by direct seat, 

• all bids are natural by responder, bid your 5 card suits (should have >8-9 HCPs, or extra length)
• with a stopper and 8-9 points can bid 2NT
• with a stopper and 10 points can bid 3NT
• double means balanced hand and 8-9 HCPs and no stopper
•  a CUE bid means I wanted to bid stayman but must have 10 HCPs (partnership agreement)

• Recognise partners bid as weak because did not jump or DBL
• Count on them having less than 11 HCPs
• No need to bid too high unless opponents bid again or you have close to 15 HCPs, in which case you raise partners suit inviting to game, or bid a 5 card suit of your own
• If you cannot support partners suit you can double, or if you have stoppers you can bid no trumps

•  If partner jumps in pass out seat they have an opening hand, so if you have 13 HCPs bid game
• If partner doubles they they have 10+HCPS and are short in opponents suit. Bid your best suit and jump if you have more than 10 points except if you are long and strong in opponents suit then pass and leave double in for penalties. If no doubt take it out.
• A bid of 1NT in the pass out seat promises 10-14 HCPs. You can transfer and bid stayman (but you need 13 HCPs as they may only have 10, if you have 15 jump to 3NT)

if so, downgrade response

Assume partner has 9 losers unless they have jumped

• 1D response

                 *Bid your 4 card suits up the line

• Fit in a major 

                 *12-15 TPs, raise 1 level 

                 *16-18 TPs, raise up to 3

                 *19-20 TPs, raise up to 4

                 *21+ TPs, investigate slam

• No fit, at 1 level

                 *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 17+ HCPs

                 *3 card support, if there is interference you can use a support double

                 *12-15 HCPs, balanced - 1NT (if at the 2 level already bid 2NT with stoppers, but with a side suit singleton or weak doubleton raise partners major with 3 cards, of have 3-4-5-1 shape use a delayed raise

                  *15-17 HCPs can use a delayed raise with 3 card support

                 *18-19 HCPs, balanced - 2NT (jump) or with an unbalanced hand bid the other suit with a jump (strong jump shift)

                 *20+ HCPs, balanced - 3NT

NOTE: Responder if she has a 5 card suit may play new minor forcing, even over 1NT. Opener must reply, do not leave partner in the minor suit!

Bid a second suit and and then support partner (should be 2 level), this shows 3 card not 4 card support. With 5 cards in suit partner will raise the suit again (usually the 3 level) or bid 2NT.

• 12-15 HCPs - PASS
• 16+ HCPs & second suit - bid it
• 16+ HCP, no other suit - 2NT
• 6 cards in minor, rebid it
• void or shortage, second suit - bid it

• No fit:

                 *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 a fit, add TPs, if can get to game - support suit, otherwise PASS
• If a fit, add TPs, cannot get to game - PASS

• 12-14 HCPs - PASS
•  15 HCPs, balanced - 3NT

• All change of suit are forcing on opener for one round unless there is interference after responder has bid. This may mean that opener bids higher than they should (eg 3D rebid after the following 1D->2C->2H->P). The responder needs to take this into account when bidding.

If so, downgrade response

Assume partner has 9 losers unless they have jumped

• If 18-19, balanced HCPs bid 2NT
• If 16+ HCPs and DOUBLED previously, bid your suit
• If 16+ HCPs, reverse
• A jump shows points especially if you have not previously shown high points
• Consider asking for aces

• Fit in your major

                 *12-15 TPs, raise 1 level 

                 *16-18 TPs, raise 2 levels (up to game)

                 *19-20 TPs, consider slam

• Partner bid new major at 1 level (5 cards, 8+ HCPs)

                 *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 

• Partner bid another suit at 2 level (5 cards, 10+ HCPs)

                 *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 

• 12-15 HCPs - PASS
• 16+ HCPs & second suit - bid it
• 16+ HCP, no other suit - 2NT
• 6 cards in minor, rebid it
• void or shortage, second suit - bid it

• if 12-14 HCPs - PASS
• if 15+ HCPs - 3NT
• If void or shortage not in partner's suit and interference - change to a suit?

• consider passing as you may not have the points but if they are likely to make and you are not vulnerable consider a sacrifice
• consider a penalty double
• Consider Law of Total Tricks, so bid to compete

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.

• As opener do not open a new suit at the 3 level without 16HCPs
• If you have a 6 loser hand - you can lie a little bit bit not by 3-4HCPs

• consider passing if partner has done a single raise as you may not have the points (Consider Law of Total Tricks)
• raise in suit only if you have 6 cards
• If 16+ HCP double or change suit
• BUT if they are likely to make and you are not consider a sacrifice
• OR consider a penalty double

• If partner raises the suit over opponents raise they are not asking you to bid game if you are at the top of the range, they are more likely to be forcing opponents up a level
• If partner has changed suits to minor from a major only chose the major if you cannot support the minor

• Jump only with 1 card in opponents suit

SPLINTER BID:

• Signals bid of a singleton or void - never show a splinter bid with a A or a K
• Promises 4 trump support (unless a splinter after 1C/1D, need 5), and is game going (8-11 or 13-15 by partnership agreement, more for a minor) eg 1H -> 4D!
• MUST be a double jump except:

                   *if it will take the pair past game 1S -> 2H -> 4D!

                   *if the intervening bid is a reverse 1C ->1S -> 3H! (2H is a reverse)

                   *if bidding is 2/1 game force - a double jump is not required

• Can be done by opener 1H -> 1S -> 4D!. Opener must have 19+ points as responder may only have 6
• Can be done over a minor eg 1H -> 2C -> 4S! or 1D->3S->3NT if opener has the stoppers in spades
• Can be done over interference by partnership agreement
• partner reassess's hand  - if the hands match well, opener would start the process of bidding up the line, showing controls and an interest in slam but if partner's singleton is in a suit that you have wasted values (ie lower ranked honors) then you should sign off in game
• Shows game going values but can help partner evaluate chances for slam, if the hands match (ie no wasted values opposite the announced shortage)
• Splinter bids are forcing 

CUE BID 

• Only use control cue bids if you are interested in slam.
• Once the suit is agreed, bid the next highest suit that you have a A,K, singleton or void (first or second round control).
• partner bids the next suit with a control and this way you can decide if you are missing control in one suit
• if you think slam is possible, bid 4NT and the answers together with the control bidding helps you work out Aces. 

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:

• two top honors
• two outside aces
• one outside ace and one top honor

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:

• 2 top honors in the side suit
• One honor and shortness
• a singleton or void in the suit AND an outside Ace OR a top trump honor
• One top honor WITH at least 4 cards in that suit AND maximum points (9 or 10)

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:

• 7 losers - PASS
• 5 losers - BID GAME
• 6 losers - INVITATIONAL BID this is where the help suit game try comes in. 

• 23+ HCPs and a balanced hand
• 21-21+ HCPs and unbalanced (cannot bid 2NT) with 8 tricks in NT, 9 tricks in trumps

• 2D if you do not have an Ace and a King
• 2H, 2S, 3C, 3D >5 cards in suit bid and Ace and King 
• 2NT with 8-10 HCPs, and Ace and King and no 5 card suit
• 3NT with >11 HCPs, and Ace and King and no 5 card suit

• 2H, 2S 3C 3D with 17+ HCPs and 5+ suit
• 2NT 22-24 HCPs and a balanced hand
• 3NT 25+ HCPs and a balanced hand

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 Ace or King in suit bid 4H/S - FAST ARRIVAL
• with Ace or King in suit bid 3H/S - SLOW ARRIVAL

WITH NO FIT

• bid your own 5 card suit
• balanced hand, no Ace bid 3NT (nothing else to say) - FAST ARRIVAL
• balanced hand with an Ace bid 2NT - SLOW ARRIVAL

OPENER SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER ASKING FOR ACES WITH A SLOW ARRIVAL

• 2D with 0-6 HCPs, may be a weak hand or no other bid
• 2H, 2S, 3C, 3D with 7+ HCPs and >5 cards in suit bid and Ace or King 
• 2NT with 8-10 HCPs, no 5 card suit
• 3NT with >11 HCPs, no 5 card suit

• 2H, 2S 3C 3D with 17+ HCPs and 5+ suit
• 2NT 22-24 HCPs and a balanced hand
• 3NT 25+ HCPs and a balanced hand

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 partner has bid a 5 card suit which you cannot support then if you have a 5 card suit bid it
• Bid 2NT/3NT if balanced

IF INVESTIGATING SLAM

• Bid at the 3 level to eave room for control bids

IF NOT INVESTIGATING SLAM

• A jump to the 4 level shows only game going interest

• Locate a stopper in the fourth suit, so that the right hand declares the NT
• Opener can further describe the hand shape, which could lead to a fit
• Can be used as a slow route to take a "delayed raise' to imply slam interest

 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:

• jump in the 4th suit

Opener should show something to further describe her hand

With 1D->1S->2C->2D (4SF) you have shown 5 diamonds & 4 clubs

• Bidding 3C shows 5 clubs
• Bidding 3D shows 6 diamonds
• Bidding 2NT shows a stopper in hearts

Be careful not to confuse with a strong jump shift - depending on partnership agreement 

If you have 

• 2-5 HCPs but a 
• 6 card suit. 
• Suit quality is not important. 

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:

• Partner bids 1C (and you are playing 2+ clubs) 
• Partner bids 1H/1S and you have a void in that suit

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

• IC -> 1H -> 2S
• 1H -> 1S ->3C/D
• 1S -> 1NT -> 3C/D/H
• Opener should have 19+ HCPs

NOTE: the bid needs to be one level above both responders and openers suit.

Can be confused with reverses and splinters

This is forcing if responder bid in the first round, as there should be enough HCPs for game