Strong Club

Point count ranges for all openings.

• Balanced 11-14 HCP, 1NT all seats.
• Unbalanced 11-16 HCP, 1 of your longest suit unless it is clubs. With 5 or more clubs 11-16 HCP open 2, unless you can open 11-14 1NT.
• 1 opening shows all hands over 16 HCP except a 21-22 HCP balanced hand which are opened 2NT.
• 1 opening and cheapest NT response shows 17-20 HCP
• 1 opening and one level NT jump response shows 23-24 HCP
• 1 opening and 2 level NT jump response shows 25-28 HCP.
• Balanced 15-16 point hands are opened 1/1/1 and after a bid by responder, opener bids NT at the cheapest level. There are exceptions to this rule: If opener opens with 1 of a major and responder raises to 2, the next available bid is Nagy/Kokish Game tries. If responder bids opener's second 4 card suit, opener should jump raise. If responder has made a response at the 2 level (not a negative double), a 2NT bid shows that opener's suit is only 4 cards. With a longer suit opener bids 3NT.
• Balanced 21 22 HCP are opened 2NT.
• 2 openers show 11-16 HCP with clubs as the longest suit and a decent suit.

1NT 11-14 all seats

• 1NT - 2 is Stayman
• 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2 shows 5-4 in majors and is to play.
• Also to invite partner to 3NT you must first bid 2, then bid 2NT over any response.
• 1NT - 2 is game forcing Stayman..

1NT - P - 2 is Forcing to Game, does not promise a 4 card major.

Responses:

• 2 shows 4/5 hearts, (may have 4 spades if only 4 hearts)
• 2 shows 4/5 spades (does not have 4 hearts)
• 2NT denies a 4 card major or a 5 card minor
• 3 denies a 4 card major but shows 5 or more clubs
• 3 denies a 4 card major but shows 5 or more diamonds

1NT - 2 - 2 - 2 (responder has 5 or more spades)

Responses are:

• 2NT is a max hand with a doubleton spade
• 3/3 is honor 3rd support with 1st or 2nd rd control of bid suit.
• 3 shows 5 hearts. If opener bids his major twice (showing a 5 card suit) but not denying 3 spades, and responder bids 3NT he would be denying 3 hearts and a hand no longer interested in slam. Opener can pass or now take this opportunity to show his spade support.There are 2 ways he can show 3 spades:
  • 1: 4 shows 3 card support but a hand not suited for slam.
  • 2: Cuebid a suit (hearts included) to show a hand where slam is possible.
• 3 shows honor 3rd support or better, either a minimum or no cue-bid.
• 3NT shows a minimum hand with xx in spades.
• 4 xxx in spades.
• 4NT is RKC for spades.

INT - 2 - 2 - 2NT (asks shape)

Responses are:

• 3 = 4 hearts + 4 clubs
• 3= 4 hearts + 4 diamonds
• 3 = 5 hearts
• 3 = 4 hearts + 4 spades
• 3NT = 3,4,3,3

INT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more clubs - slam try)

Responses are:

• 3 promises honor 3rd or better and a diamond control
• 3 shows 5 hearts
• 3 promises honor 3rd or better and a spade control
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available
• 4 is RKC for clubs

1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more diamonds - slam try).

Responses are:

• 3 shows 5 hearts
• 3 promises honor 3rd or better and a spade control
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available.
• 4 promises honor 3rd or better and a club control
• 4 is RKC for diamonds.

1NT - 2 - 2

• 3 (responder has 14 or more HCP and 4 or more hearts, slam try ).
• 3 splinter 14 or more HCP, 4 or more hearts, slam try,
• 3NT to play
• 4NT is RKC for hearts
• 4/ splinter 14 or more HCP, 4 or more hearts, slam try,
• 4NT is RKC for hearts.

1NT - 2 - 2 - 2NT (asks shape)

Responses are:

• 3 = 4 spades + 4 clubs,
• 3 = 4 spades + 4 diamonds,
• 3 = 5 spades,
• 3NT = 4,3,3,3

1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more clubs - slam try)

Responses are:

• 3 promises honor 3rd or better and a diamond control
• 3 promises honor 3rd or better and a heart control
• 3 promises honor 3rd or better and a spade control
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available
• 4 is RKC for clubs.

1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more diamonds - slam try)

Responses are:

• 3 promises honor 3rd or better and a heart control
• 3 shows 5 spades
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available.
• 4 promises honor 3rd or better and a club control
• 4 is RKC for diamonds.

1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 (responder has 10 or more HCP and 5 hearts)

Responses are:

• 3/4/4 honor 3rd support or better with 1st or 2nd rd control of bid suit
• 3NT shows a doubleton heart
• 4 shows xxx hearts.

1NT - 2 - 2

• 3 (responder has 4 or more spades, 14 or more HCP - slam try)
• 3NT to play
• 4// splinter 14 or more HCP, 4 or more spades, slam try,
• 4NT is RKC for spades.

1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 asks shape Responses are:

• 3 = 3,3,4,3
• 3 = 2,3,4,4
• 3 = 3,2,4,4
• 3NT = 3,3,3,4

1NT - 2 - 2NT

• 3 shows 5 or more diamonds, slam try
• 3 shows 14+ HCP and 5 hearts, slam try
• 3 shows 14+ HCP and 5 spades, slam try

1NT - 2/2 to play

1NT - 2NT is a transfer to 3

1NT - 3 is a transfer to 3. If responder bids a new suit it is a cuebid and a slam try, Opener must:

• cuebid
• WITH NO ace or king to cuebid, bid 3NT
• A raise of the minor is Key Card Blackwood.

1NT - 3/3 are transfers to hearts and spades. (these are invitational bids):

• Accept the transfer cheaply with 11 or 12 HCP + 2 card support.
• Bid 3NT to show 13 HCP + 2 card support.
• Cuebid 1st or 2nd round control to show 4 card support.
• Accept at the 4 level with at least 3 card support but with hand no good for slam

1NT - 3 shows 5-5 Majors.

Responses are:

• 3NT shows 2-2 in the Majors
• 4 Heart fit + good controls
• 4 Spade fit + good controls
• 4 Heart fit + poor controls
• 4 Spade fit + good controls

1NT - 4 Responses are:

• 4 shows 11 HCP
• 4 shows 12 HCP or 11 with good 5 carder
• 4NT shows 13 HCP or 12 with good 5 carder
• 5 shows 14 HCP or 13 with good 5 carder

1NT - 4/4 to play

When our 1NT gets doubled by responder's RHO:

• An immediate bid shows touching suits.
• Redouble shows a single suited hand and directs opener to bid 2 unless opener's RHO bids.
• Pass forces opener to redouble unless opener's RHO bids. This is either being left in (9 HCP+) or if responder bids it shows non touching suits.
• If responder has a bad 4-3-3-3 hand and INT gets doubled they redouble and pass opener's 2 bid. If 2 gets doubled responder can redouble for rescue.

When our 1NT gets doubled by responder's LHO:

• Redouble by opener promises 4 clubs.
• A direct bid of a suit shows a 5 card suit or a 6 card suit (6cs would be a minor)

One Level Openings

Except for 1, a 1 level opening shows the longest suit (unless opener has a bad club suit)and is made on unbalanced hands of 11 to 16 points or balanced hands of 15-16 points. With 5 or more clubs and a 4 card major the hand is opened 2 (except when the club suit is poor). With 2 four card suits, the lower suit is opened unless it is a club. With 4-5 in the red suits and a singleton spade, 1 might be opened to solve rebid problems.

1: This bid shows 17 or more HCP. It is forcing for 1 round. After responder's bid, opener will bid NT at the appropriate level with a balanced hand, or will bid his suit or suits.

a) 1 - 1. This is a negative response. It shows 0 to a bad 7 HCP. All non-jump responses by opener are not forcing. (Opener might prefer to bid a good 4 card major at the 1 level instead of a bad 5 card minor). A jump response creates a 1 round force. A double jump sets trump and is game forcing.

b) 1 - 1. This shows a good 7 or more HCP, but it shows less than 3 controls (ACE 2 controls KING 1 control). It creates a force to 2NT unless a fit is found, in which case it is game forcing.

c) 1 - 1. This shows exactly 3 controls.

d) 1 - 1NT. This shows exactly 4 controls

e) 1 - 2. This shows exactly 5 controls

f) 1 - 2/2/2. These are weak bids showing a 6 or 7 card suit with less than 3 HCP. With more values, respond 1.

g) 1 - 2NT. This shows 6 or more controls

h) 1 - 3/3/3/3. These bids show a 6 or 7 card suit that can be played for one loser opposite a void. The minimum holding is KQJ10xx. Responder can have one ace or king outside his suit. These 3 level bids are all transfers. 3 being a transfer to Clubs. After opener accepts the transfer then it is now up to responder to:

• 1. raise the suit with extra length
• 2. cuebid first or second round control.
• 3. bid NT at the cheapest level denying an outside ace or king or extra length. Opener can refuse the transfer by bidding 3NT to play or another suit, which is natural and forcing.

i) 1 - 3NT. This shows a 7 card suit with no loser opposite a void (minimum AKQJxxx) and no side ace. Opener can select the final contract.

Responder's bids after 1 when opener rebids 1NT.

2 is Stayman. Responses are:

• 2 shows at least a 4 card suit, does not deny 4 spades
• 2 shows at least a 4 card suit, denies 4 hearts
• 2NT shows 19-20 HCP, 3 now becomes Puppet Stayman

2/2 are transfer bids. Opener's rebids are:

• Accept the transfer
• Super accept by bidding 2NT(maximum with 3 trump), or 3 of major (maximum with 4 trump)
• Bid another suit
• 3NT to play.

2 is Minor Suit Stayman asking opener to show a 4 card minor.

2NT/3/3/3 are transfers showing a 6 card suit.

Dealing with interference over our 1 opener

a) 1 - DBL

• Pass - 0-3 HCP
• Redouble - 4 to a bad 7 and club length
• 1 - 4 to a bad 7 without clubs
• Other bids remain the same.

b) 1 - 1 (Overcall)

• Pass - 0 to a bad 7
• Double - 7-8 HCP 0-2 controls
• 1 - 9+ HCP 0-2 controls
• Other bids remain the same.

c) 1 - 1 (Overcall)

• Pass - 0 to a bad 7
• Double - 7+ HCP 0-2 controls
• Other bids remain the same.

d) 1 - 1 (Overcall)

• Pass - 0 to a bad 7
• Double - 7+ HCP 0-2 controls
• 1NT - 3 controls
• 2 - 4 controls
• 2 - 5 controls Other bids remain the same

e) 1 - 1NT (Overcall)

• Pass - 0 to a bad 7
• Double - 7+ HCP 0-2 controls
• 2 Level bid - Decent 5+ card suit 1-2 controls
• 2NT - 3-4 Controls
• 3NT - 5 or more controls

f) 1 - 2 Level overcalls

• Pass - Nothing to say
• Double - 8+ HCP 0-2 controls No 5 card suit
• New Suit - 4+ HCP 0-2 controls decent 5 card suit
• 2NT - 3-4 controls
• 3/// - Jump to the 3 level in a new suit shows a decent 5 card suit and 3-4 controls.
• Cue-bid - 5 or more controls

g) 1 - 2NT or higher overcalls

• Pass - Nothing to say
• Double - Scattered values 7-10 HCP
• New suit - 5+ card suit. Forcing
• 3NT - To Play

h) 1 and interference after responder has bid by 4th hand.

If after responder has bid showing his range and/or controls, fourth hand interferes with a suit bid up to 2 then double by opener is for takeout.

Examples:

1	Pass	1	2
Dbl*

* Double (Takeout)

1	Pass	1	1NT
Dbl*

* Double (Penalty: interference was not in a suit. Opener is showing a very strong balanced hand)

1	Pass	1	2
Dbl*

* Double (Takeout)

So in the following auction, responder should tend to re-open with a double when short in hearts.

1	Pass	1	2
Pass	Pass	?

If opener bids NT at the cheapest level after 4th hand interference (up to 2), he is showing a 17-20 balanced hand with the suit shown well stopped or a 19-20 balanced hand with at least one stopper. With 17-18 and only one stopper, opener passes and rebids NT at his next opportunity or bids the opponent's suit if he thinks NT will play better from partner's side. Without a stopper (and a balanced hand), opener passes and starts bidding 4 card suits up the line at his next opportunity.

Examples:

1	Pass	1	2
?

Pass - (balanced 17-20)
2NT - (balanced 17-18 with hearts well stopped or balanced 19-20 with at least one heart stopper)

1	Pass	1	2
Pass	Pass	Dbl	Pass
3*

* 3 (denies 4 spades, denies a heart stopper, only shows 4 clubs)

1 openings

This bid shows 11-16 HCP. It guarantees at least 4 diamonds (unless the hand is 3-3-3-4) or even (2-3-3-5 with bad clubs and 15-16 HCP) over this bid:

• 1 and 1 are forcing (only promises 4 cards).
• 1NT shows 8-10 HCP.
• 2 shows at least 10 HCP.
• 2 is game forcing
• 2, 2, are weak bids (4-6 HCP with a six card suit).
• 3 is a limit raise
• 2NT is invitational (10-12 HCP Note: over this bid 3 by opener is not forcing and 3 of a major shows shortness).
• 3 is weak.
• 3/3 are splinters
• 3NT is to play.

1 and 1 openings 11-16 HCP. It guarantees a 4-card suit and will tend to be opener's longest suit. Responses:

• 2 of the major shows between 7 and a bad 10 HCP (responder will tend to have 4 trumps but not always). After a single raise, Nagy or Kokish game tries are in effect. A jump to 3NT after a single raise shows a balanced 15-16 with a 5+ card major. Responder can pass or correct to 4 of the major. If the opponents interfere with a double, the Nagy-Kokish game tries are still on. If they interfere with a suit bid, normal game tries are used.
• 3 of partner's major is a limit raise
• Jump shift is a mini or better splinter.
• New suits will be forcing with 2 level bids promising at least 10 HCP.
• 2NT is Jacoby. Responses to Jacoby are:
  • Opener will show shortness at the 3 level.
  • Without shortness, opener bids 3 of the major with a 5 trump and a decent hand (14+HCP)
  • 4 of the major with 5 trump and a poor hand (11-14 HCP)
  • 3NT with 4 trumps (must be 15-16 HCP).
  • A four level bid shows another decent 5 card suit.
• 3NT shows 5 card support and a strong raise to 4 of the major
• 4 of the major shows 5 card support and a weak hand with not one defensive trick.
• 4 level jump bids show a void in bid suit and at least 4 trump

Nagy/Kokish Game Tries.

So 1 - 2 - 2NT asks responder where he would accept a game try. Other bids are game tries showing shortness. When opener uses the cheapest bid (not showing any shortness) he rates to have a strong NT. If after a response opener bids a new suit he is asking for help in that suit.

• 1 - 2 - 2 asks where is your help and
• 1 - 2 - 2NT is a game try with shortage in spades
• 1 - 2 - 3 is a game try showing short clubs.

Example:

1 - 2 - 2 (where is your help) - 3 (I have club help) - 3 (How about diamond help).

If responder is a passed hand, then 2 way Reverse Drury is in effect.

• 2 shows a limit raise with 4 trumps
• 2 shows a limit raise with 3 trumps
• 3 of the major shows a limit raise with 5 trumps. Therefore, a 1NT bid by responder denies a major suit fit but shows 8-11 HCP.

1/1 - 2NT or 1/1 - 2NT.

A jump to 2NT after a 1 over 1 response shows an unbalanced raise of responder's suit. Opener will be at least 4-4 in his and partner's suit and have a decent hand. He will have shortness in another suit. A double jump would show a void. To find opener's short suit after the 2NT jump, responder bids 3.

• 3 bid shows the lower ranking suit
• 3 bid shows the higher ranking suit.

Showing a void:

1 - 1 - 3. This shows a spade fit and a heart void.

1/1 - 1/1 - 2/2. If opener raises responder's suit after a 1 over 1 response, he should have a minimum unbalanced hand. (One possible unlikely exception: opener has a 5-4-2-2 hand with 12-14 HCP that he elected not to open 1NT). Opener will tend to have 4 card support, but he might have only 3, In either case, he should have an unbalanced minimum.

Jump shift and reverse by opener:

Since opener is limited to 16 HCP, these bids show a powerful distributional hand. These bids are game forcing unless responder bids 2NT, which is a relay to 3. If opener wants to insist on game, he simply does not bid 3 over 2NT. (Note 1 - 1 - 2 is a strong jump shift not a splinter). The reverse only applies after a 1 over 1 response after a 2 over 1 response, a reverse by opener just shows shape not extra values.

Example:

1 - 2 - 2. Opener rates to be 4-4-4-1 with club shortness and has not promised extra values.

Opener and responder's rebid after a 2 over 1 response.

A 2 over 1 response (as in 2 over 1) only promises 10 HCP. If opener makes a bid at the 3 level he creates a game force. A 2 over 1 response is forcing to at least 2NT. To avoid creating a game force, opener can rebid his suit or another suit at the 2 level. If opener bids 2NT, this creates a game force since he is showing a 15-16 balanced hand. Responder creates a game force if his next bid is at the 3 level unless he supports opener's suit or rebids his own (invitational).

New Minor Forcing.

Example:

1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 Opener 's responses are:

• 2 shows 4 hearts, denies 3 spades
• 2 shows 3 spades, denies 4 hearts
• 2NT denies 4 hearts or 3 spades
• 3 shows 4 hearts and 3 spades.
• If opener opened 1, then rebidding 2 would show 5 and rebidding 3 would show 5 hearts and 3 spades.

2 Openings

This bid shows opener's longest suit and a range of 11 to 16 HCP. The club suit will be a decent suit. (For example with AKQJ A 1075 109642, we open 1). Also with 11-14 HCP and no 4 card major it is probably better to open 1NT to avoid rebid problems when partner bids 2 to ask about your hand. Over that bid, we play negative doubles up to 4. Responder can force with 2, which asks opener to describe his hand. With a minimum hand (11-12), opener will have good shape (5-4-3-1 with a 4 card major) or a good club suit.

• If opener has a 4 card major and minimum values (11-12) they bid the major at the 2 level.
• With a 4 card major and maximum values 13-14 he bids the major at the 3 level.
• With 15-16 HCP strong NT he bids 3NT.

A: 2 - 2: This is an artificial bid asking opener to bid his hand. Responses:

• 2/2 - opener has a 4 card major and minimum values,
• 3/3 - opener has a 4 card major and maximum values
• 2NT - opener has a strong NT (15-16),
• 3 - opener has minimum values and no 4 card major
• 3 - opener has maximum hand with no 4 card major

B: 2 - 2 - 2/2. After opener has shown a minimum hand with a 4 card major, responder can splinter or keycard. A new suit is forcing and shows a stopper for NT purpose. A raise to the 3 level sets trump and asks for cuebids. If after 2/2, responder bids 3, then it is to play. 2NT would be invitational.

C: 2 - 2 - 2NT. Opener has shown a strong NT (15-16) without a 4 card major. A game force has been created unless responder passes 2NT:

• 3 would be slammish in clubs.
• 3/3 are Jacoby transfers.
• 3 is slammish for diamonds

D: 2 - 2 - 3. Opener has shown a minimum hand. 3 now asks opener for his NT stopper outside of clubs. A 3NT response shows a diamond stopper. If responder bypasses 3 and bids a major at the 3 level it is natural (at least 5 cards) and forcing. Jumps to the 4 level are splinters (2 - 2 - 3 - 4 for example).

E: 2 - 2 - 3. Opener has shown a decent hand without a 4 card major. He has also denied a strong NT. This bid creates a game force. Opener's hand should be unbalanced. If responder bids a major he is showing a 5 card suit. Opener can bid 3NT to deny a fit (probably opener's singleton or void) or show a fit by cue-bidding.

F: 2 - 2 - 3/3. Opener has shown a maximum with a 4 card major (might be 5 card major if he has 6 clubs). It has created a game force. New suits are cuebids. 4 is to play 4NT is 1430 RKC. Splinters can also be used.

G: 2 - 2 - 4/4. Opener has shown a weak 5-6. Responder can place the contract. 4NT would be 1430 RKC with 6 keycards (both kings count). With a better hand opener would respond at the 3 level and rebid his major.

H: 2 - 2/2. These bids are invitational. They show a 5 card suit with 8-11 HCP. Opener can pass, correct to 3, or cue-bid with a good suit.

I: 2 - 2NT/3NT. These bids show balanced hands of either 9-12 HCP or 13-15 HCP. They show stoppers or length in the unbid suits. Over 2NT opener can bid 3NT or sign off in 3. With a good club fit, responder can upgrade his hand.

J: 2 - 3 - 3 shows a club fit and 4-8 HCP. Opener should be only interested in game if he has hopes of making 5 or making many club tricks in 3NT. 3 level bids by opener are showing a stopper for NT and asks responder to bid 3NT, show a stopper, or go back to 4 when a suit is not stopped. If opener bids 4 over 3, he is inviting 5.

K: 2 - 3// : These bids are game forcing and show a decent 6 card suit.

L: 2 - 4 This bid is preemptive.

M: 2 - 4//. These are splinters inviting slam.