 Nancy Joe & Christoph F. Eick SPECIAL DOUBLES Neg. & Resp. thru 4 Maxi X Support x, xx =>2ResSuit DIR NT OVERCALLS 15-18 HCP (12-15 bal.) Systems on. 2NT:=2-lo-Unbid(not 13-15) 2NT bal. (19-20),Wolff;cue=St Nancy Joe & Christoph F. Eick 15-17 1NT; 5 CARD MAJORS; 2 over 1 game force Strong Forcing Openings = 2, 4, 4 SIMPLE O’CALLS 5-16 HCP New suit NF (8+-12); Cue =1RF; Jcue3=MixedR JSS & JR = Preemptive (<7) Neg XX = LR & 3 trumps Snapdragon(4th&Jx+)4 Vs. STRONG NT Dir/Bal Dbl = 1-Suiter(10+ UNPoppUNP)  or   or    Vs. WEAK NT Dir/Bal Dbl = 15+ HCP; Dbl-PH=C Cappelletti, 2NT=minors NOTRUMP OPENING BIDS 1 NT: 15-17 3NT: 4m-Preempt (broken suit) 2NT: 20-21(PupStay(cont: 4m slam try in m; 4NT neg.), Jacoby, 3S= MSS, Texas)) 5-card majors common when opening 1NT/2NT After 1NT:2 = NF Stayman (cont: 2= weak (+other), 2= Invit., 3m=forc., 4C=Ger., 4D=RCKB, 3oM=natural & GF, 4NT=quant.) Jacoby-Transfers [New suit force (except 1NT-2-2-2= Invit.), JSS = Splinter, 4M mild Slam-Try] Texas (also in comp thr. 3C) 2S3 /2NT3 (compl. pos.; cont: new suit Splinter;3m=weak) 1NT-3=Puppet Stayman; 1NT-3 =strong with minors(5+-5+) 1NT-3/3 = Splinter, 3 in oM, 5-4 in the minors Over opp. X: systems on, XX2 (2m signoff) In comp: Lebensohl (FADS), Dir. X:=Penalty, Bal. X:=Takeout; Ov. 1NT-2Z(art): X=8+, 2+ in Z; 3Z=GF, shortage in Z; Lebensohl JUMP OVERCALLS Preemptive directly (also 1m-3m & 1NT-3X) Balancing (12-15 HCP) 1M-3M asks for stopper OVER OPP’S DOUBLE New Suit @ 1-level = Forcing New Suit 2-level= NF 7-9HCP XX = implies no fit, 10+ HCP Ov. 1M-X: Cappelletti (2M/2M-1:raise 3-7/7-10 HCP); 2NT=LR+; JSS=weak Ov. 1m-X: 2NT= LR+; JSS=weak OPENING PREEMPTS LIGHT 4C/4D=Namyats (8-8.5tr., betw. transfer.); MAJORS 5+ Card Suit in 1st & 2nd Sometimes 4-card suit 3rd&4th RESPONSES Double Raise = preemptive (3+-6) Jacoby 2NT by UPH Bergen Raises UPH(3C/D=6-9/9-11) 4m/3NT(oM)= Splinter (14-16) 3oM Splinter (11-13; sh? 3NT asks) 1NT forcing by UNP; DirCue=LR+ 2NT (PH) = invit. with 4+ Rev. Drury (promises fit(3+)) 1H-1S=5+, 1M-2M=3tr. 7-10 HCP 1H-2S=weak (3-6); 1M-4oM=natural MINORS 3+ Card Suit RESPONSES Raises: 2m(12+), 2H(9-11) 2S(6-9) 3m(3+-6) I.c.: Dir.Cue = LR+, 3m=pre., 2m=single raise 1C-1NT = 8-10 HCP 2NT = 11-12; 3NT = 13-15 1D-3C=invitational 1m-1X-1NT-3X|m|Y=Slam Try 1C-1M:= might have longer D 1C-2D=weak (3+-6) VS. PREEMPTS Takeout Double thru 4 Over 2M: Lebensohl ov. X (0-7, 3X sh. 7-11), 3M asks stopper;. 2NT(15+-18; cue=Stay; 3C3D) DIRECT CUEBID Michaels (not 13-15) over majors and minors SLAM CONVENTIONS Gerber over last NT (0/4,1, 2, 3); RKCB for agreed or last bid suit (0/3, 1/4, 2, 2+Q) & Q ask (no, yes + 0K, ..., yes + 3K); Ov. Preempts: 4(3C-4D) = Mod. KCB (0, 1, 1+Q, 2, 2+Q); Jump to 5NT: pick a slam JSS@5Level = Exclusion KCB if fit; DOPI, ROPI 2 = Strong &Art. (22+ bal., 18++ M, 21+ m) Responses: 2 = 1+ controls; 2 = 0 controls, CS3L_2ndNEG. 2/2NT(=) = 5-card suit 2/3 top; 3m = 6 card suit 2/3 top. In comp.: X/XX = 0 contr.; pass=1-2 contr.; other 3+ contr. DEFENSIVE CARD PLAY Opening Leads Vs. Suits = 4th Best Mark Card Lead : xxx AKx KQx KQJx QJx JTx KQT9 T9x KJTx KT9x QT9x xxxxx xx xxxx Opening Leads Vs. NT = 4th Best Mark Card Lead: xxx AKJx AQJx AJT9 AT9x KQJx KQT9 KJT9 KT9x QJTx QT9x JT9x T9xx xx xxxx xxxxx Lead of A asks count and unblock vs. NT Standard signals and discards After trick 1 = 4th best leads, high spot asks shift. Unusual leads ask unusual plays!  2= INT (Flannery 11-15 HCP; 5H&4S&no void) Responses: 2NT artificial inquiry, 3C weak, 3M asks stop. corr. minor 2 WEAK (5-10 HCP & usually 6 card suit except 2 in 3rd seat NV, 10-13 HCP in 4th seat) Responses: 2NT asks feature, RONF, 4CmodRKCB OTHER CONVENTIONAL CALLS NMF (inv+; opener bids above 2NT if max); HSGTiM; 4SARTGF; Wolff signoff after 1X-1Y-2NT & 2X-2NT(weak or SLT in C); UN/UN (Lo Cue =LR+,HiCue=GF4th); Bal. XX SOS3NT;. PJSSiC; Vs 1C/2C str.: -1-Strong-NT-Defense (1/2NT=C+red, 2/3C=D+M, 2/3D=H+S, 2/3H=S+C, 2/3S=S; 2/3NT=C+D; X=clubs); 1m-1H-1S-3om=weak, 6+, 5-8; Over opps’ 1X-p-1Y: 2X/Y natural, 1NT(15+-18); Lebensohl(weak) over reverses; 1X-1Y-2R-2Y=1R-force

After 1C/1D MINORS 3+ Card Suit RESPONSES Raises: 2m(12+), 2H(9-11) I.c.: Dir.Cue = LR+, 3m=pre., 2m=single raise 1C-1NT = 8-10 HCP 2NT = 11-12; 3NT = 13-15 1D-3C=invitational 1m-1X-1NT-3Z=Slam Try 1C-1M:= might have longer D 1C-2D=weak (3+-6) 1C-3D&1m-3M/4M= preemptive Remarks:1m-2m/2H only promises 4-card support (with a minimum opener rebids 2NT or 3m), all other bids create a game force after 1m-2H and indicate slam interest after 1m-2m; 1m-2S/3m promises 5+ support; 1D-2C is game forcing whereas 1D-3C is invitational with a 6+-card suit; 1D-2NT might be a hand with 10+-11 HCP and 5 clubs. After 1C, if we have 4 diamonds and a 4-card major, we always bid the major first; if we have 5+ diamonds and a 4-card major we bid the major first with 4-12 HCP; bidding 1D first and then a major promises 13+ HCP. The above responses remain the same, after a passed hand; e.g. p-1D-p-2D Promise a hand that has been greatly improved by the minor opening; e.g. holding x KJx AQJxxx xxx respond 2D after p-1D-…

After 1H/1S MAJORS 5+ Card Suit in 1st & 2nd Sometimes 4-card suit 3rd&4th RESPONSES Double Raise = preemptive (3+-6) Jacoby 2NT by UPH Bergen Raises UPH(3C/D=6-9/9-11) 4m/3NT(oM)= Splinter (14-16) 3oM Splinter (11-13 sh?, 3NT asks sh.) 1NT forcing by UNP; DirCue=LR+ 2NT (PH) = invit. with 4+ 2=Rev. Drury (promises fit(3+)) 1H-1S=5+ spades; 1M-2M=3tr. 7-10 HCP 1H-2S=weak(3+-6); 1M-4oM=natural (< 10 HCP) After 1S-3H/1H-3S 3NT asks for the shortage: a 4H responses shows shortage in the other major, 4C/4D shows shortage in the suit bid. After 1H-1S(5+), opener always raises if he has 3 card support; 1NT shows 11-14 HCP with one or two spades; 2C/2D usually promises 15+ HCP (responder should not pass holding 7 or more HCP). 1S-2S always shows 7-10 HCP with 3 spades; holding 5-6 HCP and 3 spades bid 1NT first and then give a preference to 2S (e.g. 1S-1NT-2C-2S shows 3 spades with 5-6 HCP or 2 spades with 5-10 HCP). Passed Hand bidding: 1M-2D/1M-2NT(clubs) shows near opening strength 10+ HCP or 9 HCP with a good 6-card suit). After 1M-2C, 2D is artificial asking responder to describe her hand; 1M-2C-2M and 1S-2C-2H deny full opening strength. Opener’s continuations above 2M are slam tries; e.g. 1S-2C-3C asks for help in C, 1S-2C-4D is a Splinter, and 1S-2C-2NT is a balanced slam try; 1M-2C-4M is to play (no slam interest!).

Bidding after They Double OVER OPP’S DOUBLE New Suit @ 1-level = Forcing New Suit 2-level= NF 7-9 HCP XX = implies no fit, 10+ HCP Ov. 1M-x: Cappelletti (2M/2M-1: raise 3-7/7-10 HCP); 2NT=LR+; JSS=weak Ov. 1m-x: 2NT= LR+; JSS=weak Remarks: 1S-X-4C/4D/4H is a long suit (if you like to play it Splinter with 11+ HCP instead let me know)

After NT Openings NOTRUMP OPENING BIDS 1 NT: 15-17 3NT: 4m-Preempt (broken suit) 2NT: 20-21(PupStay(cont: 4m slam try in m; 4NT neg.), Jacoby, 3S= MSS, Texas)) 5-card majors common when opening 1NT/2NT After 1NT:2 = NF Stayman (cont: 2= weak (+other), 2= Invit., 3m=forc., 4C=Ger., 4D=RCKB, 3oM=natural & GF, 4NT=quant.) Jacoby-Transfers [New suit force (except 1NT-2-2-2= Invit.), JSS = Splinter, 4M mild Slam-Try] Texas (also in comp thr. 3C) 2S3 /2NT3 (compl. pos.; cont: new suit Splinter;3m=weak) 1NT-3=Puppet Stayman; 1NT-3 =strong with minors(5+-5+) 1NT-3/3 = Splinter, 3oM, 5-4 in the minors Over opp. X: systems on, XX2 (2m signoff) In comp: Lebensohl (FADS), Dir. X:=Penalty, Bal. X:=Takeout; Ov. 1NT-2Z(art): X=8+, 2+ in Z; 3Z=GF, shortage in Z; Lebensohl Remarks: After 1NT with 5-5 in the minors and a weak hand respond 2NT and pass opener’s response; with a one suited minor slam try after 1NT: bid 2C and then 3m if balanced or holding a side 4-card major, but transfer into your suit and then bid your short suit if unbalanced. No Smolen: 1NT-2C-2D-3H/3S is GF (either 5-4 H+S or a balanced slam try with a 6-card major; 1NT-2C-2S-3H/1NT-2C-2H-3S is a balanced slam try.

After NT Overcalls DIR NT OVERCALLS 15-18 HCP (12-15 bal.) Systems on. 2NT:=2-lo-Unbid(not 13-15) Balancing 2NT (19-20 HCP); Wolff Signoff; cue=Stay. Remarks: After a 2NT overcall (15+-18) of a weak two bid, we bid as follows; let us assume it goes 2H-2NT: 3C is a puppet to 3D (Wolff Signoff; usually a weak hand or a slam try in C); e.g. 2H-2NT-3C-3D-3S is to play whereas 2H-2NT-3C-3D-3H is an artificial slam try in C. 3D is natural and forcing 3H (cuebid) is Stayman promising 4 spades 3S is natural and forcing promising 5+ spades 4S is to play Remark: We use the same system after 1X-p-p-2NT(19-20)

2+ Level Openings 2 = Strong &Art. (22+ bal., 18++ M, 21+ m) Responses: 2 = 1+ controls; 2 = 0 controls, CS3L_2ndNEG. 2/2NT(=) = 5-card suit 2/3 top; 3m = 6 card suit 2/3 top. In comp.: X/XX = 0 contr.; pass=1-2 contr.; other 3+ contr. 2= INT (Flannery 11-15 HCP; 5H&4S&no void) Responses: 2NT art. inquiry, 3C weak, 3M asks stop. corr. minor 2 WEAK (5-10 HCP & usually 6 card suit except 2 in 3rd seat NV, 10-13 HCP in 4th seat) Responses: 2NT asks feature, RONF, 4CmodRKCB OPENING PREEMPTS LIGHT 4C/4D=Namyats (8-8.5tr., betw. transfer.); Flannary: 2D-2NT: 3m(3 cards in m; after that 3M is invitational; opener passes with a minimum), 3H (4-5-2-2 and minimum; if responder bids 3S this is to play), 3S(4-5-2-2 and maximum), 3NT (maximum 5-4-2-2 with stoppers in both minors). Weak 2: In first and second seat: 6-card suit 2/4 top (except unfav. any 6-card suit is okay); 3rd: good 5-card suit is okay if non-vul.; 4th: 6-card suit with 2/4 top and 10+-13 HCP)

Defensive Bidding1 JUMP OVERCALLS Preemptive directly (also 1m-3m & 1NT-3X) Balancing (12-15 HCP) 1M-3M asks for stopper (bid 4C without a stopper) VS. PREEMPTS Takeout Double thru 4 Over 2M: Lebensohl ov. X (0-7, 3X sh. 7-11; FADS), 3M asks stopper;. 2NT(15+-18; cue=Stay; 3C3D) DIRECT CUEBID Michaels Cuebid (not 13-15 HCP) Vs. STRONG NT Dir/Bal Dbl = 1-Suiter(10+ HCP UNPoppUNP)  or   or    Vs. WEAK NT Dir/Bal Dbl = 15+ HCP; Dbl-PH=C; Cappelletti, 2NT=minors Remarks: 1NT is strong if it includes hand with 16 HCP; otherwise it is considered to be weak; e.g. 13-15 is weak, whereas 13-16 or 13-17 is considered to be strong. A double of a strong 1NT opening promises 10 HCP with a 6-card suit or 11+ HCP with a 5-card suit, if partner has not passed yet, but could be a weak2 hand, if partner already passed. After 1NT-X-p responder should consider a penalty pass with 9+ HCP, whereas after p-1NT-X responder should never pass, but rather bid 2C (pass or correct) or bid a suit of his own, because partner might have a weak 2 kind of hand.

Defensive Bidding2 Vs. STRONG NT Dir/Bal Dbl = 1-Suiter(10+ HCP UNPoppUNP)  or   or    Vs. WEAK NT Dir/Bal Dbl = 15+ HCP; Dbl-PH=C; Cappelletti, 2NT=minors Remarks: Over a weak NT, all direct interventions promise 11-15 HCP, whereas interventions, after partner already passed promise 7-14 HCP; 1NT(weak)-p-p-X still promises 15+ HCP. Remarks: 1NT is strong if it includes hand with 16 HCP; otherwise it is considered to be weak; e.g. 13-15 is weak, whereas 13-16 or 13-17 is considered to be strong. A double of a strong 1NT opening promises 10 HCP with a 6-card suit or 11+ HCP with a 5-card suit, if partner has not passed yet, but could be a weak2 hand, if partner already passed. After 1NT-X-p responder should consider a penalty pass with 9+ HCP, whereas after p-1NT-X responder should never pass, but rather bid 2C (pass or correct) or bid a suit of his own, because partner might have a weak 2 kind of hand.

Defensive Bidding III: Bidding After Simple Overcalls SIMPLE O’CALLS 5-16 HCP New suit NF (8+-12 HCP); Cue =1RF; Jcue3=MixedR JSS & JR = Preemptive (<7) Neg XX = LR & 3 trumps Snapdragon(4th&Jx+)4 Remarks: jump raises promise 3+-6 HCP; mixed raises promise 6+-9- HCP. Snapdragon: 1D-1H-1S-2C(is alertable: 2C-overcall with xx, stiff or void in H; 1D-1H-1S-X shows an overcall in the 4th suit (C here) and Jx or better in H.

Support x, xx =>2ResSuit Special Doubles SPECIAL DOUBLES Neg. & Resp. thru 4 Maxi X Support x, xx =>2ResSuit

Other Conventional Bids OTHER CONVENTIONAL CALLS NMF (inv+; opener bids above 2NT if max); HSGTiM; 4SARTGF; Wolff signoff after 1X-1Y-2NT & 2X-2NT & 1X-p-p-2NT(weak or SLT in C); UN/UN (Lo Cue =LR+,HiCue=GF4th); JSS preemptive in competition; vs 1C/2C str.: -1-Strong-NT-Defense (1/2NT=C+red, 2/3C=D+M, 2/3D=H+S, 2/3H=S+C, 2/3S=S; 2/3NT=C+D); 1m-1H-1S-3om=weak; Bal. XX SOS3NT; Over opps’ 1X-p-1Y: 2X/Y natural, 2NT(5-5 unbid, not 13-15 HCP), 1NT(15+-18); Lebensohl(weak) over reverses, 1X-1Y-2R-2Y=1-round-force, all other responses to reverses are game-forcing. Remarks: After NMF opener bids features up the line (above 2NT with a maximum). After 1C/2C strong: 2-suited bids can be very weak but promise 5-5 distribution except 5-4 distribution is okay at fav. vulnerability; X of 1C/2C strong shows clubs; 1-level overcalls after a strong 1C are frequently lead-directing and light, but the overcaller shows a really good hand if she bids again. All redoubles above 2NT are ‘to play’, direct redoubles either conventional or strength showing, whereas balancing XX are SOS  2NT. After Reverses: After 1C-1S-2H: 2S shows 5 spades and is forcing for one round but all continuations can be passed except the 4th suit (3D in this case) is forcing to game, 2NT is Lebensohl and weak, and all other bids including 3C are forcing to game. 1C-1H-1S-3D and 1D-1H-1S-3C is weak showing a 6(+)-card minor, usually only 4 hearts and 5-8 HCP; responder rarely bids except if very strong or void in om.

Slam Conventions Remark: 2M-2NT-3X-4C is also Mod. KCB Gerber over last NT only (0/4,1, 2, 3); RKCB for agreed or last bid suit (0/3, 1/4, 2, 2+Q) & Q ask (no, yes + 0K, ..., yes + 3K); Ov. Preempts: 4(3C-4D) = Mod. KCB (0, 1, 1+Q, 2, 2+Q); Jump to 5NT: pick a slam JSS@5Level = Exclusion KCB if fit; DOPI, ROPI Remark: 2M-2NT-3X-4C is also Mod. KCB

Other Understandings If we open and they overcall, a jump cue bid in the overcalled suit is still a Splinter, but a jump suit shift in an unbid suit is natural and preemptive; for example, 1S-2H(overcall)-4H or 1C-1H-3H is a game-forcing raise with 0-1H and 4+ support and 11+ HCP, whereas 1S-2H-4C(new suit) is preemptive with a lot of clubs. In general, in competition all jumps into unbid suits are preemptive and weak with 3+-6 HCP. 1M-X-1NT shows clubs or 8-9 HCP with a doubleton spade 1C-X-1H is constructive and forcing for one round, promising 7+ HCP with at least a good 4-card heart suit. 1C-X-2D is constructive, but not forcing promising 7-9 HCP p-p-1S-p-1NT is not forcing and promises 6+-10- HCP

Defensive Carding DEFENSIVE CARD PLAY Opening Leads Vs. Suits = 4th Best Mark Card Lead : xxx AKx KQx KQJx QJx JTx KQT9 T9x KJTx KT9x QT9x xxxxx xx xxxx Opening Leads Vs. NT = 4th Best Mark Card Lead: xxx AKJx AQJx AJT9 AT98 KQJx KQT9 KJT9 KT98 QJTx QT9x JT9x T98x xx xxxx xxxxx Lead of A asks count and unblock vs. NT Standard signals and discards After trick 1 = 4th best leads, high spot asks shift. Unusual leads ask unusual plays! 