1.  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
NT; 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: NT: 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 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 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
= 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 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, 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

2. 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 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-…

3. 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 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 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!).

4. Bidding after They Double
OVER OPP’S DOUBLE
New 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)

5. After NT Openings
NOTRUMP OPENING BIDS
1 NT: NT: 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.

6. 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)

7. 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 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, 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 ( and minimum; if
responder bids 3S this is to play), 3S( and maximum),
3NT (maximum 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 HCP)

8. 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 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 is weak, whereas 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.

9. 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 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 is weak, whereas 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.

10. 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 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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
= Exclusion KCB if fit; DOPI, ROPI
Remark: 2M-2NT-3X-4C is also Mod. KCB

14. 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 HCP

15. 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!
