1. SPECIAL DOUBLES
Neg. & Resp. thru 3
Maxi X
Support x, xx 2ResSuit
DIR NT OVERCALLS
15-18 HCP (11-14 bal.)
2NT bal. (18-19); cue=Stay, TX
Systems on dir. NT; off bal.. NT
2NT:=2-lo-Unb(not 13-15)
John Erickson & Christoph F. Eick 5 CARD MAJORS; 2 over 1 game force
Strong Forcing Openings = 2
SIMPLE OVERCALLS
6-16 HCP
RESPONSES
New Suit is Nonforc.((8)9-12)
Cue = 1R-force; JR=weak;
JSS= good hand but NF
Vs. STRONG NT Dir/Bal
X = 1-Suiter (10+ UNPoppUNP)
 or  or 
 or 

(weak 2)
3X:= pree.
Vs. WEAK NT Dir/Bal
X =15+ HCP; Cappelletti;
3X preemptive
NOTRUMP OPENING BIDS
1 NT: (14) NT:Gambling (no outside A/K))
2NT: 20-21(Jacoby,3S= MSS, Texas)
5-card majors common when opening 1NT/2NT
After 1NT:2 = NF Stayman (2= weak (+other), 2= Inv.,
3m=forcing, 2M-3oM=SLT M, Smolen(might be: 6+-4 or SLT 1-suiter),
4C=Gerber, 2M-4D=bal. SLTR oM(asks cue); 4NT=quant.)
Jacoby-Transfers [New suit force (but 1NT-2-2-2= Invit.),
JSS = Splinter, 4M mild Slam-Try, 4NT=quant.] Texas (i.c. . 3C)
2S=>3  /2NT=>3  (between pos.; cont: new suit splinter;3m=weak)
1NT-3/ =weak/strong with minors(5+-5+)
1NT-3/3 = with shortage in M and 3 cards in oM
Over opp. X/2 : systems on, XX 2 (2m signoff)
In comp: Lebensohl (FADS), Dir. X:=Penalty, Bal. X:=Takeout;
Neg. Doubles at 3’level.
JUMP OVERCALLS
Preemptive directly
(also 1m-3m & 1NT-3X)
Bal..(12-15 HCP)
1M-3M asks for Stopper
OVER OPP’S DOUBLE
New 1-level = Forcing
XX = implies no fit, 10+ HCP
2NT=LR+; JSS=weak
OPENING PREEMPTS
LIGHT
MAJORS
5+ Card Suit in 1st & 2nd
Sometimes 4-card suit 3rd&4th
RESPONSES
Double Raise = preemptive (3+-6)
Jacoby 2NT/Bergen by UPH
3D=9-11; 3C=(6)7-9 HCP
1M-2M=3tr HCP UNP
3oM=Splinter (11-13; 3NT asks)
DJSS= Splinter(14-16); DirCue=LR+
1NT forcing by UNP;
Rev. Drury (fit(3+))
3NT=16-17; (M) poss.
MINORS
3+ Card Suit
RESPONSES
Raises: Jom=GF, 3m=limit
I.c.: Dir.Cue = LR+, 3m=pre.,
2m=single raise
1C-1NT = 8-10 HCP
2NT = 11-12; 3NT = 13-15
1C-1M:= might have longer D
2H/2S=preemptive (3+-6 HCP)
VS. PREEMPTS
Takeout Double thru 4
Over 2M: Lebensohl ov. X (0-7,
3X sh. 7-11), 3M asks stopper..
PSYCHICS
Occasionally
DIRECT CUEBID
Michaels Cuebid (not 13-15)
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), next bid asks queen and
specific K: cheapest bid(no Q), 5NT(Q, no king),…; fast arrival.
Jump to 5NT:= Pick a Slam
= Exclusion KCB if fit; DOPI, ROPI
2 = Strong &Artificial Responses: 2= superneg.,
2  = waiting (2Q’s or better), 2S/2NT== 5-card suit 2/3 top
In comp.: XX/X= superneg, p = wait.; other= 3+ ctr.

DEFENSIVE CARD PLAY
Opening Leads Vs. Suits = 4th Best
Mark Card Lead : xxx AKx KQx KQJx QJx
JTx T9x KJT9 KT98 QT98 xxxxx xx xxxx
Opening Leads Vs. NT = 4th best)
Mark Card Lead: xxx AKJx AQJx AJT9 AT98
KQJx KQT9 KJT9 KT98 QJTx QT9x
JT9x T9xx xx xxxx xxxxx
Lead of A asks count (& unblock vs. NT)
Standard signals and discards
After trick 1 = 4th best leads, high spot asks shift;
2= WEAK (5-10 HCP & 6 card suit 2+/4 top;
could have 5-card suit 3rd seat; HCP in 4th seat) Responses: 2NT asks feature, RONF.
2/ WEAK (5-10 HCP & 6 card suit 2+/4 top top;
could have 5-card suit 3rd seat; HCP in 4th seat) Responses: 2NT asks feature, RONF.
OTHER CONVENTIONAL CALLS
NMF ov. 1X-1M-1NT (respond above 2NT if max); PJSS in comp.;
UN/UN (Lo Cue =LR+,HiCue=GF4th); HSGTiM; 4SARTGF UNP;
ov. 1X-p-1Y: 1NT(5-5, not )/ 2NT(5-5; ); 2X/2Y natural;
Over Reverses: Lebensohl(weak); 2M=1R-force; other=GF.
After 2C and a cuebid after partner’s X or overcall: bidding can only
stop after a suit has been bid twice.