DEFENSIVE AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING LEADS AND SIGNALS W.B.F. : OPENING LEADS STYLE: Natural, occasionally 4 cards at 1-level Lead In Partner’s Suit CATEGORY: GREEN Aggressive when NV Suit 3/5 3/5 NT 2/4 2/4 Ellena Moskovsky Natural (1♣) 2♣ and (1♦) 2♦ overcalls when the minor shows 0-2+ Subsequent Attitude Reverse Attitude James Coutts

Cue does not guarantee support: 2/1 is non-forcing Other: Overlead all except when requesting unblock vs NT NZ Mixed Team 2016

LEADS: SYSTEM SUMMARY 1NT : Lead Vs. Suit Vs. NT 15-17(18) (semi) balanced Ace AK+, A AK+, A GENERAL APPROACH AND STYLE: King KQ+, K KQ+ or wants Q unblock Balancing: ~14-16 2/1 GF, 5542 style with transfer responses to 1♣ Queen QJ+ or Q QJ+ or wants J unblock All systems on (as per 1NT opening) Jack JT+ or Jx can be AJT+ or KJT+ 1NT = 15-17 10 T9+ or Tx can be AT9+/KT9+/QT9+ JUMP OVERCALLS: - Occasionally off-shape 9 9x or 3/5 2/4 Intermediate in all auctions except (1C) 2D which is weak. 6-card - Frequent upgrades, occasional downgrades Hi-X 3/5 2/4 suit and approximately 12-16 Lo-X 3/5 2/4 Actions can be light when NV vs V SIGNALS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY: DIRECT & JUMP CUE BIDS: Partner’s Lead Declarer’s Lead Discarding SPECIAL BIDS THAT MAY REQUIRE DEFENCE: Michaels, strength dependent on vulnerability. Always constructive 1 RC / SP RC RC / SP - 1NT = 15-17, occasionally off-shape when V, can be light NV Suit 2 SP SP RA 5-5 ♠ and ♥ over 1♣/♦ if 3+ suit 3 Transfer responses to 1♣ (1♦=♥, 1♥=, 1♠=♦ or <11 no 4cM) vs OPPONENTS’ 1NT OPENING: 1 RC RC RC / SP - These also apply over X and 1♦ overcall X = penalty. Generally 15+ but can be less in balancing seat NT 2 SP SP RA - Transfers also apply over 1♥ and 1♠ (X) 3 - Transfer to ♣/♦ usually shows 5, transfer to major at the 2♣ = both majors one level only promises 4 2♦ = constructive one major (vs Weak); one major (vs Strong) Most cards are reverse count. When possible, order of count cards played 2M = obstructive one major (vs Weak); 5M+4m (vs Strong) will have suit preference implications. 2D varies according to vulnerability: 2NT = clubs, any strength - NV: 0-7, one 5 or 6 card major 3C = diamonds, any strength DOUBLES - V: 8-11, both majors at least 5-4 (either way) vs PRE-EMPTS: 2NT in competition is frequently artificial X = takeout TAKEOUT DOUBLES: 4m = leaping or non- Sound when V, can be light when NV (especially NV vs V) SEQUENCES: vs ARTIFICIAL STRONG OPENINGS: vs Strong 1♣: all natural apart from X (majors) and 1NT (2-suiter with at least one minor). 1-level emphasis is on lead direction vs Strong 2.: natural, X shows the suit they bid SPECIAL, ARTIFICIAL, & COMPETITIVE Xs / XXs IMPORTANT NOTES: Game-try doubles, e.g. 1♥-p-2♥-2♠-X Light action NV vs V OVER OPPONENTS’ : Support doubles through 2♥ 1C can contain atypical balanced shapes if minimum for range

Transfers after 1♣, 1♥ and 1♠ starting at 1NT PSYCHICS:

1M (X) jump shifts are fit showing, may only be to direct the lead. Light action in 3rd seat is common (especially NV) In other situations psychics are rare

DESCRIPTION RESPONSES SUBSEQUENT ACTION OTHER NOTES OPENING OPENING ART MIN. CARDS NEG.DBL THRU

1. X 2 2+. 1♦/♥ = 4+♥/♠, can be light Accepting the TRF shows 2+ support if weak NT, 3+ if May have longer other suit in a weak 1♠ = 5+♦ GF or INV, or 5-10 no 4cM unbalanced , especially if 11/12 or 17 1NT = 11-12 (can have 4M) 2. ART puppet to 2♦ in many sequences 2. = GF 5+., 2♦ = 13-16 balanced (can have 5♦) 2♦ ART GF in many sequences 2M = 8-11, 6M 1m-2m-2m+1 is 11-14 BAL (except 1♦-2♣-2 = bal). 2NT = weak raise to 3 1.-1♦/-1NT is 18-19 BAL 1 4 4+ 2m = GF 5+./♦ Similar continuations to 1♣. 1♦-1M-2oM is art. rev. Transfers after 2NT rebid 2M = 8-11, 6M 1♦-1-1 is forcing 2NT = INV 4+ ♦ 1♦-1M-2M-2M+1 is ART INQ, 2NT SST, 3x LST (3♦ 3♣ = natural INV for ) 1 5 5+♥ 1NT = 0-12, can have 3-card support if <8 1M-2M-2M+1: game try with any shortage; others are Passed hand Drury Occasionally 4+ in 3rd/4th 2/1 = GF, 2. is clubs or balanced long suit game tries. - 2. = max passed hand, 3 Raise to 2M = 8-11 usually 3-card support - 2 = max passed hand, 4 1 5 5+♠ 2NT = GF, 4+ support - 2NT = max passed hand 5 Occasionally 4+ in 3rd/4th 3. = ~5-8, 4+support, 3 = 9-10(11), 4+ support 1-3 = 6+ INV 3M+1 = anonymous SPL 1NT - (14)15-17 2♣ = simple stayman (will not be bid with 1 4cM GF) Max super-accepts are always 2M+1. balanced / semi-balanced 2♦/♥/NT = //, 2♠ = RF or . After 1NT-transfer-super accept, all 3. = ask for 5M (3 says no 5M), 3♦ = GF both m bids are transfers to the next suit 3/ = singleton, 3 suited outside (4441 or 5431) Rubinsohl over intervention 4♣/♦ = mild slam try or better in / 2. - 22+ BAL 2♦ = waiting Kokish after 2.-2 (24+BAL or GF 5+) or any GF 2/ and 3./ = positive with good 6-card suit 2 X 0 NV: 0-7, 5+♥ or  NV: 2/3/4♥, 2/3= pass/correct. 2NT forcing ENQ NV after 2NT: 3♣ = min, 3♦ = 5 not min, 3 = 5 not min, 3 = 6 not min, 3NT = 6 not min V: 8-11, 5-4+ either way ♥+ V: major bids to play. 2NT forcing ENQ V after 2NT: 3♣ = 45 min, 3♦ = 54 min, 3 = 54 max, 3 = 45max, 3NT = 55 with void, 4m = 55 singleton m 2 5 6 2♠ = forcing inquiry Step 1: min. unbalanced – then LMH shortages 8-11 2NT = forcing with  Step 2: max. unbalanced – then LMH shortages 2 5 6 2NT = forcing inquiry Step 3: max. balanced 8-11 3. = forcing with , 3 = forcing with . Step 4: min. balanced 2NT - (19)20-21 3♣ = muppet stayman 2NT-3x-3-3 = puppet to 3NT balanced / semi-balanced 3♦/♥ = / 2NT-3♦/-3M+1 = super-accept 3♠ = minors 2NT-3- 4m = 4, 4M = 5 of respective minor 4♣/♦// = mild slam try or better in //♣/♦ 3. Natural pre-empt. Aggressive 3M = F1, natural NV, sound V. 3NT X - 6, 5 ~8-12 4m = slam try in tied M HIGH LEVEL BIDDING RKCB 1430 for ♦   including 4 kickback if  are trumps (Pass= 14, X= 30 over interference), RKCB 0314 if ♣ are trumps (Pass = 03, X = 14 over interference) 4. Natural pre-empt. Aggressive 5NT pick a slam almost always except after RKCB NV, sound V. Exclusion KC 01122 responses 5. Natural pre-empt Cues 3NT often non-serious slam try if  are trumps (3 if  are trumps)