Mike McNamara & Tim Baird Bridge System Notes – 12/26/19

2/1 o 100% GF o A 2d or 2h bid by responder promises at least a 5-card suit o All immediate jump shifts after a 2/1 are splinters. o If responder cannot make a 2d, 2h, or 2nt initial response, he bids 2c catch-all o If opener does not have a 4-card suit between the suit he opened and the suit responder bid, he can either rebid his major or bid 2nt with a minimum (or a huge hand). If he rebids his major, he does not promise extra length. If he opens 1H and responder bids either 2c or 2d, a 2s bid by opener does not show extras, simply shape info o If opener bids anything at the 3 level over responder’s initial 2/1 response (other than support of responders suit), opener promises 16/17 o A jump to 3nt by either opener or responder promises 16-17 o In the following sequence: 1s-2h 3h-3nt The 3nt bid promises a little extra (without shortness or a secondary good 5- card suit). Opener cue bids with slam interest, otherwise he simply bids 4h o If partner opens 1H, and you have 3 hearts and 4 spades and a game forcing hand, and less than 5 diamonds, respond 2c. If opener has 4 spades, he should now bid 2s (so the preferred 4-4 spade fit is not lost). The contract will likely end in either 3NT, 4H or 6H, and the enemy will have less information (which may result in a suboptimal for the defense)

1NT Openers o 11-14, No 5 card major o For transfers, bid the suit if you like it o 1nt-3c = 5/5 Invitational in the minors o 1nt-3d = 5/5 Forcing in the minors ▪ Over the 3d bid, 3h = super acceptance of clubs, 3s = super acceptance of diamonds and slam interest. Both of these bids are stronger than just bidding 4c or 4d ▪ If the auction goes 1NT-3d, 3nt (opener isn’t real excited by being in either minor and has both majors well stopped). If responder doesn’t care because he has a very strong minor suited hand: o 4c = Good/Bad Gerber o 4NT = Qualitative o 5c or 5d is to play o 5NT is pick a slam o 6c or 6d is to play

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o Over 1nt openers, a 3h/s splinter by responder guarantees exactly 3 of the other major and specifically a singleton in the splintered suit. If you have 4, go through Stayman. So, it is a real warning to partner if you splinter, you are short in one suit and have only three in the other. o Garbage Stayman: 1nt-2c – 2d-2h, both majors & a weak hand, pass or correct 4/4 or 4/5 in the majors weak. o If you are 5/5 in the minors and weak, transfer to diamonds and if partner bids 3c, pass o 1nt-2c 2d-2s = 5/4 weak o 1nt-2c 2h-2s = invite with 4 spades and denies having 4 hearts o Texas and delayed Texas (Texas on thru 4c interference) o Smolen o (fast denies) ▪ X of a 2 or 3 level is negative white, penalty if red o Super accept only with a max. and your hand reevaluated to more than 14pts. Bid a doubleton or 3 of suit (opener’s choice) o Over a transfer ▪ A jump by responder to 4C is keycard ▪ A jump by responder to 4nt is quantitative o 1nt-4s = the same point count as a 1nt-4nt bid and slam invite, but you are showing at least 5-4 in the minors and no 4-card major suggesting a minor suit slam as an option o Over 2c Stayman and a 2h/s response, we play Baze:

There are the three types of “Baze” continuations:

1NT-2C 2M – 4C* this is RKC for opener’s major.

1NT-2C 2M- 4D* asks opener to cuebid

1NT-2C

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2M – 3 of the other major*- this is artificial. It shows at least a 4-card major fit with shortness somewhere. Opener bids the next step to ask where it is. (This is the normal continuation.) Responder answers LMH (low-middle-high) to show which suit is the stiff. 1st step= lowest ranking side suit, 2nd step=middle side suit, 3rd step= highest side suit. o

2NT o 2NT-3S forces 3NT, then; ▪ 4m = 6+ other minor o Next step = I do not like it. If you do like it, answer key card starting with the second step. If opener bids first step (don’t like it) responder can bid the next step after that as key card. ▪ 4M = stiff or . Slam interest and at least 5-4 in minors o 4NT = signoff. After 4NT, responder can sign off in either minor or bid 5H as kc for clubs or 5S as kc for diamonds. ▪ 4NT = slam try w 2-2 in the majors. o 2nt-3nt is a relay to 4c, weak. Responder either passes or corrects. o 2NT-3c = Puppet Stayman. After a 3N response, 4D is a transfer to H, 4H is a transfer to S. Responder was 4/6 or 6/4 in the majors.

Major Openings o 1M-2M is a constructive raise (7+ to 10-) o 2 way game tries 2NT relays to 3C and opener now bids short suit . o Any bid other than 2NT is help suit game try o 4C is RKC 1430 after a fit has been confirmed o 1M – 3M = Limit raise o Mini-Splinters: single jump is either void or singleton with game invite OR game forcing with a singleton. o Mini-Splinters: double jump is GF with a void.

o When partner opens, Suit Lead Transfers are on immediately over a X. So a 1H-(X)- ▪ XX is a transfer to 1S ▪ 1s is a transfer to 1NT. ▪ 2c is a transfer to 2D ▪ 2d is a transfer to hearts, and if partner opened 1H, it’s a constructive raise (7+ to 10-) ▪ 2H is a H raise with 7- HCPs. Similarly, 1s-(x)-2s is 2 to 7- ▪ 2N is a 4 card 10+ H raise o Similar approach if partner opened 1S

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o If you want to invite in NT, transfer to 1N and then raise to 2N. o We also play this over 1 of a minor opening

o A 2nt bid is Jacoby (over a major) 3C= 11-13 • Next step asks shape, no stiff, LMH responses. 3D = 14-15~~ • Next step asks shape, no stiff, LMH responses. 3H= 16-19+ Next step asks shape, no stiff, LMH responses. 3S = 6 card suit, 14+ Hcps, void somewhere, LMH responses 3NT = 6 card suit, no stiff or void, 16+ Hcps 4x = good five card side suit, 14+ Hcps 4M = good weak two, no stiff or void

Note: After the LMH response, 3NT by responder is a club cuebid, 4c is RKC for the agreed to suit, and any other suit bid is a cuebid. In competition over 2nt, we should double to show shortness in their suit. Pass with no control in their suit. Any new suit is a cuebid, but shows 2nd round control or better in their suit as well, as does any bid. System is off otherwise.

After the response to 2NT, 4C is RKC 1430

Minor Openings o A 1d opener promises a 4-card suit, with one exception 4-4-3-2 o With ANY 3-3 in the minors, open 1c o 1c/d-2nt = Invitational o 1c/d-2H = 5S/4H constructive o 1c/d-2S = 5S/4H invitational o Inverted: o Off by a passed hand o Inverted is GF o After an inverted bid, a jump by either person to 3nt promises 16-17 o A jump shift to the other minor is a 10+ HCP raise and denies a 4-card major. In competition it’s a weak J/S o Bypass a 1d response over a 1c opener with a weak hand. Bid up the line with a 4-card diamond suit + a 4-card major and 10+ points

11/27/20 4 o If the auction goes 1d-2c, a 2d bid by opener = 5+ card suit. Showing the 5- card diamond suit takes priority over bidding a 4-card major

o When partner opens a minor, Suit Lead Transfers are on immediately over a X. So a 1D-(X)- ▪ XX is a transfer to 1H ▪ 1H is a transfer to 1S. ▪ 1S is a transfer to 1NT ▪ 2c is a constructive raise ▪ 2d is a bad 2 to 7 D raise

o Similar approach if partner opened 1C o o If the opponents bid 1H over either minor, X promises 4 or 5 spades. o 1S=denies 4s and is a transfer to NT o 1N=transfer to clubs OR a constructive club raise if partner opened 1C o 2C=a weak club raise if partner opened 1C OR a constructive D raise is partner opened 1D o 2D=a weak diamond raise if partner opened 1D o 2H=6+spades and 10+pts o In Competitive auctions, when the opponents have bid and raised a suit, 2N is never natural. It shows a strong raise of partner’s suit while a bid of partner’s suit at the 3 level is competitive.

Strong 2C Responses - Kokish Relay 2c-2d 2h= relay to 2s

If opener now bids: 2NT=25+ and is GF. Systems are on, including the 3s transfer to 3NT and the follow-up bids (see section on p. 3 that discusses a 2NT opening)

2C-2D 2N = 20-21NT Systems on.

2C-2H/S NF if opener has 20-21NT. If opener bids again, he has a big hand. The only non-GF is double negative by responder [cheapest bid].

4th Suit Forcing o If auction is: 1c-1d

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1h-1s is a one round force with 4 spades and an invitational hand or better and is forcing for 1 round o The following auction is 100% forcing to game. If auction goes: 1w-1x 2y-2z 3z = an , asking if you have a stopper. It is NOT shape showing o After a 4SF bid, a jump by either person to 3nt promises 16-17 o 1c-1d 1h-2d denies 4 spades (and is GF, part of XYZ). If opener now bids 2s, he is asking if you have a spade stopper.

XYZ After any three suit bids that are all at the 1-level (does not include a ), 2C relays to 2D, and starts ALL invitational auctions. It is also a way to get out at 2D. Just like 2-way NMF, you bid a 5-card major or 4 of the other major, and it is invitational. A jump to 3NT after the 2c-2d relay still shows a 5-card major and a choice of games.

A 2D bid after any three 1-level bids is GF.

XYZ is on in competition and nothing changes if all bids are at the 1-level. 2c still relays to 2d, and a 2d bid is GF.

A bid of 2NT after any three 1-level bids is a relay to 3c and is the way to get out in 3c.

All other bids that do not show a minimum are picture bids looking for slam. That includes 4SF which shows 4 of the 4th suit. It also includes a jump to 3c, that is looking for a club slam, it is not weak. If you want to get out in 3c, bid 2NT for the relay to 3c mentioned above. 1x-1y, 1NT-2NT is a relay to 3c.

If responder bids again over 3C, this is what it means: 3d = 5 of responder’s major, 4 of opener’s minor, and a singleton in the lowest of the other two suits 3h = 5 of responder’s major, 4 of opener’s minor, and a singleton in the highest of the other two suits 3s = 4 of responder’s major, 5 of opener’s minor, and a singleton in the lowest of the other two suits 3NT = 4 of responder’s major, 5 of opener’s minor, and a singleton in the highest of the other two suits

So in this auction, for example: 1c-1h

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1s-3s That is looking for slam in spades, it's not an invite. If responder had just bid 2s that would still have shown less than an invitational hand and declarer could still go on with the right type of hand.

After XYZ and then a jump to a 3-level suit, that sets the suit and subsequent suit bids are cuebids. If the “Z” bid is 1nt, 4c is RKC for the set trump suit.

Note: 1x-1y, 1nt-3nt is standard, does not show extras. If you have an invitational NT slam hand, jump to 4NT.

1m-1s 1nt-2h is less than an invitational hand, 5-4 or better

U/U o Higher shows fit. Lower shows 10+ pts and 5 of the other suit. o Use U/U over both the Unusual NT, and a Michaels bid

Special Doubles o Negative and Responsive thru 4h ▪ Special Sequence: 1c/d-3s-X-p While the negative doubler must have a game going hand, he is not guaranteeing 4 hearts. Opener’s first priority is to bid 3nt with a spade stopper o If LHO opens 4s, partner X, RHO passes, you should PASS with a minimum. If you bid, you are bidding what you think you can make ▪ Over 4s-X-P-4nt, the 4nt says you can play in one of two suits and doubler bids his first playable suit o Support doubles and XX thru 2 of our suit o Snapdragon X = the other suit(s) and tolerance for partner’s suit (if partner overcalled a suit) and is on thru 2 of our suit o Sandwich NT – 4-4 or better (better if vul). Only by a passed hand. o Double of an opponent’s splinter asks partner to lead the suit below the splinter. However, white vrs red it’s an offer to save in the splintered suit o When partner X an opening 1c/d/h/s bid, and RHO simply bids 2 of opener’s suit, a 2nt bid is a Lebensohl like bid, forcing partner to bid 3c. You pass or correct. This shows a hand you want to compete in, but are not strong enough to make a 3 level bid directly. ▪ A 3-level direct bid shows a decent hand. ▪ If you are a passed hand, partner can pass. If you are an unpassed hand, it is a 1-round force

Runouts over 1nt-X (penalty X) o XX relays to 2c (5 card suit, weak hand)

11/27/20 7 o 2C transfer to Ds o 2D transfer to Hs o 2H transfer to Ss o If responder passes, opener must XX. While this can be passed, the vast majority of time it is a runout and each partner bids 4-card suits up the line.

Direct NT o 15-18, systems on

Balancing NT o NT range is 11-16 and all systems are on. If you bid 2c (Stayman) and I bid 2nt, that says I'm at the upper end of the range (15 or 16). You can pass or bid 3c, which is Puppet Stayman

Special System Over a Dead NT o The auction goes: 1x-p-1y-p 1nt-p-p-?

o A “X” is penalty oriented, a GREAT holding in dummy’s 1st bid suit, and you should lead it. Only pull with a really bad hand. If you do pull the X, bid your 1st 4-card suit (you need at least 2-four card suits to pull) o If you want to balance, bid your lowest 4-card suit (you must have two 4/4 suits or better and one of them can be a suit bid by an opponent). Partner will pass with three, or bid his 1st 4-card suit.

Simple Overcall o 8+ and keep in mind that it is lead directing. o New suit by an unpassed hand is a 1-round force

Reubens Advances

If you overcall, partners responses are transfers starting at the suit opener bid. Any bid lower than openers suit is natural. This is on whether responder passes, X, or bids something lower than partners suit at the 2 level.

Jump Overcall o Weak ▪ 2NT asks for shortness

Opening Pre-empts o 5-10 HCP o 2nt = Ogust

11/27/20 8 o 3c=bad hand, bad suit o 3d=bad hand, good suit o 3h=good hand, bad suit o 3s=good hand, good suit o Good suit is 2 of the top 3 or 3 of the top 5. o 2D is 5-10pts with 5-4 or better in the majors. If responder bids 2H, 2S, 3C, or 3D it is to play [non-forcing] 3H or 3S is pre-emptive. An immediate jump to either 4c or 4d is RKC for H’s and S’s respectively 2NT is forcing and the responses are: - 3C is 5-4 min. A follow up 3D asks which suit do you have 5 in. - 3D is 5-5 min. - 3H is 5 hearts, 4 spades max - 3S is 4 hearts, 5 spades max - 3NT is 5-5 max - Over 3NT, 4C accepts Hearts and 4D accepts Spades and is also keycard for that suit.

2d-(3c/d)-X = penalty o ▪ 8 - 8.5 tricks, open 4C/D • More than 8.5, open 2c • Less than 8, open 4 of the major ▪ Responses to 4C/D ▪ 4D/H asks opener to bid their suit ▪ 4H/S to play ▪ 4S/4N RKC for H/S o Over a 2 and 3-level pre-empt by partner, 4c is keycard and the responses are: ▪ 4d = no KC ▪ 4h = 1 KC and no trump Q ▪ 4s = 1 KC + the trump Q ▪ 4nt = 2 or more KC and no trump Q ▪ 5c = 2 or more KC + trump Q Note: This special keycard asking sequence is on over an enemy suit bid. If the enemy X’s, it is off and 4c is lead directional. o 3N opening is a broken minor o 4C is pass or correct o 4D asks opener to bid shortness o 4H/S to play o 4N RKC for minor o 5C pass or correct o 5D to play o In this auction (3c/d)-3nt-p-4c, 4c is regular Stayman.

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Brown-McCabe After 2d/h/s by partner, and righty doubles: o If responder bids 3 of the suit, he promises the A or K of the weak two suit o A new suit is strictly lead directional, promises support for opener’s suit. Opener goes back to his suit, but leads partner’s suit o XX = bid the next bid (including NT) up ▪ Responder either passes, bids another suit which is to play, or if he now bids three of partner’s suit he is telling partner that he has support for opener’s suit but does NOT have the A or K of opener’s suit. He also does not have a lead directional bid. This is strictly further preemption. o 2nt is still Ogust o After 3c/d/h/s and righty doubles, a new suit is strictly lead directional, promises support for opener’s suit. Opener goes back to his suit, but leads partner’s suit

Direct Cuebid o Michaels for all hand strengths

Defense vs. NT o MeckWell vs. Strong & Natural vs Weak ▪ 2c = C and a Higher ▪ 2d = D and a Major ▪ 2h = Natural ▪ 2s = Natural ▪ X = Either single suited minor or both majors

Over Opponents weak-2 o Lebensohl 2nt Response o 1c/d-p-2h/s (weak)-x p-2nt=Lebensohl

Slam Conventions o We play 1430 o If we ask for Q and you have it, show cheapest K o K ask is Method 3. You bid the K you have or the K you do not have. If you have all 3 kings, bid 6NT o When we have agreed on a minor, 1 over of the minor is RKC. Method three for kings. Normal Q ask ▪ If we bid 4 of our minor, that is either competitive, invitational, or pre- emptive (depending on the type of auction) o Method 3 only applies to the K ask. When partner asks about the Q, that's part

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of RKC so you respond the lowest K shows that K plus the Q of trumps. If asker now bids a new suit, he is asking you if you have THAT K, if you do, bid 6NT. If you don't, bid 6 of trump suit. If you respond positively, asker will either pass 6NT or bid 7 of trump suit. o If the enemy interferes after a RKC asking bid, X or XX = 1/4 and 1st or 2nd round control, P=No Control (and a XX by partner asks you to now give your answer), 1st step = 0 or 3, 2nd step = 2 w/o, 3rd step = 2 with. DEPO applies when the interference is above our suit.

• Over a 1nt or 2nt opening, good/bad Gerber is on. Responses to a jump to 4c are 0/3,1/4, 2 min, 2 max

Grand Slam Force Is almost no more • Jump to 5NT is usually “pick a slam” except when it is obviously GSF (e.g. after a simple limit raise)

Leads o Attitude in all contracts, including NT o AQ asks for Attitude, K asks for count. o Journalist leads: T promises the 9 or J and one non touching higher. o If partner bids a suit and an opponent makes an artificial bid of the suit he bid, if partner X’s that says do NOT lead the suit. For example: 1d-1s-p-2d x (don’t lead a diamond) o Leads against 3nt, and the non-leader doubles: ▪ If one of us has bid a suit, lead our bid suit ▪ If both of us have bid, lead your suit (not partners) ▪ If the future dummy has bid a suit, and we have not bid, lead dummy’s first bid suit ▪ If they have not bid any suits, e.g. 1nt-3nt, or 1nt-2c, 2d-3nt lead a heart o Leads in NT (any level) A from AK -- give attitude for the suit K is the power lead. Throw any honor. Q = Attitude for the A, K, or J (never unblock)

Carding o Primary signal to partner’s lead is attitude o Upside down count and attitude (including discards) o Smith echo in NT o Trump suit preference

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Reverse o Slowdown after a reverse is the cheapest bid

Flannery Defense X = 1nt opener 2D-X-P- 2H=Stayman, you will either play in 2S or 2NT if no fit found OR if responder keeps bidding he has a very strong hand looking for slam in NT or a minor if no S fit found 2S=5S to play 2NT is start of Lebensohl 3C 5 clubs forcing 3D 5 diamonds forcing 3H 4 spades forcing & no heart stopper 3S 5 spades forcing, no H stopper 3NT no 5 card suit, game going hand without H stopper 2d-2h = Takeout 2d-2nt = Minors All other suit overcalls, including spades, are natural

Defense against a strong club o Our defense is on only after the 1c opening. If responder has bid anything, it is off o 1- level suit bids are lead directional o 2-level bids (4-4 or better): 2c=c&d 2d=d&h 2h=majors 2s=s&c o 1nt=pointed suits (d&s) o 2nt=rounded suits (c&h) o X only with a very good lead directional club bid. Otherwise do not double. o Over a Precision diamond: ▪ 2D = Natural ▪ 2H = Michaels for the majors

Defense • When we have bid a game and they sac, X is 2 losers in their suit, pass is forcing

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