Light Yellow An improvement to 5-card majors

What follows is structured approach to improving 5- card majors. There are 5 steps, each of which can be learnt and played until the partnership is ready to move on. The end result is a style of system that merges 5- card majors with modern 2/1 pus some of the latest ideas on openings. In particular there is a set of transfer responses to a 1♣ opening. Opening 1♣ as natural or balanced coupled with 4 card transfers is regarded as a major innovation. Bran Senior, an English international, has described this new style of bidding as one of he most important advances in bidding over the last few years. In the Light Yellow system an opening of 1♦ promises a 5 card suit. Moreover the system has been devised to be very consistent and free of exceptions. An expert reader may wish to jump in at page 6. Advantages are summarised on page 7. Finally I would like to play tribute to my long term bridge partner John Bradbrook. He humoured me by playing earlier versions of Light Yellow. Index Improvementsto5CardMajors3 Preface3 5cardMajors3 Step1,TheXYZConvention3 Modern2/14 Adding2/1GameForce4 LightYellowBasic5 Background5 LightYellowLite6 LightYellowTransferResponsesto1C6 LightYellowLite(LYL)6 LightYellowExtended7 LightYellowExtended(LYE)7 Opener’s strong rebids after the basic responses of 1♦/1♥/1♠ 7 ResponderisSlamish7 LightYellowBenefits&InCompetition8 Philosophyincompetition8 Examples8 FullLightYellowBenefitsComparedToStandard8 Optional9 VariableNoTrump9 AnytimeStep,TheOneBelowConvention9 Introduction10 UsingRandomHands10 Whatdoesbalancedmean?10 Improving5-cardmajorspage1010 Appendix:FurtherBackground11 TransferResponsesto1♣11 AppendixTheXYZConvention13 Background13 TheXYZConvention13 DoesPlayingWalsh&XYZCreateAnyProblems?13 SomeExamples15 References16 LightYellowInSteps17 BiddingPracticeHandsForLightYellow18 Follows 198 random hands, each annotated with the suggested opening bid Improvements to 5 Card Majors Preface This document is not written in the usual bridge style. Instead it is written in a teaching style aimed at those that want to understand, rather than learn something by rote. It includes references. Moreover it is not written by a bridge professional, but by an enthusiast. However, the author does have relevant professional credentials in the area of university faculty, going up learning curves, innovation and publishing his work. These include being at one time an acknowledged expert on computer memories, first generation silicon chip design, the application of microprocessors and automatic test equipment. In later life he was chairman of the Research & Development Society, a cross discipline group that meets in The Royal Society building. In summary the author has a logical mind and is an experienced communicator. Light Yellow Lite Light Yellow stems from my wife calling my first attempt at developing something new Phil’s Incredibly Simple System. Later refinements caused the simple to be changed to subtle. Now, several iterations and years later I am starting with a stepped learning approach, rather than a cliff. Basically I wanted something that is as easy as possible to pickup, so that it will appeal to club level players already fluent in 5 card majors. And in my experience this requires: • Minimal departure from standard bidding • Minimal exceptions • Getting started with as little new to learn as possible • Secondary sources such as the web and books, see refs. Light Yellow Lite, is as simple as possible. You can transition into the full Light Yellow by adding new bids/sets of sequences, one by one. The suggested way forward is to add the new bids when an inquest shows that the partnership would have done better had a particular bid been available at the table. 5 card Majors 5 Card majors is now the dominant system in the USA and world wide. This is the system where most of the innovation occurs, the best ideas being published. This is a very important issue, as without such a resource almost all partnerships will flounder. Step 1, The XYZ Convention After an opening bid of 1NT fit finding methods are well developed and well known. But after a 1NT rebid it is very easy to miss-out on 3-5 fits, or 4-4 in a bypassed major. Checkback Stayman was the first convention to tackle this inherent problem. Two-way checkback came later, and XYZ increases the applicability two fold. • Major suit fit finding is enhanced • After a 1NT response a weak responder can confidently plan to make a WTO to a long suit: opener will know to pass. • Responder is able to show invitational strength/game force hands with an economical 2♣/2♦ For more detail see the section on XYZ in the Appendix. Summary of XYZ Adding XYZ will improve major suit fit finding as well as getting to the right level, Note: adopting the XYZ convention will be of benefit even with standard 5 card majors. In a sense it is an any time optional. It gets used a lot, much more so than most conventions. The reason for suggesting that it be learnt ahead of Light Yellow is that so it does not get left behind!

Improving 5-card majors page 3 Adding 2/1 Game Force

Background 2/1 is rapidly becoming the system of choice for tournament players in the USA, and authoritative sources, say it’s easier to teach. The fundamentals, assuming that responders RHO passes, is that any genuine 2/1 response, promises a game going hand. One of the beauties of 2/1 is that partner is prevented from making a 2/1 that gets in the way of opener’s rebid being a true statement of hand shape, Playing standard they can make a 2/1 with 10-12 points and cause a big nuisance to opener. The classic situation is that opener is two suited in the black suits and responder bids 2♦ or2♥! Opener has to rebid 2♠ and partner with 2 spades has no idea whether or not to support them. The 2/1 system has been around for many decades, and whilst the core is solid, development around the edges has led to several flavours. This includes playing a jump shift to the 2 level, as preemptive/strong; the decision is up to the partnership. A minority of 2/1 players use a variation called semi-forcing. Basically a balanced and weak 1M opener can choose to pass a 1NT response. I initially thought it a very attractive option. But after looking at many random hands I changed my mind. The suggestion is to adopt 2/1 and delay 1♣ forcing with transfers. But starting the two together is an option. Side effects. A 1NT response to 1M is forcing for 1 round. It’s alertable because it could conceal 12 points. • After 1M 1NT an opener with a 5332 hand outside the NT range must respond 2m in their lowest ranking 3 card minor. If this looks scary, experience shows its infrequent and effective. • Aresponseof1NTto1♦ is not forcing. However 1♦ 2♣, is a 2/1, and is forcing to game Summary of 2/1 A 2/1 response is as infrequent as partner having a game forcing hand. But when it happens you have a game forcing auction starting at a low level; a big bonus, especially if a slam is a possibility! And normally there is a useful negative inference combined with the advantages that stem from a 1NT responder getting a second bid. When starting to play 2/1 it is well worthwhile reading the literature, see references. Modern 2/1 2/1 has now been around sufficiently long for some of its shortcomings to be identified and solutions suggested. Mathew Thomson, an Australian international, published in 2016 what seems to me to be a better way of making 2/1 responses. Here are the basic ideas:

1♠ 2♥ Guarantees a 5 card suit in a GF hand 1M 2♦ Also guarantees a 5 card suit & GF 1M 2♣ Is a 3 way bid. The hand type will be revealed on the rebid. It could be: 5 clubs & GF/GF, Balanced 4432/4333, GF & Fit .(The latter replaces Jacoby)

When One Below is played 2NT can be recycled to show a limit raise combined with 3 trumps. One Below shows 4. Summary Modern 2/1 makes its easy to show 5 card suits or a , & Jacoby goes away.

Note: It is strongly recommended to start with this modern version of 2/1 bids. It saves some unlearning time and will better serve a new partner,

Improving 5-card majors page 4 Light Yellow Basic Background Light Yellow is the name I used for my initial better balanced . This version can be learnt in 6 documented steps. See page 16 for a summary.

If outside the 1NT range, standard methods are to open 1M with any 5332 with a 5 card major . Hand statistics automatically leads to an opening of 1m often being made with a balanced hand, usually in the weak/12-14 range. In Light Yellow balanced hands outside the 1NT range are opened 1♣. Then:

• A1♣ opening is a 2 way bid. When asked it is described as Natural or Balanced. ▪ Balanced hands outnumber natural hands 60:40, and balanced is usually 12-14 • In consequence a 1♦ opening, just like a 1M opening, promises a 5 card suit ▪ The exception is a 4441 shape hand with short clubs and both majors Opening 1♦ . Knowing thatopener has a suit at least 5 long is wonderful!Responses are usually 1M, but if responder is without a 4 card major they usually have 3 or more diamonds, and can raise. In competition responder can often raise aggressively. When holding a 5332 hand with long diamonds it can be opened 1♦ or 1♣; the partnership should decide which. Suggestion: think ahead, open 1♦ only if clubs are poor, making a 1NT rebid a bad option.

Occasionally the 1♦ opening is made with a 4441 shape with a shortage in clubs combined with 4-4 in the majors. Fortunately responder usually has a 4 card major, and if not and they raise diamonds, the shape will tend to compensate for having only 4 trumps.

The probability of a natural opener having a 5-4 versus 6-3 shape is about 3:1. This insight can be very useful at the table. Expressed a differently: unless opener is unusually unbalanced hand the probability of a 5-4 shape with♦ & ♠/♥/♣ is about the same as for a 6-3 hand. Thus the sequence 1♦ 1♥:2♦ marks opener with a 6 card suit. But the sequence 1♦ 1♠ :2♦ is ambiguous. Opener has denied holding 4 spades or 4 clubs, but they could have 4 hearts & 5 diamonds, or be 6-3 in diamonds. The probability is 50;50 Opening 1♣ . This opening has a balanced to natural ratio of about 60:40, i.e. better than 2 in 3 that the hand is balanced. When balanced there is a small possibility that opener has only 2 clubs, so the bid is alertable. Standard response methods are just as playable as they are with a 1m opening using best minor. Outcomes are significantly improved by also playing the XYZ convention.

Whilst it is practical to play standard method responses to a 1♣ opening, a lot of potential remains unexploited. However transfer responses to 1♣ can be treated as a next step.

Playing in 1NT. A response of 1NT to a 1M opening denies a game forcing hand. And since the 1NT is forcing it eliminates the possibility of opener rebidding or playing in 1NT. After an opening of 1♦ opener can only rebid 1NT if the partnership agrees that a 5332 with long diamonds is opened 1♦ . After a 1♣ opening a 1NT rebid will be frequent, as it is shape independent; all weak hands, balanced or natural do it.

Walsh. What the sequence 1♣ 1♥ : 1NT implies depends very much on whether the partnership is playing Walsh. In particular it may or may not deny 4 spades! My strong personal preference is that it is important to let partner know ASAP that you have a balanced hand with a low point-count. Then, if instead you bid 1♠ they immediately know that you are unbalanced with a 5-4 shape, and by implication your 2 side suits are just as likely to be 3-1 as 2-2. Provided that you play XYZ the potential 4-4 fit in hearts will not be missed. Summary of LYB • 1♣ is a 2 way bid to be described as Natural or Balanced

• 1♦ shows a 5 card suit, but could be a balanced 5332

• 4441 shape hands open 1♣ unless short in clubs Improving 5-card majors page 5 Light Yellow Lite Light Yellow Transfer Responses to 1C Version 2 of Light Yellow I developed had lots of transfer sequences, and got better results. Than the very simple V1. However the version described here was triggered by the first book on transfer responses to 1♣ . The book, authored by Lyle Poe, see references, is very difficult to get your head round, but includes several very good ideas.

The new system comes in three versions. Light Yellow Basic is the starting point, and differs from standard only in the way balanced hands are opened. It is used with a natural response system. This makes it easy to get started, with practise at alerting and explaining a 1♣ opening. Light Yellow Lite introduces 4 card transfers but is kept incredibly simple. Light Yellow Extended (LYE), detailed later, can be added piecemeal, and over time. It has also been deliberately kept simple by avoiding exceptions and concepts difficult to implement or remember. Light Yellow Lite (LYL) Light Yellow Lite is a transfer system. Opposite to a 1♣ opening responder has only 3 bids available. 1♦ &1♥ are transfers and show a major suit, at least 4 long. A response of 1♠ denies possession of a major. This is the system:

1♣ 1♦ /1♥ Is a 4 card transfer. A rebid of 1M shows 3 trumps, 2M shows 4 3M also shows 4 trumps, but in a very strong hand 1♠ Denies a 4 card major Weak opener’s rebid 1NT 1NT 1NTshowsbalanced,12-14/18-19,seebelow. Note: In the full system of responses, later defined as LYE, there is a response of 1NT. It shows a slamish hand. When played it puts a lid on lesser bids, and removes the need for the partnership to even think about slams. • The1♣ opening is announced as forcing and natural or balanced • Responder shows hearts first if♠ /♥ are x-4, x-5, 4-4, 4-5, i.e. natural • Spades are shown first with 4-x, 5-x, 5-4 • But note. Later in Light Yellow Extended there are some special responses, viz: • 5-4in♠ -♥ & sufficiently weak for a WTO • 5-5 in the majors & invitational strength or better • With 18-19 & balanced there is a fundamental problem. If opener has 18 points then partner rates to have 7. Often they have less than 5, and if opener pushes to 2NT, the partnership gets a bad result. My advice is to rebid 1NT, with any balanced hand. Often this will lead to a good result. In general it will only be bad if at almost all other tables they bid 3NT and make it! • Summary of Light Yellow Lite • LYL is a simple system and all you need to start playing transfers after 1♣ • 1♦ &1♥ are 4 card transfers with special responses to show the size of a fit. • If opener rebids 1M they show 3 trumps, thus expanding fit finding from 4-4 to 4-4 & 3-5. • Without a a 4 card major responder bids 1♠ • If responder shows hearts & opener has 2 or fewer trumps they show spades if they can • Opener, regardless of their shape being balanced or natural, rebids a routine 1NT after a no fit auction. This is entirely consistent with standard bidding. • By having the option to open a 5332 hand with long diamonds and poor clubs as 1♦, some potentially bad 1NT contracts can be avoided. • Aftera1♠ or 1NT rebid by opener, responder can use the XYZ convention

Improving 5-card majors page 6 Light Yellow Extended Light Yellow Extended (LYE) Light Yellow Extended has responses and rebids that can be added, piecemeal to Light Yellow Lite. The suggestion is to add them as and when an inquest reveals that the partnership would have got a better result had the bid been available. The Full System 1♣ 1♦ 4cardtransfer } 1♥ 4cardtransfer } LYL 1♠ Deniesa4cardmajor } 1NT Responder is slamish. So any lesser bid is not 2♣ Longclubs } 2♦ LongDiamonds } WeaknessTakeOut(WTO) 2♥ 5♠ &4♥ } A difficult combination to otherwise handle 2♠ Majors 5-5} InvitationalOpener can stop in 2NT 2NT Minors 5-5} InvitationalOpener can pass to play in 2NT 3♣ } 3♦ } 6cardinvite 3♥ } 3♠ } 3NT To Play. Responder has a game force, is not slamish, and wants the lead 4♣ Gerber Opener’s strong rebids after the basic responses of1 ♦/1♥/1♠

2♣ Would be an immediate 2♣ in standard.Advantage is learning about responders hand in advance 2♦ } Opener has a 5-4 shape. By implication opener is too strong for a response of 1NT 2♥ } Takentogetherwithrespondersbid3suitshavebeenshown/2denied 2♠ } Opener is Strong but Weak In the Unbid Suit(s) (SWIUS) 3♣ Opener is 6-3 Responder is Slamish 1♣ 1NT Responder is hopeful of a slam and makes a Robson slam trial bid Opener starts by showing a suit they cannot control 2♣ /2♦ /2♥ A slam trial bid. Shows the lowest ranking suit with 2 quick losers. 2♠ not practical. A shape showing bid could substitute 2♠ Responder asks opener to show their shape.Implies stops in lower ranking suits 2NT Balanced.SystemssuchasStaymannowon 3♣ Openeris6-3 3♦ Opener is 5-4 with 5♣ &4♦ 3♥ Opener is 5-4 with 5♣ &4♥ 3♠ Opener is 5-4 with 5♣ &4♠ Summary Add the special LYE bids/sets of bids/sequences gradually

Improving 5-card majors page 7 Light Yellow Benefits & In Competition Philosophy in competition In competition something has to change, but the philosophy is to: • Change as little as possible • To try and stay close to standard competitive methods • To be consistent Here are the general principles: • Double shows a single major • 1NT & pass are natural • 2 any is a single suited WTO • 1♠ is special & tends to be the bid that you would like to have available Examples 1♣ 1♦ pass x 4cardtransfershowinghearts/PinchedMyBid Standardwriggle 1♥ 4cardtransfer LYL 1♠ Bothmajors4-4,4-5,5-4 Special 1NTNatural Natural 2anyWTO LYE 2♠ bothmajors,5-5 LYE 1♣ 1♥ pass x 4 cardtransfershowingspades/PMB Standardwriggle 1♠ Valuesbutunsuitableforotherbids. Special 1NTNatural Natural 2anyWTO LYE 2NTBothminors5-5 LYE 1♣ 1♠ pass x Showshearts.Negativedoublestyle Standard 1NTNatural Natural 2anyWTO LYE 2NTBothminors5-5 LYE 1♣ x pass xx 10+Nobetterbid.Standardbidding Standard 1♦ 4Cardtransfer LYL 1♥ 4Cardtransfer LYL 1♠ Bothmajors Special 1NTNatural Natural 2anyWTO LYE Full Light Yellow Benefits Compared To Standard • First round search for major suit fits, when a standard/ player can’t • WTO to a minor, opposite 1NT • A way for a weak responder with 4♠ &5♥ to make a WTO • A2♣ opening only happens after discovering if responder has a major • Ways of responder showing a 5-5 hand with both majors or minors • Game invites with a 6 card suit • Slam invites on round 1 • Extra positives plus simplicity and consistency by also playing • XYZ Getsfrequentuseandcanbeplayedwithstandard • One Below More powerful and much easier than a combination of cue bids & Truscott • Modern 2/1 Better than regular 2/1 & simplifies Improving 5-card majors page 8 Optional Variable No Experienced players become fully aware of which seat they are sitting in. They know that the criterion for making an opening bid in 3rd or 4th seat is not the same as in 1st or 2nd.The variable no trump agreement exploits this situation. This is the basic idea: • A1NTopeningin1st/2nd seat is 14-16 • A1NTopeningin3rd/4th seat is 15-17 This agreement has several advantages: • The probability of a 1NT opening in 1st/2nd seat is increased by over 20% • When 1NT replaces a 1m opening, interference is reduced. • Afullstrength3rd/4th seat opening makes it easier for partner to make a . Note: some partnerships stretch the meaning of a no trump point range, by routinely adding a point for a 5332 shape, unless its suit of poor quality. If you want to read about the variable no trump strategy, a good starting point is a book by Andrew Garnet, a bridge professional. He has also published a book on defensive communications, jointly authored by Jeff Meckstroth, a bridge legend. Summary Of Variable No Trump • A variable no trump opening, 15-17 in 3rd/4th seat, but a reduced 14-16 in 1st/2nd seat • By adding a point for a decent 5332 shape the probability of a 1M opening being balanced is much reduced Anytime Step, The One Below Convention One Below started as a competitive fit & strength showing convention, and morphed into something that can be used after any response by responders RHO: pass/double/. There are 2 fundamental bids:

• One Below is the suit immediately below 3 of partners suit. It shows 10+ & 4 trumps • 2NTshows10+ and 3 trumps For detail see the section on One Below in the appendix.

One Below provides a better way to show a hand with both a fit and strength. Also, in most auctions responder is able to differentiate between 3 or 4 card fits. It can be used in and out of competition, and after 2 level . Note: 9 card fits tend to play a trick better than 8!

A very basic version uses only the One Below bid to show a fit, of any size combined with strength. And even this version removes the need to learn and remember cue bids after overcalls, and Truscott after a double.

Used properly the jump raise/limit raise gets replaced, making it much easier to use preemptive raises. It started as a competitive fit & strength showing convention to replace Truscott & cue bids, but morphed into something that can be used after pass/double/overcall. So it’s easier to learn, exceptions are minimal. There are 2 fundamental bids, see section on One Below for detail.

• One Below is the suit immediately below 3 of partners suit. It shows 10+ & 4 trumps • 2NT shows 10+ and 3 trumps OK out of competition only if playing modern 2/1. Summary of One Below One Below provides a better way to show a hand with both a fit and strength. Also, in most auctions responder is able to differentiate between 3 or 4 card fits. It can be used in and out of competition, and after 2 level overcalls.

Improving 5-card majors page 9 Appendix: General Introduction This Appendix is probably best read between the first and second reading of the main body, which aims to be concise and pithy. To use the ideas that are introduced they need to become common-sense, but this requires an intermediate phase. The concepts need to make sense and be understood because of the logic. Pure memory is not sufficient. My search for something better than best minor began after I had fallen in love with 5 card majors, but found minor suit openings lack-lustre. My initial breakthrough was the realisation that 1m openings were often weak & balanced: surely I thought it would be better to map these hands to a 1♣ opening. That was some years ago, and before I discovered that others had already had the same idea. In developing something new one learns a lot about peripheral issues. And I found my self having to develop new ways of presenting data that made the complex comprehensible. A background in engineering and computer hardware and software design proved invaluable. Familiarity on statistics on shapes and point counts is also very important. And finally being able to deal random hands and the associated doubly dummy possibilities is vital. Ideally one would have available a source of hands that meet a formulae but are a truly random set. Unfortunately such software is hard to come by, and I have tried a a lot that offers such a promise, but fails to deliver. Eventually, the solution being outside my software skills, I dealt a set of 1,000 random hands, and did it the hard way. Using Random Hands There is a a lot of software that will deal multiple hand files, with random hands. They all use a publicly available algorithm called Big Deal. And now with few exceptions they use another freely available algorithm that can double dummy any hand, or fraction of a hand. The hand files are normally encapsulated in a file format with the extension .pbn, and that format suits dealing machines using sets numbered and labelled in the standard way. After some false starts I found that the best way of using random hand files was this: • For each board in turn, and starting with dealer, ascribe a bid to the opener • Write the bid on the printout, adjacent to opener, it may be a 1st/2nd/3rd/4th seat opening • Be more precise than just recording the bid • For instance 1CB would identify a hand that opens 1C but is actually weak & balanced • Similarly 1MB would show a 1M opening from a 5332 hand • Record the hand numbers for bids on a spreadsheet with columns for bid types • If you do not do this it will cost long term Work out the statistics and if practical compare to independent estimates Do Not Omit a Possibility When looking at response structures make a list of all possible responses. Annotate and note carefully any that are not defined, or worse with a conflict. What does balanced mean? Traditionally a balanced hand has any one of three shapes; 4333/4432/5332. Experienced players sometimes include a 5422 or a 6322 with a potential rebid problem. And in standard systems a 5332 with a 5 card major is excluded, unless within the 1NT range. In the Light Yellow system a weak 5332 with 5 diamonds could open 1♦ without violating the 5 card promise. Alternatively the hand could attempt to play in 1NT after a failed major suit response. The suggestion is that such hands should only open 1♦ if lacking a decent stop in clubs. Played this way a 1♦ opening will usually be unbalanced. Moreover a balanced hand will meet traditional standards.

In summary: 4333/4432 are always treated as balanced. A 5332 with a long major is opened 1M. A 5332 with long diamonds is a judgement call Improving 5-card majors page 10 Appendix:Further Background Note: the following is background reading that should help explain my mindset. The notes should also be useful for anyone wanting to innovate either with transfer responses or how best to handle hands that are strong and balanced. This idea felt good, but there was still the question of what to do about: • 5332 hands with a 5 card major • Balanced hands with an 18-19 count • A1♣ opening, should it be forcing?

After playing various options I concluded that:

5332 hands with a 5 card majorshould be opened 1M. Experience was that although treating such hands as balanced worked fine, there were three big downsides to this strategy. Firstly it attracted a a lot of of criticism. Secondly by departing from standard methods it was not so intuitive to play this way. And thirdly, the inclusion of a long major in a balanced hand complicates responding to questions.

In summary, opening 5 card majors with 1M requires no new learning

Strong & balanced. Initially I played that strong & balanced hands were opened 1♦ However it prevents a diamond opening promising a 5 card suit. Additionally it complicates the response system to a 1♦ opening, leading to mistakes. Later I adopted the system of UK internationals Stockdale & Brown, by opening strong & balanced with 2♦. See ref to their .

Eventually I realised that making a 1♣ opening natural or balanced, excluding only 5332’s with a 5 card major, or balanced and embraced by a 1NT opening, was much easier to handle. The tricky bit is what to do when responder shows a major and you have a fit. Jumping to 4M could be wrong if responder is bust, as they could be. The solution is a jump to 3M, which could be passed.

In summary making a 1♣ opening Natural or Balanced simplifies the system by sticking close to standard methods.

Should 1♣ be forcing?The argument against is that the partnership can just play standard methods. This minimises the learning curve, leaving open the option to adopt the more powerful transfer responses at a later date. Transfer Responses to 1♣ When balanced hands are merged with natural 1♣ openings, it is normal to play special responses that include 4 card transfers. Hence, regardless of what meaning is attributed to responses of 1♠ upwards, they are called transfer responses. But, as already stated, there are, as yet no standards.

Opening 1♦. As a consequence of the above decisions this opening bid guarantees a 5 card suit. Yes, there is an exception as a 4441 hand with a club shortage has to open 1♦ . However these infrequent hands have both majors 4-4, combined with a shortage. A 1♦ opening becomes a nice bid, often there is a major suit fit and when this fails there is usually at least 3 diamonds in responders hand.

In summary, a 1♦ opening is now very informative to partner, less so to the opponents. And compared to best minor openings you don’t have to worry that opener might have 3 cards, for they always have 5!

Improving 5-card majors page 11 Appendix: One Below Background

What does 1M 3M mean? If responders RHO passes its a limit raise. But what if RHO overcalls or makes a ? In most experienced partnerships it becomes a , raising to the level of the fit. The same bids but an entirely different meaning! But what if responder has a fit and strength? Do you play unassuming cue bids & Truscott? And can you remember these two distinctively different concepts at the table?

One Below is the name I have given to a new simpler & more consistent way of showing the size of the fit combined with strength/10⁺. Besides replacing Cue bids & Truscott, One Below can also be used in non-competitive auctions. In almost all auctions one can differentiate between 3 / 4 card fits, a big bonus. The exceptions, i.e. the occasions when One Below cannot be used, are when the opponent's get in the way by overcalling 2NT or higher. Since the traditional non-competitive way of showing a limit raise, e.g. 1♥ p 3♥, need never be used to show a fit & strength, it is free to be used as a pre-emptive bid both in and out of competition. Overall One Below is easy to learn, it is easy to remember because of frequency of use, and is more informative. The detail is given below. One Below Responses

A response of One Below is the suit immediately below partners suit. Basically it is used after a 1M opening, but playing Light Yellow its equally suitable after 1♦. It shows a strength of 10⁺, unlimited in a competitive auction, capped at 12 if a limit raise It sets the trump suit It guarantees 4 trumps A response of 2NT is exactly the same except that exactly 3 trumps is promised Exceptions: should the opponent's overcall 2NT or higher, there is a problem to solve. The solution is: If One Below is still available it shows 10⁺ and a fit of 3 or more If One Below is not available then a double is used to convey the same meaning The Preemptive Raise. A jump raise in competition, i.e. 1M 3M, is played as preemptive. Because a responder with 4 trumps is much more likely to be weak than strong, especially after a double, it gets a lot of use. And if in competition you subscribe to raising to the level of the fit, its the driving force for needing One Below. However, and his is very important, it denies the ability to make a single raise. Thus it should only be made with hands of less than 6 points, or perhaps even a bad 6. Playing One Below the door is open to using One Below to show a limit raise, and a preemptive jump raise to 3M to show a 4 card fit and make life difficult for your LHO. The Single Raise. Is not well understood and there is a slight overlap. A single raise such as 1M 2M shows a fit of 3 or more with 6-9 points. That is why a preemptive raise shows less. And there is more; a single raise informs partner that you have some points, and therefore some implied defensive strength. TMixed & Constructive Raises.These in-vogue bids have different ways of showing 7-9 points with 3 or 4 trumps. However, they add complexity, and risk of getting too high. In a book by Hardy on fixing problems with raising a major, he is strongly against the bids. So after a lot of thought I adopted KISS. Summary of One Below

The One Below convention has two key responses, One Below to show strength and a 4 card fit, & 2NT, to show a 3 card fit.The convention can be used after pass/double/overcall or after an overcall by partner. If the overcall is 2NT or higher there are escape routes. For simplicity One Below need not be used after responders RHO passes. The downside of doing this is lack of practise and consistency. Improving 5-card majors page 12 Appendix The XYZ Convention Background Checkback Stayman was invented to find major suit fits when opener rebids 1NT. It’s problem was the complexity; opener had to show both shape & strength. Two way checkback solved the problem by having responder, rather than opener, showing strength. Playing 2 way checkback responder can show weak, invitational or strong hand types. It became, and still is, very popular. Now XYZ is taking over as it embraces a wider range of opener’s rebids; 1M/1NT, not just 1NT. This doubles the number of relevant sequences relative to 2 way checkback. Moreover if you know 2 way checkback the responses are identical. The XYZ Convention Here is the response structure: 1X 1Y 1Z 1♠ Natural if available 1NT Natural if available 2NT Natural. Tends to imply balanced as a 2♣ invite has been spurned 2♣ Opener is required to bid 2♦. Pass = WTO. Rebids show invitational strength 2♦ Opener has game forcing strength, and wants to know about the majors 2X AWTO(Weakness Take Out) to opener’s original suit 2Y A WTO if responder’s first bid of 1Y was a major. 3Y Opener has a nice 6 card suit coupled with invitational strength Notes: 1. 2♣ as a relay, enables responder with long diamonds and a weak hand to make a WTO. 2. If responder bids 1M and subsequently rebids a game forcing 2♦, it is possible that a balanced opener has 3 of partners major as well as an undisclosed 4 card major, i.e. two potential fits. In that event they should bid cheapest first. 3. Aftera2♣ response if opener is so strong that they do not wish to have responder pass 2♦ they can break the relay 4. Two way checkback applies to 3 auctions. XYZ applies to 6, i.e. twice as many. Does Playing Walsh & XYZ Create Any Problems? The possibly problematic sequences are when the last bid is something other than 1NT, i.e. 1. Responder bids 1♦ and has a game going hand with a 4 card major. 2. The bidding starts 1♣ 1♦: 1M In case 1 responder can make a game of 2♦ . This is simpler than Walsh sequences. In case 2 responder has standard XYZ options for hands that cover all eventualities other than a WTO to clubs. But if are being played there is an obvious WTO to 3♣. Summary of XYZ Playing XYZ & Walsh is very good combination, especially if you play the no fit auctions properly. Specifically after a♣ 1 and responder showing hearts, opener’s rebidmust show shape. • 1NT shows a balanced hand • 1M shows a 5 -4 hand with clubs & a major • 2♣ showsa 6-3 hand. • Raising diamonds shows a 5-4 hand with both minors. Unlike a lot of conventions this one comes up very frequently, especially if playing strong no trump

Improving 5-card majors page 13 Appendix: XYZ Examples XYZ & Opener’s Rebid When Weak & Balanced Playing XYZ opener is better able to show their shape without missing a major suit fit. This is the way it works: 1♣ 1♥ 1♣ 1♥ 1NT Openerisweak&balanced 1♠ Opener has an unbalanced 4♠ In the first sequence even if opener and responder has 4 spades, 1NT rates to be the right contract if responder is weak. But if responder is invitational the bidding will go: 1♣ 1♥ Responder promises 4 hearts 1NT 2♣ Responder shows invitational strength unless they pass 2♦ 2♦ 2♠ Responder shows 4 spades pass Responderconfirmsthefit,&declinestheinvite 4♠ Responder confirms a fit, & accepts the invite

Playing Walsh responder shows a 4 card major rather than a longer diamond suit. Transfer responses also give priority to showing a major. In both cases a responder with a 4 card major coupled with a rotten hand and long diamonds, may wish to make a weakness take- out (WTO) to 2♦ on the second round. XYZ provides this escape route. Below are some annotated sequences where XYZ is invoked.

Responder Has A Game Forcing Hand Responder Has A Game Forcing Hand 1♣ 1♦ (1) 1♣ 1♦ (1) 1NT 2♦ (2) 1♠ 2♦ (2) 1) Responder guarantees 4 hearts. Shape in♠ /♥ 1) Responder guarantees 4 hearts. Shape in♠ /♥ could be x/4, 44, 45, x5, x6 but if weak would make could be x/4, 44, 45, x5, x6 but if weak would make a WTO with 2♦ aWTO with 2♦ via 2♣ 2) Responder has GF hand and wants to know if 2) Responder has GF hand, denies 4 spades and opener has 3 hearts or 4 spades. wants to know if opener has 3 hearts

Responder IS Weak 1♣ 1♦ (1) 1NT 2♣ (2) 2♦ pass (3) 1) Even if responder had 5 hearts, a fit is denied 2) Responder makes a relay to 2♦ 3) Without a major suit fit, responder wants to play in diamonds. By deduction opener has only 2 hearts, so must have at least 3 cards in all other suits. So a diamond fit is guaranteed

Improving 5-card majors page 14 Some Examples

Responder finds a 3-5 fit Responder finds a 4-4 fit

♠ Kx♠ xxxx ♠ Kx♠ xxxx ♥ Kxx♥ xxxxx ♥ Kxx♥ xxxx ♦ Axxx♦ xx ♦ Axxx♦ xxx ♣ QJxx♣ xx ♣ QJxx♣ xx 1♣ 1♦ Responder shows hearts 1♣ 1♦ Responder shows hearts 1♥ 2♥ Weak & preemptive 2♥ p Weak & preemptive 3♥ Invitational Would need 11-12 3♥ Invitational Would need 11-12 4♥ Game. Would need 13⁺ 4♥ Game. Would need 13⁺

Opener denies hearts but promises spades Responder uses XYZ

♠ Kx♠ xxxx ♠ Kx♠ xxxx ♥ Kxx♥ xxxx ♥ Kxx♥ xxxx ♦ Axxx♦ xxx ♦ Axxx♦ xxx ♣ QJxx♣ xx ♣ QJxx♣ xx 1♣ 1♦ Responder shows hearts 1♣ 1♦ Responder shows hearts 1♠ 2♠ Weak & preemptive 1NT p Weak 3♠ Invitational Would need 11-12 2♣ Start of an XYZ sequence 4♠ Game. Would need 13⁺ 2♦ As above

Responder has spades & long diamonds Responder denies a 4 card major ♠ Axxx ♠ xxxx ♥ KJxx ♥ Jxx ♠ Kx ♠ Qxx ♦ Jxx ♦ KQxxx ♥ xx ♥ xxx ♣ Kx ♣ x ♦ KJxx ♦ KQJxx ♣ AKXxx ♣ xx 1♣ 1♠ Responder shows the major 1♣ 1♠ Responder denies a 4 cM 1NT 2♣ XYZ relay to 2♦ 2♦ p 1NT p Opener is not strong Responder chooses WTO Responder is not invitational

Responder Denies a 4 card Major

♠ Axxx ♠ Qxx ♥ KJxx ♥ xx ♦ Jxx ♦ Axxx ♣ Kx ♣ Qxxx

1♣ 1♠ Responder denies a 4 cM 1NT 2NT Responder invites p Opener declines

Improving 5-card majors page 15 References

1 Len Cohen Two Over One Game Force 2 Audrey Grant & Eric Rodwell 2 over 1 Game Force 3 Max Hardy Two Over One Game Force 4 Mike Lawrence Two Over One 5 MathewThompson BidMorePlayMore 6 PaulThurston 2/1RestOfStory 7 PaulThurston 25StepsToLearning2/1 8 LyePoe TransferResponsesTo1C 9 Ron Klinger Conventions & Counter Measures 10 BrianSenior ShortClub&TransferResponses 11 ChrisChambers TransferResponsesToOneClub 12 SallyBrock&NicolaSmith WBFConventionCard 13 SusanStockdale&FionaBrown WBFConventionCard 14 MartyBergen 1NTForcing 15 MartyBergen ImproveYour2/1 16 MartyBergen 2/1GameForcing 17 MartyBergen Understanding1NTForcing 18 DeeBerry CueBidsInANutshell 19 MarshallMiles CompetitiveBiddinginthe21st Century 20 LarryCohen XYZonhiswebsite General reading on 2/1 see 1,2,3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17 Modern 2/1 see 5 Competitive bidding using cue bids & Truscott see 9, 18, 19 Transfer responses to 1♣ see 8, 10, 12,13 XYZ 20

Improving 5-card majors page 16 Light Yellow In Steps Step 1 Learn and play the XYZ convention This will improve major suit fit finding, and more Step 2 Convert to modern 2/1 2/1 is the system of choice for most tournament players Modern 2/1 gives an extra edge Step 3 1♣ becomes a two way bid: natural or balanced Can be used with standard responses, just to get started Step 4 Simple 1♣ transfer responses. Called Light Yellow Lite (LYL) Gives an edge but is kept very simple Step 5 Gradually add the full set of LYE responses and rebids to a 1♣ opening On completion you have the full Light Yellow system For the full set of Light Yellow responses, see page 6 &7. Step 6 Add One Below It will simplify your competitive auctions, and get rid of Truscott & Cue bids to show fit & strength. And if extended to non competitive auctions it gives an extra edge plus added simplicity when played alongside modern 2/1.

Improving 5-card majors page 17 Bidding Practice Hands For Light Yellow Overleaf are 198 random sets of hands in pdf format, each annotated in red, with the opening bid I would make. I assumed the designated dealer had first turn, so the openings may be any seat. On average the opening side is equal for NS & EW, so 198 boards are the equivalent of twice that for one partnership. Thus the examples are the equivalent of about 16 playing sessions at 24 boards per session, about 4 months of partnership bidding. For frequent opening bids the 108 represents a good cross section, but for the less frequent bids, such as a 2♣ opening it is not enough. The annotations used are: 1CN 1♣ natural 1CB 1♣ balanced 12-14 1CSB 1♣ strong & balanced 1D 1♦ 1H 1♥ 1HB 1♥ in a 5332 hand 1S 1♠ 1SB 1♠ in a 5332 hand 1NT 1NT 15-17, sometimes adjusted for trick taking potential 2H 2♥ weak 2S 2♠ weak 2NT 20-22 balanced 1♣ /2♣ a standard 2♣ opening

Improving 5-card majors page 18