TEN USEFUL AGREEMENTS TO HAVE

2C = natural When they open a 2D = majors 1 prepared club 2N = clubs & diamonds 2C opposite is UCB

When they double Pass and answer to Redouble if no stop 2 Stayman/Transfer Bid normally with a stop

When they intervene Pass if they have bid above your bid 3 X if they have taken your bid over an Else make your bid

Checkback if Cancel, as you always have a cue in their suit 4 intervention available as an asking bid

What’s forcing after a 2N as “Blackout” : partner bids the lowest 5 preference they would pass

Bids of their suit show good raise 6 After they bid Michaels Transfers possibly from 2N

7 After it starts 1m-P-1N Same defence as to 1N opener

When re-transfers Any 5-card major circumstance 8 Bid major as (NF if game) apply Transfer and continue is forcing cue

Continuations after Two cue bids are slam try in two suit shown 9 (lower is first of our suits above it)

Queen ask after First free (non ) bid asks for queen 10 Exclusion RKC Next free (no trump) bid asks for kings

THE NEXT TEN USEFUL AGREEMENTS TO HAVE

Kokish after a 2C 2C-2D-2H : either hearts or GF balanced 11 2S asks and any but 2N says it was hearts opener system on after 2S-2N

Lower cue = 5 of 4th suit, invitational+ values 12 After their unusual 2N Higher cue = high card raise for partner

They bid one major : meanings as in second They bid one minor : as defence to 1N opener 13 Cue bids in 4th seat They bid two suits : LH suit a cue, RH suit natural The bid short+suit : RH suit a cue, LH suit natural Responding to (GF) Use step1 as neutral, saying I have nothing useful 14 to show (provided it doesn’t wrong-side a NT contract) They open 2N showing X = usually balanced, some interest in penalty 15 3C = strong takeout with 3D response positive minors 3D = 55 majors and limited values

When they double XX is puppet to play in your own suit 16 Michaels P asks partne’rs other suit (step1=lower) Any clear rules help, eg FORCING if (a) we are vulnerable and have clearly bid game to make 17 Forcing pass sequences (not if we bounce), or (b) they are non vul and clearly sacrificing (eg passed hand leaps to 5L)

After our opening of 4C = pass/correct 18 Gambling 3N 4D = asks singleton (bid M or om, 4N with none)

When they X partner’s (unless raising) automatically redouble with an 19 overcall honour, so partner know what to lead or not lead

Slam tries when Over minor, 4om = general slam try (5m signoff) 20 Over major, 4C = general slam try (with clubs bid partner pre-empts 5C)

THE NEXT SIX USEFUL AGREEMENTS TO HAVE

Transfer responses to X shows the suit and cue is takeout X, except 21 after 1C-1S treat as if a 1N opener and use that 1C opener defence, with X=any strong hand New suit after a weak Support : raise or jump 22 Else : steps1-2 bad hand with nil/small support, two opener step3-4 good hand with nil/small support They interfere over Ignore doubles 23 Over suit : P=step 1, X=step2 etc Blackwood If that pushed you too high : P=even X=odd If they X : neutral bid now is pass More on Fourth Suit Jump in 4th suit : GF with 55 in suits bid 24 th Forcing (FSF) Repeat of 4 suit : asking again, stuck for a bid By Passed Hand : still FSF, maximum pass Responses to 4N 5C = no ace 25 5D / 5H / 5S / 6C = that ace only opener 5N = two+ aces Responding to a X with Avoid bidding a 3 card major 26 If partner cues : lowest suit = very bad hand a yarborough others are GF