(1) THE BASICS: STANDARD 5 CARD MAJORS (The basics are the most important of all.)

OPENER’S OPENER’S RESPONDING RESPONDING TO COMPETITIVE FIRST BID SECOND BID TO 1NT 1 OF A SUIT BIDDING

Open 1NT with 15-17 SINGLE-SUITED 0-7 points unbalanced, (1) With Fit and a balanced shape (6+cards), bid that suit bid 2 of long suit Add short suit (dummy) 8-16 points, 5+ cards, (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, again points for suits other 0–7 points balanced, good suit (two level 5-3-3-2) than the suit TWO-SUITED pass overcalls are 12+ total Open one of the longest (5/4+) bid 2nd suit Doubleton (two cards points) suit with 13-20 8-9 points balanced, bid only) add 1 point Double 13+ points, BALANCED, bid 1NT 2NT Singleton (one card Open 1♠ or 1♥ with 5+ with no long suit; at only ) add 3 points cards in that suit SUPPORT f o r 10+ points unbalanced, least three cards in the other suits not bid by responder, raise their jump to game with 6 + (zero cards) add opener; two or fewer Open 1♦ with 4+ cards 5 points suit cards in suit, or jump to cards in opener’s suit. in diamonds 3 or with 5 cards in suit MINIMUM 13–15 6-10 points raise to two Responding to an Open 1 with 2+ cards ♣ bid at the most 10+ points balanced, ln opener’s suit in clubs ecomonic (lowest) level bid 3NT 11-12 points jump to Raise overcall with 3+ Open the higher- MEDIUM 16–18 three in opener’s suit card support. Jump with ranked suit with 5+/5+ jump one level a weak hand (6 – 9) shape With 13+points bid 4 or and 4+ trumps. MAXIMUM 19–20 game level Open 1♦ with 4/4 Responding to a jump to game shape in minors (2) With no Fit double

Open 1♣ with 3/2 6+ points Bid own suit 0-8 points, bid longest shape in minors (the bidding is forcing so suit (prefer a major) at opener can’t pass) cheapest level 9-11 points, jump bid 6-9 no fit for opener, bid best suit 1NT 12+ points, jump to game or bid opener’s suit (cue raise)

(2) CONVENTIONS FOR INTERMEDIATES (Add when ready. You don’t need many conventions. You could win championships using only these!)

STAYMAN TRANSFERS BLACKWOOD OPENING 2♣ WEAK 2-BIDS

2♣ after 1NT opening, Responses after partner 4NT = Asks for Aces Open 2♣ Usually 19+ Open 2♦/♥/♠ to show (or 3♣ after 2NT opens 1NT or 2NT when a fit has been points and three or weak hands, with six opening) asks for a four- found fewer losers, or 22+ cards in suit, 6-9 points card major Bid the suit below the balanced and a good suit (two of suit you actually hold to Answers: the top three or three of Respond show five + cards, (any 5♣ = 0 (Aces) Open 2♣ with hands the top five honours) 2♦ with no major points) 5♦ = 1 that are too strong for a ie.at least two of the 2♥ with four hearts 5♥ = 2 o n e - b i d , e i t h e r 1NT p 2♦ (shows a AKQ, or three of the (may have four 5♠ = 3 b a l a n c e d o r AKQJ10 spades) hand with five +♥) unbalanced. 2♠ with four spades If your side has all aces Must have less strength 1NT p 2♥ (shows a hand (denies four hearts) then 5NT asks for Kings. (Responses 2♦ shows than an opening one-bid with five+ ♠) Answers as for Aces. a hand with fewer than 8 points, and no good long suit)

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(3) CONVENTIONS FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS (These are needed ONLY when you feel like playing in serious competition.)

(7) Drury (1) Jacoby 2NT 2♣/♦ by passed hand after 1major opening by (12) Four Suit Transfers Strongest major raise (opening hand or better), partner shows support, 10 – 12 pts, and asks if pd with four + card support. 1♥ p 2NT has opened light in third or fourth seat eg p p 1♥ 1NT p 2♦ shows hearts, p 2♣ - shows three hearts and 10 - 11 pts, and if 1NT p 2 show spades (2) Roman Key Card Blackwood pd bids 2♥, that shows a weak opening hand. ♥

Ace ask that includes five key cards (trump king + 1NT p 2♠ shows clubs, and four aces) &/or trump queen (8) Michaels Cues & Unusual NT 1NT p 2NT shows diamonds Two-suited 5/5 cuebids showing either both (3) majors or the other major and a minor. The Unusual NT shows the lowest unbid suits. Usually (13) raises are inverted so a single raise is weak Eg: strong and a jump raise is weak and preemptive: After one of a major opening 1♣ p 2♣ and 1♦ p 2♦ is strong, (1♣) 2♣ = Both majors 1♣ p 3♣ and 1♦ p 3♦ is weak, 1♠ p 3♠ = four trumps and weak (less than 6 pts) 1♠ p 3♣ = (1♦) 2♦ = Both majors four trumps 11- 12 (4) (1♥) 2♥ = Spades and a minor 1♠ p 3♦ = four trumps 6 - 10 Checkback. Bid the unbid minor after opener rebids 1NT to check for three card support or to learn (1♠) 2♠ = Hearts and a minor (14) Cappelletti over Opponent’s 1NT openings more about opener’s hand. Eg 1♣ p 1♠ p 1NT p 2 asks for three card spade support or further ♦ (1 2NT = Hearts and Diamonds (1NT) X = penalties hand description. Shows 10+pts ♣) (1NT) 2♣ = single suit (any) (1♦) 2NT = Hearts and Clubs (5) (1NT) 2♦ = both majors (1♥) 2NT = Both minors When opponents compete over our 1NT. Eg 1NT (2 ) 2NT = Lebensohl, is relay to 3 . Allows (1NT) 2♥ = hearts & a minor ♦ ♣ (1 2NT = Both minors different hand shapes and strengths to be shown. ♠) (1NT) 2♠ = spades & a minor, (2NT) = both minors

(6) Negative & Support Doubles (9) Splinter Bids (15) 2/1 Game Force (and the expanded 1NT) Competitive doubles showing values and/or three Four + card raises showing shortage in suit card support bid. Eg 1♥ p 4♦ = a raise to 4♥ with a 1♦ p 2♣ or 1♣ (1♠) X = a showing four + singleton or void in diamonds. hearts and less than 10 points 1♥ p 2♣2♦ (10)Help Suit Trial Bids 1♣ p 1♥ (2♦) X = a showing three 1♠p2♦♥♠ card support for partner’s hearts. With four hearts, When a fit in a is agreed, a new suit bid bid 2♥ asks partner to bid game with help in that suit. Eg Two over one responses are game forcing and show 13+, not 11 – 12 +hands, with own suit. 1♥ p 2♥ p 3♣ asks partner to bid 4♥ with help in the club suit. The medium hands are added into the 1NT response, which now shows either 6-10 or 11-or a bad 12. (11)Cue Raises Bid of the opponent’s suit shows 10+ and a fit for partner’1♥ (1♠) 2♠ = good ♥ raise.

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