OPENING LEADS 2nd/4th, 3rd/5th in partner’s suit
For all the card combinations shown, clearly mark the card normally Hatch over or shade this box if led if different from the underlined card. using non-standard leads.
A K A K x K Q 10 K Q x K J 10 K 10 9 Q J 10 Q J x J 10 x 10 x x 10 9 x 9 8 7 x 10 x x x H x x
v. suit v. suit
contracts H x x x H x x x x H x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
A K x (x) A J 10 x K Q 10 K Q x K J 10 K 10 9 Q J 10 Q J x J 10 x 10 x x 10 9 x 9 8 7 x 10 x x x H x x
v. NT v. NT
contracts H x x x H x x x x H x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Other agreements in leading, e.g. high level contracts, partnership suits:- K strong against NT Switches more likely to be attitude CARDING METHODS
Primary method v. suit contracts Primary method v. NT contracts On Partner’s lead High Enc/Even High Enc/Even On Declarer’s lead High Even / Suit pref When discarding High Enc/Even/Suit Pref Other carding agreements, including secondary methods (state when applicable) and exceptions to above
Suit preference in trumps and other situations where attitude/count not relevant Count on a king lead unless Bath coup position. Attitude on king after an ace lead against a pre-empt.
SUPPLEMENTARY DETAILS (continued)
After a 1-level suit response and a reverse, cheaper of 4th suit and 2NT is weak, others FG
After Jacoby, 3C any min (3D asks, 3H/S/NT shortages higher cues; 3H/S/NT own shortage, 4C+own void); Opener’s 3D extras no shortage (then 3S/NT/4C own shortage); 3H/S/NT shortage; 4 new void extras
Change of suit forcing in response to an overcall after 3rd hand passes, NF if they bid
Game tries NAT. 1D-1M-2M-2NT and 1H-1S-2S-2NT F1, continuations NAT. Other game tries imply 5M
3NT is non-serious slam try only when obvious with a major agreed
Both players of a partnership must have identically completed convention cards. Jan 2016 Cards must be exchanged with opponents for each round. EBU 20B Name Michael Byrne EBU No. Partner Frances Hinden EBU No.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BIDDING METHODS Strong NT, 5-card majors, 2/1 FG
1NT OPENINGS AND RESPONSES Strength (14)15-17 Tick if artificial and provide details below Shape constraints All 5332, many 5422 or 6m Tick if may have singleton Responses 2. Stayman (+ Smolen) (2C – 2D – 2M weak, 2H may be 4-4) 2 Hearts (then raise to 4=ST) 2 Spades (then raise to 4=ST) 2 Clubs (new suit=shortage) 2NT Diamonds (new suit=shortage) Others 3m 5-5 minors wk/FG; 3M shortage; 4m SAT (game only or take control). Action after opponents double NAT; x of artificial overcall = values, then x PEN(?) Action after other interference Lebensohl; after Stayman intervention x = PEN TWO-LEVEL OPENINGS AND RESPONSES
Meaning Responses Notes 2. Strong 2C-2D-2H NAT or FG Bal 2 Weak 2M NF, 2NT asks for shortage 2 Weak 2NT asks for shortage 2 Weak 2NT asks for shortage 2NT 20-22 3. Stayman+Smolen; RST; 3S mm; 4 suit +2 ST OTHER ASPECTS OF SYSTEM WHICH OPPONENTS SHOULD NOTE
(Please include details of any agreements involving bidding on significantly less than traditional values). 1. clubs unbalanced or any weak NT without a 5CM. Transfer responses. 1 diamonds unbalanced or any 18-19 BAL without a 5CM Opening bid style – most 11s NV, decent 11s V (anything goes in 3rd)
OTHER OPENING BIDS
see Min CONVENTIONAL SPECIAL HCP Note* length MEANING RESPONSES Notes 1D=H,1H=S,1S=no M or FG D+M, 1NT=10-12 1. 9+ 2 NAT or 12-14 BAL (1) may have 4CM, 2NT 13-15 BAL
1 9+ 2 NAT or 18-19 BAL 2C NAT FG, 3C INV, 2D/2NT Inv, 3D mixed (2) 1 9+ 5 (4) 1NT SF, 2m FG, 2NT FG raise, 3m 4-card raise, 2S 3-card raise (3) 1 9+ 5 (4) 1NT SF, 2/1 FG, 2NT FG raise, 3m 4-card raise, 3H 3-card raise 3 bids 5 3NT Gambling 4 bids 6 *(Please enter your normal HCP range in the HCP column. Please tick box if you have any special agreements involving different values in particular positions (e.g. light openings in third seat) and include further details under Supplementary Details). DEFENSIVE METHODS AFTER OPPONENTS OPEN
OPPONENTS OPEN A CONVENTIONAL SPECIAL NATURAL ONE OF A SUIT MEANING RESPONSES Notes Simple overcall New Suit F1 Jump overcall Weak (intermediate in 4th) Cue bid Michaels
1NT Direct: 15-18 As opening Protective: 11-14
2NT Direct: Unusual
Protective: 19-21 OPPONENTS OPEN DEFENSIVE SPECIAL WITH METHODS RESPONSES Notes
Strong 1. X = majors, 1NT = minors
Short 1./1 (1C) P (1 any) 2any natural
Weak 1NT Dbl PEN (4M=5m by passed hand); 2C After a penalty double, first X t/o Strong 1NT MM; 2D 1M; 2M 5+m; 2NT mm Weak 2 Leaping Michaels Weak 3 NAT (no NLM) 4 bids
Multi 2 X weak NT or strong SLAM CONVENTIONS
Name Meaning of Responses RKCB 1430 - After the queen ask, returning to trump suit is weakest action XRKCB 0314 5NT Often pick a slam
COMPETITIVE AUCTIONS
Agreements after opening of one of a suit and overcall by opponents Level to which negative doubles apply 4M Special meaning of bids Transfers after 1C (1 any) and 1C (x) (4) Exceptions / other agreements Natural* after 1D (x). .1m (1H) 1S = 5, x = 4 spades
Agreements after opponents double for takeout Redouble STR (1C x xx = D) New suit Xfer* (not 1H-x-1S) Jump in new suit System on Good raise (M) Fit jumps as a Jump raise Weak 2NT Other system on (m) passed hand
Other agreements concerning doubles and redoubles Support x up to 2 of responder’s suit. Xx of a xfer response = 3 card support, unlimited. First x take-out after we double 1NT (opening or overcall) Penalty doubles after a business redouble. X of a 2-suited overcall values, then x=?; P then double = PENS OTHER CONVENTIONS
(1) Other responses: 2C INV+ F 3C (then 2D bal without clubs, 2M NAT may be BA); 2 other/3 any weak. After 1C-1red: Completing shows 3 or poor 4; 2-way checkback after 1NT or completion; 2NT rebid good 3-6 Checkback: 2C then 2M = INV, 2C…2NT puppet to 3C. Jump in lower new suit FG 5/5. Other jumps SPL 1C-1S-2D unbal 5+C,3+D; 1C-1S-2NT = C/D reverse; 1C-1S-1NT-2m wk, 3C 5/5 m INV, 3D INV, 2NT FG D
(2) 1NT rebid 18-19, 2-way checkback, 2NT good 3/6 or 18-19 BAL 4-card support (latter bids 3M next) 1D-2D-2NT is 18-19 BAL FG, otherwise any 3D bid offer to play. 1D-3D expects 3NT from 18-19 BAL. (3) 1M-3C 6-9 with 4-card support, 3D 4-card limit raise, 3M weak, jump in OM 3-card limit raise. After a 2/1 rebids NAT, reverses show a decent 14+. SUPPLEMENTARY DETAILS
(Please cross-reference where appropriate to the relevant part of card, and continue on back if needed).
(4) 1C – (x) – system on, xx = diamonds; 1S at least 3 clubs 1C – (1S) – 2C = D, 2D = H, 2H = bal INV, 2S = clubs
1C-(1NT) –2C = MM, 2D = 1M, 2M = 5+m 1D-(1NT)-2C = MM 1M-(1NT)-2m = suit bid + OM
2NT in a major suit auction is a four card raise other than (1any) 1M (P) 2NT is NAT INV. .