The Precision Club Bidding System Responses to the 1 Opening

The Precision Club Bidding System Responsesto the1 ♣ OpeningWhentheOpponentsPass

In our first article on the Precision Club Bidding system, we tried to answer the question “Why play Precision Club?” In addition, we presented a brief discussion about the various opening bids using the system. This article is going to focus on the responses to the Precision Club 1♣ opening bid.

The bids that you make in response to your partner's Precision Club 1♣ opening bid depend upon whether your right-hand opponent has entered the auction before it is your turn to bid. In this article, we will look at the responding bids you would make when the opponents do not enter the bidding after your partner's opening bid.

Responding to the 1♣ opening bid when your right-hand opponent passes

The 1  Response

The 1 response is artificial and forcing to your partner when the opponents do not enter the auction after your partner's opening 1♣ bid. We use the 1 response to show two different types of hands. Ordinarily, it shows the opener that you have less than 8 high card points (HCP) – this is considered a negative response to the ♣ opening bid.

Important: we do not count distribution points in determining the bid to make after our partner's opening 1♣ bid.

In addition to showing a hand with less than 8 HCP, we use the 1 response to describe any hand that has 8 or more HCP and specifically three 4-card suits with a singleton in the fourth suit – this is called the Impossible Negative.1 In reality, it is not a negative response; but, your next bid will further describe your hand to the 1♣ opener. [We will look into how you describe your Impossible Negative hand in a future article when we cover “Rebids by the 1♣ Opener and the Responder.”]

Note that in duplicate bridge play, the 1 response, just like the 1♣ opening bid, must be alerted because it is an artificial bid and it is forcing to the 1♣ opener if the opponents do not intervene. It is considered “artificial” because it says nothing about the diamond suit and is merely designed to convey information about your point count.

Try the short quiz on the next page to see what you understand about the 1 response to a Precision 1♣ opening bid. 1 C. C. Wei's original Precision Club system called this bid the “Impossible Negative.” Many later variations of Precision Club bidding did away with the Impossible Negative. However, we have become comfortable with the bid and still use it with our version of Matchpoint Precision.

1) ♠ 5 4 2 ♥ K 8 5  A 9 3 ♣ 107 4 2 2) ♠ A K 9 8 4 ♥ 7 4 2  9 8 6 2 ♣ 9 3) ♠ A Q 4 3 ♥ 2  A Q J 10 ♣ A 9 6 5 4) ♠ A Q 8 6 ♥ A J 7 5  K 7 5 3 ♣ 8 5) ♠ 9 8 7 6 3  A Q J 102 ♣ J 5 3 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat theendof thearticle .

The 1 ♥ and 1 ♠ Responses

A responding bid of 1♥ or 1♠ promises at least 8 HCP and at least 5-cards in the bid suit. These bids and the other responses above 1 are considered positive responses to the 1♣ opening bid.

A response of 1♥ or 1♠ to the 1♣ opening bid is a natural bid and usually does not need to be alerted. [Note that some people prefer to alert the bid because it promises at least 8 HCP and is considered a “constructive” bid. However, we have never been told by a tournament director that it is necessary to alert the 1♥ or 1♠ responding bid.]

When you have at least 5-cards in both major suits and at least 8 HCP, you would normally respond in the major suit that is longer.

If both of your major suits are equal length (either five or six cards), whether you respond 1♥ or 1♠ depends upon your HCP strength. That is, with HCP in the range of 8 to a “bad” 11 (mostly jacks and queens) HCP, it is probably better to respond with 1♠ and then, if necessary, you could bid the hearts. This could keep you from arriving at a contract that is too high.

When you have a good 11 (points made up of mostly aces and kings) or more HCP and either five or six cards in both ♥ and ♠, you could consider bidding 1♥ and then bidding the spades at a later point in the auction. This reverse bidding should alert your partner that you have a strong hand with at least equal length in the major suits. Now, try the following quiz:

Quiz 2: On which of the following hands would you respond 1♥ or 1♠ to an opening Precision 1♣ bid?

1) ♠ A 2 ♥ K J 107 4 2  6 ♣ 8 7 4 2 2) ♠ A K Q 9 8 ♥ Q 4 2  K 7 2 ♣ 9 8 3) ♠ A 8 7 3 ♥ J  A 106 5 ♣ 109 7 6

4) ♠ A Q J 106 ♥ 8 7  7 6 ♣ 9 5 3 2 5) ♠ 9 8 7 6 ♥ AKQJ  7 6 ♣ 9 8 3 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat theendof thearticle .

The 1NT Response

The 1NT response promises exactly 8 to 10 HCP and it also promises a balanced hand (at least two cards in each suit). In addition, it usually denies a 5-card or longer suit. Here's a quiz on the 1NT response:

Quiz 3: On which of the following hands would you respond 1NT to an opening Precision 1♣ bid?

1) ♠ A 2 ♥ K J 10  Q 7 4 2 ♣ 8 7 4 2 2) ♠ A K 9 8 ♥ Q 7 4 2  7 2 ♣ 9 8 5 3) ♠ A 8 7 3 ♥ J  A 106 5 ♣ 9 8 7 6 4) ♠ A Q J 106 ♥ 8  8 7 6 ♣ J 7 3 2 5) ♠ 9 8 7 6 ♥ AKQJ  102 ♣ J 105 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat the endof the article .

The 2 ♣ and 2  Responses

Both the 2♣ and 2 responses promise a minimum of five cards in the bid suit and a minimum of 8 HCP. You and your partner should discuss how you would handle a responding hand at least 8 HCP that has five or more cards in a major suit and a longer minor suit. In our partnership, we have agreed that we would respond with the longer minor and then rebid the major suit at a higher level.

Also, you should discuss how you would respond with a hand that has at least 8 HCP and two equal length minor suits of at least five cards. You could adopt the approach mentioned above under the 1♥ or 1♠ response section where we discussed the bidding with two equal length major suits.

When playing duplicate, both of these bids would normally be alerted. The following is a quiz on the 2♣ and 2 responses:

1) ♠ A 2 ♥ K  Q742 ♣ J108742 2) ♠ 7 5 ♥ QJ  A 106 5 2 ♣ 9 8 7 6 3) ♠ 8 ♥ A Q J 6  8 7 6 ♣ J 9 7 3 2 4) ♠ 9 8 6 ♥ 102  A K Q 3 ♣ J 107 5 5) ♥ Q 5 4 2  A K 9 8 7 2 ♣ J 8 5 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat the endof the article .

The 2 ♥ and 2 ♠ Response

The 2♥ or 2♠ responses to your partner's opening 1♣ bid are much like opening weak two bids. That is, they promise six cards in the bid suit. For these bids, you only promise 4-7 HCP. Both of these bids should be alerted when you are playing duplicate bridge.

Important: generally, with stronger hands in the Precision Club system, we try to explore our respective hands at as low a level as possible and hopefully arrive at the optimum contracts whether they be game or slam. With the weaker hands, however, we will often make jump bids in order to arrive at our ultimate contract before the opponents can get into the auction. The jump to 2♥ or 2♠ will often keep your left hand opponent from entering the auction and making a lead directing overcall. Here is a quiz on the 2♥ or 2♠ responses:

Quiz 5: On which of the following hands would you respond 2♥ or 2♠ to an opening Precision 1♣ bid?

1) ♠ K 2 ♥ K J 108 7 5  9 7 4 ♣ 8 3 2) ♠ A 9 7 6 5 3 ♥ Q J 7 ♣ 7 6 4 2 3) ♠ 8 ♥ Q 8 7 6 5 3  A J 9 8 7 2 4) ♠ K 109 8 7 6 ♥ 109  8 7 ♣ 109 8 5) ♥ A K J 5 4 2  9 8 7 2 ♣ 8 7 5 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat the endof the article .

The 2NT Response

A response of 2NT after your partner has opened with 1♣ can have two different meanings. First of all, you promise a balanced hand with at least two cards in each suit and your probably do not have a five card suit. There are, however, two different point count ranges for the 2NT response.

Normally, the 2NT response with be made with a hand that has specifically 11-13 HCP. The other hand you would have for the 2NT response is also balanced; but, it has at least 16

Copyright © 2008-9, 2011-12 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 4 of 8 HCP. With the more powerful hand, you will usually take control of the auction after the 1♣ opener describes her hand to you when she rebids. With the 16+ HCP hand, you will almost always windup in at least a small slam contract.

When playing duplicate, the 2NT response should be alerted because of its dual meaning. Here is a quiz on the 2NT response:

Quiz 6: On which of the following hands would you respond 2NT to an opening Precision 1♣ bid?

1) ♠ K Q 2 ♥ A J 108  9 7 4 ♣ J 8 3 2) ♠ 6 2 ♥ A K 9 6  K Q 5 4 ♣ J 4 2 3) ♠ 10 ♥ A J 6 2  Q J 109 ♣ A 9 6 5 4) ♠ A K Q 2 ♥ A J 108  9 8 5 ♣ Q 5 5) ♠ A K 6 3 ♥ 102  K Q 9 8 7 ♣ 9 7 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat the endof the article .

The 3 ♣ , 3  , 3 ♥ , and 3 ♠ Responses

The 3♣, 3, 3♥, and 3♠ responses promise at least seven cards in the bid suit and 4- 7 HCP. Disciplined partners prefer to make these bids only when the points are concentrated in the long suit. This enables the opening 1♣ bidder to more accurately place the final contract. These bids should be alerted when playing duplicate. Try the following quiz on these responses:

Quiz 7: On which of the following hands would you respond 3, 3♥ or 3♠ to an opening Precision 1♣ bid?

1) ♠ K 2 ♥ 5  J1087543 ♣ A83 2) ♥ Q J 7  A 9 7 6 5 3 2 ♣ 7 6 4 3) ♠ 8 ♥ Q 8 7 6 5 3 2  A J 9 8 7 4) ♠ K J 109 8 7 3 ♥ 9  8 2 ♣ 109 8 5) ♥ A K J 9 8 5 4 2  7 2 ♣ 109 8 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat the endof the article .

The 3 NT Response

Finally, the 3NT response to the 1♣ opening bid promises a balanced hand and specifically 14 or 15 HCP.2 Once again, the responder would have at least two cards in each suit and normally would not have a five card suit. This response should also be alerted when playing duplicate. Our final quiz for this article is on the next page:

2 Thanks to Dustin Stout for noticing that in the original Article #2, we had an incorrect point count for the 3NT response.

1) ♠ A Q 6 ♥ A J 108  K 103 ♣ J 7 6 2) ♠ A 6 ♥ A K J 8 5  105 4 ♣ K 9 7 3) ♠ Q ♥ A J 6 2  Q J 109 ♣ A 9 6 5 4) ♠ K Q 5 4 ♥ Q 6  108 7 ♣ A K 9 7 5) ♠ 9 8 5 ♥ A J 8 4  A K Q 2 ♣ Q 10 Note: see suggestedquiz answersat the endof the article .

Future Articles in this Series Future articles in our Precision Club series will:

✔ Look at the opener's rebids to the responses you have seen above;

✔ Discuss how opponent's bids after our 1♣ opening bid influence the responses and rebids that Precision Club players make, and

✔ Examine the bidding after our other opening bids.

Quiz Answers Quiz #1 Hand #1: respond 1 – it is the perfect response because you have only seven HCP. Hand #2: respond 1, even though you have a pretty good spade suit, you still have just seven HCP. Remember, we do not count distributional values when responding to the 1♣ opening bid. Hand #3: respond 1, you have more than 7 HCP; but, because the distribution has three 4-card suits and a singleton, you should respond with 1, the Impossible Negative, to your partner's opening 1♣ bid. Our later bidding will clarify the situation. Hand #4: respond 1; again, you have more then 7 HCP. And, again, because the distribution has three 4-card suits and a singleton, you should respond with 1, the Impossible Negative, to your partner's opening 1♣ bid. Hand #5: do not respond 1, you have 8 HCP and your distribution is not suitable for the Impossible Negative bid. Here you have a choice of responding with a positive bid – either 1♠ or 2. In our partnership, we would respond 1♠ instead of 2. While the diamond suit is stronger, you have a powerful playing hand if the ultimate contract is in either spades or diamonds (even clubs could be a good suit if partner has length in that suit). With the 1♠ call, you will have more room to explore for a slam. Also, if you begin the bidding with 2, it becomes harder to describe your 5-5-3 distribution to partner. Quiz #2 Hand #1: respond 1♥, you have 8 HCP and six hearts (remember the requirement for 1♥ or 1♠ in response to the 1♣ opening bid requires 8 or more HCP and at least 5 cards in your major suit).

Hand #2: respond 1♠, with 14 HCP and five spades, this is the correct response. Hand #3: bid the impossible negative with this hand. That is, with this 9 HCP 4-1-4-4 distribution hand, bid 1 and then, when it is your turn to bid again, follow through with either (1) a jump in hearts to show the

Copyright © 2008-9, 2011-12 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 6 of 8 singleton or (2) if the 1♣ opener bids 1♥ or 2♥, jump in NT to show the impossible negative.3 Hand #4: respond 1, even though you have a good spade suit, you still have just seven HCP. Hand #5: with this hand, bid 1NT with this 10 HCP balanced hand.4 Quiz #3 Hand #1: respond 1NT, you have a balanced hand with 10 HCP. Hand #2: respond 1NT – once again, you have a balanced hand and it is within the 8-10 HCP range required for the 1NT response.

Hand #3: you do not respond 1NT with this hand. It does have the requisite number of HCP; but, the singleton heart makes this an unbalanced hand. The correct responding bid is the Impossible Negative, 1. Hand #4: with this hand, you would respond 1♠ not 1 NT. Your hand is unbalanced and you have a five card spade suit with sufficient HCP for a positive response. Hand #5: respond 2NT, you have a balanced 11 HCP hand (11 HCP exceeds the 1NT response's range of 8-10 HCP). Quiz #4 Hand #1: respond 2♣ with this hand. It meets the requirements for a positive bid (more than 7 HCP) and has a six card club suit. The hand is not suited to 1NT because of the singleton heart. Hand #2: respond with the 1 bid. Even though you have a five-card diamond suit, you do not have sufficient points to respond with a positive 2 bid. Hand #3: respond 2♣ with this hand. You have sufficient HCP to make a positive response and an unbalanced hand with 5 clubs. Hand #4: respond 1NT. You have a balanced 10 point and only four-cards in each of the minor suits. Hand #5: respond with a 2 bid. Your hand contains sufficient points to make a positive response and the long diamond suit helps to settle the bid you must make. Quiz #5 Hand #1: respond 2♥, you have a six hearts and 7 HCP. Hand #2: respond 2♠, the hand meets the six spade and 4-7 HCP requirements for this response. Hand #3: respond 2♥, you have a six hearts and 7 HCP – you should be able to show the six card diamond suit after the opener makes her rebid. Hand #4: respond 1, even though you have six spades, you only have 3 HCP. The negative bid is your best response with this hand – you may be able to show your spades after the opener rebids. Hand #5: respond 1♥, with 8 HCP, you exceed the 4-7 HCP range for the jump to 2♥. Quiz #6 Hand #1: respond 2NT, you have a balanced hand in the 11-13 HCP range. Hand #2: respond 2NT – once again, you have a balanced hand in the 11-13 HCP range. Hand #3: even though this hand is in the 11-13 HCP range, your hand is unbalanced with the 1-4-4-4 distribution. The correct responding bid is the Impossible Negative, 1. Hand #4: respond 2NT – this balanced hand contains 16 HCP and therefore meets the requirements for the “other type” of 2NT response. Hand #5: respond 2, you have a somewhat unbalanced 14 HCP hand with two weak two card suits. Usually, when you have this type of distribution, the suit bid is preferable to a NT response.

3 Thanks to Les Walker for noticing the error in the answer published in the original article #2. 4 Les Walker was the first to notice the error in the answer to this question that was published in the original article #2.

Copyright © 2008-9, 2011-12 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 7 of 8 Quiz #7 Hand #1: respond 2, you have 8 HCP and seven diamonds (with more than the 4-7 HCP range for a 3♣, 3, 3♥, or 3♠ bid, makea positiveresponseto the opening1 ♣ bid instead of jumping to 3). Hand #2: respond 3, with 7 HCP and seven diamonds, this is the correct response. Hand #3: respond 3♥, with 7 HCP and seven hearts, this is the correct response. Hand #4: respond 3♠, 4HCP and seven spades makes this the correct response. Hand #5: respond 1♥, you have seven hearts and sufficient HCP to make the positive response instead of jumping to 3♥. Quiz #8 Hand #1: respond 3NT, you have a balanced hand in the 14-15 HCP range. Hand #2: respond 1♥, this hand is also in the 14-15 HCP range; but, it has five hearts. Hand #3: even though this hand is in the 14-15 HCP range, your hand is unbalanced with the 1-4-4-4 distribution. The correct responding bid is the Impossible Negative, 1. Hand #4: respond 3NT, you have a balanced hand in the 14-15 HCP range.5 Hand #5: respond 2NT – this balanced hand contains 16 HCP and therefore meets the requirements for the 2NT response.

Practice Your Opening and Responding Precision Bids Take a deck of regular playing cards and remove all of the twos, threes, fours, and fives. Now, deal three hands of 13 cards each. With all of the small cards removed, you should have several hands that you can use to practice the opening1 ♣ and the responding bids that have been described above.

Get Emails About Future Precision Club Articles If you want to receive notices about future Precision Club articles when they are posted, send an email with the subject “Precision Club” to: [email protected]

5 Thanks to Grant Bell for being the first to notice that the original answer was not correct.