play bridge What’s Standard? Grant Basic — by David Lindop ߜ This is the second article in this getting to a reasonable contract 1) Notrump range series discussing what is meant by 80% of the time using only 20% of • 15-17 is by far the most popular “standard” in reference to modern the bidding methods available to us. range in North America and on bidding methods. The first can be The other 80% of the methods we the Internet. A range of 14+ to 17 found at www.audreygrant.com. might learn will be useful on only is used to avoid nitpickers who 20% of the deals we encounter. So, complain about 1NT openings n the previous article I suggested let’s focus on that basic 20%! that don’t fall into the 15-17 high- there really is no such thing as We want to keep bids as natural as card point range. Many players I“Standard American” today. possible. Whether an opening bid of add a point for a five-card suit Having said that, most players want 2♦ is weak or strong is not as (which I recommend) and some guidelines on the methods to important as the fact that it shows upgrade hands with lots of 10’s adopt when playing with their peers. diamonds. So, we don’t want to and 9’s. Hand #2 in this month’s In this article, I’m putting forward start off with multi-2♦ or Flannery. Point of View shows a similar what I consider to be the basic On the other side, we don’t want to opinion from our expert panel. methods that most players should be have to “unlearn” too many familiar • 20-21 for 2NT is common using. I’m calling this Grant Basic concepts. So, if we’re going to adopt when using weak two-bids and since it follows the approach in weak two-bids — and it’s difficult to a strong artificial 2♣ opening. Audrey Grant’s (latest) series on be ‘modern’if we don’t — we have to • There’s no need to open 3NT bridge basics. These methods have introduce some artificiality right since 22+ hands can be opened been reviewed by an advisory panel away, namely the strong 2♣ opening. 2♣. Leaving a 3NT opening of experts and represent what the When forming the basic methods, undefined is an example of the majority of teachers are likely to be we want to leave things open-ended ‘open-ended’ concept. presenting to students. so that more advanced concepts will 2) Five-card majors The Basic Principles fit in nicely at a later point. It is also • Five-card majors are about as important to build flexibility by standard as we can get today. Many players do not want to spend emphasizing that all the bidding For the basic system, we can too much time on bidding. The methods are guidelines, not rules. ignore occasional four-card focus is on play and defense. The An Overview openings in third or fourth seat. auction is only a means to an end ... 3) Weak two-bids to try to reach a reasonable contract. With the preamble out of the way, • These are also a staple in Whether the contract will actually what are we left with as our basic today’s game. Even for new be made depends on the lie of the approach. The chart on the opposite players, they are easy to learn cards and the skill of the declarer page provides a more detailed sum- since they go hand-in-hand with and the defenders. So, we only need mary, but here is a quick outline of three-level preempts. the main features: to be in the right ballpark, not the 4) Limit raises • Strong (15-17) 1NT “perfect” spot on each deal. • Limit (11-12) raises overtook The conclusion from this is that we • Five-card majors forcing jump raises (13+) many should keep the bidding as simple • Weak two-bids years ago. as possible — no exotic memory- • Limit raises • There is no forcing raise shown intensive conventions for those who • Preemptive bids in competition for major suits. Essentially, we just want to “play cards.” The only ‘conventions’ are: simply ‘avoid’ a 2NT response In the end, it’s only through the play • Strong artificial 2♣ opening to a major suit for now. of the cards that bidding concepts • Stayman • Players learn to ‘get to game’ begin to make sense. Terms such as • Blackwood with a fit for opener’s major and ‘playing tricks’ and ‘hand valuation’ • Negative doubles 13 or more points. So, a jump to are much easier to understand once game is reasonable, or the more we have actually played for a while. Some Comments classic approach of bidding a new The 80/20 Principle, sometimes Since much of this will also be part suit followed by a jump to game. known as Pareto’s Law, argues for of Grant Standard, a discussion of • There is also no forcing raise over keeping things simple. Applied to most features can wait until then, a minor (nor is there one in the bridge, it can be interpreted as but here are some observations. Standard American Yellow Card). PB-4 November, 2003 play bridge • The structure for 1NT, 2NT, and Does It Work? One of the first times I played 3NT responses to a minor suit is My experience indicates basic with Audrey was in a World Mixed the most straightforward one, methods can be very effective. It’s Pairs championship. The only even if it is a bit of a compromise. more important for partners to be convention we played was Stayman; 5) Preemptive bids in competition comfortable with their agreements no Blackwood, no transfers, no • The modern style is very pre- than to have a lot of gadgets. negative doubles! I remember one emptive, so weak deal we played against world champion Benito jump overcalls and GENERAL APPROACH: GRANT BASIC weak jump raises in Garozzo, playing with competition might OPENING BIDS RESPONSES Lea Dupont. I opened as well be part of + ♣ 1♥ and Audrey raised 1NT: 14 to 17 2 : Stayman ♥ the basic approach. (can include 5-card major) 3♥/3♠: 5+ cards, forcing to 5 . “What’s that?” After all, weak 2NT: 20 to 21 3♣: Stayman asked Benito. “Too jump raises after a (with 22-24 open 2♣ and rebid 2NT; with 25-27 open 2♣ and rebid 3NT) much for game; not takeout double have enough for slam,” I 1♥/1♠: 5+ cards jump raise (3♥/3♠): invitational been ‘standard’ for replied. I passed and a long time. 1♣/1♦: 3+ cards jump raise (3♣/3♦): invitational we got a good result. 6) Strong 2♣ opening 1NT: 6-10; 2NT: 11-12; 3NT:13-15 Many pairs, using • With the popularity 2♣: 22+ if balanced; 2♦: waiting more exotic methods, of weak two-bids, 9+ tricks if unbalanced had a challenging time and got to a poor slam. this has become an 2♦/2♥/2♠: 5-11 points; 2NT or new suit: forcing integral part of the good 6-card suit (usually) raise: signoff Another time, I was modern approach. ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ at the North American 3 /3 /3 /3 : preemptive; new suit: forcing Championships having 7) Stayman good 7-card suit (usually) • Stayman is both just been eliminated useful and some- SLAM CONVENTIONS from a major event. I ran thing that comes 4NT:Blackwood (after suit agreed) 5♣: 0/4 aces; 5♦: 1; 5♥: 2; 5♠: 3 across New York expert up quite frequently. 4♣: Gerber (after natural 1NT/2NT) 4♦: 0/4 aces; 4♥: 1; 4♠: 2; 4N: 3 Henry Bethe, who had obviously suffered a • It is typically the COMPETITIVE BIDDING first convention similar fate. We decided most players learn. Simple Overcall: 7-17 (usually) jump raise: weak to play in a side event new suit: non forcing (constructive) and agreed to play no 8) Blackwood cuebid: forcing (one round) conventions ... not even • Blackwood is mis- Stayman this time. We used more often Jump Overcall: preemptive + ♣ had an enjoyable and than not, but is still Notrump Overcall: 15 to 18 2 : Stayman relaxing game ... and considered a con- Double: Takeout of opponent’s suit opening through 4♥ won handily. vention ‘everyone’ RESPONDER’S ACTIONS AFTER INTERFERENCE OVER 1♣/♦/♥/♠ Basic methods are should know. After an overcall: Jump raise: weak fine. Put the focus on 9) Negative doubles Negative (takeout) doubles through 3♠ play and defense. • The modern trend is to treat doubles After a double: Jump raise: weak Convention Card for takeout unless New suit at one level: forcing Although the chart they are specifically New suit at two level: non forcing covers the essentials of defined as penalty. Redouble: 10+ points Grant Basic, comple- So, we might as well LEADS tion of the standard go with the flow. VERSUS SUIT CONTRACTS VERSUS NOTRUMP CONTRACTS convention card is • The trend is also to Top of touching high cards (A-K-x) Top of solid sequence (K-Q-J-x) required at some clubs use negative doubles Top of a doubleton (7-x) Top of broken sequence (Q-J-9-x) and at all tournaments. through at least 3♠, Otherwise low (fourth highest) Top of interior sequence (K-J-10-x) A copy of a completed rather than 2♠. (Avoid leading low from an ace) Otherwise low (fourth highest) card can be found at 10) Leads www.audreygrant.com, SIGNALS • Leading ace from along with a copy of ace-king is popular Attitude: high cards are encouraging; low cards are discouraging.