* Executive summary:
-Acol, 12-14 1NT, Strong twos, transfers, roman key card blackwood
+Acol, 12-14 1NT, Weak twos, transfers, roman key card blackwood
* Magic numbers:
new suits often force for one round
jumps to game are usually "shut up"
"invitational to x" means bid x if maximal for previous bid
-"support" is usually 4 cards
+"support" is usually 4 cards (should add up to 8)
if you make a limit bid, you usually shut up unless forced
** Opening **
1 [suit] promises at least the above - generally pick the longest suit
1NT is 12-14 points balanced (limit)
-2C is 23+ points, at least 5 quick tricks. Usually game-forcing
-2 [other] has one 6- or two 5-card suits, >=8 playing tricks. 1r force
+2C is 23+ points. Usually game-forcing
+2[other] 6-10 points, good 6-card suit (2 of A-Q, 3 of A-10)
2NT is 20-22 points balanced (limit)
3 [suit] pre-empt 7-card suit 7-9ish points
3NT pre-empt solid (AKQ at least) 7-card minor "Weak Gambling 3NT"
4 [suit] pre-empt as 3, but 8-card suit
-(with 15-19 points balanced, open 1[suit] and rebid xNT - see below
+A weak 2 denies a 4-card major or good 3-card major
+
+(with 15-19 points balanced, open 1[suit] and rebid xNT - see below)
** Replying **
xNT - denies support for partner (other responses do not)
1NT 6-9 points (doesn't need to be balanced), no 2-level bid (limit)
2NT 10-12 points, balanced (limit)
-3NT 12-15 points, balanced (limit)
+3NT 13-15 points, balanced (limit)
1 [new] 6+ points, 4+ cards, 1-round force
2 [new < suit] 8-9+ points, 5+ cards, 1-round force
jump [new] 16+ points, 5+ cards (or support), game force
pass - <11 points, no long suit
2C - Stayman (bid 2 of a 4-card major or 2D if none)
-2D/2H - Transfer (3 of next suit if 4+card and maximal, 2 of next otherwise)
- [a break (3 of unexpected suit) shows maximum and xx in bid suit]
+2D/2H - Transfer (bid 2 of next suit)
2S - 11 points or long minor (bid 2NT if minimum, 3C if maximum)
2NT 12 points; invites game if opener maximal
3 [suit] - 5 cards in suit, forcing 1 round
* Response to 2NT
3C - Stayman (as before, but forcing to game)
-3 [suit] 5-card suit, forcing to game
+3 [suit] - transfers (to a 5-card suit), game-forcing
others, as per 1NT
* Response to 2C (all game-forcing except 2C-2D-2NT (23-24 balanced))
2D - negative (<8 points)
+Positive responses often suggest slam prospects
2NT - balanced, 8+ points, game-force
2 [suit] 5-card suit with an honour ~7+ points. game-force
3 [suit] decent 6-card suit. game-force
-* Response to 2[suit]
+* Response to 2[suit] "RONF" (raise is the only non-forcing bid)
+
+Raises are limits and opener must not bid again:
+3 [suit] - 3/4 support 6-13 points
+4 [suit] - 4/5 support 6-13 points (may be weaker with 5)
-2NT - negative
-[new] - 5+ cards, 8+ points. game-force
-3[suit] - 3+support, 5-8 points. game-force
-3NT - 8-11 points, flat hand
+Other bids are forcing:
+new suit - 16+ points 5+ cards, no support
+2NT - 16+ points or 13+ points with 3+ support, opener shows a feature
+(i.e. a stop) or rebids if none
+3NT - 16+ points, stoppers in all other suits, signoff (likely to be a
+tough contract, esp if communication bad)
* Response to pre-emptive 3
pass - <15 points, no support
e.g. after 1NT-1D-1H:
pass - weak hand
-2NT - invitational to part-score or game in H or NT
+2NT - invitational to part-score or game in H or NT (shows 5 hearts)
3H - promises 6 hearts, invitational to game
new suit - promises 5-4 or 5-5, game-forcing
3NT - option to move to 4H or stay in 3NT
Against a 1-level bid, 1NT shows 16-18 points and a stop in the bid
suit (you may bid stayman on top if relevant), unless in fourth place
-where it is 12-14 as normal e.g. 1H-p-p-1NT.
+where it is 12-14 as normal e.g. 1H-p-p-1NT or p-p-1H-1NT.
With more points, double, then bid NT next time.
1[suit] overcall is 5+cards, 8-16ish points
~matthewv / bridge / blobdiff