Bridge bidding systems are built around one of two modes of
communication: full duplex ("two-way") and half duplex ("one
way"). Standard American uses a full duplex style, with both
partners communicating information to each other under an "approach
forcing" theme. These structures enjoy an advantage of apparent
simplicity. This "simplicity", however, is illusory, as these
partnerships embroil themselves in neverending discussions of
whether or not a certain call is 100% forcing. These (often
heated) discussions may coincide with the partnership playing a
slam hand in a part score.
On the other side we see half duplex systems where one partner
asks questions while the other answers them. This list includes
relay systems (e.g. Relay Precision, Panama Relay, etc.), asking
bid systems (such the Canadian Club or Italian Precision) and
hybrid systems which combine relays with natural responses (such
as Valentines). Frankly, experience has demonstrated that half
duplex systems enjoy an advantage in accuracy. This accuracy,
however, comes at the cost of considerable study of the system's
complexities. Many conservative players will eschew such systems,
saying that they are "too complicated to learn". These players
either forget the time they spent learning the many nuances of
standard bidding OR remember this period of familiarization all too
well--and don't care to go through it again! On the other hand,
half duplex system players never have to ask themselves that age-old
question haunting full duplexers: "Is that last bid forcing?"
Systems use one of two methods of introducing bidder's long
suits. North Americans are more familiar with the Long Suit First
method. Europeans tend to prefer a canape style whereby players
bid their four card suits before their five carders. Each has its
advantages. Long Suit First shines in some competitive (especially
5-2 fitting) situations and when Responder passes the opening bid.
Canape shines when it steals the opponent's suit, when there is a
misfit (especially when the opponent's bid our five-card suit
before we do!) and in some competitive (especially Moysian-fitting)
situations. Only Valentines takes the canape principle to its
extreme, opening the shorter/weaker suit even if it entails
reversing into the longer/stronger suit with minimal values.
S- x H- AQJ10xx D- K10xx C- Kx
Standard bidders open 1H here. Most canape systems would also
dictate a 1H opening with the idea of rebidding Hearts before
introducing Diamonds. Valentines opens 1D.
Valentines uses a forcing but not necessarily strong 1C. 1C
Opener holds either a strong (17+ HCPs) hand (with or without Club
length) OR a 12-16 HCP hand with Clubs. Opener will clarify
his/her holding on subsequent rounds of bidding.
Unlike strong Club systems, Valentines is a forcing Club
system which prides itself not so much on its slam-bidding as on
its part score and competitive bidding. As such, it is an
excellent duplicate system while retaining a capability to generate
huge swings in teams play.
In learning Valentines it is important to unlearn everything
known about standard, approach-forcing systems. For example,
reverses do not show extra strength. Opener never bids 3-card
suits as "natural". There are no jump rebids on 3-card suits. In
this regard Valentines is more natural than standard approaches.
Valentines derives its name from its concentration on the
Heart suit. After the forcing (but not necessarily strong) 1C
opening and negative 1D response it is a 1 Heart rebid which shows
a strong hand. In many slam-bidding sequences 4D invites a slam in
Hearts while 4C invites a slam in any of the other three suits.
The reader will see many other instances where the Heart suit
affects the auction more than any other suit.
Valentines is a distributional bidding system. Players open
their four card suit, not their 5-carder. This is true regardless
of the relative strengths of the suits.
S- AKQJx H- xxxx D- Ax C- xx
S- xxxxx H- AKQJ D- Ax C- xx
Both of the above hands are opened 1H.
We start with the 1NT opening bid because it sets the tone for
the distributional nature of Valentines bidding. Standard
approaches adopt a strict High Card Point count (e.g. 15 to 17, 16
to 18, etc.) but allow Opener to have anywhere between 2 and 5
cards in any suit (perhaps 2 to 4 cards in a major). That fear of
a doubleton impedes Responder's ability to compete with 4-card
suits and stop safely with many 5-carders.
Holding a flat hand a person can open a natural 1C, 1D or 1H
and then rebid 1NT over an 1-of-a-suit response. Only with Spades
is this impossible. We may draw two conclusions from this: the 1S
opening should promise an unbalanced hand; and, 1NT should be used
to show 4 or 5 Spades in a flat hand. But:
S- AQxx H- Kx D- Jx C- KQxx
S- AQxx H- Kx C- KQxx D- Jx
With 4-2-4-3 or 4-2-3-4 distribution one can open the 4-card
minor and rebid 1S. And, as long as 1NT is going to promise 4 or
5 Spades, we can also allow it to guarantee 3 or 4 Hearts (but
never a 5-4-2-2 type). After all, the above two hands account for
two of the three distributions that would involve a doubleton
Heart. The only "problem" distribution is 5-2-3-3.
S- KQxxx H- Qxx D- Ax C- KQx
S- KQxxx H- Qxx D- Axx C- KQ
The above two hands can be opened 1NT.
S- KQxxx H- Qx D- Axx C- KQx
This one cannot, since it violates the "3rd Heart"
requirement.
The solution is to treat 5-2-3-3 hands as "unbalanced" (opened
in Spades) while 5-3-2-3 and 5-3-3-2 hands will be considered flat
and opened 1NT. A Valentines 1NT opening, then, promises 13-16
HCPs and a flat hand with 5-3, 4-3 or 4-4 in the majors.
Imagine the benefits of knowing that 1NT Opener has a "core"
of 4-3 in the majors! Responder can compete with as few as four
Hearts or as few as three Spades. Responder need not worry about
competing in or running out to 2-of-a-major on a 4-card suit--only
to discover that 1NT Opener has a doubleton there.
Opener: S- KJxx H- Axx D- Ax C- Kxxx
Responder: S- Qxxx H- xx D- xxx C- Qxxx
After Opener's standard 1NT what Responder will find either of
the two 4-4 Black suit fits?
Responder: S- Qxxx H- xx D- KQxx C- xxx
After partner's 1NT opening is overcalled with 2C you would
like to compete. But in which suit? Only in Valentines can you
confidantly contest the part score with 2S.
Another important benefit is that, within 2 or 3 rounds of
bidding, Responder can determine 1NT Opener's exact High Card Point
("HCP") count and distribution. This is accomplished by using a
Relay Stayman 2C response.
1NT:2C
The 2C response to 1NT reveals 9+ HCPs. It is at least
invitational. Holding a major suit fit 2C is at least strongly
invitational, since a simple and direct 2H or 2S response to 1NT
would be a weak invitation. Over 1NT:2C Opener considers his/her
hand weak (13 HCPs), medium-strength (14 or 15 HCPs) or strong (16
HCPs). Weak hands rebid 2D with only 3 Hearts, 2H with 4 Hearts.
Medium-strength 1NT opening bids will rebid 2S with 4 Hearts, 2NT
with only 3 Hearts. Strong 1NT Openers will rebid at the 3-level.
1NT:2C:2D - Opener holds only 3 Hearts and only 13 HCPs.
Responder can now sign off with any rebid other than 2H.
Opener: S- AQxx H- Kxx D- QJx C- Jxx
Responder: S- Kxxx H- Qxx D- Kx C- Axxx
1NT - 13 to 16 HCPs, 4-3 or better in the majors.
2C - 9+ HCPs. "Strength? 4th Heart?"
2D - 3 Hearts only, 13 HCPs only.
2S - Or 3S. Sign off with 10-12 HCPs.
Responder can relay with a 2H rebid to discover more about
Opener's distribution. Now:
1NT:2C:2D:2H:2S - Natural. 5 Spades. 2NT relays, when we
see our first encounter with a Short Suit Asking Bid.
Short Suits (i.e. a doubleton in this case) are shown
according to their rank, ranging from high ranking to
low ranking suits. Since Opener cannot deny a doubleton
with 5 Spades, the first step will reveal a doubleton in
the higher ranked suit (Diamonds) while the second step
would disclose a Club doubleton.
Opener: S- Kxxxx H- KQx D- Axx C- Jx
Responder: S- Axx H- Jxxx D- Kxxx C- Ax
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
2D 2H - "Tell me more about your distribution."
2S - Natural. Five Spades.
2NT - "Which is your doubleton minor?"
3D - Second step. Hence, 5-3-3-2.
3S - "Too bad. Let's stop here."
1NT:2C:2D:2H:2NT - Natural, 4-3-3-3 distribution.
1NT:2C:2D:2H:3C - Natural. 4-3-2-4 distribution.
1NT:2C:2D:2H:3D - Natural. 4-3-4-2 distribution.
1NT:2C:2H - With 4 Hearts and 13 HCPs Opener will reply 2H.
Responder can now pass or sign off with any rebid other than 2S.
Opener: S- QJxx H- Kxxx D- KQx C- Qx
Responder: S- Kx H- Axxx D- xxx C- Axxx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
2H - 4-4 in the majors, 13 HCPs.
Pass - No need to raise to 3H, as in standard.
1NT:2C:2H:2S - Having shown 4-4 in the majors a relay rebid
of 2S is a Short Suit Asking Bid ("SSAB"), clarifying
Opener's minor suit doubleton. Opener rebids:
2NT - Doubleton in higher ranked minor (4-4-2-3).
3C - Doubleton in lower ranked minor (4-4-3-2).
Holding 14 or 15 HCPs Opener rebids 2S with 4 Hearts, 2NT with
only 3 Hearts. At the 2-level, then, weak and medium-strength 1NT
Openers rebid 2-of-a-major with 4 Hearts, 2D or 2NT without 4
Hearts. After 1NT:2C:2S Responder can pass or sign off with any
rebid other than 2NT.
1NT:2C:2S:2NT - "Doubleton?" Knowing that Opener has 4-4 in
the majors 2NT is a SSAB. Now:
3C - Doubleton Diamond. 4-4-2-3 distribution.
3D - Doubleton Club. Thus, 4-4-3-2 distribution.
Opener: S- KJxx H- AJxx D- Ax C- Qxx
Responder: S- AQx H- KQxx D- xxxx C- xx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman. "4 Hearts? Strength?"
2S - 14 or 15 HCPs with 4 Hearts.
2NT - "Doubleton?" SSAB.
3C - Higher ranked doubleton. Hence, 4-4-2-3.
4H - "Good!"
The most awkward case is when Opener holds 14 or 15 HCPs and
only 3 Hearts. Opener rebids 2NT, whereupon Responder can relay
with 3C or sign off via any other rebid. Over 3C we see:
1NT:2C:2NT:3C:3NT - Natural. 4-3-3-3 distribution.
1NT:2C:2NT:3C:3S - 3-of-a-major here promises 5 Spades.
Opener uses the 3H and 3S bids as SSAB replies, showing
the 5 Spades and the minor suit doubleton at once. 3S,
the second such step, will promise a lower ranked (C-)
doubleton. Hence, 3S here shows 5-3-3-2 distribution.
1NT:2C:2NT:3C:3H - It follows that 3H shows 5-3-2-3.
1NT:2C:2NT:3C:3D - The 3D response to 3C here shows a hand
with a 4-card minor. 3D, then, reveals either 4-3-4-2 or
4-3-2-4 distribution. But which minor does Opener have?
This is clarified by a 3H Short Suit Asking Bid. Over
1NT:2C:2NT:3C:3D:3H we see:
3S - Diamond doubleton. Hence, 4-3-2-4.
3NT - Club doubleton. Hence, 4-3-4-2 distribution.
Opener: S- KQxx H- AJx D- Kx C- Qxxx
Responder: S- AJxx H- KQx D- A109x C- Jx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman. 9+ HCPs.
2NT - 14 or 15 HCPs with only 3 Hearts.
3C - "Tell me more."
3D - "I have a 4-card minor suit."
3H - "Which minor is your doubleton?"
3S - Doubleton Diamond. Thus, 4-4-2-3.
3NT - "At IMPs, let's play in 3NT."
Holding a full 16 HCPs (or a poor 17-count) 1NT Opener will
rebid at the 3-level. The 4-3-3-3 hands will rebid 3NT. Such 4-3-
3-3 types are called "express" distributions.
1NT:2C:3NT - Natural, 4-3-3-3, 16 HCPs.
Opener: S- QJxx H- KJx D- KQx C- KJx
Rebid 3NT with "express" Spades.
16 HCP 1NT Openers that have a doubleton Club will always
rebid 3C over 1NT:2C. This allows Responder's 3D rebid to discover
whether Opener has 4 Diamonds, 4 Hearts or 5 Spades.
1NT:2C:3C:3D:3H - 4 Hearts. Hence 4-4-3-2.
Opener: S- AJxx H- Qxxx D- KQx C- Ax
Responder: S- xx H- AKxx D- Axxx C- xxx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
3C - Doubleton Club, 16 HCPs.
3D - "4 Diamonds? 4 Hearts? 5th Spade?"
3H - Natural. 4 Hearts. Thus, 4-4-3-2.
4H - "Good!"
1NT:2C:3C:3D:3S - 5 Spades. Hence, 5-3-3-2.
Opener: S- J10xxx H- AJx D- AQx C- Ax
Having shown your 16 HCPs and doubleton Club with your
3C response to 2C, rebid 3S (natural) over 3H.
1NT:2C:3C:3D:3NT - Denies 5Ss or 4Hs. Thus, 4-3-4-2.
Opener: S- KQxx H- Qxx D- KJxx C- AJ
3D asks you to show a 4th Heart or 5th Spade. With
neither, you rebid 3NT, revealing your 4-3-4-2 hand.
It stands to reason that a jump to 3D, 3H or 3S over 1NT:2C
would show a doubleton Diamond. Of these, 3D is artificial,
showing 4-3-2-4 distribution, while 3H (4-4-2-3) and 3S (5-3-2-3)
are more or less natural.
1NT:2C:3D - 4-3-2-4 distribution, 16 HCPs.
Opener: S- Jxxx H- Axx D- Kx C- AKJx
Responder: S- x H- KJxx D- Axxx C- Qxxx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman. Size? 4 Hearts?
3D - 4-3-2-4 hand with 16 HCPs.
3H - "Are you slammish?"
4C - "Yes, but I have no Spade control."
5C - Spades are not guarded.
1NT:2C:3H - 4-4-2-3 distribution, 16 HCPs. The 3H bid is,
essentially, an "extension" of the 3D response to 2C.
It promises a doubleton Diamond while showing 4 Hearts
naturally.
Opener: S- Kxxx H- AQJx D- xx C- AQx
Responder: S- Ax H- Kxxx D- QJ10x C- Jxx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
3H - 16 HCPs, 4-4-2-3 distribution.
3NT - 4H may fail on a D- ruff and offside C-K.
1NT:2C:3S - 5-3-2-3 distribution, 16 HCPs. Notice that
1NT Opener jumps to 3S with the highest ranked doubleton
possible. This "jump high" principle will reappear
later.
Opener: S- KQxxx H- A10x D- Kx C- KJx
Responder: S- Jxx H- Kxxx D- Axxx C- Qx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
3S - 5-3-2-3 distribution. 16 HCPs.
4S - 3NT may have trouble on a Diamond lead.
1NT:2D
A 2D response to 1NT is "Spartacus". Responder holds one of
three very different types:
1. The Weak Signoff in any long suit.
2. A flattish invitation to 3NT based on 4+card Club length.
3. A game force based on 4+ Spades or 5+ Hearts.
Opener must rebid 2H over the 2D reply. Then we'll see:
1NT:2D:2H:Pass - Weak hand with 4+ Hearts.
Responder: S- xx H- Qxxx D- xx C- Jxxxx
Pass Opener's forced 2H rebid.
1NT:2D:2H:2S - Weak hand with 3+ Spades.
Responder: S- xxxx H- xx D- xxxx C- xxx
Over Opener's forced 2H rebid stop in 2S. You'll
be glad you're playing Valentines with this hand!
1NT:2D:2H:3C - Signoff. 0-8 HCPs with 5+ Clubs.
Responder: S- xx H- xx D- Qxx C- Jxxxxx
2D forces Opener to bid 2H. Then bid 3C, to play.
1NT:2D:2H:3D - Signoff. 0-8 HCPs with 5+ Diamonds.
Responder: S- x H- xxx D- KQxxxx C- Jxx
2D, followed by 3D, will sign off.
After 1NT:2D:2H Responder rebids 2NT to invite 3NT based upon
4+card Club length. Why Clubs? Because there are ways to invite
game with every other suit. For example, 1NT:2NT invites 3NT based
upon Diamond length. Using 2D, followed by 2NT, to show Club
length allows Opener to play the hand in 3C where appropriate.
1NT:2D:2H:2NT - 9-11 HCPs with 4+ Clubs. Flat hand.
Opener: S- A10xx H- Kxxx D- Kx C- QJx
Responder: S- xx H- Ax D- Qxxx C- Kxxxx
1NT 2D - "Please rebid 2H for now."
2H - "Okay."
2NT - "I invite you to 3NT based on Club length."
3C - "Sorry. But 3C looks better than 2NT."
Pass - "You're the boss!"
The third type of hand is the game-forcing hand with a major
suit fit. This implies either 5+ Hearts or 4+ Spades. 2D
Responder wants Opener to play the hand. Valentines does not use
or need Jacoby transfers; its 2H and 2S responses to 1NT are
natural and weakly invitational. Spartacus, in addition to
everything else, does the job of Jacoby and South African
transfers. Over Opener's forced 2H rebid Responder jumps with 5+
Hearts. For example:
1NT:2D:2H:3NT - Natural with 5 Hearts. "3NT or 4H?"
Opener: S- QJxx H- Axx D- KQx C- QJx
Responder: S- K10 H- KQxxx D- xxx C- Axx
1NT 2D - "Rebid 2H for now, please."
2H - Forced.
3NT - 5 Hearts. "Pass or correct to 4H."
Pass - "I would prefer to play in 3NT. Thanks."
1NT:2D:2H:3S, 4C or 4D - Cuebid slam try with 5+ Hearts.
Opener: S- AKxx H- Kxx D- Kxx C- Qxx
Responder: S- xx H- AQJxx D- AQJx C- Ax
1NT 2D - 3-way response to 1NT.
2H 4C - 5+ Hearts, slam try cuebid. No S- control.
4D - Diamond cuebid, promising a S- control.
4NT - Roman Key Card Blackwood.
5H - Two Key Cards but no H-Q.
5NT - "Kings?"
6H - Two Kings {outside Hs}. High enough.
1NT:2D:2H:4H - Signoff with no slam interest.
Responder: S- xx H- QJxxxx D- AJxx C- x
Jump to 4H over 1NT:2D:2H.
1NT:2D:2H:4NT - Roman Key Card Blackwood with Hs as trump.
Responder: S- x H- QJxxx D- KQJx C- AKx
Use 4NT, RKCB, over Opener's forced 2H call.
To establish Spades as trumps Responder raises the forced 2H
response to 3H. This is a "subsequent" transfer into 3S. Opener
will rebid 3S unless he/she is slammish (in which case Opener will
cuebid 4C, 4D or 4H). Over 1NT:2D:2H:3H:3S Responder's options are
similar to those above:
1NT:2D:2H:3H:3S:3NT - "3NT or 4S?"
Responder: S- KQxx H- Jx D- QJxx C- K10x
Force 1NT Opener to bid Spades first. Then give
Opener the choice of playing in 3NT or 4S.
1NT:2D:2H:3H:3S:4C, 4D or 4H - Cuebid slam try with Spades.
Opener: S- QJxx H- Kxx D- AKxx C- xx
Responder: S- AKxx H- QJ D- QJ10xx C- Ax
1NT 2D - "Please bid 2H for now."
2H 3H - "Please bid 3S--unless you're slammish."
3S - "Sorry, this is the best I can do."
4D - D- control, no C- control (else 4C).
- (More about Italian cuebids later.)
4H - Control in Hearts and Clubs (else 4S).
4NT - Roman Key Card Blackwood with Ss trump.
5D - One Key Card.
5H - "Do you have the S-Q?"
6S - "Yes." Else 5S here.
1NT:2D:2H:3H:3S:4S - Signoff with no slam interest.
Responder: S- KJxx H- Qx D- Ax C- Jxxxx
Force Opener to bid Spades and then stop in 4S.
1NT:2D:2H:3H:3S:4NT - Roman Key Card Blackwood with Ss trump.
Responder: S- QJxx H- x D- AK10xx C- AKxx
Force Opener to bid Spades and then rebid 4NT,
Roman Key Card Blackwood.
1NT:2H or 2S
Consider the following problem facing standard bidders:
Opener: S- K10xx H- Jxx D- AQx C- KQx
Responder: S- Qxx H- Axxxx D- Kx C- xxx
Opener starts with a 15-17 HCP 1NT and hears Responder reply
with a Jacoby 2D. Opener dutifully rebids 2H. Here is the
dilemma: it is the wrong person's turn to bid! If 2D were always
invitational or stronger Opener's 2H call would constitute a
disinterest in game. Responder could pass 2H. But because
Responder has not yet clarified his/her intentions he/she will have
to rebid 2NT. Opener will now have to either pass or correct to
3H. In either case the partnership may well be too high. And, of
course, the situation would be even worse if Opener had held H-Jx;
Declarer would have difficulty establishing any long suit in 2NT.
The challenge, then, is to establish a fit and invite game
without going beyond 2-of-the-major. Finding the major suit fit
was accomplished by the Valentines 1NT opening itself. Now the
problem is stopping at a low level.
A 2H or 2S reply to 1NT shows 8-10 HCPs and length in the bid
major. It is a weak invitation; Opener will need a good fit and
16 HCPs to proceed. On the above example hand a Valentines
Responder would reply 2H to 1NT. Opener lacks a good 16 HCP hand
and would therefore Pass. End of auction. No problem.
1NT Opener usually passes the 2-of-a-major response. Only the
strongest Openers will rebid and they will do so naturally.
Opener: S- KQxx H- QJx D- A109 C- KJx
Responder: S- Axxxx H- xxx D- Kxx C- Qx
1NT 2S - Weak invitation with a Spade fit.
2NT - 4-3-3-3 distribution, 16 HCPs (else Pass).
3NT - The fifth Spade may be our ninth trick.
Opener: S- KJxxx H- KQx D- AK C- xxx
Responder: S- xx H- AJxxx D- xx C- KJxx
1NT 2H - Weak invitation with 4+ Hearts.
2S - 16 HCPs with 5 Spades.
3C - Natural.
3H - No help for Responder's Clubs.
Pass - "Okay."
1NT:2NT
We have seen that a 2D response followed by a 2NT rebid shows
a Responder inviting 3NT based upon 4+ Clubs. A Responder with a
flat invitational (10-11 HCPs) hand that features Diamond length
raises 1NT directly to 2NT.
Responder: S- Jx H- Qxx D- KQxxx C- Qxx
Your 2NT bid will ask Opener to examine the Diamond
fit before deciding on the feasibility of 3NT.
Opener can now accept the invitation and bid 3NT, stop in 3D
or temporize with 3C to see if Responder is maximal.
Opener: S- KQxx H- AJxx D- KJx C- Qx
Responder: S- xx H- Kxx D- Qxxxx C- AJx
1NT 2NT - Inviting 3NT based on Diamond length.
3C - "Are you maximal?"
3D - "Not really.
Pass - "Then let's stop here."
1NT:3-of-a-Suit
Responder jumps to 3-of-a-suit to set that suit as trumps
(temporarily at least) and ask Opener how many Aces and trump
honours he/she holds. 3-of-a-suit, then, is Six Ace Blackwood.
Opener rebids 1 step for each such card he/she holds, starting with
the first step (0 or 1 Ace or trump honour).
Opener: S- Axxx H- xxx D- Axx C- AQx
Responder: S- KQxx H- Ax D- x C- KJxxxx
1NT 3C - "How many Aces and Club honours do you have?"
3NT - "Four such critical cards."
7S - "Surprise! We're playing in Spades."
Pass - "Suits me fine."
1NT:4C
Four Clubs is Relay Gerber. Opener shows Aces. Responder can
then relay with the cheapest rebid to ask for Kings. A second
relay rebid will then ask for a doubleton (shown High-to-Low). A
third relay rebid will then ask for "extras": a Queen or, better
yet, a source of tricks (e.g. a holding such as KQJ). Extras are
denied by a cheapest no trump rebid; they are shown by a cuebid.
Opener: S- Jxxx H- AJx D- KJxx C- QJ10
Responder: S- AKQx H- Kx D- Axx C- AKxx
1NT 4C - Relay Gerber. "Aces?"
4H - 1 Ace.
4S - "Kings?"
5C - One King.
5D - "Doubleton?"
5NT - 4-3-3-3 distribution. No extras (else 6NT).
6NT - "Then 7NT or 7S would seem ambitious."
Now that we have learned the response and rebid structure over
a Valentines 1NT the question arises: what do we do once we know
Opener's distribution? Before progressing to other opening bids
let us answer this question.
As soon as the Passive Partner's distribution is known the
Forcing Partner usually bids the final contract. If and only if
the Forcing Partner is interested in slam does he/she make another
relay rebid. This asks the Passive Partner to rebid the cheapest
step if uninterested; higher responses are cuebids expressing
Passive Partner's interest in slam.
Opener: S- K10xx H- Axxx D- Kx C- QJx
Responder: S- AQx H- Kxxx D- AQxx C- Ax
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
2H - 4 Hearts, 13 HCPs.
2S - Short Suit Asking Bid. "Doubleton?"
2NT - Higher ranked doubleton. 4-4-2-3 distribution.
3C - Slam?
?? - Now: 3D - Not interested in slam.
- 3H would then force cuebidding.
3H - Interested in slam with H-K or H-A.
3S - Interested in slam with S-K or S-A.
- Denies the H-K or H-A.
3NT - Interested in slam with D-K or D-A.
- Denies H-K, H-A, S-K and S-A.
4C - Interested in slam with C-K or C-A.
- Denies any Non-Club Ace or King.
The auction on the above hand should now proceed:
3D - "Sorry, I'm not interested in slam."
3H - "Please cuebid your cheapest control anyway."
3S - Spade control.
3NT - "Please keep cuebidding."
4D - Diamond Ace or King. No Club Ace or King.
4H - "Please continue."
4NT - Heart control.
5C - "Please go on."
6C - The Queen of Clubs.
6H - "Let's stop here. We seem to be missing the H-Q."
There are a number of points made in this cuebidding sequence.
Notice that Opener is cuebidding somewhat reluctantly in response
to a series of relays by Responder. The conversation is one-sided.
Note also that the Passive Partner is showing controls--Aces
and Kings--indiscriminately. The 6C call shows how the cuebid of
a Queen can be distinguished from those of Aces and Kings. This is
not always possible. Suppose, instead of 6C, Opener had rebid 5H,
having already cuebid Hearts once. Would this have promised H-AK?
Hardly. The 5H re-cue could show H-KQ or H-AQ as easily as the H-AK.
Notice how no trump calls are used. A 3NT call directly over
3C would've shown slam interest with a control in the "denial" step
(i.e. Diamonds, in this example). But 4NT showed a card in the
"asking" step, since denial is no longer pertinent. One final
point: the 3NT call by Responder was a relay. 3NT can only be a
relay after a cuebid has been made. Compare this to:
Opener: S- AQxx H- KJx D- xxxx C- QJ
Responder: S- Kxx H- Qxx D- KQJx C- Axxx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
2D - 13 HCPs, only 3 Hearts.
2H - "5th Spade? 4-card minor?"
3D - Natural. Hence, 4-3-4-2 distribution.
3H - "Slam?"
3S - "No, thank you."
3NT - "Then let us stop here."
Another question arises: what if Passive Partner's last
distribution-showing call is 3S or 3NT? How does the Forcing
Partner proceed? The answer: 4-of-a-minor. But this raises
another question: if 4C were to be used to invite a slam and
Passive Partner is uninterested, rebidding 4D, how could Forcing
Partner stop in 4H? After all, wouldn't 4H be a relay, compelling
the Passive Partner to cuebid despite his/her disinterest? All of
these are good questions. And all of them have a simple answer:
over 3S or 3NT a rebid of 4D invites a slam in Hearts while 4C
invites a slam in any suit other than Hearts!
Opener: S- AQxx H- xxx D- KQxx C- AJ
Responder: S- xx H- AQJx D- Axxx C- Kxx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
3C - Doubleton Club, 16 HCPs.
3D - "Four Hearts? Five Spades? Four Diamonds?"
3NT - 4 Diamonds. Therefore, 4-3-4-2 distribution.
4C - "Are you interested in a non-Heart slam?"
4S - "Yes. I have a control in Spades but not Hearts."
4NT - 4NT is always Blackwood if bid directly after 4C.
5H - Two Aces.
6D - To play.
Opener: S- AQxx H- xxx D- KQxx C- AJ
Responder: S- xx H- AQJxx D- Axx C- KQx
1NT 2C - Same as above.
3C 3D - Same as above.
3NT 4D - "Are you interested in a slam in Hearts?"
4H - "Not really, considering my trumps."
5C! - Club cuebid, denying a Spade control.
5D - Diamond cuebid, promising S- and D- controls.
6NT - This final control protects the Spade tenace.
The reader will notice that after the 4D slam try in Hearts
the cuebidding is two-way. This is because both partners know
which suit is trump. For the same reason a 4NT rebid by the
Forcing Partner after using a 4D slam try is Roman Key Card
Blackwood. 4NT after a 4C slam try, of course, is normal
Blackwood.
There are a few more subtleties about the 4C slam try. We
have seen how, over a positive response of 4S to 4C, Forcing
Partner has little choice other than 4NT, Blackwood. Five-of-a-
minor, for example, would be a sign-off, implying that Forcing
Partner was not entirely happy with the 4S response to 4C. Forcing
Partner does have one option to Blackwood: a Heart rebid is always
forcing.
Opener: S- KQ10x H- Qxx D- AJ10x C- Kx
Responder: S- Ax H- Kx D- KQxx C- AQxxx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
2NT - 14 or 15 HCPs, only 3 Hearts.
3C - "5th Spade? 4-3-3-3? 4-card minor?"
3D - 4 cards in one of the minors.
3H - "Which is your doubleton?"
3NT - Doubleton Club. Hence, 4-3-4-2 distribution.
4C - "Are you slammish?"
4S - "Yes, with a S- control but no H- control."
5H - "Please cuebid a minor."
6D - "I have a control in both minors.
Pass - "We'll likely need to ruff a Club here."
Over the 5H force a rebid of 5S would deny a minor suit
control, revealing strength concentrated in Spades; 5NT would show
a Diamond control only; 6C would promise a Club control only. A
6D response to 5H brings the good news of controls in both minors.
Passive Partner is not bound to accept any sign-off before
Blackwood. Passive Partner's view of his/her own hand changes once
he/she learns which suit is trump. Extra trump strength or length
and/or Ace-rich texture outside trumps and may change minds.
Opener: S- KQJx H- Axx D- Ax C- 109xx
Responder: S- Axxx H- x D- KJxxx C- AKx
1NT 2C - Relay Stayman.
2NT - 14 or 15 HCPs with only 3 Hearts.
3C - "Please describe your distribution."
3D - 4-3-4-2 or 4-3-2-4.
3H - Short Suit Asking Bid. "Doubleton?"
3S - 4-3-2-4, doubleton in higher ranked minor (Ds).
4C - Slam try in a suit other than Hearts.
4D - "Not interested, thank you."
4S - "Then let's play here."
5D - "On second thought...I have a D- but no C- control.
6S - "Glad you had those second thoughts!"
There are very rare instances where Passive Partner's last
distributional response is 4C. This generally happens when
Responder to a strong 1C opening has 16+ HCPs too.
Opener: S- KQJx H- AJx D- Ax C- Qxxx
Responder: S- Axxx H- Kxx D- KJxx C- AJx
1C - One round force. Natural and/or strong.
1H - Positive response, 8+ HCPs.
1S - 16+ HCPs.
1NT - Flat hand.
2C - Staymanic. "4-card major suit?"
2S - 4 Spades.
2NT - "2nd suit?"
4C - "No, but I'm too strong for a simple 3NT here."
4D - "I'd like to sign off in game."
4H - "Well, okay, if you insist."
4S - "Thank you."
In the above example, if Responder were slightly stronger
(say, with C-AKJ) he/she would have insisted on a slam with a 4NT
(Blackwood) call instead of the meek 4H bid.
From all of this we can formulate some slam-bidding rules:
1. When trump is known to both partners:
- both partners will cuebid.
- the 1st round of cuebidding shows controls indescriminately.
- skipping a suit denies 1st or 2nd round control there.
- once all suits are controlled passing trumps implies 2
top trump honours.
- subsequent round cuebids distinguish Aces from controls.
- 4NT will be Roman Key Card Blackwood.
2. A 4D rebid over Passive Pard's 3S or 3NT distributional bid:
- invites Passive Partner to slam in Hearts.
- may see a negative (4H) reply or a more encouraging cuebid.
- allows Rule #1 (above) to apply.
3. A 4C rebid over Passive Pard's 3S or 3NT distributional bid:
- invites Passive Partner to slam anywhere but Hearts.
- may see a negative (4D) reply or more encouraging cuebid.
- permits Forcer to rebid in Hearts to force cuebidding.
- gives Forcer the option of Blackwood or cuebids (relay).
4. A 4D rebid over Passive Pard's 4C distributional bid:
- occurs when Passive Pard is unusually strong or unbalanced.
- is an anti-relay, wanting to stop in game
- may see a negative (4H) reply or a more encouraging rebid.
5. Forcing Partner's 3NT rebid is a relay only when:
- Passive Partner's last call was a cuebid of 3S.
6. Forcing Partner's 4NT rebid is NOT Blackwood only if:
- 4NT is a sequential rebid in a cuebidding series; AND
- Passive Partner's last call was a cuebid of 4S; AND
- 4S was NOT Passive Partner's first cuebid.
7. A Short Suit Asking Bid ("SSAB") is used to determine the
Passive Partner distribution. Passive Partner's responses
reflect what short suit he/she may or may not have:
- If 1-suited: No Trump rebids show no short suit
Suits bids show high- to low-ranked shortnesses.
- If 2-suited: If no short suit is promised (e.g. 5-4-2-2):
Respond as above.
If shortness is promised (e.g. 4-4-3-2):
Use No Trump and suit bids, high to low.
- If 3-suited: Rebid the 5-carder with 5-4-4-0 types.
Bid NT or the short suit with 4-4-4-1 types.
We have seen how the 1NT opening call is used to describe most
flat 13-16 HCP hands with 4 or 5 Spades. But hands with a
doubleton Heart were excluded.
S- K10xx H- xx D- QJxx C- AKx
Open 1D and rebid 1S over a relay response of 1H.
S- K10xx H- xx D- AKx C- QJxx
Open 1C and rebid 1S over a negative reply of 1D.
S- K10xxx H- xx D- AKx C- QJx
Without a 4-card minor or third Heart what does one
open? We open in Spades, obviously. But 1S or an
intermediate 2S? This hand will start with 2S.
S- AQJxxx H- Ax D- Kxx C- xx
Clearly, this hand will also be opened in Spades.
In a standard system Opener would begin with 1S and,
regardless of the response, rebid 2S. Open this
hand (and the above hand) 2S. If nothing else, you
save one round of bidding!
S- AJ10xxx H- x D- AQx C- AQx
After a standard 1S:1NT Opener has a real problem.
Does Opener rebid 2S? 3S? 3C? 3D? A Valentines
1S followed by a 2S rebid promises 15-17 HCPs and
5-2-3-3 distribution or 6+ Spades, 1-suited.
S- KQxxxx H- AK D- xx C- AJx
Precision bidders open 1C here. This is a problem
holding for standard bidders after 1S:1NT. Many
Openers would rebid 3C here, hoping partner has a
sense of humour. Ahem. Valentines players open 1S
and rebid 2S with this 15-17 HCP single-suiter.
S- xxxx H- x D- Axx C- AKQxx
This is the canape style taken to its extreme. With
a 12-16 HCP 2-suiter that includes Spades and a
second superior 5+card suit open 1S.
The 1S opening call, then, promises either a 1-suiter (6+
Spades or 5-2-3-3 distribution) in the 15-17 HCP range OR a 12-16
HCP 2-suiter with 4+ Spades and a superior second suit. 1S Opener
is never 3-suited!
Looking at 5-5 in the majors open 1S if short in Clubs,
preferring a 1H opening when short in Diamonds. This tendancy of
disclosing suits of equal length in SSAB order is a recurring theme
in Valentines. We first saw it in the 1C:1NT:2C sequences when
Responder held 4-4 in the majors.
S- AKQxx H- Qxxxx D- Qx C- x
Despite the fact that Spades are so much stronger, start
with 1S, intending to rebid 2H, then 3S. Since this
would leave no room for a SSAB it is important that
partner knows from the order of your bids that you are
short in Clubs.
Responder predicates his/her action on the presumption that 1S
Opener holds the more common canape hand with only 4 Spades and a
better second suit. Raises usually show 4+card support.
1S:3S and 1S:4S
Jump raises are pre-emptive and usually promise 5+ Spades.
S- Kxxxx H- x D- xxxx C- xxx
Jump to 3S at equal or unfavourable vulnerability, 4S if not
vulnerable against vulnerable opponents.
1S:2S
A direct raise to 2S reveals 6-9 HCPs and 4 Spades--3 Spades
only if short in Hearts. 2S Responder will rarely have a third
Heart. Opener will complete the canape only as part of a game try.
Opener: S- Qxxx H- 10 D- AJ10 C- AKJxx
Responder: S- xxxx H- AQx D- xxxx C- Qx
1S - 4+ Spades, 12-17 HCPs.
2S - 3+ Spades, 6-9 HCPs.
3C - 5+ Clubs, 15-16 HCPs. Game try.
3NT - To play. Red suit length/strength, poor Ss.
1S:2C, 1S:2D or 1S:2H
A simple two-over-one suit response is natural and non-
forcing. Responder holds 0-9 HCPs and five or more cards in the
bid suit. Opener will pass approximately half of the time--
especially if Opener does not have a fit for Responder's suit.
Only rarely is it correct for Opener to fight Responder here;
misfits will usually play better in Responder's suit. The
following hand is a rare exception to this rule:
Opener: S- KJxx H- AQJ9xx D- x C- Ax
Responder: S- xx H- xx D- 1098xxx C- xxx
1S - 4+ Spades, 12-17 HCPs.
2D - 0-9 HCPs, 5+ Diamonds.
2H - A good 6+ card Heart suit.
Pass - "You win!"
1S Opener can raise Responder's suit with 3+card support--
often hiding an unbid 5-card major in the process. Such raises
(i.e. 1S:2C:3C, 1S:2D:3D and 1S:2H:3H) are pre-emptive, intimating
that the opponents might have been able to compete.
Opener's only artificial rebid is that of 2NT, promising
Honour-doubleton or 3-card support in Responder's suit and a
maximum. Responder will rebid his/her previously bid suit (e.g.
1S:2C:2NT:3C) to sign off; anything else is forward-going.
Opener: S- A109x H- AQxxx D- Kx C- Qx
Responder: S- xx H- xx D- Axx C- KJ10xxx
1S
2C - Natural, Non-forcing.
2NT - Encouraging, with a Club fit.
3D - Diamond card, maximum (else 3C here).
3H - Natural, 5+ Hearts.
3NT - Natural.
Pass - Standard bidders may also find 3NT but might
not find 2C on:
Opener: S- A109x H- AQxxx D- KQ C- xx
Responder: S- xx H- xx D- Axx C- Q10xxxx
1S
2C - 5+ Clubs, 0-9 HCPs. Natural, non-forcing.
Pass - No good (i.e. Honour-x or better) C- fit.
Standard bidders might not stop in 3C on:
Opener: S- A109x H- AQxxx D- Kx C- Qx
Responder: S- xx H- xx D- Axx C- J10xxxx
1S
2C
2NT - "I'm worth one try here."
3C - "You tried. Thank you. Now go away."
1S:3C, 1S:3D and 1S:3H
These jump shifts promise 4-card Spade support and a shortness
in the bid suit. They are at least invitational (8+ HCPs) in
strength. If Responder subsequently rebids 4NT (Exclusion Roman
Key Card Blackwood) he/she promises a void in the splinter suit.
Opener: S- K109x H- Axxxx D- x C- KQJ
Responder: S- QJxxx H- D- KQxxx C- Axx
1S
3H - Mini-splinter. 8+ HCPs, short in Hearts.
4S - "I accept the invitation the game."
4NT - Exclusion RKCB. "Key cards outside Hearts?"
5D - "One Key Card (S-K) outside Hearts."
5S - "Whoops! Not enough."
1S:4C, 1S:4D and 1S:4H
These splinter responses reveal 14+ HCPs, 4+ Spades and a
singleton (never a void) in the bid suit. If Responder's next
rebid is 4NT (Roman Key Card Blackwood) Opener will include all Key
Cards in his/her response.
Opener: S- AKxx H- xx D- Qxx C- KQxxx
Responder: S- J109x H- AKQ D- AKJxx C- x
1S
4C - Splinter with 1 Club, 4 Spades, 14+ HCPs.
4S - "I'm not interested in 6S, thank you."
4NT - "Too bad." Roman Key Card Blackwood.
5H - 2 Key Cards without the Spade Queen.
5S - "Brake time!"
1S:2NT
If Responder answers 1S with 1NT (a relay asking for a second
suit) Opener may well canape into a 5+card Heart suit. After
1S:1NT:2H a 2NT rebid by Responder will be a relay. So what does
Responder do if he/she would like to sign off in 2NT? The answer
is that Responder bids 2NT directly over 1S with 9-11 HCPs, 1 or 2
Hearts and 2 or 3 Spades.
Responder: S- Kx H- xx D- KQxx C- Q10xxx
Reply 2NT to 1S.
Opener passes or rebids naturally. A 3H rebid, of course,
would promise 6+ very good Hearts.
Opener: S- Qxxx H- AQJ10xx D- x C- Ax
Rebid 3H, non-forcing, over 1S:2NT.
1S:1NT
Approximately 80% of the time Responder will choose the
forcing "pre-SSAB" response of 1NT to partner's 1S opening.
Responder's High Card Point count is not germaine; he/she may
simply hope to find a better place to play the hand.
Responder: S- x H- xxxx D- xxxx C- xxxx
A "courtesy" response of 1NT will uncover Opener's
5+card suit; with luck, that suit won't be Spades!
More often, 1NT Responder holds 10+ HCPs and wishes to hear
more about Opener's hand. 1S Opener rebids 2S if 1-suited OR
canapes into a second suit.
1S:1NT:3NT - This "natural" jump rebid promises 16-17 HCPs, 6+
solid Spades and no short suit. Responder can rebid naturally or
make a slam try in no trump (via a quantitaive 4NT or 5NT rebid),
Hearts (via 4D) or any other suit (via 4C).
Opener: S- AKQ10xxx H- Kx D- xxx C- Ax
Try 3NT. Opposite a bust hope for a H- lead from the H-A.
1S:1NT:3C, 3D, 3H or 3S - Jump suit rebids by Opener all promise a
maximum with a long solid 6+card holding in the bid suit and a
shortness in one of the unbid suits. Responder's cheapest suit
rebid will then ask for the shortness--even if that rebid is 3S or
at the 4-level!
Opener: S- Axxx H- AKQJxx D- Qxx C-
Responder: S- x H- xxx D- Jxxx C- AKxx
1S 1NT - Herbert response. "2nd suit?"
3H - 6+ solid Hearts, 15 or 16 HCPs.
3S - "Short suit?"
4C - Short in lower ranked minor, Clubs.
4D - "Too bad!" Anti-relay, signing off.
4H - "Okay. What's trump?"
4S - "Let's stop here."
Opener: S- AKQJ10x H- x D- AQx C- Jxx
Responder: S- xx H- xxx D- KJxx C- AK10x
1S 1NT - Herbert response. "2nd suit?"
3S - Solid Spades with a short suit (else 3NT).
4C - "Which suit is your shortness?"
4D - "Short Hearts."
4NT - Blackwood--Responder's only forcing rebid.
5H - Two Aces, implying no void (else 6D).
6S - "Sounds like 12 tricks to me."
The 4C rebid in the above example is a very rare instance
where a Short Suit Asking Bid is made at the four level.
1S:1NT:2NT - Consider Responder's position if Opener canapes into
Hearts: after 1S:1NT:2H invitational Responder doesn't know
Opener's strength. Responder may raise to 3H, down one, or pass
2H, making four. It is important to limit Opener's range here.
Hence, 1S:1NT:2H shows 12-14 HCPs while 1S:1NT:2NT shows a canape
into Hearts (denying 6+ solid Hearts) and 15-16 HCPs.
After 1S:1NT:2NT a 3C rebid is a 2-step Short Suit Asking bid.
After 1S:1NT:2NT:3C Opener needs to be able to show extra length in
either major. Hence, 3H and 3S are both needed to show extra
length in the bid major. That leaves 3D and 3NT; two steps to
describe three possible distribution types: 4-5-2-2, 4-5-3-1 and
4-5-1-3. Opener solves this problem by rebidding 3NT with the
flattish 4-5-2-2 hand, 3D with the other two (whereupon 3H will
clarify).
Opener: S- xxxx H- AQJxx D- KQx C- A
Responder: S- x H- Kxxxx D- Axxx C- xxx
1S
1NT - 1 round forcing Herbert response.
2NT - 15-16 HCPs, 5+ Hearts.
3C - Special 2-Step Short Suit Asking bid.
3D - Short in either minor.
3H - Normal Short Suit Asking Bid.
3NT - Short in Clubs.
4D - "Are you interested in a Heart slam?"
5C - "Yes. I have a Club but no Spade control."
6H - "Perfect!"
1S:1NT:2S - Bidding and rebidding Spades reveals 15-17 HCPs
and either 6+ Spades or exactly 5-2-3-3. Responder's only forcing
rebid is 2NT to clarify Opener's distribution. Opener will rebid
a natural 3NT with 5-2-3-3 distribution; otherwise, Opener will
make a Short Suit Asking Bid response at the 3-level:
3C = No short suit but 6+ Spades (else 3NT).
3D = 6-1-3-3-ish distribution, short in Hearts.
3H = 6-3-1-3-ish distribution, short in Diamonds.
3S = 6-3-3-1-ish distribution, short in Clubs.
Opener: S- KQ10xxx H- Axx D- AQx C- x
Responder: S- Ax H- J10x D- 10xxx C- KQ10x
1S
1NT - 1 round forcing Herbert response.
2S - 15-17 HCPs, 1-suited.
2NT - "Short suit? 5-2-3-3?"
3S - A SSAB reply (not natural) with short Clubs.
3NT - Standard pairs might play in 2S!
1S:1NT:2H - Opener's natural canape into Hearts is limited to
14 HCPs. Responder can force with 2NT, whereupon 3C (4-5-1-3-ish),
3D (4-5-3-1-ish) and 3NT (4-5-2-2) are available as SSAB replies
while 3H and 3S (5-5 majors, short in Clubs) are natural.
Opener: S- AJxx H- AQJxx D- xx C- xx
Responder: S- Qx H- Kxx D- KQxx C- K10xx
1S
1NT - 1 round forcing Herbert response.
2H - 12-14 HCPs with 5+ Hearts.
2NT - Short Suit Asking Bid.
3NT - 4-5-2-2.
Pass - This may be safer than 4H.
1S:1NT:2D - It is important to note that the natural canape
into a 5+card Diamond suit does not deny a 15-16 HCP hand, as the
2H rebid (above) did. Responder's most progressive rebid after
1S:1NT:2D will be 2H, a Short Suit Asking Bid. This may need to be
repeated for 5-5 or 5-6 2-suiters.
Opener: S- Qxxxx H- x D- AKQxxx C- J
Responder: S- x H- AKxxxx D- Jxx C- A10x
1S
1NT - "What is your second suit?"
2D - 5+ Diamonds.
2H - "What is your short suit?"
2S - "Wait a minute. I have a 5th Spade..."
2NT - "Okay, so what is your short suit?"
3D - "...and I have a 6th Diamond."
3H - "Fascinating. Now what is your void suit?"
3NT - "Natural!" No void. Thus, 5-1-6-1.
Pass - 6D seems ambitious even opposite a maximum.
1S:1NT:2C - A natural canape into Clubs does not limit
Opener's HCP range: it is still 12-16 HCPs. Responder's only
forcing rebid will be a Short Suit Asking Bid of 2D. Then we may
see: 3NT (4-2-2-5, maximal), 2NT (4-2-2-5, not maximal), 2H (4-1-
3-5-ish) or 2S (4-3-1-5-ish) as SSAB replies OR natural rebids of
2S (5-5 blacks) or 3C (4-6 blacks).
Opener: S- xxxx H- AJx D- C- AQJxxx
Responder: S- x H- KQxx D- J10xx C- Kxxx
1S
1NT - "2nd suit?"
2C - 5+ Clubs, 12-16 HCPs.
2D - Short Suit Asking Bid.
3C - 6+ Clubs and only 4 Spades (else 2S).
3D - Repeated Short Suit Asking Bid.
3S - Short in the lower ranked suit, Diamonds.
4C - Slam try in any suit except Hearts.
4D - Not slammish.
5C - Then let's stop here.
?? - "6C, anyone?"
It is important to understand the point of the above hand.
How good a result will 5C be if Opener chooses to pass? The
answer: very good. Standard players will hear Opener bid Clubs,
Spades, then Clubs again. Not knowing where Opener's residue lies,
Responder will likely stop in a Club partial or in a no trump game
or part score. Yes, 6C will likely make--but it may be overkill!
When this hand came up in a sectional tournament only one pair out
of 48 found 6C. Ironically, they too were playing a canape system:
the Roman Club.
Opener: S- AKJxx H- x D- Kxx C- Qxxx
Responder: S- Qxx H- Axxxx D- x C- AKxx
A standard auction might go 1S:2H:2S:3S, with the 4-4
Club fit never seeing the light of day. 6S will likely fail on
successive trump leads. 6C is far safer. But the expensive 2H
response to 1S, combined with Opener's inability to make a high
level reverse of 3C, buried the Club fit. A Valentines auction
would proceed 1C:1H:2S; for better or worse Opener has been able
to show both Black suits. Now let us reverse the Blacks:
Opener: S- Qxxx H- x D- Kxx C- AKJxx
Responder: S- AKxx H- Axxxx D- x C- Qxx
A Standard auction would proceed 1C:1H:1S. Most Responder's
options will fail to uncover the 5th Club that is so necessary to
the chances of 6S. For example, a 2D Fourth Suit Forcing rebid
might elicit a 2NT rebid by Opener to show the Diamond guard.
A Valentines auction might proceed:
1S - 4+ Spades, 12-16 HCPs.
1NT - Allowing Opener to rebid...
2C - ...to show 5+ Clubs.
2D - "Short suit?"
2H - Short in the higher red suit, Hearts.
2S - "Are you slammish?"
2NT - "Certainly not!"
3C - "Cuebid anyway, please. We've got room."
3D - Diamond Ace or King.
3H - "Tell me more."
4C - Club Ace +/or King. No major suit A or S-K.
4D - Aggressive. "Keep cuebidding, please."
4S - Spade Queen.
4NT - "Keep cuebidding, please."
5C - Second Club card.
6S - "Then this should have good chances..."
Responder would have to bid aggressively in order to reach
slam here. But at least the Valentines pair got off to a better
start, knowing about the source of tricks in Clubs.
Responder's 2D rebid over 1S:1NT:2C asks for shortness,
whereupon rebids of 2S and 3C will be natural while 2H (4-1-3-5),
2NT (4-2-2-5, not maximal), 3NT (4-2-2-5, maximum) and 3D (4-3-1-5)
are available as SSAB replies. It is worth noting that 6-4-2-1
types with a rather weak 6-carder are often treated as 5-4-3-1.
This compromise is usually necessitated by the level of the
bidding--especially when the weak 6-carder is a weak major.
Because the level is much lower after 1S:1NT:2C:2D the 1S Opener
never needs to hide a 6th Club.
Opener: S- AKQx H- A D- Qx C- 10xxxxx
Over 1S:1NT:2C:2D rebid 3C. There will be plenty
of room to show your shortness before 3NT is passed.
After 1S:1NT:2-of-a-minor the partnership has plenty of space
in which to disclose a 5-5 or 5-6 Opener. As with most systems,
Valentines cannot distinguish a 6-6 or better 2-suiter.
Opener: S- K10xxxx H- D- x C- AKQxxx
Responder: S- Ax H- KQxxx D- Axxx C- J10
1S - 12-16 HCPs, 2-suited, or 15-17, 1 suited.
1NT - Allowing...
2C - ...Opener to show 5+ Clubs.
2D - "Shortness?"
2S - "Hold on. I have a 5th Spade."
2NT - "Okay. Now, again, what is your shortness?"
3C - "Time out. I also have a 6th Club."
3D - "Alright. Void?"
3S - Heart void. 3S is NOT natural here!
4C - "Are you slammish?"
4D - "Not with only 12 HCPs."
4H - "Cuebid anyway. I don't need much here."
4S - "I have the S-K or S-A."
4NT - "Good. I needed that. Tell me more."
5C - "Club Ace or King."
5D - "That's good, too. Any more?"
6C - "Club card, no Diamond or 2nd Spade card."
7C - "I can ruff a Spade or two high and claim."
Responder will often use the 1NT response to prepare a healthy
Spade raise (9+ HCPs).
Opener: S- KJxx H- xx D- Qx C- AQxxx
Responder: S- Q10xx H- Axxx D- KJx C- xx
1S 1NT - Herbert response, allowing...
2C - Opener to show 5+ Clubs.
2S - "I would've bid 3S had you rebid 2D."
Pass - "I don't care; I'm passing all invitations."
Open 1H with 12-16 HPCs and either 4+ Hearts in a flat hand
(less than 4 Spades) or a 2-suiter with a second, superior suit OR
with 15-17 HCPs, 1-suited with 6+ Hearts. 1H Opener never has
exactly 4 Spades. With 5-5 in the majors 1H is preferred whenever
short in Diamonds.
S- xx H- KQ10x D- Axx C- KJxx
Open 1H, not 1C and certainly not 1NT.
S- xx H- KQ10xx D- Axx C- KJx
Open 1H, intending to rebid in no trump, not 2H.
S- xx H- KQ10xxx D- Ax C- KJx
Open 2H, not 1H, with 1-suiters in the 12-14 range.
S- Kx H- KQ10xxx D- Ax C- KJx
Open 1H with the intention of rebidding 2H.
S- Kxxxx H- Qxxx D- AQ C- Kx
Open 1H with an eye towards bidding Spades next.
S- KJxxx H- AKJ10x D- C- Kxx
1H followed by 2S and 3H will show Diamond shortness.
The 1H opening bid differs from 1S in two areas: the 5-3-3-2
types with 5 Hearts are always treated as flat; and, 1H Opener can
be flat. The latter distinction arises from the fact that 1H
Opener may well be able to rebid 1NT.
1H:3H and 1H:4H
Jump raises of Hearts are pre-emptive. Responder will have 5+
Hearts and 0-9 HCPs.
S- x H- KQxxx D- xxxx C- xxx
Keep the opponents guessing: bid 3H (4H at
favourable vulnerability).
1H:3NT
3NT Responder shows a void is Spades, 4+ Hearts and 13+ HCPs.
S- H- KQxxx D- KQJx C- KQxx
3NT allows you to use Exclusion RKCB next turn.
1H:3C, 3D, 3S, 4C and 4D
These splinters reveal a short suit and 4+card Heart
support. 3C and 3D Responder holds 8+ HCPs. If Responder is
slammish the 3C or 3D response will be made on a void. It follows
that any 4NT rebid by Responder will be Exclusion Key Card
Blackwood, asking for Key Cards outside the splinter suit. To
invite a slam with a singleton use the maxi-splinter response of
3S, 4C or 4D.
Opener: S- KQxxx H- AQxx D- xxx C- x
Responder: S- Ax H- KJxxxx D- C- AKxxx
1H - 12-17 HCPs, 4+ Hearts.
3D - Mini-Splinter with 4+card Heart support.
4H - "I accept the game try."
4NT - "This is much more than a game try."
5D - "One Key Card outside Diamonds."
5NT - "Kings outside Diamonds {or Hearts}?"
6D - One such King.
7H - "Then I can count 13 tricks."
A slower approach might have been more accurate on the above
hand. But the 10-card Heart fit heightens the possibility that the
opponents will jam us with Diamond bids. Note that it is very
improbable that Opener would have accepted the 3D splinter
invitation to 4H with C-xxx. And, if so, Spades could break 3-3...
1H:2H
The simple raise to 2H discloses 5-9 HCPs and may be made on
as few as three Hearts. 2H Responder rarely holds 3+ Spades.
Responder is often worried about a canape into Spades.
While any rebid by Opener is forward-going a 2S rebid is
especially encouraging. After all, why improve one major suit
contract to another? 1H:2H:2S would show 15-16 HCPs and 6+ GOOD
Spades. 1H:2H:3H is a game try asking for good Hearts (Honour
fourth or better).
Opener: S- AJxxx H- Qxxx D- x C- AKJ
Responder: S- x H- AJ10x D- xxxxx C- xxx
1H 2H - 5-9 HCPs, 3+ Hearts, usually 0-2 Spades.
3H - "Do you have good trump support?"
4H - Everything seems to be working here.
1H:2C, 2D or 2S
Any 2-over-1 new suit bid--even a jump shift to 2S--is weak,
showing 0-9 HCPs and a 5+card suit. 1H:2S is especially weak (0-5
HCPs, usually 6+ Spades), since a 1NT response to 1H shows 5+
Spades and 6-9 HCPs.
Opener: S- Kxx H- AKxx D- AJ10xx C- x
Responder: S- 109xxxx H- xx D- xx C- xxx
1H - 12-17 HCPs, 4+ Hearts.
2S - 0-5 HCPs, 5+ (usually 6+) Spades.
Pass - Opener doesn't even consider game here.
Opener usually passes the 2-over-1 change of suit. New suit
bids would show 6+ length and considerable strength--in the bid
suit and in terms of overall HCPs. A direct raise (e.g. 1H:2S:3S)
is pre-emptive while a 2NT rebid (e.g. 1H:2D:2NT) is a game try
supporting Responder's suit.
Opener: S- AQJxx H- K10xx D- x C- KQx
Responder: S- xx H- Jx D- QJ10x C- Axxxx
1H - 12-17 HCPs, 4+ Hearts.
2C - 0-9 HCPs, 5+ Clubs.
2NT - 15-16 HCPs with a Club fit. Forcing.
3D - Diamond guard, maximum hand.
3NT - Maybe 3NT isn't such a bad idea after all.
1H:2NT
A 1S response to 1H allows Opener to show his/her second suit.
After 1H:1S:2S (12-14 HCPs with 5+ Spades) a 2NT rebid by Responder
will ask for Opener's short suit. But what if Responder wanted to
sign off in 2NT? With 9-11 HCPs, fewer than 3 Spades and fewer
than 4 Hearts Responder can reply 2NT directly over the 1H opening.
S- Jx H- Jxx D- KJ10x C- A10xxx
Reply 2NT to 1H.
1H:1NT
The 1S reply to 1H will be a forcing response, facilitating a
canape sequence by two-suited Openers. So how can Responder show
a 5+card Spade suit in a limited hand? We have already seen the 2S
reply (5+ Spades, 0-5 HCPs). But 2S is very limited; what can
Responder do with a more promising, invitational hand? The answer
is that 1NT acts as a "substitute" for a natural 1S reply,
revealing 6-9 HCPs, 5+ Spades and fewer than 4 Hearts. It does NOT
suggest a balanced hand.
Opener: S- Q10x H- AQxxx D- Axx C- Kx
Responder A: S- KJxxxx H- xx D- Jxx C- xx
In standard an auction might proceed 1H:1S:1NT:2S.
Opener may be tempted to raise to 3S. Respond 2S
to 1H, discouraging such a raise.
Responder B: S- KJxxx H- xx D- KQ10x C- xx
Again, a standard auction may proceed 1H:1S:1NT:2S.
Opener, fearing the previous hand, might pass with
a respectable 15 or 16 HCPs. Reply 1NT to 1H. The
above Opener may well jump to 3S, inviting 4S.
Opener: S- K H- Axxx D- AKJxx C- J10x
Responder A: S- AQJ9xx H- xxx D- Qx C- xx
1H 1NT - 6-9 HCPs with 5+ Spades. Non-forcing.
2D - Natural canape rebid.
2S - 6+ GOOD spades.
3S! - Worth an invite if Spades are semi-solid.
4S - Good Spades and a fitting Diamond card.
Responder B: S- AJxxx H- xx D- x C- Q9xxx
1H 1NT - 6-9 HCPs, 5+ Spades.
2D - Natural canape into 5+card Diamond suit.
3C - Natural, 5+ Clubs. NOT 4th Suit Forcing!
4C - Invitational.
Pass - "No, thank you."
1H:1S
By far the most common answer to 1H is the forcing 1S
response. While Responder may have a flat bust, hoping to pass any
canape rebid, most Responders will be in the 10+ HCP range.
S- xxxx H- x D- xxxx C- xxxx
Cross your fingers and respond 1S to 1H.
S- Qxx H- KQxx D- AJxx C- xx
Too strong for any Heart raise, start with 1S.
1H:1S:3NT - All jump rebids at the 3-level promise a solid
suit and a maximum. 3NT promises a 6+card SOLID Heart suit and no
short suit.
S- Kx H- AKQJxx D- Kxx C- xx
Jump to 3NT over 1H:1S.
1H:1S:3S - Here we see Opener jumping in a solid 6+card suit
with 15-16 HCPs. With 6-4 or better in the majors Opener must have
a short suit. A 4C rebid by Responder will now investigate that
shortness. Having made the 4C rebid Responder's only forcing rebid
will be 4NT, Blackwood.
Opener: S- AKQ10xx H- AQxx D- x C- J10
Responder: H- xx H- Kx D- KQxxx C- Axxx
1H 1S - Forcing response, allowing Opener to canape.
3S - 6+ SOLID Spades, 15-16 HCPs.
4C - "What is your short suit?"
4D - Short in the higher ranked minor, Diamonds.
4S - Sign-off.
Pass - "As you wish."
Had Opener rebid 4H (Club shortness) instead of 4D Responder
might have rebid 4NT, Blackwood, en route to a Spade slam.
1H:1S:3H - A jump in Hearts guarantees 15-16 HCPs and 6+ SOLID
Hearts with a short suit (else 3NT). Responder can now determine
Opener's short suit by rebidding 3S. We may then see:
3NT - Short Spades.
- 4C now tries for slam in any suit BUT Hearts.
- 4D would try for slam in Hearts.
4C - Short in Diamonds.
- 4D is now an anti-relay, signing off.
4D - Short in Clubs.
- 4NT, Blackwood, is now Responder's only force.
1H:1S:3C or 3D - Opener jumps in a solid 6+card minor only
with 15-16 HCPs. Responder relays with the cheapest rebid--even if
that rebid is 3H.
Opener: S- x H- Kxxx D- AKQJxx C- Kx
Responder: S- Jxxx H- QJ D- xx C- AQJxx
1H 1NT - "Second suit?"
3D - 6+ SOLID Diamonds, 15-16 HCPs.
3H - "Short suit?"
3S - Short in Spades.
4C - "Slam?" (i.e. in some non-Heart suit)
4D - "Not with only 1 Ace and H-Kxxx.
4NT - Roman Blackwood.
5D - 1 Ace, no void (else 6C).
Pass - This contract sounds better than 3NT.
1H:1S:2NT - It is important to define Opener's strength
whenever he/she begins canapes into 2-of-a-major (e.g. 1S:1NT:2H,
1H:1S:2S, etc.). 1H:1S:2S, then, will be limited to 14 HCPs while
a stronger Opener will rebid 2NT. Responder could then force with
a Short Suit Asking Bid of 3C. Opener will then have 3H and 3S as
natural rebids. This leaves only 3D and 3NT as SSAB replies--two
bids to describe 3 different types. As after 1S:1NT:2NT:3C Opener
will rebid 3NT if holding 5-4-2-2, 3D with 5-4-3-1 or 5-4-1-3 (a 3H
rebid will then clarify).
Opener: S- KQJxx H- AKxx D- x C- Kxx
Responder: S- 109x H- xx D- Axx C- QJ109x
1H 1S - Forcing Response, allowing...
2NT - 15-16 HCPs, 5+ Spades; too strong for 2S.
3C - "Which is your short suit?"
3D - "I do have a shortness..."
3H - "Where?"
3S - "...in Diamonds."
4S - "Then let's play here."
1H:1S:2S - Limited by the failure to rebid 2NT, 2S rebidder
shows 5+ Spades and 12-14 HCPs. Responder may now pass, make a
natural and non-forcing rebid OR ask for Opener's shortness via a
2NT rebid. Over 1H:1S:2S:2NT Opener can show extra major suit
length with 3H or 3S OR, with a 5-4-ish 2-suiter, make SSAB replies
of 3C (5-4-1-3), 3D (5-4-3-1-ish) or 3NT (5-4-2-2).
Opener: S- AJxxx H- Qxxx D- KQJ C- x
Responder: S- Qxx H- Kxx D- Axx C- Kxxx
1H 1S - One round force.
2S - 12-14 HCPs, 5+ Spades with the 4+ Hearts.
3S! - The failure to rebid 2NT means that...
Pass - ...Opener can pass with a bare minimum.
1H:1S:2H - Failure to open 2H on such Heart 1-suiters promises
15-17 HCPs and 6+ Hearts. Responder's only artificial rebid is 2S,
a Short Suit Asking Bid. Opener rebids 2NT (a minimum 6-3-2-2
type), 3C (1-6-3-3-ish), 3D (3-6-1-3-ish), 3H (7-2-2-2), 3S (3-6-3-
1-ish) or 3NT (natural; a maximum with a 6-3-2-2 type).
Opener: S- Kx H- AQJxxx D- Kx C- Qxx
Responder: S- Q10xxx H- x D- Q10xx C- K10x
1H 1S - Forcing response.
2H - 15-17 HCPs, 6+ Hearts, no other 4+card suit.
2S - "Short suit?"
2NT - No short suit, minimum (else 3NT).
Pass - "Then I don't see us going anywhere."
1H:1S:2D - A canape into Diamonds does not define Opener's
strength; he/she holds 12-16 HCPs and 5+ Diamonds. Responder's
only forcing rebid is 2S, asking for a shortness. After
1H:1S:2D:2S rebids of 3D and 3H are natural while 2NT (2-4-5-2,
minimum), 3C (1-4-5-3-ish), 3S (3-4-5-1-ish) and 3NT (2-4-5-2,
maximum) are SSAB replies.
As is often the case in Valentines, touching 2-suiters are
opened in SSAB order. Opening 1H and rebidding Diamonds, then
Hearts again, will show a shortness in Clubs.
Opener: S- K H- K10xxx D- AQJxxx C- x
Responder: S- Axxx H- QJx D- Kx C- Axxx
1H 1S
2D - Canape into Diamonds.
2S - "Short suit?"
3H - 5th Heart; hence, 2-5-5-1-ish.
3S - "Slam?"
4D! - "Okay! I have a Diamond card & C-x."
4NT - "Aces?"
5D - One Ace only.
6H - Then you must have the H-K."
1H:1S:2C - The canape into a 5+card Club suit leaves
significantly more room than the 2D canape rebid (above). This
stems from the fact that, in any system, touching suits are more
problematic than non-touching ones. After 1H:1S:2C Responder can
rebid naturally or ask for short suits via 2D, whereupon 2H (5+
Hearts) and 3C (4 Hearts, 6+ Clubs) would be natural while SSAB
replies of 2S (1-4-3-5), 2NT (minimum, 2-4-2-5), 3D (3-4-1-5), and
3NT (maximum, 2-4-2-5) would define short suit.
Opener: S- x H- KJxx D- QJx C- KJxxx
Responder: S- Kxxx H- xx D- Axxx C- Axx
1H 1S - Forcing response, allowing...
2C - ...a canape into a 5+card Club suit.
2D - Too strong for 3C here. 2D is a SSAB.
2S - 1-4-3-5-ish.
3C - Sign-off.
Pass - "I'm glad you can take a joke, partner."
Opener: S- x H- KQxxx D- x C- AKxxxx
Responder: S- 10xxxx H- Axx D- Ax C- Qxx
1H 1S - Forcing response.
2C - Canape into a 5+card Club suit.
2D - "Second suit?"
2H - 5-5 or better in the roundeds.
2S - Repeated Short Suit Asking Bid.
3C - 5-6 in the roundeds.
3D - "Do you have a void?"
3H - 1st step. No void. Thus, 1-5-1-6.
3S - "Are you slammish?"
4C - "Yes, with the C-A and/or C-K.
4D - "Cuebid again, please."
4H - Heart King or Ace.
5H! - "Do you have two top honours in Hearts?"
6H - "Yes. Otherwise, I would pass 5H."
Why would Opener consider this 12 HCP hand slammish? The
reason lies in the concentration of values in the long suits. With
an even slightly higher point count Opener might have preferred a
1C opening OR a jump all the way to 4D over 1H:1S.
1H:1S:1NT - This is the most common rebid over 1H:1S. Opener
has 12-16 HCPs and a flat hand. A balanced 1H opening bid implies
any 5-3-3-2 type, 3-4-3-3 or a 4-card minor along with 4 Hearts.
Remember: the one suit in which 1H Opener cannot have exactly 4
cards is Spades. Bear this in mind as we consider Opener's options
over an artificial 2C rebid here: 2D (4 Diamonds), 2H (5 Hearts),
2NT (minimum, 3-4-3-3) and 3NT (maximum, 3-4-3-3) are all natural.
So what does Opener do with 4 Clubs? Since 2S is available why not
use it to show 4 Clubs with a minimum hand? A direct 3C over
1H:1S:1NT:2C, of course, would be natural with 4 Clubs and a
maximum. After 1H:1S:1NT:2C:2-of-a-suit Responder can rebid the
cheapest step to ask for Opener's doubleton.
Opener: S- AQ H- K10xx D- Kxx C- Kxxx
Responder: S- xx H- xxxx D- AQx C- AQxx
1H 1S - Forcing response.
1NT - 12-16 HCPs, flat hand.
2C - "Do you have a second suit?"
3C - Four Clubs, maximum (else 2S here).
3D - "What is your doubleton?"
3H - Doubleton Spade. Thus, 2-4-3-4 distribution.
3NT - Biddable only opposite a maximal Opener.
Opener: S- AQx H- K10xx D- Kxxx C- Kx
Responder: S- Kxxx H- Ax D- Qx C- Axxxx
1H 1S
1NT - 12-16 HCPs, balanced distribution.
2C - Checkback Stayman, of sorts.
2D - 4 Diamonds.
2H - "Doubleton?"
3NT - Or 3C. Doubleton C-, maximum (else 2NT only).
4S! - "This moysian may help me establish Clubs."
The above hand illustrates a maximal Opener avoiding a 2NT
SSAB reply because he/she fears that 2NT might be passed. While
the 3NT rebid is most natural and descriptive sophisticated
partnerships will prefer 3C to save space for slam tries.
Opener: S- Qx H- QJxxx D- Axx C- Kxx
Responder: S- Jx H- Axx D- KQJx C- AQJx
1H 1S
1NT - 12-16 HCPs, flat hand.
2C - "Second 4-card suit? 5th Heart?"
2H - 5 Hearts.
2S - "Which is your doubleton?"
2NT - Doubleton Spade, minimum. Hence, 2-5-3-3.
3C - "Slammish?"
3D - "Hardly."
3H - "Cuebid anyway, please."
4C - "Club control, no major suit Ace or King."
4H - "Then let's stop right here."
Opener: S- Qxx H- QJxx D- Axx C- KJx
Responder: S- xx H- K10 D- KQxxx C- Axxx
1H 1S
1NT - Flat 12-16 HCPs.
2C - "Tell me more about your distribution."
2NT - 3-4-3-3 distribution, minimum (else 3NT).
Pass - "Then we're high enough."
Here we see an advantage of one-way communication: the
auction has not tipped off the defence to a Spade lead. Responder
could easily have four or even five Spades here! A disadvantage of
such explicit communication will appear soon after the opening
lead. The defence will know Declarer's exact distribution.
Valentines pairs will reduce this disadvantage in one of two ways:
have Forcing Partner be Declarer wherever possible; and, do not
continue an Asking Bid sequence unnecessarily. Once Forcing
Partner knows where to place the contract he or she should do so
immediately.
Responder: S- KJ10x H- Qx D- AKx C- Q10xx
After 1H:1S:1NT don't waste time with 2C; jump to 3NT.
As we work our way down from the 1NT opening to 1C it seems
that the opening bids become progressively more complicated. In
addition to all of the complexities of the 1S opening, 1H contended
with the possibility of a flat hand. A 1D opening has all of the
intricacies of the 1H start plus the chance that 1D Opener may be
3-suited, short in Clubs.
1D Opener, then, is 1-suited (15-17 HCPs, else the
intermediate 2D opening) OR in the 12-16 HCP range and: flat (with
4 Diamonds and not 4 Hearts or 4-3-4-2), 2-suited (with a second,
superior suit) or 3-suited (short in Clubs, else open 2C). Flat
hands with 4-4 in the minors (i.e. 3-2-4-4 or 2-3-4-4) are opened
1D, not 1C.
S- Kxx H- Jx D- Jxxx C- AKQx
Open 1D, not 1C, regardless of your Club strength.
S- Kxxx H- Jx D- Jxxx C- AKQ
Open 1D. With only 2 Hearts you cannot open 1NT.
S- x H- AKQxxx D- QJxx C- xx
Start the proceedings with a canape 1D.
S- AQxxx H- Kxxx D- KQxx C-
12-16 HCP 3-suiters, short in Cs, begin with 1D.
S- xx H- AQx D- KQxxxx C- Ax
Too strong for a 2D opening, commence with 1D.
1D:3C, 3H or 3S
Such splinter responses are rare. Responder is invariably
interested in slam based upon 14+ HCPs, 4+ Diamonds and a shortness
in the bid suit. Perhaps Responder will respect a 3NT sign off by
Opener, warning of wasted values. Or maybe Responder is interested
in invoking Exclusion Key Card Blackwood on the next round of
bidding.
Opener: S- AQxx H- xx D- KQxx C- Qxx
Responder: S- Kx H- x D- AJxxx C- AKxxx
1D - 12-17 HCPs with 4+ Diamonds.
3H - Splinter with 4+ Diamonds, 0-1 Heart.
3S - Cuebid in Spades. No wasted Heart values.
4C - Careful: 4NT immediately is Exclusion KCB.
4D - No other non-trump Ace or King cuebid.
4NT - Roman Key Card Blackwood.
5S - Two Key Cards with the trump Queen.
6D - Final contract.
1D:3D, 4D and 5D
Any jump raise is pre-emptive. Responder has a lot of
Diamonds, few High Card Points and an eye towards the relative
vulnerability.
S- xx H- xx D- KJxxxx C- xxx
Jump to 3D vulnerable, 4D at equal vulnerability and
5D at favourable vulnerability.
1D:2D
A simple raise of Diamonds is made on 6-9 HCPs, 3+ Diamonds,
fewer than 4 Spades and fewer than 3 Hearts.
S- Qxx H- xx D- KQxx C- xxxx
Raise to 2D. You don't want to hear about Hearts.
1D:2C, 2H or 2S
The 2-over-1 change of suit is always natural (5+ cards) and
weak (0-9 HCPs), with the jump shifts (2H and 2S) especially so (0-
5 HCPs). 1D Opener's options include passing, correcting to a very
good 6+card suit, raising pre-emptively or the encouraging, fit-
showing 2NT rebid.
S- J10xxxx H- x D- xxx C- xxx
Jump to 2S, warning partner of a bust. This is
weaker than bidding 1S, then 2S (6-9 HCPs).
1D:2NT
As always, the jump to 2NT suggests disinterest in hearing
Opener canape into the suit above the opening suit (Hearts, in this
case). 2NT Responder holds fewer than 4 Spades (else 1S), fewer
than 3 Hearts (else 1H) and 9-11 HCPs.
S- Q10x H- xx D- AQx C- Q10xxx
Leap to 2NT to describe such a hand.
1D:1NT
Just as 1H:1NT revealed 6-9 HCPs and 5+ Spades, a 1NT response
to 1D substitutes for a natural Heart response. 1NT here shows 6-9
HCPs, 5+ Hearts and fewer than 4 Spades (else reply 1S). It is
non-forcing. Opener will rebid naturally, though he/she will be
far more enthusiastic about completing a canape into Spades than
Clubs.
S- AKJxx H- x D- KQxx C- xxx
After 1D:1NT rebid 2S.
S- xxx H- x D- KQxx C- AKJxx
After 1D:1NT it is time to Pass.
The distinction between the 1NT (8-11 HCPs) and 2H (0-7 HCPs)
Heart-showing replies allows 1D Opener to move towards a game as
appropriate.
S- AKJxx H- Kxx D- Axxx C- x
After 1D:2H you would Pass. But after 1D:1NT you
would rebid 3H, inviting 4H.
1D:1S
A 1S response to 1D is natural and non-forcing. Responder
holds 6-11 HCPs, 4+ Spades and either 0-2 or 5+ Hearts. 1S
Responder Responder wants to limit his/her hand quickly and may be
worried about a canape into Hearts. Any 2C or 2H rebid by 1S
Responder will be a canape into a 5+ carder; a 2NT rebid is
Responder's strongest option, promising 10-11 HCPs.
S- Jxxx H- AKxxx D- xx C- xx
Reply 1S to 1D, intending to rebid 2H.
S- KQxxx H- xx D- Jxxx C- xx
Answer 1D with 1S before rebidding 2D.
Opener rebids more or less naturally, with the notable
exception that a 1NT rebid may well hide a 5-card Heart suit.
Opener: S- Qx H- AQ10xx D- K10xx C- KJ
Responder: S- K10xx H- Jx D- Qxx C- Axxx
1D - 12-17 HCPs, 4+ Diamonds.
1S - Natural, non-forcing. 6-11 HCPs.
1NT! - 2H would promise 6+ GOOD Hearts.
2NT - Inviting 3NT with 10-11 HCPs and 0-2 Hearts.
3NT - Should have some play.
Opener will Pass the 1S response with any minimum hand that
includes 3 or 4 Spades.
S- Qxx H- xx D- AQxxx C- AJx
After 1D:1S this Opener will Pass. Why bother
allowing Responder to make an invitation that you
will surely decline?
1D:1H
The most common answer to 1D is the forcing response of 1H,
permitting Opener's hand to unfold naturally. Responder holds 0-7
HCPs, 0-3 Diamonds and support for any other suit OR 8+ HCPs.
S- xxx H- xxxx D- xx C- xxxx
A risky 1H reply is much more likely to turn a minus
into a plus than to turn a small minus into a
bloodbath.
S- Qxx H- Qxx D- Kxxx C- Jxxx
1H will discover whether or not there is a major
suit fit.
1D:1H:3NT - Again we see that jumps to the 3-level promise a
maximum with a solid suit. 3NT reveals a solid 6+card Diamond suit
with no short suit (else 3D here).
S- Kx H- QJx D- AKQxxx C- xx
Leap to 3NT and hope partner didn't bid 1H on a
yarborough. 4C and 4D will now be slam tries.
1D:1H:3S - Opener promises 15-16 HCPs and 6+ SOLID Spades for
a 3S rebid. Responder can ask for a short suit--which Opener must
have with such a 6-4 2-suiter--via 4C.
Opener: S- AKQxxx H- x D- AQJx C- xx
Responder: S- xx H- KQx D- Kxx C- Axxxx
1D 1H - One round forcing Herbert response.
3S - Solid 6+card Spade suit, 15-16 HCPs.
4C - "Which is your short suit?"
4D - Short in the higher rounded suit, Hearts.
4S - Sign off.
1D:1H:3H or 3C - These jumps promise a 6-4 2-suiter with 15-16
HCPs and a SOLID holding in the bid suit. Responder can determine
Opener's short suit via any cheapest suit rebid--even if that rebid
is 3D (e.g. 1D:1H:3C:3D).
Opener: S- x H- x D- KQxx C- AKQJxxx
Responder: S- Axxx H- Axxx D- Axx C- xx
1D 1H - Forcing response.
3C - 15-16 HCPs with 6+ SOLID Clubs.
3D - "Short suit?"
3NT - Short in BOTH majors.
6NT - Or 6C. Sounds like 12 tricks.
1D:1H:3D - Here Opener promises 15-16 HCPs and 6+ SOLID
Diamonds with a short suit (else 3NT). 3H will ask for the short
suit.
S- Kxx H- D- AKQxxxx C- Axx
Opener 1D and rebid 3D. Over 3H bid 3NT to show
the shortness in Hearts.
1D:1H:2NT - We have already seen how jumps to 2NT are used to
show a strong canape in the Forcing response suit. But imagine
what will happen after 1D:1H:2NT when 3C would ask for a short
suit. 3D and 3H would be needed as natural rebids. That would
leave only 3S and 3NT to show the three 5-4 types: 2-5-4-2, 1-5-4-
3 and 3-5-4-1. This problem requires that a 2NT rebid be
restricted to the 2-5-4-2 hands in the 15-16 HCP range.
S- Kx H- QJ109x D- KJxx C- AQ
Rebid 2NT over 1D.
1D:1H:2S - So what do you do with a strong 1-5-4-3 or 3-5-4-1
hand? Easy: open 1D and rebid 2S. The 2S rebid is not needed for
Spade canapes; they can rebid 1S for now and rebid aggressively
later or jump all the way to 3S (solid Spades with a shortness).
After 1D:1H:2S Responder can ask for the short suit via 2NT when:
3D and 3H would be natural while 3C (1-5-4-3), 3S (3-5-4-1)
and 3NT (both shortnesses, hence 1-5-6-1 or 1-6-5-1) are SSAB
replies.
Opener: S- Kx H- AKxxxx D- AJxx C- x
Responder: S- AQxxx H- Qx D- xx C- 10xxx
1D - 12-17 HCPs with 4+ Diamonds.
1H - Forcing response.
2S - Strong canape into Hearts with a shortness.
2NT - "What is your short suit?"
3H - Natural. 6+ Hearts.
3S - "Short suit?"
4C - Short in Clubs.
4D - Slam try, hopes for S- Kxx H- AKxxxx D- AJxx C-.
4H - Not interested.
Pass - "Okay, just asking."
This hand demonstrates how aggressively some Responders will
bid when they know partner's exact distribution. Had Responder
held one more Jack, the S-J, this auction wouldn't have died in 4H.
1D:1H:2H - As always, it is important to limit the hand by
bidding 2-of-a-major. 2H rebidder holds 12-14 HCPs, 5+ Hearts and
4+ Diamonds. Responder's only forcing rebid will be 2S, when: 3C
and 3H will be natural while 2NT (2-5-4-2, mimimum), 3NT (2-5-4-2,
maximum), 3C (1-5-4-3-ish) and 3S (3-5-4-1-ish) are SSAB replies.
S- x H- AQxxx D- KJxx C- Qxx
Over 1D:2H rebid 2H. If partner rebids 2S you
will rebid 3C to show 1-5-4-3 distribution.
1D:1H:2D - Rebidding Diamonds promises a 1-suiter with 6+
Diamonds and 15-17 HCPs (else open 2D). Responder's only forcing
artificial rebid will be 2H, asking for a short suit.
Opener: S- Kx H- Qx D- AQJxxx C- Kxx
Responder: S- AJxx H- Kxx D- xx C- xxxx
1D - 12-17 HCPs, 4+ Diamonds.
1H - Forcing response.
2D - 15-17 HCPs, 6+ Diamonds, 1-suited.
2H - Or 2NT here. "Short suit?"
2NT - Minimum, 6-3-2-2 type or 2-2-7-2.
Pass - 3NT would seem to be a slight stretch here.
1D:1H:2C - A simple canape into Clubs will reveal a 5+card
Club suit and 12-16 HCPs. Responder's forcing rebid is a Short
Suit Asking Bid of 2H, whereupon: 3C and 3D are natural, 2S (1-3-
4-5) and 3H (3-1-4-5) show the 5-4-3-1 types while 2NT (minimum)
and 3NT (maximum) unveil the 2-2-4-5 hands.
Opener: S- x H- xx D- KJxx C- AKJxxx
Responder: S- KJxx H- AQxx D- Axx C- Qx
1D 1H - Forcing response, allowing a canape into...
2C - ...a 5+card Club suit.
2H - 2D would sign off here. "Short suit?"
3C - 6+ Clubs.
3D - Short Suit Asking Bid.
3H - 1-2-4-6-ish.
3S - "Slammish?"
3NT - "No."
Pass - "Then let's stop here."
1D:1H:1NT - Here we see the flat 12-16 HCP hand with 4
Diamonds and no 4+card major.
S- KQx H- xx D- AJxx C- Kxxx
Open 1D and, over the likely 1H reply, rebid 1NT.
While Responder is free to sign off with any natural bid here
the most progressive rebid will be a relay of 2C. This allows
Opener to rebid a 5-card Diamond suit (2D, allowing a SSAB rebid of
2H by Responder), show 4-4 in the minors by bidding the 3-card
major (2S on the above hand, 2H with 2-3-4-4) or reveal the 3-3-4-3
hand with either 2NT (minimum) or 3NT (maximum).
Opener: S- QJx H- Kx D- AKxxx C- Kxx
Responder: S- Axx H- Axxx D- Qxx C- AQxx
1D 1H - "Second suit?"
1NT 2C - "Clubs? Fifth Diamond?"
2D 2H - "Doubleton?"
3NT! - Doubleton Heart, too strong for 2NT.
4C - "Slam in a suit other than Hearts?"
4H - "Sure. 16 HCPs with a Heart control."
4S - "Tell me more."
5C - Club card, no control in Spades.
5D - "Anything else?"
5S - Spade Queen.
6D - "This seems a likely bet."
Opener: S- xxx H- KJ D- KQxx C- KJxx
Responder: S- AKxx H- Axxx D- xx C- Qxx
1D 1H - "Second suit?"
1NT 2C - "Clubs? 5th Diamond?"
2S - 3-2-4-4 distribution.
3S - Inviting 4S on a moysian.
Pass - "With another Queen I might try 3NT here."
1D:1H:1S - The 1S rebid may be one of three types: the flat
(4-2-4-3) hand, the canape holding with 5+Spades OR the 3-suiter,
short in Clubs.
S- AQxx H- Kx D- QJxx C- Qxx
Lacking a 3rd Heart, start with 1D and rebid 1S
over a 1H Forcing response.
S- Jxxx H- AKJxx D- AJxx C-
Bid 1S for now, showing your Hearts next round.
S- AKQxxx H- x D- Kxxx C- xx
Time to show the Spade suit.
Responder is now free to sign off in 1NT (in which case the 3-
suiter will show his/her Heart suit while the Canape type may
choose to rebid the long Spades) or via any other natural rebid.
A stronger Responder will continue seeking information via a 2C
rebid, when 2D (5-5 in the pointeds), 2H (3-suiter, short in
Clubs), 2S (5+ Spades and only 4 Diamonds), 2NT (4-2-4-3, minimum)
and 3NT (4-2-4-3, maximum) are all natural.
After 1D:1H:1S:2C:2H (3-suited, short in Clubs) a 2S rebid
will ask for a 5-card suit, which 2NT (minimum 4-4-4-1) and 3C
(maximum, 4-4-4-1) will deny.
Opener: S- KJxx H- QJxx D- AQxx C- x
Responder: S- Axx H- Kxxx D- Jxx C- Kxx
1D 1H - "Second suit?"
1S - 4+Spades.
2C - Or 1NT here. "5+carder? 4+ Hearts?"
2H - Natural. Hence, 3-suiter, short in Clubs.
2S - "5-card suit?"
2NT - 4-4-4-1 hand, too weak for 3C.
3H - Sign off.
Pass - Nothing more to say.
Opener: S- KQJxx H- Ax D- Qxxxx C- x
Responder: S- Ax H- Kxxx D- Kx C- KQ10xx
1D 1H - "Second suit?"
1S 2C - "5+carder? 4+Hearts?"
2D - 5-5 in Spades and Diamonds.
2H - "Short suit? 6+card suit?"
3C - "Short in Clubs."
3D - "Slammish?"
3H - "No."
4S! - "Then let's stop here."
Because Opener choose to open this 5-5 pointed 2-suiter with
1D rather than 1S Responder infers that Opener's Spades must be
stronger than his/her Diamonds. It followed that Diamonds would
not run in 3NT. Hence, Responder chooses the 5-2 fit in 4S rather
than a difficult 3NT.
Opener: S- J10xx H- Qx D- KJxx C- AQx
Responder: S- Qx H- KJxxx D- Qxx C- Kxx
1D 1H - "Second suit?"
1S 2C - "5+carder? 4+Hearts?"
2NT - 4-2-4-3 distribution, 12-14 HCPs.
Pass - "This seems to be the best spot now."
The opening call which will demand most of your attention will
be 1C. Opener holds one of the following four types:
Canape from a 4+card Club suit into a 5+card suit, 12-16 HCPs.
Club 1-suiter with 6+ Clubs, 12-16 HCPs.
Flat hand with 4-2-3-4 or 4+ Clubs only, 12-16 HCPs.
Strong hand with 17+ HCPs and any distribution.
S- Kxx H- AQxxx D- x C- KQxx
The Canape type: open 1C, intending to rebid 2H.
S- Kxx H- Axx D- Qxx C- KQxx
The Flat Clubs-only type. Open 1C and rebid 1NT.
S- Kxxx H- Ax D- Qxx C- KQxx
The flat Club-Spade type with 4-2-3-4 distribution.
S- Kxx H- A D- Qxx C- KQxxxx
The Club 1-suiter with 6+ Clubs.
S- AKQxxx H- AKQxx D- Axx C-
The strong hand. Open 1C regardless of the void.
S- KQJx H- AQx D- KQxx C- Kx
Too strong for a 1NT opening, start with 1C.
Responder has a number of responsibilities: to show his/her
own strength or weakness, to reveal his/her own distribution and to
discourage Opener from making a disastrous canape.
We will discover that a 1H response to 1C is positive: almost
any 8+ HCPs. A 17+ HCPs Opener will show strength by rebidding an
artificial 1S, seizing the role of Forcing Partner. But what does
1C Opener do with 5+ Spades and 12-16 HCPs? Clearly, Opener will
have to rebid 2S in order to canape from Clubs into Spades. From
this we discern that Responder's in the 8-11 HCP range should be
cautious if short in Spades--unless they hold 4+ Clubs.
Responder: S- x H- KJxx D- Qxxx C- Kxxx
1C:1H:2S will not embarrass you; rebid 3C.
Responder: S- x H- KJxxx D- Qxxx C- Kxx
Here 1C:1H:2S will be awkward. (See the 2H response.)
We will also discover that a 1D reply to 1C is negative;
Opener's only forcing rebid will be an artificial 1H. So what does
1C Opener do with a canape from Clubs into Hearts? Opener rebids
2H. This creates a problem: what does Responder do without 3+
Hearts? Obviously, Responder will occasionally have to take steps
to prevent partner from leaping off to 2H. This is the raison
d'ˆtre for the 1S and 2C responses to 1C.
1C:2S
An immediate 2S response to 1C promises 6+ Spades in an
extremely weak hand: 0-5 HCPs. Slightly stronger Spade 1-suiters
can response 1S with the idea of rebidding 2S. Two Spade Responder
cannot have a second suit or a third Heart.
S- QJxxxx H- xx D- xxx C- xx
A very typical 2S response to 1C.
Opener may now assume the role of Forcing Partner, asking for
a short suit with a 2NT rebid. After 1C:2S:2NT rebids of 3C (6-1-
3-3-ish), 3D (7-2-1-3-ish), 3H (short Clubs, 7-2-3-1-ish), 3S (7-2-
2-2) and 3NT (6-3-2-2 types) will reveal Responder's distribution.
1C:2H
We will soon see that it is often important to prevent 1C
Opener from making an unwise canape into a major. A 2H reply to 1C
aims to prevent an unfortunate canape into Spades. 2H Responder
holds 8-11 HCPs and a 1-5-4-3-ish hand. Responder must have 5 (or
6 weak) Hearts and 3 Clubs; he/she denies a second Spade or a 4th
Club. Opener's only forcing rebid is 2NT. Then: 3C (1-5-4-3), 3D
(5 Diamonds) and 3H (6 weakish Hearts), and 3NT (2-5-4-2) will
describe Responder's distribution.
Opener: S- KQxxx H- x D- Qxx C- AQxx
Responder: S- x H- KJxxx D- KJxx C- Kxx
1C - Natural +/or strong. 1-round force.
2H - 1-5-4-3-ish, 8-11 HCPs.
3D - To play.
1C:2D
A 2D reply to 1C serves much the same function as the 2H
response; 2D Responder shows 8-11 HCPs and a 1-4-5-3-ish hand.
Responder may have 1-3-6-3 with 6 weakish Diamonds. Opener's
forcing rebid is, again, 2NT (2H would sign off in the promised
3+card Heart suit). This allows Opener to bid 3C (1-4-5-3), 3D (6
weakish Diamonds, only 3 Hearts), 3H (4-6 in the reds) or 3NT (2-4-
5-2) to clarify.
Opener: S- Axxx H- KQxx D- AK C- AKxx
Responder: S- x H- AJx D- J10xxxx C- Qxx
1C - 1-round force.
2D - 1-4-5-3-ish, 8-11 HCPs.
2NT - "Please clarify."
3D - 1-3-6-3 distribution with 6 Diamonds.
3H - "Are you slammish?"
3S - "Certainly not."
4C - "Cuebid anyway, please."
4H - Heart Ace or King, no Diamond control.
4S - "Keep cuebidding, please."
4NT - No more Aces or Kings.
5C - "Cuebid a Queen or S- void if you have one."
6C - "Okay."
6D - To play. No relaying at the 6-level!
1C:2C
A direct raise to 2C is made on 0-6 HCPs, 4 or 5 Clubs and 5
or 6 Diamonds. Responder has, at best, 2 cards in either major.
S- Jx H- x D- xxxxxx C- Kxxx
S- xx H- Jx D- QJxxx C- xxxx
Respond 2C with either of these hands.
S- Kxxxx H- x D- Qxx C- xxxx
Respond 1S and then rebid 2C, all natural.
S- Qxxxx H- Qxx D- x C- Jxxx
Respond 1D; if partner jumps to 2H you will not
be inconvenienced.
Opener will often pass or sign off in 2D. Opener's forcing
rebid is a SSAB of 2H to clarify Responder's major suit holding.
Then we'll see 2S (1-2-6-4), 2NT (2-2-5-4, minimum), 3NT (2-2-5-4,
maximum), 3C (5-5 minors, allowing 3D as a reiterated SSAB) or 3D
(2-1-6-4).
Opener: S- AKx H- AQJ10x D- x C- AKxx
Responder: S- xx H- xx D- Kxxxx C- Qxxx
1C - 1 round force.
2C - 4+ Clubs, 5+ Diamonds. 0-6 HCPs.
2H - "Short suit?"
3NT - "2-2-5-4, maximum."
4H - "Let's try this."
1C:1NT
The 1NT reply to 1C is natural, revealing a flat hand (which
may include any 5-card suit) and 6-8 HCPs.
S- Jx H- KQxxx D- 10xx C- Jxx
Answer 1C with 1NT.
Opener may canape into any suit to sign off (e.g. 1C:1NT:2D,
2H or 2S) but must jump to 3C (i.e. 1C:1NT:3C) to sign off in that
suit.
Opener: S- xxx H- Kx D- Kx C- KQJxxx
Responder: S- Qxxx H- Jxx D- Axxx C- 10x
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat hand.
3C - "I'm sorry I opened this can of worms."
N.B.: The need for this jump arises from the fact that a 2C
rebid by 1C Opener is always forcing over any 1NT call by Responder
except when Opener has signed off in 1S (e.g. 1C:1D:1S:1NT:2C).
This section will introduce the reader to the Valentines
method of showing 5-3-3-2 types, distinguishing dead minimums from
stronger hands. Pay close attention to this treatment, since it
will be repeated in the 1C:1D:1H:1NT sequences and is analgous to
the treatment of unbalanced single-suited hands.
1C:1NT:2C:3NT - A jump to 3NT reveals 3-3-4-3 in a maximal
hand. With 3-3-3-4 bid 2D, then 2S, then 3NT. This theme of
jumping with Diamonds but not Clubs is a recurrent one over the
2C Staymanic relay.
S- Kxx H- Qxx D- K10xx C- 10xx
Your hand couldn't be much better. Rebid 3NT.
S- Kxx H- Qxx D- K10x C- 10xxx
Bid 2D for now, then 2S, then 3NT.
1C:1NT:2C:3S or 3H - These jumps show a 5-card holding in the
bid major and a doubleton in the other major. Such leaps deny a
dead minimum. 3S, then, uncovers 5-2-3-3 distribution while 3H
promises exactly 2-5-3-3. This is our first encounter with the
JUMP-HIGH principle of JUMPing to show a HIGH ranking shortness.
S- xx H- QJxxx D- Kxx C- xxx
Bid 2H, then 3H to show your minimum.
S- KQxxx H- xx D- Qxx C- Jxx
Describe your distribution with a 3S rebid.
1C:1NT:2C:3D - This shows five Diamonds and a doubleton in
Spades, the highest ranked possible suit. Hence, Responder is
looking at a 2-3-5-3 hand. Responder denies a dead minimum (else
2D here).
Opener: S- AJxx H- Ax D- AQJx C- KQx
Responder: S- xx H- QJx D- Kxxxx C- Jxx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat.
2C - Stayman, of sorts.
3D - 5 Ds, 2 Ss. Thus, 2-3-5-3. Not a minimum.
3NT - "Then we should have nine tricks here."
1C:1NT:2C:3C - Here Responder denies a minimum while revealing
a doubleton Club and any 5-card suit. A rebid of 3D by Opener will
unveil the 5-card suit (with 3NT showing 3-3-5-2).
So why is 3C different from the 3D through 3S responses? The
main reasons are:
i) any hand with five clubs can be described with a natural
3C bid after a 2D call denies a major; and,
ii) after the eventual natural 3C bid, a 3D rebid by 1C Opener
will have enough room to show a doubleton.
Opener: S- AQJxx H- Kxx D- Ax C- Axx
Responder: S- xxx H- Jxx D- Qxxxx C- KQ
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat.
2C 3C - Doubleton Club, 5-carder, 7-8 HCPs.
3S - Non-forcing. "Stop here?"
3NT - Club strength, maximum.
1C:1NT:2C:2NT - Here we see Responder showing a 5-card non-
Club suit with a doubleton in the lowest ranked non-Club suit.
Opener will, most often, relay with 3C and allow Responder to bid
the 5-carder naturally. 2NT denies a minimum hand.
Opener: S- KQ H- AKQxx D- AJxx C- AJ
Responder: S- Axx H- Jx D- Qxxxx C- xxx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat.
2C 2NT - 7-8 HCPs, 5-carder, red doubleton.
3C - "Which is your 5-carder?"
3D - 3-2-5-3.
3H - "Interested in a slam?"
3S - "Hardly, but if I had D-KQxxx..."
4H - "Yeah, yeah, everyone has a sob story..."
1C:1NT:2C:2S - This normal Staymanic reply is made on either
4 Spades (any strength) OR 5 Spades in a minimum hand (since the
2NT, 3C and 3S rebids here account for the stronger holdings).
Clutching BOTH majors Responder bids them in "Short Suit Asking Bid
order": Hearts before Spades with 4-4-2-3 distribution, Spades
before Hearts with 4-4-3-2. Hearing the 2S response, Opener often
continues with 2NT so that Responder's natural rebid will clarify
the distribution.
Opener: S- KJ10 H- Ax D- KQxx C- AKxx
Responder: S- Qxxx H- xx D- AJxx C- xxx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat hand.
2C 2S - 5 Ss, minimum, or 4 Spades, denying 4-4-2-3.
2NT - "4-card minor? 4 Hearts? 5th Spade?"
3D - 4 Diamonds.
3H - "Short suit?"
3S - Doubleton Heart. Thus, 4-2-4-3.
4S - The only game that has a chance on a H- lead.
Opener: S- AK10x H- KQxx D- AKx C- Ax
Responder: S- QJxx H- Axxx D- xxx C- xx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, balanced distribution.
2C 2S - 5 Spades, minimum, or 4 Spades (not 4-4-2-3).
2NT - "4 card suit?"
3H - 4 Hearts. Hence, 4-4-3-2 distribution.
3NT - Or 4H. Should be eleven tricks anywhere.
The mirrored distribution killed thoughts
of a slam.
1C:1NT:2C:2H - Here Responder has 5 Hearts with minimal HCP
strength OR 4 Hearts (any strength). If 4-4 in the majors,
Responder is showing the majors in "SSAB reply" order: Hearts, the
cheaper major, if short in the higher ranked minor (4-4-2-3);
Spades if short in the lower ranked minor (4-4-3-2).
Opener rebids 2S to ask for a second suit, whereupon: 2NT
(minimum) and 3NT (maximum) are 3-4-3-3 hands, 3C, 3D, 3H and 3S
are all natural.
Opener: S- AQxx H- x D- AJxxx C- AKJ
Responder: S- Kx H- 10xxx D- KQxx C- xxx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat.
2C 2H - 4 Hearts or 3-5-2-5.
2S - "2nd suit?"
3D - 4 Diamonds.
3H - "Doubleton?"
3S - Higher ranked; hence, 2-4-4-3 distribution.
4C - "Are you slammish?"
4S - "Yes, with a Spade control and no H- control.
6D - Or 5D. 6D may need a hook or a 2-2 D- break.
If Responder rebids a 5-card major suit to show a minimum hand
Opener can relay for the doubleton; a slam-trying relay would be
pointless. Subsequent cheapest-rebid relays by Opener will force
cuebidding.
Opener: S- KQJx H- AK D- KJxxx C- AK
Responder: S- xxxxx H- Qxx D- Qx C- Qxx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat.
2C 2S - 5 Spades, minimum, or 4 Spades.
2NT 3S - 5 Spades, minimum.
4C - "Doubleton?"
4H - Doubleton in Diamonds.
4S - A relay! "Cuebid, please."
5C - Club card, no Spade card (else 4NT).
5S - "Whoops! I was hoping for a D- or S- card!"
1C:1NT:2C:2D - The simple 2D response to the Staymanic 2C does
more than deny a major. If maximal, Responder also denies the
hands described by the 3S (5-2-3-3), 3H (2-5-3-3), 3D (2-3-5-3),
3C (doubleton Club with a 5-carder) and 2NT (red doubleton with a
5-carder) calls here. This means that, with 5 Diamonds, Responder
must hold a minimum hand.
Opener often rebids 2H to clarify Responder's minor suit
distribution. After 1C:1NT:2C:2D:2H we will see:
2S - With no natural meaning, this shows any maximum hand
OR a minimum hand with 5 Diamonds and a doubleton
in Clubs or Spades.
Now we'll often see 2NT, when rebid other than 3D show
maximums:
3C = 5 Clubs. 3D SSAB clarifies.
3D = 2-3-5-3 or 3-3-5-2, minimum. 3H clarifies.
3H = 2-3-4-4 (i.e. SSAB reply with 4-4 minors).
3S = 3-2-4-4 (i.e. SSAB reply with 4-4 minors).
3NT = 3-3-3-4.
2NT - A minimum 3-3-3-4, 3-3-4-3, 2-3-4-4 or 3-2-4-4 hand.
3C will relay, when: 3D = 3-3-4-3
3H = 2-3-4-4
3S = 3-2-4-4
3NT = 3-3-3-4
3C - A minimum hand with 5 Clubs. 3D (SSAB) clarifies.
3D - A minimum hand with 3-2-5-3. 3H (SSAB) clarifies.
This theme of bidding and rebidding a suit to
show a red doubleton recurs when 1D or 1H Responder
to 1C has an unbalanced single-suited hand.
Opener: S- AKxx H- Ax D- AQxx C- AQx
Responder: S- xx H- Jxx D- Kxx C- KJxxx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat.
2C 2D - No major, 3+ Clubs, denying 3-3-4-3.
2H - "Which minor do you have?"
2S - Non-minimum hand.
2NT - "Which is your minor?"
3C - 5 Clubs.
3D - "Doubleton?"
3H - 2-3-2-5 distribution.
3S - "Slammish?"
4C - "Yes. And I have the Club King."
4D - "Interesting. Tell me more."
4NT - Either nothing more or a Diamond card.
6C - A Heart ruffed by Opener's hand is our 12th.
Opener: S- Jxx H- AKQx D- Ax C- AKxx
Responder: S- 10xx H- Jx D- KQxx C- Jxxx
1C 1NT - 6-8 HCPs, flat.
2C 2D - No major, denies 3-3-3-4 maximum.
2H - "What is your {minor suit} length?"
2S - A non-minimum.
2NT - "Distribution? Minor suit?"
3S - 3-2-4-4.
3NT - If Spades are 4-3 we'll take the last nine.
Synopsis of 1C:1NT
We have been introduced to a number of themes in this section.
These themes are repeated in the more positive 1C:1H:1S:1NT and
utterly negative 1C:1D:1H:1S:1NT sequences.
The disclosure of 5-card non-Club suits in non-minimal hands
may require a memory aid. Club doubletons are shown directly with
a 3C call, as after 1NT:2C. Notice that after 1C:1NT:2C Two NO
Trump is used to handle doubletons in the LOwest ranked non-Club
suit. JUMPing immediately over 1C:1NT:2C reveals a HIGH ranking
doubleton. Hence: "Clubs = Clubs, NO = LO, JUMP = HIGH".
Minimum hands with a five card minor suit will simply bid 2D
(no major), then at the 3-level (3C with 5 Clubs, 3D with Diamonds)
as Opener relays. The only slight exception are the 2-3-5-3 and
3-3-5-2 hands, which interpose a 2S call before bidding 3D.
Minimums with a five card suit major suit will simply bid and
rebid the suit. Opener's relay will then ask for the doubleton:
there will be no 3-level slam try in such instances.
It is important to distinguish Responder's range here before
committing the partnership to game. After all, Opener may be
forcing with as little as 16 HCPs here. Nevertheless, a five-card
suit will often allow the partnership to make 3NT on minimal
values.
Discerning Responder's range will be much more important when
we see the weaker (0-4 HCPs) or stronger (9+ HCPS) Responders.
1C:1S
The flexible, natural and non-forcing 1S response reveals 4+
Spades and either 0-10 HCPs, unbalanced, or 9-11 HCPs and flat
distribution. In the latter case the stronger, balanced hand must
contain a doubleton Heart. 1S Responder holds either 0-2 or 5+
Hearts; it acts as a warning to Opener: "Don't reverse into a 5-
card Heart suit!" Responder's HCP range depends upon his/her
rebid: the higher the rebid, the stronger the Responder. A 2C
rebid promises only 0-6 HCPs. A 2D rebid shows 0-8 HCPs. A 2H or
2S rebid is made on a solid 6-10 HCPs while a 2NT rebid promises 9-
11 HCPs. Jumps to 3C, 3D or 3H promise 2-suiters (5-5 or better)
in the 8-10 HCP range.
S- KJxx H- xx D- AJx C- Jxxx
Respond 1S with the idea of rebidding 2NT.
S- Qxxxx H- x D- Jxx C- Qxxx
Bid 1S with the idea of rebidding in Clubs.
S- Jxxx H- KQxxx D- Kx C- xx
Reply 1S and rebid 2H, showing 5+ Hs, 8-10 HCPs.
Holding a 5-4 Spade-minor 2-suiter Responder is showing
his/her suits indiscriminately; Opener will have to investigate
further to distinguish the lengths of the two suits. Only the 2H
rebid by Responder guarantees 5+cards in the bid suit (as we see in
he last example hand, above).
It is important to understand that 1S Responder holds a hand
that would not want to pass a 1NT rebid. For this reason, Opener
can force the bidding with a temporizing 1NT rebid. Other rebids
by 1C Opener are natural, with 2H suggesting 6+ GOOD Hearts. And,
of course, Opener occasionally passes the non-forcing 1S response.
Opener: S- Kxx H- xx D- AJx C- KQxxx
Responder: S- QJxx H- Kxxxx D- Qxx C- x
1C 1S - Natural, non-forcing. 0-11 HCPs.
Pass - The sooner we stop the better!
Opener can clarify partner's distribution via any cheapest
rebid except 2S (e.g. 1C:1S:1NT:2H:2NT).
1C:1S:1NT:2NT:3C - Here we know that Responder holds 9 to 11
HCPs, 4 or 5 Spades and a doubleton Heart. Hence, we expect 5-2-3-
3, 4-2-3-4 or 4-2-4-3 distribution. Responder can specify by
bidding Diamonds (3D = 4-2-4-3) or Spades (3S = 5-2-3-3) naturally,
while 3H is available to show 4 Clubs (3H = 4-2-3-4).
Opener: S- Kx H- Axxx D- AKxx C- AKJx
Responder: S- AQxx H- xx D- QJxx C- Qxx
1C 1S - 4+ Spades, 0-11 HCPs. Non-forcing.
1NT - "What is your second suit?"
2NT - Flat 10-11 HCPs, 4 Ss and only 2 Hs.
3C - "4-card minor? 5th Spade?"
3D - 4 Diamonds. Hence, 4-2-4-3.
3H - "Are you interested in a slam?"
3NT - "Yes. I have a Spade card."
4C - "What else?"
4D - Diamond card.
4H - "What else?"
4S - Second Spade card.
4NT - "What else?" Too late for Blackwood.
5D - Queen of Clubs.
7D - A Spade and Heart ruff will bring us to 13.
1C:1S:1NT:2H:2NT - Having heard the good news that Responder
holds 8-10 HCPs and 4-5 or better in the majors, Opener presses on
with a SSAB of 2NT. Now 3C (4-5-1-3), 3D (4-5-3-1-ish) and 3NT (4-
5-2-2) are SSAB replies while 3H (4-6 majors) and 3S (5-5 majors)
are natural.
Opener: S- x H- KQx D- AQJxx C- KQxx
Responder: S- Kxxxx H- AJxxx D- x C- xxx
1C 1S - 4+ Spades, 0-11 HCPs. Natural, non-forcing.
1NT - "Tell me more."
2H - 8-10 HCPs, 5+ Hearts.
2NT - "Short suit?"
3S - 5-5 or better in the majors.
4H - "Let's play here."
The above hand illustrates a number of points. First,
Valentines players do not use 4th suit forcing. A standard pair
might get bogged down after an auction like 1D:1S:2C where 2H, if
a 4th suit force, would be an overbid by Responder. At his last
turn a stronger Opener could have bid 4C as a Short Suit Asking Bid
or 4D as a general slam try. After the 4C (SSAB) or 4D (general
slam try) bids Opener's only forcing rebid would be 4NT, Roman
Blackwood. A third point derives from 1C Opener's choice over
1C:1S. Opener might have rebid 2D instead of 1NT. Such close
decisions can be settled by considering the chances of game.
Holding a weaker hand or with 2-2 in the majors Opener would have
signed off in 2D; with H-KQx and 17 HCPs Opener will need little
more than a decent 5-card Heart suit from partner to bid game.
1C:1S:1NT:2D:2H - The 2D rebid is far less encouraging than 2H
or 2S. Responder will rebid 2S with 5 Spades. Higher rebids
promise only 4 Spades and 5+ Diamonds: 2NT (minimum) and 3NT
(maximum) show the 4-2-5-2 hands, 3D is natural (6 Diamonds) and
weak, 3S shows 6+ Diamonds and a stronger hand while 3C (4-1-5-3)
and 3H (4-3-5-1) are SSAB replies.
Opener: S- AKx H- Axxx D- KQx C- AKx
Responder: S- xxxxx H- x D- xxxxx C- xx
1C 1S - Natural, non-forcing.
1NT - "Second suit?"
2D - 4+ Diamonds, usually 5+ Diamonds.
2H - "Please clarify."
2S - 5 Spades.
2NT - "Tell me more."
3D - Confirms 5-5 in the pointeds.
3H - "Short suit?"
3S - SSAB reply; short in Hearts.
4C - "Are you slammish?"
4D - "Certainly not!"
4S - "Okay. I really didn't need much for 6S."
1C:1S:1NT:2C:2D - The 2C rebid is the weakest sequence after
a 1S response. Responder usually hopes to stop in 2C if Opener
holds the 12-16 HCP Club-into-Heart canape hand. This is the only
sequence where Responder can be three-suited (short in Hearts, of
course). Therefore, after 1C:1S:1NT:2C:2D Responder must have a 2H
"cuebid" available (when 2S will ask for a 5-card suit).
Otherwise, Responder can rebid 2S (5 Spades), 3C (5 Clubs, only 4
Spades) OR 2NT (minimum) or 3NT (maximum) with 4-2-3-4
distribution.
Opener: S- KQxx H- Jxxx H- AKQ C- AK
Responder: S- xxxxx H- D- xxxx C- xxxx
1C 1S - Natural, 0-11 HCPs.
1NT - "Please continue..."
2C - 0-6 HCPs, 4+ Clubs.
2D - "Tell me more."
2H - A three-suiter, short in Hearts.
2S - "5-card suit?"
3S - 5 Spades, weak (else 3H). Hence, 5-0-4-4.
4C - "Slammish?"
4D - "Certainly not."
4S - If Responder had the S-A he/she would have
cuebid it last round. Without it, a trump
lead will likely beat 6S.
Over the 2S 5-card-suit request above Responder could rebid
2NT (minimum) or 3NT (maximum) with a 4-1-4-4 hand, 3C (4-0-4-5),
3D (4-0-5-4) and 3S (5-0-4-4, minimum) are natural while 3H is
available to show a 4-6 HCP 5-0-4-4 hand--Responder's most
encouraging hand under the circumstances. Notice how Opener's
interest was sustained by Responder's implication of a shortness in
Hearts. As this implication grew to a promise of a void Opener
began to have thoughts of slam!
Opener: S- AK H- Axxxx D- AKx C- AQx
Responder: S- xxxx H- x D- xxx C- Kxxxx
1C 1S - Natural, non-forcing.
1NT - Temporizing, allowing Responder to bid...
2C - ...showing 4+ Clubs and 0-6 HCPs.
2D - "Which is the longer suit?"
3C - 5 Clubs, only 4 Spades.
3D - SSAB. "Short suit?"
3S - A SSAB reply (4-1-3-5-ish).
4C - "Slammish?"
4D - "Not really."
5C - "Okay, let's play here."
Pass - Or 6C. With a 4-1-3-5 yarb 5C will play
much better than 3NT.
1C:1H
This is the all-purpose positive response to 1C. Responder
holds 8+ HCPs, unbalanced, or 9+ HCPs in a flat hand. Some of the
more embarrassing responding hands have been eliminated (see the
2D, 2H and 1S responses).
S- KQxx H- AJx D- KJx C- xx
Respond 1H with the idea of taking the initiative
if Opener signs off with a natural rebid.
S- KQxxx H- D- KQxxx C- Qxx
Too strong for 1S followed by 2D, reply 1H to 1C.
Opener can now sign off in:
i) 1NT (flat hand with either 4-2-3-4 or Cs only)
- Responder can force with a 2D Staymanic rebid when:
2H = 5 Clubs, allowing 2S to ask for the doubleton
2S = Natural; hence, 4-2-3-4
2NT = Natural; hence, 3-3-3-4, minimum
3C = 3-3-3-4, too strong for 2NT; hence, 14-15 pts
ii) 2C (Club 1-suiter)
- Responder can now now use a 2D SSAB
iii) 2D (canape into 5+card Diamond suit)
- Allows a 2H SSAB
iv) 2H (canape into 5+card Heart suit)
- Allows a 2S SSAB)
v) 2S (5+card Spade suit)
- Allows a 2NT SSAB.
Jumps to the 3-level by Opener are descriptive: 15-16
HCPs, 4+Clubs and a 6+card solid holding in the bid suit and
shortness in the higher/highest ranked unbid suit (you will see
more of this "jump high" principle soon).
S- x H- AJx D- xxx C- AKxxxx
Over 1C:1H rebid 3C to describe this holding.
S- AKQxxx H- A D- xx C- K10xx
Over 1C:1H rebid 3S to describe this holding.
After 1C:1H a stronger Opener will rebid an artificial 1S,
when Responder can begin showing his/her distribution.
Opener's decision about whether or not to rebid 1S or sign off
on a 15 or 16 HCP hand is critical. If Opener does not sign off
immediately Responder can not subsequently initiate an Asking Bid
sequence; slam tries by Responder will have to be made with
cuebids. Experience has shown that a general rule applies here:
rebid 1S with a flat 16+ HCPs or an unbalanced 15+ if the hand
contains a long, strong suit. Remember: the 1S rebid cancels the
impression that Opener has 4+ Clubs.
1C:1H:2S - The most awkward rebid, 2S reveals 12-15 HCPs, 5+
Spades and 4+ Clubs. Responder's only forcing rebid is a SSAB of
2NT, whereupon: 3C (5+ Clubs) and 3S (6+ Spades, only 4 Clubs) are
natural while bids of 3D (5-1-3-4), 3H (5-3-1-4) and 3NT (5-2-2-4)
are SSAB replies. If Opener rebids 3S (6-4 in the blacks)
Responder can rebid 4C (SSAB) or 4D (slam try).
Opener: S- AQxxxx H- x D- KJ C- QJxx
Responder: S- KJ H- KQJx D- Axxx C- Kxx
1C 1H - Artificial positive. 8+ HCPs.
2S - 12-15 HCPs, 4+ Clubs and 5+ Spades.
2NT - Short Suit Asking Bid.
3S - 6+ Spades.
4C - "Short suit?" Or 4D, a slam try.
4D - Short in higher suit, Hearts.
4S - Or 4NT, Blackwood, leading to 5S.
1C:1H:2H - The canape into a 5+card Heart suit is limited to
a poor 15 HCPs by Opener's refusal to take control of the auction
with 1S. Responder now has the opportunity to become the Forcing
Partner with a SSAB of 2S, when: 3C (5+ Clubs) and 3H (6+ Hearts)
are natural while 2NT (minimum, 2-5-2-4), 3NT (maximum, 2-5-2-4),
3D (1-5-3-4-ish) and 3S (3-5-1-4-ish) are SSAB replies.
Opener: S- xx H- KQxxxx D- K C- KQxx
Responder: S- KQx H- J10 D- AQJxx C- Axxx
1C 1H - Artificial positive. 8+ HCPs.
2H - 12-15 HCPs, 5+ Hearts, 4+ Clubs.
2S - SSAB. "Short suit?"
3H - 6 Hearts.
3S - Or 3NT or 4H immediately. "Short suit?"
4C - Short Diamonds.
4H - Sign off. 3NT could fail on a Spade lead.
1C:1H:2D - The canape into a 5+card Diamond suit will give
Responder the option of rebidding naturally or artificially (via a
2H SSAB. Then: 2S shows a 1-3-5-4-ish hand, 3H reveals 3-1-5-4,
while 2NT (minimum) and 3NT (maximum) will handle the 2-2-5-4
hands. 3C (5+ Clubs) and 3D (6+ Diamonds with only 4 Clubs) are
natural.
Opener: S- Kx H- Jx D- AJxxx C- KQxx
Responder: S- AJxx H- Q10xxx D- Qx C- Ax
1C 1H
2D - Canape into 5+ card Diamond suit, 12-15 HCPs.
2H - SSAB.
3NT - Maximum, 2-2-5-4 distribution.
Pass - This should have good chances.
Opener: S- x H- Ax D- AKJxx C- Qxxxx
Responder: S- AJxx H- Kxxx D- xx C- AKx
1C 1H
2D - 5+ Diamonds with 4+ Clubs, 12-15 HCPs.
3C - 5+ Clubs with stronger Diamonds.
3D - "Short suit?"
3H - 1-2-5-5-ish.
3S - "Slam?"
4D - "Yes, with D-A +/or D-K, no C-A or C-K.
4H - "Tell me more."
4NT - Heart King or Ace.
5C - "And?"
5D - Second Diamond honour.
5H - "And?" Some might sign off in 6C here.
6C - Club Queen.
Pass - Or 7C if you need a swing or a top board.
1C:1H:2C - Here we see Opener showing 12-16 HCPs and a 1-
suited hand containing 6+ Clubs. The Valentines pair has a slight
advantage over Precision 2C Openers here in that Responder needn't
be concerned about a possible 4-4 major suit fit. There
isn't one. Rather, Responder can bid naturally or force with a
SSAB of 2D, when 2H (short Spades type), 2S (short Hearts), 2NT (no
short suit, minimum), 3C (natural, 2-2-2-7), 3D (short Diamonds),
or 3H (6-3-2-2 hands, too strong for 2NT) are all SSAB replies.
Here we see a recurring theme. Passive Partner's 2NT rebid
again shows a minimum (6-3-2-2 types). This allows the Forcing
Partner to stop in 2NT. A stronger Passive Partner must rebid
beyond the highest SSAB reply (3H here) to show strength.
Opener: S- Kxx H- xx D- AJ C- KQxxxx
Responder S- QJxx H- KQxx D- Kxx C- xx
1C 1H
2C - Clubs only, 12-15 HCPs.
2D - "Short suit?"
2NT - Minimal hand, 6-3-2-2 type.
Pass - 3NT would be a stretch here.
Opener: S- xx H- Kx D- xx C- AKQxxxx
Responder: S- Jxxx H- Axx D- AKxx C- Jx
1C 1H
2C - Club 1-suiter, 12-15 HCPs.
2D - "Short suit?"
3C - Natural. 2-2-2-7.
3D - "Slammish?"
3H - "No."
3S - "Cuebid, please."
4C - "Club card, no Spade card."
5C - "Okay. 5-2 Spades may kill 3NT."
1C:1H:1NT - This is a "bread and butter" sequence of
Valentines. Opener reveals 12-15 HCPs and a 4-2-3-4 hand (which
couldn't open 1NT because of the Heart doubleton) or a flat hand
with only Clubs.
A weakish Responder can sign off in 2C, 2H, 2S or, rarely, 3D.
Remember: 1C OPENER can relay with 2C over 1NT, but RESPONDER to
1C CANNOT. To force more information from partner a stronger
Responder will rebid 2D as a form of Checkback Stayman. After
1C:1H:1NT and Responder's 2D relay we may see: 2H (5 Clubs),
2S (4-2-3-4), 2NT (minimum with 3-3-3-4) or 3C (maximum, with
3-3-3-4). Over 1C:1H:1NT:2D:2H Responder can ask for Opener's
doubleton with a 2S SSAB.
Opener: S- Qxx H- Jxx D- Kx C- AQ10xx
Responder: S- AKxx H- KQ10x D- Qx C- xxx
1C 1H
1NT - 12-15 HCPs, flat. Clubs only or 4-2-3-4.
2D - "5th Club? 3-3-3-4? 4-2-3-4?"
2H - 5 Clubs.
2S - "Which is your doubleton?"
3D - Third step. Diamond doubleton. 3-3-2-5.
3S - Or 4C or even 4H/4S, but certainly not 3NT!
Opener: S- Kxxx H- Ax D- Jxx C- AJxx
Responder: S- Qx H- Jxxx D- K10x C- K10xx
1C 1H
1NT - Flat 12-15 HCPs with Clubs.
2C! - A great bid, especially at IMPs.
Pass - 1NT may well fail while 2C sails home.
1C:1H:1S - The 1S rebid allows 1C Opener to retain control.
Responder will rebid 1NT with any balanced hand, 2C or higher with
most distributional hands. There are a number of questions that
arise.
What does Responder do with a very strong (14+ HCP) hand? The
answer to this is rather simple. Responder answers partner's
distributional inquiries except when one of those answers might be
3NT. In such an event Responder bids something higher (often 4C),
showing the same distribution as a 3NT rebid but with 14+ HCPs.
The second question is less obvious. What does Responder do
with a 1-suited hand--especially a 1-suiter in the majors?
1C 1H - Artificial positive response.
1S - Strong hand.
2H - 5+ Hearts, unbalanced hand (else 1NT).
2S - "2nd suit?"
3H - 6+ Hearts, natural.
3S? - Very little room to show or deny shortnesses.
Of course, the situation is even worse for Spade 1-suiters.
After 1C:1H:1S:2S:2NT:3S Responder could rebid 4C as a SSAB but
cannot make a slam try. The answer for 1-suiters is to marshall
the way the 6+card suit is introduced. A jump to 2NT is not
necessary for any natural purpose (1NT handles ALL flat responding
hands). 2NT, then, can handle all 1-suiters with NO shortness.
Over 1C:1H:1S:2NT Opener will rebid 3C, allowing Responder to show
the long suit. Then 3D, 3H and 3S are natural while 3NT and 4C
(too strong for 3NT) show Clubs.
Opener: S- AQxx H- KQxx D- AJx C- AJ
Responder: S- Kxx H- Ax D- KQxxxx C- Kx
1C 1H - Artificial positive, 8+ HCPs.
1S - 16+ HCPs.
2NT - 1-suiter with no short suit.
3C - "Long suit?"
3D - 6+ Ds, no short suit.
3H - "Slammish?"
3NT - "Yes, with the Heart King or Ace." FORCING!
4NT - "Aces?"
5D - "One."
5NT - "Kings? We have all four Aces."
7C! - "Two Ks with a good D- suit. Pick a Grand!"
7NT - "Thanks. That makes 13 tricks."
Our next step is to eliminate MOST of the Club 1-suiters from
this equation. Since 1C Opener has Clubs more often than any other
suit, Responder can bid aggressively with any Club 1-suiter. This
entails replying 2NT to 1C with Clubs and no short suit (when 3C
signs off while 3D by Opener will look for no trump stoppers) with
8-10 HPCs.
Opener: S- AQJx H- KQxx D- AJx C- AJ
Responder: S- xxx H- xx D- Kx C- KQxxxx
1C 2NT - 8-10 HCPs, 6 or 7 Clubs, no short suit.
3D 3NT - No major suit card.
Pass - "Too bad. The S-K might've excited me."
Similarly, a jump from 1C to 3C discloses the same HCP
range, 8-10, and 6+ Clubs BUT PROMISES a short suit, which 3D by
Opener can then uncover.
Opener: S- AQJx H- KQxx D- AJx C- AJ
Responder: S- Kxx H- xx D- x C- KQxxxx
1C 3C - 8-10 HCPs, 6 or 7 Clubs, WITH a short suit.
3D 3NT - "Short in Diamonds".
4C 4S - "The S-K."
6C - A reasonable gamble.
Holding 11+ HCPs and a single-suited Club hand Responder can
splinter in any short suit: 3D, 3H or 3S all show shortness in
the bid suit, 11+ HCPs and 6+ Clubs in a 1-suited hand.
Opener: S- xxxx H- Kx D- Axx C- AJxx
Responder: S- H- Axx D- Qxx C- KQxxxxx
1C 3S - 11+ HCPs, 6+ Clubs, 1-suited, short Ss.
5C - In a sectional, most pairs played 3NT here!
The ONLY Club 1-suiters which will respond 1H to 1C are those
in the 11+ HCP range WITHOUT a short suit. Responder describes
these by simply bidding and rebidding the Club suit.
Opener: S- Qxx H- KJx D- AKx C- AJxx
Responder: S- Jx H- Axx D- Qx C- KQxxxx
1C 1H - Artificial positive, 8+ HCPs.
1S 2C - Clubs.
2D 3C - 6+Clubs, 1-suited, NO SHORT SUIT, 11+ HCPs.
3D 3H - NOT slammish.
3NT - "Okay."
Responder's JUMP to 3D, 3H or 3S over 1C:1H:1S promises a 1-
suiter with 6+cards in the bid suit and a shortness in the HIGHest
ranked unshown suit. Remember: JUMP HIGH. For example, 3D and 3H
both promise a shortness in Spades while a jump to 3S reveals a
shortness in Hearts.
Opener: S- KJx H- AJx D- x C- AKJxxx
Responder: S- x H- Kxx D- AKxxxx C- Qxx
1C 1H - Artificial positive.
1S - 16+ HCPs, artificial.
3D - 1-suiter, 6+ Diamonds, short in Spades.
3NT - "That was not particularly good news, pard."
4NT - Quantitative (else 4C here).
5H - Bolan, showing Aces and accepting the invite.
6C - Enough Aces for slam. "Where to play?"
Pass - "Here is fine."
Of course, had Opener's 5H 2-Ace-showing bid on the above hand
been insufficient Responder would have rebid 5S to stop in 5NT.
As always, the direct 3C call over 1C:1H:1S reveals a 1-suiter
short in Clubs. Opener's 3D rebid will uncover the long suit when
3H and 3S are natural while 3NT (11-13 HCPs) and 4C (14+ HCPs) both
promise 6+Diamonds.
Opener: S- Axxx H- Qx D- AKxxx C- KQ
Responder: S- Kxx H- KJxxxx D- Qxx C- x
1C 1H - Positive, 8+ HCPs.
1S - "Describe your distribution, please."
3C - 1-suited, short in Clubs.
3D - "Which is your long suit?"
3H - 3-6-3-1-ish.
3S - "Slam?"
3NT - "Not interested, thank you."
4H - "Come to think of it, neither was I!"
It follows that bidding and rebidding a suit other than
Clubs Responder promises a shortness in the middle-ranked unshown
suit. This shortness will always be a red suit: it will be
Diamonds unless Diamonds is the suit being rebid, whereupon it
will be Hearts. The fact that the short suit is always a red
suit gives us the memory aid: REbiD RED. Alternatively, one
may use "rebid mid" to recall that these rebids promise shortness
in the MIDdle ranked suit.
Opener: S- Kxx H- AQJ10xx D- x C- AQJ
Responder: S- AQx H- x D- KQJxxx C- Kxx
1C 1H - Artificial positive.
1S 2D - 4+ Diamonds.
2H 3D - 6+ Diamonds, singleton or void in Hearts.
3NT - No fit. No interest in slam whatsoever.
A third question involves the treatment of 3-suited responding
hands. These are a problem in any system. A Valentines 1H
positive Responder simply shows the lowest ranked suit first (i.e.
2C, unless short in Clubs) and then jumps in the short suit or to
3NT (8-13 HCPs, short in the unshown minor) or 4C (14+ HCPs, short
in the unshown minor).
1C 1H
1S 2D - 4+ Diamonds, unbalanced hand.
2H 3NT - This is a 3-suiter, short in Cs, 8-13 HCPs.
- 4C would show the same hand with 14+ HCPs.
1C 1H
1S 2C - 4+ Clubs, unbalanced hand.
2D ?? - 3H shows a 3-suiter, short in Hearts.
- 3S shows a 3-suiter, short in Spades.
- 3NT shows a 3-suiter, short Ds, 8-13 HCPs.
- 4C shows a 3-suiter, short Ds, 14+ HCPs.
Unfortunately, there is no way to distinguish 4-4-4-1 types
from 5-4-4-0 3-suiters without using a lot of artificial sequences
which would, in turn, require a lot of memorization.
Two-suited Responders will rebid more or less naturally over
1C:1H:1S. The astute reader may wonder why Responder bids the long
suit first here. Isn't that contrary to the canape tendancy of
Valentines? Yes, but there is a good reason for this, which will
be more apparent when we look at the 1C:1D(negative):1H(forcing)
sequence. For now we must accept that by keeping the rebid
structure after 1C:1H:1S roughly the same as over 1C:1D:1H we
simplify matters.
After 1C:1H:1S 2-suited Responder follows a number of simple
rules in unveiling his/her long suits. Responder will start by
showing the lowest ranked 5+card suit. With non-touching 5-5 2-
suiters Responder will have to bid and rebid the second, higher
ranked suit. In this context, Clubs and Spades are considered
"non-touching".
Responder: S- KJxxx H- x D- Ax C- Axxxx
1C 1H - Positive response.
1S 2C - 4+ Clubs, 3-suited, or 5+ Clubs, 2-suited.
2D - "Second suit?"
2S - 4+ Spades.
2NT - "Short suit?"
3S - Natural, 5-5 or better in the majors.
Hold touching suits, 5-5 or longer, Responders begins with the
cheaper suit and rebids the second at the 3-level. If one of those
two touching suits is a major Responder will clarify the shortness
at the same time.
1C 1H
1S 2C - 4+ Clubs, 3-suited, or 5+ Clubs, 2-suited.
2D 3D - 5-5 in the minors, requiring...
3H - ...to ask for the short suit.
1C 1H
1S 2D - 4+ Ds.
2H ?? - 3H = 1-5-5-2-ish.
3S = 2-5-5-1-ish.
1C 1H
1S 2H - 5+ Hearts.
2S ?? - 3S = 5-5-1-2-ish.
3NT = 5-5-2-1-ish, 8-13 HCPs.
4C = 5-5-2-1-ish, 14+ HCPs.
Holding a non-touching 4-6 2-suiter Responder will bid the
long, the short, and then the long suit again.
1C 1H
1S 2D - 4+ Ds, 3-suited, short Cs OR 5+ Ds, 2-suited.
2H 2S - 4+ Spades.
2NT 3C - 6+ Diamonds, only 4 Spades.
3H - "Short suit?"
3S - A SSAB reply, not natural. 4-1-6-2-ish.
Holding a touching 4-6 2-suiter Responder will bid the
6+carder and then 2NT. The 2NT rebid can also show a 4-5 touching
2-suiter in. Opener will clarify with a 3C rebid.
1C 1H
1S 2C - 4+ Clubs.
2D 2NT - 4-5 or better in the minors.
3C ?? - 3D = 4-6 in the minors.
- 3H = 1-3-4-5.
- 3S = 3-1-4-5.
- 3NT = 2-2-4-5, 8-13 HCPs.
- 4C = 2-2-4-5, 14+ HCPs.
1C 1H
1S 2D - 4+ Diamonds.
2H - "2nd suit?"
2NT - 4 Hearts...and ONLY 4 Hearts.
3C - "Please clarify."
?? - 3D = 6 Diamonds.
3H = SSAB reply. 1-4-5-3 distribution.
3S = SSAB reply. 3-4-5-1 distribution.
3NT = SSAB reply. 2-4-5-2, 8-13 HCPs.
4C = SSAB reply. 2-4-5-2, 14+ HCPs.
1C 1H
1S 2H
2S - "2nd suit?"
2NT - 4 Spades, 5+ Hearts.
3C - "Short suit?"
?? - 3D = SSAB reply. 4-5-1-3.
- 3H = 6+ Hearts with 4 Spades.
3S = SSAB reply. 4-5-3-1 distribution.
3NT = 4-5-2-2 distribution. 8-13 HCPs.
4C = 4-5-2-2 distribution. 14+ HCPs.
In the above examples where 4C shows the strong 5-4-2-2 types
Opener may well want to sign off in 4NT. To do so, over 4C Opener
must rebid 4D followed by 4NT to avoid making a Blackwood rebid.
Opener: S- Axxx H- Kx D- Kx C- AKQxx
Responder: S- Kx H- AQxx D- AJxxx C- xx
1C 1H - Artificial positive.
1S 2D - 4+ Diamonds.
2H 2NT - 5+ Diamonds with 4 Hearts.
3C 4C - 2-4-5-2 distribution. 14+ HCPs.
4D - "Let's stop soon. Please bid 4H here..."
4H - "Okay." Stronger Responders may refuse here.
4NT - "Let's stop here!"
Pass - Far too weak to proceed.
There are two items of note on the above hand. First, if
Responder were much stronger he/she would refuse to bid 4H,
prefering a cuebid or 4NT, BlackWood. Secondly, if Opener were
slightly weaker s/he should not rebid 3C; rather, Opener would
rebid 3NT. This would hand the reins over to Responder, who should
suspect that partner has 16-18 HCPs with Club length.
1C:1H:1S:2S - The awkward 2S rebid shows 5+ Spades and no
other 5+card suit. Opener usually rebids 2NT, whereupon Responder
can introduce a 4-carder via 3C, 3D or 3H, show 6+ Spades via 3S
(no short suit), or show 6-4 in the majors with 3NT (8-13 HCPs) or
4C (14+ HCPs). If Opener signs off in 3NT without clarifying
partner's short suit Responder can assume command by rebidding any
fragment suit.
Opener: S- Kx H- AQxx D- Kx C- KQ10xx
Responder: S- AJxxx H- Kxx D- AJxx C- A
1C 1H - Artificial positive, 8+ HCPs.
1S 2S - 5+ Spades, no other 5+card suit.
2NT 3D - Exactly 4 Diamonds.
3NT - Not strong enough for a 3H SSAB.
4H - Synthetic, 5-3-4-1-ish. 13-15 HCPs.
4NT - Natural, same as 4S, 5C or 5D.
Instead of 4H Responder could have bid 4D (16+ HCPs), 4C (5-1-
4-3-ish, non-forcing), 4S (6+ Spades, non-forcing) or 4NT (5-2-4-2,
quantitative). Rebidding the known 4-card suit is always
Responder's strongest option; it forces Opener to make a SSAB with
the cheapest step and then relay for Aces and, if necessary, Kings.
Since Responder will bid quantitively in no trump with any 5-4-2-2
type, this use of the 4-card suit PROMISES a shortness.
Opener: S- Kx H- AQJxx D- Kx C- K10xx
Responder: S- Axxxx H- K D- AJxx C- AQx
1C 1H
1S 2S - 5+ Spades, no other 5+card suit.
2NT 3D - Exactly 4 Diamonds.
3NT - "Yech!"
4D - 16+ HCPs. "Please continue..."
4H - Forced SSAB.
4NT - Short in Hearts.
5C - "Aces?"
5D - 0 or 3 Aces.
5H - "Kings? We have all four Aces here."
5NT - 1 or 4 Kings.
7H - Or 6NT or 7NT.
1C:1H:1S:2H - Here we see an unbalanced Respondering hand
with 5+ Hearts and no 5+card minor. Typically, Opener will rebid
2S to uncover partner's second suit. Then: 2NT will reveal 4
Spades and 5+ Hearts, 3C (5+ Hearts, 4 Clubs) and 3D (5-4 in the
reds) will show a 4-card minor suit, 3H will unveil 6+ Hearts (no
shortness) while 3S (short Diamonds, 5-5-1-2-ish), 3NT (short
Clubs, 5-5-2-1-ish, 8-13 HCPs) and 4C (same as 3NT but with 14+
HCPs) will show the 5-5 major 2-suiters.
Opener: S- Kxx H- QJ D- Ax C- AKJxxx
Responder: S- Axxx H- AKxxxx D- x C- xx
1C 1H
1S 2H - 5+ Hearts, unbalanced.
2S 2NT - 4 Spades & 5+ Hearts.
3C - SSAB.
3H - Natural. 6+ Hearts with 4 Spades.
3S - Repeated SSAB. "Short suit?"
3NT - Short Diamonds, 8-13 HCPs (else 4D).
4H - "Slammish in Hearts?"
4S - "Yes, and I have a Spade control."
4NT - Roman Key Card Blackwood.
5C - 0 or 3 Key Cards.
7H - Clubs should set up for a Spade pitch.
1C:1H:1S:2D - Responder's 2D call serves to deny 5+
Clubs. It differs from the 2H and 2S bids in that 2D bidder may be
3-suited, short in Clubs. A 2H rebid by Opener will serve to
investigate Responder's distribution, whereupon 3NT (8-13 HCPs) and
4C (14+ HCPs) reveal the 3-suiters (short in Clubs), 2S shows a
4-card suit, 2NT promises 5+ Diamonds & 4 Hearts, 3C promises
exactly 4 Clubs and 5+ Diamonds, 3D discloses a 1-suiter (no
shortness) while 3H (1-5-5-2-ish) and 3S (2-5-5-1-ish) unveil the
5-5 red 2-suiters.
Opener: S- KQxxx H- K D- Qx C- AKxxx
Responder: S- H- Axxxx D- AKJxx C- Qxx
1C 1H
1S 2D - Diamonds.
2H 3H - 5-5 in the reds, SSAB reply with short Ss.
3NT - "Gulp!"
4C - Natural! 0-5-5-3 or 1-6-5-2, 14+ HCPs.
4S - Blackwood. 4NT would have signed off here.
5NT - 2 Aces with a void.
6C - Sign off.
Pass - Or 6S, driving towards 6NT or 7C.
1C:1H:1S:2C - 2C is Responder's most flexible rebid, made
on any 3-suiter with 4 or 5 Clubs OR any 2-suiter with 5+ Clubs OR
a Club 1-suiter with 6+ Clubs (11+ HCPs, no short suit). Opener
can take this opportunity to bid naturally with 15-16 HCPs, ceding
control to partner. Indeed, after bidding 1S, Opener's next call
constitutes hir last chance to sign off and still show 4+ Clubs.
Opener: S- KJxxx H- Kx D- Jx C- AKJx
Responder: S- A H- QJxx D- AQxx C- 10xxx
1C 1H
1S 2C - Clubs.
2S - Natural, 4+ Clubs and 5+ Spades. 16 HCPs.
2NT - SSAB. "Short suit?"
3NT - No short suit. Hence, 5-2-2-4 distribution.
Pass - "Okay."
More often Opener will rebid 2D to discern Responder's other
suit(s). A 3-suited Resonder will now jump rebid: 3H (4-1-4-4-
ish), 3S (1-4-4-4-ish), 3NT (4-4-1-4-ish, 8-13 HCPs) or 4C (4-4-1-
4-ish, 14+ HCPs).
Opener: S- AQxx H- KJxx D- AKx C- AJ
Responder: S- x H- AQxx D- xxxx C- KQxx
1C 1H
1S 2C - Clubs.
2D 3S - 3-suited, short in Spades.
4D - Slam try in Hearts.
4H - Not slammish.
4S 5C - Cuebids.
5D - Cuebid.
6C - Two top H- and C- honours.
5H here would deny 2 top H- honours.
The 1-suited Responder with 6+Clubs and 11+ HCPs will simply
rebid 3C, whereupon 3D will investigate the possibilities of slam.
Opener: S- KQx H- AQx D- AQJxxx C- J
Responder: S- Jxx H- Kx D- Kx C- AKxxxx
1C 1H
1S 2C - Clubs, 1-, 2- or 3-suited.
2D 3C - 6+ Clubs, 1-suited, 11+ HCPs, no shortness.
3D - "Slam?"
3NT - "Okay, Heart card but anything in Spades."
4C - "Cuebid again, please".
4D - "Diamond card."
4H - "Cuebid, please."
5C - "Club card."
6NT - "One of these minors must set up."
The more common 2-suited Responder will rebid in the second
suit (e.g. 2H or 2S), 2NT with 4 Diamonds or 3D with 5-5 or better
in the minors. There are two auctions worth noting:
Opener: S- AJx H- KQxx D- A10x C- KJx
Responder: S- KQxxx H- Ax D- x C- AQxxx
1C 1H
1S 2C - Clubs.
2D 2S - 4+ Spades.
2NT - SSAB.
3S - Natural, 5+ Spades.
4C - SSAB.
5D - Short D-, 2 Aces, too strong for 4H.
5NT - "Kings?"
6D - "One King."
7S - The odds are 5 to 1 that 6D showed the S-K.
Over 4C, then, 4D would have revealed a shortness in Hearts;
4H would have shown a shortness in Diamonds but might be passed and
would therefore be limited to 13 HCPs. 4S would be reserved for a
minimal hand short in both red suits. Hence, Responder must bid at
least 4NT here. Since this interferes with Blackwood Responder may
as well show Aces, starting at 4NT.
Opener: S- AKxxx H- AKxx D- x C- AJ
Responder: S- x H- xx D- KJxx C- KQxxxx
1C 1H
1S 2C - 4+ Clubs.
2D 2NT - Exactly 4 Diamonds (bid 3D with 5+ Ds).
3C - SSAB.
3D - "Pseudo-natural"; showing 6+ Clubs.
3H - SSAB.
3S - Short in Spades. 1-2-4-6-ish.
4C - "Slam?"
4D - "No."
5C - "Too bad."
Of course, 3D cannot show extra Diamond length, since 2NT
guaranteed precisely 4 Diamonds. Furthermore, 3D is not needed as
a SSAB reply since 3H, 3S, 3NT (8-13 HCPs) and 4C (14+ HCPs) are
available.
The most difficult responding type is the 5-5 2-suiter with 5
Spades and a minor. Opener does not discover partner's 5+card
Spade holding until the 3S level. This means that a SSAB will have
to come at the 4C level. So how does Opener discover if partner is
slammish? The simple answer is that Opener often cannot--
especially if Responder is short in Hearts and rebids 4D over 4C.
We have seen how the 4-level SSAB reply is extended if Responder is
short in the lower ranked suit. Another aid is the fact that an
initial 1S response to 1C is used to handle any such 5-5 2-suiter
in the 8-10 HCP range. This means that responding 1H and then
showing a 5-5 2-suiter with 5+ Spades promises 11+ HCPs. Opposite
any respectable Opener this, combined with the 5-5 distribution,
should indicate and/or inspire some slam interest.
1C:1D
It is in the realm of negative responses that Valentines
really shines. A Valentines 1D response reveals 0-7 HCPs. The 1NT
and 1S replies to 1C have removed a number of hands from the aegis
of the 1D response. Because of the 1S answer to 1C Responder is
usually ready with a 2nd Heart, 4th Club or 6th Diamond in case 1C
Opener canapes into Hearts with a 2H rebid. Thanks to the 1NT
reply 1D Responder holds either 0-5 HCPs and flat distribution or
0-7 HCPs in an unbalanced hand.
Openers in the 12-16 HCP range will rebid naturally according
to the canape approach. After 1C:1D a 1H rebid by Opener would
show a strong (17+ HCPs) hand. Hence, to canape into Hearts a
weaker 1C Opener must jump to 2H.
S- xx H- AQxxx D- xx C- AKxx
Because 1H shows a strong hand bid 2H over 1C:1D.
1C:1D:2H - Responder usually passes or rebids a natural
and non-forcing 3-of-a-minor here. Any raise of Hearts is pre-
emptive, showing 4 or more Hearts. A 2NT rebid by Responder shows
a stronger (6-7 HCP) hand supporting Clubs or Hearts.
S- Ax H- Qxxx D- xxxxx C- xx
Over 1C:1D:2H rebid 2NT to invite 4H.
Because the 1S reply handles most misfitting hands a 2S rebid
over 1C:1D:2H is natural and forward-going.
Opener: S- Qxx H- KJxxx D- x C- AKxx
Responder: S- KJxxx H- Qxx D- xxx C- Jx
1C 1D - 0-7 HCPs, unbalanced, or 0-5 HCPs, flat.
2H - 5+ Hearts, 4+ Clubs, 12-16 HCPs.
2S - Natural, often with Heart or Club support.
3S - Or pass. Not as strong as 3D here.
Pass - Too flat for 4H or 4S.
1C:1D:2D - Opener can pass the 1D negative response with
12-13 HCPs and a canape into Diamonds. A "raise" to 2D shows 14-16
HCPs, 5+ Diamonds and 4+ Clubs. Responder rebids naturally.
S- KJxxx H- Q10xx D- Jx C- xx
Rebid 2NT, natural, over 1C:1D:2D.
1C:1D:2C - The 1-suited Opener will rebid the long Club
suit. Unlike the 2D "raise", 2C does not imply a maximum; Opener
is in the 12-16 HCP range. Responder rebids naturally.
S- xx H- KQ10xx D- Jxxx C- xx
Try 2H, ready to retreat to 3C as necessary.
1C:1D:1NT - The 1NT rebid usually 12-16 HCPs and 4+ Clubs
with no second suit. But 1C Opener, discouraged by the negative 1D
reply, may rebid 1NT with 17-18 HCPs and a flat hand. For now,
Responder will play Opener for Clubs, often removing 1NT to 2C with
4+ Clubs and any singleton, void or doubleton. Only if holding the
17-18 HCP hand and a doubleton Club will Opener bid over the 2C
call.
Opener: S- KJxx H- AQx D- AKxx C- Jx
Responder: S- Qxxx H- xxx D- xx C- 10xxx
1C 1D - Artificial negative response, 0-7 HCPs.
1NT - 12-16 HCPs with Clubs or 17-18 HCPs.
2C - Natural sign-off.
2D - 4 or 5 Diamonds, 2 Clubs, 17-18 HCPs.
2S - Natural.
Pass - "We've found our fit."
Responder's other options are: 2D (invitational, usually in
a major), 2H (a sign off in Hearts), 2S (a sign off in Spades) and
2NT (a sign off or invitation in Diamonds. After 1C:1D:1NT:2D
Opener will bid the cheapest major in which Opener would decline a
game invitation.
Opener: S- K10x H- Ax D- A10x C- AJ10xx
Responder: S- QJxxx H- Kx D- Jxxx C- xx
1C 1D - 0-5 HCPs, flat, or 0-7 HCPs, unbalanced.
1NT - 12-16 HCPs with Clubs or 17-18 HCPs.
2D - Inviting game, usually in a major.
2H - "I would not accept a game try in Hearts."
2S - "But my game try is in Spades."
3C - 16-18 HCPs with 3+ Spades and 4+ Clubs.
3D - Natural, still looking at 3NT.
4S - This seems more promising than 3NT.
Opener: S- AJx H- AQx D- Qxx C- KJxx
Responder: S- xxx H- xx D- J109xxx C- Qx
1C 1D - Artificial negative, ready for 2H canape.
1NT 2NT - Transfer to 3D.
3C - 16-18 HCPs with a Diamond fit. "Game?"
3D - "No, thank you."
Pass - "Too bad."
1C:1D:1S - The 12-16 HCP 1S rebid may be a canape (5+
Spades and 4+ Clubs) or a 4-2-3-4 hand. It may also be a flat 16-
18 HCP hand with 4 Spades. Responder's can bid a new suit, 1NT,
raise Spades pre-emptively, jump in a suit (natural if 3C, natural
with Spade support if 3D or 3H) or in 2NT (distributional 6-7 HCPs
with 4+ Spades).
Opener: S- AQxx H- xx D- Qxx C- AQxx
Responder: S- J10xx H- xxx D- AJ10xx C- x
1C 1D - Artificial negative response.
1S - 12-16 HCPs, 4-2-3-4 or 5+ Ss and 4+ Cs.
3D - Long suit game try with Ds and 4+ Ss.
4S - "This may require a finesse or two but..."
At IMPs or rubber bridge a 5-4-3-1 type Opener might rebid a
3-card round suit over 1C:1D:1S:1NT.
Opener: S- AKxxx H- x D- Axx C- Axxx
Responder: S- xx H- J10xx D- xxxx C- Kxx
1C 1D - Negative response, 0-7 HCPs.
1S - 12-16 HCPs, 4-2-3-4 or 5+ Ss and 4+ Cs.
1NT - No good fit for either black suit.
2C - Probably 5-1-3-4. Obviously synthetic.
Pass - "Ruffing Hearts may help us make 8 tricks."
1C:1D:1H - We have arrived at the crux of the Valentines
bidding system: the 1H rebid over a negative response. Opener
announces an unbalanced 17+ HCP hand or a flat 19+ HCPs.
S- KQx H- AQ D- AQJx C- KQxx
Rebid 1H to discover if partner also holds a flat hand.
S- AKQxxx H- D- AKxx C- KQx
Rebid 1H despite the H- void.
The second hand illustrates the strength of any strong Club
system. Standard players might be tempted to open a strong 2-bid
(2C or 2S, depending on partnership agreements), only to have the
hand "blow up" on them.
Responder A: S- x H- KQxxxx D- xxx C- xxx
Scrambling 9 tricks in no trump will be easier than 4S.
Responder B: S- H- xxxxx D- xxx C- xxxxx
5C is the only viable game contract here.
Responder C: S- H- xxxxxx D- xxx C- xxxx
No game is a favourite opposite this dog.
Other forcing club systems may simply delay this problem for
one round. After a Precision 1C:1D a game-forcing 2S rebid will
land Opener in the same suit as a standard 2C or 2S Opener. And,
of course, Responder may well pass after a Precision 1C:1D:1S with:
Responder D: S- xxx H- xxxx D- xx C- xxxx
4S may be a breeze but how do you reach it?
Holding an balanced hand Responder rebids 1NT (0-3 HCPs) or 1S
followed by 2NT (4-5 HCPs).
S- 10xxx H- xxx D- xxx C- xxx
After 1C:1D:1H rebid 1NT. Opener rebids as over 1C:1NT.
S- Jxx H- Qxxx D- Qxxx C- xx
After 1C:1D:1H rebid 1S and, over 1NT, rebid 2NT.
In the latter case 3C (Baron) or 3-of-a-suit (natural, non-
forcing) by Opener will allow the partnership to investigate game
or slam.
Opener: S- Axx H- KQ10xx D- AK C- KQx
Responder: S- Kxx H- xx D- Jxxx C- Jxxx
1C 1D - Artificial negative response.
1H - Artificial forcing rebid announcing 17+ HCPs.
1S - Unbalanced 0-4 HCPs or flat 4-5 HCPs.
1NT - Temporizing, knowing that partner will rebid.
2NT - 4-5 HCPs, flat hand.
3H - Invitational, 5+ Hearts.
Pass - "Fine. Then let's stop here."
Opener: S- AKxx H- KQxx D- A C- AKJx
Responder: S- xx H- Jxxx D- Jxxx C- Qxx
1C 1D
1H 1S - Any unbalanced 0-4 HCPs or flat 4-5 HCPs.
1NT 2NT - The latter; a balanced 4-5 HCP hand.
3C - "What is your cheapest 4-card suit?"
3D - Ds. 3NT instead of 3D would show Cs only.
3H - "Second 4-card suit?"
4H - 4-4 in the red suits.
4S - SSAB. "Doubleton?"
4NT - 2-4-4-3 distribution.
5C - "Slam?"
5H - "Not with 2 Jacks and a Queen!"
Pass - "Let's not stretch our luck, then."
The only difference between 1C:1H:1S and 1C:1D:1H:1S:1NT
involves the treatment of 1-suiters. Because a 2NT rebid by the
Passive Partner (Responder) is not available to show the 1-suiter
with shortness in a minor the partnership often has to go to the 4-
level to discover Responder's distribution.
Opener: S- AKJ H- KQJx D- AJx C- A109
Responder: S- xxx H- xxx D- xxxxxx C- x
1C 1D - 0-8 HCPs.
1H 1S - Flat 4-5 HCPs or 0-3 HCPs, unbalanced.
1NT 2D - 0-3 HCPs, unbalanced with 4+ Diamonds.
- Denies 6+ Ds, 1-suited, short Hs (else 3D).
2H - "Second suit?"
3D - 6+ Diamonds, 1-suited, 2 or 3 Hearts.
3H - SSAB, in case Responder bids...
4C - Short in Clubs.
5D - At least 5D is a better contract than 3NT.
Jumps to 3-of-a-suit over 1C:1D:1H:1S:1NT remain the same as
over 1C:1H:1S; Responder shows a 1-suiter with a shortness in the
next higher ranked suit (3S shows shortness in Hearts). For
example, on the above hand if Responder's minor suit holdings were
reversed Responder would rebid 3C over 1C:1D:1H:1S:1NT, showing 6+
Clubs and shortness in the next higher suit, Diamonds.
Three suiters are a problem in any system. Some, including
Valentines, use a Romanesque 2C or 2D call to handle them. Since
Valentines uses 2C to show an opening bid of 12-18 HCPs, 3-suited
with Clubs being one of the three suits Responder has the advantage
of being able to pass with any bust that includes 3+ Clubs. It is
also another instance where Valentines is more natural than
standard approaches!
Opener: S- Axxx H- KQJx D- J C- A10xx
Responder: S- xx H- xxx D- xxxxx C- xxx
Pass Opener's 2C opening. Yes, you might might a better
fit in Diamonds and, yes, you may have a major suit
Moysian, but why risk it? You've found a fit, now let
the opponents guess theirs.
2C:3C, 4C, 5C - Club raises are pre-emptive.
2C:2NT - 2NT is an invitational bid based on Diamond length.
Responder: S- Qxx H- QJx D- KQxxx C- xx
3NT may make if Opener is maximal and short in Diamonds.
Invite game via 2NT.
2C:2H or 2S - Weak sign-off in the bid major. If short in the
bid major a maximal Opener may take out to 2NT. Anything
short of an 18-count, though, will take out to the
cheapest suit.
Opener: S- x H- KQJx D- KQJx C- AJxx
Responder: S- xxxx H- xx D- xxx C- xxxx
2C - 3-suited with Clubs, 12-18 HCPs.
2S - Sign off with 3+ Spades, 0-8 HCPs.
3C - Short S-, not quite strong enough for 2NT.
Pass
2C:2D - One round forcing unlimited response. Responder asks
about Opener's short suit and general strength. For our purposes,
a "maximum" will includes 16-18 HCP hands while 12-15 HCP holdings
will be deemed "minimums" here. Opener rebids:
2H - Minimum, short in Spades. 2S asks: "5-carder?"
2S - Minimum, short in Hearts. 2NT = "5-carder?"
2NT - Minimum, short in Diamonds. 3C = "5-carder?"
3C - Maximum, 1-4-4-4-ish. (SSAB reply).
3D - Maximum, 4-1-4-4-ish. (SSAB reply).
3H - Maximum, 4-5-0-4.
3S - Maximum, 5-4-0-4.
3NT - Maximum, 4-4-1-4 or 4-4-0-5.
The last three responses (3H, 3S, 3NT) are, in effect, natural
extensions of the last SSAB reply, showing shortness in the lowest
ranked possible suit, Diamonds. Among the 5-4-4-0 types, only the
maximal 4-4-0-5 hand requires a subsequent Diamond cuebid to
clarify. In other cases, a 3-level relay can ask for a 5-card suit
from Opener--even if that 5-carder must be shown at the 4-level.
In all such cases where Responder asks for a 5-carder Opener may
show the 4-4-4-1 types via a no trump rebid.
Opener: S- x H- KQJx D- KQxx C- AQxx
Responder: S- xxxx H- Axxx D- Ax C- Kxx
2C - 3-suiter, 4 or 5 Clubs, 12-18 HCPs.
2D - "Short suit? Strength?"
3C - 1-4-4-4-ish. 16-18 HCPs.
3D - "5-card suit?"
3NT - "No such luck. 1-4-4-4."
4D - "Slam in Hearts?"
5C - "Sure!"
6H - "Then let's give it a whirl!"
In keeping with the natural approach of the Valentines system,
all 2-level suit openings show length in the bid suit. 2D promises
11-14 HCPs, 6+ Diamonds and no second suit. Responder's only
forcing replies are:
2D:2H - SSAB. "Short suit?" Now we may see:
2S - Short Spades.
2NT - No short suit.
3C - Short Hearts.
3D - 2-2-7-2.
3H - Short Clubs.
Responder often follows with a cheapest rebid to ask if Opener
is slammish.
2D:2NT - OGUST. "Strength? Diamond suit quality?" Now:
3C - Minimum hand, poor Diamonds.
3D - Minimum hand, good Diamonds.
3H - Maximum hand, poor Diamonds.
3S - Maximum hand, good Diamonds.
3NT - Solid Diamonds. Better than dead minimum.
Responder's ONLY forcing rebid after OGUST is Blackwood.
A Two Heart opening bid reveals 11-14 HCPs, 6+ Hearts and
denies a second suit of 4+ cards. Responder can use OGUST, as
above, or ask for shortness via 2S, when:
2NT - No short suit.
3C - Short Spades.
3D - Short Diamonds.
3H - 2-7-2-2.
3S - Short Clubs.
While the 2S opening shares the same HCP range (11-14) and
restrictions against a second suit as 2H and 2D, it is slightly
different in one regard: 2S Opener may have precisely 5-2-3-3
distribution. This affects the rebids whenever Responder uses 2NT
(asking for shortness). Then:
3C - Short in Hearts, 6+ Spades.
3D - Short in Diamonds, 6+ Spades.
3H - Short in Clubs, 6+ Spades.
3S - No shortness, 6 or 7 Spades.
3NT - 5-2-3-3 distribution.
A 3C reply to 2S will be OGUST, when:
3D - Weak hand, weak Spades.
3H - Weak hand, good Spades.
3S - Strong hand, weak Spades.
3NT - Strong hand, good Spades.
The weakest aspect of Standard bidding is its treatment of
very strong hands. Opening 2NT to show a strong (say, 22-23 HCP)
balanced hand, wasting nine precious bidding spots (1C thru 2S) is
anathema to Valentiners. Why pre-empt with such a powerhouse?
The Valentines partnership is free to use 2NT for whatever
purpose suits its tastes. Some will play transfer pre-empts, where
2NT would show 6+ Clubs. This has the advantage of allowing
partner to play all the Club contracts. On the other hand, it has
the pre-emptive Opener playing all the no trump contracts and it
gives the opponents more ways to enter the auction.
Another treatment is to use the 2NT opening as similar to an
Unusual 2NT overcall: 11-15 HCPs, 5-5 or better in the minors and,
just for further clarity (and rarity), a shortness in Hearts.
Opener: S- Kx H- x D- KQxxx C- AJ10xx
Open 2NT.
In the latter case, only a response of 3H will be forcing,
asking if Opener is interested in a slam.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Back to the Ward's Home Page
Back to Colin Ward's Bridge Page
Go to The Canadian Bridge Federation Web Page
Go to The Bridge World Magazine Web Page