Walking the Dog

The Language of Bidding

2011-11-24T22:25:00.003-06:00

I wanted to post something that the non-bidding-obsessed could read and understand, so I thought I might just talk about the philosophy and language of bidding in the standard american way.

The driving philosophy behind the Standard American bidding system (and most other bidding systems) is to show your shape first, then your points. You see, there are just too many different hands that can be made with 13 cards and not enough possible bids to show them all. So we tell our partner clues about our hand and hopefully come to the right level and strain of bidding using these clues and their negative inferences. So let's start with the opening bids.

For any balanced hand (4333, 4432, or 5332) we want to bid notrumps, but the range of points from minimum opening (12 points) to game points (25) is a huge range! If we were to split up that range into two bids, then 1NT would mean 12-18 and 2NT would mean 19-24. This makes it difficult for partner to know if the partnership has the requisite 25 points to bid 3NT. So we break it up into smaller ranges. Thus:

12-14 Bid longer minor, then bid cheapest NT (usually 1NT)

15-17 Open 1NT

18-19 Bid longer minor, then jump in NT (usually 2NT)

20-21 Open 2NT

22-24 Open 2C (strong hand alert!), then bid 2NT

With this ladder, you can see that you never get too high in the bidding and you limit your range to a two or three point range, making partner's job easier to pass or bid on to 3NT (or even bid higher into slam territory!)

Balanced hands are great because partner knows that if he or she has a 6-card suit, you automatically have a fit, because you can have at most one doubleton, and with a 5-card suit, it's a fair bet you have fit there, too.

If you don't fall in the balanced category, then your first priority is to show partner your longest suit. If you have 12-21 points, and one of your suits are longer than the others, bid it at the 1-level! Ok, simple enough, but what about if you have a two or three suits with the same number of cards? If they have 5 or more in each, bid the higher-ranking of the two (the ranks from high to low are Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs). If they are 4 card suits, bid the lower-ranking of the three (You can't have only two 4-card suits as your longest suits without being balanced.)

Here's a breakdown:

1C = 3+ clubs

1D = 3+ diamonds (usually 4+ but a 12-14/18-19 point 4-4-3-2 hand needs to be opened 1D)

1H = 5+ hearts

1S = 5+ spades

1NT = 15-17 HCP, balanced

2NT = 20-21 HCP, balanced

These bids will take care of all 12-21 point hands and show partner a major clue to the shape of your hand. All 22+ point hands are grouped into the opening 2C bid (which doesn't mean clubs, it just means monster hand.)

On your 2nd bid, you get to narrow your point range and tell partner more about your shape.

For instance, if you bid 1H, then on your second bid 2C, you are showing 5 or more hearts, and 4 or more clubs (that's 9 out of 13 of your cards!) Another example, you open 1D, then bid 2D, you are showing 6 or more diamonds (you neglected to show a second suit nor did you bid NT so the negative inferences suggest you are not balanced or 5-4) with a minimum range (12-16 points.) There are some "problem" shapes, though. It's tough to show a 4441 hand as opener, because you open with 1C or 1D, then your 2nd bid is usually a higher ranking suit at the 1-level, which partner might interpret as 5-4 (you usually bid the longer suit first.) Hey, no system is perfect and this is only a minor issue.

Let me introduce you to the single-most important idea in bidding: the Captaincy Principle. The Captaincy Principle works like this: if you know more than your partner does, you are the captain of the bidding. You decide how high and in what suit (or notrumps) you want to play. Example, partner opens 1NT. He has limited his hand to 15-17 points, and showed a balanced hand. You know a whole lot about his hand and he knows nothing about yours; thus, you are in control of the bidding. You may bid the appropriate level of NT or you can bid something else to ask partner to tell you more about his hand. That's where the Stayman convention, and Transfer Bids come in handy. Another example: you open 1H, partner bids 1S (6 or more points, 4 or more spades), then you bid 2H (showing 12-15 points, 6+ hearts). Partner knows more about your hand than you know about his, so he is the captain. Once you limit your range, the other person becomes the captain. Most conventional bids are made by the captain to inquire about specific characteristics of the other's hand. Until someone limits themselves, though, the bidding is a dialogue, a back-and-forth discussion about shape, looking for a fit in some suit.

As responder, you have point ranges, too. If you respond with a 1-level bid, you are showing at least 6 points, but you aren't limited. If you respond with 1NT, however, you limit yourself to 6-9 points, and your partner, the opener, is in charge. Since finding a major-suit fit is so important in Standard American, here's a breakdown of responses to 1H:

1S = 6+ points, 4+ spades

1NT = 6-9 points (no 4+ spades, no 3+ hearts)

2H = 6-9 points, 3+ hearts

2C/2D = 10+ points, 5+ cards in bid suit

2NT = 10-12 points, balanced (no 3+ hearts or 4+ spades)

3H = 10-12 points, 3+ hearts

Remember, you only need 25 points to bid game in NT or the major, so anything higher than 12 points as responder, you KNOW you're going to game and so it's relatively safe to bid higher. Notice I've broken the bids into what you can do with 6-9 points (minimum range to respond) and 10-12 points (invitational range.) This is basic, and there are lots of conventions that other bridge players will insist you learn in addition to these bids, but they aren't necessary. Also, notice that you only bid NT when you don't have a fit for partner's major nor when it's unlikely you have fit in the other major. After 1S, the responses are:

1NT = 6-9 points, no 3+ spades

2S = 6-9 points, 3+ spades

2C/2D/2H = 10+ points, 5+ cards in bid suit

2NT = 10-12 points, balanced (no 3+ spades)

3S = 10-12 points, 3+ spades

The major difference here is that you can't show the other major unless you have 10 or more points. The reason for that is you don't want to get too high in the bidding looking for a fit. What if partner opened a 12-point hand with 5 spades, 2 hearts, 3 diamonds, and 3 clubs and you have 6 points with 1 spade, 5 hearts, 4 diamonds, and 3 clubs? You might end up contracting for 8 or 9 tricks with no fit and only 18 points (the opponents have more points than you!) As I said before, no system is perfect and this is only a minor issue.

The only opening bids I neglected to discuss were the preemptive bids (weak hands with good trick-taking potential). I think I'll have to discuss those in another post. I hope that this post is helpful to those of you starting out and trying to figure why in the world you bid the way you do.

Defense to Strong 1C

2011-06-02T13:50:00.003-05:00

I am starting to lose track of what I have written about, but I met a woman in Tupelo, MS who was very interested in defenses to the strong 1C opening which Meg and I employ. She uses a system called "Preference," but I haven't come across any notes on the system. I did, however, some research on different defenses to strong artificial 1C and 2C openings, and there are a plethora of them.

The one that most bridge players agree has the most success is called Suction. Here's how they work: any suit bid over 1C shows either a 1-suited hand in the suit directly above the bid suit OR a 2-suited hand in two touching suits that don't include the bid suit or the one above it. For example, (1C) 1D would show either a 1-suited hand in hearts or a 2-suited hand in spades & clubs. Responder would bid the next suit and let partner correct to the 2-suited hand if necessary. That takes care of most types of hands you would want to overcall except the non-touching 2-suited hands; for these, you would bid 1NT and correct if necessary after partner bids the compulsory 2C. One last bid, the double. Most use the double to show a real hand like 15+ pts. After this, bidding proceeds naturally. You could also use this idea for overcalling a standard strong 2C opening.

I have never played this defense due to the fact that no one we play against on a normal basis plays Precision. I found another defense you might like to try. I can't remember the name of it, but it employs the Suction bids at a higher level and allows the bidding for other shapes.

Dbl = clubs

1D/1H = Transfer to hearts/spades

1S = 4 spades & longer minor

1NT = 4 hearts & longer minor

2C = suction. 6+ diamonds OR 5-5 in majors

2D = suction. 6+ hearts OR 5-5 in spades/clubs

2H = suction. 6+ spades OR 5-5 in minors

2S = 5-5 in spades/diamonds

2NT = 5-5 in hearts/minor

This takes away the opening point hand double, but I find that since 1C is forcing, a pass can show this as long as you bid the second time around. Also it gives you the ability to get in there with what seems like one of the most likely shapes you see, the 5-4 hand with 4 in a major (canape bids). See if you like it. If you're from Oxford, I highly recommend you employ this system against us, as I have no idea what to do after you get in there with these bids.

Sardine Run-out Bids

2011-05-23T23:36:00.002-05:00

I just looked back over this blog, and I realized that I promised a couple of times to post something about a run-out system when your opponents double a weak 1NT (or micro 1NT in our case.) So here it is, the Sardine runouts (named after a BBO user Sardine)

After 1NT (X)

2C = 2-suited, clubs & hearts

2D = 2-suited, diamonds & hearts

2H = 2-suited, hearts & spades

2S = 2-suited, spades & clubs

XX = 1-suited hand (forces opener to bid 2C. After this, responder bids his or her suit)

Pass = FORCING! This forces opener to XX, which responder can pass or bid out a weaker hand

XX = automatic

2C = 2-suited, clubs & diamonds

2D = 2-suited, diamonds & spades

2H = 0-4-(54) shape

2S = 4-0-(54) shape

To force to game, we divide potential responders' hands into three categories: 1-suited, 2-suited, and 3-suited.

After 1NT (X)

2NT = 2-suited hand (forces opener to bid 3C)

3C = automatic

3D = diamonds & hearts

3H = hearts & spades

3S = spades & minor

3NT = clubs & a red suit

XX = 1-suited hand (forces opener to bid 2C)

2C = automatic

2NT = Game-forcing (forces opener to bid 3C)

3C = automatic

3D/3H/3S = shows the 5+ card suit

3NT = shows 5+ clubs

Pass = 3-suited hand (forces opener to bid XX)

XX = automatic

2NT = Game-forcing (forces opener to bid 3C)

3C = automatic

3D/3H/3S = singleton in a 4441 shape

3NT = 4441 shape with singleton club

In a running situation, 2-suited can sometime mean 4-4 as finding a Moysian fit is better than playing 1NT X sometimes. A 1-suited hand can be a good 4-card suit as well. For the game-forcing hands, 2-suited means 5-5, and 1-suited means 5+ cards.

If the balancing seat doubles, the opener has a chance to talk about his concealed 5-card minor. If he doesn't have one, then he passes and lets partner run.

After 1NT - P (X) P - ?

2C = clubs and diamonds

2D = diamonds and hearts

2H = hearts and spades

2S = spades and clubs

XX = Forces opener to bid 2C

2C = automatic

Pass/2D = 1-suited in that minor

2H = hearts and clubs

2S = spades and diamonds

These bids are a lot to learn, but once you do, you will never be afraid of the opponents doubling your weak 1NT again! In fact, I look forward to playing 1NT XX sometimes and making it for a big score. Now, on the other hand, you will occasionally be looking at a 4333 hand with no points and no bid to get out of 1NT X. Those are the times you just gotta bid your 4-card suit (using XX) and hope they decide to bid.

Sorry that it took so long to post this. I hope you enjoy, and happy bidding!

A GOOD Short Club System

2011-05-23T22:14:00.002-05:00

Nowadays, it seems everyone is perfectly content to say, "could be short" when his or her partner opens 1C. I asked someone about the reason they played it, and she told me it was so that opening 1D promises 4 or more. "Sounds fascinating! What else?" I asked. Then when I received a confused look and a shrug, I realized that this system of opening a short club wasn't fully utilized. Plus Meg and I were looking for a system that isn't so different from the field for Matchpoint play (we'll keep playing Precision at big tournaments and team events.)

When I thought about what opening a short club meant, I realized that it could have 3 meanings: 1. any 5+ club hand, 2. balanced hands that don't fit 1NT (or 2NT) opening range, and 3. 4441 shape hands with a singleton diamond. This allows the 1D opening to promise 4 or more diamonds, which makes for an easier time raising in competition. But everyone plays this, and I wanted to give it an advantage over all those partnerships who don't talk about what a short club means. So here's the fun: a weak 1NT (12-14) AND a special set of responses to 1C.

I realized early on in my experience with natural 5-card major systems like SAYC and 2/1 that the sequence 1C - 1D showing a natural diamond response was not a helpful dialogue nor was it obstructing the bidding for the opponents at all, so I made the 1D response artificial meaning responder has at least one 4-card major. This opens the 1H and 1S response to mean 5+ cards in that major! This certainly is something these other bidding systems lack, a way to show a 5-card major by responder in the first bid. Naturally, the opening rebids needed to tell partner how much support he has for that major. After careful consideration, I finally came up with a Short Club system that isn't too hard to learn and would help out a great deal of bidding problem hands.

MG Short Club

Opening Bids

1C = 2+ clubs (includes 15-19 HCP, balanced hands, 5+ club hands, and 4441 hands with a singleton diamond)

1D = 4+ diamonds (unbalanced!)

1H = 5+ hearts

1S = 5+ spades

1NT = 12-14 HCP, balanced

2C = Strong (4 or fewer losers)

2D = Flannery (specifically 11-15 pts, 5 hearts & 4 spades)

2H/2S = Weak

2NT = 20-21 HCP, balanced

etc.

Responses to 1C

1D = at least one 4-card major ALERT

1H = 5+ hearts

1S = 5+ spades

1NT = 6-9 pts, no 4+ card major

2C/2D = 10+ pts, 5+ card bid suit (no 4+ card major)

2H = 5-9 pts, 5-5 in the majors ALERT

2S = 10-12 pts, 5-5 in the majors ALERT

2NT = 10-12 pts, balanced (no 4+ card major)

3C/3D = weak, 6+ good bid suit

Bidding after 1C - 1D

1H = 4 hearts

1S = 4 spades (no 4 hearts)

1NT = 15-17, balanced (no 4cM)

2NT = 18-19, balanced (no 4cM)

2C/3C = min/max, 6+ clubs (with 5-4 in C-D, we open 1D)

After 1C - 1D - 1H

1S = 4 spades (no 4 hearts)

1NT = 4 hearts, ALERT

2H/3H/4H = To play (weak point range with 4/5/6 hearts)

After 1C - 1D - 1S

1NT = 6-9, 4 hearts (no 4 spades)

2H = 4 spades, ALERT

2S/3S/4S = To play (weak with 4/5/6 spades)

2C/2D = 10+ pts, 5+ card suit (with 4 hearts)

2NT = 10-12 pts, balanced (with 4 hearts)

A little further...

After 1C - 1D - 1H - 1S

1NT = 15-17 balanced

2NT = 18-19 balanced

2C = minimum, 5+ clubs & 4 hearts

3C = maximum, 6+ good clubs & 4 hearts

2S = 15-17, balanced with 4-4 in the majors ALERT

3H = 18-19, balanced with 4-4 in the majors ALERT

2D = minimum, 4-4-1-4 or 4-4-0-5 shape

3D = maximum, 4-4-1-4 or 4-4-0-5 shape

After 1C - 1D - 1H - 1NT

2C = minimum, 5+ clubs & 4 hearts (not 4-4-0-5)

2D = minimum, 4-4-1-4 or 4-4-0-5 shape

2H = 15-17, balanced

2NT = 18-19, balanced

2S = maximum, 4-4-0-5 shape

3C = maximum, 5+ clubs

3D = maximum, 4-4-1-4 shape

After 1C - 1D - 1S - 2H

2S = minimum, 5+ clubs & 4 spades

2NT = 15-17, balanced

3C = 18-19, balanced

3D/3H = maximum, 5+ clubs & 4 spades, short in bid suit

3S = maximum, 4-2-2-5 shape

Now, after 1C - 1H/1S, we want to differentiate (when we can) between 3- and 4-card support for partner's major. I tried to keep it as intuitive as possible.

Bidding after 1C - 1H

1S = 4 spades (doesn't promise 3 hearts)

1NT = 15-17, balanced (with only 2 hearts)

2NT = 18-19, balanced (with only 2 hearts)

2C/3C = min/max, 5+ clubs (0-2 hearts)

2D/3D = min/max, 4 hearts ALERT

2H = minimum, 3 hearts

3H = maximum, balanced with 3 hearts

2S = maximum, 4-3-1-5 or 4-3-0-6 shape

Bidding after 1C - 1S

1NT = 15-17, balanced (with only 2 spades)

2NT = 18-19, balanced (with only 2 spades)

2C/3C = min/max, 5+ clubs (0-2 spades)

2D/3D = min/max, 4 spades ALERT

2S = minimum, 3 spades

3S = maximum, balanced with 3 spades

2H/3H = min/max, 3-4-1-5 or 3-4-0-6 shape

Of course this is the way I would like to play this system after 1C. The bids for the other openings are pretty much standard fare (enter your own system of responses and conventions.) For us, we play a non-forcing 1NT response to opening 1 of a major, weak jump-shift over 1D, control responses to the strong 2C opening, and the Sardine runout bids over 1NT doubled (see earlier post.) Also notice that we play Flannery, and I think that this is a must-have convention for those who play a standard wide-range opening system like this. The only thing I haven't written about is the control responses to 2C. Here they are:

Responses to 2C

2D = 0-5 pts, 0-1 control

2H = 6+ pts, 0-1 control

2S = 2 controls

2NT = 3 kings

3C = 1 ace + 1 king

3D = 4 controls

By control, I mean an ace is worth 2 controls and a king is worth 1. If you count them all up, you get a total of 12 controls. In general, I think that means with 10 controls you might have a slam (missing only 1 ace or 2 kings), and finding a slam after opening 2C is one of the real weaknesses of the standard system in my opinion, such as it is.

On a personal note, I know that my obsession with bidding systems and theory drives my regular partner crazy, but she has always been a good sport in learning them. I do believe that a great bidding system is no substitute for sound play and defense, and this is something I need to work on. Meg, you will always be my #1 partner in bridge and in life.

New defense to 1NT

2010-05-25T13:19:00.002-05:00

This is called HELLO by Jerry Helms and Bill Lohman, and Meg and I are trying it out as of this week. It has a lot of characteristics in a defense that I look for: the ability to double 1NT for penalty, natural 2S overcall, etc. It goes a little something like this.

Dbl = penalty

2C = either a 1-suited hand with diamonds OR a 2-suited hand in a major and a minor suit

2D = a 1-suited hand in hearts (like a transfer)

2H = a 2-suited hand in the majors

2S = a 1-suited hand in spades

2NT = a 1-suited hand in clubs (again a transfer)

3C = a 2-suited hand in the minors

3D = a strong 2-suited hand in the majors (good to be able to differentiate)

Now these bids are good as a direct overcaller to 1NT opening (either a weak or strong 1NT), and as responder you can either bid the suit that works for you or bid 2NT to invite game. One quick note: there's only one response to 2C and that is 2D (this allows partner to pass with the diamond hand or bid the major to show the major/minor 2-suiter).

In the passout seat, the bids change a little.

Dbl = either a 1-suited hand in clubs OR 2-suited in the red suits (4 hearts & 5+ diamonds)

2 suit = same as above

2NT = (non-passed hand) strong 1-suited in clubs

(passed hand) 2-suited in the minors

After the double by the passout seat, partner has to bid 2C so that he can pass with the club hand. This part of the defense isn't necessary, though.

One more use of this system is after a 1NT overcall of 1 suit by your side. For example,

1H (1NT) dbl = penalty

2C = 1-suited in diamonds OR 2-suited in spades/minor

2D = support in hearts

2H = 2-suited in hearts & spades

2S = 1-suited in spades

2NT = 1-suited in clubs

3C = 2-suited in the minors

We don't play this yet, but it might be worth looking into. Enjoy HELLO all my readers!

Phantom Club

2009-07-01T23:45:00.003-05:00

It's been a while, but I wanted to write about a system I read called the Phantom Club. This was such a wonderful concept, and easy enough for anyone to learn in a matter of minutes. The idea is that as opener, you pretend your right-hand opponent (RHO) bid 1C. Just use the overcall agreements you have with your partner now! Fun, eh? There are a couple of things you must adjust to make a working bidding system, though. Here's what it would look like with the current agreements Meg and I use:

1C - this is as if we doubled 1C, so the idea here would be either a 3-suited hand, short in clubs OR a strong hand (17+ points, typically).

1D/1H/1S - 8-16 points, natural suit (good quality, maybe 4 cards)

1NT - 12-14 HCP, balanced. You want to change this from 15-18 so that you and your partner don't pass out two 13 point balanced hands across from each other (that's a missed game! How embarrassing...)

2C - This is like a Michael's Cuebid showing the majors. It could be weak or strong, but with intermediate hands (11-15 points or so), I would open one of the majors and then bid the other if given the chance.

2D/2H/2S - Weak, 6-card suits (like standard)

2NT - I would play this as a 2-suited hand in the minor suits. Normally, it would be an Unusual 2NT showing the 2 lowest unbid suits, but that wouldn't be as useful as having a bid for the minors that is this destructive!

3 suit - Preemptive

3NT - To play. You could play this as a Gambling 3NT if you want, though.

That's it! The only comments I would make on this system is that you and your partner need to be on the same page about what to do as overcallers (since now you are always overcallers), and that the responses and rebids to the 1C opening should be discussed in detail (1C is the easiest bid for the opponents to overcall). For example,

Responses to 1C: NO PASS! Normally you could pass a takeout double of 1C, but you might miss a game if you do in this case.

1D/1H/1S = 0-7 pts, 4 card suit (could be as short as 3)

1NT = 7-10 pts, balanced

2C = 12+ pts, any shape

2D/2H/2S = 8-11 pts, 4 card suit

2NT = 11-13 pts, balanced

Opener will rebid a new suit, or "cuebid" clubs again with a stronger hand (21+ pts).

With interference over 1C, responder would pass with 0-7 pts, bid something with 8-11 pts, and cuebid the most recent opponent bid to show a game-forcing hand.

Alright, you probably get the idea by now. Obviously, you should use the bids you and your partner already use in competition, asking yourselves questions like, "Are responses to 1 suit forcing or non-forcing?" or "how do I show a game-forcing raise of 1M?" By the way, if you play in an ACBL-sanctioned event with this system, I wouldn't recommend opening with less than 8 points. Plus, you need to mark on your convention card that you play very light openings. Happy bidding!

Defense to 1NT

2009-02-24T10:33:00.003-06:00

So, Meg has been kind enough to try Cappelletti defense to 1NT which shows the following after opponent's bid 1NT:

Double = penalty
2C = 1-suited hand
2D = 2-suited in the majors
2H = 2-suited in hearts and a minor
2S = 2-suited in spades and a minor
2NT = 2-suited in the minors

The minuses of this system of overcalls is that with a 1-suited hand (which happens more often) you are bidding at such a low level that opponents can be bidding with you and sometimes you never get to show partner your suit (unless you bid at a level perhaps higher than you intended). After debating the other defenses to 1NT like Brozel, DONT, Astro, etc. Meg and I decided to create our own system which has the following characteristics:
1. Double is penalty. This way we can play this system over weak NT as well as the normal 15-17 range.
2. 2M is natural. This takes up enough space to be a pest and shows immediately the strain we most likely want to be in.

So, after looking at the GCC (General Convention Chart, which is the rules we must follow in ACBL tournaments), I discovered that Double AND 2C can be used artificially without having to show any particular suit. Here's what we came up with:

Double = penalty
2C = 2-suited in a major and a minor
2D = 2-suited in the majors
2H = Natural
2S = Natural
2NT = 2-suited in the minors
3C/3D = Natural (typically a 6-card suit)

This takes care of all 1- and 2-suited hands. The only bid that is a problem is 2C which shows a major and a minor, neither of which partner knows. Responses in an uncontested auction to the 2C overcall are as follows:

2D = asks partner for the major (support or tolerance for either major)
2H = support or tolerance for hearts, NO tolerance for spades
2S = support or tolerance for spades, NO tolerance for hearts
2NT = asks for partner for the minor (support or tolerance for either minor, NO major tolerance)

This is new for us, so if anyone has a name they would like to give this system of overcalls of 1NT, I would appreciate it.

Italian Asking Bids

2008-08-07T14:26:00.003-05:00

In honor of playing with my Precision partner again, I decided to post something about Precision, specifically "MG Precision." For me to decide what is worth writing about, I ask myself, "what about this system is so unique and interesting?" The opening bids are, certainly, but I've already discussed them. 1C in particular is really fun because of the numerous ways to reach a slam. So, how about Asking Bids? Yes.

C.C. Wei, when he created the Precision Club system had incorporated 3 different asking bids: Trump Asking Bid, Ace Asking Bid, and Control Asking Bid (asking partner if he has control of the suit). When the Italian Blue Team, consisting of Giorgio Belladonna, Pietro Forquet, Benito Garozzo, Walter Avarelli, Camillo Pabis-Ticci, and Massimo D'Alelio, decided to take up Precision, they added a few more asking bids. Here's what Meaghin and I play today:

TAB (Trump Asking Bid) - After a positive response to 1C opening (1H/1S/2C/2D), opener can bid the intended major or raise the bid minor to ask for the length and quality of responder's suit. Responses to the TAB are in steps as follows:

1st step: 0 of the top 3 honors (AKQ) in the trump suit
2nd step: 1 of the top 3 honors, 6 or more cards
3rd step: 2 of the top 3 honors, 6 or more cards
4th step: AKQ of the trump suit
5th step: 1 of the top 3 honors, exactly 5 cards
6th step: 2 of the top 3 honors, exactly 5 cards

A re-ask (bidding the trump suit below game) asks for clarification in steps. For example, if after the 1st step showing no top honors opener asks again, responder will show his or her length starting with 5 cards, 6 cards, 7 cards, etc. Or if after the 3rd step showing 2 of the top 3 honors opener asks again, responder shows which honors in order of bad to good (KQ, AQ, AK).

CAB (Control Asking Bid) - After a positive major-suit response to 1C (either 1C-1H or 1C-1S), bidding 1NT asks partner to show Aces and Kings by bidding "controls." In this scheme, Aces = 2 controls and Kings = 1 control.

1st step: 0-1 controls
2nd step: 2 controls
3rd step: 3 controls
4th step: 4 controls, etc.

After a positive major-suit response to 1C, you can bid either a CAB or a TAB first. If you bid a CAB first and responder answers, you can then bid a TAB by bidding the intended trump suit. However, if you bid a TAB first, you CANNOT ask for controls with a CAB. Also, you can TAB after a positive minor-suit response to 1C, but no CAB exists for that response.

SAB (Support Asking Bid) - After a positive suit response (1C - 1H/1S/2C/2D) or after a response to CAB, any suit bid by opener besides responder's suit shows 5 or more cards and asks responder for good support and controls. Good support can usually be described as 4 or more cards or 3 cards with at least an honor. Responses go:

1st step: poor support, 0-3 controls
2nd step: poor support, 4+ controls
3rd step: good support, 0-3 controls
4th step: good support, 4+ controls
5th step: xxxx support, 4+ controls

I've found that sometimes knowing if partner has 4 small cards in your suit helps determine if slam is on, hence the 5th step. After the 1st or 2nd step, bidding reverts to natural (just continue to describe your hand by bidding your suits or supporting partner's when appropriate).
After the 3rd, 4th, and 5th steps, rebidding the suit asks for further control clarification (in steps) and any new suit is SCAB (see next).

SCAB (Side-Control Asking Bid) - After any response to TAB or a positive response to SAB, a new suit is asking for control of the new suit. This bid was one of the original asking bids by Wei. Responses are:

1st step: no control of suit (Jxx(x) or worse)
2nd step: 3rd round control of suit (Qxx or doubleton)
3rd step: 2nd round control of suit (Kx or singleton)
4th step: 1st round control of suit (A or void)
5th step: AQ or AK of suit

Rebidding the suit asks for clarification (steps: 1 - length, 2 - strength). Any new suit from here is another SCAB for that suit as long as it's below game.

mTAB (modified Trump Asking Bid) - After responder has shown exactly 4 cards in a major (via 1C - 2M or 1C - 1NT - 2C - 2D/2H), raising the major asks responder to tell more about his 4-card suit. Responses go like this:

1st step: No top honor (A, K, or Q)
2nd step: 1 top honor
3rd step: 1 top honor AND Jack of Trumps
4th step: 2 top honors
5th step: 2 top honors AND Jack of Trumps
6th step: AKQ of trumps

After any response, opener can bid a new suit for SCAB or sign-off in game.

DAB (Delta Asking Bid) - After a positive response to 1C, a jump-shift by opener says he's got a pretty serious suit for trumps and he would like to know about responder's Aces (particularly for the Ace of trumps). Responses are as follows:

Cheapest trump suit: NO Ace of trumps
Lowest new suit: Ace of Trumps
New suit (non-lowest): Ace of Trumps AND Ace in skipped suit(s)
Cheapest NT: Ace of Trumps and NO Aces in skipped suit(s)

A lot to memorize for bids that don't happen that often. But these are the best exploratory bids for slam besides a relay system (which I can't play). And you don't have to use all of these by no means! I would recommend using TAB and SCAB first, then add others as you feel more comfortable with them.

System Archetypes

2008-07-07T14:27:00.003-05:00

Hey, it's been a while. Since I don't have a very large audience, I don't think I'll get too many complaints. Over the years, I've played only two or three systems: SAYC, 2/1 GF, and Precision. When I played Standard, my very patient partner and I would add convention after convention until we had almost a completely different system than SAYC. Same thing with Precision, only you get to create more with that system since not as many people write about it.

I have read about more systems than that, though, some of them ACBL-illegal (they're pretty strict on what you can and can't bid). Since there are too many systems to explain each one of them, I will list out and describe the basic archetypes of bidding systems of the world.

1. Natural - any system where all of the 1-level openings indicate one of your suits falls in this category. Examples include SAYC, 2/1 GF, Kaplan-Sheinwold, ACOL (played in Britain), and Bridge World Standard. Some non-traditional systems include Fantunes (a system played by Claudio Nunes and Fulvio Fantoni of Italy), Ambra, and ETM (everything that matters).

2. Strong Club - any system that incorporates hands of all shape with an unlimited range (typically 16 or more HCP) into the 1C opening. This frees the 2C opening (where all the strong hands are opened in natural systems) to represent hands you used to open 1C. Examples include Precision, Blue Team Club, Superprecision, Power Precision, Caroline Club, Nightmare Club, and Blue Grover.

3. Strong Diamond - like the Strong Club except all the stronger hands are opened with 1D and the hands that used to open 1D are put in another bid (typically divided between 1C, 1NT, and 2D). Examples include Burgay Diamond, Magic Diamond, Liu Hong's Green Card and Simplified Blue Card.

4. Relay - any system where after the opening bid, responder (or opener on the rebid) bids the next step to ask for more information and keeps doing this until the full shape of one of the hands is known. Typically used with a Strong Club system, examples include Viking Precision, Symmetric, Toad Club, and The Way Forward. These are not legal in most ACBL-sanctioned games. Your club director may allow it, though, at the club level.

5. Ambiguous Club - any system that uses the 1C opening to mean any strong hand OR another type of weaker hand. Examples include Polish Club, An Unassuming Club, Roman Club, Tangerine Club, and Swan Club. I always thought any of these would be extremely fun to play, and they're completely legal!

6. Red - any system that incorporates transfer openings at the 1-level. Examples include SCREAM (Strong Club Relay Excessively Accentuating Majors), Red Grover, Crimson Death, and Moscito (very popular). These are not legal in most ACBL-sanctioned games as well.

7. Forcing Pass - any system where hands that are normally opened are passed as an opening, and hands that are normally passed are opened at the 1-level. Now, this kind of system is 180 degrees from what most people play, and it is an interesting concept to me, but ACBL bans this kind of bidding completely. If you're interested, though, some of the systems include Suspensor, MAJOR, Superlambda, T-Rex, SPREAD, and Tres Boof.

8. Unique - these systems don't fit into any archetype as they having opening bids very different. One such system is called the Captain system where each of the opening bids describes, in steps, the general shape, then rebids clarify points or more on shape, completely artificial openings and responses. Another unique system is called Janus, where all of the opening bids mean 2 different things, and opener clarifies which on his rebid.

So, if you don't like the fact that you have to learn defenses to systems like Precision and its ilk, be thankful you don't have to deal with Red systems or Forcing Pass systems. If you're interested in any of the above systems, I would be happy to send you a copy of the notes on them. There are other systems out there, being created by mad-scientists the world over, and if you have an interesting system, send it to me. I love that stuff.

Defense to Strong 1C

2008-05-30T09:36:00.003-05:00

So, you're playing at a local club where all the good folks there play SAYC or even the occasional 2/1 the big shots play. All of a sudden, this couple from out-of-town comes to play. They look like early twentysomethings, eager with something fierce behind their eyes. You can bet your last dollar that those two crazy kids are playing some new-fangled system, probably Precision. That means they'll have a weak 1NT opening, a natural 2C opening, and a strong 1C opening that doesn't promise anything in clubs. Sheesh! Crazy kids and their bidding...

Ok, you need some kind of defense for these bids. All the overcalls and takeout doubles as you know them are used against Standard bidders, but they don't take into account these new bids. Here are some suggestions:

Weak 1NT - This one isn't too bad. You probably have a defense for a 15-17 1NT opening, so use that. I suggest Cappelletti if you don't already play it. In this system, double is for business (you're balanced with more than 14 HCP), 2NT is for the minors (like Unusual NT), and 2C is bid to show any 1-suited hand worth an overcall at the 2-level (you're partner will bid 2D automatically, then you can bid your suit naturally as long as those precision folk don't bid). The other 2-level bids (2D/2H/2S) are used to show 2-suited hands (typically 5-5).
2D = MAJORS (H + S)
2H = HEARTS & a minor suit
2S = SPADES & a minor suit

Natural 2C - Here you want to bid like they opened 1C in Standard bidding, but you should have about 2 HCP more than you normally would. So, double is for take-out, suit bids are natural, and 2NT shows a 15-17 NT (to show a bigger balanced hand, double first, then bid NT).

Strong Artificial 1C - This bid is low for a reason: to have the maximum amount of space in which to explore each other's hands. So, it's imperative you interfere when you can. A simple defense would be to bid naturally directly after 1C (or after 1C - 1D which is also artificial) with less than opening values and a decent suit, and PASS with an opening hand or better. This may be counter-intuitive, but if you have an opening hand, you will get to overcall on the second time around (responder to 1C opening MUST bid something other than pass).
Here's a different option:
With 1-suited hands, bid them at the 2-level (even clubs). This way you take up more space and makes things hard for these young'uns. That leaves double and the 1-level bids for 2-suited hands (5-5 or even 5-4 in this situation). Here's what I mean:
Dbl = C+H
1D = D+H
1H = majors
1S = S+minor
1NT = minors
You can play a similar system over 1C - 1D, but you change double to mean the majors, and 1H to show hearts and a minor (like 1S).

So, the next time those Precision players come in looking to bid all over you, just wink at your partner and throw a wrench in the works (they should know better).

MG Precision Handbook

2008-05-29T09:22:00.004-05:00

It is finished!

I have self-published "MG Precision Handbook" a system played by Meg and myself through lulu.com. The cover might need work, but no one will buy it except maybe me, Meg, and a few friends who like to support accomplishments. Not worried, though. It's like the guy at Master Point Press told me, "It's a system book, which doesn't sell anyway, and you're not Eddie Kantar, so it definitely won't sell." Very true. So, if you would like to read my book, I have the pdf available here. Enjoy!

MG Precision

2008-05-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

So, I've decided to write a book (more like a booklet) on the system Meaghin and I play which I've called MG Precision. It has gone through various changes, but when we first started to learn something other than SAYC, I convinced Meaghin that Precision would be fun to try. She told me, "Just get me complete notes on any system you want, and I'll try to learn it." The first one I gave her was Key Lime Precision.

When I first read systems, a lot of them assumed you knew what certain things were like "natural continuations" or "good suit." So, I turned my attention to a more complete description of a precision system called The K-Club written by Ken Allan from Kingston, Ontario. Meg and I played that system to the letter for a long time, and it has helped our game immensely (I think). Over time, I've tweaked and experimented (always bugging Meg about it before changing things) changing the responses to 1C a little, adding almost all of the Italian Asking Bids (giving them their American names rather than the names Alpha, Beta, etc.), changing the responses to 2C a little, etc. So, the base system is K-Club, with elements of Meckwell Precision (the Precision system played by Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell), Viking Precision, and Marshall Miles's system, the Unbalanced Diamond (responses to 1M mostly).

I find that it is very difficult to invent a system that A) is original, B) works well, and C) is allowed in ACBL GCC (for some reason they are trying to look out for the folks who can't spend all their time reading different systems and coming up with defenses to them). So, most systems nowadays are amalgams of various systems that they've experienced or read about, and this system is no different.

A little about it. I have on this blog the openings for this system (fairly normal Precision openings except for the NT ranges). The features of MG Precision are the Micro NT (10-12 HCP 1NT in 1st and 2nd seat, regardless of vulnerability), Transfer Major Positives after 1C opening, Positive Canape responses to 1C opening, 20-21 HCP 2NT (like Standard, less to learn), Italian Asking Bids, and a non-forcing 1NT response to 1M opening. I think the most fun I have with this system is the Micro NT. We have a great runout scheme for the times opponents like to double such bravado, so it hasn't really bitten us on the butt just yet.

So, I've got about 2 more chapters to write (all defensive bidding chapters), and then I'll look to publish. I'll have to ask my trademark attorney wife/regular partner if I'll be able to, though. I'll keep you updated.

A New System

2008-04-22T16:55:00.001-05:00

So, in our little town of Oxford, MS, we have a pretty small duplicate bridge club (about 4 tables, 1 day a week). I've enjoyed playing with my regular partner Meaghin (who is also my wife), as she is very patient when it comes to all the bidding system nonsense I spew at her. Recently, I've become director at this club, and in attempts to up the numbers, Meg has volunteered to be a partner to a new and budding bridge player, and so I am now playing with a partner who actually introduced us to this game all of 4 and a half years ago.

We have been playing 2/1 GF in a very loose sense of the word, but he has shown an interest in playing a new system. This system is called The Unbalanced Diamond, the brainchild of Marshall Miles (known for books like How to Win at Duplicate Bridge and Modern Constructive Bidding). In the book, he calls this "The System," so you know it's good.

So the opening bids are a little different from either Standard bidding or Precision.
1C = 15-19 HCP, any shape
1D = 12-14 HCP, unbalanced hand without 5 or more card in a major
1H = 10-15 HCP, 5 or more hearts
1S = 10-14 HCP, 5 or more spades
1NT = 12-14 HCP, balanced (no 5 card major and sometimes 5422 shape)
2C = 20+ HCP, at least one 5+ card major
2D = 20+ HCP, no 5+ card major OR 22-23 HCP, balanced
2M = Weak 2 Bid
2NT = 20-21 HCP, balanced (may have a 5-card major)

This is how I usually write the opening summary when learning a new system. A few notes about this system:
1. The HCP requirement for each bid is flexible. If you have good major suits, then you would upgrade and if you have scattered values without a long major suit, then you would downgrade.
2. The 1C opening is much like Precision but with an upper limit. As those of you who have played Precision know, when you open 1C you are in this range anyway. It's a rare thing to have the bigger hands.
3. The 2C/2D Strong Bids are an interesting twist on Standard. I actually came up with this kind of idea when I played with a local player Sylvia H. I'm glad to see that someone far better than myself mastered the concept.
4. The 1D opening is NON-FORCING, even though the opener could conceivably have absolutely no diamonds.
5. Weak NT is the trend, folks; get on board! Important to have a run-out scheme, though.
6. The upper limit for opening 1H and 1S are different. Not sure why yet, as the book hasn't come in the mail yet. All of this info was read on Google book preview (yes, they have bridge books too).

David and I may debut this system next Tuesday, so we'll see how it does against all the Standard bidders. Until then, keep up the good bridge!

More Bridge: or How to Answer Your Partner When He Bids 1M

2008-04-22T16:53:00.000-05:00

So, I opened a huge can of problems trying to tackle this issue. Responding to 1 of a Major is one of the most talked about parts of bidding I've ever come across. Everyone has their own opinion it seems like, but I think I've boiled it down to 2 major philosophies: 1NT NF (SAYC), 1NT Forcing or Semi-forcing (2/1, most Precision).

What I mean is that there are a number of conventions and whatnot that you and your partner can play like Jacoby 2NT, Bergen Raises, MGQ (convention created by me and my regular partner, the wifey), etc., BUT whether or not 1NT response is forcing defines a system of responses.

In a non-forcing 1NT response system, any bid at the 2-level lower than the opening major is forcing BUT not necessarily to game. They include invitational value hands, game-forcing hands or bigger. The big plus to this is that you can play 1NT more often (which in MP play is the most likely part-score to be top at a small club), and you get to bid very naturally given you have the points to bid at the 2-level to begin with. Meg and I play this system as it is what we started with and we haven't been convinced that the other philosophy is superior. Here's a summary of what we play today:
1H - 1S = 4+ spades, F1
---- 1NT = 6-9 HCP, no 4+ spades or 3+ hearts, NON-FORCING
---- 2C/2D = 10+ HCP, 5+ cards in bid suit (may have 3 card support)
---- 2H = 6-9 pts, 3+ hearts
---- 2NT = 10-12 HCP, balanced
---- 2S/3C/3D = MGQ (Game-forcing, good heart support, and 1st round control of bid suit)
---- 3H = 10-12 pts, 4+ hearts
---- 3NT = Choice of game (balanced with 3 hearts)
---- 3S/4C/4D = Splinters
---- 4H = To play

In this system, you bid fairly naturally with 10+ HCP hands without support, and the raises are standard. The only way to game-force is by use of the MGQ with good support for opener or bid 2 of a minor, then keep forcing (we use 4th-suit-forcing to game).

On the other hand, 1NT Forcing (or Semi-forcing, which means opener can pass with a balanced bare-minimum) allows for more scientific bidding. What happens is that since 1NT is forcing for 1 round, you can allow all kinds of hand types to be shoved into one bid to be described more clearly on the 2nd bid. This in turn, frees up some of the higher bids to mean other things. Take this response system for example:
1H - 1S = 4+ spades, F1
---- 1NT = Forcing (could be 5-7 pt. heart raise OR invitational balanced hand OR invitational 3-card raise OR any other hand that is 7-11 HCP with no heart support)
---- 2C = Game-forcing, balanced OR 5+ clubs, unbalanced
---- 2D = Game-forcing and natural (5+ diamonds)
---- 2H = 8-10 pts, 3+ cards (a constructive raise, much harder for opponents to get into it)
---- 2S = 5-9 HCP, 6+ spades
---- 2NT = 10+ pts, 4+ hearts (or 3 hearts if unbalanced)
---- 3C/3D = 10-12 HCP, 6+ card suit (no heart support)
---- 3H = 7-9 pts, 4+ hearts (a kind of mixed raise for those of you who are fans of Bergen)
---- 3NT = Choice of game (balanced with 3 hearts)
---- 3S/4C/4D = Splinters
---- 4H = To play

This system is I think what Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell used to play in their Precision system (they might still. I'm not sure as they won't publish their very desirable bidding system). Of course, their system, like almost all experts' systems, are a lot more involved with bids being defined 3 or 4 bids in. But they get to Game-force early at the 2-level, and use all those higher bids for more specific, invitational hands. I especially like the use of 2NT to include invitational hands with support, leaving the weaker hands to raise and jump-raise depending on the number of trump support.

Well, chew on that for a little while, then decide what is best for you and your partner. There are pluses and minuses in both, so don't feel like one camp has it all over the other. If you want to hear about more bizarre response systems, drop me a line. I'm shouting to the wilderness, for pete's sake.

A Bridge Post!

2008-04-22T16:50:00.001-05:00

Isn't it funny to add an exclamation point to any title to make it more exciting? So, I would like to talk about bridge bidding, in particular, our system (Meg and I).

We play a Precision-based system with a bunch of geegaws and whatnot, but over the past 2 years that we've been playing it, I feel it works really well, and it's FUN! I'll start with the basic opening scheme:
1C = 16+ HCP, any shape.
This bid is what it's all about. It allows you to start at the lowest possible bid with all hands medium-strength and up. It is true that one of this system's greatest strengths is also one of it's greatest weaknesses; it's darn easy to interfere without much fear of the red card coming down for penalty. But, as long as a system for competitive bidding as well as non-competitive bidding is in place, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. The other great thing about this bid is that by implication (with the exception of weak 2's and 2NT opening) all other openings at the 1 and 2 level are LIMITED TO 11-15 HCP. This is where the real strength of this system lies. When my partner opens 1H or 1S and the opponents start interfering, I already have a good idea about how high we can go or whether we should sack or play defense. So, that leads us to...
1H/1S = 11-15 HCP, 5+ cards in bid suit.
For those of you scared to open 11 HCP hands, you don't have to. Meg and I do if the 11 HCP are well-placed (not spread out) and good cards (K's and A's). Personally, I open any 11 HCP hand because it's better to bid these openings if you can. It relays a bunch of information AND it tells partner not to get crazy in the first place because you're limited to what is traditionally known as a weak opening hand. Plus, this part of the system is the easiest to learn as you can play whatever system of responses to 1 of a major that you already play now! Some Precision bidders believe in the forcing 1NT response and 2/1 GF responses, but we haven't found reason to play that.
So 1C takes care of all the big hands starting at 16 HCP, so we need to take care of the 11-15 HCP hands with clubs and no 5 card major that 1C used to describe.
2C = 11-15 HCP, 5+ clubs.
This is another really great part of the system. You don't have a 5-card major, but you have long clubs, whereas before when you bid 1C you showed at least 3 (which probably makes partner nervous to support clubs if there's interference). So now you're in a fairly safe place for clubs AND you took a whole level of bidding away from the opponents if it's their hand to play! The only downside besides ending up in a doubled contract with only 11 points between you and your passing partner (I haven't seen it happen once) would be that your partner doesn't have the 1-level to explore for a major fit and can't end in 1NT. The latter is the reason I'll bid a NT sequence (more on that later) with a 5332 with 5 clubs (almost always), a 5422 hand with no 4-card major, and even a 6322 hand with 6 clubs if I have some honors in the doubletons. There are ways to find a 4-4 fit in the majors, so not to worry my brave bidders. Let's talk NT!
1NT = 10-12 HCP, balanced (in 1st/2nd seat)
This is known either as a Micro NT or as the Kamikaze NT (a little non-PC, but hey). So, some of you may have gotten brave before and tried a 12-14 NT (known as a weak NT) since Kaplan and Sheinwold did years ago, and they're pros! But this one I find exhilarating, to say the least. This is bid with disregard to the vulnerability as I've found that in duplicate, it don't matter many points your opponents get as it does how many you go down in a contract almost no one else will be in. The danger is that someone doubles you when you and partner are wildly outmatched in high cards. But if you have a run-out scheme like we do, there shouldn't be near as much anxiety over bidding this. And even though it's 10-12 HCP, you can still play your normal 1NT response system of transfers, stayman, etc (that's what we do at the moment). Preempting the opponents is worth the danger with these hands. Now, you may have looked at the bids so far and asked the question: "What about those balanced hands with no 5 card major that are 13-15 HCP?" I'm glad you asked.
1D = 11-15 HCP, 4+ diamonds OR 13-15 HCP, balanced (in 1st/2nd seat)
This is very similar to SAYC or other natural systems using a 15-17 or 16-18 NT. You usually bid a minor, then rebid 1NT. The only difference here is that with this range in these seats, you bid 1D first (no choice of minor), then rebid 1NT. So this bid is announced, "May be short." In most Precision systems, you will find that 1D opening is the "catch-all" bid. That means that for those hands not described in the other bids, we need a place for them. Since we hardly ever want to be in 1D as a contract, we can use it as a stepping stone for describing these outcast hands. That doesn't mean that 1D opening is a forcing bid, though! If you're weak on point (0-5 HCP) as responder and you don't wanna bid, you don't have to. Typically, opponents won't let you play 1D especially since they almost have game values given that you guys could have at most 19 HCP. Now both of these bids are for the 1st and 2nd seat openers. What about 3rd and 4th seat? Since we already know that partner has at most 10 or 11 points, we typically change NT to...
1NT = 12-15 HCP, balanced (in 3rd/4th seat)
So, if no one bids by 3rd or 4th seat and you have this range and this shape, guess what! This is probably where you should end up in partscore-land, so we just bid to begin with. Now, you still have all your 1NT responses from before, and it's less likely that the opponents will try to punish you for bidding a weak NT. There's not much point in opening a 10 or 11 HCP balanced hand across from a partner who didn't open (at most 10), so statistically you as a partnership have less points than your opponents. So we don't open those hands. But this frees up the NT aspect of opening 1D; meaning, that 1D now is totally natural and unbalanced!
1D = 11-15 HCP, 4+ diamonds, unbalanced (in 3rd/4th seat)
You don't have this kind of luxury in bidding with natural systems. Now you can support diamonds without worrying too much about how many diamonds partner has or should we be in NT (actually, I still worry about that sometimes even across from an unbalanced hand, but for the most part if you have diamond support and no 4-card major and unbalanced in response to 3rd/4th seat 1D opener, diamonds is where you should be.) This frees that 1NT rebid to mean something else, too. If you're able to rebid 1NT after opening 1D that means your partner bid 1 of a major. Now we can show partner that their major is out of the question (if you only have a singleton or void in partner's major) by rebidding 1NT. That way your partner can look elsewhere for a contract (or pass and let you play 1NT). Let's talk briefly about some of the bids retained from Standard bidding.
2H/2S = 5-10 HCP, 6 cards in bid suit
These are the traditional weak 2 Bids. Everything is the same for these. Meaghin and I play that 2NT is a feature-ask, new suits are NF, and that the opening has to contain 2 of the top 4 honors in that suit (I lie on that point sometimes). This system originally came from the K-Club Precision created by Ken Allan in Kingston, Ontario. In those notes, he and his partner played 2H opening was Flannery (11-15 HCP, exactly 5 hearts and 4 spades) but I think they have since changed 2H back to a Weak 2 Bid.
2NT = 20-21 HCP, balanced
Again, like Standard bidding, I think this bid belongs here. It makes it easier to describe bigger balanced hands when you don't have to bid 1C to show all balanced hands 16 or more HCP. All responses are the same, Meaghin and I playing 3C is Puppet Stayman, 3D/3H are transfers, and 3S is a Minor-suit Stayman.
Other bids that are like Standard bidding are the 3- and 4-level preempts, and 3NT for us is Gambling (though you can make it part of your NT ladder). With all these bids in mind, every type of hand is accounted for... except for one: the 4441 with 1 diamond. If you have 4 diamonds, you open 1D, but with a singleton diamond, you can't open NT or 1 of a major or 2 clubs (need 5 in the suit at least). Wait... there IS one bid that hasn't been used yet.
2D = 11-15 HCP, 4-4-1-4 shape OR 4-4-0-5 shape (that means the suits: S-H-D-C)
What a fun bid! It doesn't happen near often enough in my opinion, but when it does, you get to bid what is most likely your opponent's suit AND you take a whole bidding level +2 bids away from them AND you are describing your shape almost exactly IN ONLY 1 BID!!! Meaghin and I have included hands in this range that are 3-4-1-5 OR 4-3-1-5 (to make it happen more often). Responses are relatively simple as partner knows the shape fairly well, but 2NT response asks opener to describe his hand exactly (again, I'll discuss that in a later post).

Well, that's about it for opening bids. As far as responses and continuations, 1 of a major can be what you currently play, and 1D can too (just without the diamond support bids, typically). 1NT responses are the same except the range is different (I will discuss the run-out scheme, though. Very important.) So that leaves responses to 2C, 2D (both new bids), and 1C (which is the largest amount of new stuff to learn). See you next time!