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Opening Hands
This table show how to deal with common hand types in first or second seat. Some of the point ranges rise by two for third or fourth seat openings. More detailed discussions follow. All descriptions of "points" refer to 4321 high card point valuation only.
  • 16+: Open 1C.
  • 10-12, balanced: 1NT. May include 5cM or 5422 if NT-oriented.
  • 13-15, balanced: 1♦ + rebid NT (or raise).
  • 10-15, 4441: 1♦
  • 13-15 with 5cM: 1M + rebid NT.
  • 10-15 with 6+cM: 1M and rebid M.
  • 10-15 with 6+cm: 1♦ or 2♣.
  • 10-15 with 4cM + 5cm: 1M + rebid m.
  • 10-15 with 4=5=x=y: 1♠ + rebid ♥
  • 10-15 with 5=4=x=y: 1♥ + rebid ♠
  • 10-15 with 5cM + 4cm: Open appropriate 2-level bid.
  • 10-15 with both minors: Open 1♦ + rebid 2♣
  • < 10: pass, 2NT, or preemptive bid.

Opening Bids

This table summarizes the opening bids. The explanations deal with bids in first or second seat. Many bids in Caroline require two additional high card points in third or fourth seat. These are indicated by the +2 icon. Furthermore, bids are classified according to ACBL alert regulations as alertable (Alert), announcable (Announce), or prealertable (Pre-Alert). This is indicated by the red box. Alert regulations can change and practices vary depending upon the bridge organization with jurisdiction. These rules are thought to be correct as of 1 Jan 2005 in the ACBL.
  • [1♣] ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 16+, any shape
  • [1♦] ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 10-15, 1+ diamond
  • [1♥] PRE-ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 10-15 with 4+♥, could have longer side suit
  • [1♠] PRE-ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 10-15 with 4+♠, could have longer side suit
  • [1NT]ANNOUNCE+2 in 3rd/4th 10-12, 5cM ok
  • [2♣] ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 10-15 with 6+ ♣ or (5+ ♠ and 4+ ♣)
  • [2♦] ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 10-15 with 5+ ♥ and 4+ ♦
  • [2♥] ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 10-15 with 5+ ♥ and 4+ ♣
  • [2♠] ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th 10-15 with 5+ ♠ and 4+ ♦
  • [2NT]ALERT+2 in 3rd/4th < 10 with 55 in minors
  • [3♣/3♦/3♥/3♠] Preempt. Rule of 2-3-4.
  • [3NT] ALERT minor preempt
  • [4m]ALERT Major hand with 8-8.5 tricks.
  • [4M] Preemptive.

The One Club Opening

 The one club opener is used for all 16+ hands (18+ in third and fourth seat). Positive responses show 9+, 6+ if the opener is 3rd or 4th seat.

Responses
  • [1♦] 0-8, 0-5 by passed hand.
  • [1♥] 9+, 5+♠, game forcing (6-9 bph)
  • [1♠] 9+, 5+♥, game forcing (6-9 bph)
  • [1NT] 9+, 5+♦, not 5332, game forcing (6-9 bph)
  • [2♣] 9-11 or 16+, balanced, 5332 possible only with long minor (6-9 bph)
  • [2♦] 9+, 5+♣, not 5332, game forcing (6-9 bph)
  • [2♥] 9+, 4441 (6-9 bph)
  • [2♠] 12-13 balanced. 2NT is Transfer Baron (show 4-card suits up the line.)
  • [2NT] 14-15 balanced. 3♣ is Stayman.
All followup bidding is natural except after the 1♦ negative sequence, the 2♣ balanced sequence, and the 2♥ 4441 sequence. They are covered in the following sections.

The 1♣=1♦ Sequence

 After 1♣-1♦, opener makes a natural rebid to show a nonforcing (1♠/2♣/2♦ or forcing (2♠/3♣/3♦ single-suited hand, or bids NT. The primary aritficial sequences involve heart or NT hands (via 1♥ or minor hands (shown via 2♥).

All bids are natural after interference following the 1♦ call, with a redouble showing a strong hand and good diamonds.
  • 1♥ Kokish, ♥, ♥ two-suiter, or 19-20 or 23-24 or 27-28 balanced
    • 1♠ Forced (except for single-suited 0-2 hands).
      • [1NT] 19-20 balanced. See the 1NT rebid below for system.
      • [2♣/2♦] hearts + that minor
      • [2♥] Minimum with 6+ hearts
      • [2♠] hearts + spades with some extras
      • [2NT] 23-24 balanced. See the 2NT rebid below for system.
      • [3♣/3♦/3♠] game forcing with hearts + that suit
      • [3♥] Strong 2 in hearts
        • [3♠] Bad hand no fit
        • [3NT] Good hand no fit
        • [4♣/4♦/4♠] Good hand with fit, 1st or 2nd round control
        • [4♥] Bad hand with fit
      • [3NT] 27-28 balanced
      • [4NT] 29+ balanced
    • [1NT] 5332 balanced with 0-2. 2♣ asks for the suit, after which responder passes or bids the suit. All other bids are to play, except that 2NT transfers to 3♣.
    • [2♣/2♦/2♥/2♠] 6322 balanced with 0-2.
  • [1♠/2♣/2♦] Natural, non-forcing. Jump shifts are splinters, other responses natural.
  • [1NT] 16-18 balanced. Strong 1NT system: we play Stayman with Smolen, 4-suit transfers, South African Texas, 2♣=2♦=2♥ is garbage Stayman, 3♣ is 55 minors signoff, 3♦ is 55 minors game forcing. 3♥ is 55 majors invitational, 3♠ is 55 majors game forcing.
  • [2♥] 19+ hcp with 54 or better in minors. 2♠ is an inquiry, rebids are as follows:
    • [2NT] 5422 either way with 19-22
    • [3♣/3♦] weak 3 cards in corresponding major
    • [3♥/3♠] good 3 card major
    • [3NT] 5422 either way with 23-25
    • [4♣/4♦] 65 or better, very good hand, bid better minor
    • [4NT] 5422 either way with 26+
  • [2♠/3♣/3♦] Strong 2. Next non-NT step is negative no fit, cheapest NT is max with no fit, jump shifts are splinters, 4♠ over 2♠ is min with a fit. Other suit bids are cue bids with fit.
  • [2NT] 21-22 balanced. Strong 2NT sytem: we play Romex Stayman, Jacoby transfers, South African Texas, and 3♠ as a transfer to 3NT showing minors. Romex Stayman is:
    • [3♦] Denies 4 hearts, may have 4 spades. 3♠ shows a 5 card spade suit, 3♥ asks for 4 card spade suit.
    • [3♥] 4 or 5 hearts, not 4 spades. 3♠ asks opener to rebid 3NT with 4 hearts and 4♥ with 5.
    • [3♠] 5 spades
    • [3NT] 44 in majors. Responder now can transfer into the correct major.
    The 3NT relay is:
    • [4♣/4♦] to play
    • [4♥] mild slam try with both minors
    • [4♠] mild slam try with one minor. Opener bids 4NT.
    • [4NT] pick a minor, non-slammish
    • [5♣/5♦] to play
  • [3♥] 65 or better in minors
  • [3♠] 65 or better in majors
  • [3NT] 25-26 balanced

The 1♣=2♣ Sequence

 Recall that this shows 9-11 balanced or 16+ balanced, with no 5 card major. 2♦ is Stayman in response, with the following responses. All other bids are natural. This response shows 6-9 by a passed hand but remains game forcing.
  • [2♥] 9-11, spades but not hearts
  • [2♠] 9-11, hearts but not spades
  • [2NT] 9-11, 44 in majors
  • [3♣] 9-11, no 4-cd major
  • [3♦] 16+, no 4-cd major
  • [3♥] 16+, spades and not hearts
  • [3♠] 16+, hearts and not spades
  • [3NT] 16+, 44 in majors
We are forced to slam in the 16+ case unless 2 keycards are missing.

The 1♣=2♥ Sequence

 Recall that this shows any 4441 with 9+ points. 2♠ asks where singleton is; responder bids 2NT with spade singleton, otherwise bids singleton; now next step by opener asks controls, responses being 0-2, 3, 4, etc. rebidding the singleton then asks for extras; bid next step with no extras, and bid more the more you have. 2NT shows spades, suit bids are natural; responder shows support for opener's suit by bidding: 1st step stiff 2-10 2nd step stiff J or Q 3rd step stiff A or K 4th-6th 4-cd support, singleton shown in steps up. Now a bid of the next step (when responder has a singleton in opener's suit) or the singleton suit (otherwise) asks controls, as after 2♠; again, next step or singleton asks for extras

Interference

 We handle interference based on what the opponents bid, not based on what their bids show. This avoids the problems of inaccurate explanation and pyschs.
  • [They double] 1♦ = 0-4, pass = 5-8, redouble = interest in penalties (must have clubs), otherwise ignore (If responding as a passed hand, 1♦ = 0-2, pass = 3-5)
  • [They bid 1♦] pass = 0-4, double = 5-8, otherwise ignore (if responding as passed hand, pass = 0-2, double = 3-5)
  • [They bid 1♥] pass = 0-8, double = 9+ HCP/5+ spades, otherwise ignore (if responding as passed hand, pass = 0-5)
  • [They bid 1♠] pass = 0-4; double is 5-8 or 14+, balanced; 1NT is 9-13 with no spade stopper; 2NT is 9-13 with a spade stopper; 2♠ is natural (revealing possible psych); bids are natural and game forcing; jump shift is good suit but nonforcing, eg KQJxxx and out
  • [They bid 1NT or higher] double is 5-8 or 14+, balanced; cue bid is 9-13 with no stopper; bids are natural and game forcing; NT is 9-13 balanced with stopper; jump shift is good suit but nonforcing, eg KQJxxx and out; doubles by either member are takeout unless obviously not; opener's bid of a suit an opponent bid is NATURAL, revealing possible pysch.

The One Diamond Opening

 The one diamond opening shows four types of hands, and can be summarized as follows:
  • A 6+ card diamond one-suiter with 10-15. These hands make the cheapest diamond rebid or occasionally bid 3♦.
  • A minor two-suiter with 10-15, either way. These hands make the cheapest club rebid, or occasionally bid 3♣.
  • Balanced 13-15 with no 5cM. All other rebids show either this hand or the 4441s below.
  • Any 4441 with 10-15. These hands can pass 1NT, raise, or bid 1♠ over 1♥. There are a few special rebids over a suit response; see below.
Ranges for these bids rise to 12-17 (or 15-17 for NT rebid) opposite a passed hand.

Responses to One Diamond

 If we wish to make a 2/1 response with no 4cM, we simply bid the better minor, ignoring the 1♦ opening. Hence a 2m bid can be 10+ with a 4cm.
  • [1♥] 6+ points, 4+ ♥
    • [1♠] 10-15, 4=1=4=4 shape.
    • [1NT] 13-15 balanced, without 4 hearts. 2♣ is an invitational or worse relay/ checkback, 2♦ is game-forcing checkback. Showing heart support is first priority. Over 2♣, opener is forced to bid 2♦, after which responder can bid their major, bid 3♣ to sign off, bid 2NT to invite in clubs, or bid 3♦ to invite in diamonds.
    • [2♣] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way
    • [2♦] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
    • [2♥] 13-15 balanced with 4 hearts or minimum with singleton.
    • [2♠] Mini-splinter with 1=4=4=4 shape.
    • [2NT] Good diamonds or good hand with long diamonds, but not both.
    • [3♣] Blue-club-ish 10-card minor 2-suiter with better clubs.
    • [3♦] Good hand, good diamonds.
    • [3♥] Invitational with four hearts. Often includes singleton.
    • [3♠/4m] Strong splinter (max = 15).
  • [1♠] 6+ points, 4+ card suit.
    • [1NT] 13-15 balanced, without 4 card support. 2♣ is invitational or worse relay/ checkback, 2♦ is game-forcing checkback. Showing 3-card spade support is first priority.
    • [2♣] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way. 2NT is now natural and invitational, not Willow 2NT.
    • [2♦] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
    • [2♥] 10-15 with 1=4=4=4 shape.
    • [2♠] 13-15 balanced with 4 spades or weak 4=441
    • [2NT] Near max with AKQxxx in diamonds (or similar).
    • [3♣] Blue-club-ish 10-card minor 2-suiter with better clubs.
    • [3♦] Good hand, good diamonds.
    • [3♥] Mini-splinter.
    • [3♠] Invitational with four spades. Often includes singleton.
    • [4m/4♥] Strong splinter (max = 15).
  • [1NT] 6-9 balanced, no 4 card major
    • [2♣] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way
    • [2♦] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
    • [2NT] Near max with AKQxxx in diamonds (or similar).
    • [3♣] Blue-club-ish 10-card minor 2-suiter with better clubs.
    • [3♦] Good hand, good diamonds.
  • [2♣] 10+ points with clubs (note that it could be 10-12 balanced; 6-9 with real clubs by a passed hand)
    • [2♦] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
    • [2♥] 10-15 with 4=4=4=1. 3m by responder is a signoff.
    • [2♠] 10-15 with 4=4=1=4. 3m by responder is a signoff.
    • [2NT] 13-15 balanced
    • [3♣] 10-15, minor 2-suiter or 44 in minors with M singleton.
    • [3♦] Good hand with a good diamond suit
    • [3M] splinter
    • [3NT] Max with AKQxxx of diamonds.
  • [2♦] 10+ points with diamonds (note that it could be 10-12 balanced, or 6-9 with real diamonds by a passed hand.)
    • [2♥] 10-15 with 4=4=4=1. 3m by responder is a signoff.
    • [2♠] 10-15 with 4=4=1=4. 3m by responder is a signoff.
    • [2NT] 13-15
    • [3♣] 10-15, minor 2-suiter or 44 in minors with M singleton.
    • [3♦] Diamond one-suiter
    • [3M] splinter
    • [3NT] Max with good diamond suit. Note that since responder has promised support it doesn't need to be solid.
  • [2♥/2♠] Game forcing with good suit.
  • [2NT] 13-15 or 18+, balanced or semi-balanced
  • [3♣/3♦] Preemptive.
  • [3NT] 16-17, balanced or semi-balanced

Interference

 We play negative doubles through 4♥, new suits strong.

The One Heart Opening

 This is treated considerably differently than the 1♠ opening due to the possibility of the hand with 4 hearts and 5 spades. The one heart opener is essentially divided into four types of hands:
  • A 6+ card heart one-suiter with 10-15. These hands (almost always) make the cheapest heart rebid.
  • 5332 with 13-15 and 5 hearts. These hands (almost always) make the cheapest NT rebid.
  • 4 hearts, 5 spades with 10-15. If partner bids 1♠, raise; pass 1N; rebid 2♠ over 2 of a minor.
  • 4 hearts, 5 or more clubs or diamonds, 10-15 points. Rebid the minor.

Responses to One Heart
  • 1♠ Shows 3+ spades
    • [1NT] 13-15 with 5332. 2♣ is invitational or worse relay/checkback, 2♦ is game-forcing checkback. Both look for 3-card spade support.
    • [2♣/2♦] 4cM + 5cm
    • [2♥] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
    • [2♠] 10-15 with 5+ spades and 4+ hearts.
    • [2NT] Near max with AKQxxx of hearts (or similar).
    • [3♣/3♦] Blue-club-ish; max with 10-card 2-suiter; longer and/or better minor.
    • [3♥] Max hand with a very good suit
  • [1NT] Shows 6-9 and denies 3 spades
    • [2♣/2♦] 4 card major with 5+ minor.
    • [2♥] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
    • [2♠] To play, at least 6 spades.
    • [2NT] Near max with AKQxxx in hearts (or similar).
    • [3♣/3♦] Blue-club-ish; max with 10-card 2-suiter; longer and/or better minor.
    • [3♥] Max hand with a very good suit
  • [2♣/2♦] Shows 10+ [6-9 by passed hand] and denies 3 spades
    • [2♦] 4+♥ and 5+♦. 2NT response = Willow Inquiry.
    • [2♥] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
    • [2♠] 5+ spades, no other bid
    • [2NT] 13-15 (15-17 opposite passed hand)
    • [raise to 3 of minor] Promises a canape with extras (13-15), though could occasionally be 5404 or 5440.
    • [3♣ over 2♦] canape with clubs, extras.
    • [3♦ over 2♣] This is blue-club-ish.
    • [3♥] Max hand with a good suit
  • [2♥] Natural raise, usually denies 3 spades.
    • Next step is Reverse Kokish, asking partner to bid (up the line) which short-suit game try he would accept. (After 1♥ - 2♥ - 2♠, 2N accepts a short suit game try.) A further rebid by opener below 3 of the trump suit shows shortness.
    • 3 of a suit is a long suit game try, showing a canape opener and four trumps. (After 1♥ - 2♥, 2N shows a spade canape.)
    • Reraise looks for 2 of top 3 trump honors.
  • [2♠] Strong jump shift; game forcing with good suit
  • [2NT] 13-15 or 18+
  • [3♣] Game forcing raise.
    • [3♦] Shapely minimum; responder's 3♥ shows extras.
    • [3♥] One-suiter with extras
    • [3♠/4♣/4♦] Canape with extras
    • [3NT] 13-15 or 18+, balanced or semi-balanced
    • [4♥] One-suiter minimum
  • [3♦] Limit raise
  • [3♥] Preemptive raise
  • [3NT] 16-17, balanced or semi-balanced
  • [3♠/4♣/4♦] Splinter raise, must have 4 trump
  • [4♥] To play, could have moderate values

Interference

 We play positive doubles through 4 ♦. This is game forcing unless a suit is rebid or raised.

preemptive raises, cue bids as LR+, negative free bids through 4♦, strong jump shifts, Jordan 2NT, Manfield redoubles (shows ability to penalize in 2 suits). Therefore, with 10-12 balanced and no 4 card support, pass over a double and plan to take some action later. A later double by responder if the bidding is at the 2♠ level or higher shows this 10-12 balanced hand.

The One Spade Opening

 This is considerably simpler than One Heart.

Responses to One Spade
  • [1NT] Shows 6-9.
    • [2♣/2♦/2♥] 4 card major with 5+ of other suit
    • [2♠] 10-15 with 6+ card spade suit
    • [2NT] Good hand with 6+ very good spades, or max hand with 6+ good spades.
    • [3♠] Max with a very good suit.
  • [2♣] Shows 10+ [6-9 by passed hand]
    • [2♦] 4 spades and 5+ diamonds.
    • [2♥] 4 spades and 5+ hearts.
    • [2♠] 10-15 with 6+ card spade suit
    • [2NT] 5332 with 13-15 hcp
    • [3♣] 5+ clubs.
    • [3♦] This is blue-club-ish.
    • [3♥] Blue-club-ish with better hearts.
    • [3♠] Max with a very good suit
  • [2♦] Shows 10+ [6-9 by passed hand]
    • [2♥] 4 spades and 5 hearts.
    • [2♠] 10-15 with 6+ card spade suit
    • [2NT] 5332 with 13-15
    • [raise to 3 of minor] Maxmimum canape. Shouldn't be 4504 or 4540 as we should bid 2♥ with that.
    • [3♣ over 2♦] canape with clubs, extras.
    • [3♦ over 2♣] This is blue-club-ish.
    • [3♥] Blue-club-ish with better hearts.
    • [3♠] Max with a very good suit
  • [2♥] 10+, 5 card suit.
    • [2NT] 13-15
    • [3♣/3♦] Canape; can then raise hearts to describe maximum 4=3=1=5 or 4=3=5=1.
    • [3♥] 5+ hearts
    • [4♣/4♦] Splinter with 5+ hearts.
  • [2♠] Natural raise. 3-way game tries, as for 1♥=2♥
  • [2NT] 13-15 or 18+. Rebids are obvious; 3NT shows 13-15 balanced.
  • [3♣] Game forcing raise.
    • [3♦] Shapely minimum
    • [3♠] One-suiter with extras
    • [3♥/4♣/4♦] Second suit with extras
    • [3NT] 13-15
    • [4♠] One-suiter minimum
  • [3♦] Limit raise
  • [3♥] Strong jump shift; game forcing with good suit
  • [3♠] Preemptive raise
  • [3NT] 16-17
  • [4♣/4♦/4♥] Splinter raise, must have 4 trump
  • [4♠] To play, could have moderate values

Interference

 We play positive doubles through 4♦. This is game forcing unless a suit is rebid or raised. Raises are preemptive, cue bids are limit raise or better, negative free bids through 4♦, strong jump shifts, Jordan 2NT, Manfield redoubles (shows ability to penalize in 2 suits). Therefore, with 10-12 balanced and no 4 card support, pass over a double and plan to take some action later. A later double by responder if the bidding is at the 2♠ level or higher shows this 10-12 balanced hand.

The One NoTrump Opening

 1NT openings are 10-12 in first or second seat and 12-14 opposite a passed hand. Responses by an unpassed hand are shown below. A passed hand utilizes the strong NT responses described separately, though no responses are game forcing.
  • [2♣] Game-forcing relay.
    • [2♦] Forced unless opener has a 5-card major. Responder's bids are:
      • [2♥/2♠] 5+ cM, opener bids 2NT without Hxx in support. Suit bids show at least Hxx in support and an outside concentration. 3NT shows 3 key cards and 4 trump.
      • [2NT] is transfer Baron (bid 1 step below 4-card suits up the line). If one player bids a suit he is known not to have, that is a cue bid agreeing the suit that was just shown.
      • [3♣/3♦] 5 card minor
      • [3♥/3♠] Reverse Smolen (5 in that major, 4 in other)
    • [2♥/2♠] Shows 5 of the other major
  • [2♦] Invitational major ask
    • [2♥] Min without 4 hearts
    • [2♠] Min with 4 hearts but not 4 spades
    • [2NT] Min with 44 in the majors
    • [3♣] Min with a 5cM, 3 ♦ asks responder to bid the one he doesn't have.
    • [3♦] Max with no 4cM
    • [3♥] Max with 4 spades but not 4 hearts
    • [3♠] Max with 4 hearts but not 4 spades
    • [3NT] Max with 44 in the majors
  • [2♥/2♠] To play. Opener can raise with 4 card support.
  • [2NT/3♣/3♦/3♥] Transfer preempt or game forcing; no superaccepts. If responder bids again, it shows a game forcing hand, as follows:
    • higher suit: 2-suited
    • lower suit: cuebid (1st-round control) with semi-solid suit.
    • 3NT: 6322 with a mild slam try.
  • [3NT] To play
  • [4♣/4♦] South African Texas

Runouts

 Over a double in direct seat:
  • [pass] is to play (to make or cheapest penalty)
  • [redouble] is to play
  • [2♣/2♦/2♥/2♠] to play
  • [2♠] to play
Over a balancing double:
  • [redouble] shows a 5 card suit. 2♣ by responder relays for the suit. Responder can instead bid a suit of their own, of course.
  • [pass] shows no 5 card suit. Responder redoubles to relay for a 1-suiter, other bids are DONT.

Two Level Openings

Openings and Responses

Openings of two of a suit show 10-15 points in first or second seat or 12-17 in third or fourth seat. The required 54 distribution is a minimum; either or both suits may be longer. An opening two bid should be preferred over an opening 1M with equal length (55 or greater) so as to emphasize the major suit holding.
  • [2♣] either 6+ clubs with no 4 card suit or 4+ clubs and 5+ spades
    • [2♦] is a relay. This is not game forcing or even invitational!
      • [2♥] minimum club one-suiter
      • [2♠] 4+ clubs and 5+ spades. 3♠ by responder is invitational.
      • [2NT] maximum club one-suiter with no singleton
      • [3♣] maximum club one-suiter with a singleton. 3♦ asks; 3♥= diamond singleton, 3♠= heart singleton, 3NT= spade singleton.
    • [2♥/2♠] natural, 5+ cards, non-forcing
    • [2NT] invitational without 3 spades
    • [3♣] Moderately preemptive, denies 3 spades
    • [3♦/3♥/3♠] Strong jump shift, game-forcing good suit
    • [3NT] To play, usually denies 3 spades
    • [4♣] Preemptive, denies 3 spades
  • [2♦] 5+ hearts and 4+ diamonds.
    • [2♥] To play
    • [2♠] non-forcing spade bid
    • [2NT] Invitational without 3 hearts
    • [3♣] Natural, forcing.
    • [3♦] Preemptive
    • [3♥] Invitational
    • [3♠] Strong jump shift
    • [3NT] To play
  • [2♥] 5+ hearts and 4+ clubs. Responses are as to 2♦.
  • [2♠] 5+ spades and 4+ diamonds. Responses by analogy with 2♦.
  • [2NT] 55 minors, preemptive. 3 of a major is forcing, 3NT and all minor suit bids are to play, 4NT is 6-ace keycard. (5♣ = 0 or 3, 5♦ = 1, 5♥ = 2 + no queens, 5♠ = 2 + one queen, 5NT = 2 + two queens.) 5♥ over 5♦ asks for number of queens; 5♠ = 0, 5NT=1, 6♣=2.

The Willow 2NT Inquiry

 The Willow Inquiry is an artificial, game forcing inquiry following opener's showing a canape hand. This arises after an opening 2♦/2♥/2♠ bid (showing 54 or better shape), after an opening of 1M and rebid in a new suit (showing 45 or better), and after a 2♣-2♦-2♠(or similar) sequence revealing a spade-club two-suiter. A 2NT bid is natural (not the Willow inquiry) after a 1♦ opening as opener can have a 4441 type hand or ambiguous length in a two-suited minor hand.

In response to the Willow Inquiry, opener shows shape by bidding extra length. Opener has already shown a five-card suit and a four-card suit. A rebid of either suit shows extra length (exactly one extra card) while a jump rebid shows two additional cards beyond that originally promised. For example, a 2♠ opening shows five (or more) spades and 4 (or more) diamonds. After a 2NT inquiry, a 3♠ rebid shows a sixth spade; a 3♦ response a fifth diamond; a 4♠ response, a seventh spade, etc. Bids of new suits at the three level show a three-card fragment in the suit bid, while new suits at the four level show a four-card fragment. If opener has 5422 shape, he or she rebids 3NT. In most cases, opener's distribution is exactly known after the response.

If opener has extra length and shortness, or extra length in both suits, he or she must judge what would be most advantagous to report to partner. This depends upon whether partner is looking for an adequate trump suit or is looking to count winners or losers in side suits. As a general rule, it is usually better to show extra major suit length as first priority.

Following the response to the Willow Inquiry, responder's non-game suit bids are keycard for the suit bid.

When Willow is used following a 1M opening, frequently three suits will have been bid before the Willow 2NT bid--the major opening, a 2/1 by responder, and a higher-ranking canape suit by opener. If responder elects to bid the fourth suit rather than make a Willow inquiry, that bid is natural and non-forcing.

Interference

All doubles are penalty with the exception of doubles of direct 2-level suit overcalls of 2♣ which are an artificial relay asking to differentiate between the single-suited club hand and the spade/club two-suiter. Raises are competitive with new suits forcing.

High Level Openings

Other Openings
  • Preempts at the three level are governed by the rule of 2-3-4. New suits forcing.
  • NAMYATS; intermediate step asks for 2 quick losers. Opener bids a suit with 2 quick losers in that suit, 4 of the major with quick losers in more than one suit, 4NT with no 2-loser suit.
  • 3NT is a minor preempt. All minor suit responses are pass or correct.

Blackwood

We play rkcb with 1430 responses. Additionally, a bid below game (in any strain) following the Willow Inquiry is keycard for the suit bid. Following 4NT as RKCB:

  • [5♣] 1 or 4 keycards
  • [5♦] 0 or 3 keycards
  • [5♥] 2 keycards without the Q
  • [5♠] 2 keycards with the Q
  • [5NT] 2 keycards + 1 unspecified void
  • [6s] 1 keycard + void in suit bid or (if trump suit bid) 1 higher suit
Following a 5♣ or 5♦ response, the next non-trump bid asks for the queen of trump. A return to the trump suit or to 5NT denies the trump queen. A bid in a new suit shows the trump queen and the king of the suit bid. A bid of 6 of the trump suit shows the queen and no outside king.

A bid of 5NT guarantees all keycards and demands cuebidding of specific kings up the line. A response of six of the trump suit shows no biddable kings. A bid in a new suit by Blackwooder asks for the king of the suit bid to contract for the grand. A new suit at the seven level asks for a king (or if shown, the queen) to contract for 7NT. If there has not been a bid of 5NT, bids of new suits at the six or seven level may be natural.

We play 6 keycard Blackwood after the 2NT-4NT sequence.

Competitive Bidding

  • DONT vs strong NT, Landy vs weak NT. After DONT, bids other than the next step are natural suits, not really invitational. If they double our DONT bid, redouble is rescue and all other bids are natural.
  • 1NT overcalls are 15-18 with the strong NT response structure (as in 1♣-1♦-1NT).
  • Lebensohl after suit bids over our NT openings or overcalls.
  • Against oponents weak 2s, leaping Michaels, cue-bid at 3-level asks for stoppers, Lebensohl after doubles, Transfers, Stayman, and South African Texas over our 2NT overcall.
  • Against a strong 1♣, wonder bids at 1-level (double and 1NT are both club wonder bids), DONT at 2-level. After 1♣=1♦, double is a diamond wonder bid, 1NT is a club wonder bid, all else the same. Against strong 2♣, everything one level higher. Against a strong 2♦, as with 2♣-p-2♦.
  • Michaels defense.
  • Unusual versus unusual.
  • 2♦Flannery defense.
    • [2♥] strong takeout of ♥
    • [2♠] to play
    • [2NT] natural and non forcing
    • [dbl] strong NT (or better)
    • [3m] natural and non forcing
    • Pass and pull is strongest action.
    • Redoubles are for rescue unless they can't possibly be anything else.

    Carding
    • Upside down count and attitude
    • Odd-even discards
    • Attitude leads vs NT
    • 3rd and 5th leads vs suits, low from 3 small
 



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