Wspólny Język 2005
(Polish Standard)
Author:
Krzysztof
Jassem
Publisher
and sales:
Magdalena
Jassem
62-040
Puszczykowo
ul.
Bałtycka 12
tel.
+48 (61) 898 30 77
Editor:
Maciej
Wręczycki
Preparation
for press:
BW
Fotografia Poligrafia
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ul.
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tel.
+48 (71) 78 54 526
Press:
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i Oficyna Wydawnicza Forum
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Book
Price: 19 zł
©
2004 by Krzysztof Jassem
ISBN
83-919009-1-6
Translated
into English by Daniel J. Neill, 2005.
Distributed
with express permission of the author.
The WJ bidding
system is earning increasingly greater popularity throughout the world. Surprising it has happened in times when
Polish pairs are not so dominant in international competition as they were in
the not so distant past. WJ has gained
a following thanks to internet bridge.
Polish bridge players wishing to take advantage of this form of the game
or foreign competitions (as well as partners), should learn the bidding system
known abroad as the “Polish Club”. The
world’s top players are already familiar with the Polish system. The many-time American champion Jill Meyers
in the widely-distributed magazine “ACBL Bulletin” when polled on the most
useful bridge convention, offered not Blackwood or splinters, but “Polish
Two-suiters” – 2♥ and 2♠ openings to show 5-5 hands, the “natural”
version of the Wilkosz convention adopted by Polish internationals (due to
conventional restrictions).
WJ05 has ambitions
to become popular and accepted outside of Poland. Treatments not sanctioned in international tournaments (such as
the Wilkosz 2♦ opening) or undesirable for natural bidders (such as e.g.
the complicated definition of the WJ2000 1♦ opening) have been swapped
out for methods easier to adopt (“Polish Two-suiters” and the 4-crd 1♦
opening, respectively).
Some prior
weaknesses have been eliminated in WJ05 which until now nobody has seriously
fought to change, such as the space-wasting 1♣-3N (when opener doesn’t
have the 12-14 hand).
A bidding system
cannot stay the same forever. Some
treatments just have not stood the test of time. Virtually no top Polish pair plays classic odwrotka (4-4-5-5) or
Namyats (4♣ opening transferring
to ♥, 4♦ to ♠). This
cannot be a coincidence – so we have followed in their footsteps. Important conventions have become favored by
almost the whole bridge world, like RKC 1430 and Exclusion Blackwood. Why hold out against these?
In the WJ05 text, I
have managed to correct certain errata which had crept into WJ2000, brought to
my attention by helpful readers.
Unlike versions WJ95
and WJ2000, there was no bidding poll in advance of publication this time. I am mainly interested in meeting the
aboveforementioned goals without making a revolution in well-accepted and
functional methods.
[a mixture of common terms, and others described eventually in the main text]
The Main Differences Between WJ05 and WJ2000
The WJ2000 1♦ was opened with either 5+ cards, or 4+ cards if 3-suited or with 5 clubs. The 2005 version promotes a simpler definition. It shows 4+ cards (like in the original WJ95). I think there are several good reasons for this change:
We bid a fond farewell to good old Wilkosz. For some time we have fought abroad – to no avail; Wilkosz is not allowed in foreign tournaments and as a result all Polish pairs playing outside of Poland or on the Internet have retired this convention. They use “Polish Two-suiters”: 2♥ (hearts + another), and 2♠ (spades + a minor). However, 2♦ is used as “mini-Multi”: weak with either hearts or spades. To me, this has a lot of merit: avoiding guessing-games in Wilkosz (playing 2♦ with a 3-crd trump fit), the ability to quickly preempt the opponents after a 2-suited opening (e.g. 2♥-[Pass]-4♥), as well as allowing the strong hand to declare opposite a weak two in a major (4♥ with a long heart suit is better played by the other hand – the one with the short hearts, made possible by Multi).
As revealed above, the meanings of the openings have changed – 2♥ shows a 5-5 2-suiter with hearts and another suit (even ♠), and 2♠ shows a 2-suiter with spades and a minor. Wilkosz split between two bids.
We see the retirement of South African Texas (Namyats). 4♣ and 4♦ are put to very good use as natural preempts. Generally opener is sure the hand is too weak and/or unbalanced for 3N (all the more so opposite a passed hand).
The most important change in this system are the ranges of 1N and 2N responses. WJ05 plays the 2N response as forcing to game (12+) with no 4-crd major or 5-crd minor. The 1N response fills the role as a light invitation, 9(8)-11. Instead, hands with 8 or less HCP and no 4-crd major respond 1♦. Advantages:
1♣ 1♦ and 1♣ 1N
1N 3N 3N
In the first case, note the enemy has not interfered at the 1-level (over 1♣), while in the second case, they (if desired) would have to intervene at the 2-level (over 1N). It is very likely the player who passed over 1♣ is not the threat to have the 5-card suit.
Opponents may object that by bidding 1♦ with 7-8 HCP (no longer 1N), we enable the player on the left to indicate a lead against NT. Yes, but this overcall may only serve to warn us against playing 3N without a stopper in the suit.
Over 1♦, 1N and 2N show 7-10 and 11-12 HCP. The 3N response to 1♦ has its place (1♦ is totally natural) so there is no reason to give it up. With an unsuitable hand for declaring NT, we just respond a natural, forcing 2♦.
Over an opening 1♥ or 1♠, 2N shows an invitational raise (previously in WJ2000 it showed an invitational or better raise). The basic idea is to quickly distinguish whether game or slam is the goal. In the first case it’s usually not good to exchange much information, as it helps the opponents’ defense too much. Contracts should be bid chiefly on power (honors and distribution). In the slam zone, without precise information you don’t (often) have the tools to reach the proper contract. Tactical strategy (concealing information from the enemy) in a slam search is not as useful because defense against higher contracts is easier (e.g. defending a NT slam requires just finding two Aces together – taking 7 tricks against a 1-level contract requires a great deal of effort.)
Since success in slams depends as much on distribution as good card play, shortness-showing bids have been expanded in use. WJ05 distinguishes 2 types of splinters over a 1♥ and 1♠ opening: weak (3♠ over 1♥, 3N over 1♠) with 9-12 HCP, and strong, 13-16 HCP – shown “naturally”. Thanks to this we don’t miss slams when a strong opener is opposite a hand with relatively low strength but side shortness.
A scheme over a 2♣ opening is proposed which is earning wide popularity, that frankly is difficult to resist. It’s based on the observation that it’s very rare for a natural 2N response to come along over an opening 2♣. More often with an invite, we have either a 4-crd major (so a 2♦ asking bid is preferred), or a club fit – so we can raise partner’s clubs. The new meaning of a 2N response is: “Partner, bid 3♣.” It is 2 possible hands: preemptive with clubs, or a GF 2-suiter without clubs. Besides the tactical aspect (preempts the opponents) there’s a sound constructive advantage: 5-5 hands are tough to sort out over a 2♣ opening.
Thanks to this agreement, we gain lots of room: for example we don’t have to worry about how to bid strong 1-suiters. We ask with 2♦, and subsequently bid our suit. This always shows a 1-suited hand, since 2-suiters are shown via 2N. As a consequence, immediate 3♥, 3♠ responses lose their reason for being forcing and can be changed to invitational.
We’ve grown accustomed to trusty odwrotka: 4-4, 5-5 - yet it appears that most leading Polish pairs have concluded that it is not the optimal solution. We have as such a new treatment, called Bubrotka after its proponent (and author?) Stasia “Bubu” Gołębiowski, which has been popular recently.
Let me just mention that there are several
other substitutes for odwrotka “on the market”
(in addition to bubrotka we supply an alternative gadget for regular
partnerships – nicknamed odwyrtka) –
all are designed to quickly revert to natural bidding.
WJ2000 featured a relay system (“relay Stayman”), but relay bidding hasn’t stood the test of time. Probably this is because:
In WJ05 Stayman is limited to just the initial 2♣ response. After that, it’s all natural.
In WJ05, the Blackwood responses are different. 5♣ shows 1 or 4 keycards, 5♦ 0 or 3. The chapter on slam bidding explains the reasons for this change.
A new convention is Exclusion Blackwood (popular abroad for years now) – asking for Aces outside of a void suit.
Changes result from the 4-crd 1♦ opening. It is necessary therefore in later bidding to sort out all the extra situations when opener has 4 cards, from when he has 5.
We risk adding a few gadgets to the non-competitive auction. I’ll call them by the last name of the players who invented them (Trybuly transfers, Wesolowski texas), or developed them (Gawrys fourth suit forcing). In selecting the gadgets I applied the following criterium: maximum gain with minimum memory load.
After a 1M opening and enemy overcall, a jump-raise to the 3-level is preemptive; a cue-bid shows an invitational raise, and 2N shows a GF raise (at least 4-crd support). A natural 2N would instead first double and then bid 2N on the next round.
The invitational-or-better cue-bid was not retained for two reasons. The first is discussed in the section on opening 1♥, 1♠: the theory that game auctions should exchange the least possible information, and slam auctions should communicate as much as possible. The other reason is that it makes life tough with its double-meaning (either invite to game, or forcing), which may result in bad decisions (particularly the ambiguity applying to a most useful agreement – the forcing pass).
Among the new things in this phase of the bidding, the reader can expect a suggested defense to the 2♦ opening (Multi or Wilkosz) and a defense to the weak NT.
Some treatments found in this book are continued untouched from WJ2000. However I’ve tried to make the booklet an interesting lecture even for those who have already read WJ2000 such as lots of new examples and notably more of the author’s advice on how to use WJ in practice.
|
Opening |
Meaning |
Notes |
|
1♣ |
1) 12-14 balanced 2) 15+, ♣ 3) 18+, any hand |
1) don’t have to open all 12’s 2) hands too strong for a precision 2♣ opening 3) even GF hands |
|
1♦ |
12-17, 4+ cards |
includes 4♦-5♣ 12-14 HCP |
|
1♥, 1♠ |
11-17, 5+ cards |
|
|
1NT |
15-17 |
|
|
2♣ |
Precision |
(11)12-14(15) 6♣ or 5♣-4M |
|
2♦ |
6-11, Multi |
like a weak 2 in either major |
|
2♥ |
6-11, 5♥ + 5 other |
|
|
2♠ |
6-11, 5♠ + 5 other |
|
|
2N |
6-11, minors (5-5) |
|
|
3 suit |
preempt |
7-card suit |
|
3N |
gambling |
solid 7-crd minor, nothing else |
|
4♣, 4♦ |
natural |
|
The non-competitive auction is described in order of opening bids – except for the 1♣ opening which is discussed at the very end.
1♦ shows at least 4 diamonds (one could decide to open 1♣ with a weak 4-crd diamond suit and a balanced hand), 12-17 HCP. [the agreement of which minor to open with (2-3)-4♦-4♣ cannot be deduced from the text or any examples – DJN]
We open 1♦ with 4♦-5♣, 12-14 HCP. This has an effect on other openings. With 15+ HCP and 5+♣ we open 1♣ and rebid clubs (but we can still have 4♦), and with weak unbalanced club hands we open 2♣ - but this denies the variant with 4 diamonds and 5 clubs.
With balanced 15-17 hands with 4-5 diamonds we open 1N, so this variant is excluded from the 1♦ opening.
The 1♥ and 1♠ responses to 1♦ are natural. They show in principle 7+ HCP and 4+ cards. Of course it can be a bit light (but we don’t recommend this over a 1♣ opening), such as for example responding 1♠ on KJT5432 and out (over any rebid by opener, just rebid 2♠ non-forcing), or responding light with a diamond fit (we can hinder the enemy auction, and still get out in diamonds). Avoid “saving” partner with short diamonds and a weak hand – better to pass and worst-case play in a bad fit than to get doubled later after stopping too high.
Continuations over a
1M response
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
1N
Opener’s rebid shows a balanced hand without 4-crd support, nor 4♠ in the case of a 1♥ response. It doesn’t specify diamond length – can be 4 or 5.
If responder is vitally interested in the length of opener’s diamonds, then he must go the round-a-bout way using Magister (discussed later), e.g.
1♦ 1♥
1N 2♣
2♦ 2N
3♦
2♦ shows a minimum opener without 3♥. 3♦ shows 5 diamonds.
Note:
1♦ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
is not Magister, but fourth-suit forcing. Continuations revolve around showing or denying a stopper in the 4th suit (clubs) as well as information on the number of diamonds:
2♦ = 5♦, minimum
2♥ = 3♥ (only 4♦, or 5♦ and a minimum)
2♠ = 5♦, maximum
2N = 4♦, ♣ stopper (at worst xxx)
3♣ = 4♣
3♥ = 4351 good opening
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
2♣
These sequences show 5♦-4♣ 12-17 HCP, or 4♦-5♣ with 12-14 HCP. For more info on the minor distribution, responder can go through the fourth suit. Then opener shows 4♦-5♣ with a 3♣ bid. Other responses imply 5+ diamonds. If responder is too weak to bid 4th suit, then there is some guesswork, e.g.
1♦ 1♥
2♣ 2♦
Pass
This could be a 6-crd fit. If responder has 3♣, 2♦ and a weak hand, he doesn’t know whether to play 2♣ or 2♦ (however after 1♥-1♠-2♣-? it’s best to returning to 2♥ with 3 clubs and 2 hearts – a 7-crd fit is guaranteed).
Note:
With a 12-15 HCP 3-suiter with short spades, opener rebids 1N over a 1♠ response (if you rebid 2♣, the hearts are very often lost forever).
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
2♦
This bid shows 12-14, and if the response was 1♥ it promises 6 diamonds. Over a 1♠ response, though, this could also be 5♦-4♥, if opener doesn’t want to declare NT with an inappropriate hand. Now if responder bids the other major (e.g. 1♦-1♥-2♦-2♠), it is forcing and needs not promise 5-4 majors (see ‘Third suit forcing’).
Gawrys Third-suit – for regular partnerships only
I’m introducing here a useful gadget
(received from Stanów Zjednoczonych), which has been taught by
Piotr Gawryś.
The convention applies to just one sequence:
1♦ 1♠
2♣ ?
2♥ = transfer
to 2♠
2♠ = natural,
constructive
This is the whole convention, however
readers deserve some explanations.
This convention has two goals:
1)
With about 10 HCP and at least 5 spades we bid 2♠. First,
partner can without fear proceed with his suit or NT with a misfit for
spades, since the combined strength is not a threat; secondly, we don’t have to invite game via 3♠, which may go
down in a misfit. 2♠ therefore plays a role as a non-forcing but invitational bid..
Examples:
a) ♠
KJ5432 ♥ AJ2 ♦ 3
♣ Q32 – without the convention we would have bid 3♠; now 2♠
b) ♠ KQT54 ♥ J32
♦ Q2 ♣ QT2 – with
the convention, no problems (2♠).
without it?...
2)
With a weak hand and long spades we rebid 2♥.
Examples:
a) ♠
KJT432 ♥ 543 ♦ --
♣ J432
b) ♠
QJT9876 ♥ 32 ♦ 32
♣ 32
Over this bid, partner is required to rebid
2♠, over which we will pass.
3)
With all GF hands we rebid 2♥,
Partner bids 2♠, and then we continue to bid naturally, without
fear of partner passing:
1♦ 1♠
2♣ 2♥
2♠
2N = forcing (an
earlier 2N would have been invitational) – can have 4 hearts
3♣ = forcing,
natural
3♦ = forcing
(an earlier 3♦ would have been invitational)
3♥ = forcing,
5-5 (an earlier 3♥ would have been invitational)
3♠ = forcing
with spades (an earlier 3♠ would have been invitational with a very good
suit)
Opener’s reverse
By a reverse rebid we are talking about one of the following two sequences:
1♦ 1♥
2♠
or
1♦ 1♠
2♥
This bid shows 15+ HCP, and with the first of these sequences we practically guarantee 6 diamonds. A reverse is not game-forcing. Responder has 2 non-forcing bids: 3♦, and rebidding his major cheaply. Both show that the first response was at the very bottom. Rebidding the major at the 3-level is forcing (continuations are slam-oriented), but so is 2N:
1♦ 1♠
2♥ 2N
Opener shows a third suit (3+ cards) if he has one, rebids diamonds with 6, or bids NT.
Raising responder
Raising the major response promises 4 cards in the suit. We play the 1♦ opening as promising only 4 cards, creating the need for further additional agreements to accommodate the extra shapes. This treatment seems natural enough:
1♦ 1♥
2♥ 2N (forcing, see major suit raises)
?
3♥, 3N = balanced, just 4 diamonds (min, max respectively)
The rest of the bids thus have 5 diamonds:
3♣ =5♦, 3♣
3♦ =5♦-4-2-2
3♠ =5♦, 3♠
4 new suit = splinter, 4441
Let’s assume we have opened 1♦ with ♠ QJ96 ♥ K ♦ KJT2 ♣ QT32 (you don’t absolutely have to open it). Partner shows spades, which we raise, and we are asked to describe our hand with 2N. What do we bid?
3♠! We have opened the bidding, since we counted the King of hearts as 3 HCP. However we can’t now still show heart shortness (via 4♥ now), since that would mean the singleton King had double its value: in HCP and distribution.
With extra HCP or distribution, we jump-raise partner. Jumping to the 4-level shows a hand weak in honors but very distributional. With a GF 4-crd raise, but no shortness, we rebid 4♦.
Examples:
♠ J432 ♥ KQ ♦ QJ432 ♣ AQ – 2♠ despite 15 HCP,
♠ K432 ♥ 32 ♦ AK32 ♣ A32 – 2♠,
♠ K432 ♥ 32 ♦ AK432 ♣ A2 – 3♠; upgrade for 5 good diamonds,
♠ KQ32 ♥ A32 ♦ AT932 ♣ 2 – 3♠; even ♠ Axxxx and out has real game chances,
♠ K432 ♥ A32 ♦ AJT432 ♣ -- - 4♠; “all or nothing”,
♠ KQ32 ♥ A32 ♦ AQ5432 ♣ -- - 4♣; GF, showing club shortness, since slam may depend on it,
♠ AQ32 ♥ 32 ♦ AKQ32 ♣ K2 – 4♦; GF but no shortness.
After a jump-raise to the 3-level, the next step asks for shortness:
1♦ 1♠
3♠ 3N (asks for shortness [4♠ = no shortness])
1♦ 1♥
3♥ 3♠ (asks for shortness [3N = ♠ shortness])
Other sequences
1♦ 1♥
1♠(2♣) 2♦
2♦ is a weak preference between the two suits shown by partner. It shows a minimum response (~ 7 HCP) and simply shows a preference for diamonds over partner’s second suit.
1♦ 1♥
1♠(2♣) 3♦
Responder’s bid is an encouraging preference for opener’s diamonds. It shows an invitational (~11 HCP) hand, but is non-forcing! If responder wants to force with a fit for diamonds, he should precede a diamond bid with a conventional fourth-suit bid (see ‘Fourth-suit forcing’) – in this case 2♣ (2♠).
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
2N
This sequence promises 15-17 HCP, unsuitable for an opening 1N. Opener most likely has 6 diamonds.
Responder has just one non-forcing rebid: 3♦. Repeating the major here is forcing.
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
3♣
This sequence promises 15-17 HCP and (as like other jump-shift rebids) confirms 5-5 distribution. The one non-forcing bid available to responder is a preference to 3♦.
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
3♦
In addition to 15-17 HCP, this bid shows a good 6-crd diamond suit (with a weak suit a 2N rebid is best). All bids by responder are forcing.
Suggestion
for regular partnerships. One problem is finding a 5-3 major fit in
situations when opener has a maximum opening with 6 diamonds (the Bridge World
death hand). Responder with less than 8
HCP would surely like to rebid his
suit, but over a high rebid (2N or 3♦), he has reason to fear going past
3♦. We therefore suggest this
remedy:
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
2N
2N here shows 15-17, 6♦ without 3-crd support (over this,
the only sign-off for responder is a non-forcing 3♦). While:
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
3♦
shows 15-17, 6♦, and 3-crd
support. Any non-pass by responder is
GF.
1♦ 1♥(1♠)
3N
Gambling. A solid diamond suit and at least 1 side stopper. For instance:
♠ 2 ♥ A2 ♦ AKQ5432 ♣ JT3
It is very essential that this bid promise a solid diamond suit.
The 1N response shows a balanced (7)8-10(11) HCP with no major. With unbalanced hands we have alternative responses to a 1♦ opening in the form of 2♦ and 3♦ (see later).
Continuations over a
1N response
Further bidding is natural. Opener’s 3♣ rebid is a one-round force, but the bidding can still stop in 3♦. Opener’s 3♦ rebid is invitational to 3N, but non-forcing (with 17 HCP and 6 diamonds we have to bid something else).
The 2♣ response is absolutely natural and shows at least 5 clubs (rarely, 4 cards) and is GF, or 6+ clubs invitational (9-11). With this second variant of the response we plan to repeat clubs on the next round.
The requirement to hold 5 clubs (unlike a 2♣ response over 1♥ or 1♠ openings) comes as a result of the wide selection of other forcing responses at responder’s disposal over the 1♦ opening (1♥, 1♠, 2♦).
Continuations run similar to after a 2♣ response to a 1♣ opening (but different from a 2♣ response to a 1M opening).
The 2♦ rebid shows 5+♦ with any strength (12-17). Therefore it is forcing.
2♥, 2♠, and 2N rebids are all natural with exactly 4(!) diamonds. Logically this must show 12-14 HCP since otherwise the hand would open 1N.
Bids at the 3-level are classical: 3♣ shows extras (usually 5♦-4♣, sometimes 3♣); typical hand: ♠ A2 ♥ A2 ♦ A5432 ♣ KQ32, but even the same hand with small club instead of the King, or: ♠ 2 ♥ AQ2 ♦ A65432 ♣ KJ2.
3♥ and 3♠ are splinters with 4+ clubs.
3N shows 15-17 444-1♣. Over this, rebids set the suit directly above (4♣ sets diamonds, 4♦ hearts, 4♥ spades, and 4♠ clubs); the latter of which is also RKC for ♣.
1♦ 2♣
2♦ 3♦
is forcing. With invitational hands with clubs and diamonds we respond 1♦-2♦.
The 2♦ response is forcing for one round. It shows 4+ diamonds, no major, and 10+ HCP.
Continuations over a 2♦ response
Further bidding is natural by opener and seminatural by responder (stopper-showing). This agreement springs from the fact that responder’s 2♦ bid has already described his distribution thoroughly (no 4-crd major, usually not 5 clubs), whilst opener can still have many different distributions. Depending on how responder’s honors fit with his distribution, opener may set the contract at an appropriate level. The general principle is:
If responder ever bids 3♦ he wants to stop at that contract. 2N by responder is forcing (which can be used to find out how many diamonds opener has).
1♦ 2♦
2♥ 2N
?
3N = 4 diamonds, 12-14
Other bids thus show 5+ diamonds:
3♣, 3♠ = 3 cards
3♦, 3♥ = 5422 (min, max)
4-level new suits = splinters, maximum, 4441
Examples:
1♦ 2♦
2♥ 3♥
4♥ Pass
Opener shows 4 hearts. Responder raises with 3(!), also showing that his hand does not have a stopper in either black suit (otherwise he should bid that suit, showing 3 cards). Opener suggests the moysian.
1♦ 2♦
2N 3♦
Pass
Opener’s 2N shows a minimum balanced hand. Responder also hasn’t much, so he signs off in a partial.
1♦ 2♦
3♦ 3♥
3♠ 3N
Opener’s 3♦ shows a weak opening with 5 diamonds. Responder decides to try for game. 3♥ shows a stopper. Opener shows his ♠ stopper and 3N is reached.
See ‘Jump-shift Responses”.
The 2N (11-12) and 3N (13-15) responses show balanced hands without a major. Responder should feel obliged to have a stopper in both major suits (because a lead is coming soon in a major). Without one of those stoppers, responder should bid 2♦ (or 2♣). Later bidding (if any), is natural.
3♦ is preemptive, showing 5 (if NV) to 9 HCP and at least 4 diamonds. Opener bids further (natural) only with exceptionally interesting hands.
Splinters. Over 3♥, 3♠ it’s still possible to play 3N.
Preemptive-tactical. Opener nearly always passes.
This opening shows 12-17 HCP and 5+ hearts.
With 5M-6m it is the Polish style to open the major. Some natural systems abroad open the minor first. I propose the following compromise:
We open in the minor when 2 conditions are fulfilled:
Examples:
♠ A ♥ QJ932 ♦ AQJT32 ♣ 2 – open 1♦ - very strong, diamonds better than hearts
♠ -- ♥ KJT32 ♦ AKJT76 ♣ 32 – open 1♦ - only 12 HCP, but lots of tricks; no problem showing hearts at the 4-level
♠ 2 ♥ AKQJ2 ♦ AJ5432 ♣ Q – open 1♥ - the hearts are better than the diamonds
♠ K ♥ AJ432 ♦ AJ5432 ♣ K – open 1♥ - despite 16 HCP the hand is weak offensively – too weak to reverse twice after opening 1♦
In the WJ2000 write-up, I didn’t recommend opening 1N with a 5-crd major. This philosophy appears to be against the current trend – opening in the 5-crd major is being seen increasingly more often.
In light of this, let’s try to hint at when it may be worth opening 1N with a 5-crd major:
1♠ 1N
2N 3♥ forcing or not? – that is the question;
or
1♠ 1N
3N ? to show the hearts or not? - that is the question.
While over a 1N opening:
1N 2♦
2♥ Pass or 2N
or
1N 2♦
3♥ 4♥
Continuations over a
1♥ opening
The theme which shapes the response structure over each of the suit openings is that the higher the suit opened, the less space there is to respond at the 1-level.
The number of possible distributions in a 1N response swells with the increasing rank of the opening suit. Over a 1♣ opening we have the ability to bid semipositive hands with a minor via a 1♦ response, while over a 1♦ opening we can’t do this, but we can still respond 2♦ or 3♦. Over a major opening, however, the semipositive hands with a minor – even unbalanced – are “packed” into the 1N response.
Over a 1♠ opening we also have to throw semipositive hands with hearts into this “catchall” 1N.
These space constraints similarly overload the 2♣ response. Over a 1♣ opening the response promises 5 clubs, and over a 1♦ opening – it can happen to be 4 cards sometimes…. but over a 1M opening it includes all strong hands with no other 5-crd suit and in the extreme case can be bid with a mere doubleton club.
1♠ response
A problem which is worth dissecting at this point is: whether with 3 hearts and 4(5) spades to respond 1♠ or 2♥.
I suggest: Respond 1♠ only when you can afford to rebid 3♥ on the next round.
Examples:
1♥ 1♠
2♣ 3♥
Responder shows an invitational hand (9-11) with at least 4 spades and 3 hearts.
1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♥
Responder is making a weak preference with a doubleton. With 3 hearts and 7-9 HCP you shouldn’t be bidding spades on the first round, but raising partner’s hearts.
It is worth showing one difference from 1♦ opening auctions:
1♥ 1♠
3♣ 3♥
Forcing. But it doesn’t promise a full heart fit yet. It may be necessary to play 3N or 4♠.
The following sequence is the same as after a 1♦ opening:
1♥ 1♠
3♠ 3N = asking for shortness
Forcing 2N over
opener’s rebid of the opening major
After a one-over-one (1N over 1♠, or 1♠/1N over 1♥) response and rebidding the opening major, a 2N rebid by responder is forcing for one round (forcing to 3 of the opened major).
1♥ 1♠
2♥ 2N = inquiry
2N shows a strong hand, game-forcing or invitational (~10-11). The downside of this agreement is the inability to stop in 2N (at least we’ll play 3 of the major), however the gain is greater: you may check whether it’s best to play in a suit or in NT, sometimes you can find game in responder’s suit with a 7-crd fit (over a 1♠ response), and you can learn more information for slam.
Continuations:
3♣, 3♦ = singleton club (diamond), possibly 3 spades, but can also be 6-4 with a side minor, or 7 hearts
3♥ = minimum opener, no singleton minor, denies 3♠ - partner may pass
3♠ = 3 spades, no singleton – partner may pass
3N = maximum opener, no singleton minor, denies 3♠
If the auction starts out:
1♥ 1♠
2♥ ?
then we can bid 2N with:
a) ♠ AJ432 ♥ J ♦ A432 ♣ A32. If partner raises spades, play 4♠, if not, go for 4♥ (in NT our minor stoppers are too weak).
b) ♠ KJT6 ♥ Q2 ♦ AJ8 ♣ Q932. You don’t have to rush to make a decision whether to play 4♥ or 3N. If partner shows a short minor then you will play 4♥, otherwise you can bid 3N.
c) ♠ QJ32 ♥ J2 ♦ AT32 ♣ K932. You may have game – if partner makes a maximum response. However opposite a weak hand you have to stop in a partial. Bid 2N with the idea of passing 3♥ or 3N. Over 3♣ you can bid a non-forcing 3♥. And over 3♦ (jackpot!), 4♥.
d) ♠ AJT32 ♥ KJ2 ♦ A2 ♣ KJ2. We want to play some number of hearts, but bidding 3♥ would just be invitational to game. We bid 2N – to find out a bit more. On the next round we will show slam aspirations via a cue-bid (3♥ would be non-forcing, 4♥ would be a sign-off).
1N response
Responder’s strength is even wider than over a 1♦ opening (7-11). 1N denies 4 spades or a heart fit. As said before, it doesn’t at all promise a balanced hand.
Example 1N hand types:
1) ♠ KJ2 ♥ 2 ♥ A5432 ♣ K432. If we bid 2♦, then over a 2♥ rebid, we would be left up a creek (2N and 3♣ would be forcing bids).
2) ♠ 32 ♥ 2 ♦ KJT32 ♣ KQ432. It’s tempting to show one of the suits, but how will we know to stop in a partial?
3) ♠ 5432 ♥ 2 ♦ 2 ♣ KQJT432. If we respond 1♠ and partner rebids 2♦ or 2♥ (beautiful!), we will not be able to convince him that it’s better to play in clubs and stay low (3♣ will be a fourth or third suit, a forcing bid). A 2♣ response (planning a non-forcing 3♣ rebid on the next round) gives us a chance to play in the correct partial, but also risks bidding on.
The best chance to stay at a low level is a 1N response. If partner doesn’t pass, then showing clubs on the subsequent round says that we want to play clubs and it would be good to stop now.
For regular partnerships: Many systems with a wider opening strength
range than WJ use the agreement that 1N can have a weak (3-7 HCP) hand with a
fit for opener’s suit. Such hands are
called mini-raises. You may also
introduce this agreement into the WJ system.
This yields two gains: first, a
simple raise becomes a little stronger, and second, the response has tactical
value. Often this preempts the enemy auction. Playing this convention, the auction:
1♥ 1N
2♣ 2♥
can mean two
things. Responder has either a weak
(3-7) raise, or a semipositive (7-10) hand with a doubleton heart.
Continuations after a 1N response
The 1N response (over a 1M opening) often is made reluctantly as a temporizing bid, and doesn’t sincerely show the desire to play in NT. So opener should help by bidding again only if he has something interesting to say.
But opener has nothing to add with a 5332 minimum (12-14). A pass is appropriate. With stronger balanced hands he bids 2N.
Having a side 4-crd suit opener should show it.
1♥ 1N
2♦
does not precisely define strength – just what a 1♥ promised: 12-17.
A jump in a new suit shows 15-17 and 5 cards in the new suit:
1♥ 1N
3♣ 5♥, 5♣
A problem arises with hands with 5 hearts and 4 spades. Bidding 2♠ is a reverse, since the second-bid suit is higher than the preceding, showing a strong hand for the auction to date (and therefore 15-17 HCP). With a weaker hand, the choices are:
a) pass 1N (partner indeed does not have 4 spades - I would recommend this with your average 5422),
b) rebid hearts, if the 5-crd suit is good, e.g. ♠ QJT2 ♥ AKQ32 ♦ 32 ♣ 32,
c) bid a 3-crd minor if it is good, e.g. ♠ KQ32 ♥ A5432 ♦ KQ2 ♣ 2.
Forcing 2N over
opener’s rebid of the opening major
The convention you may remember after a 1♠ response to 1♥ is also useful over a 1N response.
1♥ 1N
2♥ 2N
?
3♣, 3♦ = shows shortness
3♥ = weak, no singleton minor
3♠ = singleton spade, GF
3N = max, no singleton
Two-over-one responses (2♣, 2♦)
A two-over-one response is a new suit at the 2-level without jumping. We play that bidding a new suit – other than clubs – at the 2-level shows a 5-crd suit. It’s because of this that 2♣ can be a preparatory bid – with no real suit.
We bid 2♣ over 1♥, for example, with 3-2-4-4 shape.
Over a 1♠ opening, we bid 2♣ with 2-4-4-3 shape. We are trying to surmise whether partner has a 4-crd red suit (and we can’t bid 2♦ or 2♥ because that would show 5 cards).
It is now somewhat difficult to interpret a 2♣ response with accuracy due to the change of the meaning of a 2N response, which at present shows a limit raise of opener’s major, from the preceding role (in WJ2000) as a game-forcing raise. Now this hand, which in WJ2000 was bid with 2N, starts low with 2♣. The advantage is increasing the bidding room available, at the expense of the natural meaning of 2♣. This might even be a doubleton (with a major raise to be shown later).
The strength of a 2-over-1 response is specified by the definition: Game-forcing unless suit rebid.
In other words: if we have 6 cards in the bid suit, good enough to rebid, then we can hold a hand which is not game-forcing (e.g. ~10-11 HCP). Otherwise we should have 12+ HCP.
Continuations over a two-over-one response
A club raise (after a 2♣ response) by opener shows 4 clubs. A diamond raise (after a 2♦ response) can be a tripleton honor. Raising responder’s suit guarantees extras, and is game-forcing.
Rebidding the opened suit (1♥-2♣-2♥) shows a minimum opening (12-14) and says nothing about the number of hearts, just 5+ cards.
A jump-shift in a new suit below the opening suit (e.g. 1♥-2♣-3♦) shows a maximum 5-5. A jump-shift in a new suit above the opening suit (e.g. 1♥-2♣-3♠) is a splinter (see ‘Slam Bidding’).
If 6-4 with the opened suit and cheaply-rebiddable side suit (e.g. opener is 6♥-4♦ after a 2♣ response) opener repeats his opening suit with a weak hand (immediately showing his strength) and announces the 4-crd suit first with a promising hand.
Note! The auction:
1♥ 2♣(2♦)
2♥ 3♥
is forcing, slammish, and shows that the original minor is 5+ cards. Opener refers to the ‘Slam bidding’ section.
How do you bid a strong hand, with a fit for opener’s suit, and no suit of your own? Best to begin with 2♣ and go through forcing 2N (see ‘forcing 2N’ section). For example:
1♥ 2♣
2♥ 2N
3♣ 3♥
Opener shows 5431 distribution (singleton spade), and responder sets hearts strongly. By the way, this is how to warn partner that 2♣ was not natural.
6-10 HCP, 3+♥.
Recall from the discussion of the 1N response, that regular partnerships may agree this is a stronger raise (8-10 HCP), if the 1N response includes the mini-raise.
Despite the description, “at least 3 cards”, opener should not expect more. With 4 (or more trumps), responder has a suite of other bids available (2N, 3♥, 4♥).
An interesting problem is the definition of the boundaries between the responses of Pass and 2♥, as well as between 2♥ and 2N (limit raise). Examples:
1)
♠ QJ2 ♥
432 ♦ Q32 ♣ Q432. The hand has 3 hearts, 4333 distribution, and no controls (Aces
or Kings). It holds practically no
chance for game. I suggest passing
(unless the mini-raise is played – then respond 1N).
2)
♠ 432 ♥
KT2 ♦ 65432 ♣ K2.
Despite having just 6 HCP, I recommend 2♥. A completely inconspicuous hand, like: ♠ 54
♥ AQJ92 ♦ 7 ♣ AT432 yields an excellent (almost
cold) game.
Let’s remark on a certain peculiarity: with a fit in partner’s suit honors are more useful in short suits than long suit. When we have the (at first glance better) hand: ♠ 432 ♥ KT2 ♦ K5432 ♣ 32 it’s quite difficult to draw up hands for partner that allow game (when the opponents pass, the chance that we have a double-fit – in this case hearts-diamonds – is minimal).
3) ♠ Q32 ♥ KQJ ♦ Q32 ♣ J432. With this hand, despite 11 HCP you wouldn’t invite, but bid 2♥. Such great strength in hearts is overkill in that suit, while there are no controls outside trumps.
4) ♠ 32 ♥ KJ32 ♦ KQT32 ♣ 32. Just 9 HCP but it’s worth at least an invite to game. In the system we don’t have the ability to raise and show our side suit with less than a game-forcing hand. We wouldn’t decide to force to game here because we have too much strength in partner’s likely shortness. Change the diamonds to something like AJT32, then we would have to force to game since they play decently opposite shortness.
5) ♠ 2 ♥ K432 ♦ Q5432 ♣ 432. Not 2♥; we have to choose between a preemptive 3♥ or even an invitational 2N (choice depends on vulnerability).
Continuations after a 2♥ response
The most common and effective rebids by opener are pass or 4♥. However, if opener wants to invite game he can do so in several ways –
a) Directly:
1♥ 2♥
3♥
This is a power invite. Responder bids game with a maximum 2♥ response. (Many pairs play this as preemptive, not invitational.)
b) Artificially – bidding a help-suit game try. A help-suit is an “airy” suit of at least 3 cards. KJxx, Axx. Certainly not KQJx, because its already “helping itself”. What do we do over a help-suit game try? The best help is a doubleton honor, the worst, three small. In the middle is a worthless doubleton or tripleton honor.
c) Waiting – via 2N (see ‘2N after a major raise’).
See ‘Jump-shift responses’.
In WJ2000 this bid showed a limit raise or better. This agreement was the one which drew the most criticism. To quickly distinguish the limit hand from the game forcing and slammish hands we have changed the meaning of the 2N response. In WJ05 it shows purely a limit raise.
Even though it is more defined, it still contains many hand-types: minimum, maximum, 3-crd support, 4-crd support, balanced or unbalanced. We have to remember that the jump raise (3♥) is strictly preemptive, destructive, and to no degree encourages bidding game. As a result, even a rather distributional hand is suited to respond 2N (if it appears too strong to preempt). We’ll call such weakish hands (or at least bids made with such hands) preempt-invites.
Continuing the auction, opener bids simply: 3♥ with an uninteresting hand, and 4♥ - with an interesting hand. Or he can make a help-suit game try.
I suggest introducing an asking bid: 3♣. Responses would be:
The 3♥ response is preemptive. As a rule this agreement follows the Law of total tricks: “If we have 9+ trumps, it pays to bid to the 3-level. If we go down, it’s very likely the opponents had some contract making their way.”
The jump raise promises 4-crd support without much defense – as a rule with no sure defensive trick. This response can in particular facilitate the decision of partner who, knowing of the good fit and few defensive values, may push the opponents around at a high level.
In respect of the fact that this bid often precedes a competitive auction (at the end of which the enemy may double) – let’s talk tactics: the quality of the preempt depends to some degree on the vulnerability.
At favorable vulnerability we will preempt with just practically nothing, like ♠ 2 ♥ J432 ♦ 5432 ♣ 5432 or ♠ 32 ♥ QJ32 ♦ J432 ♣ 432.
At equal vulnerability, opener can expect ♠ 2 ♥ K432 ♦ 5432 ♣ 5432 or ♠ 32 ♥ K432 ♦ Q32 ♣ 5432.
Preempting at unfavorable vulnerability, however, you need “something”: ♠ 32 ♥ QT32 ♦ K5432 ♣ 32 or ♠ 32 ♥ JT432 ♦ A32 ♣ 432.
The strength of the 3♥ bid is tied in with the strength of the 2N response, which as a preempt-invite means: I have a little more than a preempt at this vulnerability.
If despite responder’s preempt, opener perceives a chance of slam, on the next round, opener bids a singleton or void.
The splinter is the most effective gadget for slam bidding. This is because we more often have the opportunity to bid and make slam based on ruffing power rather than on strength. This is why the splinter is strengthening its value on the market of slam conventions – the latest is the “weak variety”, a.k.a. the mini-splinter, which is earning great popularity.
Experienced players have learned that when nothing is wasted opposite a splinter, slams can be made with a combined strength of just 26+ HCP, about 28 HCP on average. Let’s assume the average strength of a 12-17 opener is 14 HCP. In this case the average strength of a splinter should be oscillating around about 13-14 HCP. In practice, we extend the range to 12-15 HCP (depending on distribution and number of controls). Broadening this range further would hurt partner’s ability to do the right thing.
Let’s assume, however, that partner opens 1♥ and we have ♠ A432 ♥ QJ32 ♦ 2 ♣ K432. Partner might have this 16 HCP hand: ♠ K5 ♥ AKT87 ♦ 543 ♣ AQ5. Slam is excellent. But if we respond 4♦ and partner gets something like: ♠ Q5 ♥ AKT98 ♦ A43 ♣ Q65, it will be difficult to keep from going to slam, and even 5♥ is dangerous.
To prevent these situations we distinguish two kinds of splinters: weak, with (8)9-12 HCP, and strong, (12)13-16 HCP.
1♥ 3♠ = weak splinter; unknown shortness
Opener can satisfy his curiosity by asking with 3N for responder to show his shortness as naturally as possible (4♥ = ♠ shortness).
1♥ 4♣, 4♦ = strong splinter in ♣, ♦
1♥ 3N = strong splinter in ♠, since 3♠ is devoted to the weaker splinters.
A common requirement of both varieties of splinter is that they promise 4-crd support for opener’s suit. Continuations over splinters are handled in the chapter ‘Slam Bidding’.
2♣ by a passed hand is Drury (see ‘Drury’).
2♦ (and 2♥ over 1♠) by a passed hand can be weaker than normal, 8+ HCP, but if light then promises a good suit and denies a fit for opener’s suit.
3♣ and 3♦ responses show 9-11 HCP and a good 6+-crd suit without a fit for partner.
Magister is off by a passed hand.
Just like a 1♥ opening in both requirements and bidding structure. With 5-5 majors, we open 1♠.
The only bid that must be discussed because it doesn’t occur over 1♥ is a 2♥ response to 1♠.
Meaning: 9+ HCP and 6+♥, or 11+ HCP and 5+♥.
The 2♥ response is allowed to be slightly weaker than a two-over-one in a minor suit. This results from, first, the fact that fewer HCP are needed for a heart game than for a minor game, and second, the better score we can get in a heart partial than in NT at matchpoints. Yet, before deciding on a 2♥ response we have to consider the following dangers:
a) if we have a bare minimum (9 HCP), is our heart suit good enough that over a 2♠ rebid we will be able to rebid hearts at the 3-level?
b) if we respond 2♥ with a minimum (11 HCP), will we be able to know what to do over a 2♠ rebid?
Continuations over a 2♥ response
1♠ 2♥
3♥ minimum opening, 3 hearts, non-forcing
1♠ 2♥
4♥ better opening, 3-4 hearts
With a stronger hand and heart support, opener has the following alternatives:
a) splinter with a 4-crd heart fit,
b) 2N with a balanced hand (and 4♥ on the next round),
c) bidding a minor, and then 4♥ on the next round: 5♠, 3♥, 4-crd minor.
1♠ 3N = weak splinters (4♣ asks which shortness – 4♠ = club shortness)
1♠ 4♣, 4♦, 4♥ = strong splinters
A 1N opening shows 15-17 balanced. There is no need to “stretch” to open 1N with a good-looking 14 instead of opening 1♣, since the 1N response to 1♣ (9-11) allows inviting to game with 14.
Balanced distribution includes any 5-crd suit, if it’s 5332. If our 5-crd suit is a minor, we have practically no alternative to opening 1N. If we have a balanced hand with a 5-crd major, then we may make a choice between opening 1N and 1M.
The factors that determine when to open 1N were largely discussed in the section on the 1♥ opening. We’ll review some example hands which may be opened 1N despite a 5-crd major:
Sometimes it’s worth opening 1N with 5-4 distribution (5-crd minor, not major), when we have honors in the short suits:
With the above hands it’s better to grab declarership with a 1N bid (we have useful honors in our short suits).
You may judge to open 1N with a 6-crd minor, e.g.: ♠ AQ ♥ QT ♦ J98754 ♣ AKJ.
In WJ05 we have shelved relay Stayman. After the 2♣ response, the auction proceeds naturally. This is because choice of contract is often better decided based not on distribution, but on honor location. A natural auction is easier and isn’t so taxing on memory. Further, non-standard opening 1N distributions are not covered by the relay system (and as said before, it is sometimes worth making such deviations).
2§ Stayman
Stayman is bid with one of the following intended goals:
a) to find a major fit,
b) to reach a partial in a suit, but never NT,
c) to find the best game,
d) investigating slam.
There are three responses to Stayman:
2♦ = no major
2♥ = 4♥ (maybe 4♠)
2♠ = 4♠ (denies 4♥)
Further bidding is
natural. Two-level rebids by responder
are NF, while three-level rebids are GF (except invitational by a passed hand).
1N 2♣
2♦ ?
2♥ = NF with 4-5♥. Opener chooses between hearts and spades. Over 2♠,
responder either passes (if he has spades), or corrects to a minor.
3♣ = natural, forcing (invitational by a passed hand)
1N 2♣
2♥ ?
2♠ = NF with 4♠
3N = promises 4♠
3♣ = natural, forcing (invitational by a passed hand)
1N 2♣
2♠ ?
3♦ = natural, forcing (invitational by a passed hand)
Trybuła transfers
After a 2M response
to Stayman, we use Trybuła transfers
(Prof. Stanisław
Trybuła – eminent mathematician and bridge expert from Wroclaw – see Encyklopedia Brydża,
pg. 796[1]): rebidding
the suit immediately below opener’s major at the 3-level is forcing, setting
the major as trumps.
1N 2♣
2♥ 3♦ = strong, agrees hearts
1N 2♣
2♠ 3♥
= strong, agrees spades
Trybuła
transfers perfectly accomplish two goals:
1) allowing reaching 3N even with a 4-4 major fit. Thanks to this, we don’t have to decide whether it’s worth it to bid Stayman over partner’s 1N opener holding 4333. Now it’s always worth it!
2) setting slam interest early.
Continuations
after a Trybuła
transfer (following a structure suggested by Leszka Wesołowski):
1) 3 of the agreed major = pretty good hand
2) 3N = good hand for 3N, NF
3) 4 of the agreed major = bad hand for NT, but a bad trump suit too
4) new suit = natural side suit, source of tricks
2♦, 2♥ Transfers
2♦ and 2♥ are transfers, promising at least 5 cards in the next higher suit (i.e. 2♦ shows 5+ hearts, 2♥ shows 5+ spades), any distribution.
After transfers, further bidding is illustrated by the sequences below:
1N 2♥
2♠ = most hands
1N 2♥
2N = opener shows a very good hand with a good spade fit, but guaranteeing good play in
NT. After this, 3♥ by responder is either a retransfer to spades or natural, and any further bidding over 3♠ reveals the natural variant (and so 4♥ is a possible final contract).
1N 2♥
3♠ = maximum 1N opener, excellent fit. In this case, spades is clearly set as trumps.
Further bids by responder (other than 4♠) are slammish:
3N = slam-try, no shortness
4♣, 4♦,4 ♥ = slam splinter
After a transfer, a new suit at the 3-level is GF.
1N 2♥
2♠ 3♣ (3♦, 3♥)
3♠ = opener has slam interest (4♠ would have been weak)
It’s important to remember that after:
1N 2♥
2♠ 2N = invitational, 7-9 HCP
responder need not be balanced. But:
1N 2♥
2♠ 3♠ = invitational, 7-9 HCP
does not promise 100% of the time 6♠: ♠ KQJ65 ♥ 6 ♦ J986 ♣ JT5.
Bidding with both majors
This way we solve a system hole in WJ2000: bidding invitational hands with 5-4 majors.
For Regular partnerships Only
1N 2♣
2♦ 3♥(3♠)
Game-forcing
with 4 cards in the bid major, and 5 in the other [a.k.a. ‘Smolen’]. This allows transferring declarership back
to opener if he has 3-crd support for the other major. Note this means that the sequence
1N 2♦
2♥ 2♠
loses
it’s forcing variant, leaving only the invitational meaning (therefore opener
with ordinary hand may pass this bid, avoiding raising the level
unnecessarily).
Because
the treatment is totally new, you may at this point want to remember that in
WJ2000 this sequence showed shortness with 4 cards in the other major, and a
5-crd minor.
1N 2♦
2♥ 2♠
2N 3♠ = 5 spades
In this way, at the 3-level you
can sort out 5-5 hands (if you start with spades, you can’t confirm 5 hearts
without actually bidding to 4♥).
[Smolen implies 2♠ is non-forcing so discuss with your partner
if you play both treatments. – DJN]
We can now both choose the best contract (even 3N) and set a suit for slam.
2♠ - Transfer to clubs
In WJ05 a 2N response is natural. Therefore as a result, a 2♠ response shows just a club one-suiter (not dual-meaning).
1N 2♠
?
2N = good club support (3 cards to a top honor, at least), and a good opening,
3♣ = all other hands.
On the following round, responder can show shortness, e.g.
1N 2♠
2N(3♣) 3♥ = short hearts
If responder has a second suit besides clubs, then he instead starts with Stayman 2♣ and later (if needed) naturally bids his hand.
1N 2♠
2N 3N = natural; “If you have a maximum with a good club fit, we’re gambling 3N. Had you
bid 3♣, we would have played there.”
1N 2♠
3♣ 3N = invite to slam, with clubs; “Your discouraging response doesn’t scare me. I can’t bid
anything else because I don’t have any shortness. 3N is to play, but I was just checking to make sure we weren’t missing a club slam.”
2N – Invite to 3N
The double-meaning 2♠ (invite to 3N or club 1-suiter) is no longer used. First, it makes it more difficult to bid clubs, and second, it gives the enemy more of a chance to make a lead-directing double (or non-double… a negative inference).
3♣ - Transfer to diamonds, weak or strong (GF)
Opener must bid 3♦. A weak responder just passes, while a GF hand bids shortness or 3N as mild slam invite with diamonds.
3♦ - Invite with diamonds
The 3♣ bid is never exactly an invite to game: it’s either weak or game-forcing. So with an invitational hand (e.g. ♠ JT2 ♥ 432 ♦ KQT432 ♣ Q), we bid 3♦. Opener with good diamond support and a good hand bids 3N, and otherwise passes.
3♥, 3♠ - 5431 convention
These responses show hands with 5-4+ in the minors, and a short major. The convention gets its name from the most common of the distributions it describes: 5-4-3-1. However, other patterns are included (5521, 5530, 6421, 6430). The strength must be game-forcing to warrant the jump (you can’t stop below game, and you can make a slam try).
So the bids individually show:
3♥ = short hearts, at least 5-4 in the minors
3♠ = short spades, at least 5-4 in the minors
Continuations:
1N 3♥ = short hearts without 4 spades
?
3♠ = 4 good (or any 5) spades, suggests playing in a 7-crd fit,
3N = “I want to play 3N - I have serious stoppage in hearts”,
4♣ = sets clubs,
4♦ = sets diamonds,
4♥ = 4+ 4+ minors, maximum hand, nothing wasted in hearts,
4N = 4+ 4+ minors, wrong hearts for 3N, but not strong enough for 4♥.
Gerber 1430
In response to an opening 1N, 4♣ is Gerber, asking just for Aces (no King of trumps). Responses are just like Blackwood:
4♦ = 1 or 4 aces
4♥ = 0 or 3 aces
4♠ = 2 aces, 0 kings
4N = 2 aces, 1 king
etc…
After the response, bids are to play, except 4N, which asks for kings (0, 1, 2, …).
Texas transfers (4♦, 4♥)
Just like transfers at the 2-level, they show the next-higher suit:
1N 4♦ = transfer to hearts
1N 4♥ = transfer to spades
We bid Texas with a 6+crd suit in order to play 4♥ or 4♠ from opener’s hand.
There are three goals of this convention:
1) Preempting the enemy – it could contain a weak distributional hand: ♠ 2 ♥ JT95432 ♦ T987 ♣ 2
1N 4♦
“We might make 4♥, and if not, we may have preempted them out of their game.”
2) Distinguishing game hands from slammish hands:
1N 2♦
2♥ 4♥
“I have 6+ trumps, just like with Texas, but there’s some chance of slam (about 13-14 HCP).”
3) Distinguishing a quantitative 4N from an RKC 4N:
1N 2♦
2♥ 4N = Invite. “5 hearts, about 15 HCP. Over to you.”
1N 4♦
4♥ 4N = RKC. “Surprise, partner! You were thinking I was weak, but I have such a
rock-crusher that I just need to check on your keycards in hearts.”
2♣ shows 11-14(15) HCP with 5+♣ and a 4-crd major, or just 6+♣. The attentive reader may remember from the description of the 1♣ opening that with some hands fulfilling the 2♣ opening criteria, one must choose a 1♣ opening instead.
The 2♦ response shows at least an invitational hand. Bidding 2♦ followed by 3♣ shows a positive hand (10-11 HCP) with a club fit (saying nothing about a 4-crd major, since you can’t immediately raise to 3♣).
2♦ followed by a suit bid is GF with that suit.
Alternatively responder can ask further questions (with any GF hand).
In response to the 2♦ relay, opener shows his distribution:
2♥ = 4 hearts,
2♠ = 4 spades,
2N = 6 clubs, good for declaring NT,
3♣ = 6 clubs, good hand for being dummy at 3N (3♦ asks for shortness [3N = none, 4♣ = ♦]),
3♦ = 6 clubs, 4♦, max,
3♥, 3♠ = 6 clubs, weak 5-crd major, e.g. ♠ 3 ♥ Q5432 ♦ 2 ♣ AKQJ32,
3N = solid clubs, max.
Responder may continue with the cheapest step as a further relay (e.g. 2♠ over 2♥, 2N over 2♠), over which opener bids:
Examples:
a) 2♣ 2♦
2♥ 2♠
3♦, 3♠ = 3-crd fragment
b) 2♣ 2♦
2♠ 2N
3♣ 3♦
3♥ = short hearts
Any other bid than the cheap asking bid is natural, and – if introducing a new suit – forcing.
Particular attention should be drawn to a certain set of sequences:
2♣ 2♦
2♥ 2N
is natural and non-forcing (the next relay would have been 2♠). But:
2♣ 2♦
2♠ 2N = relay
Therefore invitational hands over a 2♠ rebid have no good bid (3♣ is the only escape).
These responses are natural, non-forcing, with 5+ cards (6-11 HCP).
Opener raises partner with a 4-crd fit, and passes or raises with 3 cards (use judgement).
With no fit you may start a scramble. Opener may proceed to 3♣ with a good 6-crd suit (or 2♠, if he cannot pass 2♥). With short spades (over 2♠) and 5 clubs he can risk 2N, but only with a good hand – with a weak one he must pass ("what does a horse care if his wagon overturns?").
Over 2♣, the most difficult hands to bid are strong 2-suiters: you can’t start by bidding a new suit cheaply, since the 2♥ and 2♠ responses are non-forcing; on the other hand you can’t go through 2♦given that the first natural suit rebid would have to be at the 3-level. The problem is solved by an increasingly more popular artificial meaning of 2N. This bid shows a sign-off in clubs, or a strong (GF) 2-suiter without clubs. Opener is forced to rebid 3♣, and responder either passes (0-8 raise), or shows the 2-suiter Wilkosz-style:
3♦ = diamonds-hearts,
3♥ = hearts-spades,
3♠ = spades-diamonds.
Once a 2-suiter is shown, the auction is game-forcing. The advantages of this agreement are:
1) the ability to show 2-suiters,
2) limiting the 2♦ relay meanings – if we bid 2♦, and then our suit, it is known we have a 1-suited hand,
3) the ability to distinguish weak and invitational club raises.
3♣ is not a preempt, but a limit raise (9-11 HCP).
Since we have removed 2-suiters from the 2♦ response, a strong 1-suited heart or spade hands bid 2♦ and then bids their suit.
Given this, the immediate jump to 3♦, 3♥ and 3♠ show invitational 1-suiters with a good suit (one that would bid 1♣-1♥-1N-3♥).
New suits are non-forcing at the 2-level and forcing at the 3-level. Double is negative. Opener with 4 good cards in the bid suit can pass.
WJ05 sees a change from WJ2000 in the meaning of the 2♦ opening. We have a hand which “formerly” we would have opened 2♥ or 2♠ - 6-11 HCP with a decent suit.
We
use a very good response structure written up by Sławomir Zawiślak in the April 2004 issue of “Brydż” magazine. Here we paraphrase that agreement – with
just one essential change.
Responder’s bids should have one of the
following goals:
1)
stopping at as
low a level as possible if there is no fit (when the 6-crd suit hits your shortness)
– even with strong hands,
2)
playing from
responder’s hand when responder has some strength,
3)
reaching a
contract quickly (without ceremonial exploring), when responder has support,
and this is easy to see is true when responder has good support for both
majors; in these situations it’s best
to bid game quickly to make it impossible for the enemy to find out if they
have a good sacrifice – or have a game, or even have the balance of the HCP,
4)
hiding the
overall distribution from the enemy with weak hands – as long as we get to play
in opener’s suit.
These responses mean: “pass, if I have bid your suit”. Note: as a rule you bid 2♥ with weaker hearts than spades, and vice versa.
With ♠ KJ2 ♥ 32 ♦ QJ32 ♣ Q432, despite the fact that our spades are better than our hearts, we respond 2♥ - so that we can stop in 2♥ when partner has hearts. If he has spades, he corrects to 2♠, and we pass in pleasant surprise.
With ♠ 2 ♥ KT32 ♦ KQ32 ♣ AQ32, we bid 2♠! If partner has 6 spades, we can’t safely play higher than 2♠ - so partner in that case passes 2♠. If however opener has 6 hearts, he will be bidding further, and we then would shoot for game in hearts.
Over a 2♥ response opener has no free choice: with the weak two in hearts he must pass, and with the weak two in spades he must say 2♠ (if he has the desire to take another bid, it means he chose the wrong opening bid). This restraint is required, as the anemic 2♥ response suggests a misfit.
Over a 2♠ response opener must pass if he has 6 spades. Perhaps partner has a void in spades and it’s a huge misfit. But if opener has hearts, then over the 2♠ response he can “grow wings”. He can bid 2N (max opening with hearts) or 3♣, 3♦ (semi-natural, max opening with hearts and a side holding in clubs or diamonds, respectively). With a minimum heart hand, opener returns immediately to 3♥.
The 2♥ and 2♠ bids can also contain a 1-suited invitational hand. For example we pick up ♠ 2 ♥ AQJT32 ♦ KQT2 ♣ Q2, and partner opens 2♦. We bid 2♥, partner corrects to 2♠, and we rebid hearts. Partner can pass or take the push to four.
The same rule holds with spades. Holding a good 6-crd spade suit we bid 2♠. Partner initially expects that we are suggesting pushing to 3♥. He shows the type of heart hand he has, and we repeat spades over this. Partner can pass or bid game in spades.
The 2♦ opening often consists of a good suit and few honors elsewhere. Because of this it is most often right to play a contract from responder’s hand – its wealth of side cards is better situated to withstand the opening lead when it is declaring. And therefore, the structure is designed to arrange the auction so that the stronger hand ends up declaring. For example, with ♠ AQ4 ♥ K432 ♦ KQJ74 ♣ 3 we want to play game even opposite a minimum opener. However, independent of whether partner has spades or hearts, we prefer to play from our hand, because a lead in the other major we withstand better from a declaring position.
We make a 2N response commonly with strong hands to measure the chance of making game or slam. 2N fills the role of asking for the variant of opening. Opener’s rebids:
2♦ 2N
3♣ 3♦
3♠ = max with hearts
(hearts are set as trumps)
But 2N may be bid as a tactical psyche (not
uncommon opposite a standard weak two as well), a weak hand with the goal of
obscuring the strength to the enemy, e.g. at favorable vulnerability with: ♠ KJ
♥ 432 ♦ 5432 ♣ J432.
Since 2N may be a psyche, it’s better to play
that a 3♣ response is strong while 3♦, 3♥ - weak. Over the auction:
2♦ 2N
3♦ 3♥
(to play)
the enemy doesn’t know whether it was a
psyche asking bid, or simply that the response discouraged him. (The other
way: 3♣ = weak opening, 3♦,
3♠ = strong, does not allow this measure of safety.)
Over a 3♣ rebid, we play FLISZ, a twist
on the “pass-or-correct” idea. (FLISZ
stands for Szurig Forcing Invite –
introduced by the author of the WJ2000 Wilkosz continuations).
2♦ 2N
3♣ ?
3♥
= pass with hearts, bid with spades (probably the 2N ask was a psyche),
3♠
= pass with spades, bid with hearts
3♣ is a strong artificial bid – when responder wants to bid his own suit, and not ask for opener’s suit. Over the 3♣ response opener is forced to bid 3♦, and responder shows his suit naturally: 3♥, 3♠, 4♣, 4♦ (3N can show a solid minor). This is forcing.
3♦ shows an invitational hand with a fit in both majors. It’s best to bid this when we fear that instead 2N would lead to conventional responses the enemy could double for the lead (or a good sacrifice).
Over a 3♦ response opener bids 3♥ (3♠) with a minimum and 4♣ (4♦) with a maximum and hearts (spades) – in order not to immediately become declarer. Over a positive response we still have the ability to choose whether to declare or not.
A tactical meaning: “pass with hearts, bid 3♠ with spades”. Usually this is bid with a weak hand with support for both majors and the goal of preempting the enemy.
FLISZ (“pass with hearts, proceed with spades”).
Wants to play in partner’s suit at the 4-level from our hand (4♣) or partner’s hand (4♦). Over 4♣, opener transfers to his suit (e.g. 4♥ = “I have spades”) and over 4♦, he bids his suit naturally.
We bid 4♦ when there is some reason to want to pass declarership to partner or when we fear a double (e.g. for the lead) of 4♣.
Natural – with our own suit!
Over enemy interference, doubles are penalty, and new suits are “pass or correct”.
2♦ (2♠) X = penalty
2♦ (3♣) 3♥ = fishing for partner’s suit; pass with hearts, else bid further
2♦ (3♣) 4♣ = prepares a sign-off in our own suit [since 4M would be p/c]
The 2♥ and 2♠ openings show a sub-opening strength (6-11), 5 of the bid suit and a side 5-crd suit: in the case of 2♥ it can be any side suit, while with 2♠ the second suit must be a minor.
Continuations should be primarily tactical. With a 4-crd fit for opener’s suit I recommend a direct leap to the 4-level (of course vulnerability plays a non-trivial role). This auction can have offensive character (to make), or preemptive, and does not create a forcing-pass situation; and if the enemy comes into the auction responder is “boss of the partnership”.
2♠ = “pass with spades, or bid your minor suit”.
The 2N response asks for the side 5-crd suit. Over a 2♥ opening, opener shows spades with a 3♥ bid.
Later bidding follows the rules: set minors naturally, majors – with a cue-bid.
2♥ 2N
3♦ 4♦ = strong (slammish), setting diamonds as trumps.
2♥ 2N
3♦ 3♠ = strong (slammish), setting hearts as trumps and showing a cue.
2♥ 2N
3♦ 3♥ = invitational and non-forcing – perhaps only a doubleton heart.
2♥ 2N
3♥ 3♠ = strong, sets spades as trumps.
Other responses: 3♣, 3♦, 3♥ over 2♠, and 3♠ over 2♥ are natural (6+ cards) and forcing for one round.
Over enemy intervention, doubles are penalty, and new suits are “pass or correct”.
2♥ (2♠) X = penalty,
2♥ (3♣) 3♦ = for a suit; pass with diamonds, else proceed further,
2♥ (3♣) 4♣ = to show our own suit naturally on the next round.
The opening shows 6-11 HCP and at least 5-5 in the minors.
Further bidding is natural. Responder usually bids his better minor at an “adequate” level. Responses in a minor at the 4-level are preemptive if non-vulnerable and preempt-invitational vulnerable (so when red, opener can bid game if more distributional than 5-5).
The artificial response is 3♥ - asking for distribution. In reply, opener bids his longest major (3♠ doubleton spade, 3N doubleton heart, 4♥ tripleton heart, 4♠ tripleton spade) or bids a 6-crd minor (4♣, 4♦).
These are natural. Vulnerable it promises a 7-crd suit, while non-vulnerable a 3-of-a-minor opening can contain only 6 cards. The strength requirements depend on the scoring method and partnership agreements. In the absence of any special agreement we suggest you assume the default of the 4-3-2-2 method. It means you bid a contract based on the maximum the hand guarantees going down: 4 tricks if we are at favorable vul, 3 tricks if both non-vulnerable, and 2 tricks if we are vulnerable.
Raising partner to the 4-level is tactical in nature, e.g.:
3♥ 4♥ = “I might want to make this, but I might be trying to scare the enemy from bidding”,
3♣ 4♣ = furthering the preempt (“Don’t bid higher if the enemy doesn’t come in”).
Showing a new major suit (3♥, 3♠, 4♥, 4♠) is natural. Bidding a new minor suit is semi-natural: 3♦ (over an opening 3♣) is a forcing waiting bid, while 4♣ and 4♦ (if new suits) are cue-bids.
Solid 7-crd minor, with nothing else.
4♣ and 5♣ responses are to find partner’s suit – partner passes with clubs or corrects with diamonds. 4♥ and 4♠ are natural.
4♦ is artificial, asking for shortness. Opener bids his short major, or rebids NT with shortness in the other minor. 5♣, 5♦ show no shortness (7222).
Note: Over a double of 3N, pass by responder accepts playing in 3N-X.
“South African Texas” (4♣ for hearts, 4♦ for spades) is no longer included in the system. These openings are better-used as natural, preemptive. As a rule (even more so in third seat), these openings are devoted to hands so unbalanced that 3N has little chance of success.
Opener’s strength and trump length depends on scoring method and partnership agreements. In the absence of anything else, we suggest the 4-3-2-2 rule.
Subsequent bids by responder are cue-bids (even 4♠ over a 4♥ opening). This principle applies also in the situations when the enemy enters the auction.
The WJ 1♣ opening has 3 possible meanings:
a) preparatory: 12-14 HCP, no 5-crd major, not 6+♣, not 5♣-4M,
b) natural: 15-17 HCP unbalanced with clubs,
c) strong: 18+ HCP, any distribution.
With this variant of the opening it is 12-14 HCP balanced – no 5-crd suit unless clubs, but only then with flat distribution (5332). With 5 clubs and 4 diamonds we open 1♦, and with 6 clubs or 5 clubs and a 4-crd major we open 2♣.
If we open the bidding with 1♣ holding 5 clubs, then we should not on the next round make a point to rebid the clubs (“hey, I have extra clubs”) because it would appear to show variant (b) of the opening – natural, and hence showing a stronger hand.
The definitions of the openings don’t substitute for hand evaluation. How do you hit off the auction with ♠ K4 ♥ AJ ♦ 8542 ♣ AJT65? The “systemic” 1♦ opening could be put in the category of a psyche bid. Since we don’t like to joke around, we open 1♣, and over partner’s major response we rebid 1N.
Opening 1♣ with the preparatory variant as a rule denies 6+ clubs (which would open 2♣). However with a weak 6-crd suit we don’t have to open 2♣. We may opt to open 1♣ and later treat the hand as balanced with 5 clubs. So if we open 1♣ with ♠ KJ3 ♥ Q5 ♦ AT ♣ J86542, then over partner’s 1♥ response we rebid 1N. But now if partner continues the auction, we will show 5 clubs (which afterwards in the declaring phase will be revealed to be 6, but every partner likes good surprises).
Opening 2♣ - with the variant with 5♣ and a 4-crd major – turns out not to be so good (particularly at matchpoints), when the club suit is weak. In light of this, with ♠ K3 ♥ QJ97 ♦ AQ ♣ T9765 we open 1♣. After a 1♥ response we raise partner (2♥) or after a 1♠ response we rebid 1N.
Straying from the
system like this requires caution in planning the auction ahead. If we open 1§
with 5 clubs and 4 spades and the auction proceeds as follows:
1§ 1♥
1♠ 1N (2N)
we don’t want to proceed to show clubs, since this would show distribution such as we have, but a stronger opening, and would be forcing.
To sum up: if we open 1♣, then over a 1-level response we don’t want to show clubs with the 12-14 HCP variant.
I don’t recommend opening 2♣ (Precision) with both 4-crd majors. Practice shows it’s better to open 1♣, and bid as if we have 4414 distribution.
We use the opening 1♣ with 15-17 HCP club-based hands which are not suited for opening 1N.
Which hands are “suited” and “not-suited” for an opening 1N is left to the realm of a player's intuition . Despite this we’ll try to quantify some concrete rules for which hands with 15-17 HCP qualify for a 1♣ opening. We know already that having 5 clubs with 5332 distribution is no hindrance to opening 1N. So therefore what hands are not suited for opening 1N?
We are positive though that nobody esteeming themselves as an expert declarer would not allow himself to remember to open 1N with these types of hands:
The strong variant of the 1♣ opening distinguishes WJ from the mass of other bidding systems. The key to good operation of this system is therefore handling it’s unique opening variant.
We begin with the definition of strengths and weaknesses of the strong club variant.
Strengths:
1) The ability to exactly define the total combined HCP of both hands. This feat is accomplished by narrowing the strength of the other openings. Thanks to the 1♣ opening we can break the remaining 1-level suit openings into two narrow ranges: weak (12-14) and strong (15-17). In a system without this opening it is necessary to handle three wide strengths: 12-15, 16-18, 19-22.
2) The ability to find game when one of the hands is strong, and the other very weak.
3) The ability to obtain exact information about the weak hand by saving a level when opening the strong hand. This applies to the particular situation in which the strong hand has balanced distribution and the weak hand – unbalanced.
Weaknesses:
1) Vulnerability to enemy preemption.
2) Leaving the enemy room in the auction.
3) Ambiguity of the 1♣ bid.
It would be useful to convert the above arguments “for” and “against” into some practical rules which are worth taking into consideration before making the decision: “To open, or not to open, a strong club?”
How do you take advantage
of the strengths of the 1♣ opening?
In order to reap the benefits of (1) and (2) we open a strong club with those hands that may make game with just a little help from partner. Formulated:
Assume that partner has a balanced hand. Then if we choose an opening other than 1§, and partner passes, then can we be missing game?
If the answer to this is in the affirmative, we are obligated to open 1♣.
With the hands below, we open 1♣:
1) ♠ AKJ32 ♥ K2 ♦ QJ32 ♣ A3 – we have 18 HCP, and thus it easily fulfills the requirements of this opening;
2) ♠ AKT5432 ♥ A32 ♦ KJ3 ♣ -- - merely 15 HCP, but needs very little from partner (doubleton spade and an honor in hearts or diamonds would enable making game);
3) ♠ 32 ♥ AKQ432 ♦ AQJ2 ♣ 2 – 16 HCP but one good honor (diamond King) secures 10 tricks in a heart contract;
4) ♠ AKJT2 ♥ AQT2 ♦ K32 ♣ 3 – holding lots of cards in the majors (9 or more), we can open a strong club with fewer HCP (good 16+). The reasons are:
· the two majors represent two chances to bid the lowest possible suit games,
· if we open with 1 of a major, and partner passes with 5-crd support for the other major, then our enemy surely won’t save us by reopening the bidding (with shortness in the unbid major one has to be very skeptical to consider balancing),
· with 5♠-4♥, in the noncompetitive auction 1♠-1N-?, a jump in a new suit (e.g. 3♥) shows 5 hearts; so with 4 hearts we must instead bid only 2♥, which could prematurely end the auction,
· holding the majors we have less of a concern over being preempted by the opponents (this point will be touched on again when discussing how to avoid losses due to the weaknesses of the strong club opening).
I propose one more guideline:
I
have a 5-4 or 6-4 hand. Then if I
choose an opening other than 1♣, partner bids 1N, I bid another suit without jumping, and
partner passes, could we have missed game?
If the answer to this is in the affirmative, it’s better to open 1♣.
The biggest advantage the strong club enjoys (whether in the WJ system or in others, e.g. Precision) over other systems arises in situations when a strong balanced hand encounters a distributional weak hand. In most natural systems this occurs after an opening 2N. Let’s say for example that responder has 9 HCP with 5M-4m distribution (M = Major, m = minor). Jacoby transfer, which partner obediently accepts. Now what? Go past 3N, or not? And what to do holding the reverse holding? Say we hold 5 diamonds and 4 hearts. Over an opening 2N (20-21), we ask with 3♣, and partner bids 3♠. We’ve run down a blind alley.
Playing Polish, by the time the 3-level is reached, responder has always managed to show both suits and positive strength (7+ HCP, since 6 or less is a negative over a 1♣ opening).
Recently has appeared a strange practice of incorporating the strong 2N into WJ. Lord no! This is like buying a cannon for a battle and cutting off the barrels.
Managing the weakness
of the strong club
If the rules of bridge dictated that there were only uncontested auctions, that two partners bid together undisturbed, then all systems would be based on figuring out the total strength in fine detail (certain not just WJ, but Precision and some generic artificial systems). The chief deficiency of a system based on artificial openings however is sensitivity to enemy interference – and WJ is no exception. The rule below allows a certain degree of protection against the weaknesses:
A hand is most suited for a strong 1§ opening when it would be difficult for enemy interference to prevent transmitting information about our hand.
With ♠ AKT5432 ♥ A32 ♦ KJ3 ♣ -- we won’t have any problems over enemy interference, since we can always rebid spades. We should be a little nervous with ♠ -- ♥ AKT5432 ♦ A32 ♣ KJ3. Opening 1♣ (despite everything I espouse) we should expect in a moment to be fighting alone against an enemy spade preempt (and hearts has to be introduced a level above spades). Holding the following hand: ♠ -- ♥ A32 ♦ AKT5432 ♣ KJ3 the opponents threaten to bid either hearts or spades – is it better to begin the auction by opening 1♦? For the same reason I don’t recommend opening a strong club with 2-suiters in the minors. ♠ 32 ♥ 2 ♦ AKQ32 ♣ AKJT2 is strong, however I will be opening 1♦, in order to subsequently show the second suit (with the majors the opponents always leap off the starting block quickly – we are not left behind after 1♦)
Holding 6 spades, 4 diamonds, and the formal strength, we would plan on opening 1♣ (after the enemy jumps at our throat, shutting our eyes and bidding spades), and with this same hand but 6 diamonds and 4 spades we would open 1♦ (if the enemy bids hearts, then over a diamond opener we would show spades, while over a club opening we would not have known what to do).
The above principle is an argument for opening a strong club
with strong balanced hands. This hand
type is not especially vulnerable to enemy interference (just double and take
the money).
The straightforward method of revealing this club variant is jumping in a new suit (1♣-1♥-2♠) or jumping to 2N (1♣-1♥-2N… strong club with a balanced hand but less than 3 hearts).
Jumping in a new suit, however, is not necessary to distinguish the strong club hands.
1♣ 1♥
1♠
is forcing in WJ. It initially shows the 12-14 hands with 4 spades, but responder does not want to pass this bid since opener’s hand may include the other opening hand types, including the strong club:
a) 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 1N
3N
Opener has a strong balanced hand with 4 spades.
b) 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 1N
2♠
Opener has a strong hand with 5+ spades.
c) 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 1N
2♣
4 spades, 5+ clubs, 15+ HCP; the bid is forcing for one round.
d) 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 1N
3♦
Strong club with 5 spades and 5 diamonds.
e) 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 1N
3♣
Strong club with 5 spades and 5 clubs.
After a positive response to a 1♣ opening (anything but 1♦) and confirmation of a strong club, the auction is game-forcing.
Thus the auction:
1♣ 1♥
2♠
shows something better than a strong club and 5 spades: opener has a strong club with (6+) very good spades.
Responder at the same time may not pass in the sequence:
1♣ 1♥
2♣
Opener is showing 15+ HCP (see ‘How to show the medium club variant’). If therefore opener chooses the sequence:
1♣ 1♥
3♣
it means that he wants to express a strong club (18+ HCP) with a very good 6+-crd club suit.
We can also communicate a strong club via an “uneconomical” major suit bid, e.g.:
1♣ 1N
2♥(2♠)
Responder’s 1N response excludes holding a 4-crd major, hence opener’s major suit bid should show 5 (after the first round of this auction you don’t seek a fit in a suit in which there is no chance of having 8+ cards total between the two hands), and at the same time strong club strength. Similarly:
1♣ 1♠
2♥
Responder’s 1♠ bypasses (and thus initially denies) the 4-crd heart suit. Opener’s 2♥ rebid hence shows a strong club with 5+ hearts.
After opener shows a strong club with a 5-crd major, responder with 3-crd support may raise opener in 4 ways:
1) Bid game – this is the weakest raise, strongly discouraging slam.
2) Bid 2N, and on the next round bid game in partner’s suit. This sequence shows a pretty good hand (within the frame of the current auction), 3-crd support, and no ruffing potential.
3) Raise to the 3-level – a very encouraging raise for the context. So besides a fit it should promise ruffing values in the form of a side doubleton.
4) Show a fit with side shortness via a splinter.
Other methods used for showing a strong club are Odwrotka, Bubrotka, or Odwyrtka (see ‘1♣ opening – Odwrotka’). These conventions opener uses with 18+ HCP and a 3-crd fit for responder’s suit.
Opener shows the middle variant by bidding clubs without jumping, e.g.:
1♣ 1♥(1♠, 1N)
2♣
Opener’s bid shows 15+ HCP and is forcing! Here, opener may therefore have 18+ HCP. Particularly over a 1♠ response, opener may not allow himself to jump in clubs when he has 4 hearts on the side.
With 15+ HCP, 5 clubs and 4 spades, over a 1♥ response (or 1♦) opener begins with the spades:
1♣ 1♥ or 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 1N 1♠ 2♥
2♣ 3♣
In both cases opener is showing a hand with 15+ HCP, 4 spades, and 5+ clubs. Responder does not want to pass at this point.
NOTE: Showing clubs over enemy interference also shows at least the medium (15-17) strength of the 1♣ opening.
1♣ (1♥) 1♠ (Pass)
?
Bidding clubs shows 15+ HCP.
The same reasoning holds when responder makes a negative double, e.g.:
1♣ (1♠) X (Pass)
?
This rule applies up to the 2-level:
1♣ (2♥) X (Pass)
?
We remark that all the above sequences opener’s room for maneuvering is very limited. If he doesn’t have a heart stopper and the card gods didn’t bestow a lot of HCP (11-14), then he has nothing to bid. Showing clubs indicates a strong hand, and showing diamonds is even a stronger hand (odwrotka over partner’s 1M response, or a strong club with diamonds in all other situations).
The solution to these problems is at first glance quite sad-looking. Opener must bid NT at the lowest level even without a stopper in the enemy suit. However despite appearances disaster doesn’t threaten. Responder, when he wants to play 3N, and hasn’t the enemy suit stopped, must check back on whether opener has a stopper.
What’s more, this agreement has unforeseen advantages. Let’s assume that the heart suit is distributed:
AQx
KT9xx xxx
Jx
A NT contract is best played by the hand which doesn’t have the stopper. Similarly: Kxx (dummy) Qx (declarer), Axx – Qx, Kxx – Jx, or AQx – Tx.
If opener shows neither the strong nor medium club variants, it means he has a 12-14 HCP hand with balanced distribution.
Remember: with the weak variant we should not show long clubs at the first opportunity.
This rule does not apply when partner forces to game:
1♣ 2♦(2♥, 2♠)
3♣ = 5 clubs, 12+ HCP
In WJ 2005 the 1♦ response has 3 possible meanings:
a) 0-8 HCP (if 7-8 then no 4-crd major),
b) 9-11 HCP, unbalanced, no 4-crd major,
c) 12-15 HCP, balanced, no 4-crd major, wrong honor structure for declaring NT.
The negative variant
We bid 1♦ with all “negative” hands. The upper limit of a “negative” is 6 HCP with a 4-crd major and 8 HCP without. On the next round, responder normally passes a 1-level bid by partner with 0-4 HCP and continues bidding with 5+ HCP.
1♣ 1♦
1♥(1♠) 1N
Now the 1N bid shows 5-8 HCP (in WJ2000 this bid showed 5-6(7) HCP). If opener has the preparatory club, then nothing has changed, since he must pass (and only the opponents are not certain whether they must balance with a double). Opener may start the auction just the same way with a strong club. As soon as the negative hand doesn’t jump rebid, then slam hasn’t a prayer, and game is the only goal.
1♣ 1♦
1♥ 1N (5-8)
2♥ ?
The auction is not game-forcing. 3♥ now would be invitational, and 4♥ stronger.
NOTE: 2N in this sequence is forcing (5-8 HCP). This treatment is necessary (even with limited 5-6 HCP you should play this) to retain the ability to probe the best game: it could be 4♥ with 7 trumps, or even 3N with 8 hearts, e.g.:
1♣ 1♦
1♥ 1N
2♥ 2N
3♥ 3N
“I have a doubleton heart, as I haven’t shown a second suit. Can you stand to play NT?”
2N must also be forcing to 3♥ in the sequence:
1♣ 1♦
2♥ 2N
A problem may arise with 15-17 and clubs. We propose the following agreement:
1♣ 1♦
1♥(1♠) 1N
2♣ ?
Opener is showing 15+ HCP with a 4-crd major and 5 clubs. This response is forcing for one round (opener may have a strong hand - difficult to show, e.g. 5431 distribution). Responder has a choice of non-forcing natural bids: 2N and 3♣ with 5-6 HCP, while the remaining choices show maximums (2♦, 2♥, 2♠), which are semi-natural (showing a suit or stopper), and show a maximum negative (7-8 HCP).
The semipositive variant
The semipositive variant of the 1♦ response we reserve for unbalanced distributions with a minor, with strength too weak to guarantee game opposite a weak opening club. The 2♣, 2♦ responses force to game so even with 11 HCP we are also forced to apply the “semipositive” variant of the 1♦ response (unless we have a good 6-crd minor and 9-11 HCP; with that we respond in the suit at the 3-level). In the later auction responder has the following chances to indicate the semipositive 1♦:
1♣ 1♦
1♥ 3♣
Responder’s bid shows 9-11 HCP with less-than-great 6 clubs (with a good 6-crd suit responder bids 3♣ on the first round of the auction).
1♣ 1♦
1♥ 2♠
The above artificial sequence shows 5-4+ in the minors, and 9-11 HCP.
1♣ 1♦
1♠ 2♣
Responder has 5-11 HCP and 5+ clubs. This broad strength range doesn’t lead to any special problems. Frankly, opener with the weak variant passes, and with a strong hand bids further.
The strong variant
The sequence in WJ which has led to the most spectacular problem is: 1♣-3N. The 3N response is used in the system for all balanced hands without a 4-crd major and 13-16 HCP and has two major faults:
1) it preempts the auction, when opener doesn’t have the weak opening variant,
2) it doesn’t provide a choice of which hand will declare NT.
The first we try to eliminate with the wide strength range of the 2N response (see ‘2N response’).
The other we eliminate with the aid of the 1♦ response.
How would we bid these hands?
a) ♠ 32 ♥ 432 ♦ KQJT ♣ AKJ3
b) ♠ AK2 ♥ 32 ♦ KJ97 ♣ QT76
c) ♠ A32 ♥ A32 ♦ A432 ♣ K32
In example (a) we know that a lead in either major nearly certainly would be less perilous if we arranged the contract to be played from partner’s hand.
In example (b) we don’t want to declare since we fear a killing lead in hearts.
In example (c) we have stoppers in all the suits, but experience shows a lead in any of them is better-handled if partner declared. Let’s say partner has: ♠ Q42 ♥ KJ2 ♦ QT ♣ AJ654. The lead in each suit will be easily defended from his hand. More generally: If we have an Ace or King with two low cards, then usually the lead in this suit will be better handled if partner declares.
The only recourse provided in WJ2000 was to bid 3N with these types of hands. Now we have another option: 1♦.
In the preceding version of WJ the strong variant of the 1♦ response showed a hand with 16+ HCP. Now with the strong NT hand we respond 2N. The strong 1♦ variant is a narrow (12)13-15(16) HCP range.
Continuations over a
1♦ response
1N, 2N rebids
Opener’s 1N and 2N rebids show balanced hands with 18-20(21) and 21-23(24) respectively. Responder utilizes the same methods as over a 1N opener (see ‘1N opening’). Let’s remember here that the bidding methods over an opening 1N have been naturalized in WJ05, so the same modifications pertain to these sequences.
1♣ 1♦
1N ?
2♣ is Stayman, 2♦ and 2♥ are transfers to the majors, and the remaining bids have the same meanings as over an opening 1N, but the strength is defined by the first 1♦ response.
1♣ 1♦
2N ?
3♣ = Stayman,
3♦, 3♥ = transfers,
3♠ = 5-4 in the minors,
4♣, 4♦ = natural responses (not transfers!), 6+ cards.
1♣ 1♦
2N 3♣
3♦ 3♥ (3♠)
Responder is showing a 5-crd suit with 4 cards in the other major.
1♥, 1♠ rebids
With 12-14, opener may not rebid 1N (since this bid shows the strong NT). Opener bids his cheapest 4-crd major, and if he hasn’t one, then his cheapest 3-crd major. Responder must take under advisement that the suit might be a “convenient” 3-crd suit and doesn’t jump-raise partner.
Opener starts with a 4-crd major even with 5 clubs and 15-17 HCP. With 18+ it’s best to rebid 2♣ instead.
It’s possible to rebid 1M even with the strong club variant. Only in the case where if responder has less than 5 HCP and passes then we can’t have missed a cold game.
Over opener’s 1♥ or 1♠ rebid
(1♣-1♦-1♥) a jump to 3 of the other major means: “bid 3N, partner, I don’t want to play it
from my hand”. And by no means do we
panic that we don’t have some suit stopped.
Opener’s weak 1♣ hand promises a balanced hand (1♦ is 4
cards), so if we have a stopper it should be played from the other side (and
sometimes the enemy does not hit on the lead).
If on the other hand opener does not have the weak variant, then this is
already a completely different pair of boots – of course he doesn’t bid 3N
here, but something else. E.g.
1♣ 1♦
1♠ 3♥ = bid 3N.
2♣ rebid
Over a 2♣ rebid, jumps to 3♥ and 3♠ show the strong 1♦ variant and better-stopped major.
1♣ 1♦
2♣ 3♥ = “I have 12-16 HCP; my heart stopper is better than my spade stopper (if any).”
2♦ rebid
Opener’s 2♦ is an artificial bid, showing that opener’s hand is good enough to guarantee game (the auction cannot stop below game).
NOTE: The 2♦ rebid denies 5+-5+ distribution.
Later bidding is conducted naturally, except for responder’s 2♥ rebid, which means: “I don’t have a suit to show, and am too weak to bid NT” or: “I have hearts, but not so many I can jump to 3♥”. With ♠ QT432 (even with no other honor in the hand ) or ♠ QT5432 he must show his suit instead of a negative 2♥. With a 6-crd major to two honors, he must jump to the 3-level. Let’s assume the auction begins:
1♣ 1♦
2♦ ?
How should we bid with each of the following hands?
a) ♠ QT532 ♥ 432 ♦ 32 ♣ 432 – 2♠
b) ♠ 432 ♥ 32 ♦ 432 ♣ QJ432 – 3♣
c) ♠ 32 ♥ QT432 ♦ 432 ♣ 432 – 2♥ (later rebid hearts)
d) ♠ J32 ♥ J2 ♦ 5432 ♣ 5432 – 2♥ (negative)
e) ♠ J32 ♥ K2 ♦ JT32 ♣ Q432 – 2N
f) ♠ 2 ♥ KJT432 ♦ 432 ♣ 432 – 3♥
Of course after a 2N rebid:
1♣ 1♦
2♦ 2N
opener bids naturally (e.g. 3♣ shows a club suit).
After the following auction:
1♣ 1♦
2♦ 2♥
opener shows his suits, and with a balanced hand rebids 2N. This bid promises at least 24 HCP and is game-forcing (“even if partner has zero, we can’t stop short”).
Over
1♣ 1♦
2♦ 2♥
2N ?
the auction proceeds exactly as it would have over:
1♣ 1♦
2N
Other 2-level bids, and 3-level minor rebids
The remaining rebids at the 2-level (over a negative 1♦) are natural and show a strong club with at least 5 cards in the suit bid. Same thing holds for a bid of a minor at the 3-level.
Two-suited jumps
Two-suited game-forcing hands we handle with a simple (although tremendous) jump. The reasoning is the following: if in trying to complete our distribution after beginning with 2♦, then it would take the same level to show both suits anyways. And in adding this unambiguous bid, we remove from 2♦ the most difficult hands to show – long two-suiters.
1♣ 1♦
?
3♥ = 5-5 with hearts (and a minor or spades)
3♠ = 5-5 with spades (and a minor)
4♣ = 5-5 in the minors
Continuations:
3N = asks for the second suit (4♥ shows hearts and spades)
3♠ = preference for spades over hearts. Opener bids his minor suit (naturally), or 3N meaning: “I have hearts and spades, do you have some cue-bid to show?”
4♣, 4♦ = cue-bids agreeing hearts
3N = asks for the minor
4♣, 4♦, 4♥ = cue-bids for spades
4♦ = sets diamonds
4♥, 4♠ = cue-bids for clubs
“Super jumps” do not apply in situations where the enemy enters the bidding:
1♣ (Pass) 1♦ (1♠)
?
3♥ = very strong club, with hearts
2♠ = 2-suiter with hearts
Jump to 3N
Gambling to take 9 tricks with the aid of a “running” minor (usually a solid 6+-card minor).
The 1♥ and 1♠ responses show 7+ HCP (no upper limit) and at least 4 cards in the bid suit. With both 4-crd majors we respond 1♥ (following the general rule that 4-crd suits are introduced up the line), with 5 spades and 4 hearts we bid 1♠, and with 5+ cards in each major we respond 1♠ (following the general rule that with 2 five-card suits we bid the higher one first).
Holding a 4-crd major and a 5-crd minor we first show the major with less-than-GF strength (up to 11 HCP), but with 12+ HCP we bid the 5-crd minor first at the 2-level.
Continuations over the 1♥, 1♠ responses
1♣ 1♥
1♠
Opener’s 1♠ bid is forcing. He bids this with the preparatory variant (12-14), with the strong club and 4 spades, with the strong club and 5 spades (later rebidding spades), as well as with hands of 5 clubs and 4 spades and 15+ HCP (later bidding clubs).
Modifying the Magister convention
The Magister convention (discussed in another chapter) requires modification for the sequences:
1♣ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
since opener may still have a strong club. Here are the extra suggested bids (2♦, 2♥, 2♠, 2N have the same meanings as normal Magister):
3♣ = 5 clubs, 4 spades, 15+ HCP,
3♦ = 5 diamonds, 4 spades, 18+ HCP,
3♥ = 5 spades, 3 hearts, 18+ HCP,
3♠ = 5 spades, 0-2 hearts, 18+ HCP,
3N = 4 spades, 18+ HCP (denying 3 hearts, since odwrotka was not used first).
Bubrotka
Odwrotka [the fit-reverse] is one of the most valuable bids of Polish Standard. The reason for this is not the distributional responses, but because it lets us set a major suit at a lower level than in other systems. Another advantage springs from the negative inference: if partner has a strong club with balanced distribution, and doesn’t use odwrotka, then he doesn’t have 3 cards in responder’s suit.
The problem with odwrotka is the artificial responses. Because many top pairs have changed the continuations, I’m making them a bit more natural. Introduced here is a very popular deviation from odwrotka which is called Bubrotka after its propagator, Stanisław „Bubu” Gołębiowski.
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
2♦ ?
2♥ = 4-crds, weak (7-10)
2♠ = 4-crds, strong (11+)
2N = 5+ cards, strong (11+)
3♣ = 4-crd major, and 5 clubs (9-11 HCP)
3♦ = 4-crd major, and 5 diamonds (9-11 HCP)
3♥ = 5 cards, weak, unbalanced
3♠ = 5 cards, weak, balanced (5332)
3N = 6+ cards, weak
4-bids = 6+ cards, splinter, 7-10 HCP
The idea is that the higher the response, the more precise the information.
Further bidding over Bubrotka is natural. Examples:
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 2♥
2♠ = 4 spades
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 2♥
2N = denies 4 spades
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 2♠
2N 3♠ = 4 spades; this is the way to find 4 spades
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 2♠
3♣(3♦, 3♥) = natural, 5-crd suit
1♣ 1♠
2♦ 2♥
3♣(3♦, 3♥) = natural, 5-crd suit
1♣ 1♠
2♦ 3♠
3N = natural, choice of game despite the 8-crd fit
The exception to natural bidding is the auction over the 3♥ response. The 3♥ response indicates that the final strain should not be NT. Continuations are thus:
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 3♥
?
3♠ = asks for shortness à rebidding the major denies shortness
3N = asks for a side 4-crd suit à 4♥ shows spades if hearts was the original major
Additional agreements:
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
2♦ 2♥[2♠] = respectively: weak[strong] with 4-cards
2N 3♥[3♠] = (rebidding the original major) = both 4-crd minors (4441)
Bidding 2N by opener may show a desire to look for a minor fit. Holding both 4-crd minors, there’s a way to show this hand in one bid.
Odwyrtka – for regular partnerships only
This is one of the agreements proposed as an
alternative to standard. These
treatments may be added to a regular partnership’s arsenal. The author of the convention is Leszek Wesołowski, who named it
stepless-odwrotka. I propose the term
‘odwyrtka’ as an abbreviation.
It’s
a similar idea, but I’m not including it in the standard section because it
still isn’t properly tested .
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
?
2♦ = odwyrtka – strong club without a
4-crd fit and without a good suit to bid
2N = strong club with a 4-crd fit for
responder’s suit
The
advantage of this agreement is making all continuations natural.
Another
advantage is the ability to bid flexible shapes more easily over a major
response. Especially hands with
diamonds and a side 4-crd suit, e.g.:
1♣ 1♠
?
1♣ 1♠
?
Thanks
to odwyrtka we may now bid 2♦ and await further developments.
Leszek Wesołowski offers some examples
of odwyrtka:
West East
♠ K2 ♠ A543
♥ A2 ♥ K543
♦ AKJT2 ♦ 3
♣ AKT2 ♣ QJ43
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 2♠
2N 3♣
East shows exactly 4 hearts (not rebidding
them), 4 spades and 4 clubs. … Later
arriving at a club slam is a formality.
West East
♠ AQJ2 ♠ K654
♥ KQ2 ♥ A6543
♦ A32 ♦ 4
♣ AQ3 ♣ K54
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 2♥ (5 hearts)
2♠ 4♦ (splinter
with 4 spades)
… and already we
are well on our way to a grand in spades.
West East
♠ AKQ2 ♠ JT43
♥ A32 ♥ K54
♦ Q32 ♦ 4
♣ KJ2 ♣ AQ543
1♣ 1♠
2N 3♣
3♠ 4♦
East shows 4
spades, 5 clubs, and short diamonds.
Raising the major suit
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
2♥(2♠)
Raising the major
response promises 4 cards in that suit.
Continuations are just like after a 1M opening and a simple raise (see
‘1♥ opening’). Responder may use
the ‘2N After a Major Raise’ convention.
Other sequences over 1♥, 1♠
responses
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
1♠(1N) 2♦
Responder’s
2♦ bid shows 7-10 HCP, at least 5 diamonds, and a hand not suited for
playing in NT. Opener usually passes,
or with special values can try 2N.
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
2♣
The 2♣ rebid
promises a hand with 15+ HCP. It is not
game-forcing. Responder has three
non-forcing bids available: rebidding
the major, 2N and 3♣.
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
2♣ 2♦
Responder’s
2♦ bid is artificial and game-forcing.
Responder can bid this with any hand with which he would like to
guarantee game. Further bidding is
natural.
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
2N
Opener is showing
an 18-23 HCP hand without 3-crd support for responder’s major. Even a singleton is allowed in responder’s
suit (e.g. 5 diamonds and 4 hearts over responder’s 1♠, unless you are
playing odwyrtka). Continuations are
natural. Responder only rebids his suit
immediately with 6 or a very good 5.
1♣ 1♥(1♠)
3♣(3♦)
The above auction
practically guarantees 6 cards in the bid suit and 18+ HCP.
1♣ 1♥
3N
Opener is trying
to take 9 tricks based on a long club suit.
For example, it might be bid with:
♠ K32 ♥ 32 ♦ K2
♣ AKQ432 or ♠
A2 ♥ 2 ♦ Q32 ♣
AKQ5432.
Responder’s 1N response shows 9-11 HCP with no 4-crd major or shortness. This may include a 5-crd minor (even the occasional 5-4 minors hand).
Continuations over the 1N response
1♣ 1N
2♣
This sequence is natural, forcing, promising a good 15 HCP
and is forcing to game. This is a change from the treatment in
WJ2000 and another advantage of upping the strength range of the 1N
response. Continuations are as natural
as possible. Of course bidding a major
by responder has seminatural meaning – showing an honor (or honors) in the
suit, and not a 4-crd suit, since responder already denied a 4-crd major.
1♣ 1N
2♦
Opener has a strong club with at least 4 diamonds. Nobody can pass below game. Further bidding is semi-natural (as over 1♣-1N-2♣). Responder with a 4-crd diamond fit can show the better major or raise diamonds to the 3-level if the majors are of equal quality.
1♣ 1N
2♥(2♠)
Opener has at least 5 cards in the bid suit, a strong club, and the auction is game-forcing. As you remember, the sequence
1♣ 1N
2♥ 3♥
promises not just a fit but also a ruffing source (any doubleton).
New in WJ05:
1♣ 1N
2N = natural, invitational
In the previous version we didn’t have the option of inviting with 14 HCP, because of the threat of going down two. Now this risk is minimal.
1♣ 1N
3♣(3♦)
Good 6 cards in the bid suit, strong club, game-forcing.
1♣ 1N
3♥(3♠)
Sets the major as trumps. Demands partner show his cheapest cue (Ace or King).
For advanced pairs: In the above sequence, regular partnerships
may utilize the same structure as over a 1♦ response. E.g.
1♣ 1N
3♥
Game-forcing with 5-5
hearts and another suit.
The 2♣ and 2♦ responses are game-forcing and show at least 5 cards in the bid suit. The minimum strength of these responses is 12 HCP.
Having a 5-crd minor doesn’t mean responder has to show the suit: ♠ K32 ♥ QJ2 ♦ AQ ♣ J5432 favors a NT response, since the club suit is bad, and all suits are stopped. We bid a forcing 2N. With ♠ QJ32 ♥ KJ ♦ Q5432 ♣ KJ we bid 1♠. Chances for game appear to be in spades or NT. For 5D - partner with the weak variant doesn’t have 4 diamonds – we need too much extra.
Continuations over 2♣, 2♦ responses
Opener shows a 4-crd major (hearts, if both). With a strong club opener doesn’t jump, since the auction is game-forcing. Raising responder’s suit promises a 4-crd fit and no 4-crd major – it doesn’t have to have extras. Responder rebidding his suit is forcing, e.g.:
1♣ 2♦
2♥ 3♦
Opener may not pass. The agreement is that invitational minor hands respond 3♣ or 3♦ immediately, or first go through 1♦.
Strong hand, very good suit, slam interest.
The 2N response shows a balanced 12+ HCP hand with no 4-crd major or (as a rule) 5-crd minor. This bid is game-forcing. Responder’s hand should be well-suited for declaring NT from that side (else this hand should start with 1♦). Some example 2N responses:
Over the 2N response opener always rebids 3N with the weak variant.
This agreement really pays off when opener has the strong variant of the 1♣ opening (we have more space to set a suit) or the 15+ ♣ variant, when we can find out below the level of 3N whether there is no reasonable alternative to NT, get more information about combined strength, and set a suit to transition easily into slam bidding.
Say we pick up this huge hand: ♠ KJ32 ♥ A432 ♦ -- ♣ AKT32.
We open 1♣, and partner (playing WJ2000) responds 3N. We can’t pass, can we? If we pass, we might go down in 3N (if partner has diamonds no better than Qxxx) when we have a grand in clubs (e.g. ♠ A4 ♥ KQ2 ♦ Q432 ♣ QJ98). Yet if we do bid further, partner may have: ♠ A54 ♥ Q65 ♦ AQ32 ♣ QJ4 and who knows where we'll land or if we'll make it.
In WJ05 now, over responder’s 2N we bid 3♣. If partner bids 3♦ (natural, good 4 cards) then our bid should be 3N, any hopes of slam flying out the window. If on the other hand he bids 3♥ or 3♠ then we may view our hand very optimistically.
Let’s assume now that we have: ♠ J ♥ A32 ♦ KQ32 ♣ AQT32. After a 3N response (WJ2000, again) we have to make a good guess, but over a 2N response (in WJ05) we may bid 3♣ and listen: over partner’s 3♦ we are near slam – we’d bid 4♠ as a splinter for diamonds, while over 3♥ (heart values) we already know we are playing 5♣, so we may dare to “cross the Rubicon” (bypass 3N), and over 3♠ (spade values) we stop in the natural place (3N).
Say we have opened a strong club with 5 spades and 4 clubs, and partner bids 3N (WJ2000). Which suit do we show? Anything could be right (or wrong).
Now we can bid in comfort:
1♣ 2N
3♠ ?
3N = “I don’t have a fit, or I don’t want to show it”,
4♣, 4♦, 4♥ = “I have a spade fit, and this is my cheapest cue”,
4♠ = “I have 3 spades but you are well-advised to stay quiet”.
Similarly:
1♣ 2N
3♥ ?
4♥ = “class dismissed”,
3♠, 4♣, 4♦ = cue for hearts,
3N = “I don’t have a fit so far”.
Let’s assume we are playing WJ2000 and we get: ♠ AJ2 ♥ QJ2 ♦ Q932 ♣ QJ2. Partner opens 1♣ and we don’t mind bidding 3N, as we really would like to declare this one. All of a sudden we hear 4♠. This bid is forcing, so we don’t want to pass. What to do: Do we hide the fit (4N), raise partner (5♠), or even just pass?
In WJ05 we don’t have to worry. We respond 2N and over 3♠ we bid 4♠.
Of course with: ♠ KJ3 ♥ K3 ♦ A432 ♣ QJ32 there’s no reason to make a negative bid. Over the same above sequence we bid 4♦ showing a spade fit, good hand, diamond cue, and no club cue (we bypassed the suit).
NOTE: 3N in this sequence is forcing, since we haven’t finished showing suits. For example,
1♣ 2N
3♥(3♠) 3N = forcing
It is true, once every hundred years we will go down in 4N with 30 HCP.
1♣ 2N
3♠ 3N
?
4N = “Out of necessity. I must bid, even though by no means do I want to, but now
we can stop.”
4♣ = “Spades didn’t turn you on, how about clubs?”
The forcing 3N bid may become a very important instrument. Let’s say that as responder we pick up: ♠ Q53 ♥ A32 ♦ K32 ♣ AJT2.
1♣ 2N
3♠ ?
I propose bidding 3N first! If partner has 4 clubs, e.g. ♠ AKJ32 ♥ 54 ♦ A4 ♣ KQ98 there may be a cold club grand, and only a small slam in spades.
We have: ♠ J32 ♥ AT ♦ KQT2 ♣ QJT2.
1♣ 2N
3♠ ?
Again one can start with 3N. In the case partner’s hand is: ♠ A8765 ♥ KQ2 ♦ AJ98 ♣ A or ♠ A8765 ♥ KQ2 ♦ A ♣ AK98. In both cases a small slam in a minor is icy cold while there’s absolutely no way to make slam in spades.
We remark that the forcing 3N bid in these examples are correct only because our spade fit is not a revelation, and the minors are very solid.
These are non-forcing bids showing a good 6-crd suit. By a good suit we mean that this suit opposite one top honor in partner’s hand has a very good chance of running. The suit should therefore include two top honors (AK, AQ, KQ) or any two honors and the Ten (AJT, KJT).
Continuations over a 3♣ or 3♦ response
The chief goal of any further bidding is determining stoppers for 3N. Opener’s bids at the 3-level are therefore best treated as en passant (described later in its own section).
Of course opener with the strong club variant also shows his real suit at the 3-level. I propose the following treatment for handling this double-meaning: further bidding occurs under the assumption that the bids are stoppers (as prescribed by en passant), but responder is required to raise partner to the 4-level when he has 3-crd support (if the bid was a natural 5-crd suit, then it has succeeded in finding a trump suit, and if it was en passant then the final contract can be 5 of the minor or a Moysian in the major).
These response show 7-crds to two top honors in the suit bid, and nothing on the side. Partner with 3 “bare” Aces (with one in our suit) has the perfect info to wager 3N and can make this contract with only 17 HCP, … unless we have "taken liberties", e.g. we just have the "lesser marriage" (Queen and Jack) - here we are left several short.
This response does not exist. Period.
Bidding a new suit with a jump shows a game-forcing hand with a very good suit, and slam interest. It's best to treat a very good suit as at least 2 of the top 3 honors. The convention could alternatively be a 5-crd suit but with 4-crd support for partner’s suit.
The jump-shift as a rule shows a 1-suited hand (a side 4-crd suit is okay when the jump-shift suit is notably better than the 4-crd suit).
Examples:
1♣ 2♥
1♦ 2♥
1♥ 2♠
1♠ 3♣
Note: 2♦, 3♣, 3♦ responses to a 1♣ opening are not included in this convention and have other meanings.
Why jump-shift if a simple new suit would have been forcing? These bids may accomplish the following goals:
Setting trumps
We use this convention when we want to start a slam investigation with our strong suit as trumps, in particular as a precursor to asking for Aces. It is necessary to mention that with slam interest we use the key-card asking convention (see ‘RKC 1430’) which requires setting trumps before bidding the sacramental 4N. If trumps are not explicitly agreed, it asks for Aces using the last-bid suit as trumps.
Let’s assume, then, we pick up a hand so strong that over partner’s opening all we need to find slam is the number of partner’s Aces, e.g.: ♠ 2 ♥ K2 ♦ AKQJT32 ♣ KQ2 over partner’s 1♠ opening. We may not simply bid 4N, as partner would then count the King of spades as a keycard – completely unnecessary from our point of view. In this situation Ace-asking must be preceded by a 3♦ bid.
“Auto-agreeing” a suit may be suitable if we need the fifth key-card to be the king of our suit. For example with: ♠ K2 ♥ 2 ♦ AQJ5432 ♣ AQ2 over partner’s 1♠ opening we would also bid 3♦ before using Blackwood. This would require a key-card ask response to consider the King of diamonds, which is essential.
Assume that over partner’s 1♥ opening we pick up this not-so-humble collection: ♠ AKQJ542 ♥ KQ2 ♦ 432 ♣ --. We bid 2♠, and partner rebids 3♦ (showing a good suit or diamond values). This is excellent news, since it eases our concern about losing two quick tricks in diamonds. To bid a grand slam it’s enough to find out if partner has both red Aces. How can you find out? WJ05 has a tool for this situation: Voidwood (see ‘Slam Bidding’). We bid 5♣, asking for keycards outside of clubs with spades as trumps. If partner shows two keycards then we will play grand slam.
We can also make use of this bidding gadget with hands like: ♠ AQJT432 ♥ K32 ♦ K32 ♣ --.
1♥ 2♠
3♦ ?
Again we bid 5♣, but we are also interested in the spade King. If partner has three keycards outside of clubs, we bid grand slam, two – we play small slam – one – we stop in five – zero – we find a new partner.
Blackwood and Voidwood assumes the jump-shift suit is trumps (not any of opener’s suits). E.g.:
1♠ 3♦
3♥ ?
4N is asking for keycards with diamonds as trumps. In order to agree a different suit as trumps, responder must raise opener’s spades (here, 3♠) or hearts (rare: a side 4-crd heart suit with our 6-crd diamond suit) via 4♥ or 4♣ (cue-bid).
Repeating the jump-shift suit sets that suit as trumps.
After an initial sequence of:
1♦ 2♠
3♣ 3♠
The spade suit is set as trumps. At this moment a cue-bid of 4♣ by opener is in support of spades, and not trying to display 6-5 distribution. If responder were possibly interested in raising a minor suit of partner’s, he would bid on the second round a “waiting” 3♥ bid, and not 3♠.
Bidding a slam by counting tricks
Let’s assume that partner opens the bidding 1♥ and we have this hand: ♠ AQJT2 ♥ KQ2 ♦ A2 ♣ 432. If partner has the King of spades and two Aces you can see 12 tricks. If partner has a sixth heart to boot then it’s easy to add up to thirteen. You can very easily find all this out. Just bid 2♠, followed by 4♥. Partner with the King of spades and two Aces cannot quietly pass, as he can very easily count up the tricks.
Let’s remember here that a jump-shift suit can be a 5-crd suit only when there is also a good fit for opener’s suit.
Showing strong hands without going past game
Partner opens 1♥, and we have: ♠ AQ ♥ 2 ♦ A32 ♣ AQT5432.
Our hand looks quite powerful, but if partner has a misfit for clubs, then we can’t run the suit. Thanks to our special convention, we don’t have to stress too much. We bid 3♣, and over any bid by partner we rebid 3N. With a club honor (King or Jack) and pretty good controls, partner should strongly consider not letting the auction die in 3N.
Ascertaining the degree of fit
Sometimes along with a good 6-crd suit we get a 4-crd suit on the side – but one so weak that the suit isn’t likely to be trumps. It's important to be able to show this suit when partner has support for it.
Partner opens 1♥, and we have: ♠ AKJT32 ♥ 2 ♦ A432 ♣ A2.
We respond 2♠, and partner bids 2N. With a 3♦ bid, we now indicate the side 4-crd suit. Partner with ♠ 54 ♥ AK543 ♦ KQ5 ♣ J43 bids an encouraging 3♠, and with ♠ 54 ♥ AK543 ♦ J65 ♣ KQ3 – a regressive 3N.
Further bidding is essentially natural. Opener’s cheapest NT rebid is the weakest bid – insinuating no fit for partner’s primary suit and cards not suitable for slam. Rebidding his original opening suit should promise a good 6 cards. Showing a side suit has only semi-natural meaning. This is either showing a good 4-crd suit, or “values”… a concentration of strength. Examples:
We have opened 1♥, and partner responds 3♣.
Let’s move to the other side of the table. Partner opens 1♥, we jump to 3♣, and we hear a careful 3♦ rebid.
Fourth-suit forcing is a bid in the only unbid suit at the cheapest level. For example:
a) 1♦ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
b) 1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♦
c) 1♠ 2♣
2♦ 2♥
d) 1♠ 2♦
2♥ 3♣
Bidding the fourth suit is not natural – just the opposite, it shows (initially) weakness in the suit.
We have to distinguish two categories of fourth-suit forcing: over a one-over-one response (when the first response is at the 1-level) and over a two-over-one response (when the first response is at the 2-level). The first category is demonstrated by cases (a) and (b) above, and the second by (c) and (d).
Fourth-suit forcing
over a one-over-one is at least invitational to game. In later bidding, only responder (the fourth-suit bidder) may
pass below game.
Fourth-suit forcing
over a two-over-one is game-forcing.
It can happen that despite bidding 3 suits, nobody has support so good that they can set a trump suit. And it can be that despite setting a suit (usually a minor) the most attractive game appears to be NT. In both cases the player who bids NT should have the stopper in the unbid suit.
What do you do when you don’t have this stopper? Do you just rule out NT, or do you shrug and hope partner has the stopper? And if partner has a stopper, what do you do in order to get him to declare a NT contract?
The solution to this dilemma is fourth-suit forcing.
Let’s look at just one sequence:
1♠ 2♦
2♥ ?
Let’s say that as responder we have 2 spades (we don’t have a spade raise), 3 hearts (right now we have one too few hearts to raise), 5 diamonds (we cannot rebid them), and 3 bad clubs, but with game-forcing strength. We wouldn’t want to bid NT immediately since it would require a better suit when partner has nothing in clubs, or even if he did, it would wrongside it if he had something like AQ or Kx.
We bid fourth-suit 3♣, and partner can bid 3N with a club stopper.
1♦ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
Responder wants to learn why more about partner’s hand below game level. Opener now transmits even more information about his distribution and strength (see ‘1♦ opening’). If for example he shows a minimum opening with one of: 2♦, 2♥, or 2N, then responder can pass. This shows that the idea was to just invite to game.
If however responder continues bidding opener is obliged to cooperate (examples below). As soon as responder doesn’t pass over a negative bid it means he intended to force to game.
In the sequence:
1♦ 1♥
2♣
opener may hold 5 diamonds and 4 clubs or the reverse (if only 12-14 HCP). Responder bids 4th suit to sort out opener’s real distribution.
1♦ 1♥
2♣ 2♠
?
Opener with 5 clubs rebids clubs. All other bids promise 5 diamonds.
In the aforementioned sequence 4th suit is not forcing to game. Responder may bid this with 10-12 HCP with the intention of passing a negative response.
1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♦
?
In this sequence the weak bids are 2♥ and 2♠ - responder may pass over these.
Over a response at the one-level a jump-raise of opener’s suit is invitational, e.g.:
a) 1♦ 1♠
2♣ 3♦
b) 1♥ 1♠
2♣ 3♥
c) 1♦ 1♥
1♠ 3♠
In each of the above sequences, responder’s bid is invitational to game.
To set partner’s suit in a forcing way you may also take advantage of fourth-suit forcing. In example (a) bidding 2♥ and later raising diamonds at any level (as cheaply as possible) would show a game-force, just as would preceding a raise to game in hearts (spades) in sequences (b) and (c) with fourth-suit (respectively, 2♦ and 2♣).
In sequences:
a) 1♥ 1♠
2♣ 3♠
b) 1♦ 1♥
1♠ 3♥
c) 1♠ 2♦
2♥ 3♦
responder’s final bid is invitational to game. In order to show a 6-crd suit without worrying about partner passing you have to bid fourth-suit forcing before rebidding your suit (or ‘forcing 2N’ after a one-over-one).
In that exact sequence:
1♦ 1♠
2♣ 2♥
we proposed the 2♥ bid be a modified fourth-suit forcing (see ‘1♦ Opening’) for regular partnerships. Normally this is standard fourth-suit forcing, and rebidding the suit on the next round reveals it was natural.
1♦ 1♠
2♣ 2♥
2N 3♥
Responder is showing a 5-5 in the majors, non-forcing. With this same distribution and a stronger hand, responder bids 3♥ immediately over the 2♣ rebid.
Remember that in the introduction to fourth-suit forcing, we said it forces to game after a two-over-one but is only invitational after a one-over-one.
There is one important additional different: Fourth-suit after a two-over-one always denies a stopper.
Let’s look at the sequences:
a) 1♦ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
b) 1♠ 2♦
2♥ 3♣
In sequence (a) responder has no other way of forcing the auction besides bidding 2♣ - 1N and 2N would be non-forcing. 2♣ therefore says nothing about whether clubs are stopped.
In sequence (b) responder has a forcing 2N available (see ‘Forcing 2N’). With this in mind, a 3♣ bid categorically denies a club stopper.
We may formulate the following simple rules for responding to fourth-suit forcing:
From the above rules spring the following consequences:
By ‘third-suit’ we mean responder’s new-suit bid when only two suits have been shown in the auction. E.g.:
a) 1♥ 2♦
2♥ 2♠
b) 1♦ 1♠
2♦ 2♥
c) 1♣ 2♦
2♥ 2♠
d) 1♠ 2♦
2♠ 3♣
Sequence c) is also an example of third-suit as we don’t treat the 1♣ bid as having shown a suit.
A third-suit bid has one of two meanings:
1) natural – showing 4 cards in the suit bid, or
2) semi-natural – showing a stopper in the suit, and not in the fourth suit
Primarily at the time when we still haven’t found a fit yet. The third-suit may prove to be the best fit. At the same time we use third-suit to communicate stoppers for NT. The reason for using this convention may also be to show values for slam-investigation. Third suit is a forcing bid.
In reaction to third-suit at the two-level opener should heed the following rules:
1) Bidding NT shows a stopper in the only unbid suit. So:
a) 1♥ 2♦
2♥ 2♠
a 2N bid shows a club stopper.
2) With 4 cards in the third suit, without a stopper in the unbid suit we raise the third suit to the 3-level:
a) 1♦ 1♠
2♦ 2♥
3♥ = “I have 4 hearts, and no club stopper.”
b) 1♣ 2♦
2♥ 2♠
3♠ = “I have 4 spades, but no club stopper.”
Raising the third suit says nothing about extra values in the context of the auction.
3) With 4 cards in the third suit and a stopper in the unbid suit opener bids 3N.
a) 1♦ 1♠
2♦ 2♥
3N = “I have 4 hearts, and a club stopper.”
b) 1♣ 2♦
2♥ 2♠
3N = “I have 4 spades, and a club stopper.”
Thanks to these gadgets (changed from WJ2000) a problem previously unsolvable is squelched: How to address both possible meanings of the third suit (natural or showing a stopper)?
In WJ2000 we always raised the third-suit with 4-crd support in case the suit was real, and if the third suit was seminatural partner would remove to 3N. But this agreement led to the wrong person declaring NT.
Other bids over third-suit forcing are as natural as possible. Opener rebids his suit if it is suitably long and good, shows 3-crd support for responder’s original suit, if he has it, or bids NT with a pretty good stopper in the unbid suit.
If third-suit forcing is bid at the 3-level, then opener raises it to the 4-level when:
a) he has 4 cards in the suit, and
b) he does not have a stopper in the unbid suit.
Now, even if partner’s bid was semi-natural, then playing 3N doesn’t even make sense any more without a stopper in the fourth suit.
Instead, bidding the unbid suit generally means that we don't have a 3-crd fit for partner’s first suit, our suit is not rebiddable, and we are not totally sure we can play NT.
After the initial auction:
1♥ 2♦
2♥ 3♣
?
we have:
a) ♠ 32 ♥ AK432 ♦ Q2 ♣ K432 – 4♣: 4 clubs, no spade stopper,
b) ♠ A32 ♥ KQ432 ♦ Q ♣ Q432 – 3♠: able to play in NT (despite having 4 clubs); asking for a half-stopper in spades,
c) ♠ J32 ♥ AJ432 ♦ Q2 ♣ KQ2 – 3♠: able to play in NT; asks for a half-stopper in spades (there’s no other good bid).
Forcing 2N pertains to another bid by responder which forces to game. In WJ05 Forcing 2N is used when the first response was at the two-level (two-over-one) as well as over a reverse.
True, 2N is also forcing over a response at the 1-level and opener’s rebid of the opening major (see ‘1♥’ and ‘1♠’ openings), but this bid we don’t consider ‘Forcing 2N’ since it isn’t game-forcing (only to three of partner’s suit).
Remember that in the following two sequences, 2N forces to 3♥ (or 3♠) – opener shows shortness (or a spade fit after a 1♠ response).
a) 1♥ 1♠(1N)
2♥ 2N
b) 1♠ 1N
2♠ 2N
It’s the following types of sequences where 2N is officially ‘Forcing 2N’.
a) 1♥ 2♣
2♦ 2N
b) 1♠ 2♣
2♦ 2N
c) 1♠ 2♥
2♠ 2N
In each case responder’s first bid was at the 2-level.
2N is forcing also after opener’s reverse – obviously this pertains to the 1♦ opening.
1♦ 1♠
2♥ 2N
or
1♦ 1♥
2♠ 2N
2N is not forcing in all other one-over-one sequences, e.g.:
a) 1♣-1♠-1N-2N
b) 1♦-1♥-1♠-2N
c) 1♦-1♠-2♦-2N
d) 1♦-1♥-2♣-2N
e) 1♣-1♥-2♣-2N
In the above sequences 2N is a normal invite to 3N. (In WJ2000 2N was forcing in sequences c) and d), but these didn’t stand the test of time)
The goal of this convention is above all else to find the best game. At the same time we also use Forcing 2N when slam is on the horizon. Bidding 2N we must take into account that the final contract may be 3N. Therefore when planning to make this bid (and not third- or fourth-suit), we should – in the case when 3N is one of the possible options – have a stopper(s) in any unbid suit(s).
If we are deciding to play in a suit regardless of later bids (e.g. we have a fit for partner or our own self-sufficient suit), then we may bid 2N even without the unbid suit(s) stopped, in order to elicit more info about partner’s hand.
For example, after the initial auction:
1♥ 2♣
2♥
the following hand-types warrant using Forcing 2N:
a) ♠ K32 ♥ J2 ♦ A32 ♣ AJT32. Partner may hold only 5 hearts (see ‘1♥ opening’). We are finding out whether it’s better to play in hearts or NT. If partner bids hearts again (saying he has six) we will not persist in trying to declare.
b) ♠ AQ2 ♥ J2 ♦ KJ2 ♣ AKJ32. Hopefully we are going to slam, but first we have to find out where we are going to play it. 2N sets the stage for being able to find a fit (with 3♣ or 3♥ now).
c) ♠ K2 ♥ KQ2 ♦ A432 ♣ AJ32. We have decided to play hearts, but we don’t know at what level. Partner may hold: ♠ A543 ♥ AJT98 ♦ 65 ♣ K4, with which a grand is on a hook for the Queen of clubs. Of course partner could have: ♠ A3 ♥ AJT98 ♦ 8765 ♣ K4 and we can’t even be sure of making 5♥.
By bidding 2N we can drag out more detail about partner’s hand. If he bids 3♠ (showing 4 cards in this suit) we will be a step nearer to slam since we foresee two potential ruffs in our hand.
If partner doesn’t manage to show a side 4-crd suit or a club fit, he’ll bid 3N. Correcting this contract to 4♥ we will have transmitted the following information: “I have a heart fit and a maximum for playing in hearts. Bidding 2N was a slammish action.” Partner with some extras (e.g. ♠ A43 ♥ AT987 ♦ K65 ♣ K4) should move toward slam.
However in order to prevent any possible misunderstanding, let’s look at this sequence:
1♥ 2♣
2♥ 2N
3♥ 4♥
4♥ in the above sequence says nothing in the way of wanting to play slam. It simply shows that opposite a 6-crd heart suit, responder thinks 4♥ is better than 3N.
d) ♠ 32 ♥ KJ2 ♦ AK32 ♣ AQJ2. With this hand we can also bid 2N despite not having a spade stopper. This is because we won’t be playing 3N (we have beautiful heart support), and are interested in finding out more.
e) ♠ AJ2 ♥ 2 ♦ AQ2 ♣ AQ8432. Our club suit isn’t good enough to have jump-shifted on the first round. We may not bid 3♣, as that is non-forcing (10-11 with clubs). The convenient bid is Forcing 2N. If partner shows a 3-crd club fit then we will steer the rudder towards slam, and if not, then we will pull in the sails.
Further bidding is natural. Let’s discuss two types of auctions.
Opener has rebid his suit after a two-over-one response
We’ll take the following case:
1♥ 2♣
2♥ 2N
Responders bids:
3♣ = club fit, weaker than an immediate raise on the previous round,
3♦ = 6 hearts, 4 diamonds, minimum
3♥ = 6 hearts
3♠ = 5 hearts, 4 spades, weaker than 2♠ on the previous round
3N = 5332
It's up to the individual how to handle a 6-crd suit with a fit for partner (factors such as suit quality may be considered).
Opener has bid a second suit
Opener repeats the second suit with 5-5 distribution, the first suit with 6-4 distribution, a tripleton with 5431 distribution, or 3N with 5422. Opener may indicate extra strength with a jump.
1♥ 2♣
2♦ 2N
3♥
Opener is showing extras with 6-4 distribution. With a minimum hand (11-13) opener first bids 2♥ (non-forcing) and on the next round (if he gets a chance) shows diamonds.
Note: Forcing 2N should not be confused with ‘2N after a Major fit’ (see next).
When one player bids a major suit, and the other raises to the two-level it makes little sense to play 2N (if we open 1♠, partner bids 2♠, and we have the desire to stop in 2N, it means we should have opened 1N and not 1♠). The 2N bid in this situation plays a role as a forcing asking bid (as opposed to bidding a new suit which shows what we have).
Over a 1♥ (1♠) opening and raise, 2N has the goal of sorting out whether there is enough strength for game, and if so, which one. Opener commonly has a balanced hand (since he didn’t bid a new suit).
1♠ 2♠
2N 3♠ = “I barely have my 2♠ bid.”
1♠ 2♠
2N 3N = Pretty good hand with no ruffing potential. “Can we play 3N?”
1♠ 2♠
2N 4♠ = “Glad you didn’t pass 2♠.”
1♠ 2♠
2N 3♣ = “I have pretty good clubs. Over to you.”
?
3♠ = “That didn’t do it.”
4♠ = “Great!”
3N = “As you have clubs, 3N is the best chance for game.”
If one of the players is a passed hand, the auction isn’t too different, e.g.:
West East
Pass 1♣
1♥ 2♥
2N ?
East should not pass. He can bid 3♥, 4♥, 3N, or show side values.
When responder is an unpassed hand, and his suit is raised, 2N may be bid as a preparatory slam action.
1♣ (1♦, 1♥) 1♠
2♠ 2N
Opener may show a minimum opener with 3♠, in which case responder may pass. (Over a 1♦ opening the responses are described in detail in the ‘1♦ Opening’ chapter).
If however opener bids something other than 3♠, the auction is forcing to game, e.g.:
1♣(1♦) 1♠
2♠ 2N
3♣ 3♠
In the above sequence, 3♠ is forcing, requesting cue-bids.
The Magister convention (sometimes a.k.a. ‘Pro’) is an artificial asking 2♣ used by responder after showing a major on the first round of the auction. Examples:
a) 1♣ 1♥
1N 2♣
b) 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
c) 1♥ 1♠
1N 2♣
Note:
1♦ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
is not Magister, but fourth-suit forcing – the main issue is confirming a club stopper (see ‘1♦ Opening’).
Rebidding clubs on the next round shows a sign-off (“partner, pass”), e.g.:
1♣ 1♠
1N 2♣
2♠ 3♣
Responder has few HCP (7-10) and 5(6) clubs. He wants to play 3♣.
We may use the Magister convention with 10-12 HCP and 5 cards in the major. Here our goal is to figure out whether we have game chances, and if so, then whether to play in our suit or NT (with the same strength but not 5 cards the convention is not needed, and a natural 2N invite bid will work).
Also any hand with which we want to force to game qualifies for Magister. The convention facilitates determining the best game, while at the same time allowing slam investigation.
As a rule, opener has 4 possible responses to Magister:
1) 2♦ = minimum (12-13) without 3-crd support for responder’s major
2) 2 of responder’s major, e.g.
1♦ 1♥
1N 2♣
2♥
or
1♦ 1♠
1N 2♣
2♠
This bid shows a minimum opener (12-13) with 3-crd support for responder’s suit.
3) 2 of the other major, e.g.
1♦ 1♥
1N 2♣
2♠
This shows a maximum opener (13-14) with 3-crd support.
4) 2N = maximum (13-14) without a fit.
The criterium according to which we qualify our hand as a “minimum” or "maximum" hand is whether opposite a semipositive variant using Magister (10-12 with a 5-crd major) we want to be in game.
Rebidding the major, e.g.
1♣ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
2♦ 2♥
implies the 10-12 variant and (at least) 5 cards. Opener may continue to 2N with shortness in responder’s suit or as a tactical bid (at matchpoints).
2N after Magister in a sequence like:
1♦ 1♠
1N 2♣
2♥ 2N
is forcing! (with the 10-12 variant we would have bid 2♠).
Other bids are natural and forcing (except 3♣).
Example Magister auctions:
1♦ 1♠
1N 2♣
2♦ 2♠
Pass
Playing a 7-crd spade fit with 22-24 HCP. Opener has no reason to remove to 2N.
1♣ 1♥
1♠ 2♣
2♥ 2N
3N Pass
Reaching 3N despite the 8-crd heart fit. Responder knows that opener has 4333 with 4 spades (he would have had to have shown a side 4-crd suit with a 4432) and sets the best contract (it might be the only makable game).
1♣ 1♠
1N 2♣
2N 3♥
4♦…
No success in finding a spade fit. Responder tries to find a heart fit and strikes gold. Opener shows a heart fit, and a diamond cue-bid in the process. Besides information on the heart fit partner knows about the doubleton spade, maximum opening, no club cue, and diamond cue. He should have an easy decision on whether to go to slam or not.
Note 1: As a consequence of using Magister it’s very important to play a jump by responder in a new suit as guaranteeing at least 5-5 distribution:
1♣ 1♠
1N 3♥
responder shows a game-forcing hand with at least 5-5 in spades and hearts. With a strong hand but just 4 hearts it’s necessary to first go through Magister 2♣, and then at the next chance introduce hearts.
Note 2: Responses to Magister are extended to the 3-level after a 1♣ opening (see ‘1♣ Opening’).
En Passant bids are used in situations where trumps have already been agreed. This bid shows a suit in which the bidder holds a stopper. The goal is to determine whether it’s better to play in NT or a suit, e.g.:
1♦ 2♦
2♥ 3♣
The 2♦ bid is forcing for one round (10+ HCP, see ‘1♦ Opening’). Opener shows a 4-crd heart suit naturally (over a 2♦ response, 2-of-a-major is natural), and responder bids 3♣, showing possession of a club stopper. Bypassing spades communicates the lack of a stopper in that suit. If opener doesn’t have one either, then 3N goes out the window.
1♣ 1N
2♦ 2♥
2♠ 2N
3N Pass
Opener shows a strong club with at least 4 diamonds. Responder’s 2♥ bid is en passant, since the preceding 1N bid denied a 4-crd major. 2♠ by opener shows a spade stopper and implies worry about clubs (the only suit in which nobody has shown a stopper). Responder holds the club stopper, and so positions himself to declare.
An ‘en passant’ish’ bid may hold a natural meaning:
West East
1♣ 1N
2♦ 3♦
3♥ 3N
4♣…
When a diamond fit has successfully been found, one would think that 3♥ would be en passant, with the goal of finding stopper for 3N. But as soon as West removes 3N, East must rethink his evaluation of the 3♥ bid – it was natural, showing a side (4-crd) suit in order to search for slam.
Note: En passant is not used when the enemy has bid. Here bidding the enemy suit (or one of them) does not show a stopper, but asks for a stopper (see ‘Western cue’).
In modern bridge, third-seat openers (after two passes) have a lower minimum HCP requirement. Sometimes in fourth-seat as well (particularly in the majors).
In these situations bidding 2N as an invitational hand (even more so if just 3 cards) may lead to going down at the 3-level. In order to avoid this unpleasant eventuality, we use the Drury convention.
Drury is the name of an artificial 2♣ response to partner’s third- or fourth-seat 1♥ or 1♠ opening. This bid guarantees a 3+-crd fit and at least a good 9 HCP.
We even use this convention opposite partner’s 1M overcall! In this case, the above condition about being a passed hand is not required.
The 1M opener has the following bids at his disposal:
2♦ = a little better than an immediate 2M negative rebid.
rebidding the major = sub-minimum opening – no desire to go any higher.
new suit = help suit game try.
(In WJ2000, the 2♦ and 2M rebids held reverse meanings, but “everyone else” plays the above agreement – so why fight it?)
The treatments included in this chapter differ from those adopted in WJ2000. The most significant change is reversing the first two response to Blackwood. At the same time, we introduce Exclusionary Blackwood (a.k.a. Voidwood). Preceding these additional slam conventions is a short introduction to the types of slams. It has as a goal showing suitable slam conventions for individual kinds of slams.
One can distinguish several fundamental types of slams:
In order to make slam (in NT) without a fit (not even a “working” one, being a source of tricks) we usually need no less than 33-34 HCP (36-37 to for grand).
With a trump fit, but with no particularly great ruffing potential, minimum strength for slam is about 32 HCP (35 for grand).
This is the type of slam easiest to bid – just count up the HCP (and possibly wheel out Blackwood). Unfortunately, slams based on raw power alone are the least frequent.
Let’s say we pick up: ♠ K2 ♥ KQ2 ♦ A432 ♣ A432 (resembling hands we held in the discussion on Forcing 2N).
Assume we know partner has 5 hearts and a minimum opener. Let’s give him AJT98 hearts, with the Ace of spades, and a minor King.
a) If partner has 4 spades, such as: ♠ A543 ♥ AJT98 ♦ K5 ♣ 65, then thanks to two ruffs in dummy, small slam is icy cold.
b) If partner has 3 spades, e.g.: ♠ A43 ♥ AJT98 ♦ K5 ♣ 765, then slam has no chance, but 11 tricks is certain.
c) If partner has a doubleton spade, but 4 cards in a minor, e.g.: ♠ A3 ♥ AJT98 ♦ K765 ♣ 65, then slam is impossible, 5♥ has a chance of making (on a 3-2 diamond break), but 11 tricks is not cold.