'Assist' System
by Romolo Napoletano, 1999
notes by Daniel J. Neill

Opening Summary:
generally rule of 19 is used, no weak preempts exist

1C = 	(9)10-14(15), 4+C (occ. 3), if bal not NT shape, usu. not long 1-suiter (all 5m[43]1M open 1C!!)
1D = 	(9)10-14(15), 4+D, 2+ 2+ majors (rarely 1) if bal not NT shape, usu. not long 1-suiter ([32]44 opens 1D)
1H =	(9)10-14(15), 5+H, usu. not long 1-suiter
1S =	(9)10-14(15), 5+S, usu. not long 1-suiter
1N =	11-15 (4333) or 10-14 (443)-2m (promises at least 3-3 majors)
2C = 	(14)15+, bal or C, no 5M, F1
2D = 	(14)15+, 5+D or 444-1C, no 5M, F1
2H =	(14)15+, 5+H, F1
2S = 	(14)15+, 5+S, F1
2N =	16-18 (4333) or 15-18 (443)-2m (promises at least 3-3 majors)
3C/D/H=	9-13 6-7 C (14 ok if 6322), denies 7-4 or side Hxxx
3S =	(9)(10)11-14, 5+H 5+S
3N = 	(9)10-14, 55(30), 6-5+  S-C
4C = 	(9)10-14, 55(30), 6-5+  C-H
4D = 	(9)10-14, 55(30), 6-5+  D-S
4H =	(9)10-14, 55(30), 6-5+  H-D
4S =	preempt/to play

"Warren" Blackwood'ish convention:
After relays and finding honor concentration, we can ask for Aces and Kings.
Ace = 3 pts, King = 1 pt.
4C is the normal ask.
4N is the 2nd choice if 4C has been exceeded.
4D is Warren after club openings.
Warren points (Wa) are shown in steps.  The base number depends on what responder has shown:
	response to a 2-level suit opening 	= 2 Wa
	1N opener				= 3 Wa
	1 of a suit				= 3 Wa
	3 of a suit				= 3 Wa
	2 or a suit				= 6 Wa
	2N opener				= 6 Wa

optional:  agree not to respond 4M in any major already bid by responder to avoid being decl.
optional:  if 4C was the last bid, 4D is Warren
optional:  4C is normal Blackwood, with 4N after that asking for Kings

Concentration-asking:
After shape is shown, honor concentration is revealed
	Directly in longest suit (bid longest suit with 5+ HCP in the suit)
	Indirectly in fragments (bid fragment that have at most a Jack in the suit)
This will be called str. suit or wk. fragment.
The longest suit is obviously known, so often:
	1st step = str. suit
	2+ steps = naming the wk. fragment (with substitution for the relay suit)

Responses:

1C Opening
Responses:
1D = 4-4 majors
1H = relay
	1S = 2434 10-15 (relay asks wk. suit)
	1N = (34)15 9-14 (relay asks str. suit[1-step] or wk. suit)
	2C = (32)35 9-15 (relay asks lo-hi doub)
	2D = short spades (1435/1453/1444/1345/1354/0445) 9-13 (relay asks str. suit or wk frag)
	2H = 4234 10-15 (relay asks wk. suit)
	2S = 2425 9-14 (relay asks str. suit [1-step] or wk. frag)
	2N = short diamonds (4414/4405 10-14/9-14) (relay asks wk. suit)
	3C = 3325 9-15 (relay asks str. suit [1-step] or wk. frag)
	3D = short hearts (4135/4153/4144/3145/3154/4045) 9-14 (relay asks str. suit or wk frag)
	3H = 4225 11-14 (relay asks str. suit[1-step] or wk. suit)
	3S = 6C-4H 9-13, hearts at least K or QJ (4D = RKC [for what?])
	3N = 6C-4S 9-13, spades at least K or QJ (4D = RKC)
1S = 4+S
1N = 4+H
2C = no major
2D = 4-4 majors;  natural?
2M = 5+suit, 7-10
3D = natural?
3M = 6+ suit invite (pree BPH)
4M = to play

Over interference
	X (if below 2H) = relay

1D Opening
Responses:
1H = relay
	1S = 2443 10-15 (relay asks wk. suit)
	1N = (34)51 9-14 (relay asks 4H/4S)
	2C = (32)44 11-15
	2D = (32)53 9-14 (relay asks lo-hi doub)
	2H = 4243 9-15 (relay asks wk. suit)
	2S = 2452 10-14 (relay asks str. suit [1-step] or wk. frag)
	2N = short clubs (4441/4450 9-14/8-13) (relay asks wk. suit)
	3C = 22(54) 11-14 (relay asks str. suit [1-step] or wk. frag)
	3D = 3352 10-14 (relay asks str. suit [1-step] or wk. frag)
	3H = 4252 10-14 (relay asks str. suit[1-step] or wk. suit)
	3S = 6C-4S 9-13, spades at least K or QJ (4D = RKC [for what?])
	3N = 6C-4H 9-13, hearts at least K or QJ (4D = RKC)
1S = 4+S
1N = 4+H
2C = 4-4 majors
2D = no major
2M = 5+suit, 7-10
3M = 6+ suit invite (pree BPH)
4M = to play

Over interference
	X (if below 2H) = relay

1H Opening
Responses:
1S = strong relay
	1N = 4S 9-13 (relay asks lo/hi sing.)
	2C = 5H-4C, 2-3S, 9-14 (relay asks 2S/3S)
	2D = 5H-4D, 2-3S, 9-14 (relay asks 2S/3S)
	2H = 5H-2S-3-3 10-14 (relay asks str. suit[1-step] or wk frag)
	2S = short spades 5431/5440 (relay asks for weak suit)
	2N = 4S 9-13 (relay asks 22/31)
	3C = 5+H 5+C 8/9-13 (3D asks controls 3, 4,...
			controls: A long suit = 2, A short suit = 1
				  K long suit = 1, K short suit = 0
				  void = 1)
	3D = 5+H 5+D 8/9-13 (3S asks 3+ controls as above)
	3H = 5H-3S-(2-3) 10-14
	3S = 5H-6S 8-13 (4C asks 3+ controls as above)
	3N = 6H-4S 9-13 (4C asks 3+ controls as above)
3H = invite

Over interference below 2H, X = the relay.

1S Opening
Responses:
1N = strong relay
	2C = 5S-4C, 2-3H, 9-14 (relay asks 2H/3H)
	2D = 5S-4D, 2-3H, 9-14 (relay asks 2H/3H)
	2H = short hearts 9-14 (relay asks str. suit [1-step] or wk frag)
	2S = 5S-2H-3-3 9-14 (relay asks str. suit [1-step] or wk frag)
	2N = 5S-4H 9-14 (relay asks 22/31)
	3C = 5+S 5+C 8-9-13 (3D asks controls [see above])
	3D = 5+S 5+D 8-9-13 (3H asks controls)
	3H = 5S-5H 8-9-13 (4C asks controls)
	3S = 5S-3H-(2-3) 10-14
	3N = 6S-4H 9-13 (4C asks 3+ controls)
	4H = 6H-5S (4H asks 3+ controls)
2H = to play
3S = invite

Over interference below 2H, X = the relay.

1N Opening
Responses:
2C = invit+ relay
	2D = 11-13 4333
		2H = relay (2S = 3S-4H, 2N = 4S-3H, 3y = at most a Jack in y 3S-3H)
	2H = 10-12 4S-3H
	2S = 10-12 3S-4H
	2N = 14-15 4333
		3C = relay (3y = at most a Jack in y [NT = C])
	3C = 13-14 2C (3D asks: 3H = 4S-3H, 3S = 3S-4H, 3N = 4S-4H)
	3H = 13-14 4S-3H-2D
	3S = 13-14 3S-4H-2D
	3N = 13-14 4S-4H-2D
2D = asks longest (or best) major
2M = to play, mb 4 cards
3m = to play
2N = invite
3M = invite
4C = Warren (3, 4, 5...)

2C Opening
Responses:
2D = 0-6, unless later bids 4D Warren
	2M = 3-4 crds (unless rebid, which is 5-crds)
2M = 6-10, 4+ suit (later rebid shows 5, or rarely 4 with 3+ HCP in suit)
2N = 6-10, both majors (or KQx+)(later rebid shows 5, or rarely 4 with 3+ HCP in suit)
3C = 6-10, no major
3D = 8-12, Stayman (3H = none, 3S = 4H, 3N = 4S)
3M = 8-12, 5+crds (or AQTx/AKxx)
3N = 9-13, 4-4 majors (or KQx+)
4C = 6-10, AJxxx, KQxxxx, Axxxxx, Kxxxxx (4D = Warren)
4D = Warren, C fit
4M = 8-12, 6+crds, A/KQ/QJT or better

2D Opening
Responses:
2H = 0-6, unless later bids 4C Warren
	2S = 3-4 S (unless rebid, which is 5-crds), forcing
	2N = 3-4 H
	3C/4C = 5-5/6-5 D-C
2S = 6-10, 4+ S (later rebid shows 5, or rarely 4 with 3+ HCP in suit)
2N = 6-10, both majors (or KQx+)(later rebid shows 5, or rarely 4 with 3+ HCP in suit)
3C = 6-10, no major
3D = 6-12, 4+H
3M = 8-12, 5+crds (or AQTx/AKxx)
3N = 9-13, 4-4 majors (or KQx+)
4C = Warren, D fit
4D = 6-10, AJxxx, KQxxxx, Axxxxx, Kxxxxx (4N = Warren)
4M = 8-12, 6+crds, A/KQ/QJT or better

2H Opening
Responses:
2S = negative, or waiting, or specific good hands (later 4C = Warren)
	2N = 3-4S
		3m = weak, misfit
	3C = 3-4C, denies 3S
	3D = 3-4D
	3H = 6+ 14-16
	3S = 4 great S or 5 good
	3N = (16)17-20, 5332 or 5H-4m-2-2 (4C = Warren)
	4m = 14+, 5+H-5+m
	4H = 7H (6 good)
2N/3C/3D = cue-bid, up the line (2N = S), support from stiff A/K to xx to more
	bids = natural (relay = waiting)
		new suit = cue, 10+, 3+H, use cue rules
			relay = (even 3N) asks for next cue
				in cue-bidding
					- bid 1st or 2nd rd up the line
					- cue of op's suit may be a Queen
					- 3N or 4N shows a cue in the relay suit
					- repeating a cue shows AQ or void and strong raise
			3H = 6+H, any strength
			3N = 5332 16-19
				4C = asks for (worst) doubleton (later 4N is Warren)
			4NS = 5-5+, 14-18
			4N = Warren (or 5C over an eventual 4N by responder)
		4H = minimal support (xx/xxx/A/K), suit was 5+ cards

3H = 4-8, 3-crd supp, NF (Pass/4H = to play, 4m = v. strong 4+ cards
JS = 8-12, 6+ crds to KQ or QJT at least, short or xx hearts
4H = 4-8, 4-crd supp or Qxx or better (relay asks for singl)

Over interference, X = penalty.

2S Opening
Responses:
2N = negative, or waiting, or specific good hands
	2N = 3-4S
	3C = 3-4C, denies 3S
	3D = 3-4D
	3H = 6+ 14-16
	3S = 4 great S or 5 good
	3N = (16)17-20, 5332 or 5H-4m-2-2 (4C = Warren)
	4m = 14+, 5+H-5+m
	4H = 7H (6 good)
3C/3D/3H = natural or advance splinter
	bids = natural
		rebid same suit = 7-10, 5 crds, xx/xxx S
		new suit = cue, 10+, 3+S
			relay = (even 3N) asks for next cue
				in cue-bidding
					- bid 1st or 2nd rd up the line
					- cue of op's suit may be a Queen
					- 3N or 4N shows a cue in the relay suit
					- repeating a cue shows AQ or void and strong raise
			3S = 6+S, any strength
			3N = 5332 16-19
				4C = asks for (worst) doubleton (later 4N is Warren)
			4NS = 5-5+, 14-18
			4N = Warren (or 5C over an eventual 4N by responder)
		4H = 7-10, suit was splinter, 3-4 S

3S = 4-8, 3-crd supp, NF (Pass/4S = to play, 4y = v. strong 4+ cards
JS = 8-12, 6+ crds to KQ or QJT at least, short or xx spades
4S = 4-8, 4-crd supp or Qxx or better (relay asks for singl)

Over interference, X = penalty.

2N Opening
Responses:
3C = GF relay
	3D = 2D 15-18 (3H asks:  3S = 3S, 3N = 3H, 4C = 4S-4H)
	3H = 4S-3H-2C 15-18
	3S = 3S-4H-2C 15-18
	3N = 4333 16-19
	4C = 4S-4H-2C 15-18
3D/M = to play
4C = Warren (6, 7, 8...)

3C Opening
Responses:
3D = relay, asks shortness
	3N = no sing
		4C = asks bad fragment (at best a J)(4M = M bad, 4N = D bad, 4D = 5+ HCP in C)
	suit = sing, 4C = D sing
3M = 5+ cards (raise with 3 or Kx, don't go beyond 3N)
3N = to play
4D = asks for W-controls (3, 4, 5...)
raises = preempt

3D Opening
Responses:
3H = relay, asks shortness
	3N = no sing
		4C = asks bad fragment (at best a J)(4M = M bad, 4N = C bad, 4D = 5+ HCP in D)
	suit = sing, 4D = H sing
3S = 5+ cards (raise with 3 or Kx, else bid 3N)
3N = to play
4C = asks for W-controls (3, 4, 5...)
raises = preempt

3H Opening
Responses:
3S = relay, asks shortness
	3N = no sing
		4C = asks bad fragment (at best a J)(4H = D bad, 4N = C bad, 4D = 5+ HCP in H)
	suit = sing, 4H = S sing
3N = to play
4C = asks for W-controls (3, 4, 5...)
raises = preempt

3S Opening
Responses:
Pass = whoops
3N = to play (rare)
4M = to play
4C = artif relay for shortness
	4D = D short, 4H = C short, 4S = 6-5

3N Opening
Responses:
Pass = rare
yC = to play
yS = to play
4D = asks shortness
	4H = H short, 4S = D short 0-3 controls, 4N = D short 4-5 controls

4C Opening
Responses:
yC = to play
yH = to play
4D = asks shortness
	4H = S short, 4S = D short 0-3 controls, 4N = D short 4-5 controls

4D Opening
Responses:
yD = to play
yS = to play
4H = asks shortness
	4S = H short, 4N = C short 0-3 controls, 5C = C short 4-5 controls

4H Opening
Responses:
yH = to play
yD = to play
4S = asks shortness
	4N = S short, 5C = C short 0-3 controls, 5D = C short 4-5 controls