Il Nuovo Fiori Napoloetano (Neapolitan Club) by Eugenio Chiaradia, 1966 notes by Dan Neill **************** System Overview **************** The Fiori Napoletano is a canape system with a strong club. This was the system that spawned a dynasty. Bearing in mind this is 40-50+ years later, with all the advancements in bidding since at our disposal, and the limited complexity of the general version of the system described, here are the basic pros and cons of the system that a system fiend should prepare for. Pros: - fun - preemption with 4-crd major openings and a natural 1D opening - limited but solid openings - slam-bidding tools: control-showing responses to 1C, canape reverses, picture jumpshift responses Cons: - wide ranges for opening balanced hands - not being able to open 10-11 HCP hands with a 5-crd suit most of the time - lots of penalty doubles of direct interference - no RKC yet - the text places emphasis on stoppers for NT, rather than strength - 3N is too often played with a 5-3 major fit (due to limit style and simplicity) - text has the miracle examples rather than reconciling the dirty everyday problem hands The Fiori Azurri (Blue Team Club) is a later flavor of this system but 90% of the ideas are the same, and this is described in far more detail than any Blue Team book. Any serious Blue Team Club player should consider the book mandatory reading. It should afford some sessions of bridge that are fun if not successful. I would suggest that a partnership figure out some modifications to reach more aggressive games than the text recommends (the actual Blue Team members would bid aggressively enough but the text could never sell if it recommended actually bidding games as bad as real top players bid). Also, since the very common 10-11 HCP hands are rarely opened unless as a weak two, it would seem good to make them Fantoni-Nunes 2-bids where it could be 5 cards unbalanced, if not lowering the requirements to open. ********************* Opening Bids Summary ********************* 1C = 17+ HCP, art., forcing 1D = 4(3)+crds, healthy 12-16 HCP, may have longer clubs, or longer major if concentrated maximum 1H = 4+crds, healthy 12 to 16 HCP, may have longer minor, or longer spades if concentrated maximum 1S = 4+crds, healthy 12-16 HCP, may have longer side suit 1N = 13-16, 4C-333 or 5C-(332) with no worthless doubleton 2C = 11-16, 6-4M 11-13, 5C-5+M reverse, 6C-4D good C suit, 5332 with 2 worthless suits, 4M-5C 11-13 with unstopped suit and good C 2D/2H/2S = weak two, but about 8-12 value, 6crds (or 7 if too much defense for 3-lev opening) 2N = 21-22, no 5-crd suit 3y = pree, not too much in stray honors (3C can be a little light) 3N = ?? 4y+ = pree ************************ 1C Opening Bid Responses ************************ 1D = 0-1 ctrls, or Ace with less than 6 HCP value - forcing to 1N, bidding natural, no reverses 1H = nat, unbal or conc. 4432 (later can jumpshift to force again), may be canape to minor 1S = 4+S, may have 4+H, 0+ HCP, F1 2m = may be canape 3m = 4H-6(5)+m, GF 1N = NF, 0-6 HCP, may have v. bad raise, denies 4S 2m = may be canape 2H = 5+crds 2N = 21-22 3m = 4H-6(5)+m, semiforcing 2m = 5+ HCP, 5+crds, may have a raise (2H = 5+crds NF) 2H = 4 or good 3crds, minimum (NS = nat gametry) 2S/3m = GF, decent 6+crds, may have 3H 2N = 7-8, bal, may have 3H 3H = 4crds, medium 4H = 4+crds, maximum 1S = nat, unbal or conc. 4432 (later can jumpshift to force again), may be canape to minor 1N = NF, 0-6 HCP, may have v. bad raise 2m = may be canape 2H = 19-21, may be 4S-4/5H 2S = 5+crds 2N = 21-22 3lower = 4S-5+other, semiforcing 2m/2H = 5+ HCP, 5+crds (2S = 5+crds NF) 2S = 4 or good 3crds, minimum (NS = nat gametry) 2N = 7-8 bal, may have 3S 3m/3H = GF, decent 6+crds, may have 3S 3S = 4crds, medium 4S = 4+crds, maximum 1N = 17-20, use judgement with 5M, tends to have no unstopped suit 2C = extended Stayman 2D = 17-18, no M 2M = 5+crds, 5-6 HCP NF 2N = NF 3y = 5+crds, GF 2H = 17-18, 4H, may have 4S 2S = 4-5crds, 6-7 HCP 3m = GF, 4+crds, may have 4S 3S = 5+crds, 7+ HCP 2S = 17-18, 4S, denies 4H (3lower = 5+crds GF) 2N = 19-20, no M (NS = 5+crds GF) 3C = 19-20, 4H, denies 4S 3NS = 5+crds (later new suit = cue for 6+crd suit) 3D = 19-20, 4S, denies 4H 3H = 5+crds (later new suit = cue for 6+crd suit) 3H = 19-20, 4-4 majors 2D/2M = 5+crds, to play, weak or constructive (op bids on with max and/or good fit) 2N = 6-7, no M 3y = K-sixth or Q-sixth, 5-6 HCP 3N = to play 2C = NF, may have bad 4M if minimum (later reverse is strong) 2NS = 4+crds, biddable suit 2N = 6-7 2D = NF, may have bad 4M if minimum, may be 4D-5C if minimum 2NS = 4+crds, biddable suit 2N = 6-7 2H = GF, good 5+crds, may have side suit 2S = 5+crds 2N = 2nd negative, may have support 3m = 4+crds, may have a raise but describing a value, better than 2nd negative 3M raise = promises K or Q of trumps, if maximum then no biddable side suit 2S = GF, good 5+crds, may have side suit 2N = 2nd negative, may have support 3H = 5+S-4+H (4m = 6+crds but not headed by King) 3m = 4+crds, may have a raise but describing a value (King, e.g.), better than 2nd negative 3M raise = promises K or Q of trumps, if maximum then no biddable side suit 2N = 23-24, no 5crd suit 3C = Baron 3D/H/S = 5+crds, GF 3C = GF, 6+ good crds (may be 6-5) 3D = 2nd negative 3M = 5+crds 3N = maximum 4C = raise, even Hx 3D = GF, 6+ good crds 3H = 2nd negative, denies 5S 3S = relay, usu. with 3H (3N = club stopper, 4H = 5+H, 4D = negative) 3S = 5+crds 4D = raise, even Hx 3N = 25-27 games = to play 4C = slam Baron, may have 5M (later 4S = 5crds slammish), F to 4N 4D = 5+D, slammish 1H = 2 ctrls, 6+ HCP - near-game-forcing, F to 2N or opener's 1-suiter at 3-level 1S = may be bal 4crds, rarely canape except if minimum with H 1N = 17-20 bal, no unstopped suit unless no great 4crd suit to bid 2C = extended Stayman (see 1C-1D-1N) (followed by 3NS = good 5crds, theoretical slam possible) 2D/M = 5+crds nat, may be 5-4 (2N/raise = min NF, 2NS = 4crds, 3NS = max) 2N = min, no M, NF 3y = long good suit, slam possible opposite right max 2m = 5+crds, or great 4 with a worthless doubleton (bid 4crd suits up the line) 2S = good hand, near-solid or solid 5+crds (raise with K or Qx) 2N = 23-24, no 5crd suit 3y = solid 6+crds 3N = 25-26 (4333) with worthless 4crd suit 1S = 3 ctrls - game-forcing except after 1N-2N or 1N-2C-2y-2N 1N = 17-20 bal, no unstopped suit unless no great 4crd suit to bid 2C = extended Stayman (see 1C-1D-1N) (later 2N = 7 HCP, NF!, 3D = cue with implied major) 2D = 5+crds (later 4C jump = 5-5 good suits, nothing else) 2H = 5+crds 2N = waiting 4m = 5-5, good suits, nothing else 2S = 5+crds 2N = waiting 4m = 5-5, good suits, nothing else 4H = 5-5, good suits, nothing else, NF 2N = no M, 7 HCP, NF! 3y = long good suit, slam possible opposite right hand 2m = 5+crds, or great 4 with a worthless doubleton 2y = 4+ biddable crds 2N = 23-24, no 5crd suit 3N = 25-26 (4333) with worthless 4crd suit 1N = 4 ctrls 2m = 4+crds 2y = 4+ biddable crds 2M = 5+crds 2N = 17-20, denies good 4crd minor, often 4333 or 4S-4H 3C = mod. Stayman, may be 5S-4H bad hand 3D = 17-18 3H = 19-20, 4H, may have 4S 3S = 19-20, 4S, denies 4H 3N = 19-20, no 4M, often 4333 3D/H/S = 5+crds (4lower = cue raise) 3N = min 3N = 23-24 (4333) with worthless 4crd suit 2C = 5 ctrls 2D = 4+crds 2M = 5+crds 2N = 17-20, denies good 4crd D suit, or may be 4333 3C = mod. Stayman, may be 5S-4H bad hand 3D = 17-18 3H = 19-20, 4H, may have 4S 3S = 19-20, 4S, denies 4H 3N = 19-20, no 4M 3N = absolute min, 4333 (4y = 4-crd suit, F to 4N) 3N = 23-24 (4333) with worthless 4crd suit 2D = 6+ ctrls 2M = 5+crds 2N = 17-20 3N = absolute min, 4333 (4y = 4-crd suit, F to 4N) 3N = 23-24 (4333) with worthless 4crd suit 2M = v. weak hand, 6crds w/o A/K or 7 w/o A/K/Q, at most 1 side Queen (Qxxxxx Jx xx xxx) NS = NF 2N = GF relay, asks for side Q or shortness 3NS = that side Q or shortness (3M asks which: 3N = value, rebid NS = shortness) 3M = nothing else to say 2N = v. weak hand, 7-8 C, w/o A/K/Q, little else P/3C = to play NS = F1 (4C = no fit) 3y = KQ sixth, little else (if minor may be KJ 7th) 3D = F (3M = sing.) 3M = F (3N = doub support, 4y = 0-1, raise = 3) 4m raise = asks side shortness --------------------- Handling Interference --------------------- In general, in continuations all systems on if they can be. (X) Pass = 0-4, 0 ctrls XX = 5+ HCP, 0 ctrls 1D = 1 ctrl (or bare Ace) 1H = 2 ctrls 1S+ = as if no X (1D) Pass = 0-5, 0-1 ctrls X = penalty, usu. 0-2 ctrls 1H = 1-2 ctrls, 6+ HCP 1S = 3ctrls 1N = 4ctrls, D stop 2C = 4ctrls, no D stop 2D = 5ctrls 2M = natural 6+crds, 0 ctrls, v. weak 2N = 6+ctrls 3y = KQxxxx and little else, as normal (1H) Pass = 0-5, 0-1 ctrls X = penalty, usu. 0-2 ctrls 1S = 1-2 ctrls, 6+ HCP 1N = 3 ctrls, H stop 2C = 3 ctrls, no H stop 2D = 4 ctrls 2H = 5 ctrls 2S = natural 6+crds, 0 ctrls, v. weak 2N = 6+ctrls 3y = KQxxxx and little else, as normal (1S) Pass = 0-5, 0-1 ctrls X = penalty, usu. 0-2 ctrls 1N = 3 ctrls, S stop 2C = 1-2 ctrls, 6+ HCP 2D = 3 ctrls, no S stop 2H = natural, 0-2 ctrls 2S = 4 ctrls 2N = 5+ctrls 3y = KQxxxx and little else (1N) Pass = 0-1 ctrls X = 6+ HCP, 0-2 ctrls 2C = 3 ctrls 2D = 4 ctrls 2M = natural, 0-2 ctrls 2N = 5+ctrls 3y = nat, unbal, 1-2 ctrls (2C) Pass = 0-1 ctrls X = 1-2 ctrls, 6+ HCP, not too unbalanced 2D = 3 ctrls 2M = nat, 0-2 ctrls 2N = 3-4 ctrls, good C stop 3C = 4 ctrls, no other good bid 3D/H/S = 1-2 ctrls, nat, unbal 3N = 5+ctrls (2D) Pass = 0-1 ctrls X = 1-2 ctrls, 6+ HCP, not too unbalanced 2M = nat, 0-2 ctrls 2N = 3-4 ctrls, D stop 3C = 3 ctrls, no other bid 3D = 4 ctrls 3M = 1-2 ctrls, nat, unbal 3N = 5+ctrls (2H) as over 2D, but 3H is the 4 ctrls and 3D nat (2S) as over 2D, but 3S is the 4 ctrls and 3D nat (2N+) X = 7+ HCP, optional, usu. 2-3 ctrls bid = nat, F Reopening by Opener after partner's Pass: (1, 2 level) X = not takeout, just informative, including minimum balanced hands NT = normal, but always maximum jumpshift = forcing (3 level) X = takeout/optional (4+ level) X = penalty ************************* 1D Opening Bid Responses ************************* 1H = 4+crds, F, may have 5S-4+H if GF 1S = 4crds 2C = 5+C, F 2S = simple raise 2N/3H/3S = invit 3D = F1, 4+crds 4C = reverse into S, says nothing about C control 4D = reverse into D games = to play 1N = 13-15, denies 4M 2C = 8-11, usu. 5+crds, NF 2D = 10-12, NF 2H = to play (raisable with max and 3fit) 2S = reverse (2N = waiting, 3S = Hxx non-minimum) 3C = reverse (3D = 5crds, 3H = Hxx, 3S = seminat, 3N = bad for slam) 2N/3H = invit 3D = F1, not reverse 3S = reverse into D, S control 4C = reverse into D, C control, no S control 4D = reverse into D, no black control games = to play 2C = 4+crds, may be canape 2D = to play, not invit 2N/3m/3H = invit 2S = reverse 4C = reverse into C 4D = reverse into D 2D = good 5+crds, or 6+, promises extras 2S = reverse 2N/3D/3H = invite 3C = 5+C GF 3S = reverse into D, good H, S control 4C = reverse into C, good H, no S control, C control 4D = reverse into D, good H, no S or C control games = to play 2H = simple raise, mb good 3 crds with unstopped side suit 2S = reverse (not gametry) 3C = gametry, just 4H 3D = nat invit, just 4H 3H = gametry, 5+H 3S/4C/4D = reverse into D [cheapest control] 2S = reverse 3S = Hxx 4S = 4crds, minimum 4C = strong hand, good S raise 4D = reverse into D) 2N = 16-17(-), usu. 3H 3C = 5+crds 3D = F 3S = 5+crds 4C = reverse into D, C control 4D = reverse into D, no C control games = to play 3C = reverse (3S = reverse) 3D = reverse strength 3H = NF 3S = stop or reverse (3N = C stop, 4C = 3H no C stop, 4D = no 3H no C stop) 3H = 4 bad crds, about 15 unbal 3S = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 4C/4D = reverse into H, C control / no C control 1S = 4+crds, F, may have 4S-5H if invit. 1N = 13-15 2C/2H = 8-11, usu. 5+crds, NF 2D = 10-12, NF 2S = to play (raisable with max 3fit) 3C = reverse (3D = 5crds, 3H = seminat, 3S = Hxx nonminimum, 3N = bad for slam) 2N/3S = invit 3D = F1, not reverse 4C = reverse to D, C control 4D = reverse to D, no C control 2C = 4+crds, may be canape 2D = to play, not invit 2H = 5+H, F 2N/3C/3D/3S = invit 3H = reverse 4C = reverse into C 4D = reverse into D 2D = good 5+crds, or 6+, promises extras 2H = 5+H, forcing, may be reverse 2N/3D/3S = invite 3C = 5+C, GF 3H = reverse into D, good S, H control 4C = reverse into D, good S, no H control, C control 4D = reverse into D, good S, no H or C controls games = to play 2H = reverse 3H = Hxx 4H = 4crds minimum 4C = good H raise or H reverse 4D = reverse into D 2S = simple raise, mb good 3crds with unstopped side suit 3C/3H = gametry (if 3H then 5+S) 3D = nat invit, just 4S 3S = gametry, 5+S 4C/4D/4H = reverse into D [cheapest control] 2N = 16-17(-), usu. 3S 3C = 5+crds 3D = F 3H = 5+crds 4C = reverse into D, C control 4D = reverse into D, no C control games = to play 3C = reverse (3S = NF) 3D = reverse strength 3H = canape or just no C stopper (3S = 3crds no C stop, 4C = H supp no C stop, 4D = no fit no C stop) 3S = NF 3H = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 3S = 4crds, about 15 unbal 4C/4D/4H = reverse into S, cheapest control 1N = 6-10, no M (later 3C is weak to play) 2C = 5-4+ either way, but not 5D max (not 6D-4C) 2D = good 5 crds 15-16, or 6+crds (may have side suit) 2M = reverse (2N/3N = min/max with stoppers, raise 2M = Hxx non-minimum) 2N = 15-16, all suits stopped (3m = to play) 3C = reverse (3D = all values in D-C, 3M = no stop oM) 3D = max, good suit with tricks (3M = stop, no stop oM) 3M/4m = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 2C = 10+ 2D = 5+crds, may be reverse with 6D-4C 2M = reverse, may be 4crds 2N/3C/3D = NF 3M = reverse into D, cheapest control 4C = reverse into D, no M control, good C 4D = reverse into D, no M control, short C 2M = reverse 2N = 13-14, denies 5D, usu. 4333 3C/3D = NF 3M = reverse 4C = reverse into D, C control 4D = reverse into D, no C control 3C = constructive, 4+crds 3D = F 3M = stopper or reverse (with reverse remove 3N) 4C = invit 4D = reverse into D 3D = reverse, no C fit 3H = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 3S = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 3N = 15-16, denies 5D 4C = reverse into C, no D control 4D = reverse into C, D control 2D = 4+crds (occ. good 3), may have M if weak M or weak hand (2D is more preemptive) 2M = reverse, GF (2N/3N = min/max, 3D = min, 3M = Hxx, 4M = 4crds, NS = seminat) 2N = invit. 3C = 5+ good crds, F, invit 3D = general invite, 5+D 3M = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 2H = 6+crds, solid or semisolid, GF 2N = waiting (3D = Hxx, 3H = non-maximum, NS = value with max, 3N = minimum NT oriented) 3H = 3crds 3N = Hx H, good controls 2S = 6+crds, solid or semisolid, GF 2N = waiting (3D = Hxx, 3S = non-maximum, NS = value with max, 3N = minimum NT oriented) 3S = 3crds 3N = Hx S, good controls 2N = 17-18, 3D-(433) or 2D-(344), all side suits stopped 3C = nat 3D/3N = 4M333/4423 misfits cheap major bid = may be 4crds (raise or 4N = 4crd supp) 3M = 4crd C raise (less than HHxx quality), concentration in M 4C = HHxx or better support, sets C 3D = 5+crds, support-ask (xx/Hx/xxx/Hxx) 3M = nat (see 3C continuations) 4N = 16, quant, 4333 (cue good 4crd suit, then honors - can stop in 5N) 3C = 5+crds, good suit, GF 3M = reverse or stopper 4C = extras, suit-oriented 3D = 4+crds, limit but may be distributionally based 3M = stopper or reverse (3S = S stop no C stop) 3N = 16, 3D-(433), all side suits stopped 4N = invite requiring a top honor in D (Pass = no, else cue Aces), later 5N is natural quant NS = natural (cue = 4crd raise, 4N = no 4fit & no honor in first suit, raise first suit = honor and no 4fit) 4D = pree 4M = not too strong --------------------- Handling Interference --------------------- (X) Pass = normal weak, or 10-12 bal with < 4crd support (will bid later) XX = SOS, just 4 bad (or 3) crds in suit XX = GF, may have support simple NS = 6-10, NF (usu. 5+crds) 1N = 8-9 JS = good suit, 6-10 HCP 2N = GF with void (occ. sing.) in opener's suit, too distributional to penalize, often a 6-crd suit somewhere (1H) Pass = can have values X = not takeout (reveal psyche by doubling then bidding their suit) bids = normal, even reverses X = penalty (4+ trumps if opponents Vul, 5+trumps if they are not Vul, usually denies game if unfav vul) 1N = 9-11, stopper 2C = as normal, 10+ HCP, may be start of reverse 2D = 4+crds, can be light (occ. 3 if non-min) 2H = strong D raise, at least mild slam interest, H control (usually first-round) 2S = normal strong jumpshift 2N = 11-12, usually 2 stoppers 3C = normal strong jumpshift 3D = F to 3N/4D, as normal 4D = pree, may be light, vul-dependent (1S) as above (1N) X = 8+ HCP simple NS = to play jump-shift = good suit, 6-9 HCP raise = as normal 2N = GF 2-suiter (2C) X = penalty (can be 3 good trumps, esp. if too weak for 2N) otherwise, as above (2H->3D) NS below 3NT = invit, nat X = any GF raise = invit (3H+) X = optional, 10+ HCP bids below game = F1 ************************* 1H Opening Bid Responses ************************* 1S = 6+ HCP, 4+crds, F, if H support then invit+ 1N = 13-15 2m = nat, usu. 5+crds, 8-11, NF 2H = 10-12, NF 2S = to play (raisable with max 3fit) 3C = reverse (3D = seminat, 3H = 5crds, 3S = Hxx, 3N = bad for slam) 3D = reverse (3H = 5crds, 3S = Hxx, 3N = bad for slam) 3H = reverse into H 3S = invit, good suit games = to play 2C = 4+crds, may be canape 2D = 4th suit forcing, invit+ 2H = 3crds, to play, not invit 2N/3C/3S = invit 3D = reverse 3H = 4crds, invit 4C = reverse into C 4D = reverse into H, slammish, 4+H, good S, does not promise D control games = to play 2D = 4+crds, may be canape 2H = 3crds, to play, not invit 3C = seminatural, may be reverse 2N/3D/3H/3S = invit 4C = reverse to H, good S, slammish, 4+H, goes not promise C control 4D = reverse to D games = to play 2H = promises extras or a good 5+ suit 2N/3H/3S = invite 3m = 5+crds, GF 4C/4D = reverse into H, good S, C control / no C control games = to play 2S = mb good 3crds with an unstopped side suit 2N = 16-17(-), usu. 3crd S 3m = nat, F 3H = F, 3crds 3S = NF 4C/4D = reverse into H, C control / no C control 3C = reverse 3D = 4th suit forcing 3H = 3+crds 3S = NF 4H = 4+crds, bad for slam 3D = reverse 3H = 3+crds 3S = NF 4C = cue for a red suit 4H = 4+crds, bad for slam 3H = reverse strength, NF 3S = 6+ good crds, no H fit (4D = pick a major) 3S = 4crds, 15 HCP unbal, about 4C/4D = reverse into S, C control / no C control 1N = 6-10, no 4M (later bidding a minor is weak to play) 2m = 5-4+ either way, but not 5H max (not 6H-4m) 2H = good 5crds 15-16, or 6+crds (may have side suit) 2S = reverse (2N/3N = min/max with stoppers, raise 2S = Hxx non-minimum) 2N = 15-16, all suits stopped (3m = to play) 3C = reverse (3H = 3crds, all values in H-C, 3NS = no stop other suit) 3D = reverse (3H = 3H, D raise, C stopper, 3S = no C stopper) 3S/4m = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 2C = 4+crds normally, 10+ HCP 2D = 4+crds, may be 4-4, if 5H-4D then GF 2H = 3crds (occ. 4crds if minimum), NF 2S = reverse 2N = NF (3D = 4+H-5+D NF, 3H = 5+H-4+D GF) 3C/3D = NF 3H = reverse into H 3S = reverse into D, S control 4C = reverse into D, no S control, good C 4D = reverse into D, no S control, short C games = to play 2H = 5+crds, may have 5H-4D if minimum, may be reverse with 6H-4C 2S = reverse, may be 4 cards 2N = NF 3m = 5-4+, NF 3C/3H = NF 3D = reverse 3S = slammish H raise, 4+H, best suit is C, C control, S control 4C = slammish H raise, 4+H, best suit is C, C control, no D or S control 4D = slammish H raise, 4+H, best suit is C, C control, D control, no S control games = to play 2S = reverse 2N = 13-14, just 4H, usu. 4333 3C/3H = NF 3D/3S = reverse 4C = reverse into H, C control 4D = reverse into H, no C control 3C = constructive, 4+crds 3D/3S = stopper or reverse (with reverse remove 3N) 3H = 3fit, F 4C = invit 4D = reverse into H, does not promise D control games = to play 3D = reverse 3H = reverse, no C fit 3S = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 3N = 15-16, just 4H 4C = reverse into C, no D control 4D = reverse into C, D control 2D = 4+crds 2H = 5+crds, may be reverse with 6H-4D 2N = NF 3m = 5-4+, NF 3D/3H = NF 3S = slammish H raise, 4+H, best suit is D, D control, S control 4C = slammish H raise, 4+H, best suit is D, D control, C control, no S control 4D = slammish H raise, 4+H, best suit is D, D control, no C or S control games = to play 2S = reverse 2N = 13-14, just 4H, denies 4S 3C = 5+crds GF 3D/3H = NF 3S = reverse 4C = reverse into H, C control 4D = reverse into H, no C control 3C = 4H-5+C, GF, may be a reverse, occ. weak 5H 3D = nat 3H = 3crds (or 4 if v. minimum) 3S = 5+S 4C = sets C 4D = reverse into H, says nothing about D control games = to play 3D = constructive, 4+crds 3H = 3fit, F 3S = stopper or reverse (with reverse remove 3N) 4C = general slamtry, could be reverse into H, cue for D, or even natural (later bidding will reveal) 4D = invit games = to play 3H = reverse, no H fit 3S = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 3N = 15-16, just 4H 4C = reverse into D, C control 4D = reverse into D, no C control 2H = 6-9, 4crds or good 3 suit oriented 2S = reverse, GF (2N/3N = min/max, 3H = min, 3S = Hxx, 4S = 4crds, NS = seminat) 2N = about 16, very NT oriented, NF 3m = good 5+crds, but forcing (raise = 5+crds, good double fit) 3H = 5-6 trumps, invit 4m = reverse, 4-6+ shape 2S = 6+crds, solid or semisolid, GF 2N = waiting (3H = Hxx, 3S = non-maximum, NS = value with max, 3N = minimum NT oriented) 3S = 3crds 3N = Hx S, good controls 2N = 17-18, 3H-(433) or 2H-(344), all side suits stopped 3C = nat 3H/3N = 4pointed-333/4243 misfits cheap S or D = may be 3-suited (raise or 4N = 4crd supp) 3D/3S = 4crd C raise (less than HHxx quality), good concentration in bid suit 4C = HHxx or better support, sets C 3D = nat 3H/3N = 4black-333/2434 misfits 4C/4H = may be 3-suited (raise or 4N = 4crd supp) 3S/4C = 4crd D raise (less than HHxx quality), good concentration in bid suit 4D = HHxx or better support, sets D 3H = 5+crds, support-ask (xx/Hx/xxx/Hxx) 3S = nat (see 3m continuations) 4N = 16, quant, 4333 (cue good 4crd suit, then honors - can stop in 5N) 3C = 5+crds, good suit, GF 3D/3S = 5+crds or stopper 3H = good 5+crds 4C = extras, suit-oriented 3D = 5+crds, good suit, GF, usu. no C control 3H = good 5+crds 3S = 5+crds or stopper 4C = 5+crds 4D = extras, suit-oriented 3H = 9-11, 4crds, usu. no great side 5+crd suit (NS = reverse) 3N = 16, 3H-(433), all side suits stopped 4N = invite requiring a top honor in H (Pass = no, else cue Aces), later 5N is natural quant NS = natural (cue = 4crd raise, 4N = no 4fit & no honor in first suit, raise first suit = honor and no 4fit) 4H = 5+crds, unbal, mixed, < 11 HCP, vul-dependent 4S = not too strong Handling Interference: see 1D ************************* 1S Opening Bid Responses ************************* 1N = 6-10 (later bidding a minor is weak to play) 2m = 5-4+ either way, but not 5S max, not 6S-4m 2H = 5-4+ either way 2S = good 5crds 15-16, or 6+crds (may have side suit) 2N = 15-16, all suits stopped (3y = to play) 3C = reverse (3D/H = no H/D stopper, 3S = 3crds with C raise no side stopper) 3D = reverse (3H = no C stopper, 3S = 3crds with C stopper, 4m = nat with D raise) 3H = reverse (4m = cue good raise for H, 3S = 3crds stall) 4m/4H = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 2C = 4+crds normally, 10+ HCP 2D = 4+crds, may be 4-4, if 5S-4D then GF, may be reverse strength with 4C 2H = reverse 2S/3C/3D = NF 3H = reverse into D, H control 3S = reverse into S 4C = reverse into D, good clubs, no H control 4D = reverse into D, short clubs, no H control 2H = 4+crds, may be 4-4, if 5S-4H then GF, may be reverse strength with 4C 2S = NF, 3crds (if 4 then v. minimum) 2N = NF 3H = 4+S-5H, NF 3S = 5+S-4H, GF 4H = 5S-5H, better H 3C = NF (3S = 5+S-4H GF) 3D = reverse 3H = NF, 4crds 3S = reverse into S 4C = reverse into H, C control, no D control 4D = reverse into H, C control, D control games = to play 2S = 5+crds, may be 5-4 if minimum, may be reverse strength with 6S-4C (later 4C) 2N = NF 3m = 5-4+, NF 3H = 5+S-4H, NF 4H = 5-5, S equal or better quality 3D/H = reverse 3S = NF 4C = slammish S raise, 4+S, best suit is C, C control, no red control 4D = slammish S raise, 4+S, best suit is C, C control, D control 4H = slammish S raise, 4+S, best suit is C, C control, H control, no D control games = to play 2N = 13-14, just 4S, usu. 4333 3C/3S = NF 3D/3H = reverse 4C = reverse into S, C control, no D control 4D = reverse into S, D control 3C = constructive, 4+crds 3D/H = stopper or reverse (with reverse remove 3N) 3S = F, 3fit 4C = invit 4D/4H = reverse into S, cheapest control 3D = reverse, may have C fit 3H = reverse, no C fit 3S = reverse, denies 4C 3N = 15-16, just 4S 4C = reverse into C, no D control 4D = reverse into C, D control 4H = freak reverse, 11+crds in the 2 suits 2D = 4+crds normally, 10+ HCP 2H = 4+crds, may be 4-4, if 5S-4H then GF, may be reverse with D fit 2S = 3crds (or if 4 then v. minimal), NF 2N = NF 3H = 4+S-5H, NF 3S = 5+S-4H, GF 4H = 5S-5H, better H 3C = 4th suit forcing 3D = NF (3S = 5+S-4H GF) 3H = NF 3S = reverse into S 4C = reverse into H, D control, C control 4D = reverse into H, D control, no C control games = to play 2S = 5+crds, may be 5-4 if minimum, may be reverse strength with 6S-4D 2N = NF 3m = 5-4+, NF 3H = 5+S-4H, NF 4H = 5-5, S equal or better quality 3C = 4+D-5+C, GF, may be reverse 3D = NF 3H = reverse 3S = NF 4C = slammish S raise, 4+S, best suit is D, D control, C control 4D = slammish S raise, 4+S, best suit is D, D control, no C control 4H = slammish S raise, 4+S, best suit is D, H control, no minor control 2N = 13-14, just 4S, denies 4H 3C/3H = 5+crds GF 3D/3S = NF 4C = reverse into S, no D control 4D = reverse into S, D control 3C = 4S-5+C, GF, may be reverse, occ. weak 5S 3D = nat 3H = 5+H 3S = 3crds usu (or 4 if v. minimum) 4C = nat 4D = reverse into S, D control 4H = reverse into S, no D control 3D = constructive, 4+crds 3H = stopper or reverse (with reverse, remove 3N) 3S = F, 3fit 4C = general slamtry, could be cue for D, reverse into S, or even just natural (later bidding will reveal) 4D = invit 4H = reverse into S, H control, no C control games = to play 3H = reverse, denies 4D 3S = reverse, denies 4D 3N = 15-16, just 4S 4C = reverse into D, C control 4D = reverse into D, no C control 4H = freak reverse, 11+ crds in the 2 suits 2H = 4+crds GF, or 5+crds 10+ HCP 2S = 5+crds, may be reverse with with 6S-4H 2N/3H = NF 3m = 4+H-5+m, may be reverse 3S = invit, 3crds 4C = slammish S raise, best suit is H, 4+S, C control 4D = slammish S raise, best suit is H, 4+S, no C control 2N = 13-14, just 4S 3H/3S = NF 3m = 5+crds GF 4C = reverse into S, no D control 4D = reverse into S, D control 3C = 4S-5+C, GF, occ. weak 5S 3D = nat or 4th suit 3H = nat 3S = 3crds (or 4 if v. minimum) 4C = sets C 4D = reverse into S, says nothing about D control games = to play 3D = 4S-5+D, GF, occ. weak 5S 3H = nat 3S = 3crds (or 4 if v. minimum) 4C = 5+C, v. distro or slam interest 4D = sets D games = to play 3H = 3crd raise, NF 3S = F, strong raise or choice of games 4m = cue for H games = to play 3S = reverse, no H fit 3N = 15-16, just 4S 4m = good 4+crd raise, cheapest control 4H = 4+crd raise, minimum 2S = 6-9, 4crds or good 3 suit oriented 2N = about 16, very NT oriented, NF 3lower = good 5+crds, but forcing (raise = 5+crds, good double fit) 3S = 5-6 trumps, invit 4lower = reverse, 4-6+ shape 2N = 17-18, 3S-(433) or 2S-(344), all side suits stopped 3C = nat 3S/3N = 4red-333/2443 misfits 4D/4H = may be 3-suited (raise or 4N = 4crd support) 3D/3H = 4crd C raise (less than HHxx quality), good concentration in bid suit 4C = HHxx or better support, sets C 3D = nat 3S/3N = 4round-333/2434 misfits 4C/4H = may be 3-suited (raise or 4N = 4crd support) 3H/4C = 4crd D raise (less than HHxx quality), good concentration in bid suit 4D = HHxx or better support, sets D 3H = nat 3S/3N = 4m333/2344 misfits 4m = may be 3-suited (raise or 4N = 4crd support) 4m = 4crd H raise (less than HHxx quality), good concentration in bid suit 4H = HHxx or better support, sets H 3S = 5+crds, support-ask (xx/Hx/xxx/Hxx) 4N = 16, quant, 4333 (cue good 4crd suit, then honors - can stop in 5N) 3C = 5+crds, good suit, GF 3H = 5+crds or stopper 3S = good 5+crds 4C = extras, suit-oriented 3D = 5+crds, good suit, GF, usu. no C control 3H = 5+crds or stopper 3S = good 5+crds 4C = 5+crds 4D = extras, suit-oriented 3H = 6+crds, solid or semisolid, GF 3S = control 4m = cue, good H raise 4H = minimum raise 3S = 9-11, 4crds, usu. no great side 5+crd suit (NS = reverse) 3N = 4m-333, 16 HCP, no unstopped suit (besides opener's) 4N = invite requiring a top honor in S (Pass = no, else cue Aces), later 5N is natural quant NS = natural (cue = 4crd raise, 4N = no 4fit & no honor in first suit, raise first suit = honor and no 4fit) 4H = to play, not too strong 4S = 5+crds, unbal, not too much defense, mixed, < 11 HCP, vul-dependent Handling Interference: See 1D ************************* 1N Opening Bid Responses ************************* 2C = to play, should not be with weak balanced hand (will end up in 2N or 3C likely) unless can play 3C 2D/H/S = max, cheapest stopper 2M (over 2D) = enough for game opposite good max, stopper M, no stop oM 2S (over 2H) = D stop, no S stop, enough for game opposite good max 2N = both side suits stopped, only game opposite good max 3C = missing stop, OR just weak hand 3N = both side suits stopped, max 2N = max, all side stops (3C = weak) 2D = puppet to 2H, many hands 2H = forced Pass/2S = s/o, 5+crds 2N = good invite 3C = 5+D-4+C, invit (Pass = neg, 3D = nat counter-invite, 3M = max stopper) 3D = 5+D, reverse values (suit = good slam cards, 3N = bad slam cards) 3H = reverse, slam interest (suit = good H raise, 3N/4H = bad for slam) 3S = reverse, slam interest (suit = good S raise, 3N/4S = bad for slam) 4C = reverse, slam interest, D may be control only 3N = 16-17 bal, clubs Jx/xxx or better 4C = 5crds, support-ask 4D = xxx/Jx (4H = asks: 4S = Jx [4N = to play], 4N = xxx) 4H = Hx/Jxx (4S = asks: 4N = Hx, 5C = Jxx) 4S = HH 4N = Hxx 5C = HHx (sets C) later 4NT = to play, 5NT = DI 4N = about 16, counter-invite Pass = nope 5C = asks club quality (later 5N = to play) 5D = 1 top honor 5H = 1 top honor + Jack 5S = 2 top honors 5N = any 3 honors (incl. Jack) 4N = 18-19 5C = 4 clubs, 15, or 14 with lots of controls (5D asks # top C's [1, 2, 3]) 5D = 5 clubs, 13-14 (5H = asks C quality [5S = 1 TH, 5N = 2 TH]) - later 5N to play 2M = F1, 5+crds or start of non-slam reverse to non-C, or GF+ reverse to C (most slams start 2D) *** NOTE! 1N opening promises HHx/Hx(x)/xxx in each non-C suit 2N = minimum, side stops, may have tripleton support for M 3 lower new suit = value, no stop other side suit (3N = xxx support, good stops other suit) 3M = NF 3S (over 2H) = reverse, no slam interest 4C = reverse into C, good 4+crds M, no D control 4D = reverse into C, good 4+crds M, D control 3C = good 5crds, denies having both side stops as above, and 4D = reverse into C, slam interest 4H (after 2S) = reverse into C, no D control oM/3D = denies stop other side suit, denies Hxx support, denies minimum 3C = NF 4D = reverse into C, slam interest 4H (after 2S) = reverse into C, no D control 3M = 3crds, a side suit unstopped 3S (over 3H) = stopper or reverse 4C = reverse into C, good 4+crds M, no D control 4D = reverse into C, good 4+crds M, D control 3N = max, both side stops, may have weak tripleton support for M 4C = reverse into C, no D control, slam interest 4D = reverse into C, D control, slam interest 2N = mild invite 3C = 4+C, near-GF, 11-14, F to 3N or 4C (bid stoppers like 1N-2C-2y above) 3D = invit, 6+crds with a top honor or better 3M = 6+crds, solid or semisolid, GF --------------------- Handling Interference --------------------- (X) Pass = suggests 1N better than 2C, if weak then short C (opener generally passes) XX = 10+ HCP, may have C support or a long suit 2C = 4+crds 2NS = to play, dependent on vul 3C = constructive JS = 6-10, but long good suit (2y) X = penalty 2NS = to play 3any = NF, constructive 2N = invit 3y(y=M) = choice between 3N and other major 3y(y=D) = 5-5 majors, invit+ ************************* 2C Opening Bid Responses ************************* 2D = relay or start of a reverse, may be non-serious fishing for major, or signoff in 3D (not weak) 2H = 6C-4H 11-13 2S = reverse 2N/3H = invit 3C/3D = signoff 4C = reverse into C 4D = reverse into M 2S = 6C-4S 11-13 2N/3S = invit 3C/3D = signoff 3H = reverse 4C = reverse into C 4D = reverse into S 2N = 11-13 1-suiter 3C = signoff 3D = asks stoppers, F to 3N or 4C (3N = both M's, 4C = neither) 3M = reverse 4C = reverse into C without D suit 4D = reverse into C with D suit 3C = 14-16 1-suiter as over 2N above, but: 4C = invit, 4D = reverse into C 3D = 5D-5C reverse 3M = cue for a minor, or rarely a reverse 4D = invit 3H = 5H-5C reverse 3S = cue for pd, or rarely a reverse 3S = 5S-5C reverse 4D/4H/4S = 6y-5C reverse (4 losers or less) 4C = max 1-suiter, extra length/distribution 2H = 5+crds, F1, may be weakish, never slam interest unless reversing to C or S, occas. great 4crds 2S = 4S-6C, 11-13 2N = 1-suiter, 11-13, may have 3H 3C = nat, 14-16, may have 3H 3D = seminatural 4C = invit 4D = reverse into C, says nothing about D control 3D = reverse 3H = 6C-4H, 11-13 (cues for H) 3S = reverse, 5-5 4C = 14-16, extra length and distribution 4D = reverse into H, D control 4H = reverse into H, no D control 4S = freak reverse (6-5) 2S = 5+crds, F1, may be weakish, never slam interest unless reversing to C, occas. great 4crds 2N = 11-13, 1-suiter or 6C-4H 3C = 14-16, 1-suiter, may have 3S 3D = seminatural 3H = nat 4C = invit 4D = reverse into C, says nothing about D control 3D = reverse 3H = reverse, 5-5 3S = 6C-4S 11-13 (cues for S) 4C = 14-16, extra length and distribution 4D = reverse into S, D control 4H = max reverse, 6H-5C 4S = reverse into S, no D control 2N = 13-15 bal, GF, no 4M if minimum (bid 2D then) 3C = 11-13 (3M = max with 4M) 3C = mixed raise, no game opposite 6C-4M 3D = max, stopper or reverse 3M = reverse 5-5 4D/4M = 6-5 reverse 3D = good suit, at least mild slam interest 3H = GF, 6+crds, solid or semisolid 3S = GF, 6+crds, solid or semisolid 4C = pree ------------------------- Handling Interference: ------------------------- (X) XX = 10+ 2NS = to play (NS now = reverse, pass with 6-4 weak) ************************* Weak Two Opening Bid Responses ************************* raises = to play 2NT = GF relay, can have fit 3 original suit = minimum NS = max, descriptive 3N = AKJ or better in opened suit NS = F1 raise = 3crds or sometimes max with doubleton (if major) 3 original suit = minimum 2N/NS = max, descriptive games = to play Handling Interference: (X) XX = strong 2N = invit+ relay bids = nat, NF (bid) X = penalty 2N = invit+ relay bids = nat, NF Third-Seat weak two's are still pretty normal and do not get undisciplined. 2N is an invit+ raise. ************************* 2NT Opening Bid Responses ************************* 3C = Baron, includes all slamtries, hard to find 5-3 major game without making slamty 3D = 4 crds 3H = 4 crds, denies D 3S = 4 crds, denies red suit 3N = 4C-333 later 4-bids by responder below game are forcing and natural, 5crd if new suit responder rebidding 3M then 4lower shows 5M, with lower 5crd suit or cue, forcing 3D/H/S = v. weak, NF but pd can always bid on games = to play 4C = 5-4 majors, no slam (4D = asks 5M) 4D = 5-5 majors, no slam ************************* 3-level Opening Bid Responses ************************* raises/games = to play NS = F1 (3D followed by 4C is a F raise) NS = value (mb sing. if at 4-level below own suit) raise = 2-3crds original suit = nothing else Third Seat 3-level openings can be stronger (or if NV, lighter) than normal. **************** 4-crd Majors **************** A "biddable" 4crd suit is headed by at least the K, Q9, or JT. This may have a bearing on the choice of openings. You don't have to bid an unbiddable suit if it might be raised with 3 cards, but the system might dictate otherwise. The Fiori Napoletano is a canape system, so 5-4 2-suiters are not always bid in long-short or short-long order, but it depends also on the strength of the hand and the system as a whole. See Reverses and Non-Reverses. 4-4 hands can be treated as 2-suiters if all the strength is in the two suits. A distinctive feature of Fiori Napoletano is that 4-crd suits in a balanced hand are opened up the line irregardless of strength, so rebidding 1N is a wider range than in Standard American, Acol, or other standard systems. A 1N opening shows clubs and denies other suits. ******************************* Balanced Hands (12[+]-16) ******************************* Choosing an opening bid depends on which best dodges the natural weaknesses of the system. 1M is preferred to 1D. 4S-4H 1H, unless cannot handle a 2m response. 4S-4D 1S, unless cannot handle a 2H response. 4H-4D 1H, unless unbiddable suit quality. 4y-4C 1y. Over a 2/1 response (not in C), 2y must sometimes be rebid without the fourth suit stopped. The author gives one perfect example of responder raising this to game with 3 cards and it being better than 3N. This is a huge weakness if there is no other way to figure out M length. 4333/5332 The suit (1N for clubs). Open 1D on good 3crds if judgement dictates (unbiddable 4crd suit, or if 1N unstopped suit[s]). ******************************* 3-suiters (12-16) ******************************* With 4441's, open 1H with a side singleton, and with a stiff heart open 1D (unless all strength in 2 suits). With 5440's, the possibility of a reverse enters the picture. With non-reverses: 5M-(440) open 1M always. With a reverse, open the next lower suit and rebid 2S. 5D-(440) open 1H (if void H, open 1S if max [to rebid 3D over 2H response]). 5C-(440) open 1H (if void H, open 1S if max, else 1D) With reverses: 5S-(440) open next-lowest suit and reverse to 2S 5H-(440) open 1S (or 1D) and reverse to 3(2)H. 5D-(440) open 1M and reverse to 3D 5C-(440) open 1M and reverse to 3C **************** Reverses by Opener **************** Reverses and non-reverses can have the same HCP and/or distribution - the difference is that reverse hands have playing strength (honor concentration), and less than 6 losers (even stronger than some 1C openings). A reverse requires 5-4+ distribution (a 4441/4432/5332 may never reverse). A reverse is bid by opening in 1 of a suit and rebidding 2 of a higher suit, jump-shifting to 3 of a lower suit, or jump-rebidding the original suit. Examples: Reverse: Not Reverse: xx AQJx AKQTx xx AQxxx xx KJ AQxx KQJxxx AKxx xx x AKJxx xxx xx AKx AQxx AKJxxx x xx Qxx KJx Kxxxx AQ AJTxx AQxxx x KQ AQ AJxx KQxxx xx xxx x AKQxxx AQx x AJxxx AQxxx Kx KQJxxxx - AJx Qxx AKJxx Kxx xx AKx (open 1C) KJTxx x x AKxxxx AQ AQJx AQxxx xx (open 1C) When reversing at the 2-level, it promises that the second suit is at least 5 cards long. May be 5+-4+, but never 4-5+. When reversing by jumpshifting to 3 of a lower suit, it promises that the first suit is just 4 cards (otherwise, start with the lower suit first). The jump-reverse (jump rebidding to 3 of a higher suit or 4 of a lower suit) promises a very rare hand: 11 or 12 cards in the two suits with all honors in the suits (about 4-5 losers). A jump-reverse to a higher suit promises that the first suit is only 4-5 cards, and to a lower suit promises the first suit is 4 cards (with 5-6, bid lower-higher[5+]-lower[5+]). (Note: a jump-reverse to the 4-level only applies over a NT response [over a suit response it is a cue]). Specifically: 5+M-4red open 1red, rebid 2M 5+y-4C open 1y, rebid 2/3 C 4y-5+lower open 1y, rebid 3(4) lower 5+M-5+red open 1red, rebid 2M, later rebid 3red 5+y-5+C open 2C A reverse by opener is semi-forcing after a 1-level response. ***************************** Bidding Non-Reverse 2-suiters ***************************** This is the common 2-suiter - 12-16 HCP, 5-4 (4-5) or greater distribution - that will try to get to game if maximum, but otherwise is just looking for a place to play. It cannot risk jumping or reversing without a known fit because the playing strength is not proven, or it is too weak on HCP. The choice of opening depends on the rebid problem. 5+-5+ open higher, rebid lower (even C) 5-4 opener higher, rebid lower if weak, higher if maximum (NOTE! Rebidding the original suit promises something: either length or power) 4S-5H open the stronger suit (or judgement) 4H-5D always 1H (unless unbiddable H and great D) 4S-5D open 1D unless can handle a 1S-2H sequence (can raise H or strong enough to rebid 3D GF) 4y-5C open 1y unless both side suits unstopped (open 2C then) 6-4 open the higher suit and rebid it 4y-6C open 1y if maximum (to handle a 2/1 response), and 2C if minimum 4S-6H open 1H and rebid 2H if no 1S response 4S-6D open 1D unless reverse quality 4H-6D open 1H unless D suit much better **************************** Responder's Initial Response **************************** The general style is limit, like standard american, with ranges appropriate to the solid opening. A 1-over-1 is just 6+ HCP, 4+crds, and unlimited (except for 1N). A 2-over-1 requires 10+ HCP and is forcing to 2NT. A jump in a suit or to 2NT is game-forcing. A double-jump shift is a weak hand with a long suit. A jump raise is invite, but a jump raise to game is discouraging. The additional factor is that a response can be canape if strong enough to support the level of the second suit bid. ************************* GF sequences by Responder ************************* One method is to make an immediate jumpshift into a new suit (if a major, then solid or semisolid 6+crds). Or responder can make an immediate 2NT response. Another is to reverse. This is does not have the same requirements as a reverse by opener. It only shows a GF hand and does not promise slam interest. It also may be a 1-suiter in which the first suit is not playable but has a control (Ax(x), Kx(x), x, e.g.). The fake suit should rarely be a major, and should be the lowest possible suit. The second suit of a reverse is always 5+crds at the 3-level, but occasionally a 4-crd suit at the 2-level or even 4-4 minors if 2C...3D. In this case, rebid the 2nd suit to reveal 5+crds. The primary point of the reverse is to show GF strength - with usually 5+crds in the 2nd suit. One type of reverse is reversing into... opener's suit! Responder can make a 2/1 response and then, ONLY after opener immediately rebids her original suit, jumpshift needlessly to the 4-level to show her cheapest control. Or a 2/1 followed by a jump raise below game. These show slam interest. A version of that is bidding a 2/1, then reversing to a new suit, then raising opener's first suit. This would show a slam interest hand, good 4crd support, with values but not necessarily suits in the 2 first-bid suits. ************************************* 1-over-1 response, Responder's Rebids ************************************* If opening requires 13 value, then after a simple rebid by opener, responder may invite with 9-10. Correcting to the initial suit is obviously 3-crd support. Raising opener's same-suit rebid is encouraged since it promises a good suit or extras. Jump-rebidding her own suit below game is invitational only (GF would instead jumpshift immediately or reverse into the suit). ********************************** 2-over-1 response, Opener's Rebids ********************************** Rebidding the initial suit shows 5+crds. Bidding 2-suiters can be done in 2 orders sometimes, depending whether opener has enough to force to game. Raising the response suit promises a non-minimum, and 4+crds in the case of a minor. Rebidding 2N or 3N denies 5 of the opened suit. ********************************** Passed Hand Bidding ********************************** 11-12 HCP (maximum passed hand), will respond with a jump raise, jump in own suit (good 5crd suit usu.), or 2NT. 2/1 is also maximum but the suit is not as good, and often with a 3crd raise. XX is a 2NT bid. ********************************************************** Examples of Slam Bidding (from Bridge with the Blue Team) ********************************************************** a. South: Tx Axx KQ9x AQJx / North: AJ98xx xx A KTxx 1S-2C-2S-3D-4C-4H-4N-5N-6C b. South: AKxxx ATx xx Axx / North: xx xxx AKQJ9xx Q 1S-3D-3S-4D-4H-4S-5C-6D-6N c. South: AKJxx AJx xx Axx / North: Qxx Kxxx AQx Kxx 1C-1N-2S-3S-4C-4D-4H-4N-6S d. South: AKQ9 Axxxx KTxx - / North: JTxx KQ Qx JT9xx 1C-1D-1H-1S-3D-3H-4C-4D-4N-5N-6S e. South: AKxx AKQJ9x - QJ4 / North: Qxx xxx AKxx Axx 1C-2C-3H-4C-4S-5D-5S-7H f. South: Axx JT987 AKQxx - / North: KQT9876 x - KJTxx 1H-2S-3S-4C-4D-4H-5C-5D-6D-6S g. South: QJx AKx Kxx AQ9x / North: - xxx AJT98xx Kxx 1C-(1S)-1N-2C-3D-4D-4S-5H-5S-5N-6C-7D h. South: AT9x xx AKxx AKx / North: KQxxxx AK xx Txx 1C-1N-2D-2S-3S-4H-4N-5H-5N-7S i. South: AKx Kxxxxx A AQx / North: QTxx Ax xxxxx Kx 1C-1S-2H-2S-3S[should be 4crd but 3H bid should be better suit]-4C-4D-4H-4N-5S-6S j. South: K KJTxxxx AQJx x / North: Ax x Kxxx AKT9xx 1D-3C-3H-4D-5D-6D k. South: AKJT98 AJ9 Tx Qx / North: Qxx KQT Kxxx Axx 1S-2N-3S-4C-4H-4S-4N-5D-5H-6S l. South: Txxxx Kxx AQx Ax / North: AKxx AQx xx K9xx 1S-2C-2S-4H-4N-5D-5H-6S m. South: Kxxx xx AKQJ9x A / North: AQxx QJx Tx K9xx 1C-1S-2D-2S-3S-3N-4C-4S n. South: - AQTxx Kxx QTxxx / North: AQTxx KJx AJxxx - 1H-2D-2H-2S-3D-3H-4H-5C-5H-6H o. South: AQxxxx Kx A AKJx / North: Kxx Axx Jxxxx xx 1C-1S-2S-3S-4C-4H-4N-5S-5N-6C-6D-6S (needed cQ to go on) p. South: AQ Q9x Axxx AKxx / North: xxxx AKJTx Kx xx 1C-1N-2C-2H-2N-3H-4D-4N-5C-6H q. South: Axx AKx AJ9xxx x / North: Kxx xxx Kxx Axxx 1C-1N-2D-3D-4C-4D-4H-4S-5C-5D r. South: AQxx A Kxxx AQxx / North: Jx KQJxx Ax KJ9x 1C-1N-2C-2H-2S-4C-4D-4H-4S-5D-6C-6H-6S-6N-7C s. South: AKT9 - Axx J98xxx / North: QJx AJ9xx Kxx AQ 2C-2D-2S-3H-3N-4C-4D-4N-5D-5H-(X)-XX-5S-5N-7C (state of the match) t. South: AJTxx AKQ KJx Ax / North: K9xx xx Axxx Kxx 1C-1N-2S-3S-4C-4D-4H-4S-6S *************** Slam Bidding *************** The 44 pages of this chapter are directly translated below. ---------- The Cuebid ---------- You have up to this moment systematically been kept from examining the deals in which, with one or both bidders having a powerful holding, someone makes a slam try: and this was with the intent of being able to show how all low level bidding follows the same general themes. The only slam example so far, and reached simply through the only fit in the bid suits, constituted an exception to normal slam bidding which is mostly complex situations involving lots of bids in order to gradually figure out the objective. Now we will show the "approach structure" of these bids and how to execute them. One of the means frequently used to probe the best game is - as we already know - is that of bidding "en passant", and this mainly happened when bidding a suit to show values in the suit bid, descriptively, and very rarely "asking" about the suit bid (often after a raise). In both cases the auction invites partner to place the level of the contract as best as she can on the previous bidding, to choose between two contracts, or to further clarify her hand. Bidding at the elevated levels, the technique is analagous; it's the goal that's different: not game, which is obvious at that point, but slam. In many cases the slam flag is waved with the first few bids: e.g. reversing into opener's suit is not just a game-going hand but slammish; and it's implied that if partner doesn't sign off, it shows cooperation and willingness to bid on. In other cases an information exchange occurs a little later in the auction; at some point one of the bidders has enough info to sense slam and tells partner this by bidding some unbid suit. This descriptive bidding up the line we are now going to call a cue-bid, and it applies when: a) a game force has been established; or b) the cue-bid establishes a game force; or c) bidding past game. The cue-bid is usually at the 4-level, and never a jump. Particular auctions may even allow a 3-level cue-bid: here the cue-bid may share a duty as a possible try for 3NT, but will be revealed to be a cue-bid if partner bids 3NT and the cue-bidder bids further. We've already seen many examples of this. Most of the time, when you cue-bid, a suit has been raised. Let's see some examples of various situations: a) A game force has been established. 1. 1H-2D-2S-3S-4C 2S (reverse after a 2 over 1) immediately forces to game. 4C is therefore a cue-bid; it may also be a 4-crd suit but North must proceed in the mindset that spades are set and clubs might not be a real suit. 2. 1S-2D-4D-5C 5C could also be a real suit; but that is of secondary importance. Trumps are in fact clearly diamonds; or if 2D was a preparatory bid from which to reverse into spades (no longer possible), responder is still in control (can anytime correct to spades). 3. 1D-2C-2H-3H-3S 3S may be a 3-suited hand or a cue-bid. Since the reverse suit was raised, it is a cue-bid; if it is a suit, that just can't be communicated (responder in fact will only bid 4S directly with a 4-crd suit and enough to play 5H). The two hands could be e.g.: Opener: AKxx AKxxx JTxx -- / Responder: xxxx QJx x AQJxx 4. 1H-2C-2H-3D-3H-3S 3S here can't be a suit because with a D-S reverse the initial response would have been 2D or even 1S. It may be a cue-bid or even (*at the 3-level*) a stall asking for choice of games. Remember that the 2C...3D reverse is the most flexible and responder may have: KQ xx AQxxx Axxx If now over 3H she says 3NT, opener having e.g. xx AKJxx Jxx KJx would pass and be playing a pretty bad contract. Over 3S he would instead say 4D and reach the good 5D. b) The cue-bid establishes a game force. 5. 1H-2C-2H-3H-4D 3H was not forcing: so 4D makes no sense as suggesting a final contract. Opener may have a 2-suited hand, but 4D should guarantee the ability to play 4H and so it is a cue-bid. 6. 1S-2H-3H-4D Responder may have a second suit in diamonds: but for the moment hearts is assumed trumps and 4D thus a cue-bid. c) Bidding past game. 7. 1H-2C-2H-3D-4D-4H-4S Many suits have been raised so at this point 5C does not promise a real suit, but it is a cue-bid. 8. 1H-2D-2H-2S-4S-5C Spades are trumps for sure; and 5C is a cue-bid. 9. 2C-2H-4D-4S Trumps are clearly hearts, the suit bid by responder and raised (in a reverse) by opener; 4D is below game, but it did set hearts as trumps. 4S is therefore undoubtedly a cue-bid. 10. 1N-2H-3H-3S-4S-5D Trumps is evidently hearts or spades. Normally a cue occurs when a fit is found. But there are some cases where even though the fit is not clear, it must be a cue-bid by default. E.g. 11. 1H-2D-3S-4C Opener is showing a freak reverse (at least 11 cards in the suits) with at least 6 spades. Responder can't want to play in clubs: if she had had clubs that good the first response would have been 2C or 3C; and with a huge misfit responder should be looking to sign off as fast as possible anyways. Therefore 4C is definitely a cue-bid, for one of opener's suits. 12. 1H-2D-3H-4D-5C The heart suit is long and strong, and diamonds seems at least very long. Clubs may be a 4-crd suit; but trumps are assumed to be diamonds (unless corrected to hearts). Now that we have seen the theory of making a cue-bid and visited some examples where the first one is made by opener and responder both, we should now focus on the meaning and scope of this type of bid. Consequently we say that the player who makes the first cue-bid shows extra strength for the auction to date. It shows values in the cue-bid suit and asks at the same time for more information from partner about the values and controls in her hand. The cue-bid may thus be termed a declarative-interrogative bid. The objective of the question is all the other suits in general (or as we shall see, to particular suits). The information transmitted with the cue-bid is simply referring to the cue-bid suit: first or second round control. Partner can continue the auction knowing there are not too fast losers in the cue-bid suit. When made below game, it doesn't exclude the possibility of stopping at game, but is the most efficient way to show top honors and distributional values. Each cue-bid then is tightly dependent on the preceding auction: it can carry different implications in different situations. Let's go back to: 1H-2D-2S-3S-4C and reexamine all the bids to give the 4C cue its proper description. The situation - as we know - was made game-forcing by the 2S reverse of opener after the 2-over-1 response. Over the reverse, responder raises spades to show a top honor in spades without regard to hand strength: it is forcing, and can be minimum or maximum. Opener at this point though doesn't know whether responder would want to bid on over a 4S signoff or not; further, there are hands where slam is laydown even with a non-maximum with opener and a minimum responder. A sample set of hands for this auction could be: South: AQJxx AKJxx xx x / North: KTx xx AKxxx xxx and if opener says 4S North should undoubtedly pass, while, over something else besides a signoff, as in the given auction, it will furnish encouraging information for that particular hand. It doesn't cost South anything to further describe his hand economically (and below game) to North. That can be done with the appropriate cue-bid. We mean to say that you should choose the bid that abides by the conditions of showing a non-minimum and control, but also the one that shows important NEW information about your hand. With the example hand: AQJxx AKJxx xx x you should definitely judge to cue-bid 4C since it's the only remaining unbid suit and you have control of it. With the same bidding sequence (1H-2D-2S), let's examine some other possible hands South could have for his reverse: 1. AKxxxx KQTx x Kx 2. AQTxx AKJxx xxx - 3. KQxxxx AQxx x Ax 4. KQTxxx KJTx x AQ <------- These hands are all adequate for a 4C cue-bid. 5. AKxxxx KJTx A xx 6. KJxxx AKxxx A xx 7. AQJxx AKJxx - xxx 8. AQxxx AKQxx x xx These hands South cannot bid 4C, but instead of giving up the investigation, with the first two hands, he can bid 4D. To be able to explain to you such bidding we should introduce the universal rule that each stage in the auction is strictly bound to the preceding auction; as we see in our case that, given the raise of the reverse, trumps are explicitly agreed; and therefore the bid of 4D is showing a value and not a raise. South however, even though it is allowed for the 4C cue-bid (as seen in the examples), cannot have a singleton or void in diamonds since it is not a constructive value for a natural suit. So the first cue-bid made in the response suit (after a raise) must be an Ace or King. With hands 7 and 8 there doesn't appear to bid a bid: you can't bid clubs, nor can you bid diamonds; yet retiring to 4S is wrong on these hands too. The remaining suit is hearts, your own suit: and the bid of 4H is exactly right in describing the distribution and honor concentration. Even rebidding your own suit, if trumps have been set, becomes a cue-bid. From this it is clear that in a forcing situation, if there is enough bidding room, there are several rebids that become cue-bids; the right cue-bid will depend on the type of hand held. It should be noted also that a cue-bid a little higher along when another suit or suits could have been bid first normally denies control in the skipped suit. In fact in examples 5 and 6 South bid 4D since he didn't have a club control, and in examples 7 and 8 he bid 4H because he had neither a club control, nor the diamond control which in this case had to be an honor. You will see later on that this rule is not always obligatory: in may cases it is a "tendency" and in others an "obligation". Partner then, at her turn to bid, should reevaluate her hand based on: the entire bidding exchange, which cue-bid was made, if there was the possibility of making another, and if there is reason to continue cue-bidding. All this is not easy - we agree; but at the same time we are convinced that at high levels the determining rule should for the most part be the capacity to reconstruct. The system should help reconstruct partner’s hand, and furnish, as we will see, the rules to which you will be able to ascertain every time whether or not it is possible to try to reconstruct. Before examining the responses to the various suit cue-bids, we should now show the last type of cue-bid which is used alternatively with the others and at the same time. This special cue-bid is ***4NT***. ------------------------------------- Declarative-Interrogative 4NT (DI 4N) ------------------------------------- 4NT has different meanings in the system. Most of the time it is meant as a cue-bid, declarative-interrogative: and only very rarely as Blackwood. The rule for determining the difference is simple and does not present any problems: a) 4NT is Blackwood when it is a jump and the second bid by South or North. b) In all other cases it is not Blackwood, and is normally declarative-interrogative. There are a few more situations when 4NT is used to express HCP: quantitative. These are mostly after a 1C opening and after a 2N response to a suit opening, which we will go over in their respective chapters. Finally, there are a very few cases where 4N is a suggestion of the final contract: and those we will go over at the end of this chapter. Meanwhile, let's see some DI and Blackwood 4N situations. Examples of Blackwood 4NT: 1. 1H-4N 2. 1D-1H-3H-3S-4N A jump. 3. 1D-1H-3H-3S-3N-4N 4N over 3N is also considered a jump. In this sequence only after a suit has been raised. 4. 1H-1S-4H-4N Not a jump, but it's North's second bid: the level is too high to jump. 5. 1H-4H-4N South's second bid, and like the previous too high to jump. Examples of normal 4NT (D-I): 6. 1H-2C-3H-4D-4N 7. 1D-1H-3H-3S-4S-4N 8. 1D-1H-2N-4D-4S-4N Like any cue-bid, the DI 4NT can obviously be made by North or South (we will refer to opener as South and responder as North in this chapter, for clarity; when we say "response" we mean to say the response to the cue-bid, which may be either North or South). The DI 4NT also has the same purpose as a cue-bid in a suit: It asks partner to further describe her hand (that the previous auction hadn't already shown) - or clarify those already known. It also serves extra purposes: It normally guarantees there are not 2 fast losers in any of the unbid suits or suits bid by the 4NT bidder. It normally affirms two Aces when used as the first cue-bid. These conditions are not binding, or better put, not always binding. Before explaining the possible exceptions to the general rule, we will go over the use of the cue-bid in a suit and 4NT in order to show the motives governing the choice to use one or the other and the reasons for any exceptions. Let's consider then for example the situation: 1H-2C-2H-3D-4D-4H and analyze it at this moment from South's point of view. The bidding shows that North is reversing into diamonds; it is not a diamond-heart reverse because she would have started with 2D on the first round and then executed a heart reverse conventionally (4C or 4D later). The clubs may or may not be a real suit, and hearts may be 3 cards (or sometimes a doubleton), and then only with a balanced hand. With this in mind possible hands might look like: a) xx KQ KQxxx AJxx b) xx Kxx AQxxx AQx c) xx Kxx AKxx KQxx these hands use the auction to describe their strength but still offer the option of stopping below game if partner is a minimum. Let’s now assume that South has a hand with which - after North's bids – there is a possibility of slam and a near-certainty of not going down in a 5-level contract. Those should in such case reopen and can choose 3 cue-bids: 4S, 4N, and 5C (we already have explained that, after one or more suits have been raised, a later bid of a suit previously bid by partner is a cue-bid, all the more when the suit was used as a preparation for a reverse). South can select from three possible continuations with the following general meaning for each: 5C = club control, no S control (spades were bypassed) 4S = spade control, and often no club control 4N = overall strength and spade control (the unbid suit) 5C may correspond to hands like: 1. xx AQxxxx KQx Ax 2. xx AQxxxx AQx Kx 4S could be: 3. Ax AQxxxx KQx xx 4. Kx AQxxxx AQx xx 5. Axx KQxxxx AQx x And 4NT: 6. Kxx AQxxxx AQx x 7. x AKxxxx AJx Kxx 8. Ax Axxxxx KJx Ax 9. x AKxxxx AQx Qxx With hands 1 and 2 there is no spade control and the 5C bid is obvious. With hands 3 and 4, having a spade control and not a club control, you say 4S and not 4NT (even though partner bid clubs) because 4NT tends to have extra strength. With hand 5 all suits are controlled; but in an apparent contradiction, you choose the cue-bid of 4S, which is usually - always when given the choice - more indicative of the Ace and on the other hand the singleton in one of partner's suit is not of proven value. With hand 6 we note, in adherence to the previous analysis, that, lacking the Ace of spades, we choose 4NT in preference to 4S. With hand 8 you would be able to say 4S (and over partner's 4N, 5C); but you choose, with maximum controls and all the Aces, the cue-bid of 4N, which may be followed on the next round with 5N (a very strong sequence discussed on the following pages). We repeat in any case that these "tend" to express a value instead of another can value the situations in which there is a large possibility of choice between various cue-bids. In other situations instead the possiblity of choice is reduced or doesn't exist at all. Let's analyze for example the sequence: 1S-2C-2S-3D-3S-4D If South has, e.g.: AKJxxx xx AQ xxx he can "see" the contract of 6D or 6S, but has no approach bid. The cue-bids available are in fact: 4H = heart control 4N = extra strength with heart control 5C = club honor, with no heart control South can't make use of any of these without lying about something. Nor on the other hand can he stop in 4S or 5D - bids that would be obvious signoffs - since North, who has reversed and bid past 3NT without the Ace or Queen of her suit, should have something like: -- xx KJTxxxx AKJx -- Kx KJxxxxx AQxx and over 4S or 5D having already bid the hand to the max, certainly would pass. Instead of signing off or blindly jumping to slam South can instead - as an exception to the general rule - bid 4NT despite not having a heart control (the unbid suit). It's preferable then, in cases marked by lack of bidding room, to relax the conditions for just one bid - 4NT - and leave the cue-bids in unbid suits as always guaranteeing a control. At this time, partner should then naturally consider the possibility that opener may be forced to make some sort of forward-going bid that seems impossible and should interpret with care a possible unorthodox use of 4NT. For the example given, if North does not have a heart control she can exclude slam since if South - after his clearly limited bidding sequence and thus not being able to make an “extras” 4N bid - had had a heart control, he wouldn't have made the ambiguous 4N bid but would have said 4H. To the general rule of 4N we will give still the following addition: if one of the two partners has not given any particular sign of strength and the other has reversed, it's agreed first - in situations with clearly cramped bidding space - to use the first cue-bid of 4NT even when the hand does not have the normal requirements for this bid. We will sum up the discussion so far on the use of various cuebids with the following broad rules: a) When there is a choice of 2 or more suits for the first cue-bid and both are about equally indicative, usually choose the cheapest one. You allow in this way more bidding space for partner, pave the way for a later cue-bid in the other suit, and inform partner - when making the less economical cue-bid and bidding the omitting the other - lacking a control in the omitted suit. b) The 4NT cue-bid, given its property of reaffirming general strength, will sometimes be preferred to a cheaper bid and be used to give a second control or even - without any other bid - as a forced continuation given partner's strength. In continuing on the exposition we will see that, when responder is in a clearly subordinate position, the D-I 4NT will be used in preference to another more economic cue-bid, to coerce partner into revealing a particular cue-bid. [NOTE: After 1suit-2N and fit found, 4NT by either side becomes a cue in the last-cued suit; also after a weak two and GF fit, 4N is a cue in the last-bid suit. -- Dan] Or, in other cases a higher suit is cue-bid followed by a lower suit as a preference between the two, or to give priority to the one judged most important. Remember in conclusion that in a high-level auction there are few fixed rules: instead there are high probabilities, or tendencies. Let's see now better all this examining the whole bidding cycle starting with the first cue-bid. ----------------------------------------- Responses to the suit cue-bid and D-I 4NT ----------------------------------------- The general rule for responding to a cue-bid is not to go past the next cheapest level in the trump suit with a minimum hand. By trumps we naturally mean the raised suit; if no suit has been raised or if multiple suits have been raised and there is an element of uncertainty, the cheapest suit is assumed to be trumps, which is most of the time the last-bid suit before the first cue-bid. E.g. 1. 1H-2D-3H-4D-4S/4N Trumps are assumed to be diamonds since there is uncertainty. South can have something like a) x AKxxxxx Kxx Kx b) x AKQxxxx Qx Axx 2. 1H-2C-3D-3N-4S Trumps are diamonds even though clubs were bid. Don't think that there is any uncertainty given that South has reversed in diamonds and didn't raise clubs despite having the opportunity to do so, and North never rebid them. 3. 1S-2H-3D-4C Trumps are uncertain, but for the moment it is diamonds. The safety limit thus 5D, the responder to the first cue-bid should continue according to the normal cue-bidding rules. He should start to reevaluate his hand based on the bidding, both in terms of points and distribution. The Aces of any suit, the King and Queen of trumps, and King in partner's suits are always proven values. Also, a void in an unbid suit is useful. The other honors, a singleton, a void in a side suit, the texture of his own suits, trump length are instead values that will be considered according to the bidding (secondary). Responder should bear in mind the minimum strength that the previous auction implies: a) If he has proven values in addition to those shown by the previous bidding, he bids the suit containing them, even going past the trump suit (positive response). b) If he has proven values below the next bid of trumps, he bids these even without extra strength (cooperative response). c) If the proven values were implied by the previous auction and would have to be bid beyond the safety level in trumps, he declines to show them and returns to the trump suit. Obviously returning to trumps shows a mininum (negative response). To be able to respond even just cooperatively, responder must take into account in particular his values in trumps in relation to the preceding auction; thus if he hasn't given a negative up to this point and has instead raised trumps without a top honor, he should often respond negatively to the cuebid even with a proven value biddable below the safety level. This could even be done without a minimum or weak trumps but with a hand very weak in controls, especially in the suits already shown. When his honor values and trumps allow bidding cooperatively and he has extra secondary values, responder should reevaluate on a case by case basis and cooperate only if the bidding up to that point suggests these secondary values will be useful. Generally you can say that responder to the first cue-bid keeps from bidding a King in an unbid suit. Sometimes he can indicate a tenace or singleton, or repeat his own suit if headed by the Ace. In secondary suits he can bid a King but not a Queen. We repeat finally that the cooperative response is always an ambiguous response: it can be both with a hand with definite extras that will bid on past the safety level or possibly with just a hand that is somewhat bad. The asker will naturally take this into account before leaping to slam and normally keep the ball rolling with further cue-bids. With a positive response, responder should assess with particular accuracy the chances of going down at the next higher level in trumps - based on the information that the asker has previously furnished. Trump quality is often the determining factor. When all the information presented does not allow a safe green light, you generally refrain from going past the safety level. Examples of responses to the first cue-bid: 1. 1H-2D-2H-3H-4C North with: a) Axx Qxx Axxxxx xx 4D b) xx QJx KJxxx KQx 4H c) Ax Kxx Kxxxx xxx 4S Hand (a) with two Aces and the Queen of trumps represents nearly the maximum for the 3H rebid; if North had had even just the Jack of hearts more he would already have been able to say 4H at his second bid. The cooperative response of 4D in this case is made with a positive hand; if South over 4D says 4H, North can continue with 4S, the cheapest cue. With hand (b) North has nothing to add on the previous bidding, nor can he say 4D with just the KJ (secondary values). With hand (c) North was - like in (a) - already limited in that he hadn't bid 4H over 2H, so with a maximum and the King of hearts he can continue past trumps to show the Ace of spades. Even if South has only: xx AQxxx QJx AKx - a minimum to justify the cue-bid of 4C oveer partner's limit bid - it is very hard to go down in 5. 2. 1H-2C-2S-3S-4D North: a) Kxx Ax xxx Kxxxx 4H b) AJx xxx KJ KJxxx 4S c) AJx xx xxx AKxxx 5C Over partner's reverse, the first hand acquires great value with the two top honors in the reversed suits; and North shows the Ace of hearts in the meantime. With the second hand there is nothing to add to the preceding bidding nor have you the proven values to cooperate. Another negative element is the three low hearts. The third hand, with the concentration of honors in clubs and spades, and the doubleton in partner's secondary suit (at least not useless) is sufficient for a 5C positive, and it is hard to imagine a reversing hand opposite that would have trouble making 5. South's minimum could be: KQxxx KQJxx Ax x Kxxxxx KQxx AKx -- and the 5-level is safe. 3. 1S-2C-2H-3S-4S-4N South with: a) AQJx Kxxxx QJ Qx 5S b) AJxx KQxx Axx xx 5D The first hand is a minimum for the auction and has no proven values to show; it needs to return to trumps. The second hand is a little more than a minimum; but there are sufficient honors in the previously-bid suits to cooperate with the Ace of diamonds. ------------------------ 4NT with response values ------------------------ To a cue-bid you can even respond with 4NT. To say that 4NT has response value means that the hand is already limited. E.g. 1H-2C-2H-3H-4D-4N The 4N bid here is limited by the previous 3H bid, which could have even ended the auction. Over the cue-bid of 4D, 4N assumes a responsive positive value, the same as 4S or 5C would have been. It shows a maximum and a top heart honor. Something like: Kxxx Axx Qx Kxxx (no unguarded suit and a maximum for 3H). Instead, in a previously-examined case: 1H-2C-2S-3S-4D-4N 4NT is not a responsive 4N, since North may have used the forcing 3S bid even with a very strong hand that had been planning on using the 4D convention over a 2H rebid, or more likely only has 3 trumps: Axx Qxx Kx Axxxx KJx Qxx Kx AQxxx South should now interpret 4NT as a new cue-bid, that does not show any certain maximum strength and is not a responsive 4N, which would have instead shown a maximum for a previously limited bid. Let's see some more examples of a responsive cue-bid: 1. South: Axx AQxx Ax xxxx / North: KQJTx xx Kxx Axx 1H-2S-3S-3N-4D-4S With 3NT North shows a minimum for the jump response. South, despite having weak playing strength, has too many top honors to pass at once when he can instead show below the level of 4S even considering that over 3S North has a lot of bidding space below 4S and refrained from using it. Rebidding 4D, South denies a club control: North has the Ace of clubs but is too weak overall and has nothing in hearts; he should thus sign off (if he had a heart value he could have bid it cooperatively). 2. South: KQxx xx KJx KQxx / North: xx AKQJxx AQx xx 1S-3H-3N-4D-4H Without any Aces South should always show a negative: and after two negatives North is not strong enough to continue. 3. South: AKxxxx xx x AKxx / North: Qx AQJx xxx Qxxx 1S-2C-2S-2N-4C-4S-4N-5H-6C South shows a 6-4 reverse with this sequence as we know (remember that 6C and 4S over 2C would say 4C or 4D immediately); and the 2N response and 4S show that partner does not have a strong hand (possibly minimum). The clubs should therefore be real. (North could have in any case have something like: Qxx AQx xxxx QJx). South rebids, with his enormous hand, 4N; and not 5D, so as to leave open the possibility of stopping in 5C, since 5S would be going down if South did not have the Queen of spades (his response to 4S is nearly forced) and the red honors wrong. Receiving the cooperative response in hearts (that North with the Queen of spades should give), it is surely an Ace since - as explained - over partner's reverse it would do little good to mention a King that might be worthless; and he bids the slam based on the good chances of the two black Queens without which North, with a minimum, would not even have had enough to cooperate. If North has just 3 clubs, knowing that South has only 4, she should now correct to 6S. ---------------------- Later cue-bids ---------------------- The initiater may naturally - after the response to the first cue-bid - make a new cue-bid in either NT or a suit. This bid has the same structure and meaning as the fist and is still - as is obvious - strictly dependent on the previous bids, the first cue-bid and response. The second cue-bid may occur after any kind of response (negative, cooperative, or positive). After a negative response it naturally must show a huge hand and asks - especially if it's possible to bid it cheaply - secondary values like for example a King, a doubleton, a Queen of a secondary suit (bid by the asker), a concentration of honors or unshown extra length in responder's own suits, or even proven values that were never possible to show on the first round because it would have gone past the safety level. In short: "tell me more". Made after a cooperative or positive response, a second cue-bid equally asks for any other sure values. Responder should in any case continue to take into account his previous bidding as well as that of opener and make the next bid based on these. Let's now see the various situations of the second cue-bid and response with some examples, beginning with an auction we have already seen and giving North and South the following hands: 1. South: AQxxxx KQJx Ax x / North: Kxx Axx xxx Kxxx 1H-2C-2S-3S-4D Over partner's reverse followed by a cue-bid of 4D North should cooperate, even though a minimum for the preceding auction, by bidding the important value of the Ace of hearts. South, despite having a near-maximum and the solid Ace of hearts, may yet lose a club and a diamond and does not directly bid slam now, but makes a new cue-bid with 4NT that corresponds perfectly with a hand that is rich in honors in the reversed suits and with control in the others. The cue-bid of 4NT allows then in this case partner a lot of room to descriptively bid anything else. North who has completely exhausted his values cannot take advantage and says 5S as a signoff. Over 4N, North may find himself instead with: a) Kxx Axx xx Axxxx b) Kxx Axx Kxx Kxxx c) Kxx Ax xxx Kxxxx All three hands are possible on the auction up to the 4N bid, even the second (remember the 3S bid is not limited). And now: With hand (a) he should indicate with 5C the sure value of the Ace of clubs. The bid of 5C should definitely be the Ace since he had already bid the suit. With hand (b) he should say 5D: as a response to second cue-bid and in fact showing an EXTRA King, especially if located in the suit of the first cue-bid. The response of 5D denies most probably the Ace of clubs, because to a partner who has reversed and has no more than 3 cards in the minors with the diamond control, the Ace of clubs would have proven almost certainly more useful (it's evident that the 2C response does not promise the Ace). With hand (c) it is perfectly adequate, with the doubleton Ace of hearts, not tripleton, to rebid 5H cooperatively. Note that with South's given hand the 5H bid would yield slam only with an even trump break on a diamond lead (on another lead it would also make on a club finesse - South might then not even need the Jack of hearts). Let's now consider a different situation: 2. South: ??? / North: Axx xx QJx KQTxx 1H-2C-3H-3N-4C As opposed to the previous example, North cannot now cooperatively bid her Ace of spades, since the strength is not good enough to go past the safety level of 4H. The 4C bid could well represent a real raise, but, after the jump to 3H, is assumed to be a cue-bid and most likely because South does not have a diamond control; trumps are assumed to be hearts and North should return to 4H. If now South has diamond losers; he can pass over 3H sure of missing the Ace of diamonds without which North would not have bid 4H. If instead he has a hand with spade losers but cannot be sure of making 5H: Qx AKQxxxx x AJx he can reasonably suppose that North who has responded positively on the first round and bid 3N over 3H, who surely does not have the Ace of diamonds, nor has anything in hearts, and in clubs no more than KQ, at least has the King of spades. He should then consider minimal the risk in making a new cue-bid of 5D, over which North should not fear encouraging with a cue of the Ace of spades, a card that partner's bids are clearly wanting to hear. 3. 1H-2C-2H-3H-4D-4H-4S-4N North makes a limit 3H bid and responds negatively to the first cuebid of 4D. Over the next 4S cue-bid, she has available several possible bids below 5H; 4N, 5C, and 5D - all can be used cooperatively, since the previous 3H bid limited the hand. North may have: a) Qxx Qxx xx AQxxx 5C b) xxx Qxx KJx AJxx 5D (Partner is now not reversing in 2 suits; and the diamond suit in which he has made the first cue-bid may interest him; and so between the Ace of clubs and the King of diamonds, North shows the latter. If she hadn't however had the club control - her own bid suit - she would have signed off.) With spade values, North would say here 4NT, which no longer has responsive character. In fact in the first example: 1H-2C-2H-3H-4D-4N the 4NT bid, despite the earlier limited 3H bid, was a response that spontaneously went past the safety level in trumps; and North instead could have said 4S for spades, 5C for clubs, or 5D for diamonds. 4NT is an option but not necessary. But here instead, North is practically forced to give some information below the level of 5H (again the situation is: 1H-2C-2H-3H-4D-4H-4S), the 5C and 5D bids available respectively show the two suits; thus for spades, not wanting to go past 5H, the only bid is 4N. This particular situation where 4N shows values in the last-cued suit occurs only when responder is strictly limited up to that point, and two suits are available to cue but not all three. This is one of those cases that will be examined with accuracy in order to precisely define the meaning of 4NT. North saying 4NT now, she can have at most: KQx Qxx xx Axxxx The hand was already worth on the second round a little more than 3H; but on the other hand there was no diamond to cue and bidding 4S would have shown the Ace of spades. Now North can show the spade strength. South could have: Axx AKxxxx Axx x a hand with which bid just 2H on the second round to get the most information possible from partner, and for which spade strength would be most important. After a second cue-bid can follow a third cue-bid; it still follows the same basic principles. Let's continue on with our current example: South: Axx AKxxxx Axx x / North: KQx Qxx xx Axxxx 1H-2C-2H-3H-4D-4H-4S-4N Hearing about the King of spades, South should make another invite (with 5C) opposite a partner who has - don't forget - an initial positive response the right cards to cover all the losers: he has risked reopening above 4H and he may as well show more information with a 5C bid. Over 5C North should make a fresh evaluation of her hand, and since she effectively has the most honors she could have on her previous bidding (Ace of clubs - King/Queen of spades, and the QUEEN OF HEARTS) she should bid slam, knowing that South can certainly not expect - after two negative bids and a forced cue-bid - 2 Aces and the Queen of trumps. The slam is in fact cold, but it is certainly not easy to bid: the continuation of 4S presents a little risk. It's these hands where the mechanism of cue-bidding proves most useful. Let's see another: 4. South: KJx xxx AQJx QJT / North: Ax KQJTxxx xx Ax 1D-2H-2N-3C-3D-3S-3N-4C-4H-4N-5H Note as in this auction North manages to keep the level as low as possible; in fact with his type of trump suit the honors in the various hands are equivalent. Also note that despite this, a Blackwood would be counterproductive: it would lead to an unsure slam. In fact South after the first negative, makes a simple descriptive bid of 3D and then proceeds to sign off again for a third time; and North can then exclude that 4 of her 5 losers are covered. 5. South: xx KQxx AQxxx Kx / North: AKJTxx Ax xx Axx 1H-2S-3D-3S-3N-4C-4D-4N-5C-6S North can exclude surely the Queen of spades after partner has refused to raise a major suit jump shift twice. The side values that South has shown are certainly enough for a small slam. 6. South: AQxxxx x KJx Qxx / North: x AKQJxx Qxx AKx 1S-3H-3S-4C-4H-5C-5D-6H Over 4C South does not have the strength to say 4D and should say - perforce - 4H. North, continuing with 5C, shows a big hand in clubs and hears and is worried about diamonds probably. Therefore South should, despite the minimum and singleton heart, show the value in diamonds that he earlier denied (it would not therefore be the Ace). 7. South: Qxx xxx AQxx AKx / North: AKxxxx Ax Kxx Jx 1D-1H-1N-2S-3S-4D-5C-5H-6D-6S North should start the reverse from hearts since she has no club control; receiving a spade raise, she makes a cue-bid of 4D, over which partner goes past trumps to 5C, tending to deny an honor in hearts (with the King of hearts and Ace of clubs, more economical is 4H and over 4S or 4N, 5C). North, sure that South has a maximum now for the 1N rebid, makes another cue-bid of 5H (after being raised in spades, the heart rebid is obviously a cue-bid) over which South without any other values than the AK of clubs, Ace of diamonds, and Queen of spades would have returned to 5S, having effectively all the top honors that the preceding bids could have and with the useful diamond Queen (after partner's 4D), easily bids the slam, offering a choice in 6D. In fact partner may have: AKxx AQJx KJxx x which would keep the bidding low for the most flexibility. 8. South: AQxx Jxxxx Ax Kx / North: Kxx AQxx xx AQJx 1S-2C-2H-4D-4H-4S-5C-5D-6H North's 4D shows a reverse into hearts and South is too weak in the suit to not sign off. Over the 4S cue-bid (trumpst is clearly set and so 4S clearly cannot be anything else) South clarifies responsively his overall values with 4N; over the next cuebid of 5C he has the easy rebid of the previously unshown Ace. 9. South: QTxxx Ax Ax KJxx / North: KJx KQxx xx AQxx 1S-2C-2S-3H-4C-4S-4N-5C-5D-6C North chooses a 2C response because having a spade raise, over 2S she will be able to say 3H (over 2D, 2H - over 2N, 3N). After 4C by South which could be either a 4-crd raise or a descriptive bid in support of hearts (advance cue-bid), she shouldn't say more than 4S because with the actual sequence showing - as already was noted - a very good hand with a 3-crd spade raise, and it leaves open the option of passing. With his Aces, South reopens risking something (his spades are very weak) and shows with 4N overall strength. North makes a waiting bid of 5C, showing the 4crds in the suit that could have been short, and over 5D by South (also chancy), should be sure of at least the Ace and Queen of spades, Ace of diamonds and King of clubs; she therefore bids 6C to be sure of pitching a diamond loser. South passes because 6C plays better than 6S (partner might not have the Jack of spades). In fact, South having the Ace of hearts and not that of spades, 6S is makeable, but the contract is still inferior to 6C which is not easy to reach. We have given this example which shows perfectly how to reach a 4-4 minor fit. In practice it is not easy for South to bid this; but it is not impossible. 10. South: Kx AQTxx AQx xxx / North: AQxx Kxx xxxx AK 1H-2C-2H-2S-3N-4H-4S-4N-5D-6H Over 2S, South has a perfect 3N rebid that that shows the doubleton honor in spades and good diamond values in addition to the good hearts already rebid. North bids 4H to show this type of hand. With the King of spades South should not pass and bids it, followed by the Ace of diamonds, reaching the optimum contract easily. The auction was from an actual World Championship on those cards. Let's now look at some developments over a 2C opening. We never discussed the developments after a reverse, which obviously shows slam interest, and so now is a good time to do so. After: 2C-2D-2H/2S there is a lack of available bids for North to show strong hands. 4D is available since a strong responding hand with diamonds would have bid 3D over 2C (not promising a great suit), so it is put to use as a general slamtry for one of opener's two suits. With a minimum or average hand opener rebids the major waiting for more information. With stronger hands with 6 clubs he rebids 5C with a diamond void, and 4N or a cue-bid with other hands. E.g. 2C-2D-3S-4D South with: a) AQJxx x xx AKJxx 4S b) AQxxxx x x AKxxx 4H (advance cue-bid) c) AQxxx Kx x AKxxx 4N d) AQxxx -- xx AKxxxx 4H e) AQxxx xx -- AKxxxx 5C (he does not say 5D here since if partner does not have a heart control 5C is the limit). Responder now, who has already shown a strong hand with 4D, at least: AJxx xx Axxxxx Kx AQx xx Kxxx Qxxx bids with a minimum the choice of trumps; and if a stronger hand 6 of trumps if judging enough values for the small slam and no more; or even makes a new cue-bid (diamonds or the unbid major or NT) if enough to play in at least 6 of the major: 1. South: KQxxx Kx -- Axxxxx / North: AJxx xx Axxxx Kx 2C-2D-3S-4D-4S(minimum)-4N-5H(nearly certainly 2nd round control - the Ace could have been bid earlier)-6S Let's see now another interesting situation, from the choice of the first response (the problems presented by opening 2C are neither few nor easily solved): 2. South: AQx x xxx AQJxxx / North: Jxx AKQxx x Kxxx 2C-2D-3C-3H-3S-4C-5C-6C North, with the good hearts but just 5 of them, and having a strong club raise, chooses first a response of 2D, preparing to show a control in the suit and keep the bidding low. She continues to execute her own reverse and then raise clubs. South can show something in spades and nothing else; but North cannot have doubts about the final contract. If South had had only: Axx xx Ax AJxxxx it would have been enough to bid 4D over 4C and it wouldn't have been difficult to reach the grand. When the initial sequence is 2C-2D-3D, we already can guess that the 3-level rebid brings some interesting agreements for the next bid. 3 of a major is now either a reverse or an advance cue-bid. Let's explore some situations: 1. South: Kx x AQxxx AKxxx 2C-2D-3D-3S (ambiguous) With South's hand, that has a maximum in honor strength and a spade raise, any contract is good; he therefore makes an anticipatory cue of 4H. North can have, we have said, e.g. a) AQx xx Kxxx Qxxx b) AQJxxx Kxx Kx xx With hand (a) she will say 4N and South, sure of slam, 5S. North will correct to 6C, the maximum contract because South cannot have the King of spades, Ace of hearts, and enough strength in the minors (without opening 1C). If then South has the King of spades, Ace-Queen of diamonds, Ace-King of clubs, and a void in hearts, he has enough to bid 7. With hand (b) North will say 4S to reveal the reverse. South with the King of spades and already promising a heart control bids 4N and North 6S (the maximum contract for the same considerations as the previous). Let's give now , with the same hand for North, another hand for South, e.g.: 2. South: x AQ QJTxx AKxxx Same situation: 2C-2D-3D-3S South now bids 3N, which describes his hand nicely and North with: a) AQx xx Kxxx Qxxx 4D. South bids 4H and North 6C. b) AQJxxx Kxx Kx xx Over 3N North will bid 4S, and South with a stiff spade and no control of a side suit should pass. ------------------------- Investigating grand slam ------------------------- - 5NT REBID OVER A 4NT CUE-BID When the response of 5N is made directly after a D-I 4NT it shows that all the values bid up to this point are concentrated in her bid suits and a maximum; it affirms then certainly 2 Aces if responder has made a positive response up to this point. E.g. 1. 1S-2D-3H-3S-4C-4D-4N-5N In this situation North has made a positive response to the opening, over 3H rebid a forcing 3S and over the 4C cue-bid cooperated with 4D: she can have then a huge hand. Over 4N she now says 5N, SKIPPING many steps: it is to make the point to give the maximum of the two preceding bids of spades and diamonds. It depicts a strong concentration of honors in those two suits. Further, having made positive noise, it should have 2 Aces. If South has, e.g.: KJTx AKJTx xx Ax, the immediate 5NT response would show something like: a) AQxx xx AKQx xxx b) AQxx xx AKxxx xx Without the Queen of spades, North over 4N should not say 5N, but 5D. 2. 1N-2D-2H-3S-4C-4D-4S-4N-5N The sequence by South affirms maximum values and clubs and spades, a hand for example like: AQx Qxx xx AKxxx If North has: KJxxxx A Axxx QJ it's enough to bid the grand slam. 3. South: AQxx xx x Axxxxx / North: KJxx Axxxx A KQx 2C-2D-2S-4D-4S-4N-5N South opens 2C with a typical weak hand; over the reverse he says just 4S; and then over 4N he should not fear showing the best possible hand on the auction (with AQ of spades and AK of clubs he would have opened 1S; with AQ and AQ he would not have given a negative on the previous round but bid 5C). North sure of the Queen of spades can count 13 tricks (if trumps are not 4-1). The 5N response to 4N is by definition a strong response and above all "descriptive"; and you tend to give partner everything she needs to know to decide. If instead you judge it more important to bid some other value slowly you search instead for another response and then "correct" eventually on the next round to 5NT. E.g. 4. South: xxx AQJxx KQx Ax / North: ??? 1H-2C-2H-3D-4D-4N You should not say 5N right now, which doesn't show the Ace of clubs: partner would say most probably 6D or 6H and South would not be able to easily establish whether to bid 7 or not. South should say 5C and over any rebid at the 5-level continue with 5N, which similarly - after all positive bids - shows a max and values in three suits. If the three suits have already been bid by responder before 4N, and you meet the condition of having 2 Aces, give the immediate response of 5NT. E.g. 5. South: Axx xx KQx AQxxx / North: Kx Axx Axxxxx KJ 1N-2D-2H-3D-3S-4C-4D-4N-5N-7D The meaning of a sequence starting 2D...3D is the same as that of a jump response of 3D over a 1-level opening. Over the given sequence, South makes an initial descriptive bid of 3S and then raises diamonds: over 4N his 5N means - preceded as it is by all positive bids - maximum values concentrated in the 3 suits (the opening suit - clubs - should logically be included among the bid suits). For North it is easy to count 13 tricks and so - having the KJ of clubs, South would not have "reconfirmed the maximum" with an opening suit of only Axxx: he should have the Queen and at least 5 cards: and the diamonds should surely have the King and Queen. - BIDDING D-I 5NT BY THE SAME PLAYER WHO BIDD D-I 4NT With the maximum hands with which from the first bid indicate a good chance of grand slam, the more incisive mannter to communicate to partner is that of bidding 4NT and immediately following with 5NT. This sequences shows a hand of exceptional distribution or power and reaffirms a maximum for the preceding auction. It can never be used entirely lacking a control in a suit bid by neither player (as is done sometimes with 4N). With the sequence 4NT...5NT it asks clearly for any secondary values (a King, a Queen in a secondary suit, a doubleton) that couldn't have been shown with a cue-bid. Responder can then make a cooperative bid, always based on the previous bidding and his trump values; and in borderline cases makes a positive response below trumps. 4NT...5NT promises 2 Aces but often has 3, but it doesn't have to since with such a specific asking bid it's not worth restricting it with too many conditions. So responder with one Ace only should not bid 7 directly, but should bid beyond the level of trumps to allow stopping in 6NT. 1. South: AQxxx xxx -- AKJxx / North: Kxxxx AKx xxx xx 2C-2S-4D-4H-4N-5H-5N-6C-7S South shows a spade reverse with 4D and North immediately cues 4H below game. South's hand becomes a maximum on this auction; and he chooses to reopen 4N over which partner shows an extra heart value. South can continue with 5NT; not directly grand slam, since partner could still have 3 small clubs. Over 5NT North should obediently show the doubleton club (can imagine the rest of partner's hand: AJxxx xx A AKxxx) and South can bid with certainty the grand slam (if North had a hand without a spade honor, she could not have made three cooperative bids). 2. South: Qxx Kxx Axx Axxx / North: AKxxxx AQx KQx x 1N-2D-2H-3S-4S-4N-5D-5N-6C-6D-6H-7S Over 3S South is too weak to take initiative with a cue-bid below game; while correcting to 3N is more in line with his distribution, the better bid is 4S with the good support. North after receiving the raise has a great hand for a 4NT...5NT sequence since if partner can show the two minor Aces she has in reserve the new cue-bid of 6D to provoke a 6H rebid. At this point it is sure to find the 4 cards needed, since if North lacks the Ace of clubs, over 5NT having the King of hearts, she would have indicated it in preference to the club Ace; and, if lacking the Queen of spades he would have said 3NT the first time (has in fact demonstrated having honors in all the suits) or would ahve at least refrained from showing the King of hearts. ********** The bid of 5NT can even not follow immediately after 4NT; this moreover conserves - even if broken up with another cue-bid - its characteristics of great strength and asking for more information. The asker chooses one or the other sequence depending on whether he wants to allow room for more cue-bidding at the 4-level or not, or may even bid 5N more slowly after finding out more from the responses to the first cue-bid. E.g. 3. South: Qxx AKQ xxx AJxx / North: AKxxx xxx Ax KQx 1N-2D-2H-3S-4H-4N-5C-5D-5H-5N-6H-7S South's 4H is a good hand with the Ace of hearts and definitely a top honor in spades. North bids 4N in preference to 5C becaus she has interest in finding out which Aces South has (note that South, depite the maximum concentration in hearts, chooses the most economical response to allow for a 5D cue-bid). Over 5C North has an easy 5D bid and also finds out about the King of hearts. At this point she can count 12 tricks almost for sure and nothing is lost by by bidding 5NT, over which South shows his last value in hearts. North should now bid the grand slam with 3 chances of 5 cards in clubs, the club Jack, or a 3-3 break. - BIDDING 5NT AS THE FIRST CUE-BID IN NT When 5NT is not preceded by a 4NT bid, it acquires the value of a maximum cue-bid if previous bids were all positives but 4NT was not used because it was not available or another descriptive cue-bid was preferred. E.g. South: AKxxx xx AKxx xx / North: xxx AKQJxx Qx AK 1S-3H-4D-5C-5S-5N-6D-7H Simple bidding and maximally descriptive. The safety given by the jump to 3 yields similar sequences. - JUMPING TO SLAM OVER D-I 4NT This is an auction that is not generally adapted to the "elastic" type of investigation used in the system - and seen until now - that is based on exchanging information and gradually reevaluating the hand. But we have already seen 2 or 3 examples of some handtype that can see that grand is impossible or at least impossible to get to. Let's analyze now: South: ????? / North: xx AQJxx xx AQJx 1S-2C-2H-4C-4N North has a minimum for her heart reverse and South announces with 4NT his maximum for his non-reverse and a sure diamond control. If now South has the Ace and King of spades, King of hearts, and Ace of diamonds, he could not also have the King of clubs (that would total 17 [prime] HCP). And if he has the Ace of spades, King of hearts, Ace of diamonds, and King of clubs, he cannot have the other King for the same reason. so grand slam is impossible. On the other hand though, if South has a minimum 4NT such as: Axxx Kxxxx Ax Kx AQxx Kxxxx Axx x, small slam is easy: best is to show this directly. If North does anything else, giving a 5C response, on the next round South may, given the initial reverse, place responder with more than a minimum and eventually get too high. ------------------- Trump Asking ------------------- - JUMPING TO 5NT AS A TRUMP ASK This a bid rarely used, and doesn't even make sense on some very strong auctions where someone has made a strong trump raise or partner has shown a long solid suit; on one hand not having to need to ascertain the top honors in the suit and you exclude on the other hand having 13 tricks without needing trumps at all. These conditions only apply to the responder after a suit opening, who is not limited (over a 1C opening the situation is reversed). Given the above-mentioned conditions, you use a jump to 5NT - since it is otherwise useless - in order to ascertain between the two hands 8 trumps to the AKQ, or the equivalent (like 10 trumps to the AK). The jump to 5NT generally asks for two top trump honors. The various cases should be specified, however (top honor means Ace, King or Queen). I. Responder's trumps are known to be 4 cards only. The bid asks for 2 top honors. Responses: trumps is a minor: 6C = no honor if trumps is diamonds 6 of trumps = 1 honor if trumps is diamonds, 0 or 1 honor if trumps is clubs 7 of trumps = 2 honors trumps is a major: 6C = no honor 6D = Queen only 6 of trumps = King or Ace only 7 of trumps = 2 honors E.g. South: Kxx AKxx Kxx xxx / North: Ax QJxxx -- AKQxxx 1H-2C-2N(4 hearts)-4D-4H-5N-7H South: KQx QJxx AJx Jxx / North: Ax Axxxxx -- AKQxx 1H-2C-2N-4D-4H-5N-6D(Queen only)-6H With Kxxx the response would be 6H, enough for grand. With the hand in this example, North could even ask in direct response to the opening. II. The agreed suit may be 5 cards. The bid asks for honors or length. Responses: trumps is a minor: 6C = no honor if trumps are diaonds, 0 or 1 honors if trumps is clubs 6 of trumps = one honor if diamonds trumps, 0 or 1 if trumps is clubs trumps is a major: 6C = no honor 6D = Queen, or Ace fourth or King fourth 6 of trumps = Ace or King 5th 7 of trumps = 2 honors E.g. South: Qx Kxxxx AQxxx x / North: Ax Axxxx -- AKQxxx 1H-2C-2D-3H-4H-5N-6H-7H If South has Qxxxx or Kxxx, he responder 6D and North bids 6H. III. The agreed suit is at least 5 cards for sure. North is asking about honors and length. Responses: trumps is a minor: as above trumps is a major: 6C = no honor 6D = Queen, or Ace fifth or King fifth 6 of trumps = Ace or King sixth 7 of trumps = 2 honors E.g. South: Qx JTxxx Qxx AKQ / North: Axx Axxx AKJxxx -- 1H-2D-2H-2S-2N-3H-4H-5N-6C-6H If South has Q Kxxxxx xxx AKQ, over 2S he says 3H and later over 5N bids 6H, enough for North to bid 7. IV. Asker has already shown 5+ cards in the suit, and it had been raised. North asks for honors. Responses: trumps is a minor: as above trumps is a major: 6C = no honor 6D = Qxx 6 of trumps = Axx or Kxx 7 of trumps = 2 honors E.g. South: Qxx AKQxx KQJx x / North: AJxxxx x Axx AKx 1D-2C-2H-2S-3S-5N-6D-6S If North has AKxxx the response of 6D is enough for grand; if AJxxxxx, then a 6S response would be needed. V. Responder has shown 6+crds in the suit. The ask is for honors and length. Responses: trumps is a minor: as above trumps is a major: 6C = no honor 6D = Queen, or Ace-sixth or King-sixth 6 of trumps = Ace-seventh or King-seventh 7 of trumps = 2 honors E.g. South: KJxxxxx AQxx xx / North: Axx -- AKJxxx Axxx 1H-2C-2S-3D-3S-5N-6S-7S 6S is enough. North could even bid on with Ace doubleton. - BIDDING FIVE OF THE TRUMP SUIT AS A JUMP OOR REBID This bid also asks about trump quality. The situation though is different from the preceding one in that the maximum level suggested is that of small slam. The requested trump values needed to bid slam depend on the case, though, just like before. It's used when the hand does not lend itself to a cue-bid, but simply returning to trumps would be too weak for the actual hand. The message that is transmitted is generic: you fear losing two trump tricks. Partner should consequently look past any other values, which may be maximum, and concentrate just on trumps to see if they are good enough to go on. He should remember that partner's raise is the minimum. 1. South: Jxx xx AQxx AKJx / AQT9x AQJx xxx x 1D-1H-2C-2S-2N-3S-5S Over 3S South is almost with a bid. Without top honors in partner's suits, he cannot say 4C or 4D since on the next round he would have to say 4S or 5S and that would indicate a maximum hand and a doubleton honor in support. On the other hand, with a partner who has reversed and rebid her second suit, he himself having 3 of them, South cannot be content, given the strength of HCP, with a simple 4S (he has already underbid the previous round because he didn't have a top spade honor); he bids therefore 5S to denote a weak raise but maximum side strength. Over 5S North shold consider that she is minimum for her reverse and that partner surely does not have the King of spades; and she should therefore pass. 2. South: xx AKxx AQJx xxx / AQx Jxxx Kx AKxx 1H-2C-2D-3H-4H-5H-6H North's hand is difficult to bid with her great overall strength and weak trumps. Given that she has the King of diamonds and top honors in the other two suits, the best answer is to request good trumps and rebid a direct 5H; in fact a normal 4S cue-bid, which would most likely be followed by a 5D cue-bid, would never give partner the idea the trump support is the key; over 5H South would instead be able to reevaluate solely on trumps and imagine the partner's actual holding. In this case, after making a reverse into opener's suit, South should assume partner has Qxxx or Jxxx and so can bid 6 without fear of having 2 losers in the suit. ------------------------ 4NT or 5NT as Blackwood ------------------------ Given the network of bids that are designed to located the various useful honors, the use of a general Ace and King ask is rather infrequent. Let's repeat in this way that Blackwood is used when: a) a jump with specific hands in which the level depends clearly on the number of Aces and Kings. The sequence 3N-4N is intended as a jump when a suit has been raised. When the suit has not been raised, e.g. 1D-2C-2D-2S-3N-4N the situation is quantitative (see the end of this chapter). b) the level is forced and the most important information is that of the number of Aces. Such as when the second bid is at the 4-level. The responses to Blackwood 4NT are what everyone uses, with the following addition: With a void and 2 Aces you respond at the 6-level directly in trumps if the suit of the void is higher that trumps, and bid 6 of the void suit if it is below trumps. The responses to 5NT Blackwood are normal too: 6C = no King, 6N = 4 Kings. 1. South: KJx KJx Axxxx Kx / North: AQxxxxx AQxx x x 1D-1H-2H-2S-3S-4N-5D-6S After the two immediate raises of the reversed suits, North is just interested in the number of Aces. 2. South: KQxxx AJxxxx x A / North: Axx Kxxxx Qxxx x 1H-4H-4N-5D-6H There isn't enough time to find out everything and so 4NT is best used as Blackwood, since with an Ace slam is certainly good. 3. South: Kx Kxxxxxx AKQ x / North: -- Axxxx xxx Axxxx 1H-4H-4N-6H (2 Aces and a spade void) A 6-level response is allowed since asker should have at least one Ace. In situations such as the above where North only rarely has 2 Aces, South would be asking too much to bid Blackwood with only one Ace: with this hand though the invite is worth the risk since as North has at least 4 trumps and more frequently 5, the probability of partner having at least the Ace of hearts is high. 4. South: QJxxx Axx - Axxxx / North: AKxxxx x KQx KQx 1S-4N-6D-7S 2 Aces and a diamond void are enough for North. --------------------------- 4NT to play --------------------------- In some cases easily recognized the auction of 4NT may be used as a signoff, or in other words as a proposed contract. This would be when trumps are a minor, and it's clear there is no fit and the bid was not preceded by positive moves. E.g. 1. South: KQJx KQTx xx Kxx / North: x x KQJxx AQJxxx 1S-2C-2H-3D-3N-4C-4N South has shown with his sequence a non-reverse, certainly not strong, and rather balanced since he didn't repeat either of his suits when given the opportunity to do so. So when North shows a strong 2-suiter over 3NT, all the suit bids by South would have indicated that the 3NT signoff is now upgraded to a cue-bid for one of responder's suits. So 4NT is there to allow opener to suggest playing for 10 tricks rather than 11. 2. South: KJx KJTx xx KQxx / North: Axx x AKQxxxx xx 1H-3D-3N-4D-4N Almost the same situation as the preceding example, and the same chance for South to give one of many bids as signs of encouragement despite the 3NT rebid. South saying 4NT though indicates a minimum opening with sure stoppers in the unbid suits and manifests the desire to play one level lower (than 5D). The quantitative 4NT is handled under the opening of 1C and then reconnected to cases where it is used after a suit opening. (NOTE: occurs after no suit has been raised and the last bid is NT -- Dan)