ROMEX, from the books by George Rosenkrantz
notes by Daniel Neill

CC = cover card

OPENINGS:
at all (except fav 1/2/3 seats):
1C 3+ crds
1D 3+ crds
1H 5+ crds
1S 5+ crds
1N 19-20 NT 6+ ctrls, or 18-21 unbal 6+ ctrls, or GF with 4 losers
2C some GF <4 losers unbal not diamonds, or 23-24 NT 8+ ctrls
2D 21-22 NT 7+ ctrls, or 27-28 NT 10 ctrls, or GF based on D, or GF any 4441
2H/S weak 2, constructive (new suit forc, JS below game CAB, relay asks)
2N 25-26 NT 9+ ctrls

at fav 1/2/3 seats:
1C 17+ HCP, 6+ ctrls (usu.)
1D 2+ crds, 11(+)-16
1H 5+ crds, 11(+)-16
1S 5+ crds, 11(+)-16
1N 10-12 1/2 seat, 12-14 3/4 seat
2C 6+C 11-16
2D 21-22 NT, or GF 1- or 2-suiter with D, or 27-28 NT
2H 3-suiter short diamonds (3-4 majors ok) 11-16
2S weak 2
2N bad minor pree
3m 2/top 3 honors at least
3M normal pree
3N broken minor
4m/M Namyats

1-SUIT OPENERS:
Jump-shift rebids by opener guarantee extreme shape, but are NF.
Reverses also NF (use cheap new suit/NT as Leb).

1N rebid 13-16, could contain 15-16 with 4-crd supp and < 6 cntrls.
2N rebid 17-18.

1c-1h-3d e.g. 5-loser raise (rel asks lo sing, hi sing, lo void, hi void).
1x-1y-3y 15-16 6+ ctrls.
If no jump-reverse available, all jump-raise. Rel asks (bal, lo sing, hi sing, lo void, hi void).
After these asking bids, relay is rkc.

1C-1D is walsh, so opener bypasses majors to rebid 1N.

After 1m-1M-1N, 2-way checkback (in comp, 2om is invit, and cue is GF)
2C is invit
	... 2D to 2M are 12-14 nat
	... 2N/3m 15-16 not 3M
	... 3om 15-16 4-crd raise <6 ctrls
	... 3oM 15-16 nat, not 3M
	... 3M 15-16 3M
	... 3N 15-16 sing M honor 5431 shape
2D is GF (as above)
	... 3N minimum

After 1C-1D-1N, similar
2C
	... 2D min no major
	... 2/S min, cheapest major
	... 2N max both majors
	... 3C max 3325 nice clubs
	... 3D max 3D-5C
	... 3M max cheapest major
	... 3N max 3334 or 3325 NT oriented

1x-1y-2y- 2N POWER-ASKING BID (GF)
	... 3C/D unbal 3/4 crd raise
		rel asks l/h shortage or 3N 5422, then rkc or 3N if 3crd c.o.g.
	... 3H bal 3-crd raise
	... 3S/N bal 4-crd raise 4432/4333
	... 4C/D 4-6 raise l/h sing

1m OPENER:
pree jump-raise
jump other minor invite raise
void splinters
single raise GF poss. with sing. splinter (3m minimum, 3N 15-17, jump splinter with extras,
	2N shows stoppers and asks for sing, 2 suit stopper or shape, 4m rkc).

1M OPENER:
Responses - 
1N forc
raise 3-card (occ. 4) 6-9
jump raise pree
2/1 then game raise is picture jump minimum
2N Jacoby
cheap JS any void splinter (rel for l/m/h then rel RKC or else cue)
2-under JS 4-crd single raise
1-under JS 4-crd limit raise
3N 12-14 4333 raise


DYNAMIC 1N Opening:
Responses -
2C 0-5 HCP
	... Pass clubs
	... 2D stayman
		... 2H 4H
		... 2S 4S, denies hearts (3H artif good fit
		... 2N no major or 5-crd minor
		... 3 suit 5 cards
		... 3N max 4-4 majors
		... 4C/D max with 4S-5H / 4H-5S
		... 4H max with 5-5 majors
	... 2M 5+ crds
	... 2N 19-20 bal no major (3C any weak 1-suit signoff, 3red invit transfer)
	... 3C 5-5 minors 4 losers, at most 2 quick losers
	... 3D NF, highly invit
	... 3H 5-5 majors NF
	... 3S 5-5 majors GF
	... 3N to play
	... 4C/D 5503/5530
2D 6+ HCP, 0-4 ctrls (if 3-4 ctrls, 0-2 CC's)
	... 2M 4crd unbalanced, or 5+ cards
	... 2N 19-20 (see 2N structure)
	... 3C 6+ suit
	... 3D 6+ suit or 5-5 minors
	... 3M 3-crd fragment with 5-4+ minors
2H 3 ctrls, 3+ CC's
	... 2S 4-crd unbal
	... 3C could be 1444 exactly
	... 3H 5+ crds
	... 3S/N 4S 5/6H
2S 4 ctrls, 3+ CC's, forcing to 4H or above
	... 3N 4H, 5+S
2N 5 ctrls, forcing to 4N
	... 3N 19-20 bal (use 2N structure higher)
3C 6 ctrls, forcing to 4N
3D/H weak 2 in H/S, 6-10 HCP, 0-3 ctrls, no void, GF but no slam
	... rel asks n/l/m/h sing   ... games to play  ... suit nat
3N any AKQJxx or AKQxxxx, no side ctrl or void
	... rel for length (6/7/8) then for shortage (n/l/m/h), then queens
		(1-step 0 [with 3 don't bid 3N], suit/NT either this or other 2 [NT
		is rel suit]  except if singleton then 02/l/h queen(s))
	... 2-step rel for which suit (c/d/h/s)
4C Gerber
4D/H respectable 7H/S, 2D response conditions

Interference - 
(X)  ... Pass weaker 2C resp  ... 2C better 2C resp  ... XX pen  ... 2D+ normal

(2C) ... Pass weaker 2C resp (bal X takeout)  ... X better 2C resp  ... 2D+ normal

(2D) ... Pass 2C response  ... X 2D response  ... 2H+ normal

(2H) ... Pass 0-5  ... X 2D or 2H response  2S+ normal

(2S+) ... Pass 0-5  ... X card-showing  ... bids GF natural  ... cue 4 ctrl splinter

(Fourth-seat)  over 2C, X is takeout  ... over 2D+ double is pen

Mexican 2C Opening:
Responses -
2D 0-1 ctrl
	... 2M 5+ crds (3C double neg, 2N clubs)
	... 3C 2-suiter with C (rel asks [M nat, 3N D nf, 4C 4 diamonds better, 4D 5D-6C])
	... 3D just C
	... 3M sets suit, STAB (see asking bids)
	... 3N 10-trick hand with solid minor
2H/S/N 2/3/4 ctrls (see Dynamic 1N opening for these cont's, and 4C SCAB in asking bid sect.)
3C 5+ ctrls
	... 4C 2-suiter with C
	... JS CAB ignoring shortage ctrl
3D/H weak 2 in H/S, 6-10 HCP, 0-2 ctrls, no void, GF but no slam
3N any AKQJxx or AKQxxxx, no side ctrl or void or suit (see 1N-3N cont)
4C Gerber
4D/H respectable 7H/S, 2D response conditions

Interference -
(X)  ... Pass 0-3 any hand  ... XX pen interest ... 2D good 2D response ... 2H+ normal
(2D) ... Pass good 2D response or trap  ... X 0-3  ... 2H+ normal
(2H) ... Pass good 2D or 2H or trap  ... X 0-3  ... 2S+ normal
(2S+) ... Pass forcing usu. bal  ... X 0-3

Mexican 2D Opening:
Responses -
Pass gamble with long diamonds and bad hand
2H 0-9 HCP, 0-3 H, no slam opp. 21-22 NT
	... 2S S-D 2-suiter
	... 2N/3N 21-22 27-28
	... 3C H-D or D-C 2-suiter (3D asks H/C)
	... 3D just D
	... 3H/S/4C/D suit below sing 4441 (bid sing asks ctrls: NT <7, suit steps 7,8,...)
2S 10+ HCP, 3+ ctrls, SI
	... 3C D 2-suiter (3D rel [3H/S nat, 3N 5D-4C, 4C 5D-5C])
	... 3D just D
	... 3H/S/4C/D suit below sing 4441
2N xfer to 3C, weak C or 5-5 majors weak/slam, then
	... 3D 5-5 majors (op gives pref or superaccepts)
		... Pass weak
		... steps slam losing/hising/lovoid/hivoid (rel 6A-RKC)
3C majors 4-4 or 4-5, GF
	... 3D GF nat
	... 3M GF M-D 2-suiter, acts as RKC for M
	... 3N/4M to play
	... 4C GF D-C 2-suiter
3D transfer, 5H, 0-9 HCP, denies spades (3S suggests 3N)
3H transfer, 5+S, 0-3 HCP, to play 3S
3S 4H, denies spades, choice-of-games
3N 5-5 majors, GF no slam
4C Gerber
4D/H Texas

In Competition -
(X)
	... Pass 0-4  ... XX business	... 2H 5-9 ... 2S+ unchanged

(2H)
	... Pass 0-4 or trap ... 2S nat NF ... 2N 2+ stoppers  ... 3C 4S 1+ stoppers
	... 3H no stopper or spades

(2S) 	... Pass 0-4 or trap  ... X 4H no stopper  ... 2N/3C/3S as above

WEAK TWO ASKING BID:
2M-relay Responses -
	... 1-step any min (rel asks n/l/m/h shortage)
	... other steps max with n/l/m/h shortage
		... after no shortage shown relay asks feature l/m/h with 3N as 2(3) top honors
		     if min(max) shown

STRONG CLUB CONTEXT

Romex Forcing Club:
Responses -
1D 0-7 HCP
	... 1M nat F
		... 1S nat 4+ suit 0-2 H
		... 1N 0-4 0-2 M
		... 2C 5-7 0-2 M
		... 2D 5-7 3M
		... 2M 0-4 3M
		... 2N 5-7 4+M
		... 3M 0-4 4+M
		... Jumpshifts 4+crd splinters
		... Double Jumpshifts void 4+crd splinters
	... 1N 17-20(-) bal
		... 2C Stayman
			... 2D min no major (2H/S majors weak/invit, 3M smolen)
			... 2H min 4H
			... 2S min 4S
			... 2N 19-20
				... 3C stayman ... 3red weak xfers
		... 2red transfer (oM invit, 2N+ nat)
		... 2S clubs (3C superaccept)
			... 3M splinter (4m RKC)
		... 2N diamonds or 5-5 weak minors (3D superaccept)
		... 3C 5-5 minors max
	... 2m nat NF (2D not a bare min, since could have passed 1D)
	... 2H Kokish H GF or 25-26 NT or 29+ NT (2S rel [NT or suits nat])
	... 2S nat GF
	... 2N 23-24 NT
	... 3C GF 2-suiter with C
	... 3D GF 1-suiter with C
	... 3N gambling based on C
1H 8+ HCP, 0-2 ctrls
	... 1S/2C/2D/2H nat (raise, bid nat, splinter)
	... 1N 17-20 NT, or 25+ NT (Romex Stayman and xfers)
	... 2S/3C/3D/3H 4441 suit below splinter
		... suit no slam
		... rel asks 5+ ctrls (games to play, sing asks queens 02/suction)
	... 2N 23-24 NT (use 2N structure)
1S 3 ctrls (see 1H, with 3-level 4441's)
1N 4 ctrls (as 1H, but NT's up a level and always 2N response structure)
2C 5+ ctrls (as 1N)
2D/H weak 2 in H/S, 6-10 HCP, 0-3 ctrls, no void, GF
	... rel fit asks n/l/m/h sing (next rel RKC-SpiralScan)
	... suit no fit nat
	... 2N no fit waiting (3M dog, 3N AQJ/KQJ)
2S 4441 black sing, GF no slam
	... rel for l/h sing, then 0+ ctrls, then queens (1-step 0 or 3,
		suits that or other 2 [NT = relay suit])
2N any solid 6+ suit, no side ctrl or void or suit (see 1N-3N cont, lower lev)
3C/D 4441 sing, GF no slam

Guidelines -
	When opener is unbalanced and responder's ctrls known,
		- no Blackwood
		- opener cannot splinter or cue-bid
		- only opener can use asking bids

Interference -
(X)
	... Pass 0-3 or trap for any known suits
	... XX 0-7 long clubs  ... 1D 4-7 HCP		... 1H+ unchanged

(1D)
	... Pass 0-3 or trap     ... X 4-7 HCP     ... 1H+ unchanged

(1H)
	... Pass 0-7 or trap   ... X stolen bid  ... 2H Michaels 1H response  ... else normal

(1S)   	... Pass 0-7 or trap   ... 1N nat GF    ... X bal GF no stopper  ... bids GF
	... 2S strong Michaels

(1N)	... Pass 0-7       ... X bal 8+    ... bids GF

(2C+)	... natural and Michaels cue    ... Pass 0-4 or trap    X 5-7 HCP or 8+ no stopper

over 1C-1D-(bid)
	... X takeout   ... bids nat   ... cue michaels

over 1C-1H+-(bid)
	... X penalty   ... pass forcing  ... cue michaels  ... bids nat

Intermediate 2C Opening:
Responses -

2D relay
	... 2H either 4M
		... 2S relay
			... 2N 4H min (3C nf, 3D sets h, 3H nf, 3S nat GF)
			... 3C 4S min (3D sets s, 3H nat GF, 3S nf)
			... 3D 4H max (3H sets h, 4C sets c, 4D rkc for C, 4N RKC for major)
			... 3H 4S max (3S sets S, 4C sets c, 4D rkc for C, 4N RKC for major)
		... 2N nat, F
		... 3C invit
		... 3D asks stoppers up line (3N both majors)
		... 3M nat GF
	... 2S max unbal no major (2N asks shortage)
		... 3C/D/H l/m/h sing   ... 3S/N/4C l/m/h void (rel RKC for C after these)
	... 2N 6322 max, 2 side stops
		... 3C nat F, asks honor conc. up the line
		... 3D asks weak suit (l/m/h)
		... 3M nat GF
	... 3C 1 side stop
		... 3D asks stopper (l/m/h)   ... 3M nat F
	... 3D 4D-6C (3H/S sets C/D asks losing/hising/lovoid/hivoid, then RKC)
	... 3H 5H-6C (3S/4C sets H/C [asks n/l/h short then RKC] 3N to play)
	... 3S 5S-6C (4C/4D sets C/S [as above], 3N to play)

2M non-forcing but raisable
2N pree raise, OR invit 6-crder (transfer to 3C)
3C weak D or 5-5 majors (transfer to 3D)
	... Pass weak D
	... 3H 5-5 M's invite
	... 3S 5-5 M's GF
		... 3N/4M to play
		... 4C/D SI for H/S (4M to play, steps n/losing/hising/lovoid/hivoid,
		      then RKCspiralscan)
3D/H/S GF 6+crd
4C pree
4D rkc for C
4M to play

Interference - 
(X)   ... XX head-hunting no fit   ... else unchanged
(bid) ... X negative


3-suited 2H Opening:
Responses -

P/2S/3C/3D to play
2N GF relay (3415/4315/4414min/4414max/4405min/4405max)
	... then 3N to play, cheap suits rkc for c/h/s, other suits/games nat
		except over 3S+ shape bids, where 4D is end-signal to play somewhere
3M invit
4C pree
4D rkc for C
4M to play
General over 2N in GF auction (or 1C-1M-1N but level lower)
Responses -
3C Romex Stayman (must use to sign-off in 3N)
3S minor-suit stayman
	... 3N no minor
		... 4m 4m-5+om (rel for n/losing/hising/lovoid/hivoid, then 6A-RKC)
		... 4M 5-5 m's sing (cheap suit is 6A-RKC, 4N to play)
	... 4m nat
3N clubs, F
	... 4C interest in C slam (RKC)
	... 4N no interest (steps are RKC)
4C diamonds (4D RKC, 4N to play)


1D OPENER (Romex Forcing Club context):
Responses -
1H normal
	... 1S nat (4225 ok)
	... 1N 13-16 bal (2C nf checkback, 2D GF checkback)
	... 2C often 5crd
	... 2D 6+D
	... raise nat
	... 2S minisplinter ( < 7 losers, 2N asks l/h spl)
	... 2N max D, 0-2H
	... 3C 5-5 max (3D F, 4C sets C, 4D/N rkc for D/C)
	... 3D max D, 3H
	... double-raise 14(+)-16 6 losers
	... 3S/4C void splinter
	... 4D fit raise
	... 3N gambling with D
1S normal (as above)
	... 2H minisplinter (2N asks like above) 
1N normal
2C nat GF
	... 2D 5+D
	... 2H 4H <5 D
	... 2S 4S <5 D
	... 2N 13-14 when using forcing club, 12-14 or 17-18 (bid 4N later) when not
	... 3N 15-16 bal
2D inverted, F to 3D
	... 2M stopper (2N oM stopped, 3C stopper, 3D min no stop, JS splinters)
	... 2N both M's stopped, F (3D min no C stop, suit splinter, 3N min/max C stop, 4D RKC)
	... 3C/H/S splinter (4D rkc, others cues)
	... 3D minimum, real suit, worry about majors (3M stopper, 4C cue, 4D rkc)
	... 3N 14-16 bal (4D rkc, suit splinter)
	... 4D rkc
2H weak 5S-4+H
2S invit 5S-4H
2N bal 10-12
3C invit
3D pree
3M/4C void splinter (sing go through 2D)
3N 12-15
4D rkc
4M to play

WEAK 1N OPENER:
Runouts (X)
	... Pass forces XX to play or 1 minor
	... XX colors
	... 2C rank
	... 2D shape
	... 2M nat

*************************************************************************

Game-forcing 2N OPENING/REBID RESPONSE STRUCTURE (if not GF, just normal stayman, xfers):
3C = Romex Stayman with a major, or looking for 5M, or some 5-crd minor
	... 3D catchall
		... 3H 4 spades (3N denies fit, else confirms fit)
		... 3S 5S-4H or 6S-5H (games to play, cues for S, 4N 6A-RKC)
		... 3N to play
		... 4m 5-crd m SI (or longer if 4H) (4N to play, relay rkc, else cues)
	... 3H 4/5 H, denies spades
		... 3S asks 5th heart
			... 3N 4H (4H now mild SI, 4m 5-crd as above, 4S rkc)
			... 4C 5H SI  ... 4D 5H SI bad trumps  ... 4H 5H no SI
		... 3N/4H to play
		... 4m natural, no H interest
		... 4S/5C/5D Voidwood
		... 4N slammish with at least one 4-crd m
	... 3S 5S
		... 3N/4S to play
		... 4m 5-crd natural (see above)
		... 4H art slam try S
		... 4N rkc
	... 3N 4-4 majors
		... 4C/S 5C/D (see above)
		... 4D/H transfer signoff or rkc relay

3D 5H
	... 3H 3+H
		... 3S nat (3N 6A-RKC) ... 4m nat  ... 4H to play   ... 4S rkc
	... 3S 2H, 4+S
		... 3N/4S to play  ... 4m nat SI (rel 6A-RKC)  ... 4H mild SI  ... 4N 6A-RKC
	... 3N 2H, 2/3S
		... 4S 5S-6H forcing (4N to play, 5C 6A-RKC)

3H 5S
	... 3S 3+S
	... 3N 2S


SPIRAL SCAN:
After RKC, relays ask for, in order:
	1. trump queen (as normal RKC)
	Asking after this guarantees all keycards
	2. primary side king (longest responder's side suit, or asker's side suit)
	3. other kings (in ascending order)
	4. primary side queen (see above)
	5. other queens (in ascending order)
	6+. side jacks

A 2-step relay asks to ignore the next in queue.
5 of trump suit is relay unless could have 0/1 keycards (if 3/4 then run-on).

To show items in queue, skip a step for each item possessed.  Stop to deny respective card.

6 of trump suit and 6NT are sign-offs.

6-ACE RKC:
When 2-suiter shown, 6 keycards, and 2 queens.
0/3, 1/4, 2 no Q's, 2 1 Q, 2 both Q's.
After 0314, relay asks queens (0, 1, 2).
With both queens, run-on to Spiral Scan.

ASKING BIDS:

Trump-Asking Bid:
	Occurs only after a Dynamic 1N or Mexican 2C opener.
	Trump suit has been agreed, opener raises suit below game, or 3N as TAB.
	Or responder bids 3 suit naturally, opener jumps to 4N as TAB (4 loser hand if 1N op).
	Responses -
		1. horrible, worst possible
		2. 1 of top 3 honors, minimum length
		3. no top honor, extra length
		4. 1 of top 3 honors, extra length
		5. 2 of top 3 honors, minimum length
		6. 2 of top 3 honors, extra length
		7. 3 top honors (or best possible)

Control-Asking Bid:
	Occurs also only after a 1N or 2C opener.  Trump suit must have been agreed.
	First ask is for 1st round ctrl, all later asks or about 3rd round ctrl.
	Responses -
		1. no control (re-ask asks third-rd cntrl [no/doub/queen])
		2. K or sing.
		3. A or void
		4. AKx+
		5. total control (AK stiff, AKQ, stiff A, depending on number trumps held)

	Exception:  when a TAB has revealed an Ace or King impossible, use these steps:
		1. no ctrl   2. xx  3. Q  4. sing  5. void

	If doubled, P = 1st step, XX = 2nd step, 1-step = 3rd step, etc.

Special Trump-Asking Bid (STAB):
	After 2C-2D, 3M asks first length (0/1, 2, 3, 4+).  Next step asks honor in trumps: if
	0/1 (void, x, H); if 2+ crds (0, 1, 2).

Specific Control-Asking Bid (SCAB):
	After 2C-2H/S/N, opener has a freak hand and needs specific info, 4C jump asks:
		4D any ace (relay asks to cue ace [NT = H])
		4H+ show king(s):
			if 2 ctrls then cue cheapest (then rel for other one)
			if 3 cue suit without king
			if 4 ctrls then has 4 kings and bid 4N

ROMEX RAISE:
	After 1N or 2C Mexican opening and GF response, responder raises with minimum, splinters,
	or jumps in NT to show raise with extras.