original source: http://www.okbridge.com/member/2over1-discuss/ THE OKBRIDGE TWO-OVER-ONE SUMMARY Copyright OKbridge 1999 All Rights Reserved This description of the OKbridge 2/1 system assumes that you are already familiar with the Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC). If not, you can request a complete description of the SAYC by sending email to help@okbridge.com . The OKbridge 2 over 1 system is recommended for intermediate players and up. CONTENTS The information found in this text follows the text version of the card from the top to the bottom. Some examples will be included if necessary to clarify a bid or convention. THE 2/1 STRUCTURE (General Agreements) ========================================================================= There are lots of variations to 2/1, and the OKbridge card should not be considered the best or absolute. In all 2/1 systems, however, the general principle is the same- any new suit bid by responder at the two-level is a game-force. For example: 1S : 2C Gameforcing. Neither player can pass until a game of some sort has been bid. In the OKbridge system, there are no exceptions. 1D : 2C This is one bid where some players differ. Some play that if the suit is bid again (3Cs), it can be passed. Play this as a game force unless you have agreed to another treatment. 1C : 2D/H/S This is a strong jump shift and is, of course, gameforcing. 1N : 2N Not a gameforce. The two-level response must be in a new suit. This is played as a C bust or 4441 game force. 1S : 2S Not a gameforce. Again, the two-level response must be in a new suit. Opener's Rebids to responders 2/1 game forcing bid. Simple rebid : The catchall bid, does not promise extra strength or length Jump rebid : Solid 6-card suit or better interested in Slam New suit at the 2-level : Natural, at least four cards, any strength New suit at the 3-level : Splinter in support of responder?? This may not be recognized by all players. 2NT : 12-14 balanced (no 3-card support) 3NT : 18-19 balanced (no 3-card support) Single raise : At least 3-card support, any strength 2/1 g.f. and strong jump shifts (SJF) are OFF in competition BETWEEN opener and responder. For example: 1S - 2C - 2D 2D shows 10+ points and is not gameforcing. The interference is in front of responder. 1S - P - 2C - 2D 2C is still gameforcing. The interference is behind responder. 1C - 1D - 2H 2H is a weak jump shift- 6 card suit, 0-6 points. This is signoff bid and is, of course, NOT gameforcing. 1C - P - 2H - 3S 2H is a strong jump shift, great 5-card suit or better, 17-19 points. The partnership is still in a gameforcing auction (unless they want to defend 3S-X). ====================================================================== 1NT CONVENTIONS Sys on over X means just that. After the opponents Double, you still play all conventions as if it was 1N P ??. JACOBY TRANSFERS and TEXAS TRANSFERS These two bids work together. Playing Texas Transfers, jump responses of 4D and 4H to a 1NT or 2NT opening are respective transfers to 4H and 4S. Texas transfers are used when responder wants to be in game but generally has no interest in slam. For example, bid 4D with K5 AT98543 52 52 in response to a 15-17 1NT. Partner must bid 4H, which you pass. The idea behind this convention is similar to that behind Jacoby Transfers- it is better for partner to be declarer rather than dummy since his high cards won't be exposed to the defenders. Using both transfer conventions, some players use Jacoby as a slam invite and Texas as a signoff (1 exception). 1NT : 2H! 2S : 4S would suggest mild slam interest, while 1NT : 4H! 4S is a signoff. 1NT : 2H! 2S : 4N is an ivitation to 6Hs or 6NT. It is NOT asking for Aces. You may answer Aces, but you will confuse your partner between answering Aces and signing off at the 5 level. 1NT : 4H! 4S : 4NT is asking for Aces with Ss set as trump. See below for RKCB responses. This is the one exception to signing off in game with Texas Transfers. ================== Alternate Method =============================== How do Texas transfers work in competition? In Modern Bridge Conventions, Bill Root and Richard Pavlicek recommend playing them through 3C, i.e. 1NT (3C) 4D! is a transfer, while 1NT (3D) 4H is natural. A simpler (though perhaps less effective) method of playing Texas Transfers would be to have them off completely in any competition, a la Jacoby Transfers. ALERT: Please be aware that unless you discuss it with your partner, Texas Transfers are OFF over a bid and ON over a Double. ====================================================================== MINOR-SUIT STAYMAN Minor Suit Stayman is just what its name implies: a device that allows a partnership to look for a minor-suit fit after an opening bid of 1NT or 2NT. Presupposing the use of Jacoby Transfers, the 2S response to 1NT is no longer needed and can be used to ask opener to bid a four- card minor suit. Assuming the partnership is playing a strong no- trump, the 2S bid shows 9+ points and usually promises at least 4-5 or 5-4 in the minors. Opener's responses to 2S are: 2NT: A minimum hand with no four-card minor 3C : A minimum hand with a four-card club suit 3D : A minimum hand with a four-card diamonds suit 3H : Showing or asking for a heart stopper, depending on agreement Opener may have a four-card minor but is looking for 3NT 3S : Showing or asking for a spade stopper, depending on agreement Opener may have a four-card minor but is looking for 3NT 3NT: A maximum hand with no four-card minor 4C : A maximum hand with a four-card club suit 4D : A maximum hand with a four-card diamond suit The last 2 bids are rare. You must have a maximum with no wasted values. QJxx and KJxx can be wasted values in the major suit holdings. Responder's rebids are: Pass : Minimum hand 3C : At least a five-card suit; non-forcing 3D : At least a five-card suit; non-forcing over 2NT but forcing over 3C 3H/3S: Respective splinters 3NT : Signoff 4C : Invitational if partner bid 3C; strong and forcing otherwise 4D : Invitational if partner bid 3D; strong and forcing otherwise K96 Q3 QT87 AKJ 3 A2 AK532 Q9762 1NT : 2S! 3D : 3S! 4C : 4D 4S : 4NT 5D : 6D Minor-suit Stayman is off in competition, but still on over a Double. ===================================================================== 1NT : 2NT is a transfer to 3Cs. It shows one of 2 hands. The C bust or a 4441 GF+ hand. NT opener must bid 3Cs. Responders responses: Pass : Minimum hand 3D : Stiff D 3H : stiff H 3S : Stiff S 3NT : Stiff C NT opener can now establish the contract. ================== Alternate Method =============================== Another method used is to submarine the Stiff so that the opponent can not make a cheap Double for leading purposes or possible sacrifice. Responders responses: Pass : Minimum hand 3D : Stiff H 3H : stiff S 3S : Stiff C 3NT : Stiff D ===================================================================== LEBENSOHL Your partner has opened 1N and the next opponent has made a intervening call or bid showing 1 or more suits. You may have the opportunity to show 1 of 3 hands: Competitive, Invitational, and Game Forcing. The problem is that you can not always show Invitational and Game Forcing bids. You must decide which one is most likely and give up on the other. You need to discuss this with your partner. There are many variations. If you can jump to your suit, you can show invitational hands. Not being able to jump to your suit prevents you from competing effectively. Either you need to give up on the forcing bid or the invitational bid. The key to using Lebensohl is knowing if you can jump to your suit. ------------------------------ 1: The opponents call is Double? All systems are still on. See 1NT for any explanations. 1NT (2C/D/H) any suit bid at the 2 level is competitive 2N transfers to 3Cs (you may pass if competitive) any new suit is natural and forcing if lower than the opponents suit and invitational if higher. any jumps to a new suit is forcing. 1NT (2S) The invitational bid can not be used. Showing or deniing a stopper using Lebensohl is easy. Slow shows and Fast denies. If you relay through 2N first, then either Q-Bid or bid 3NT, you show a stopper in the opponents suit. If you Q-bid or jump immediately to 3N, you deny a stopper in their suit. Q-bidding is stayman no matter if you bid directly or use 2N. If the opponent show 2 known suits, use the suit which will allow you to describe your hand the best. If the opponents bid a suit where one is know and other is currently unknown, bid as if they only had 1 suit. ===================================================================== CHAPTER 2- MAJOR-SUIT CONVENTIONS 1NT FORCING As a result of the 2/1 response being a game-force, responder will often have a 12 (or less) point hand with which he would like to make a 2/1 bid but cannot; hence the 1NT Forcing convention. The 1NT response to 1H or 1S shows 6-12 and is a one-round force (since responder may have 12 points). Responder can not have a 4-card S suit over 1H. Opener's rebids are as follows: Any reverse : 16+, natural, forcing Simple rebid : 12+, a good 6-card suit, nonforcing Jump rebid : 19+, natural, forcing Jump shift in a new suit: 19+, natural, forcing 2NT : 18-19, balanced, nonforcing If opener's hand does not fit into these categories, he must bid his longest side suit up the line if possible. In each of the following cases, opener has bid 1S and heard 1NT forcing: KQJT9 KJT6 A3 54 Opener must rebid 2H. KQJT9 KJT A63 54 Opener must rebid 2D. (alertable) AQJT KJT98 Q6 54 Bid 2Hs. Lesser evil. Some may be 2Cs. Responder's rebids are as follows. First, the weak (6-9) rebids: Pass : If opener has rebid 2m, responder should try to have incredible 4-card support or better, since the side may be playing in a 4-2 fit. New suit at the two-level: A five-card suit, signoff. Two of opener's major : Responder may only have two-card support. New suit at the 3-level : A very good 6-card suit, signoff if no jump Now, the strong (9-12) rebids: 2NT : Balanced, nonforcing Three of opener's major : Invitational, normally 3-card support Three of opener's minor : Natural, normally 5-card support Jump to game : Natural ===================================================================== JACOBY 2NT Jumping to 2N shows at least 4 card support and is Game Forcing. You can also consider it a slam investigation. 1H/S 2N opener responses are: any new suit at the 3 level bid shows sortness and does not limit the strength rebidding the major shows at least 17+ points and denies shortness any new suit at the 4 level shows at least 5 cards and does not limit the strenght jumping to 4 of the major shows no shortness and is limited to 12-14 points. bidding 3NT show 15-16 points with no shortness. ================== Alternate Method =============================== Many play the 4-level bid as a void. Using the above method pinpoints the hand for partner and can make it easier to bid or avoid a slam. It is already clard that with 10 cards in 2 suit, you must have a stiff or void in one of the other suits. ===================================================================== 3NT over 1 of a Major is very precise bid. It shows either 4333 or 4432 with at most a 3 card support for partner's suit, and 16-17 points. Partner can bid something new or 4N as RKCB for the major suit since the point count and distribution is known and well defined. ==================================================================== REVERSE DRURY Based on the Drury convention invented by Douglas Drury, Reverse Drury is an effective way of gauging the strength of partner's third and fourth seat openers. When partner opens 1H or 1S in third or fourth seat, 2C by responder shows 9-12 points with at least three trumps. With a subminimum hand, opener bids 2M, telling responder to pass. With a hand interested in game, opener rebids a naturally. A 2D bid can be made on a short suit since it is possible to be 5332. Thus Opener Responder KQJ4 K85 T98 762 A987 A93 K543 82 1S : 2C! 2S! : P And Opener Responder QJT43 A8 KT63 A5 K987 K63 AJ95 32 1S : 2C! 2D! : 3D 4S : P Special Rebids by Opener: 1) KQJ52 K987 A3 42 2) KQ987 5 AJT32 A9 3) AJ542 8 K9 AQT65 In each case opener has bid 1S and received a 2C response. In 1), Opener bids 2H to show 4+ hearts in case there is a 4-4 heart fit. He does not guarantee opening strength. However, 2H is forcing for one round. Do not bid 2Hs just to find a better fit. It needs to be made on hands interested in game. In 2), Opener bids 2D, planning on rebidding 3D. As he is committing the partnership to the three-level, this does show a full opener. In 3), Opener bids 3C to show his club suit. Again, since he is taking the bidding to the three-level, opener does promise a full opener. ================== Alternate Method =============================== Some play 2-way reverse Drury. 2Cs shows 3 card support and 2Ds shows 4-card support. Please make sure you and your partner agree to this change. ===================================================================== WEAK JUMP SHIFTS (IN COMPETITION ONLY) A jump shift by responder in competition shows a 6-card suit and 0-6 points. Competition is defind as either a Double or a bid by the opponent. For example: 1C - 1D - ? KQ7432 43 32 T98 Bid 2S. Opener's rebids are: Pass : On most hands, since responder only has 0-6 points. 2NT : Game try, forcing. Responder must rebid his suit to show a minimum. Simple raise : Purely preemptive. Double raise of a minor : Invitational. Any new suit : Natural, nonforcing. ===================================================================== Minor suit Openings. Normally only promise 3+ cards in the minor, but at least a 4 card D suit unless opener is specically 4432. Responder to 1C will bypass a D suit unless strong enough to force to game. Opener will rebid 1N if balanced and can have 2 four card majors. Opener can bid a Major if unbalanced. Responder will either Pass, correct to a minor or if strong enough can bid the Major suit and force to game. EX: 1C - 1D! - 1N# - ?? ! - will not have a 4-card major unless strong enough to force to game. # - Can have as many as 2 four card majors and is balanced. Responses are: 2Cs to play 2Ds to play 2H/Ss game forcing. 2N - D suit, slightly unbalanced and 10-11 (or bad 12) points. 3C - invitational 3D - invitational -------------------- Over 1m responder also has these bids 1N - 8-10 balanced 2N - 11-12 balanced 3N - 13-15 balanced all of these with no 4-card major All of these NT bids may contain a D suit. ===================================================================== INVERTED MINORS Originally an integral part of the Kaplan-Sheinwold system, Inverted Minors exchanges the meanings of the simple and double raises of 1C/1D. For simplicity, the examples and situations described herein will be based on an opening bid of 1C. After 1C, a simple raise to 2C is a one-round force, promising at least ten points and 4+ clubs. A jump raise to 3C is preemptive, showing 5-8 points and at least five clubs (although excellent four-card support is permissible). Both raises DENY a four-card major. AT2 J98 AK3 QT98 K93 T32 Q3 AJ654 1C : 2C! AT2 J98 AK3 QT98 T T32 Q932 KJ654 1C : 3C! Opener's rebids after partner has bid 2C are: 2D : 14+ points with a four-card diamond suit, forcing 2H : 14+ points with a four-card heart suit, forcing 2S : 14+ points with a four-card spade suit, forcing 2NT: Shows 12-14 with a balanced hand with adequate stoppers 3C : A catchall bid denying the ability to make any other bid. 3NT: 18-19 points with a balanced hand Responder's rebids to 2D/2H/2S are: 2NT : 10-12 with a balanced hand 3C : A minimum unbalanced hand 3NT : 13-15 with a balanced hand A raise of opener's second suit: 3+ trumps, invitational A new suit : Showing or asking for a stopper, depending on agreement Inverted minors are off in any competition by the opponents. ==================================================================== Strong Forcing Bid 2Cs is the only bid which is forcing to 2N, 3 of a Major, or 4 of a minor. 2Ds is a waiting bid, and the cheapest 3-level bid is 2nd negative. 2nd negative is defined as no Aces and no Kings and less than 4 points. System is on after opener rebids 2N or 3N. 3Cs is staymn because you had a chance to pass 2N. Bidding a suit other than 2Ds shows a positive hand and 2 of the top 3 honors. ================== Alternate Method =============================== Some play 2Ds as waiting, but showing more than a negative hand for partner and 2Hs as an immediate 2nd Negative. ==================================================================== WEAK 2 BIDS Generally 5-11 points (can vary in 3rd). It shows an intermediate hand with a 6 card suit in 4th suit. 2N ask for a feature. RONF (Raise only Non-Force) by an unpassed hand. ==================================================================== OVERCALLS 8-16 points Responder: New suit tends to deny support and is Non-Forcing (NF) Q=1 round force Q followed by a new suit is forcing. If opponent doubles, your bids are preemptive and NF ==================================================================== 1NT OVERCALL All systems are on. See 1N above ==================================================================== DOUBLES NEGATIVE This is through 3Ss with emphasis onthe major suits. RESPONSIVE DOUBLES The responsive double is a response to partner's takeout double after the opponents have bid and raised a suit. Sounds complicated? Here it is in bidding format: 1H - X - 2H - X! The responsive double is based on the principle that a penalty double here is usually unrewarding. Therefore double shows scattered values with at least 6 points and interest in locating a fit. If the opponents are bidding a minor suit, a responsive double asks partner to pick a major suit. If the opponents are bidding a major suit, a responsive double requests partner to choose a minor suit. For instance, advancer might hold KT43 QJ32 93 JT9 and hear: 1D - X - 2D - ? He should make a responsive double to ask partner to bid a major. Note that a double by advancer is ONLY responsive when the opponents have opened a one-bid and raised it. ================== Alternate Method =============================== Some players also use the responsive double when partner has made a simple overcall in a suit. 1D - 1S - 2D - X showing Hs and Cs and scattered values. OKB 2/1 is not playing this method. Check with your partner if you want to include this method. ==================================================================== Modern Bridge Conventions by Bill Root and Richard Pavlicek gives an excellent list of bidding situations in which double is NOT responsive: 1C - X - 1S - X RHO has bid a new suit. 1C - 2S - 3C - X Partner has made a jump overcall. 2H - X - 3H - X LHO has opened with a preempt. 1D -1NT - 2D - X Partner has overcalled in no-trumps. On the OKBridge 2/1 card, responsive doubles are on through 3S. ==================================================================== SUPPORT DOUBLES Say you are first to speak holding AK4 KJT32 Q93 2. You open 1H and hear LHO pass. Partner responds 1S (promising a four-card suit), and RHO butts in with 2C. Now what? Users of the support double are happy in this situation; they simply double to show a three-card spade raise. This lets them bid 2S to show a four-card raise. When was the last time you wanted to make a penalty double in this auction, anyway? When the opponents bid and raise a suit, support doubles are also on. 1C - 1H - 1S - 2H X! Finally, support doubles also apply when RHO makes a takeout double rather than a simple overcall. Redouble promises three-card support while a simple raise shows four-card support. So 1H - P - 1S - X XX! Promises 12-14 points with three spades. ******************************************************************** Support Doubles are most often used when you open a minor and partner bids a Major. If the next person bids, you can Double to show 3 card support, or Redouble to show the same hand. ******************************************************************** On the OKbridge 2/1 card, support doubles and redoubles are on through 2H. ==================================================================== BIDS VERSUS THE DOUBLES by the opponents Jordan 2N over both the Major and minor suit openers shows a limit raise (appoximately 9-11 points). 1 level bids are forcing as if there were no bouble. Redouble implies no fit and is 10+ points. ==================================================================== PREEMPTS The general rule is 2 and 3 depending on if you are vulnerable or not. A new suit by partner is forcing. ==================================================================== OPPONENTS MAKE A PREEMPT Double is takeout Lebensohl is used to show different hands the same way as it was used over NT interference. EX: 2x - X - P - 2NT! 2NT is artificial, showing a weak hand and a desire to sign off at the three-level. The takeout doubler must relay to 3C, which partner can pass (showing a weak hand with clubs) or bid 3D/3H/3S (all signoffs). As a result, if responder bids a new suit instead of through 2NT Lebensohl, he is making an immediate game invitation. Example : 2H - X - P - ? T3 T94 AJT32 976 Bid 2NT, and correct to 3D when partner bids 3C. AQ T94 AJT32 986 Bid 3D, showing a good hand. Advancer can make a mild game try by doing the following: 2H - X - P - 2NT! P -3C!- P - 3S Since advancer could have bid 2S immediately to show a bad hand, and 3S to show a good hand, going through Lebensohl and then bidding 3S shows a decent hand, about 6-9 points. It does not promise extra spade length. Partner can bid game with a good hand of his own. See NT bidding above for the rest of the sequences. ==================================================================== CUEBIDS Michaels over Majors and minors. 2N by responder over the Major Quebid ask for the minor suit. Quebid is natural over an artificial bid. ==================================================================== SLAM-BIDDING RKCB 0314 where the K of trump is considered an Ace. The trump suit is the last bid suit unless Trumps have been established. Over 4N 5Cs shows 0 or 3 Aces of the 5 avaialble 5Ds by partner now asks if you have the Q of trump 5Ds shows 1 or 4 Aces of the 5 avaialble 5Hs by partner now asks if you have the Q of trump 5Hs show 2 of the 5 Aces without the Q of trump 5Ss show 2 of the 5 Aces with the Q of trump ================== Alternate Method =============================== Some play RKCB 1430 style with the implication that it provides a bit more room to explore for the Q especially with Hs as trump. ==================================================================== SUIT LEADS AND DEFENSIVE SIGNALS 4th best Xxx Akx(x...) standard signals ================== Alternate Method =============================== The leads and defensive signals is the one area most changed by agreement. Other methods include UDCA (Upside Down Count & Attitude); 3rd/5th or 3rd/low leads versus Suit contracts Attitude versus NT Foster Echo, and many more ==================================================================== MISCELLANEOUS FOURTH SUIT FORCING (TO GAME) When responder is an unpassed hand and rebids the fourth suit in an uncontested auction, his bid is artificial, shows 12+ points, and is game-forcing. For example, 1D : 1S 2C : 2H! 2H is artificial and a game-force. Opener's rebids, in order of priority, are: 2 of responder's major : 3-card support Any rebid of opener's suits : Natural, waiting Raise of the fourth suit : Tends to show 4-card support, waiting 2NT : Natural, with a stopper in the fourth suit FSF does NOT apply in the following situations: A) 1C : 1D 1H : 1S While 1S is forcing, it is not a game-force. B) When responder's first bid is at the two-level, a fourth-suit rebid is not artificial, since a game-forcing situation has already been created. For example: 1S : 2C 2D : 2H C) When responder jump rebids the fourth suit. For example: 1H : 1S 2C : 3D The jump rebid shows invitational values and at least 5-5 . With a game-going two-suiter, responder could just do this: 1H : 1S 2C : 2D! 2x : 3D ==================================================================== NEW MINOR FORCING New Minor Forcing comes up when responder bids a new minor after opener has rebid 1NT. For example, 1C : 1S 1N : 2D! 2D is artificial, showing 11+ points and asking opener to further describe his hand. Responder is interested in game, normally has a five-card major suit and wants to know if opener has support. Opener's responses, in order of priority, are: Two of the other major : shows a 4-card suit Two of responder's major : shows 3-card support, 12 to 13- points Three of responder's major : shows 3-card support, 13+ to 14+ points 2NT : shows a stopper in the unbid suit, 12 to 13- points 3NT : shows a stopper in the unbid suit, 13+ to 14+ points Raise of the new minor : Natural, denies the ability to make any other bid Rebid of opener's suit : Denies the ability to make any other bid To show a genuine two-suiter, responder can rebid the new minor on the third round. New Minor Forcing is OFF in competition. ==================================================================== CAPPELLETTI Also known as Hamilton-Cappelletti is a defensive convention for use after an opponent has opened 1NT. The structure is: X : Penalty 2C : Any one-suited hand 2D : Both majors 2H : Hearts and a minor 2S : Spades and a minor 2NT: Both minors Cappelletti may be used in both direct and balancing seat. The 2C bid asks partner to bid 2D. The overcaller passes 2D if his suit is diamonds or corrects to the proper suit. Responder may ignore the 2D relay and pass 2C with a strong club suit, or he may bid two of a major with a good 5-card suit. He may also bid 2NT with 11-13 points and a balanced hand. The 2D bid usually shows at least 5-4 in the majors (usually 5-5) and requests partner to bid his better major. With poor major-suit support, partner is allowed to pass 2D with a good diamond suit or 3C with a good club suit. A 2NT response shows either a minor-suit hand asking partner to bid 3C or 3D, or a limit raise in one of the majors. In the latter case, advancer plans on rebidding 3H/3S after partner has bid a minor. As a result, an immediate response of 3H/3S to 2D is preemptive. The 2H and 2S bids are nonforcing. Here too an immediate raise by partner is preemptive. When partner bids 2NT, he is either asking for the minor or showing a limit raise. For instance, KQT52 43 AJT72 2 53 K98 K863 JT98 1NT - 2S!- P - 2NT! P - 3D - P - P P Or KQT52 43 AJT72 2 A987 K98 85 A432 1NT - 2S!- P - 2NT! P - 3D - P - 3S! P - 4S ==================================================================== DEFENSIVE BIDDING OVER A STRONG 1C OR 1C OPENING Mathe bidding can show a 2-suited hand Double shows the Majors NT shows the minors All other bids are natural. ==================================================================== Recommended titles : Lawrence, Mike. Workbook on the 2/1 System. Pavlicek, Richard and Root, Bill. Modern Bridge Conventions. Recommended websites : Fred Gitelman's "Improving 2/1 Game Force." http://www.inforamp.net/~fredg/articles/2over1.html Anna Marsh and Wayne Flourney's description of SA-YC and OKbridge conventions. http://www.annam.co.uk/sayc.htm