Garozzo-duPont c. 1998-2001 notes by Daniel J. Neill Opening Summary: 1C = 3(2)+ clubs, 12-21 1D = 4+ diamonds, 12-21 1M = 5+ crds (4+ crds 3/4 seat) 12-21 1N = 15-17, no 5M 2C = 20-24 bal, or GF 1-suiter or 5+-4 2-suiter 2D = 25+ bal, or GF 3-suiter, or GF 5-5, or exactly 9 tricks with long major 2M = 7-11 weak two (no modern crap) 2N = 5-5 minors, 7-11 or GF 3y = normal preempt 3N = 4-level minor preempt 4M = normal preempt (Namyats?) General Style: 2/1 GF except if suit rebid (except 1S-2H). Lots of artifical 2C/reverses in uncontested auctions. 1-level overcalls can be very light if reasonable lead-directing suit. 3rd seat at fav systemic ultra-light openings/takeout double. Intermediate Jump Overcalls. Vs. interference, first double often announces power, inverted doubles thereafter. Upside-down count, std. attitude, Rusinow leads. 1C Opening: Responses: 1D = 4+ crds, never skip them as in Walsh style 1H = natural, 4-crds, 12-16(-) 1S = natural, forcing 1N = min. bal. (2C = checkback) 2D = 1444 (2S = general force) 2H = 6C-4H, 15-16 2S = raise 3D = 1444, 13-15 1N = to play (2N = 15-16, 3C = 16, good suit) 2C = checkback 2N = 2Nxfer 3C = 5D-5C invite 4C = splinter for H 1S = natural, 4-crds 12-16(-) 1N = to play (2N = 15-16) 2C = checkback 3C/D/S = invite 1N = 12-14, no major 2C = checkback 3bids = invite 2C = 6+C, 12-16 but not lots of playing strength 2H = art. invit+ 2S = minimum (3D = invite, 3H = asks stop) 3C/D = GF, descriptive 2D = normal raise, 4D, no major 2H = ambiguous reverse: natural 16(+)+ or various other 17+ hands 2S = GF relay 2N = 5C-4H (3C asks: 3H = 2-2) 3C = 1-suiter 3D = nat (4C = v. strong suit, sets for cues) 3M = stopper-ask 4C = sets suit 2N = weak, 4H (3D nat, NF good raise) 3C = weak, to play 3D = weak, to play 2S = nat 16(+)+ reverse 2N = GF relay 3C = 5-4 (3D asks: 3H = 2-2) 3C = weak, to play 2N = 18-19 bal, may have one or both 4-crd majors, denies 4D 3C = 5+D, forces 3D (later 3N = slamtry with D) 3D = 4D-4H (3H sets H, 3S nat denying H, 3N no major) 3H = 4D-4S 3N = to play 3C = 13-15, good playing strength 6+ crds 3D = 13-15 unbal 4-crd raise (3M = asks stop) 3N = 4414 18+ 1H = 4+ crds, if just 4 then denies 4D 1S = 4+ crds, 12-16(-) 1N = 6-9 (2D = 4144/4045 max, 2H = 3crds, max) 2C = checkback 2D = nat weak 5-4+ 2S = simple raise (2N = asking) 2N = 2Nxfer 3m = 5-5 invite 4m = splinter for spades 1N = minimum, denies 4S 2C = checkback 2D = nat weak 5-4+ 2N = 2Nxfer 3H = forcing 2D = ambiguous reverse, natural or various strong raises 2H = weak, NF 2S = GF relay (2N = 5+C-4D, 3C = 1-suiter, 3D = 5D-6C, 3H = any strong splinter, 3N = 4-crd bal raise) 2N = weak, no fit 3H = good suit GF 2H = simple raise 2S = nat forcing reverse 2N = 18-19 bal, denies 4-crd supp. (3D = 5+H [ then 3S = 5H-4S]) 3C = 13-15, 6+ suit good playing strength 3N = 18+ 4144 4C = 6+C, 4H 1S = 4+ crds, if just 4 then denies red suit 1N = minimum 2C = checkback 2D = 5S-4D NF (2H NF now) 2H = 8-11 5S-4H (weaker would have responded 1C-2D) 2N = 2Nxfer 2C = nat minimum, not good playing strength, may be 1(43)5. 2D = checkback (2H min no fit, 3level max natural) 2N = 2Nxfer 2D = ambiguous reverse 2H = GF relay (2S = 1444 16+ [2N NF], 2N = 5C-4D, 3C/D = nat) 2S/3C = weak 3H = 5-5 2H = nat reverse (3D = 5-5, 3S = GF good S, 4D = cue for H) 2S = simple raise 2N = 18-19 bal 3C = 12-15, great suit and playing strength 3S = 13-15 unbal 4-crd raise 3N = 1444 18+ 1N = 4-5 clubs, no side suit, 6-10 2D = art relay (3C = max with C fit) 2N = 18-19 bal or 5-5 minors 11-14 (3m = to play [3M stopper ask]) 2C = invit+ relay, including invit. NT 2D = 12-15 bal, or any C-D hand 2H = slammish relay (15+) 2S = minor 2-suiter (2N asks: 3C = longer clubs) 2N = 12-15, no sing. 3C = Stayman 3D = <4C, 4H and/or 4S (3H asks: 3S = S, 3N = H, cue = both) 3H = 4-4 hearts-clubs (3S = C fit, else for H) 3S = 4-4 spades-clubs (4C sets C, else for S) 3N = no major 3D = D 1-suiter, sets suit 3M = asks stop 3N = to play 2S = GF relay, no slam (12-14) 2N = 12-15, no sing 3C = Stayman (as above) 3D/H/S = stopper-ask 3C = C single-suiter or 5C-4D, unbal (3D asks h/m/l shortness) 2N= invit NT hand 2H = 5+C-4H, any strength 2S = GAR (2N = 5440 or 6-5, 3C = 12-15, rest = max with shapes) 2S = 5+C-4S, any strength 2N = GAR (3C = 12-15, rest max with shapes) 2N = 18-19 bal 3C = staymanic (same as after 1C-2C-2D-2M-2N-3C above?) 2D = 5+S, 4+H, < 8 HCP 2M = 9-11, 6 decent crds (2N asks side conc.) 2N = GF club raise or some other meanings?, forces 3C (then 3y = stopper-ask) 3C = ?? 3D/H/S = ?? 3N = are you kidding 1D Opening: Responses: 1H = 4+ suit 1S = 4+ suit (never skip) 1N = minimum (2N = some sort of 3-level sign-off, 4252 once) 2C = checkback 2D/2H = to play 3H = invit NF 1N = 12-15, denies 4S 2C = checkback 2D = weak, to play 2N = 2Nxfer 3H = invite 2C = any 16(+)+, or natural 14-16 2D = weak relay (2S = artif forc, 2N = invit, 3D = 6D 16-18, 3H 18-19 bal 4H, 3N sol D, 4C spl for H) 2H = weak, 5+H (S = cue for H 18-19 bal) 2S = stronger relay 2N = 16+, 5+D-4+C 3D = GAR, sets D (3N = 3154) 3C = 14-16 minors (3D = denies 5H, 3H = 5-6H or D fit[3S = 2H]) 3D = 16+ 1-suiter 3S = cue for H, 18-19 bal, 4H 3N = 18-19 bal, 4H 2N = 2Nxfer (only bid 3C with minors 14-16, else bid naturally) 2D = natural 2H = simple raise 2S = nat reverse (2N GF relay [GAR], 3D/H weak to play) 2N = 18-19 bal, may have 4S, denies 4H (transfer continuations) 3C = 5-5 strong (3H nat forc [3S sing S]) 3D = 12-15 but great 6+ suit and playing strength (3H = 5-6 H forcing [3S = 2H]) 3S = 20+ club splinter 3N = 18+ 4144 1S = 4+ suit 1N = 12-15 2C = checkback 2D/H/S = to play 2N = 2Nxfer 3S = GF 1-suiter 2C = nat 14-16, or any 16(+)+ 2D = weak, to play 2H = artif. force 2S = 3-4S, unbal, invit 3S = 4+S, GF 2H = stronger relay 2S = 5+D-4+C 14-16 (2N GAR) 2N = 5+D-4+C 17+ (3C GAR) 3D = 16+ 1-suiter 3H = club splinter for S 3S = nat reverse 2S = weak NF (2N = 16-17 NF, 3S invite) 2N = 2Nxfer 3C/H = 5-5 invit 3D = 5S, D fit, invit 2D = natural 2H = art. invit+ (2S = 3crds, 2N = no fit min, rest max natural) 2S = nat 2N = 2Nxfer 3C = 5-5 invite 2H = nat reverse 2S = nat weak 2N = GAR 2S = simple raise 2N = 18-19 bal, denies 4S (xfer rebids) 3C = 5-5 strong 3D = 12-15 good D and playing strength (3H = 5-6S [3S = 2S]) 4C = 17-19 splinter for S 1N = no major, 6-10 2C = 14-16 natural or many strong hands 2H = semi-pos relay (2S = GF artif., 3D = nat 16-17) 2D = natural (2H = art 10+ HCP) 2N = either minors 14-16, or 18-19 bal 2C = artif, invit+ relay (if invite, then bal or C 1-suiter) 2D = 12-15, or any C-D hand 2H = slammish relay (15+) 2S = C-D hand (2N = GAR) 2N = no singleton 3C = stayman 3D = 4D-2C- with a major 3M = 4D-4M-3C-2oM 3N = no major 3D = sets suit 3M = stopper-ask 3N = 15-16, no major 3D = natural, unbal (3M nat) 3N = 444-1C 12-15 (4C = sets H) 2S = GF relay, no slam 2N = no singleton 3C = stayman 3D = no major 3M = just M 3N = both majors 3M = stopper-ask 3C = sing. somewhere, D 1-suiter (3D asks h/m/l sing.) 3D = D-C 16+ (3H GAR) 3H/S = 12-15 5D-4C hi/lo short (3S sets C) 3N = 12-15 444-1C 2N = invit. NT 3C = nat invite 3D+ = GF nat with 5+C 2H = 5+D-4H any strength 2S = GAR no H fit 2N = GAR with H fit 3C = 6+C limit 3D+ = GF nat with 5+C 2S = 5+D-4S any strength 2N = GAR 2N = 18-19 bal (3N = 11 bal) 3C = 16+, 6+D 1-suiter unbal (3D asks h/m/l sing) 3N = 444-1C, 16-17 4D = 444-1C, 18+ 2D = simple constructive raise 2H = 5S-4+H, weak 2S = 9-11 good 6+crd suit 2N = pree. D raise 3C = ?? 3D = invi. D raise 3H = 6H-4S invite 3S = 7crds, weak 1H Opening: Responses: 1S = 4+ crds 1N = 12-15 2C = checkback 2H = to play 2N = 2Nxfer 3m = 5-5 invite 3S = invite, good 6+ crds 2C = nat 11-15, or various 16(+)+ hands (Gazilli) 2D = any 7+ 2H = 11-15 H-C 2S = invit+ relay (3C = 5-5 min, 3H = 6H min, 3N max no fit) 2N = invite with clubs (3C NF) 3C = to play 2S = 17+, either 3S or 4-crd minor 2N = relay 3C = 5-4 (3S = 5+S) 3D = 5-4 (3H = sets diamonds) 3H = 6H-3S (4m = cue for S) 2N = 16-17 bal (3S = forcing 5+S) 3C = 5-4 with clubs (3H = sets H) 3D = 5-4 with diamonds (4C = cue for H) 3H = 6+H, 16+ 3S = some splinter for S 3N = 18-19 bal 2H = v. weak, NF, occ. even 1 crd. 2N = 19+ bal 3C = 19+, 4-crds 3D = 19+, 4-crds 3H = invit, 6+H 2S = weak nat (3H = nat invit) 3M = invit, nat 2D = nat 11-15 2H = to play 2S = 5+S, invit+ 2N = min, C stop 3C = max, 0544 or no C stop 3D = 5-5 min 3N = to play 2N = invite, denies 5+S 2H = nat 11-15 2S = invit+, 5+S 2N = invit+, <5 S 3H = invit 2S = simple raise 2N = 6H-4other, 8+ tricks 3C = relay 3D = 6H-4D (4D sets suit) 3H = 6H-4C 3S = 6H-4S (4H suggests playing) 3C = 5-5, 8+ tricks, concentrated, need not have power (3D asks hi/lo sing) 3D = 5-5, 8+ tricks, concentrated 3H = long nice hearts, 12-15 but lots of tricks 3S = 13-15 unbal 4-crd raise 4C = strong S splinter 1N = semi-forcing 2C = nat minimum, or many strong hands (Gazilli) 2D = relay, 7+ HCP 2H = H-C 11-15 2N = 16-17 bal 3H = 16+ nat. 2H = v. weak, NF 2N = 1 long weak minor 2D = nat, 11-15 (2S = art. invit+) 2H = 11-15, 6+H (2N/3H invit.) 2N = good playing strength, 6H-4other (3C asks) 3C = 5-5 GF 4H = to play 2C = art, invit bal, or 6+C limit or 9-11 with 2-3H, or any GF 2D = denies exactly 4S, 11-15 2H = 9-11(-), 2-3H, NF (2S asks) 2S = GF relay 2N = 1-suiter or 5-5 3C = relay 3D = 1-suiter (3H asks length: 3S = 6, 3N = 5332) 3H = 5-5 with C 3S = 5-5 with D 4y = cue with good 6H 3S = cue for H 3C = 5H-4C, maybe 4D too 3D = GAR 3H = GAR agreeing one of the suits 3D = 5H-4D unbal (3H asks hi/lo sing) 3H = 6H-4+C (4C cue for H) 3S = 6H-4+D 3N = 5H-4D-2-2 2N = invit, 0-1H 3H = limit, 3H-4S 2H = exactly 4S, any strength 2S = GAR (2N = 11-15, 3C 5440, 3D 6-4 max, 3H+ 5-4 n/h/l short max) 2N = invit 3H = 9-10 HCP, limit 3S = 9-10 HCP, limit 2S = 16+, some 4-crd minor 2N = asks which 3C = 5H-4C, 3D = 5H-4D unbal, 3H = 6H-4C, 3S = 6H-4D, 3N = 5H-4D-2-2 2N = ?? 3C+= ?? 2D = nat 2H = denies 4S, 11-15 2S = slammish relay 2N = 1-suiter or 5-5 (3C asks: 3D 1-suiter [3H 5 or 6?]) 3m = 5H-4m 3M = 6H-4m 2N = relay, no slam 3C = 5H-4C (3S cue for C) 3H = 5H-5C 2S = 5H-4S, any strength 2N = range? (3C minimum, 3D relays GAR) 2N = 16+, natural 3C = 16+, natural ?? 2H = simple raise, 5-8 HCP 2S = normal relay 2N = stiff S, or slam-try with side 4-crd suit 3C = asks 3S = slam-try, 4S 2S = any limit or slam splinter 2N = GF, 6+S or 5S-5minor, concentrated 3C = asks which 3D = 5S-5D (3N to play, 4D RKC for D) 3H = 5S-5C 3S = semisolid S 1-suiter 4y = great spades, slammish cue 3H = misfit, 6+ good hearts 3C = GF, 6+C or 5-5 minors, concentrated 3D = asks 3H = 5D-5C (3S = sets C, else for D) 3S = 5D-5C, spade feature 3N = just clubs, no slam 4C+ = slammish, great club suit, cue 3D = GF, 6+D concentrated 3H = asks quality (3S semi-solid, else solid) 3H = semibal/bal 3-crd limit raise 3S/4m = game splinter 1S Opening: Responses 1N = semi-forcing, less than invite 2C = natural or various 16(+)+ hands (Gazilli) 2D = 7+ HCP relay 2H = 5S-4+H, 16+ (2S = naturalish GF, 3m = nat GF) 2S = 5S-4+C, 11-15 (3m = to play) 2N = 16-17 bal, NF 3y = nat, 16+ 2H = 5+H, weak (3H = invite, 3m = nat GF) 2S = 1-2S, weak, <5 H (2N = 18-19 bal, 3m = GF nat, 3S = strong invite) 2N = ? 3m = weak, nat 2D = 5S-4+D, 11-15 (2M = to play) 2M = nat, 11-15 2N = 6S-4other, strong (3C asks) 3m = 5-5 GF 3S = 12-15, but long good suit and playing strength 2C = relay, either 9-11 blob, or limit C 1-suiter, or nat/bal GF 2D = 11-15, denies exactly 4H 2H = GF relay 2S = either 4-crd minor 2N = relay 3C = 5S-4C (GAR) 3D = 5S-4D unbal (GAR) 3H = 6S-4C (3S sets clubs, else cue for S) 3S = 6S-4D (4D sets D, else cue for S) 3N = 5S-4D-2-2 3C = 6+C GF (not semisol suit) 2N = 1-suiter 3C = club-ask 3D = no C fit 3H = 5332 with C fit else = 6S-3C 3D = relay for stoppers or 6S 3H = 5S, something about heart stopper 3S = 6S 3H/4C = cue for S 3m = 5-5 (relay asks h/l shortness) 3H = 5-5 (3S sets H, else cue for S) 2S = 9-11, 2-3S, NF (2N GF, 3S invite, else GF) 2N = 9-11, 0-1S 3C = 6+C, limit 2H = exactly 4H, any strength 2S = GF relay 2N = 11-15 (GAR) 3C = 16+, any void (3D asks range: 3H min [3S asks hi/lo void]) 3D = 16+, 6-4 3H/S/N = 16+, 5-4 n/h/lo short 3H = 9-11, limit 3S = 9-11, 3-4 crd raise 2S = 16+, either 4-crd minor (see above after 1S-2C-2S-2S) 2N = 16+, 1-suiter 3C = club-ask 3D = no club fit 3N = no club fit, no D stop 3D = relay without club interest (3H = 5332, 3S = 6S) 3S = 9-11 2-3S 4C+ = cue for S 3C = 16+, 5S-5C 3D = 16+, 5S-5D (3H = GAR, 3S = GAR setting S [3N = hi, 4C+ = lo short cue]) 3H = 16+, 5S-5H 3S = 15-16, good 6+ suit 2D = nat, F 2H = 11-15, denies exactly 4H 2S = slammish relay 2N = 1-suiter or 5-5 3C = relay (3D = 1-suiter, 3H = 5S-5C, 3S = 5S-5D) 3C = 5S-4C (GAR) 3D = 5S-4D unbal (GAR) 3H/S = 6S-4C/D 3N = 5S-4D-2-2 2N = non-slam relay 3C = 1-suiter or 5-5 3D = D fit 3H = 6S-4C 3S/N = likely 5S-4C 3D = nat limit 2S = exactly 4H, any strength (2N asks: 3C = min, GAR...) 2N = 16+, 1-suiter or 5-5 (see above 1S-2D-2H-2S-2N) 3C..3N = 16+ GAR shapes as above 4C+ = cue for D, slammish 2H = nat, F1, may be invitational with just 5H 2S = 11-13, no good H fit, NF 2N = GF relay 3C = 1-suiter or 5-5 3D...3N = ?? 3m = 5-4+ nat, invite 3H = nat, invite 2N = 14+ (GF), 1-suiter, 5-5, or H raise 3C = relay 3D = 1-suiter (3S = doub S, asks if 5 or 6 length) 3H = H raise 3S/N = 5-5 C/D 3D = 5-4 GF, nat 3H = minimum, 6+ suit 3C = 14+ (GF), 4C (GAR) 3D = 14+ (GF), 4D 3H = 11-13 H raise, NF 3S = good 6+S and H support (cues for H) 4C+ = strong, cue for H 2S = simple raise, 5-8 2N = any limit or slam splinter (3C asks limit h/m/l slam h/m/l in steps, 3D accepts game so only cue splinter if slammish) 3C = GF conc. C 1-suiter or 5H-5C or 5D-5C (3D asks: 3H = 5H-5C, 3S = 5D-5C, 3N = semisolid C no slam) 3D = GF conc. D 1-suiter or 5H-4D (3H asks: 3S = 5H-5D, 3N = semisolid D no slam) 3H = GF conc. H 1-suiter 3S = (9)10-11 3-4S limit raise 3N/4C/4D = game splinter H/C/D 4H = preemptive nat? 1NT Opening Responses: 2C = Stayman 2D = no major 2H = garbage for majors 2S = range/shape relay 2N = minimum (3C = relay for shapes, 3H = 4S-5H no slam, 3S = 5S, slammish) 3C+ = some max'es 2N = invite 3C = transfer to D (after 3D, can pass, or else 3H = 6+D GF, stiff C) 3D = artif, GF, 0-1 in one major, 3+ crds in other (3H asks hi/lo short) 3M = Smolen 4C = 6H-4S, no slam 4D = 6S-4H, no slam? 2H = 4H, maybe 4S 2S = range/shape ask, including invit. bal 2N = minimum, denies 3S 3C = asks for minor (3D = 4D, 3H = 4C) 3D = to play, canape 4y = cue for H 3C = max, with a side 4-crd suit (3D asks which) 3N = max, no side suit 3C = any sing. minor (3D asks hi/lo short) 3H = invit. 4C+ = cue for H 2S = 4S, denies 4H 3C = transfer to D, to play, or 6+D GF with side singleton (h/m/l) 3D = asks for 4-crd minor (3H = C, 3S = D, 3N = neither) 3S = invit. 2D = transfer to H, might not have H with special hands 2H = forced (no superaccept available) Pass = weak, H 2S = forces 2N for special hands 2N = forced 3C = some 5M-4C, forced 3D (3D: 3M = 5M) 3D = some 5M-4D 3N = 5H, sing. S 3m = 4H-5m invite 4H = quant, 6H 2H = transfer to S, might not have S with special hands 2S = forced 3m = 4S-5m invite 2S = forces 2N for special hands 2N = forced 3C = any 4M-5m slammish (3D asks major [3S = S]) 3M = 5M-5C invite 4C = 5D-5C slammish 4D = 6+D slammish 2N = transfer to 3C 3C = forced Pass = weak 3D = sing. M, 0-3 other M (3H asks which M sing) 3M = 5M-5D invite 3N = stiff D, 6C, no slam 4S = 5S-5C game only (no slam) 3m = nat invite 3M = ?? 4m = 2-under Texas 2C Opening: Responses: 2D = no 5-crd major 2H = Kokish: hearts or 20-22(-) bal. 2S = forced 2N = 20-22 bal 3C = slam-stayman 3D = at least 1 major 3H = which? (3S = S, 3N = H, cue = both) 4C = natural 4D = no major, 5D 3D = game-stayman (bid naturally) 3H = heart-minor canape (3S asks which minor, 4C = C) 3S = spade-minor canape 3C = 5H-4other 3D = heart 1-suiter 3M = 6H-4other? 2S = natural 2N = relay 3D = single-suiter (3H asks length, 3S = Hx/Hxx, 4m = xxx spades, cue) 3C = S fit (3H = side C suit) 3D = natural, positive 2N = 22(+)-24 3C = slam stayman 4m = 5m 3D = non-slam stayman (natural) 3H = H-m slammish canape (3S asks which minor: 3N = D) 3S = S-m slammish canape (3N asks which minor: 4C = C) 3C = diamonds, 1-2 suited 3D = negative 3D = diamonds (?) 3H = H-m canape 2H = 5+H, any strength 2S = natural 2N = forcing, bal or H fit 3C = negative 3D = 1-suiter, positive 3S = relay 4C = 6H, cues 3H = 5H-4C positive 3S = 5H-4D positive 3m = natural 2S = 5+S any strength 2N = bal or just asking 3C = negative with 2nd suit (3H = cue for S) 3D = 1-suiter, any strength (3H asks: 3S/N = nat minimum, higher = max 3H = 4+C, positive 3S = 4+D, positive 3N = 4+H, positive 3D = natural 3S = bal raise 2N = positive, clubs - 1-suiter or 5C-5other 3C = positive, diamonds - 1-suiter or 5D-5M (3D asks: 3H = reds [3S sets D], 3S 5S-5D, 3N = D, 4C = 6D-4C) 3D = positive, 5-5 Majors (3S = sets S, asks range) 3H = semisolid+ 6+S 2D Opening: Responses: 2H = waiting 2S = S, may have another suit 2N = no S fit 3C = 5S-5C GF (3D sets C) 3D = 5S-5D GF 3H = 5S-5H GF (3S sets H) 3S = 9 tricks in S 1-suiter, NF 3C = S fit (nat cont's) 4C = nat, strong 1-suiter 4S = bare minimum 2N = 25+ NT (3C stayman) 3C = 5H-5C GF (3D = no H fit,3H sets H) 2H Opening: Responses: 2S/3m = nat, forc 2N = asking 2S Opening: Responses: 2N = asking 3C = hearts 3D = nat, forc 3H = clubs 2N Opening: Responses: ym = to play 3H = relay 4M = to play 3y Openings: 3C-3D = asks for 3-crd major Contested Auctions: Doubles: Inverted doubles - when our side has announced the majority of the strength like with a cards-showing double, further doubles by both sides show ideally Hx or any 3 cards. Pass instead shows shortness or xx or 4+ cards. Partner should figure it out! Card-showing doubles - opener's double at his first rebid opportunity after partner has responded with a non-pass shows any 16+ hand without a primary fit. The inference is that if the card-showing double is not used, then the bid is purely competitive. If RHO has not bid, but rather LHO, then opener's strong hands cue-bid LHO's suit to show cards. Support doubles - there is no support "double", but 1y-(any)-1z-(any) and 1N by opener as a free-bid is the 3-crd raise, with or without a stopper. Double instead would be a card-showing double. Same thing when advancing a 1-level overcall or responding to a 3/4 seat 1M opener in competition. Raises in competition: 2N (not the cue-bid) is the limit+ raise in competition, whether to an opener or overcall. Also, opener's 2N rebid in competition is the limit+ raise of responder's suit (do not go through a card-showing double here). Thus simple raises are all competitive/preemptive. 1M-(bid)-3N is a GF raise while 2N is limit or slam. Vs. Weak NT: X = equal or better Double by advancer announces "cards", then inverted doubles, while bids are weak. Overcalls: 1-level overcalls can be 4-crds more often than standard, and can always be lighter than standard if the suit is decent. Jump-overcalls are intermediate if not special 2-suiters. (1C)- 2C = natural, constructive (2D is the "no-fit cue" while 2N is the "invit+ raise") 2D = 5-5 majors, constructive or better (2N asks) 2M = intermediate, 12-16, good 6-crd suit (maybe less at fav) (2N = force) 2N = 5-5 H-D, constructive 3D = 5-5 S-D, constructive (1D)- as above but 2N = 5-5 H-C constructive 3C = 5-5 S-C constructive (1H)- 2H = 5-5 S-C 2N = 5-5 S-D 3C = 5-5 C-D (3H = relay) (1S)- 2S = 5-5 H-C 2N = 5-5 H-D (3C = invit+ relay) 3C = 5-5 C-D Vs. weak twos - (2H) X = takeout with 4S (2N = general invit+ hand, else = to play) 2N = bal 15+ or takeout with less than 4S 3m = natural (2S) X = takeout with 4H (2N = invit+ advance) 3C = hearts, weak or average 3D = D 3H = hearts, invitational Free-bids: 1D-(1H) X = denies spades 1S = 4+ spades 2C = NF 2H = 5-5 S-C GF 2S = ? 2N = exactly 5S, GF 3C = nat 6+ GF 1D-(1S) 2C/H = NF 2S = 5-5 H-C GF 2N = exactly 5H, GF 3C/H = GF, 6+ suit 1H-(2C) X = might not have spades 2D/S = NF 2N = limit or slam raise 3C = 5S-5C GF 3D/S = 6+ suit GF 3N = game raise Uncontested Auctions: Cue-bidding: Most important is to set the suit (implicitly or explicitly). In a relay auction, sometimes in GAR responder can set a suit explicitly with a super-relay (not step 1 but step 2). But if not, then the first non-relay step sets the minor, while running on to cues sets the major (e.g. opener shows 5-5 S-C with a 3H bid, now 3S sets C and cues are for S). This makes sense since there is less room for the major below game. If shape has been shown with 3S or 3N, then bidding the minor sets the minor and the cue is for the major (e.g. 3S shows S-D, now 4D sets D and cue is for S). Mixed cue-bidding in general. Some rules about 1st round control if cueing below game, but not sure about those. NT in a cue-bidding sequence (if not RKC) shows a cue in the last-cued suit (e.g. hearts trump: ...4C-4D-4N = diamond cue no S cue). Rebidding a cue confirms 1st round control, not necessarily 2 honors. GAR: Since 1y-2C results in some symmetrical shape-showing, the rules for those shapes are known as GAR. It is modified from other writeups since 1M-2C in this system might contain a constructive blob; 1M-2C-2D-2M must be a signoff attempt and not a relay. Here are the most common trees. when relay is 2H, range is known: 2S = 4-crd minor 2N = asks 3C = 5M-4C (maybe 4D too) 3D asks (n/h/lo sing.) 3H = same ask but sets M 3D = 5M-4D unbal (3H asks h/l sing) 3H = 6M-4C (3S sets C, else cue for M) 3S = 6M-4D (4D sets D, else cue for M) 3N = 5M-4D-2-2 2N = 1-suited (relays tend to ask for stoppers and M length) 3C = 5M-5C (3D asks h/l short) 3D = 5M-5D (3H asks h/l short) 3H = 5M-5H (3S sets H, else cue for S) when relay is 2S, and range is known (1H-2C-2D-2S): 2N = 1-suiter or 5-5 with minor 3C = asks: 3D = 1-suiter (3H asks major length: 3S = 6, 3N = 5) 3H = 5-5 with M-C 3S = 5-5 with M-D 4y = cue with great long M 3C = 5M-4C (maybe 4D too) 3D = asks (n/h/l sing.) 3H = asks, setting M (n/h/l sing.) 3D = 5M-4D unbal (3H asks hi/lo sing.) 3H = 6M-4C (4C cue for M) 3S = 6M-4D 3N = 5M-4D-2-2 when relay is 2S, after showing 5M-4oM, range is not known: 2N = 11-15, most shapes 3C = asks 3D = shapes below 3C = any strength, 5M-4oM-(0-4) 3D = asks 3H = miniumum (3S asks hi/lo void) 3S/N = max, hi/lo void 3D = 16+, 6M-4oM 3H/S/N = 16+, 5M-4oM n/h/l singleton After 1M-2M: 1H-2H- 2S = asks 2N = bal, or minimum D shortness (xx or less), or any S shortness 3C = accepts any shortness (3D = bal min, 3H = bal max) 3H = accepts only S shortness 3C = short C, min or max (3D asks min/max) 3D = max, short D 4H = max, nothing to cue 2N = sing. S, or slam try with spade suit (3C asks: 3S = 4S slam try) 1S-2S- 2N = asks 3C = bal, or minimum with short C or H 3D = relay for H shortage or balanced 3H = max bal 3S = accepts C shortness only 3D = short D, min or max (3H asks min/max) 3H = max, short H 3S = max, short C After 1y-1M-2M: 1m-1H-2H- 2S = asks 2N = some short side suit 3C = 3crd raise, minimum 3D = 3crd raise, maximum 3H = 4-crd bal, minimum 3S = 4-crd bal, maximum 1m-1S-2S- 2N = asks (same steps as above) Checkback Stayman: After 1x-1y-1z, 2C is normal checkback, while 2N unlocks other types. This 2N is called elsewhere "2N Transfer", or "2N xfer". 1x-1y-1z- 2C = invit+ checkback, not a special jump invite 2D = 3-crd supp for y, any strength 2y/3x = NF opposite minimum 2H (if y != H) = asks min/max 2H = 0-2crds in y, minimum 2S = slam relay (even if y = S) 2N/3x = invit. 3y = forcing, 6+ crds 2S = 0-2 crds in y, unbalanced maximum (2N = GF waiting for natural continuations) 2N = max bal, 2-crd supp., but NF 3-lev = 16+ (if possible) 2y = to play 2N = 2Nxfer, forces 3C 3C = forced Pass = to play, long clubs 3new lower suit = 5-5 GF 3y = 5y-5C GF 3z = any slammish splinter raise of z 3N = long good y, no slam 4y = slammish auto-cue for solid 6+ y 3lower suit = 5-5 invite 3y/z = invite 4any = game splinter for z vs. 1y-(X): XX = exactly 9-11 (no fit) Pass = weak, or any 12+ (later card-showing double) Balancing: vs. 1C/D/H, 1-step is Herbert, any medium takeout, like 13-15, while X shows 8-12 takeout or any 16+.