CONTENTS

l Introduction 1

2 Directives 2

2.1 Convention Cards and Disclosure of Systems 2

2.2 Definitions 3

2.3 Alerting 4

2.3.1 Card Play 4

2.3.2 Calls 4

2.3.3 Cue Bids 4

2.3.4 Pass, Double and Redouble 5

2.3.5 Unexpectedly Weak Bids 6

2.3.6 Unexpectedly Strong Bids 6

2.3.7 Special Understandings 7

2.4 Use of Bidding Boxes 8

3 Permitted Conventions in Bidding or Play 9

3.1 Aims 9

3.2 Partnership Agreements and Psychic Bids 9

3.3 Licensing Levels 10

4 Permitted Agreements at Level 1 11

5 Permitted Agreements at Level 2 13

6 Permitted Agreements at Level 3 14

6.1 General Rules 14

6.2 Opening Bids 15

6.3 First Overcall 16

6.4 Doubles and Redoubles 18

6.5 Leads, Signals and Discards 18

7 Permitted Agreements at Level 4 19

8 Permitted Agreements at Level 5 19

9 Application for Licence 19

1 INTRODUCTION

§1 This handbook supersedes sections 5 and 7 to 13 of the Scottish Bridge Union Rulebook for Competitions published in 1994.

§2 All information about competitions and the rules governing the running of competitions will be published separately. This handbook defines the rules for convention cards, alerting, the use of bidding boxes and permitted agreements and conventions in bidding and play.

§3 There are major changes in the rules for alerting. All conventional bids are alerted, while natural bids are alerted only if they are (a) unexpectedly weak or (b) forcing raises of an opening One of a Suit. Doubles of a natural suit bid at the one, two or three levels before the bidding has reached partner, or after he has done no more than pass without indicating values, is defined as “take-out”. All other doubles are defined as “penalty” – including an expectation that a double of a conventional suit bid will show the named suit held. Any deviation from these practices requires an alert. (Amended May 2002)

§4 The World Bridge Federation (WBF) rules for the use of bidding boxes have been adopted.

§5 The permitted agreements and conventions in bidding and play are broadly similar to “Rulebook for Competitions”, published in 1994. The Licensing Levels have been renamed. Levels 1 and 2 correspond to the old Simple Systems and Next Step Systems. Levels 3, 4 and 5 correspond to the old General, Restricted and Experimental Licences.

§6 Level 3 contains three changes that are intended to simplify the rules. First, opening bids of l§ and 1¨ may have any meaning(s), provided that they all satisfy the Rule of 18 (see Section 2.2 §5). Second, players may use any methods for responding to opening bids. Third, players may use any defence to conventional opening bids.

2 DIRECTIVES

2.1 CONVENTION CARDS AND DISCLOSURE OF SYSTEMS

§1 Both members of a pair must play the same system.

§2 At the start of each round, you should exchange convention cards with your opponents and inform them of

• Your basic system

Examples: Acol, strong club, five-card majors with forcing no-trump

• Any unusual aspects of your system.

List these items in a clearly identified area of the convention card. Examples: canape (bidding a shorter suit before a longer one), strong two over-one responses, artificial opening bids such as the multi-2¨, weak jump shifts, weak jump overcalls.

§3 If you fail to provide two fully completed convention cards, then

• If the opponents have been damaged by your failure

The Director will award an adjusted score and impose a Procedural Penalty.

• The Director will instruct you to play the basic Level 1 System. You must continue to play this system until you have fully completed your convention cards. You will not be allowed any additional time to do so; you will only be able to use time available between rounds.

§4 When the opponents ask for an explanation of the auction, they are entitled to a full explanation of all bids, including any special understandings and negative inferences, whether the bids are natural or conventional.

§5 Similarly, the opponents are entitled to a full explanation of defensive card play. In particular, it is unacceptable for a regular partnership to claim that they play random cards. All partnerships develop implicit understandings of which cards are played in different circumstances; such understandings must be formalised and disclosed to the opponents.

§6 Directors and Appeals Committees will give the benefit of any doubt to your opponents if your card contains inaccuracies or discrepancies, if it lacks relevant information or if you have failed to disclose explicit or implicit agreements. Such shortcomings will prejudice any claim that it was the call or play rather than the explanation that was wrong (Law 40C).

2.2 DEFINITIONS

§1 A convention is defined in the Laws (Chapter 1 Definitions) as follows

"1. A call that, by partnership agreement, conveys a meaning other than

willingness to play in the denomination named (or the last denomination

named), or high-card strength or length (three cards or more) there. However, an agreement as to overall strength does not make a call a convention.

2. Defender's play that serves to convey a meaning by agreement rather than inference."

§2 A call is natural if it is any of the following

• A no-trump bid that shows nothing other than a willingness to play in no-trump

• A suit bid that shows nothing other than

willingness to play in the suit or

high card strength in the suit or

at least three cards in the suit

• A double (or redouble) that shows nothing other than a willingness to defend (or play in) play in the doubled (or redoubled) contract

• A pass that shows nothing other than willingness to play in the last-named contract.

§3 A lead-directing double, including a Lightner double of a game or slam contract asking partner to make an unusual lead, is classed as a penalty double since there is no suggestion that partner should bid. It is treated as natural unless you have a specific agreement that makes it conventional. For example, an agreement that the double in the auction (1NT) - (3NT) Dbl. asks partner to lead a heart is conventional.

§4 A double may show specific cards or holdings. For example, if the opponents interfere over a Blackwood inquiry for Aces, you may agree that a double shows 1 or 3 Aces. Such a double is treated as optional (partner may pass or bid depending on his hand) and is therefore a convention.

§5 The normal standard for an opening bid of One of a Suit is the Rule of 18 “the high-card points plus the lengths of the longest two suits is at least 18".

So ª6 ©AJ1075 ¨K9872 §84 is an acceptable opening bid (8+5+5 = 18),

but ª7 ©KQJ652 ¨Q83 §985 is substandard (8+6+3 = 17).

2.3 ALERTING

2.3.1 Card Play

§1 Do not alert any conventions in the play of the cards.

2.3.2 Calls

§1 A call should be alerted if and only if

• It is a convention or

• It is natural but unexpectedly weak or

• It is a direct raise of an opening One of a Suit that is forcing.

(See section 2.2 for definitions of convention and natural.)

§2 Examples of natural bids that should not be alerted

• An opening 1§ or 1¨ that promises at least three cards in the suit bid

• An opening One of a Suit that promises at least five cards in the suit bid

• 1NT-2¨ (transfer)-2© where 2© is just a completion of the 2¨ transfer

• 1ª-2ª-3§ where 3§ is a game try that promises 3+ clubs

• 1© -2NT where 2NT shows 16+ HCP balanced

§3 Examples of conventional bids that should be alerted

• 1NT-2§ where 2§ is Stayman, asking for a 4-card major

• …4§ or … 4NT where 4§/4NT is Gerber/Blackwood, asking for Aces

• An opening 1§ or 1¨ that may be as few as two cards

• 1ª - 1NT where 1NT is forcing (perhaps with 3-card support or a long suit)

• 1ª-2ª-3§ where 3§ is a game try that does not promise length (3+cards) or strength (high card) in clubs

• (1©) - 2NT where 2NT is unusual, showing at least 5-5 in the minors

2.3.3 Cue-bids

§1 When looking for a slam, players often cue-bid to show first (or second) round control of a side suit. All such cue-bids should be alerted.

§2 Examples of cue-bids that should be alerted

• 1©-3©-4§ where 4§ shows a control in clubs

• 1©-2©-4¨ where 4¨ shows short Diamonds (a splinter bid)

• 2NT-3ª-4§ where 4§ agrees spades and shows the Ace of Clubs.

2.3.4 Pass, Double and Redouble

§1 The definition of a convention applies to all calls, including Pass, Double and Redouble. These calls are conventional if they suggest anything other than

defending (or playing in) the last denomination named (see section 2.2).

§2 A double if it is a takeout double of a natural suit bid at the one, two or three levels before the bidding has reached partner, or after he has done no more than pass without indicating values”. This is considered” natural” and should not be alerted. All other doubles are defined as “penalty” – including an expectation that a double of a conventional suit bid will show the named suit held and should not be alerted . Any deviation from these practices requires an alert. (Amended May 2002 to cancel change of Sept 1999))

§3 A double is an optional double if it is somewhere between a penalty double and a takeout double - partner is expected to pass if suitable for defence and to bid otherwise. An optional double should be alerted.

§4 Confusion often arises when a player doubles a conventional suit bid. A double of a conventional bid is natural, and should not be alerted, if it is a penalty double. In most cases, a penalty double of a conventional suit bid shows length or strength in the suit but it may be just lead directing.

§5 A redouble of any bid, whether natural or conventional, is natural if it shows nothing other than a willingness to play there.

§6 A pass is conventional only if it suggests that partner should do something other than pass. In particular, a forcing pass, where partner is expected to bid or double, is conventional and should be alerted.

§7 There is a common situation that arises when playing negative doubles. Suppose the auction starts

South West North East

1© 2¨ Pass Pass

Dbl Pass Pass

North's first Pass is either weak or a penalty double of diamonds (a double would be takeout). It is not alerted (unless it is forcing) since it does not promise any values. South's reopening double is for takeout and is alerted. North's second Pass is natural, converting South's takeout double to a penalty double; it is not alerted.

§8 Examples of natural doubles, redoubles and passes that should not be alerted

• (1NT) Dbl. shows a good hand (15+ HCP, maybe less with a good suit)

• (3ª) Dbl. for penalties

• (1NT) P (2¨ transfer) Dbl. shows diamonds

• ... (4NT Aces?) P (5©) Dbl. asks for a heart lead (possibly with a void)

• 1NT (P) 2¨ transfer (Dbl.) Redbl. suggests playing 2¨ redoubled

• (3§) Dbl. (P) P the Pass converts an (alerted) optional double to penalties

• (1©) Dbl. takeout (no longer alertable)

• (2©) Dbl. takeout

§9 Examples of conventional doubles, redoubles and passes that should be alerted

• (1©) Dbl. takeout (but failure to alert is unlikely to be penalised)

• (2©) Dbl. takeout

• (3©) Dbl. optional

• 1¨ (1ª) Dbl. takeout (often described as negative or Sputnik)

• 1ª (2©) 2ª (3©) Dbl. a game try in spades

• 2© P 4© (4ª) P if the Pass is forcing

• 1NT (Dbl.) ReDbl. if redouble is (or may be) the start of a rescue manoeuvre

2.3.5 Unexpectedly Weak Bids

§1 A natural bid should be alerted if it is unexpectedly weak. This includes a weak two opening bid, weak jump raises, weak jump shifts and weak jump overcalls. It does not include bids that are strong but not forcing.

§2 Examples of weak bids that should be alerted

• 1§ - 3§ where 3§ is a normal raise to 2§ (e.g. inverted minor raises)

• 1© - 3© where 3© is a normal raise to 2© (e.g. Bergen raises)

• 1¨ - 2ª where 2ª is a weak jump shift (a good 6-card suit and little else)

• (1§) 2ª where 2ª is a weak jump overcall (may be less than an opening bid)

• (1§) 1© (P) 3© where 3© is weak (e.g. stronger hands bid 2§)

§3 Examples of bids that should not be alerted

• An opening 2ª where 2ª is natural and strong but responder may pass

• 1§-1NT-3¨ where 3¨ shows a good hand but is not forcing

2.3.6 Unexpectedly Strong Bids

§1 A bid that is unexpectedly strong should be alerted only if it is a forcing raise of an opening One of a Suit. For example, you should alert

• 1¨-2¨ where 2¨ is forcing (eg. inverted minor raise)

but you should not alert

• 1© - 2¨ where 2¨ is forcing to game

2.3.7 Special Understandings

§1 Many players are alerting natural bids for which they have any special agreement. Such bids should be alerted only if the special agreement is so unusual that the bid becomes a convention. Do not alert any of the following

• A "wide-range" natural bid, e.g. 1©-1ª-1NT showing 12-16 HCP

• A 5-card major opening bid

• A canape opening bid or rebid (bidding a shorter suit before a longer one)

• An opening 1NT that denies a 4-card major or may contain 5major332 or some 5422/6322 shapes

• An overcall that may be a 4-card suit or guarantees a 6-card suit

• An opening bid of 4ª that denies certain features (perhaps an opening bid of 4¨ shows a better hand).

§2 On the other hand, some agreements do make a bid conventional, for example

• 1ª-3ª where 3ª shows 4+ spades but promises 5+clubs as well.

§3 You must inform your opponents of any unusual aspects of your system at the start of each round.

2.4 USE OF BIDDING BOXES

§1 The SBU has adopted the following procedures, as recommended by the WBF.

§2 Starting with the dealer, players place their calls on the table in front of them, from the left and neatly overlapping, so that all calls are visible and faced towards partner. Players should refrain from touching any cards in the box until they have determined their call. A call is considered to have been made when the call is removed from the bidding box with apparent intent (but the Director may apply Law 25). Note that some left-handed bidding boxes are available where the calls are placed in a row from right to left.

§3 Alerts should be made by use of the Alert card. It is the responsibility of the alerting player to ensure that both his opponents are aware of the Alert.

§4 Before making a jump bid (i.e. a bid at a higher level than the minimum required) a player must place the Stop card in front of him, then place his call as usual, and eventually remove the Stop card. His LHO (left-hand opponent) should not call until the Stop card has been removed. The Stop card should be left on the table for about ten seconds, to give the next player time to reflect. It should not be removed prematurely.

§5 After a jump bid, the next player must pause for about ten seconds before calling. It is an offence either not to pause or to show indifference when pausing. If the Stop card has been removed prematurely or has not been used an opponent should pause as though the Stop card had been used correctly.

§6 At the end of the auction the calls should remain in place until the opening lead has been faced and all explanations have been obtained, after which they should be returned to their boxes.

§7 Calls made using cards are treated under the Laws in the same way as spoken calls. Law 25A defines when a call may be changed without penalty.

§8 The Stop and Alert cards should remain in the bidding box when they are not in use. Do not remove them from the box and put them face down on the table.

3 PERMITTED CONVENTIONS IN BIDDING AND PLAY

3.1 AIMS

§1 The main aims of the regulations are

• To allow the development of constructive bidding methods

• To restrict the use of methods that are purely destructive or designed with the primary intention of preventing simple counter-measures

• To keep the licensing rules as simple as possible

§2 The SBU reserves the right to prohibit any methods that, in its view, violate these general principles, even if such methods comply with the letter of the regulations.

3.2 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS AND PSYCHIC BIDS

§1 The licensing regulations define the permitted meanings for calls or plays that a partnership may agree to use. For example, partners may agree that an opening 1ª shows 11+ HCP with 5+spades or an opening 1NT shows 12-14 HCP with a balanced hand.

§2 Such agreements in no way remove the right of any player to make a "psychic bid" (see Law 40A), such as opening 1ª with 5 HCP and a doubleton spade, 1NT with a void or even a game-forcing 2§ with a balanced 5 HCP, provided that the bid is as much of a surprise to partner as it is to the opponents.

§3 Regular use of a certain type of psyche creates an implicit agreement. Suppose that you agree to play five card majors but you (or your partner) quite often open a four card major in third position. After the first few occasions, you will know that a third-position opening may be only four cards and an implicit agreement has been created. It is important that the opponents are informed of this agreement and the simplest way is to make the agreement explicit by changing the convention card to say "5-card majors except in third position".

§4 Some situations are more difficult. Suppose you agree to play a 12-14 no-trump and subsequently discover that your partner often opens 1 NT with a 4441 shape in the 12-14 range. Again an implicit agreement has been created but this time you may not make the agreement explicit since the licensing regulations require a 12-14 NT to be a balanced hand. It follows that a partnership may not open 1NT with a 4441 shape except on a very infrequent basis.

§5 You must also be careful not to assume that your partner, rather than one of the opponents, has psyched unless there is clear evidence from the bidding (or play). Consider the following auction

South West North East

P P 1 ª 1NT (16-18)

You are South and you hold ªK63 ©J1094 ¨ AQ93 §J6. At this stage, there is no real evidence that anyone has psyched - if East has a minimum, there is room for partner to have 13 HCP. So it is not acceptable at this stage to make a call such as Pass or 2ª that may protect you from a bad score if partner has psyched. Such a bid is deemed to be fielding the psyche - the Director will not only award an adjusted score but also impose a fine. Assuming that partner has an opening bid, your side clearly has the balance of high cards and the only acceptable call is a Double. The auction continues

South West North East

P P 1ª 1NT

Dbl. Redbl. 2ª P

P 3NT P P

Now it is clear that someone does not have his bid. Clearly it is not West. It could still be East but the evidence points strongly to North, who retreated to 2ª rather than passing West's redouble. Now it is quite acceptable to pass rather than double or bid 4ª Partner knows you have a good hand and can double 3NT if he wants to.

3.3 LICENSING LEVELS

§1 There are different levels of regulation for different competitions. The organisers of an event are responsible for defining the Licensing Level for that event. They may also, if they wish, allow additional named conventions to be played. Both the Licensing Level and any additional conventions should be defined in advance.

§2 General guidelines for the use of the Licensing Levels are as follows:-

Level 1 and Level 2 are intended for use in simple system and individual events. Level 3 is used for most pair or team events at club, district or national level when each round consists of fewer than seven boards.

Level 4 is used for most pair or team events at club, district or national level when each round consists of at least seven boards. It is also allowed in the finals of some national events with fewer boards per round (as defined in the competition brochure).

Level 5 is allowed only in high-level events such as the Scottish Cup Final and some events played under BBL regulations - the last three rounds of the Gold Cup and International Matches and Trials. In all cases the opponents must be given a minimum of four weeks notice of any methods in this category, together with a recommended defence. .

§3 The Licensing Levels specify the conventions that are allowed. The only restrictions on natural bids (for definition see section 2.2) are:-

• An opening 1NT contains at least 9 HCP

• An opening One of a Suit satisfies the Rule of 18 (see Section 2.2 §5)

4 PERMITTED AGREEMENTS AT LEVEL 1

§1 §2 to §14 define the basic system. §15 defines permitted variations.

§2 An opening One of a Suit shows a 4+card suit and 12+ HCP, perhaps less if the suit is good. In response, direct suit raises and no-trump bids are limit bids.

§3 An opening 1NT shows 12-14 HCP balanced, usually 4333, 4432 or 5332 shape. A 2§ response is Stayman, asking opener for a 4-card major. 2¨, 2© and 2ª responses are weak. No-trump raises are limit bids.

§4 An opening 2§ is artificial and very strong, it is forcing to game unless opener rebids 2NT, showing a balanced 23-24 HCP. A 2¨ response is a negative or waiting bid.

§5 An opening 2¨, 2© and 2ª shows 8+ playing tricks and a 5+card suit. A response of 2NT is a negative or waiting bid. All other responses are forcing to game.

§6 An opening 2NT shows 20-22 HCP and a balanced hand. A response of 3§ is Stayman. Responses of 3¨, 3© and 3ª show 5+card suits and are forcing to game.

§7 Opening bids of Three of a Suit are pre-emptive showing a goodish 7-card suit and not much else. Opening bids of Four of a Suit show an 8-card suit or a very good 7-card suit.

§8 If an opponent opens One of a Suit, a suit overcall is natural. A jump overcall shows a good 6+card suit and a better than minimum opening bid. A 1NT overcall shows a (fairly) balanced hand with 15-18 HCP and a stop in the opponent's suit. A double is takeout. A double is also the first bid on strong hands unsuitable for a direct overcall.

§9 If an opponent opens 1NT, a double is for penalties. Overcalls are the same as over an opening One of a Suit but strong hands usually double.

§10 If the opponents open at the two-level or higher the same principles are used. A double of a suit bid is for takeout and overcalls are natural.

§11 In most auctions, 4NT is Blackwood.

§12 Leads

Lead the top of touching honours, fourth best from long suits, top of a doubleton.

With three cards, lead low from an honour and top of small cards.

§13 Signals

Signals are not compulsory. You may choose not to signal if you think it will help declarer more than partner.

On partner's lead, a high card is encouraging and a low card is discouraging. On declarer's lead, a high card shows an even number of cards in the suit, a low card shows an odd number. It is normal (but not obligatory) to reverse the count signal in the trump suit - a high card shows an odd number of trumps and a low card an even number.

A suit preference signal is used when giving partner a ruff. A high card asks partner to return the higher suit. A low card asks for the lower suit

.§14 Discards

A high (low) card may have one of the following meanings

attitude high encouraging, low discouraging

count high shows an even number of cards, low an odd number

suit preference high asks for the higher suit, low for the lower suit

§15 You may use any of the following in addition to or instead of the standard methods defined in §2 to §14.

• A prepared opening bid of 1§ or l ¨, promising 3+cards in the suit.

• Five card majors - an opening 1© or 1ª may promise 5+cards in the suit (but you may not play a 1NT response as forcing)

• Any 3-point range for an opening 1NT, e.g. 14-16 or 15-17. The range may vary with vulnerability, e.g. 12-14 not vulnerable and 15-17 vulnerable, but not with position at the table.

• Major suit transfers over 1NT: 2¨ shows 5+hearts, 2© shows 5+spades

• Major suit transfers over 2NT: 3¨ shows 5+hearts, 3© shows 5+spades

• Baron 3§ over 2NT, asking opener to bid his lowest 4-card suit.

• Takeout doubles when partner has done nothing other than pass, e.g.

S W N E S W N E S W N E

1© P 1ª Dbl 1© P 2© P 1© Dbl. 2© P

P Dbl P Dbl

• Takeout doubles after an immediate suit overcall of partner's opening bid, e.g. 1¨ (1ª) Dbl

• Fourth Suit Forcing

• A cue-bid of a suit shown by the opponents is strong and forcing

• Gerber 4§ asking for Aces

• Cue-bids showing side-suit controls in slam auctions

• Any defence to pre-emptive opening bids

• Lead second best from a bad suit

• Lead the middle or lowest card from three small

5 PERMITTED AGREEMENTS AT LEVEL 2

§1 You may play any of the following methods in addition to, or instead of, the methods defined at Level 1.

§2 An opening 2§ or 2¨ may be any combination of strong hand types. The next step, 2¨ over 2§ or 2© over 2¨, is a negative or waiting bid.

§3 An opening 2¨, 2© or 2ª may be weak, showing a fair 6-card suit and less than an opening bid. A 2NT response asks opener to describe his hand; the rebids may have any defined meanings, e.g.

2©-2NT: 3© is minimum, other bids are maximum showing side values.

§4 1NT-2ª shows a weak hand with 6+cards in one of the minors. Opener always bids 3§ and responder passes or signs off in 3¨.

§5 Splinter bids. A splinter bid is an unnecessary jump bid of a suit that promises a singleton or void in the suit bid and a fit for partner's suit, e.g.

1©-4§ good hand, 4+hearts and shortage in clubs

1§-1ª-4¨ strong hand, 4+spades and shortage in diamonds

§6 Unusual No-Trump. No-trump bids may be used to show two-suited hands in well-defined situations. For example,

(1¨) 2NT may show 5-5 in clubs and hearts.

§7 Michaels Cue-Bid. This is a direct cue-bid of a suit opened by an opponent. It shows a two-suited hand, where the suits and lengths are as follows

(1§) 2§ or (l¨) 2¨ at least 5-4 in the majors (5-5 if you prefer)

(1©) 2© at least 5-5 in spades and one of the minors

(1ª) 2ª at least 5-5 in hearts and one of the minors

§8 Unassuming Cue-Bid. This is a bid of a suit opened by an opponent after partner has made a suit overcall. It shows a goodish hand with support for partner's suit (or any strong hand), e.g.

(1¨) 1ª (any) 2¨ shows a good raise in spades (or a strong hand)

§9 A cue-bid of a suit shown by an opponent may have any meaning(s) provided that it shows a good hand (at least enough high-card strength to invite game), e.g.

1ª (2¨) 3¨ might show a good raise to 3ª (or a stronger hand)

1NT (2©) 3© might be forcing to game and asking if opener has 4 spades

§10 5NT Grand Slam Force. A jump to 5NT asks partner to bid 7 of the agreed suit with any two of Ace, King and Queen of trumps.

§11 Signals. A suit preference signal, where a high (low) card asks partner to lead the higher (lower) of the other suits, may be used in any well-defined situations.

6 PERMITTED AGREEMENTS AT LEVEL 3

6.1 GENERAL RULES

§1 The rules specify all conventional meanings that are allowed for various calls. Thus there is no need to license systems as such.

§2 All conventions allowed at Level 1 and Level 2 are also allowed at Level 3.

§3 The rules only apply to

• The opening bid

• The first overcall

• Doubles and redoubles

• Leads, signals and discards. Apart from these, calls (including passes) may have any meaning(s), subject to §4 and §5 below.

§4 A random bid is a bid that has no meaning and is neither a relay nor an inquiry bid allowing partner to describe his hand. Random bids are not allowed. For example, it is not permitted to overcall a strong opening 1§ with a bid of 1ª to show a hand with thirteen cards.

§5 An encrypted bid is a bid whose meaning depends upon information known only to one partnership. Encrypted bids are not allowed. For example, an auction might start 2ª-3ª-4¨, where 2ª promises two of the top three spade honours and 3ª shows the third; now 4¨ would be encrypted if its meaning depended upon who held the Ace of spades.

§6 The definitions of the meanings of bids are framed in their most general terms and players are free to be more specific. For example, an opening bid of 1© is defined to be natural and satisfy the Rule of 18 (see section 2.2 §5), but a partnership might restrict it to, say, 5+ hearts and 11-16 HCP.

§7 Bids that show one-suiters may "happen" to contain a second suit. So you may open 2¨, showing a weak major one-suiter, with ªA108652 ©7 ¨98 §53 or even ªAJ873 ©9 ¨QJ987 §72. However, the system may not contain methods designed specifically to cater for such hands.

§8 A canape style, where a shorter suit is bid before a longer second suit, may be used for opening bids, responses or overcalls.

§9 The lists of examples in subsequent sections are illustrative but not exhaustive. There are many unlisted variations.

6.2 OPENING BIDS

§1 Some of the definitions in this section refer to strong hands. In this context, a strong hand is a hand that contains 16+ HCP or 8+ playing tricks.

§2 Opening bids of One of a Suit must satisfy the Rule of 18 (see section 2.2 §5).

§3 An opening 1§ or 1¨ can have any meaning(s), subject to §2 above.

§5 An opening bid of 1NT has one of the following meanings

• Balanced with a defined range, minimum of 9 HCP

• Any strong hand.

In this context, a balanced hand is considered to be 4333, 4432 or 5minor332.You are free to restrict the hands in any way, such as not opening a 12-count vulnerable or not opening 1NT with a 4-card major. You may also agree to open 1NT with some or all of 5major332, 5422 or 6322 shapes. Any of these restrictions or extensions must appear on your convention card. The range may vary with vulnerability and/or position at the table. For example, the range might be 10-12 in first or second seat non-vulnerable, 14-16 in 3rd seat at any vulnerability and 12-14 in all other cases.

§6 An opening 2§ or any higher bid may have any number of strong meanings. In addition, any such bid may have one weak meaning selected from

• 2§ only: any three-suiter (4111, 5431, 5440)

• 2¨ only: one-suiter with a major suit

• 5+ cards in a specified suit

• Two-suiter, at least 54 shape, one suit specified

• Three-suiter (4441, 5431, 5440) with 3+ cards in a specified suit

• Any solid suit

The weak meaning may have any range, which may vary with vulnerability and position at the table. All agreements should appear on the convention card.

§7 A special condition is attached to the use of conventional opening bids at the 2- level or higher. If such a bid has a mixture of weak and strong meanings, responder is expected to bid whenever game is possible opposite a maximum. For example, if an opening 2¨ shows a weak major or 19-20 balanced, it is quite acceptable to pass with ª6 ©74 ¨J987542 §873. However, it would not be acceptable if the 2¨ bid might be a strong 3-suiter, say ªAJ87 ©AK104 ¨AK43 §5.

§8 Examples of opening bids that are permitted

• 1§ natural or 11-13 balanced or any hand with 16+ HCP

• 1¨ 11-15, no 5-card major

• 1ª 5+ spades

• 1NT 9-12 balanced, may be 5332/5422/6322 with values in the short suits

• 1NT any strong hand

• 2§ 11-16, 6+ clubs or 5+ clubs and another suit

• 2§ 12-16 any 4441 shape or 25+ balanced

• 2§ 4-8 with 5+ diamonds or 8+ playing tricks in any suit

• 2¨ 5-9 with 6-card major, 19-20 balanced or 8+ playing tricks in a minor

• 2¨ 3-9 with 6+ hearts or 8+ playing tricks in a suit other than hearts

• 2NT weak minor two-suiter or strong minor two-suiter

• 3§ any solid suit

§9 Examples of opening bids that are not permitted [with reasons]

• 1ª three-suiter with short spades [opening 1ª may not be conventional]

• 1NT 12-14, balanced or 4441 [opening 1NT must be balanced (or strong)]

• 1NT 15-19, any shape [strong types are 16+ HCP or 8+playing tricks]

• 2§ weak two-suiter, spades & clubs or hearts & diamonds [two-suited hands must contain a specified suit]

• 2¨ weak, one-suiter in hearts or two-suiter with spades & a minor suit[cannot mix one-suiter and two-suiter unless a 5+card suit is specified]

• 2NT weak one-suiter, clubs or diamonds [cannot mix one-suiters except in the special case of 2¨ showing a major one-suiter]

• 3§ weak two-suiter, two suits other than clubs [two-suited hands must contain a specified suit]

6.3 FIRST OVERCALL

§1 Overcalls may have any meaning(s) after

• A conventional bid by either opener or responder

• Opener's second call (including a pass), even if it is natural.

The rules for overcalls therefore apply only to an overcall of a natural opening bid or a natural response thereto.

§2 An overcall may include any number of strong hand types (16+ HCP or 8+ playing tricks) in addition to, or instead of, the weaker types defined below.

§3 An overcall may have any meaning(s), provided that a suit overcall either shows 4+ cards in a specified suit or denies 4+cards in the suit bid. When a suit overcall shows a three-suiter the requirements are relaxed slightly- the overcall must still show a specified suit but the suit may be only 3 cards.

§4 A cue-bid of an opponent's suit may have any meaning(s).

§5 Examples of permitted overcalls over a natural One of a Suit

• (1ª) 1NT any one-suiter

• (1¨) 2NT any two-suiter

§6 Examples of permitted overcalls after a natural 1NT

• (1NT) 2§ any one-suiter other than clubs

• (1NT) 2§ diamond one-suiter or major two-suiter

• (1NT) 2§ any two-suiter excluding clubs

• (1NT) 2§ three-suiter, one suit clubs (perhaps only a three-card suit)

• (1NT) 2¨ two-suiter, spades and another suit

• (1NT) 2¨ two-suiter, diamonds and a major

• (1NT) 2¨ major one-suiter

• (1NT) 2NT any two-suiter

§7 Examples of overcalls that are not permitted after a natural 1NT [with reasons]

• (1NT) 2§ any one-suiter [does not promise 4+ cards in a specified suit and may have 4+clubs]

• (1NT) 2§ any three-suiter [does not promise 3+ cards in a specified suit and may have 4+clubs]

• (1NT) 2§ either hearts and another suit or a club 1-suiter [does not promise 4+hearts and may have 4+clubs]

6.4 DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES

§1 Doubles and redoubles may have any meaning(s), subject to paragraph §2 below.

§2 A double of a natural bid may be for takeout, for penalties or somewhere in between. It is not acceptable for a double to cover too wide a range within this spectrum. In general, a double should satisfy just one of the following

• Takeout - partner is expected to bid (but may choose to pass)

• Optional - partner is expected to pass if suitable for defence and to bid otherwise

• Penalty - partner is expected to pass (but may choose to bid)

§3 A double may be lead directing or may show specific cards or holdings (see section 2.2 §3-§4).

§4 Other kinds of double, such as competitive, co-operative or responsive, are licensed under the above headings. Any specific agreements should be alerted and, on request, fully explained.

6.5 LEADS, SIGNALS AND DISCARDS

§1 Any methods are allowed provided that reasonable details can be entered on the convention card, subject to paragraphs §2, §3 and §4.

§2 Odd/even signals are not allowed when one meaning based on parity (e.g. an even card is encouraging) is combined with a second meaning (e.g. a high card asks for the higher of the other suits). This restriction applies only to signals, not to discards.

§3 Random plays are not allowed. All partnerships develop implicit understandings of which cards are played in different circumstances. These must be formalised and disclosed to the opponents.

§4 Encrypted plays are not allowed. An encrypted play is a play whose meaning depends upon information known only to the defence. For example, the declarer ruffs a club, so that each defender knows his partner's original club holding. Subsequent plays may not have a meaning that depends upon, say, a defender's original length in clubs.

7 PERMITTED AGREEMENTS AT LEVEL 4

§1 The rules are the same as for Level 3 except for opening bids of 2§ or higher and defences to opening bids of 1NT or higher.

§2 An opening 2§ or any higher bid may have up to three weak meanings, with at most one meaning selected from each of the following categories

• One-suiter, 5+ cards, either a specified suit or any suit other than the suit bid

• Two-suiter, at least 54, either one suit specified or both suits other than the suit bid

• Any three-suiter (4441, 5431, 5440)

In addition, the bids may include any number of strong types (16+ HCP or 8+ playing tricks).

§3 When an opening bid of 2§ or higher is a mixture of weak and strong types, the same condition applies as at Level 3 (see 6.2 57). Responder is expected to bid whenever game is possible opposite a maximum opener.

§4 Any defence is permitted to opening bids of 1NT or higher.

8 PERMITTED AGREEMENTS AT LEVEL 5

§1 There are no experimental systems or conventions currently licensed.

9 APPLICATION FOR LICENCE

§1 Applications for licences for systems or conventions should be sent to the SBU Secretary, who will forward them to the appropriate sub-committee.

§2 Applications should be on A4 paper, preferably typed, and should include a logical defence to the proposed system or convention. Five copies are required, accompanied by a fee of £5 for a convention or £20 for a system. The fee is not refundable, even if the licence is refused.

§3 Any other comments or queries about the existing licensing arrangements should also be addressed to the SBU Secretary. A single copy is sufficient and there is no fee.