Bridge: It's Not Just For The Elderly
Introducing Holliday98, the greatest thing to happen to contract
bridge since stale pretzels. This bidding system relies on one
main assumption: you're here to play. Advantages to Holliday98:
- No hand gets passed out (for better or worse).
- Chance to play strong hands doubled.
- Lots of defensive possibilities.
- Sound preemptive bidding (including the ultimate preempt: 1NT).
Disadvantages to Holliday98:
- You may get stuck playing a weak hand.
- You may get stuck playing a weak hand doubled.
But, hey, if you're going to let that intimidate you, then what the hell
are you doing playing bridge? Sounds like checkers is more your sport.
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Opening Bids
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PASS
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13+ HCP, any distribution
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1
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8-12 HCP, 4-5 card minor, maybe both minors
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1
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0-7 HCP, any distribution
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1
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8-12 HCP, 4-5 hearts, maybe both majors
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1
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8-12 HCP, 4-5 spades
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1NT
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10-12 HCP, 4333 4432 5332, 5422 with long minors
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2X
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7-10 HCP, 6+ in the bid suit, preemptive
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3X
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8-10 HCP, 7+ in the bid suit, preemptive
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Note: opening bids are only valid in first seat or second seat
if opponents pass. When overcalling, see section on overcalls.
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Responding to PASS
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HCP
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With Interference
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W/O Interference
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0-6
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Bid NT at lowest level
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1
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7-10 (balanced)
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Pass
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1NT
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7-10 (unbalanced)
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Bid longest/strongest suit at lowest level
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Bid 4+ card major, 1 otherwise.
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11+
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Double
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Bid 2 in longest suit.
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Responding to 1
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With Interference
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W/O Interference
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Pass
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If balanced, bid 1NT and force partner to pick suit.
Otherwise bid longest and strongest at lowest level
and pray opponents don't pass.
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Note: It doesn't seem to me too likely that you will get stuck
in a lousy contract. If parter opens 1 and you have a weak hand, your opponents must
be holding all the high cards and should jump in the bidding
themselves.
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Responding to 1NT
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2
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Weak Stayman. Promises 4+ M and 8-12 points. 1 denies 4 card major.
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2
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Strong Stayman. Promises 4+ M and 13+ points. 1NT
denies 4 card major.
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2 /
2
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To play
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2NT /
3 /
3 /
3
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Transfers. Either preemptive in next higher suit
or void in that suit.
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3NT
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To play
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4
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Gerber
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4 /
4 /
5 /
5
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To play
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4NT
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Invitational
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Overcalling 1NT Open
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Pass
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Denies 5-4 shape.
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Double
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Shows both majors (at least 5-4).
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2
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At least 5-4 shape with 5 Hearts plus one minor suit.
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2
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At least 5-4 shape with 5 Spades plus one minor suit.
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Responses -- Responder bids
- 2 of known major with 3 card support or better
- Cheapest step response to denies three cards in the known major.
- Two notrump is the only forcing response, asking bidder to show
second suit. This requires a minimum of 10 points.
- Raise of the overcall shows a good 6 card suit, denies the major
suit support, and invites game.
- Jump in any suit is natural and invites game.
- A game bid is sign off.
Where the overcall is doubled, partner may
- pass to show 4 cards in the known major (redouble to show both) or
- make normal response.
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