GENERAL STRUCTURE

1. With 5+ card suits, open the higher ranking longer suit.
2. With only 4 card suits;

1. 4-3-3-3 open the 4 card suit unless spades when open 1C.
2. 4-4-3-2

1. open the lower of non-touching suits.
2. open the higher of touching suits except when holding hearts and spades when open 1H.

1. 4-4-4-1 open the suit immediately below the shortage unless holding a singleton club when open 1H.

1. When responding, bid 4 card suits up the line, but prefer a major suit over a 1C opening unless holding considerable extra strength.
2. Any change of suit rebid by responder is forcing except over opener's 1NT rebid.
3. A non-reverse change of suit rebid by opener is non-forcing if responder bid at the 1-level, but is forcing if responder made a 2-over-1 response.
4. A reverse by opener is F1 with 16+ points and at least 5-4 shape.
5. Fourth suit forcing is GF. except 1C : 1D 1H : 1S Now 1NT rebid = 15+ GF. Rebids by responder at 2-level NF over 2C/D/H by opener. 3-level rebids are GF.
6. Any possibly ambiguous bid shows values or length in that suit. eg. we "fragment" rather than "splinter". we show stoppers rather than ask for stoppers.
7. Over 3M when we have a known fit in the major; 3NT is natural if 3M was non-forcing; but is a trump cue if 3M was forcing.
8. Over 3m, 3NT is always at least a suggestion to play.
9. A simple raise of responder's 2-over-1 is invitational(NF). A jump raise to 4 of a minor is GF and suggests slam interest. Hands worth "3.5" minor raise must find another bid.
10. 1S : 2H promises 5cH but 2m promises only 4c suit.
11. New suit at four level after partner has shown strength is a cue showing a hand too strong to raise partner's last bid suit directly. egs. 1C : 1S 1H : 1S 3H : 4D = strong H raise 3H : 4C/D = cue, H agreed.

GENERAL EXAMPLES

1H : 2C 1H : 1S 1H : 1S 1H : 2C

2D = F1 2D = NF 3H = I 3H = GF

1C : 1H

2D : 2H/3C = not encouraging

1C : 1NT = 8-10, no 4cM

1D/M: 1NT = 6-9.

1m : 2NT = 11-12, no 4cM

1m : 3NT = 13-15, no 4cM, denies good 4c support if maximum.

1M : 3M = limit raise, 10-12.

1M : 3NT = 12.5-14, balanced raise to 4M.

Now, new suit (NS) is a singleton. eg.

1S : 3NT

4D : 4S

4NT = partner please cue, (4D showed a 1c).

Direct 4NT is KCB.

1M : 2NT = 15+ HCP and trump support.

Opener usually relays with 3C and then responder bids:

Alternatively, with a minimum hand and a shortage, opener may bid 3D, 3oM or 3M in a similar way. After any of these sequences, either partner may sign off, cue or KCB.

1M : double jump shift = a splinter bid of 11-14 HCP. It shows a singleton in the suit bid.

1m : 3M

1H : 3S/4C/4D

1S : 4C/D/H These are the only "splinter" auctions.

Jump shifts show a very strong slam oriented hand with 16+ HCP or the equivalent, based on either very strong own suit or a good suit with 4+ card support for opener. They must not be two suiters. After the jump shift, responder shows which hand type is held by rebidding as follows:

1. Balanced hand supporting opener - rebid opener's suit.
2. Single suiter - rebid own suit or NT. Rebid of 3NT with M is F, with m is minimum JS based on semi-solid minor.
3. Unbalanced hand supporting opener - rebid fragment suit, thus showing singleton or void in fourth suit. To allow responder to complete the description of his hand, opener bids the STEP unless has a semi-solid suit or a big 2-suiter. egs. 1C : 2H 2S = step. 2NT = two suiter 6+ clubs and 5+ spades. 3C = strong 6+ suit. Minimum of KQJ9xx. 1H : 3D 3H = step. 3NT = discouraging, probably minimum with 1c D. Exception since substitution not needed to show 2-suiter.

Opener's Rebids

1NT rebid = 15-16, systemically denies a 4cM that could have been shown at the 1-level.

2 suit = NF unless reverse.

2NT = GF, interest in contract other than 3NT, but not genuine 2-suiter.

3 suit = Natural GF.

Jump 2NT rebid = 17-18, systemically denies 4cM that could have been shown at 1-level.

3C = Wolff sign-off, which forces 3D.

Continuations:

Rebid in M is sign-off.

Rebid in unbid M shows values and concern about unbid suit.

3NT shows 4oM unless impossible, then shows concern about other M.

Both continuations which show concern imply a fit for opener's minor. eg. 1C : 1S 2NT : 3C 3D : 3NT = impossible to have 4cH thus shows concern about H's. Typically 4-1-4-4 or 4-2-3-4.

3D or higher = GF.

4NT = blackwood.

Non-jump 2NT rebid = 15-20, GF not willing to commit hand to 3NT.

Jump 3NT rebid from 2-level =15-16 and a doubleton in responder's suit.

Jump 3NT rebid from 1-level = 19-20 and NO interest in other likely games.

1M : 2M = 5-9, new suit now is long suit trial.

Further raise to 3M is pre-emptive.

1any : 1M 2M : 2NT = game try or better (Forcing).

With maximum bid past 3M; with minimum, rebid "any" or 3M with 4 trumps.

Single Jumpshift by Opener

Four hand types after 1-level response:

If a simple bid in the JS is 100%Forcing, then type(1) is excluded,

1. Powerful two suiter ("good suit of own") eg. AQJxx 1C : 1H Q 2S x AKJ9xx
2. GF hand with strong support for responder's suit - bidding a fragment: eg. AKx 1C : 1H AQxx 2S Corollory: 1C : 1H x 4H = balancedish 19-20 pts. AJT9x
3. If responder has rebid at the one level (ie 2NT NF) then 19-20 balanced not wanting to commit hand to 3NT => 3+ support and/or goodish 5 card suit of own.
4. If (and ONLY If) JS to 2-level, a hand with a long strong minor. eg. x 1C : 1H xx 2S AKx AKQJxxx

Responses to a Single Jump Shift by opener: ------------------------------------------

1. Over a 2-level JS the step is FORCED. Now rebid of 2NT or the 4th suit (always 3m) shows opener has hand type (3). eg. 1C : 1H 2S : 2NT 3C = type(4). 3D = type(3). 3H = type(2). 3S = type(1).
2. Over a 3-level JS: Responder shows 3c support for opener's 1st suit or rebids a 5cM else bids a new suit to show a value/stopper. eg. 1H : 1S 3C : 3D = D value, denies 3cH or 5cS. 3H = 3cH. 3S = 5cS, denies 3cH. 3NT = unable to make a cheaper bid. A rebid of 3NT by opener shows hand type(3). ie: GUARANTEES either a 5cH suit or 3cM support for responder's major. eg. 1H : 1S 3D : 3H 3S = S set, hand type(2). 3NT = hand type(3) only 4cH thus 3cS. Over which 4C/D/H are cues for S. 4C/H = hand type(3) with 5cH. Hearts are set. To jumpshift to the 3-level when a simple bid is 100% F shows either hand type(2) or hand type(3). eg. 1C : 1H 3D : 3H 3NT = 19-20 with 3cH. Further bidding assumes H set. Other = type(2), H's set. To jumpshift to 3-level with type(3) when could have JS to 2-level denies control of the 2-level JS suit. eg. 1C : 1H 2S bid this on Kx but if swap SK and Cx then AQx bid 3D. KQx AJxxx Responder shouldn't raise JS suit above 3NT unless he has 5c support. eg. 1H : 1S with AJxx bit 3NT not 4D. If opener 3D : xx has types (1) or (2) he'll QJxx bid again. xxx 1C : 1S 3H : 4H exception, only shows 4cH but guarantees 5+S. Opener with first example in (3) can convert to 4S.

After a Two Level Response: --------------------------- A jumpshift is a fragment and sets responder's suit as trumps. eg. 1D : 2C with x 3H AJx AKxxx KJxx.

Double Jumpshift by Opener ==========================

1. Into a new suit = void and slam interest, sets responer's suit as trumps. egs. 1D : 2C AJx 1C : 1H 4H - 3S/4D = void. AQxxxx KJxx.
2. Rebid of minor suit opened = strong 6c suit, plus 4c support for responder's suit, good high card strength. Sequences are: 1C : 1D/H/S and 1D : 1H/2/2C related 1D : 1H 4C 4D 1NT : 4D = 6cH + 4cD. These sequences agree responder's suit and usually initiate cue bidding.

Jumpshifts in the 4th Suit ========================== Single JS is always a fragment. Double JS is always a void. (setting opener's last bid suit as trumps) eg. 1C : 1H 1S : 3D = fragment, 4cS support. 4D = void, 4cS support.

Fragments ========= A fragment shows control of the fragment suit (ie either A or K). A possible exception is a fragment after a 1-level response where on RARE occasions opener may be forced to fragment without control. A fragment guarantees 4c support for the last bid suit.

Problem Minor Hands =================== After 1m : 1S, with a hand which would have qualified for a type(4) JS you must find another bid. eg. 1C : 1S 2D = with eg. hand in (4). 3C = marginal JS hand. 3NT = Pray.

The 1NT OPENING =============== The 1NT opening shows a balanced hand of 12-14HCP with no 5 card major, unless Qxxxx or worse.

Responses are:

1. weak going to pass opener's reply.
2. balanced hand with 4cM, at least I but no slam interest.
3. strong GF with 5+ minor. Rebids 3C/D over opener's response.
4. slam interest 6-4 in M's 2D/H = transfers.

1. I hand to 3NT w/o 4cM.
2. Strong balanced hand, slam interest.
3. 4-4-4-1 hand slam interest. 2NT = forces 3C. Types of Hands:-
4. Hand that wants to play 3C or 3D (weak).
5. Slam interested single suited M hand.

Rebids 3M, over which 3NT is a cue.

3C/D = I hand to 3NT with goodish 6c minor.

3H/S = GF, fragment in bid M. Either 5-4 or 6-4 in the minors.

Bid of other M asks responder to bid 5c+ minor.

Raise of M suggests playing Moysian.

4C/D = TEXAS, no slam interest, but creates a forcing auction typically 9-13 pts.

4H/S = hand not interested in defending, to play.

4NT = simple Blackwood.