0 INTRODUCTION Playing in a fast midnight team game at the Pan American Championships in Corpus Christi in 1992, I heard my right-hand opponent open 1C. My left-hand opponent alerted it and tried to explain, but there was a language problem and I didn't really understand. I assumed it was a "Big Club" of some sort, and bid 2C on a fair 5-card suit. This was doubled (8 or more points). Partner passed. So did opener. The contract was not a success. That was my introduction to Bogota Club. (We won the match anyway.) An Unassuming Club ("AUC") is a bridge bidding system based on a 1C opening that is forcing but not necessarily strong; usually natural; and that allows experienced bridge players to use most of their present methods. Other one-level suit bids are limited to at most 18 high-card points and are natural. Whenever there has been a choice between natural bidding and artificial bidding, I have made an effort to keep it natural. Other key features include a 12-14-point 1NT and a natural and limited 2C bid. The system after 1D, 1H, 1S, and 1NT openings can be pretty much whatever you are used to (with a few exceptions). Only the bidding after 1C (and to an extent 2C) is peculiar to the system. It is a member of a family of systems called "intermediate clubs" that includes Vienna System, Roman Club, Polish Club, New South Wales Club, Bogota Club, and Power System. These systems have been popular in several parts of the world for decades but have never caught on in the United States. 0.0 Why? Standard systems have a strong, forcing 2C opening. To use it you need nearly game-forcing values. It helps to have a long suit as well. Many experts open hands like SAQ98 HKQT5 D8 CAKQ4 1C, even though game is likely opposite very weak but fitting hands like SJ3 HJ7632 D7532 C65. Even relatively strong balanced hands are typically opened in three-card minor suits, which responder is free to pass even without support. Big Club systems, where nearly all hands with as many as 16 or 17 points are opened 1C and weaker hands with clubs must be opened something else, solve those problems at the expense of some others. Typically these systems feature 2C, 2D, and 1D openings that are difficult to handle and the 1C opening itself is vulnerable to interference. An Unassuming Club solves all of these problems at the expense only of a rather complicated 1C opening. I believe it's the logical next step in scientific bidding. The key is conservation and wise use of bidding space. 0.1 How? I will start with short description of each of the opening bids and try to give the flavor of the bidding that follows it. This is a short summary of the system, so after that the text stops. Later chapters will consist mostly of charts of meanings of bids. 0.1.0 The 1C Opening With any hand with 19 or more points, or 18 points balanced, open 1C. (So far this sounds like an awfully conservative Big Club system.) With a club one-suiter in the range 16-18 points, open 1C. With a balanced hand in the range 15-17 high-card points with less than four diamonds (but without a five-card major), open 1C. With a three-suited hand short in diamonds (4-4-1-4 distribution, in the order spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs) in the range of a minimum opening bid up (about 11 high-card points with this distribution), open 1C. With five or more clubs and a four-card major suit, open 1C. That's five hand descriptions, ranging from a minimum opening bid to the strongest hand you might hold. The minimum openers all have clubs. The strongest hands may even be void in clubs. In between, the balanced 15-18-point hands all have at least two clubs, and of course the club one-suiters all have at least six. That is, the weaker the hand, the more clubs it must have. The minimum hands all have real club suits. That will be important in some competitive auctions. Responder bids 1D with any 0-5 points (occasionally a bad 6) or with 6-9 points without a 4-card major. This is the first instance of a "Herbert negative." There will be others. A Herbert negative is simply the cheapest bid showing the worst hand. Most "negative" responses and rebids in this system will be the cheapest bid, although there will be exceptions. I'm not sure all of the exceptions are necessary, but they are designed to make bidding in An Unassuming Club (abbreviated AUC hereafter) more like standard bidding. Over the 1D response bidding will often be artificial and will usually be quite different from standard bidding. (The 1S and 1NT rebids are natural, and the 2C rebid shows clubs and hearts. Not everything is artificial in this auction.) Responding to a 1C opening with 5-8 high-card points and a good six-card major suit (that is, the equivalent of a good 6-9 points), bid the suit at the two-level. Opener will treat this as a weak two-bid and use your regular methods of responding to a weak two. With a good six or more points and a major suit of four cards or longer (but add a point for a five-card suit to two honors), respond one of the major suit. Do this even with a worthless four-card suit; with a longer minor; and with any strength from six good points up. That is, any response other than 1H, 1S, 2H, or 2S denies a four-card or longer major suit. This is not standard bidding but seems to work best in this system. Bidding over these responses is much like standard bidding. With a surprising 10-15 HCP, a balanced hand, and no four-card major suit (or 5-card minor suit toward the top of the range), respond 1NT. This response is forcing but not necessarily to game. Opener bids a relatively natural 2C with 11-14 points and responder will bid again only with 12 or more points. This is another Herbert negative. All of opener's other rebids are forcing to game. 2D is artificial and not particularly directed. 2H, 2S, 3C, and 3D show the 19-plus-point hands. 3NT is to play. 2NT is stronger than 3NT. 3H and 3S show shortness. All balanced hands with no four-card major or five-card minor and 16 or more points respond 2NT. Continuations are like after 1NT only a level higher. Minor suit responses are 2C and 2D. They show ten or more points. If in the 10-12-point range, the hand will be unbalanced or will have a concentration of strength in the suit bid. 2D guarantees at least five diamonds, but 2C may be bid on a very good four. Occasionally responder may bid 3C with the right preemptive hand, but should bear in mind that opener may have a strong notrump with as few as two clubs. Over 2C and 2D opener again makes the cheapest bid with 11-14 points. 0.1.1 The 2C Opening Opener bids 2C with about 10-15 high-card points, six or more clubs, and no four-card major suit. A 10-point hand will have good playing strength and decent defensive prospects; a 15-point hand will be rather the opposite. Responder's 2D and 2H are transfers to hearts and spades, respectively; 2NT is natural, and 2S is an artificial inquiry. There are other possible response structures but this one seems to work well. 0.1.2 The 1D Opening The 1D opening guarantees at least four diamonds and about 13-18 points. These "points" need not all be in high cards. When describing the bid to opponents I usually say 11-18 points, since quite a few hands with only 11 high-card points qualify. The bid is limited from below by the weak 2D bid and by the 12-14 1NT opening, so it will always be relatively sound. That is, if it's a diamond one-suiter it will be unsuitable for 2D (usually because it's too strong) and if balanced it will be 15-17 points. The only really strange feature is that all hands in the 13-18-point range with four diamonds and five clubs (and not suitable for 1NT) are opened 1D. This can lead to some ambiguity on occasion but usually doesn't matter. Also possible is five diamonds and six clubs, but of course this is very rare. With 6 clubs and 4 diamonds, open 1C or 2C, depending on strength. Responses are almost exactly what they would be in a standard system. There are several specialized rebids. For the most part they allow better definition of opener's hand than in standard systems, taking advantage of the head start offered by the limited opening bid. 0.1.3 The Major-Suit Openings Opener shows at least five of the suit bid and about 12-18 points, not all of which need be in high cards. Unlike the 1D opening, 5332 distribution and 12-14 points is possible, since in AUC we don't usually open 1NT with a five-card major suit. As with the 1D opening, however, it is possible to have five of the major and six clubs, although again it's rare. 0.1.4 The 1NT Opening So you like a 15-17-point 1NT opening? Sorry. It doesn't work well with this system. Polish Club, a very closely related family of systems, generally uses a range of a good 15 to any 18 points. In such a system, after a 1C opening, you will need to use a more Polish-style setup for the 1H and 1S rebids. 14-16 is quite playable in this family of systems; as is 10-12 or 11-13. (I'm not fond of 4-point ranges, but you may be.) But I strongly suggest giving 12-14 a chance. It sets the opponents some problems that a stronger notrump opening doesn't. AUC has been designed around it. 0.2 Organization of the Remainder of the Materials Following the classic pamphlet "Kaplan-Sheinwold Updated," by the late Edgar Kaplan, I am arranging the remainder of the materials as a chart of bids divided into several "sub-systems," each inaugurated by a different opening bid, each with separate rules for which bids are strong or weak, forcing or nonforcing, artificial or natural. These are (1) the 1C opening, (2) interference over 1C, (3) the 1NT opening, (4) the 2C opening, (5) the 1D opening, and (6) other opening bids. 0.3 Abbreviations The following abbreviations will be used throughout (if only occasionally): "M" "either major suit" or "the first major suit bid" m" ""either minor suit" or "the first minor suit bid" OM" the "other major suit om" the other minor suit any" any strain 0.4 Evaluation Tools Controls are counted two for an Ace and one for a King with singleton Kings not counted. Losers are a little more complicated. There are no more than three losers in a suit and A, K, or Q is not a loser in a suit of at least 1, 2, or 3 cards, respectively. HCP means "high-card points", counted in the usual way. Points are a little more ambiguous. Use your judgment. Support points are HCP plus one for a doubleton, three for a singleton, and four or five for a void, with four-card or better trump support. Subtract a point if you have only three-card support. Be ready to adjust support points according to your judgment. 1 THE 1C OPENING 1C can be any of five hands: 1. 19 or more points, any distribution; or a balanced 18. The points need not all be in high cards, but if some are in distribution, the hand should have no more than five losers and at least five controls, and almost always at least 17 HCP. An 18-point 6322 should have good controls and a good suit. 2. 16-18 points with a club one-suiter. Again, not all need be in high cards, but 15 HCP in an ordinary 6322 hand should probably be opened 2C. 3. 15-17 HCP balanced with less than four diamonds. (With four or five diamonds, open 1D.) Excellent controls and concentrated values suggest upgrading a 14 HCP hand; unsupported minor honors suggest downgrading an 18 HCP hand. 4. Specifically 4-4-1-4 distribution (that is, short in diamonds) and about 11-18 HCP. 5. Five or more clubs and at least one four-card major, and about 11-18 points. 5440 hands with five clubs should be opened 1C. 1.0 Responses Pass: Not allowed. The AUC 1C is forcing. Passing this bid could have severe consequences, as detailed in David Silver's book Tales Out of School. HThe author, at the gates of heaven: "I had no idea what I was doing there. The last thing I remembered was trying to explain to Bruce Gowdy why a two clubs opening bid was not always absolutely forcing ..." 1D: 0-5 points (or possibly a bad 6) with a four-card major or 0-9 points without one. With 6-9 points and a 4-card or longer major suit, bid the suit. This also means that by first bidding 1D and then showing 6-9 points, responder denies a four-card major. This is important. 1M: A decent 6 points or more with four or more cards in the suit bid. With two major suits: bid the longer with unequal length; hearts with 4-4; or spades with 5-5 or 6-6. Bid a major suit in preference to an equal or longer minor. 1NT: 10-15 HCP, no four-card major, no five-card minor or good 4-card club suit when toward a maximum. 2C: 10 or more points, no four-card or longer major, four good clubs (notrump will always be an alternative) or any five clubs, but with 10-12 points and 5332 distribution consider bidding 1NT. 2D: 10 or more points, no four-card or longer major, five or more diamonds, if 5332 then either concentrated diamond honors or better than minimum values. 2M: 5-8 HCP and a good 6-card suit. By a passed hand, a bad 6-card suit. 2NT: 16 or more HCP, no four-card major, no five-card minor or good 4-card club suit. 3C: About 3-6 HCP, usually six clubs. It is a weakness of the system that we can't bid 3C preemptively more often, but we hope to recoup that loss in other places. Don't be too anxious to make this response, since opener may have a strong hand short in clubs. 1.1 Bidding Over the Negative 1C 1D ? Responder has 0-5 points (maybe a bad 6) with any distribution, or 6-9 without a 4-card or longer major. Unless opener has 16 points or so, game is unlikely; if responder has the lower range, opener needs to have over 19 points or have really exciting distribution. In this age of gossamer overcalls, especially over nebulous openings, getting to this point without the opponents bidding makes it very likely that opener has the 19+-point hand. That explains having quite a few strong rebids, including the cheapest bid at this point. Opener's rebids: 1H: Almost any hand of 19 or more points, or 18 balanced; but not an unbalanced one-suiter unless game-forcing values, and not a minor two-suiter. That is, any "strong club" that doesn't qualify for 2D or 2M or 2NT. (This rebid handles most of hand type 1.) 1S: 5+ clubs, 4 spades or 4-4-1-4, any strength within 11-18. This is half of hand type 5. 1NT: 15-17 points balanced; that is, hand type 3. 2C: 5+ clubs and 4 hearts, 11-18 points. Denies 4 spades. The other half of hand type 5. 2D: 27-28 HCP balanced; or a minor one-suiter not quite worth a game force; or a very strong minor two-suiter. Forcing. 2M: A good 6-card suit in a hand not quite worth a game force, without a side 4- card major or strong 4-card minor. Not forcing but seldom passed. Responder's bid of the next step is a second negative, showing very bad hand. The single raise is stronger than the double raise, and is forcing. To make a nonforcing raise go through the Herbert second negative. Over the Herbert negative, with a better than minimum hand (4 losers) opener should bid a side concentration of strength. Thus, 1C-1D; 2H-2S; 3C shows a concentration of strength in clubs, perhaps KQx. Responder with something useful should avoid rebidding 3M, which opener will almost always pass. Responder may pass 3C in this auction. 2NT: 21-22 points balanced. Stayman and transfers are on. 3C: Club one-suiter too strong to be opened 2C but not worth 19 points; about 16- 18 points (not necessarily all in high cards). Responder's bids are constructive, presumably stoppers for notrump. With a weak hand responder can pass. 3D: Roman Key-Card Blackwood (RKCB) in diamonds. The four Aces and the King of diamonds are keycards. The first step shows one or four; the second none or three; the third two without the diamond Queen; and the fourth two with the diamond Queen. Opener bids the next step (omitting 3NT and diamonds) to ask for the Queen of diamonds, Kings, then Queens. (Those familiar with Spiral Scan may substitute that here.) Note the inversion of the usual first two steps, for consistency with other instances of RKCB. 3M: RKCB in the named suit, as above. 4C: RKCB in clubs, as above. 3NT: Asks for specific Aces. 4C denies one; 5C shows the club Ace; and 4NT shows two Aces. 5C over 4NT asks which two; responder bids in the order Color (two Aces of the same color) RAnk (two major or two minor Aces) or SHape (two Aces of the same "shape," spades/diamonds or hearts/clubs). The mnemonic is "CRASH." Over any of these bids, the next step similarly asks for specific Kings. This is all very neat, but if you use it twice you're probably abusing it. 1.1.0 The Strong 1H Rebid 1C 1D 1H ? Opener has 18+ points balanced or 19+ points with almost any distribution; but not an invitational 1-suiter or a minor 2-suiter, and certain balanced ranges are excluded. In essence, this suggestion of Henry Sun is borrowed from big-club relay systems such as Relay Precision and Moscito. 1S: Herbert second negative; 0-5 points (or a bad 6), any distribution. Now opener rebids 1NT with 18-20 balanced, 2C with a game force, 2D with a flexible hand looking for a major-suit fit, and 2M with 5 or more of a major in a hand unsuitable for a 2M bid on the previous round. Opener's 2NT rebid now is 23-24 points, and 3NT is an unlikely 29-30 (see balanced ladder below). 1NT: Precisely three kings and no other feature (Magi Convention). No 4-card major because no 1M response to 1C. 2C: 6-9 points, but not three kings. As with Magi, no 4-card major. 2D, 2H, 2S: 0-4 HCP with a six-card (occasionally 7) suit. 3-level bids: 0-4 HCP with a seven-card suit, or possibly 6 clubs. The responses from 2D up are treated as if they were opening preempts. New suits are forcing and 2NT asks for a feature in a non-minimum hand. Over 1S opener bids 1NT with 18-20 points balanced; 2C with game-forcing values including 25-26 and 31-32 balanced; 2D asking responder to bid a 4-card major or a 5-card minor; 2M with a flexible hand with 5 or more of the major. Assuming responder always shows a weak hand by bidding the next step (represented by a dot), this is the "ladder" of bidding sequences showing balanced hands: 1NT 12-14 C.1NT 15-17 C.1H.1NT 18-20 C.2NT 21-22 C.1H.2NT 23-24 C.1H.2C.2NT 125-26 C.2D.3NT 27-28 C.1H.3NT 29-30 C.1H.2C.3NT 31-32 Notice all sequences ending in 1NT are weaker than any sequence ending in 2NT; and the ones ending in 2NT are weaker than those ending in 3NT. The two intermediate bids are usually 1H and 2C, and the longer the auction the stronger the hand. Because 1C.3NT is the specific ace ask, 1C.2D.3NT substitutes for it. With those rules in mind you will usually be able to work out the chart in your head, at the table, which is good, because it would be very difficult to remember otherwise. After 1C-1D; 1H-1NT or 1C-1D; 1H-2C, obviously opener can't rebid 1NT. Equally obviously, opener needn't bid 2D asking for a 4-card major because responder can't have one. In either case 2D shows the missing balanced range, 18-20. All other bidding is natural. [DJG - Nowadays we use 1C-1D; 1H-2C; 3NT to show 18-20 balanced, since 99% of the time that's where we're ending up anyway. 2D then becomes natural. That would probably apply over 1C-1D; 1H-1NT if that ever arose, which it never does.] Finally, note that all 3 ways of getting to 1NT are in a sense unsound, although protected somewhat by the Law of Total Tricks. If an opponent opens an unassuming 1C and you have a hand that would double a strong notrump opening, just pass. You may get a chance to double it on the next round, or even the round after that. In all of these sequences, the cheapest club bid is Stayman and the cheapest red-suit bids are transfers. (After the 15-17 1NT rebid that may not seem to make much sense, but at least it gets back with the field, and it's simple.) An alternative over the 15-17 1NT rebid, which David Goldfarb suggested, is the regular transfer scheme but 2C as a puppet to 2D. Responder then bids 2H with four cards in each major, or perhaps 4-3. In this scheme, the jump to 3m is weak and 3m through the puppet is invitational. The meanings of 2S and 2NT after the puppet are up to you. 1C-1D; 1H-1S; 2C is a game force. Responder bids a third negative 2D with no Ace, no King, and less than 2 Queens. Otherwise responder's bids are natural (although 2NT may be bid with no good suit) and show at least A, K, or QQ. Bidding proceeds naturally. After 1C-1D; 1H-1S; 2D, responder is required to bid a 4-card or longer major if one is held; or a decent 5-card minor (avoid bidding 3D with a bad suit, in particular); otherwise 2NT. In principle opener has less than game-forcing values, but may use this sequence with a stronger hand knowing what to do over each response. 1C-1D; 1H-1S; 2M can be passed. It usually shows a 5-card suit and is always limited. Both partners know game is unlikely and all bids that don't show a fit suggest a final contract. Optionally, a Herbert negative may be used in this sequence just as in 1C-1D; 2M. Opener's rebid will often be a second suit, though, and doesn't promise extra values. 1.1.1 Minors In Principle 1C 1D 2D ? Opener may have 27-28 HCP balanced; or a minor one-suiter not quite worth a game force; or any strong minor two-suiter. 2D is forcing. It's also pretty rare. Responder has three possible rebids: 2H: 0-5 HCP, any distribution. 2S: 6-9 HCP, as usual no four-card major, but not three Kings. 2NT: Our friends the Magi; three Kings. Over any of these, opener rebids 3NT with 27-28 points balanced; 2NT with most minor two-suiters; 2S (forcing) with a minor two-suiter and a spade fragment; and 3m with a limited minor one-suiter. Higher major-suit bids are fragments in minor two-suiters. This is how you bid an "Acol 2" in a minor suit. 1.1.2 Acol Twos In The Majors 1C 1D 2M ? Well, not exactly Acol Twos. The Acol system was invented in the 1930's and 40's by several players at the Acol Bridge Club on Acol Street in London. The 2D, 2H, and 2S opening bids in Acol are forcing for one round and show a good suit in a good hand, but not usually good enough to force to game. The natural forcing opening allows convenient bidding of very strong two-suiters without fear of interference, among other things. If we open these hands 1C, interference can be quite a problem. For that reason, in AUC we limit the bids to one-suiters, or 6-4 at most, and because there is never a substantial second suit, the 2M rebids need not be forcing. (We open most strong two-suiters in a suit other than clubs. When we open one of them 1C, we usually rebid 1H or 2D.) To rebid 2M, opener should have five or more controls and four or five losers; and usually at least 17 HCP. Because opener will rebid 2C in the auction 1C-1M, forcing to game, it is dangerous to open 1C on weaker hands planning to rebid 2M. If partner has a misfitting 6 HCP there will seldom be a makable game. Responder's rebids: Pass: A hand very unlikely to take a trick. Next step: That is, 2S over 2H and 2NT over 2S. Herbert negative. Either a hand with a fit and some possibility of taking a trick or a substantial misfit that may be a little stronger. With the values for an invitational single raise, bid a Herbert negative and pass if opener is unable to muster more than 3M. Therefore, over the negative, with better than a minimum, opener bids a side concentration of strength. It's indirect, but it works. New suit: Some values and a decent suit, usually without substantial support. Not forcing but opener will usually bid again. 4M: Distributional raise. Opener will pass. 3M: Forcing. Almost always 3-card support since it's difficult for responder to have a hand worth suggesting slam with less than 6 points. 2NT/2H: Scattered values, suggesting a notrump game. 1.1.3 The Intermediate Club One-Suiter 1C 1D 3C ? Opener has a hand worth a sound jump to 3C over a 1-level response. This will usually be 16-18 HCP, although a good suit and good controls may make a 15-point hand worth upgrading, or an even weaker hand with exciting distribution and controls. Opener may have a side four-card diamond suit but not a four-card major. Responder's bids other than raises and game bids are forcing. Three-level bids will usually be stoppers for notrump. 3C is presumably playable so responder can pass with almost any bad hand. 1.1.4 Spades And Clubs After 1C-1D, opener's 1S rebid shows (surprise!) spades and natural clubs. It may be 4 spades and 5+ clubs or 4-4-1-4. Bidding is natural. Responder should assume opener has bid clubs and spades in a natural system. Of course, responder can't be particularly strong, so opener is free to pass if it seems a reasonable contract has been reached. 1.1.5 Hearts And Clubs After 1C-1D, opener's 2C rebid shows 5+ clubs and 4 hearts. Responder's new suits are constructive but again opener may pass with a minimum. 1.1.6 The RKC Rebids: 3D, 3H, 3S, and 4C Responder bids in steps. I assume for this discussion that you play "1430" RKC; that is, the first step shows 1 or 4 keycards, and the second 0 or 3. (I believe that has a definite advantage when the RKC bid is 4NT and the agreed suit is hearts. It probably doesn't matter much in most other situations, and can be a real pain in a minor suit.) I trust you to be able to work out the responses if you use the first step for 0 or 3. Keycards are the four Aces and the King of the "agreed" suit. In these auctions, the "agreed" suit is the one bid. A "step" is a possible bid; for instance, over 3D, 3H is the first step and 3NT is the third. With 1 or 4 keycards, bid the first step. With 0 or 3, bid the second step. With two keycards but without the Queen of trumps, bid the third step. With two and the Queen, bid the fourth step, which is always the step below the suit of the ask. (One level of bidding is five steps.) 3NT, bids in the "agreed" suit, 6NT, and any bid at the seven-level are to play. Opener may bid the first step over the response, skipping any "to play" bid, to ask for the trump Queen or Kings, depending on whether the Queen has already been shown. Asking for Kings guarantees all keycards and either holding the Queen or enough length that it doesn't matter. After Kings, the next step asks for Queens. Naturally you don't count the trump King or Queen in the response. I believe there are better response systems; see for instance Spiral Scan, in George Rosenkranz's ROMEX books. This is not the place for an explanation. 1.2 Bidding Over a Major-Suit Response 1C 1M ? Responder has shown at least six points, not necessarily all in high cards, and at least four cards in the suit bid. This is sufficiently similar to standard bidding that our auctions will seem a lot more familiar than they did in the previous section. The auctions that are the same after either response are given first. 1NT: 15-16 HCP balanced. Opener denies 4-card support and over 1H will have 4 spades only when 4-3-3-3. (Feel free to change that if it's not your style.) This range may seem intuitively to be too narrow, but it gives us the freedom to pass 1NT where other players will be worried about missing game. 2NT: 17-18 HCP balanced, as above. Remember, responder has a good 6+ pts. 2C: 19 or more points; usually hand type 1 from the list, but may be a hand upgraded to 19 or more points because of a fit with partner. This is opener's only strong rebid. It is forcing to game. 2M: The single raise may be three- or four-card support. The spade raise will be three cards slightly more often than the heart raise. Even with three-card support the raise may be based on a balanced hand, since it's wise to avoid rebidding notrump with a small doubleton in an unbid suit. The range is about 13-16 support points. 3C: About 16-18 points with a good 6-card club suit. In a pinch, a mediocre 6-card club suit. 3D: RKC in diamonds, as in the previous section. 3OM: RKC in OM. 3NT: Asks specific aces, as in the previous section. 4C: RKC in clubs. 4M: A raise worth about 19 support points but with no singleton, and not well suited to slam. The alternative is to bid 2C and then 2M or 3M as required. That would show a stronger hand. This rebid is usually a balanced 18- point hand that has been upgraded. Splinter raises go through 2C. 1C 1H ? 1S: Four spades, no more than 18 points, and at least four clubs. With 4S4C32 distribution, four cards in each black suit, I recommend rebidding 1S. This denies four hearts. I recommend rebidding 1S with 4-3-2-4 and 4-3-1-5 distribution, so it does not deny three hearts. (You may choose to ignore either or both of these recommendations without doing violence to the system.) 2D: 6 or more clubs, 3 hearts, in a hand worth a 3C rebid ("Bridge World Death Hand"). This allows for a final contract of 2H, 2NT, or 3C, while leaving room for other constructive bids. Standard bidders are stuck with 3C, when a heart or notrump contract may be better. (Slightly non-standard bidders will happily reverse into a fragment with this hand. Our reverse is nonforcing, so that isn't such a happy solution here.) Forcing. 2S: An unbalanced four-card raise of hearts, worth about 17-18 support points. Responder will usually relay with 2NT, and now opener's rebids are 3C with five or more clubs and short spades, 3D with 4-4-1-4, and 3H with five or more clubs and short diamonds. (The middle step is the odd one; otherwise bid the suit of the same color as the shortness.) [DJG - Nowadays we've changed this a bit. 2D to show the BWDH is all very well, but in several years of play it never once came up. So I got the idea of using 2D to show a hand with the black suits worth a reverse (i.e., about 16-18 points); this would allow 1S to be a limit bid, which would be nice. Chris Monsour objected to this -- I still think he's wrong, but we went along with him. So now 1C-1H;2D shows *either* the club-spade reverse, *or* an unbalanced hand with clubs, 4 hearts, and short diamonds. Responder relays with 2H, after which 2S is clubs and spades, and higher bids show a heart raise and some other feature: 2NT for 4-4-1-4 distribution; 3C to emphasize the club suit; 3D to show a concentration of values in spades; 3H to emphasize good heart support. 1C-1H;2S then no longer includes hands with short diamonds -- after the 2NT relay, 3C is the BWDH; 3D and 3H show short spades. I don't think we've come to a definite conclusion on what 3D and 3H are, but I think 3D should be a concentration of values in diamonds, and 3H should deny one. This has some advantage of consistency with 1D auctions -- 1m-1H;2S-2NT;3m always shows the BWDH.] 3H: Balanced 4-card raise with 17-18 support points. Unbalanced raises go through 2S. [DJG - On this particular auction, since opener shows a balanced hand, 3NT is to play rather than being "Serious 3NT". 3S becomes an artificial slam try.] 3S: RKC in spades. 1C 1S ? 2D: 5 or more clubs, 4 hearts, and about 11-14 points, nonforcing but seldom passed. This hand is a problem in this and similar systems. The "weak reverse" is the lower bid because responder with a weak hand, four spades, and long diamonds can pass. [DJG - But in practice will rarely do so, for fear that opener (who has shown 9 cards in the round suits) is short. After 1C-1S;2D, all non-jump rebids (including 2NT) by responder are to play, and 3D is 4th suit forcing!] 2H: This is the "strong reverse," showing about 15-18 points in this system. 3H: RKC in hearts. 3S: A four-card raise with 17-18 support points, balanced or unbalanced. [DJG - Nowadays we play that 3S promises a balanced hand, while 3H shows a short red suit. Again, analogous to auctions after a 1D opening, and far more useful than 3H as heart RKC.] 1.2.0 After The 1S Rebid 1C 1H 1S ? Opener shows 11-18 points, at least four clubs, exactly four spades, and less than four hearts. Opener may be balanced and may have three hearts. Pass: Bad hand, usually 3 but sometimes 4 spades. 1NT: 6-9 points, in principle. May be unbalanced, especially with long diamonds. Shows 4 or 5 hearts, usually less than 4 clubs, and definitely less than 4 spades. Opener may raise to 2NT with 17-18 points. 2D shows a fragment in an unbalanced hand and suggests a contract if responder has diamond length. 2C is natural, as is 3C. 2H is natural and shows 3-card support, usually with a singleton diamond. 2C: Natural, 6-9 points. Opener's 2D is a directionless force; 2NT is natural, showing about 17-18 points; and 2H is constructive with 3-card support. (With a non-constructive hand and 3 hearts, generally pass.) 3C is natural and invitational, usually to 3NT. 2D: Artificial one-round force (usually called "fourth suit forcing" and abbreviated 4SF, but better called "fourth suit artificial," a battle I've given up fighting). If responder next bids a previously-bid but unsupported suit, it is game-forcing and shows four-card support or a self-sufficient suit (in the case of 3H). If responder instead bids 2NT, it is invitational. If opener bids 2H, responder's 3H is invitational. (Any spade or club bid, or 3H over anything but 2H, is forcing.) Responder's 3D bid is GF with at least 5 diamonds but maybe only 4 hearts. (Remember, respond 1M even with a longer minor.) This is the original Acol version of 4SF. There are others. 2H: Good suit, but not invitational. Opener may bid again with 16 or so points and 3-card support. 2S: Usually 4-card support but 3-card support in a pinch. Must have some hope for game opposite the right 17-point hand, else pass. Chance-giving, not invitational. 2NT: 10-11 points balanced. 3C: Invitational values, at least four clubs. Opener's bids are forcing to 4C; an immediate 4C is RKC in clubs. 3D: At least 6 diamonds, probably only 4 hearts. About 8-11 points or exciting distribution, so invitational in principle. With a weaker hand rebid 1NT. Not forcing. 3H: Self-sufficient suit, invitational values. Not forcing. Stronger hands go through 4SF. 3S: 4-card support, invitational values. Not forcing. Again, stronger hands use 4SF. 3NT: About 12-15 points, balanced or nearly balanced. Opener should bid over this only with an absolute maximum. 1.2.1 After The 1NT Rebid 1C 1M 1NT ? Opener has a balanced hand with less than four diamonds, less than four of responder's major suit, less than four spades unless specifically 4-3-3-3, and 15-16 points. Responder will usually be able to pass, sign off, or bid game, but may occasionally want opener's help in deciding on a contract. 2C: Invitational puppet. Opener must rebid 2D. Responder's rebids are natural. 2D: Game-forcing Stayman. Opener shows four cards in the other major or 3-card support for partner's suit, 3C with five, or 2NT otherwise. (With five diamonds in this range the opening bid would have been 1D.) Responder's rebids are game-forcing and natural and may be slam invitational by inference. 2S: After first bidding 1H, this shows an invitational hand with 4 spades and 6 hearts. Opener is expected to select the final contract. 2NT: Baron, slam invitational. Responder doesn't much need a natural invitational 2NT, since opener is so limited, but in any case 2C followed by 2NT is available. Over the Baron 2NT opener is expected to bid any suit with extra length, with 3D showing 3, and skipping over 3D showing two. Opener has shown at least 3 clubs by not raising responder's major, so 3C shows 4. Other: To play, even if a jump bid. 1.2.2 After The 2C Rebid Opener shows 19 or more points, not necessarily all in high cards, with any distribution. This rebid establishes a game force; in general other rebids are not even 1-round forces. 1C 1M 2C ? 2D: Artificial, 10-12 points. One would expect a Herbert negative here, but it seems best to divide responder's hands into three ranges. Bidding is now natural. Opener's 2M shows at least 3-card support; with 5 responder now always bids 3M and Serious 3NT applies. If responder bids something else, denying 5, opener bids 3M with four-card support and again Serious 3NT is on. (In principle, 3NT by either partner when the bidding is at the 3-level and an 8-card major-suit fit has been established, shows serious interest in slam and asks partner to cuebid any control if slam is still possible. Skipping suits at the 3-level Husually spades, with hearts agreedS denies a control, since 3-level cuebids take priority over Serious 3NT. Bypassing 3NT in these circumstances to cuebid at the 4-level shows a hand where slam is still possible but partner must have a very good hand.) Here, of course, opener realizes that slam requires only a little extra or a fit or a running suit. Other: Natural, 6-9 or 13+ points. Bidding 2H after first responding 1S shows at least 5 spades, but bidding 2S after first bidding hearts only shows 4+ hearts and 4 spades, unless by chance responder is 5-6 in spades and hearts. 2NT doesn't guarantee stoppers. 3m shows at least Qxxx, so 2NT may be a catchall. Responder should rebid a 5-card major suit rather than showing a 4-card minor, and failing to rebid the major tends to deny 5 cards. Responder shows 13+ by bidding over game without being invited to do so, or by bidding a Serious 3NT if that applies. Either would be a breach of captaincy with 6-9. [DJG - Note well that "3m shows at least Qxxx" -- it can be extremely handy for responder to promise that honor card! Of course, I'm biased, since that was my idea.] This is a very important area of bidding. Study and practice will be rewarded. [DJG - 1C-1M;2C is one of the more common sequences.] 1.2.3 The Weak Reverse 1C 1S 2D ? Opener has about 11 to a bad 15 points, 5 or more clubs, and 4 hearts (not a typo). This is a problem hand for systems of this sort, and in fact is the reason Polish Club uses a Precision-style 2C opening. Over this minimum-showing bid, only 3D is forcing. Pass: Overall misfit, at least 5 and usually 6 diamonds, little or no chance of game. 2H: To play. 3 or 4 hearts, little or no chance of game. 2S: Signoff in principle, but opener with a maximum and fit can bid on. 2NT: Invitational in notrump, diamond stopper. 3C: Club fit, about 6-11 points. Opener may bid. Clumsy, but rare. 3D: Fourth-suit forcing. Here it's a game force. Opener will usually rebid 3H, but may bid 3S or 3NT or 4C with a suitable hand. (It only sounds like a raise.) 3H: Almost always 4-card support, invitational values. Not forcing. 3S: 6- or very good 5-card suit, strongly invitational but not forcing. 3NT: To play. 4C: Invitational, very good clubs. 4D: Splinter in support of hearts. 4H: To play. 3D followed by 4H would be stronger. 4S: To play. 1.2.4 The Real Reverse 1C 1S 2H ? Opener has a good 15 to any 18 points, at least 5 clubs, and four hearts. While this reverse is not forcing, responder can't pass without support so structured methods are justified. Throughout the system, the cheaper of 4th suit and 2NT is an artificial negative; here 2NT. 2S is forcing but not necessarily strong; other bids deny 5 spades in principle. Pass: 3 or 4 hearts, little or no chance of game. 2S: Unassuming; that is, forcing but not necessarily strong. Shows 5 spades but says little else about the hand. Opener may raise to 4 with 3-card support and a maximum. Natural bidding follows. If responder next bids 3S, it is constructive but not forcing. 2NT: Artificial negative. Shows exactly four spades. Little or no chance of game. Opener will almost always rebid 3C, which responder will often pass. In any case, opener must pass responder's rebid. 3C: Game forcing, natural. 3D: Notrump try without a diamond stopper, or very strong hand that will be clarified on the next round. Game forcing. 3H: Game-forcing, natural. 3S: Good six-card suit, game-forcing values. 3NT: To play. May be shaded, since 2NT is not available as an invitation. 1.2.5 The Death Hand Becomes A Friend 1C 1H 2D ? Opener shows at least 6 clubs, the values for 3C, but with 3-card heart support. This hand type is called the "Bridge World Death Hand" because it kept showing up in the Bridge World magazine's "Master Solvers' Club" and because there is really no good way to bid it in standard methods. Responder's new suits are forcing and may be short. 2H: To play. 2S: Game forcing; often a stopper. 2NT: Invitational. Stoppers. Not a good hand, almost always only 4 hearts. 3C: To play. 3D: Game forcing; usually a stopper but may be natural. May be the first move on a strong hand with 5 or more hearts. 3H: Strongly invitational with good hearts. 3S: Splinter, five or more hearts, game forcing. 3NT: To play. [DJG - This whole section is now obsolete, as mentioned above.] 1.2.6 The Single Raise 1C 1M 2M ? Opener has less than 17 support points (about 13-16) and either 3-card or 4-card support. Opener can be balanced or unbalanced. If unbalanced with 3-card support opener will be toward a minimum. Opener may have 15 HCP balanced with a small doubleton and either 3- or 4-card support (or of course 4-card support without a small doubleton). With 14 or so HCP and a singleton and only 3-card support opener will strain to find a different rebid. 3-card raises make life more difficult but are good bridge. 2NT: Forcing, but invitational with only four cards in M. Now opener rebids 3C with a minimum and 3-card support (and incidentally at least 5 clubs), 3M with a minimum and 4-card support, usually 4M with a maximum and 4- card support, and something else (typically a stopper) with a maximum and 3-card support. 3NT will usually be a balanced 15 HCP with a small doubleton, counting on partner for a stopper. New suits may be bid with either 3- or 4-card support. An unbalanced maximum will be very unusual. 3C: Constructive game try with only four in the major but at least 3-card club support. Opener will pass with a minimum and 3-card support, bid 3M with a minimum and 4-card support, bid 4M with a maximum and 4- card support, and as usual do something else with a maximum and 3-card support; 3NT if balanced. Unbalanced maximum 3-card support is unlikely. Other: If 3M or below, a natural forcing game try with at least 5 cards in M. If above 3M, a slam try; usually a splinter; except 3NT is to play opposite 3- card support. Opener should correct to 4M with 4. With no singleton and slam-invitational values, try 2NT to get more information. 1.2.7 The Marvelous Toy 1C 1H 2S ? Opener has 4-card support, an unbalanced hand, and 17-18 or so support points. This is possible because the 1S rebid shows 11-18 points with spades and the 2C rebid shows any hand with 19 or more points. 2S isn't needed to show spades. 2NT: Relay for more information. Now 3C shows a singleton spade (black suit), 3D shows 4-4-1-4, and 3H shows 5 or more clubs with a singleton diamond (red suit). Responder can decide whether or not to bid game or bid or try for slam, knowing opener's distribution and strength. [DJG - Somewhat different now, as detailed above. 3C shows the BWDH, 3D some diamond strength with spade shortness, 3H little diamond strength (hence probably good clubs).] 3H: To play. Doesn't care about opener's shortness, there's no game. 4H: To play. Doesn't care about opener's shortness, there's game but no slam. Other: Unusual, but slam try. Responder will usually ask for more information first. 1.2.8 The 2NT Rebid 1C 1M 2NT ? Opener shows 17-18 HCP balanced. If bid over 1H, opener will have 4 spades only with exactly 4-3-3-3 distribution. Opener will not have 4-card support but will often have 3-card support; and of course less than four diamonds. A weak doubleton is unlikely but possible, since the raise to 3M requires 4-card support. Checkback or New Minor Forcing buys very little in this auction and loses a useful natural bid. Therefore: 3suit: 3 of any suit is natural and forcing. 3NT: To play. 4C: Gerber. Since 3C is natural and forcing, 4C is not needed as a natural bid. 4M: To play. 4NT: Natural, invites 6NT. 1.2.9 Deja Vu 1C 1M 3C ? As before, opener has a hand too strong to be opened 2C but not strong enough for a 2C rebid, at least 6 clubs, and no four-card or longer major. If responder bid 1H, opener denies as many as 3 hearts (else 2D). Responder bids exactly as in section 1.1.7: any bid over 3C other than a game bid or raise is forcing, since 3C must be assumed playable. Because responder is unlimited, bidding a new suit and then 4C is forcing as well. As usual, 3-level bids may be stoppers. 1.2.10 The Card-Asking Rebids 1C 1M ? Opener's rebids of 3D, 3OM, and 4C are RKC in the named suit. 3NT is the specific Ace ask, as over the 1D response. Again, if you use these things more than once in a blue moon you're probably abusing them, but under a blue moon they may give you a very good result. (There are good arguments for redefining these bids as something else. To say that they are rare is a considerable understatement.) 1.2.11 The Game Raise 1C 1M 4M Opener has 18 or occasionally 19 HCP with a doubleton, or 19 point 4333. Stronger hands go through the 2C rebid. Responder's rebids are as in standard; new suits are cuebids and 4NT is RKC. 1.3 After the Wide-Ranging 1NT Response 1C 1NT ? Responder has 10-15 HCP, no 4-card major, and no 5-card minor unless in the 10-12 range. Even then, the minor should be weak. With 13 or more and four good clubs responder should prefer 2C. 1NT here is forcing but not to game. (For those concerned with the ACBL General Convention Chart, the prohibition against 1NT showing invitational or better values applies only after a major-suit opening. Further, this 1NT is natural and not conventional, so arguably not subject to regulation.) Why the wide range? When we used 10-12, we discovered we always bid over it anyway, so why not make it explicitly forcing? And if it's forcing, we can afford a wider range. 2C: Minimum with clubs. Not forcing. For once the Herbert negative is natural! Responder's new suits are forcing but not necessarily to game. 2D: Artificial game force but not necessarily very strong. Responder's rebids show honor concentrations. Usually this leads to a choice of games between 3NT and 5m, but occasionally opener will have a very strong 4441 and other contracts will be in the picture. 2M: 19+ points, at least five cards in the suit bid. Obviously game forcing and slam invitational. Responder bids naturally, raising with Hxx. Note that after 1C-2m, the 2M rebids are stoppers. As a general rule, though, when one partner has bid notrump naturally, we don't show stoppers. 2NT: Slam try with length in both minors. Responder will usually bid 3m with a preference, 3M with 4-4 and a control in the suit bid. 3C: The usual strong club 1-suiter. May be the first move with a 19+ point hand with primary clubs. Responder's 3-level bids are assumed initially to be solid stoppers for notrump. Natural bidding follows. 3D: 19+ points, 5+ diamonds. Game forcing, slam invitational. Natural bidding follows. 3M: Shortness. Invites 3NT if responder has a solid stopper, else (usually) 5C. 3NT: About 15-17 balanced, although may be slightly weaker with 5C422. 4C: Gerber, in a strange way. Takes the place of the RKC and specific aces bids after other responses. 4NT: Natural, invites slam. 1.4 The "Inverted" Raise 1C 2C ? Responder has 10 or more points, at least four good clubs, and no 4-card major. Unlimited. Either partner may show a minimum or identify stoppers. 2D: Herbert negative, 11-14 points. Responder must bid 3C with a minimum, which will be passed. Any other bid by responder is game-forcing; a 2NT rebid is unlimited and stronger than 3NT. 2H: A good 14 or more points, as above. Heart stopper, may or may not have a spade stopper. Bidding proceeds naturally. 2S: As above; spade stopper but no heart stopper. 2NT: 15 or more points, stoppers. Forcing at least to 3NT. 3C: Game forcing, no stopper in either major or big hand with clubs. 3D, 3M: 19+ points, 5+ cards in the bid suit. 1.5 The Diamond Positive 1C 2D ? Responder has at least 10 points and at least 5 diamonds, with no 4-card major. If 10-12 points responder is either unbalanced or has a lot of strength in diamonds. 2H: Herbert negative. 11-14 points. Other bidding largely as above, except that 3D shows real support. 1.6 The Major Semi-Positives 1C 2M ? Responder has about 5-8 HCP and a good 6-card suit. If responder is a passed hand, a bad 6-card suit, since a good one would have been opened a weak 2-bid. Use whatever methods you usually use over a weak 2-bid. I recommend new suits forcing with 2NT asking for a high-card feature. (There's actually a lot to be said for Ogust here.) 1.7 The 2NT Response 1C 2NT ? Responder shows 16 or more points balanced, with no 4-card major. If four clubs, they aren't particularly good, else 2C. Bidding proceeds pretty much as over 1NT, a level higher, except of course that 3C is forcing. 1.8 The Weak Double Raise 1C 3C ? Responder has less than about 6 points and long clubs. Tend to use the 1D negative with a useful hand. Opener will almost always pass. Any bid at the 3-level should be assumed initially to be a stopper for notrump, but may turn out to be natural by the logic of the auction. In any case, opener's new suits are forcing. 2 Dealing With Interference It's at least as important to know how to bid in contested auctions as it is in uncontested ones. Opponents tend to bid a lot, and the 1C opening is sufficiently ambiguous that interference causes some embarassing problems. Agreements are essential. 2.0 Immediate Interference 1C (interference) ? Responder must be prepared to deal with interference. At the 1-level, because opener's hand is poorly defined, we strain to define responder's as quickly as possible. At the 2-level we have been hurt, at least a little, and try to fight back by doubling the opponents when it's appropriate. This flies in the face of much modern bidding theory but our results have been excellent. It simply can't be winning bridge to let the opponents take away more than an entire level of bidding and never be made to pay for it. At the 3-level we revert to negative doubles and hope to hold our own in the usual ways. In general, I try to retain as many meanings as possible unchanged from the main system, so that the many specialized methods need not be abandoned unnecessarily. When the usual methods must be abandoned, 2NT may be used as an artificial strong bid by either partner. Opener's 1NT rebid after either a negative response or a pass shows about 17-20 points balanced, with appropriate stoppers, and a cuebid shows support or a good hand with no stopper, depending on context. 1C (Dbl) ? Pass: 0-5 points, any distribution. An immediate double negative. Opener should proceed with caution. Rdbl: 10 points or more, 4 or more clubs, no 4-card major. The usual club positive, but a level lower than usual. 1D: 6-9 points, at least 5 diamonds, no 4-card major. Diamond semi-positive. Opener's rebids are natural; even a pass is possible. 2C: 6-9 points, at least four clubs, no 4-card major. Club semi-positive. This and the redouble have been inverted from what one would tend to expect because the 2C call has some preemptive value. Other: As they would have been without the double. We wish the opponents would double more often. 1C (1D) ? (We assume the interference is natural. If not, double with length in the suit.) Pass: 0-5 points, any distribution, or long diamonds. Again, a double negative, but this one includes the diamond positive. Dbl: Diamond semi-positive. That is, more or less penalty. With majors, . bid one This fills a systemic gap. A negative double doesn't . 2C: 6-9 points, clubs, no 4-card major. 2D: Club positive. The cuebid will generally be a club positive. Other: As it would be without the overcall. 1C (1H) ? Pass: Too weak for any other call (usually 0-5), or heart length. Opener bids as in the "delayed interference" auctions below. That is, 1C (1H) Pass (Pass) is a situation very similar to 1C (Pass) 1D (1H). Dbl: Some values but no other good call, therefore less than 4 spades; usually at least four diamonds and less than positive values. Responder must strain to define the hand. A negative double showing 4 spades is a luxury we can't afford. The diamond semi-positive seems a better use. Now opener's 2C is strong and a cuebid by either partner usually denies a stopper (else NT). 1S: At least 6 points, at least four spades, as without the overcall. 1NT: About 8-10 points balanced with a stopper, less than 4 spades. Notrump bids become limit in competition. 2C: Club semi-positive. In competition we can't afford to temporize. 2H: As usual, the cuebid shows the club positive. This is standard bidding, the "Unassuming Cuebid" that inspired the name "Unassuming Club". 2NT: 11-12 points balanced, less than 4 spades, good stopper. Other: As without the interference. 1C (1S) ? Pass: Negative or spade length, but not a club semi-positive or 8-9 balanced. Dbl: Ordinary heart positive. Bid as if 1H response, but Q asks stopper. 1NT: Balanced 8-10 points, spade stopper, less than 4 hearts. 2C: Club semi-positive. 2H: 10+ points, at least five hearts. Natural and forcing. With game-forcing values and more than 4 hearts it's important to bid the suit. 2S: Club positive. Other: As without the interference. 1C (1NT) ? If this is a "notrump overcall," that is, intended to show a balanced hand of somewhere in the range of 14-19 points, use normal methods. Responder should double with nearly any hand of 9 or more points, and a lot of 8-point hands. 2NT is artificial and strong, and very distributional (usually a strong 2-suiter). Other bids are limited by the failure to double. The double is forcing to 3C. If it's something like a weak takeout double (part of "Overcall Structure"), double should require a little more: a good 10-11 points, usually balanced. Again, you may not pass out the opponents undoubled in a contract below 3C. This is more like a redouble than the penalty-oriented double of a natural 1NT overcall. The extra values required are because this double often helps the opponents wriggle out. 1C (2suit) ? A bit of philosophy: You are being hurt by these overcalls. To break even, you have to double them from time to time. What follows is an attempt to balance penalty-hunting and constructive bidding. Double: Penalty double opposite a 15-18-point 1NT opening. With 7-9 HCP, consider doubling with a balanced or semibalanced hand with 3 to an honor. Nearly always double with 7-9 and 4 cards. Usually double with 6 points and 4 cards. Be careful with 10 points or more, but consider doubling. Opener should pass the double with any strong notrump or other suitable hand. Cue with game values opposite a minimum double. Bid a new suit at the 2-level with 4. 3C may conceal a 4-card suit that can't be bid at the 2-level. Opener's 2NT is artificial, showing a strong hand, as is responder's over a 2-level pull. Opener's 3-level bids are invitational opposite a typical double, i.e., maximum non-strong 1C openings, except that 3C shows a minimum. 2NT: Hand worth a GF opposite a strong notrump. Opener rebids 3C with a minimum, which responder may pass. (Opener always has real clubs when minimum.) 3D may be bid either with diamonds or a directionless hand; higher bids show 19+ points, except 3NT which is natural. 2suit: Not forcing, but some reason to bid. Natural. 3suit: Constructive, invitational opposite a strong notrump. 1C (3any) ? Double: Negative. Shows values to be at the 3-level; will often be passed. Exception: a double of 3C is penalty. Opener will almost always have long clubs or good defense (i.e., a strong notrump). Other: Non-game bids are forcing, essentially to game. Responder will pass with quite a few hands; opener is not forced to reopen with shortness, but often will. If the reopening bid is a double it is for takeout, but responder will often pass. 2.1 Delayed Interference It matters a good deal what responder bids. If the response was a positive, you are on pretty firm ground. Use whatever methods you are used to, although I believe when using a weak notrump the double of a fourth-hand overcall should show a strong notrump with less than 3 cards in partner's suit, and you should raise very freely on 3-card support. The key situation is when responder has bid 1D, the negative. 1C 1D (Dbl) ? Redouble: Strong balanced hand without a diamond stopper, assuming the double shows diamonds. Other: Same as in uncontested auctions, except that all notrump bids show a diamond stopper. 1C 1D (1H) ? Pass: Usually long hearts, either 4-4-1-4 or 4 hearts with 5 clubs. Double: Takeout. Usually 4-1-3-5 or 4-2-3-4, but may be nearly any hand of 19 or more points, or occasionally 3-1-3-6. Other: Same as without intereference, except cuebid is strong balanced hand without a stopper and notrump bids show a heart stopper. 2C is strong. 1C 1D (1S) ? Pass: Long spades; or minimum hand with nothing better to bid; may be up to 16 points balanced. Double: Takeout, as above, but includes many strong hands. 1NT: 17-20 points balanced, stopper or at least lead value. Strong notrump methods are on. Other: Same as without interference, except cuebid is a strong hand, usually balanced without a stopper. Again, 2C is strong. Over higher-level interference, opener's direct bids are usually the strong hands, except that 3C will often be natural. 2NT will usually show a strong hand, with the inference that other bids show hands not so strong. Double is not well defined, since it will often be the only available call. The general idea is to keep as much as possible of the original system. Since the 1H rebid will often be unavailable, the 2C rebid must handle a variety of strong hands. 3 The 1NT Opening 1NT ? Opener has a good 11 to any 14 HCP. Opener will hardly ever have a 5-card major; if one is held, it will be no better than J9xxx and the doubleton will be strong. If the hand is 5422, there will be honors in both doubletons. In a 5m332 or 4432 hand, a small doubleton is fine. Actually any schedule of responses you're used to using over either a weak or a strong notrump is fine. There is a lot to be said for using Jacoby transfers. There are advantages to two-way Stayman, as well, and it's simpler, but it's not mandatory. 2C: Stayman. Usually invitational values. Opener rebids 2D with no 4-card major, the major held with one, and 2H with both. Opener may bid 2C with game-forcing values and weak diamonds, trying to avoid a lead-directing double of diamonds, but must be able to set the final contract after hearing opener's rebid. Over opener's rebid, responder's bids are natural and invitational. 2D: Game-forcing, artificial. Opener bids a 4-card major (hearts with both), jumping with a maximum and concentrated values; or a 5-card minor; or 2NT with none of the above. Responder's rebids are natural and game- forcing. Responder's 2NT asks for suits, Baron-style. With four spades, responder bids 2NT over hearts. By a passed hand, 2D is to play. 2M: To play. Opener may bid again with 4-card support. If opener bids a new suit it shows a doubleton. 2NT: Natural raise, usually denying a 4-card major. 3m: To play. Opener will hardly ever bid again. 3H: Invitational, 5-5 in the majors. 3S: Game forcing, 5-5 in the majors. Responder may bid again over the preference. 3NT: To play, of course. 4C: Gerber. First step shows no Aces, second shows one, and so forth. 5C is the King ask; 4NT is to play. 4D: Transfer to 4H. If responder then bids 4NT, it's RKC. This is the primary argument for using Texas over a weak notrump. 4H: Transfer to spades, as above. 4S: Slam try with at least four cards in each minor. 4NT: Natural invitation to 6NT. If opener bids a suit, it is a suggestion of a suit slam. 3.0 Dealing With Interference The worst kind of interference is the double. If your opponents are any good, this is probably for penalty and you're usually in trouble. There are many runout systems on the market, including one I prefer, but they don't seem to make a difference very often. Simply playing "systems off" (all bids natural and nonforcing), redouble with near-game values, and bidding a short suit and redoubling to give opener a choice, will handle most situations. Following early versions of the Kaplan-Sheinwold system, after 1NT (Pass) I recommend trying very hard to find a bid with less than about 6 points, and doubling opponents' overcalls for penalty. In fact, doubles by either partner should be penalty with the sole exception of 1NT (2any) P (P); dbl. This shows a small doubleton in the opponents' suit and a maximum weak NT. The general rule about free bids is, 2-level bids are not forcing; 3-level bids are. That is especially true if you use 2NT as a puppet, the so-called Lebensohl convention. It's a good rule anyway, though. As before, though, it's possible to use the free 2NT as a strong puppet, making 3-level bids invitational in principle. In fact, I believe this has technical advantages. Here, it may include a club signoff. 4 The 2C Opening 2C ? Opener shows 10-15 HCP, a 6-card suit, and no 4-card major. A 4-card diamond suit is okay. The low end of this bid looks like a high-end weak 2-bid. The high end is just short of a jump rebid; 15 HCP will actually be rather rare. Responder may transfer into a major or make an immediate game-forcing jump, or explore with the 2S relay. 2D: Transfer to hearts. This may be a very weak hand with long hearts or any of a variety of constructive hands, but if game-forcing generally less than 6 cards. With 0-2 cards in hearts, opener bids 2H. With 3 opener bids something else, usually shortness, otherwise natural. If responder then bids 3D, it is a command to bid 3H, which responder will presumably pass. A bid of 3H is invitational. Natural bidding follows. 2H: Transfer to spades, as above. 2S: Artificial inquiry. See below. 2NT: Natural, invitational. 3C: Not constructive. For opener to bid over this requires a 7-card suit. 3other: Forcing, usually a 6-card suit, although 3D will often be only 5. 3NT: To play. 4C: To play. 4D: RKC for clubs. Other: To play. Dealing with interference: There is little need for a negative double. Doubles are penalty and free bids are forcing for one round. After a takeout double, responder should redouble with a hand suitable to penalizing the opponents, otherwise ignore the double. 4.0 The Inquiry 2C 2S ? This is ostensibly a try for 3NT but may also be bid with a strong hand with club support, looking for a club slam. The responses are designed for the notrump exploration, though. 2NT: Minimum, two stoppers. Now responder's 3C is a signoff; 3D asks for the unstopped suit; and higher bids are forcing and presumed natural. 3C: Minimum, 1 stopper. Now pass is the signoff (!) and 3D asks for the stopped suit. (3NT shows diamonds stopped.) 3D: Maximum, diamond stopper, one or both majors unstopped. Responder will usually bid a stopped major if one is held, or 3NT with both. 3H: Maximum, no diamond stopper, maybe a spade stopper. With both spades and diamonds stopped responder will usually bid 3NT. 3S shows a diamond stopper and denies a spade stopper. A moment's reflection will confirm that this the only meaning that makes sense. 3S: Maximum, spade stopper, no red-suit stopper. 3NT: Maximum, all side suits stopped, therefore rather weak clubs. Responder's 4-level non-club bids in any of these auctions are tries for a club slam. Students of bidding theory will note that the part of the 2S system from 3D up cannot be done with ordinary relays; there are 7 hands and only 5 can be shown with strict relay auctions. The scheme above handles it nicely. Relays aren't optimal. 5 The 1D Opening The announced range for 1D is 11-18 points. Especially if you use a weak 2D, as I prefer to, the 11-point hand that is opened 1D will look more like 13. Opener will have at least four diamonds. Responder will bid with almost all hands with 6 HCP and some with 5. Opener cannot force to game, or usually even the 3-level, without a fit. Opener's natural jump-shift rebids and reverses are not even 1-round forces. For the most part, bidding over 1D will be the same as in standard bidding. However, the fact that opener has at most 18 HCP can be used to advantage, and something must be done about the problem of undefined length in minor two-suiters. When you open one of a major, you will often play in that suit. When you open a minor suit, especially playing 5-card majors, you will often play in a major suit or notrump. Only a few auctions will be given here; the rest are as in standard methods. 1D 1M At least two styles are possible. One is the standard approach where 1M may conceal a longer club suit only with less than the values needed for a 2C response. The other is the approach used after the 1C opening, where bidding a minor denies a 4-card major (MAFIA, for Majors Always First In Answering). I prefer the former, but it would more consistent to use the latter. It's your call. Discuss it with your partner. 1D 2D I much prefer the approach to inverted minor raises that goes back to early Kaplan-Sheinwold. 2D denies a 4-card major, shows at least 4 diamonds, and shows at least 9 points not necessarily all in high cards. Opener with a minimum bids 3D, even if 4441. 2NT shows a balanced hand with stoppers. New suits show game-forcing values and in principle a stopper in the suit bid. 3M is a game-forcing splinter. 1D 2C I prefer to play this as a relatively standard 2/1, not game forcing. Responder may have a balanced hand, planning to rebid 2NT, or a club 1-suiter just less than game-forcing values. In this awkward auction I prefer Kokish's rebids, outlined in Lawrence's 2/1 Workbook. Opener rebids 2D with 5 or more diamonds (forcing, range not specified), 2H with 4-4-1-4 (again, ambiguous strength), 2S with balanced game-forcing values and club support, 2NT (game forcing) with a strong notrump, 3C with a minimum and club support, 3D standard, and 3M a splinter. Only opener's 3C rebid is not forcing. After 2D or 2H, responder's new suits are forcing but 2NT, 3C, and 3D are not. This requires responder to bid a second suit in order to force, but responder's second suits should always be viewed with a certain amount of suspicion. 1D 1H 2S "Marvelous toy" revisited. The 1S rebid is adequate for all hands with diamonds and spades in the 11-18-point range. Stronger hands open 1C. That frees 2S for artificial uses. We use it for unbalanced 4-card raises to 3S and for the Bridge World Death Hand. (We can handle the "Death Hand" very nicely when the response is hearts. We can't when it's spades.) As in the club part of the system, responder will usually relay with 2NT and now opener's rebids are: 3C: Club fragment (therefore spade shortness), 4-card support. 3D: Diamond 1-suiter worth an immediate 3D rebid, but with 3 hearts (BWDH). 3H: The remaining hand: spade fragment, club shortness, 4-card support. 1D 1S 3H In standard bidding this is a heart splinter in support of spades. I prefer to use it as any unbalanced raise to 3S, so that the regular raise shows a balanced hand. Now 3NT is Serious and 4C asks for shortness; opener's 4D shows club shortness and 4H shows heart shortness. 1D 1any 2C Minimum 5-5, or 5-4 either way, or even 4-4 in certain cases. Opener will seldom have more than about 15 points. Responder need not strain to bid with a weak hand. The preference is nonforcing, as is a rebid of responder's suit. 1D 1M 3C As with all of opener's jump-shift rebids, this is not forcing. It shows at least 16 points (not necessarily all in high cards) and at least 5 diamonds and 4 clubs. Diamonds will always be at least as long as clubs; responder should give a preference with equal length. The preference and rebid of responder's suit are nonforcing; 3OM is the generic force. 1D 1M 1NT 15-17 HCP. Over 1H, denies a 4-card spade suit; in any case denies 4-card support. With 3-card support and a small doubleton or two unstopped suits, consider 2M. Continue as after a 1C opening: 2C is an invitational puppet and 2D is game-forcing checkback. 18+ balanced is opened 1C. That allows ... 1D 1M 2NT This shows the minor-suit reverse. Opener has longer clubs than diamonds and a maximum. 3C, 3D, and 3M now are nonforcing. (This is the downside of nonforcing jump-shifts. You squander bidding space and auctions may still be awkward.) 3OM asks for a stopper or 3-card support. 1D 1S 2H This can be passed, but only with partial support (xxx or better). As in the similar auction after 1C, responder's 2NT is an artificial negative, 2S shows 5 or more and ambiguous strength, and a bid of either of opener's suits at the 3-level is forcing to game. 6 The Major-Suit Openings There's not much to be said here. These openings are limited to about 11-18 points, with at least 5 cards in the suit opened, with the remote possibility of a longer club suit. Use whatever methods you find most comfortable, except that jump-shift rebids and reverses aren't forcing. (Responder may have as few as 6 HCP and opener at most 18. Responder must be allowed to pass with a misfit.) Be a little freer with preemptive raises, especially with some values, when you can judge that opener can't have enough for game. Again, there's a lot to be said for using ROMEX methods here. They have been designed with a very similar 1M opening in mind. My preferences run more to Lawrence and Bergen, but I'm not convinced one way or the other. Faced with creating a standard I will describe my preferences. The 1NT response may be passed with 11-13 points and 5332 or 5422 distribution; otherwise opener may rebid a 6-card suit, a 4-card heart suit, or a 3-card minor. Rebidding 2S over 1NT shows 14+ points, usually more. Responder strains to make a second bid with 8 points or more. Responder's 2/1 responses are not quite forcing to game; if opener's rebid is at or below 2M, a rebid of responder's suit is nonforcing. 2NT by either partner is forcing to game, although by opener it doesn't necessarily show any extra values. Reverses and 3-level rebids (including the raise) show extra values and are forcing to game. The single raise is about 6-9 points and nearly always 3-card support. Responder's 3M is preemptive, a weak hand (about 2-6 points) with 4-card support. Responder's 2NT is natural and forcing, and over 1S may conceal 4 hearts. Responder's cheapest jump-shift is a forcing raise (2S over 1H and 3C over 1S), second-cheapest jump-shift a mixed raise (about 7-9 points, 4-card support), and the remaining jump-shift is a limit raise. Double jumps are splinters. These methods owe a lot to Fred Gitelman, whose articles were available on the web at the time of this writing. 7 The 2NT Opening The 2NT opening is not an essential part of the system. In fact, only the 1-level bids and 2C are needed in a constructive sense, as in Standard American. The rest is up to you. I'm partial to weak 2's, even 2D. Note that all hands of 19 or more points are opened 1C, so 2NT is not needed for a strong balanced hand. We use it for at least 5-5 in the minors, weak-two strength, varying somewhat by vulnerability and table position. 2NT ? 3m: To play. Be a little conservative. You may already have won the hand. 3H: Artificial inquiry; see below. 3S: Natural, invitational. 4NT: Forces opener to choose a minor. Other: To play. 7.0 The Artificial Inquiry 2NT 3H ? This is a way to try to recover from the damage done when the 2NT opening preempts our side rather than the opponents. It is possible to have a complicated pattern of relays here but I can't remember them, much less your partner. The following is as far as I will go along that line. It has the advantage of allowing you to play 3NT when it is most likely to be right. I can remember this scheme. Perhaps your partner can too. 3S: Minimum 2-1-5-5 or 1-2-5-5. Responder's 3NT rebid is to play. 3NT: Maximum 2-1-5-5 or 1-2-5-5. 4C: Any other minimum. If responder relays with 4D, opener shows "extra" cards as below. Other: Maximum, an "extra" card in the bid suit. NT bids show extra cards in both minors. Thus, 4H shows an 0-3-5-5 non-minimum, in principle, and 4NT shows 1-0-6-6 or 0-1-6-6. 8 In Conclusion An Unassuming Club will reward the time you and your partner spend learning it. The limited opening bids will make your regular methods work better. You will be able to use the 1C opening to handle intermediate hands that cause trouble for standard bidders. Incautious opponents will interfere at the two-level and go for large numbers. Life will be good. I suggest learning AUC with a partner. What you don't use you forget. Why go to the trouble of learning this system if you will just forget in in a few weeks? There are several tools available that will help you practice this or any other system. I suggest a computer hand generator for bidding practice. There are several on the market. On-line bridge games offer an opportunity for casual games at almost any hour of any day. (Unusual systems are not welcome at all tables. Be polite if asked to leave.) I can often be found on Matt Clegg's OKbridge. Just dealing out practice hands and playing rubber bridge, though, will help. Once you have largely mastered the system, consider playing it in duplicate bridge games and tournaments. It is legal at all levels of tournament bridge, at least in North America at the time of this writing. Occasionally there will be a discussion of AUC and related systems on the computer newsgroup rec.games.bridge. I am willing to answer email. As I write this my email address is varvel@ix.netcom.com, but that may change by the time you read this; any search engine should be able to find me, though. [DJG - dvarvel@grandecom.net now] Good luck!