Strong Diamond Card

7/27/2019 Strong Diamond Card

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Defence to Natural One Of A Suit Openings

X 15+, next step negative, step 2 semi-positive, others game forcing. After intervention free bids are five card 7+ forcing, X 7+ takeout, Cue bids game forcing, NT bids natural.

1 SuitOvercall

Five card 5-14 at one level, 10-14 two level, new suits non-forcing five card similar toovercalls, Cue bids show value raises.

Jump Bids 5-9 six card, seven card vulnerable at three level. In response new suits are forcing, NT bids natural, raises pre-emptive. Cue bids show value raises.

1NT 10-14 Take-out shape. In response suit bids are pre-emptive cue bids is constructiveasking for next step if minimum or another bid if maximum game forcing.

2NT 5-9 55xx lowest two un-bid suits, new suits forcing, raising the shown suits pre-emptive.

Cue Bid 5-9 55xx highest un-bid suit plus another, direct raises pre-emptive, cue bids show a good

raise, lowest un-bid suit asks for the other suit

Defence to Natural 1NT Openings

X Four card spades plus another four+ card suit

2 Four+ card suit plus four card hearts

2 Five+ card suits

2NT 55xx in the minors

Jump Bids Seven card suit

Note 1: Responses to 1NT Opening

2 response is a game forcing relay with the following continuations by opener...2 no four cardmajor, 2 four card hearts, 2 four spades three hearts, 2NT four spades two hearts, 3 four spadesand a five card minor.

2 is invitational based on a five card major or diamonds 13, 14 points. Opener bids 2 with nointerest in game, 2 with game in hearts but not spades, 2NT with game in both majors but no help fordiamonds, 3 with game in both majors and a four or more small diamonds and 3NT with gameopposite any invite.

2NT response is invitational with five or more clubs and two of the top three honours 13, 14 points.Opener can bid 3 with a minimum and four small clubs, raise to 3NT with A, K or Q to three clubs or amaximum, with neither opener can pass.


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Strong Diamond Five Card Majors 9-11 1NTNigel Jones (00472790) & Hallam Corbett-Jones(00472791) March 2013

Bid HCP Len Description/Responses

1 12-15 0

Artificial no five card major. 1 response is 0-9 artificial and negative,1 four card 10+ 1NT 10-11 no four card major, 2 five card slamtries, 2 six card game forcing, 2NT 4333, 4432 in the minors slamtry, three level jumps RKCB, 3NT 4432 4333 in the minors 12-13, fourlevel level jumps pre-emptive.

1 16+ 0 Artificial any strong hand. 1 6-7 semi-positive (continue 1 is gameforcing 18+), 1 0-5 negative, others game forcing 8+ see note 2

1 12-15 5

1 10+ four card forcing, 1NT 10, 11 no support or spades, 2 artificialgame force, 2 10+ heart support , direct raises pre-emptive, 2 sixspades game forcing. 2NT is a slam try with both four card minors andtwo hearts Three level jumps seven card RKCB, see slam conventions.Four level jumps are weak.

1 12-15 5

1NT 10, 11 no support denies six hearts, 2 artificial game force, 2 10+ six hearts , 2 10+ spade support, direct raises pre-emptive. 2NTis a slam try with both four card minors and two hearts Three level

jumps seven card RKCB. 3NT 4432 minors 12-13 natural. Four level jumps are weak.

1NT 9-11

Could hold singleton or six card minor. No five card or singleton major.2 relay 12+ game forcing. 2 responses shows an invite with a fivecard major or good six card diamonds. 2 suit responses up are weak,

2NT shows an invite with good five+ card clubs. See Note 1 for details.2 7-11 0

Five card hearts. Direct raises pre-emptive. Pass shows five clubs anda misfit 2 weak, NT bids natural, 3 good raise to 3 . 3 gameforcing five card.

2 7-11 0Five card spades. Direct raises pre-emptive. Pass shows five diamondsand a misfit. 2 3 weak, NT bids natural, 3 good raise to 3 . 3 game forcing five card.

2 6-10 6

Could be a seven card major. New suits forcing five card (unless thereis a takeout X) 2NT artificial asking bid3 6-8 bad suit, 3 6-8 goodsuit, 3 8-10 bad suit, 3 8-10 good suit, 3NT AKQxxx, 4Major sevencard maximum.

2NT 7-10 Good pre-empt in a minor, new minors pass or correct, new majorsfive card game forcing.

3 0-6 5 bad pre-empt, new suits non-forcing, six card vulnerable

3NT 9-12 Solid seven card suit with little else, 4 asks for the suit

4 0-6 7 bad pre-empt, new suits non-forcing


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Opening Leads Vs Suit Contracts: Count: Low = Odd Number, High = Even Number A, Q for attitude K, J for count

A K A K x K Q 10 K Q x K J 10

K 10 9 Q J 10 Q J x J 10 x 10 x x

10 9 x 9 8 7 x 10 x x x H x x H x x x

H x x x x H x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Opening Leads Vs NT Contracts: Reverse Attitude: Low = encouraging, High = discouraging A, Q for attitude K, J for count

A K A K x K Q 10 K Q x K J 10

K 10 9 Q J 10 Q J x J 10 x 10 x x

10 9 x 9 8 7 x 10 x x x H x x H x x x

H x x x x H x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Signals Primary Method v Suit ContractsPrimary Method

v NT Contracts

On Partners Lead A/Q Attitude K/ J Count Attitude

On Declarers Lead Count Count

When Discarding Attitude

Subsidiary methods are in brackets

Attitude means:High = encouraging, Low = discouraging

Count means:High = even number, Low = odd number

Suit Preference means:High = prefer higher ranking side suit, Low = lower ranking side suitIn the trump suit we play a suit preference with small cards

Slam Conventions


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1430 Roman Key Card Blackwood

Used in the following circumstances...Suit agreement below game in a game forcing auction including pull of 3NT to 4 of a minor.Raising a Minor to the 4 level unless its competitive. 4NT any other time accepts partners bid major if he has one, your own bid major if you have one

and the un-bid major if the opponents have bid one.ResponsesStep 1 one or four key cards, Step 2 three or zero key cards, next available bid asks for Q of trumps, show a side suit K or signoff.Step 3 two without Q of trumps, step 4 two with Q of trumps, show a side suit K or sign-off.

1430 Voidwood

Asks for key cards outside the void bid suit. Same step responses as RKCB above.

4NT Passwood

Opener passes with minimum or shows aces stepwise starting from 5 = 0 bidder can then signoff in NT or bid Kings upwards.

Note 2: Responses to 1 Opening

1NT response shows five hearts. 2 response shows no five card major (2 then asks for four missingfour card majors). 2 response shows five spades. 2 responses show a seven-card major. Theelevel jumps name the suit and ask for key card RKCB. 2NT is a slam try with both four card minors,4432 shape 12+, with 20+ opener can just bid 6NT, with a little fewer he can accept a minor RKCB orsuggest a five card major.

After intervention below 1NT the above positive responses remain. Pass shows 6-7 points any handallowing opener to game force using X to show 18+ and thereafter the responses mirror the positiveresponses. Bids of XX, X, 1 and 1 are artificial and show other negative hands with 1 by opener being artificial and game forcing with responses that mirror the positive responses. Over bids above1NT responders Pass is takeout and X penalties.

After X, XX=4-5, 1 = 2-3, 1 = 0-1 After 1 : X=4- 5, 1 =0-3 After 1 : X=0-5 After 1NT: X = 6+ other responses weak and natural


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Responses to 1 * 12-15

Key * Artificial g GameForcing

f Forcing RKCB Roman Key Card Blackwood 1430

Shows no five card major but otherwise any shape.

Common rules to note when responding to all one level openings are:

2NT is forcing without intervention or over a 1 level overcall or double.

After one of a suit openings, three of a suit names the suit and asks for controls showing a good sevencard suit looking for a slam.

Two level jump responses are six or more card and game forcing.

PointRange

Length

1 * Pass 0-9 5 five clubs no four card major

1 * 0-9 0 artificial and negative. Opener passes with five diamonds and nofour card major or bids a four card major, 1NT denies a four cardmajor or five diamonds and 2 is five card without a four card

major. 1 f 10+ 4+ See later for continuations.

1NT 10, 11 no four card major, opener can pull to a minor with a at least five of them. Bids above 2 are game forcing.

2 g 14+ 5 Slam tries in the minors

2 g 12+ 6

2NT g 14+ Minor slam try 4333 or 4432 in the minors. Responder would bid 3NT with fewer points. Opener bids a four card minor asking forsupport or jumps to four of minor with five of them RKCB.

3 14+ 7 Slam tries, names the suit RKCB

3NT 12, 13 4333 or 4432 in the minors. Bidding 3NT is generally natural in thesystem. Responder can pull to a five+ card minor RKCB.

4 0-9 7


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1 1 * Pass Five card diamonds no four card major

1 Four card

1NT No four card major balanced

2 Five card clubs no four card major

1 1 * 1 1 0-9 Four card - rebid with weak six card suit

1NT 0-9 No four card major or six card minor, denies three hearts if very weak.

2 0-9 Six card minor

2 8, 9 Five card heart support

2 8, 9 Six card spades

3 8, 9 Good seven card minor with game changes if partner holds Hx

1 1 f 1 f 12-15 Four card spades no four card hearts

1NT 12, 13 Two or three hearts may hold five card minor

2 12, 13 Singleton or void in hearts no four card spades

2 12, 13 Four card hearts

2 *g 14, 15 Four spades and three hearts

2NT*g 14, 15 Balanced with three hearts

3 g 14, 15 Five card, no four card spades, likely singleton hearts

3 g 14, 15 Four card heart support RKCB

3NT 14, 15 Natural doubleton heart

3 4 14, 15 Double jumps shows a void and four card hearts, Voidwood

1 1 f 1 1NT 10, 11 No four card spades

2 10, 11 Five hearts and a four card minor

2 10, 11 Six hearts

2 10, 11 Four spades

2NT g 12+ Five hearts


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3 g 12+ Four card and five card hearts no stop in other suit

3 g 12+ Six+ hearts

3NT 12, 13 Four card hearts

4 g 12+ Double jumps shows a void and four card spades, Voidwood

1 1 f 1NT 2 10, 11 Five+ card minor four card hearts since would rebid hearts with five of them or pass with fewer

2 10, 11 Five hearts, sign-off since opener holds two/three hearts

2 12+ Four spades five hearts

2NT g 12+ Five hearts

3 g 12+ Four card and five card hearts no stop in other suit

3 g 12+ Six+ hearts

3NT 12, 13 Four card hearts

1 1 f 1NT 12, 13 Natural either doubleton spade or 4441 short in spades,see below for continuations.

2 12, 13 Singleton or void in hearts no four card spades

2 *g 14, 15 Four card hearts, denies three spades so a rebid of 2 by responder will show six.

2 12, 13 Four spades

2NT*g 14, 15 three spades, allowing responder to agree spades withfive by bidding 3 RKCB

3 g 14, 15 Five card, no three card spade support or would bid2NT

3 *g 14, 15 Four hearts and three spades, allowing responder toagree spades with five by bidding 3 RKCB

3 g 14, 15 Four card spade support RKCB

3NT 14, 15 Natural doubleton spade

4 14, 15 Double jumps shows a void and four card spades, Voidwood


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Opening Response Opener Responder Len Points Description

1 * 1 f 1NT

12, 13 balancedor 4441

short inspades

2 5+ 10, 11 fourspades or

wouldrebidspades

with fiveof them

2 4 10, 11 five spades

2 5 10, 11 Opener will bid 2NT with 4441short in spades

2NT*g 12+ 5332 or four spades and a fourcard minor, slam try asking forlower four card minor,responder will rebid spades

with 5332 3 g 4 12+ five spades

3 *g 4 12+ five spades

3 *g 6 12+

3NT 12+ Natural four card spades

4 Voidwood, seven spades and a

void. Opening Response Opener Responder Len Points Description

1 * 1 f 1NT 12, 13 balancedtwo+ cardhearts

2 5 10, 11 four hearts or would re-bidthem

2 5 10, 11 five hearts, sign-off sinceopener holds at least two hearts

2

4 12+ five hearts may well be a slamtry, opener can bid a five cardminor or bid 2NT with 4432 inthe minors and a doubletonheart.

2NTg 12+ 5332 or 4432 in hearts and aminor slam try, respondershould show his lower four cardminor and responder can rebidhearts with 5332

3

g 4 12+ five hearts

3 *g 6 12+ six hearts


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3NT 12+ Natural four card hearts noslam interest.

3 4 Voidwood, seven hearts and a void.

Responding After Intervention

1NT Overcall

If the opponents overcall 1NT we double on all hands 10+ and all direct bids are weak 0-9. Two levelsuits are six card and NT bids are Unusual NT convention showing 55 in the minors.

Minimum Suit Overcalls

PointRange

Length

1 * (1 ) Pass 0-9

X 10+ no stop or four card spades

1 10, 11 4 minimum suits are competitive - same

1NT 10, 11 stop in H no four card spades

2 g 14+ 5

2 *g 12+ 55 in spades and a minor

2 12+ 6

2NT 14+ no five card minor or four card spades, shows a stop in hearts

Others Same as without intervention

Over jump intervention minimum new suits are forcing and X is take-out, NT natural, Cue bids show agood raise to the next level

PointRange

Length

1 * (2 ) Pass 0-9

X 10+ Take-out

2/3NT Natural Invitational with a stop


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Responding After X

PointRange

Length

1 * (X) XX 10+ 4 Can play in clubs if they don't pull it, if they do penalty trap ensues

All other responses remain the same

Responses to 1 *f opening 16+

Our responses are aimed at establishing whether we should be in game, part-score or slam very quickly. This means we can make 1NT when everyone else goes off in 2. It also means we caninvestigate slams below game level and make 4 when everyone else goes off in 5.

In a game forcing auction, any suit agreement below game is Roman Key Card Blackwood. Raising aminor to the four level in a constructive auction is also RKCB. If the agreed suit is a minor we alwayshave the ability to sign-off in 3 or 4NT.

Also, unlike Precision or a lot of other artificial systems, our responses aim to establish whether wehave the balance of points quickly, the 1 response immediately saying that we have at least 22 HCP.Once we have done this we will not let the opponents play in any un-doubled contract, a conventionthat we term a penalty trap . Pass is forcing and shows a doubleton in their suit, and X is penalty oriented and shows three cards (or four cards at the two level). This is especially useful at match pointpairs where 200 if often a world wide top.

Lastly, we deal with intervention at the three level by assuming we have the balance of points and startthe same penalty trap immediately.



Opening Response Points Description

1 *f 1 *f 6, 7 semi-positive

1 * 0-5 negative

1NT*g 8+ five card hearts

2 *g 8+ no five card major

2 *g 8+ five card spades

2 8+ seven card suit 2NT*g 8+ 55 in the majors

3 *g 8+ good seven card suit RKCB


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Mirror Responses...

After a semi-positive response 1 *g shows any 18+ and creates a game forcing situation. Responder'scontinuations mirror the direct positive responses and are hereafter referred to as "MirrorResponses"...

Opening Resp Open Response Description

1 *f 1 *f 1 *g 1NT five card hearts

6, 7 18+ 2 no five card major

2 five card spades

2 seven card suit

2NT*g 55 in the majors

3 decent seven card suit

Opening Response Re-bid Length

1 *f 2 *g 2 0 none of the responses below... asking for missingmajors

2 5

2NT* both minors, 4432

3

6 no four card major 3 4 good seven card suit names the suit RKCB

Opening Response Re-bid Responder

1 *f 2 *g 2 *g

five card

2 *g Four card spades no three card support forhearts

2NT*g Two card support for hearts, no four cardspades. Opener can accept hearts holding sixof them with 3 RKCB

3 singleton heart, five card minor

3 Accepts hearts RKCB


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Opening Response Re-bid Responder

1 *f 2 *g 2 *g

five card

2NT*g Two card spade support, opener can acceptspades holding six of them with 3 RKCB

3 singleton spade, five card minor

3 4441 short in spades

3 *g accepts spades RKCB

Transfer Responses 1NT and 2

Positive responses or 1NT*g showing hearts and 2 *g showing spades are loosely termed "transferresponses". Opener can accepts the transfer by bidding the shown major with two card support. He canalso "break transfer" by bidding a five card suit below the transfer suit regardless of support. Breakingtransfer to a suit above the transfer suit show a singleton or void in the transfer suit and a five card suit.Breaking transfer to 2NT*g shows a shortage in the transfer suit and four cards in the other majorallowing responder to accept this major at the three level. After accepting the transfer responder showsa side suit or bids 2NT with 5332 naturally, with a six card transfer suit however he can accept the suit by bidding it at the three level RKCB.

Opening Response Rebid Points Length

1 *f 1NT*f 2 5 Fewer than three hearts

five hearts 2 Two+ card hearts, asking for more

info. Opener shows a suit suit, 2NT5332 or 3 with six accepting the suitas trumps RKCB.

2 5 Five spades singleton heart

2NT* singleton heart four card spades,3 accepts spades

Opening Response Rebid Points Length

1 *f 2 2 5 Fewer than three spades

five spades 2 Two+ card spades, asking for moreinfo. Responder bids a four card sidesuit, 2NT 5332 or rebids 3 wiht sixaccepting them as trumps RKCB.

2NT* Four card hearts singleton spade.3 accepts RKCB.

3 5 Five card, singleton spade, denies

four hearts.


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Opening Response Re-bid Points Length

1 *f 1 *f 1NT 16-20 Semi-balanced or 4441 See below for responses

0-5 2 16-20 5 These are pretty much sign-offs (note you pass with spades 16-20!)

2 3 21-23 5 big but non-forcing, partner can pass with 0-2

2NT 21-23 Could be semi-balanced, any 4441 or hold aminor suit singleton say 5431 in a minor.

3 Stayman response can be balanced with afour card major or 54 in the majors

3 transfer asks opener to bid 3 and3 transfer asks opener to bid 3 . Respondercan then either pass or bid on.

3NT 24+ Stayman and Transfers with a sign-off in4NT available thereafter

3 4 7RKCB naming the suit as trumps

Stayman is used over all of opener's NT rebids. Responses to a 1NT rebid are otherwise the same as tothe 1NT opener. Responses to a 2NT or 3NT rebid by the diamond opener use transfers to the majorsinstead.

Opening Response Rebid Responder Points Length

1 *f 1 *f 1NT 2 *f 0-5 0 Stayman asking for afour card major or2 with neither.Responder could be

54 in the majors orhold a long weak minor 0-3.

16 0-5 16-20 2 *f 4, 5 good five card majoror diamonds, see 1NTopening for details

2 0-3 weak

2 0-3 weak

2NT* 4, 5 invitational with fiveclubs

3 4, 5 7 One of the top three

honours, invitational


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Opening Response Opener Responser Length Description

1 *f 16+ 1 *f 6, 7 2 16, 17 five 2 5 Five or six singleton heart

2NT Singleton heart

3 6 Singleton heart

3 4 Genuine game chances

4 5 Natural

3 4 Voidwood

Dealing With Intervention

Mirror responses are preserved when the opponents X or overcall 1 / . This is done by either using Xor XX as a game force when available or 1 *g where it's not. When the opponents intervene with X

or 1 the 1 * response is weakest and responses get stronger the lower they get, pass being semi-positive. Over 1 X is the weakest response with pass again as any 6 or 7.

After overcalls below 1NT and a pass by responder we have shown 22+ and a penalty trap operates if the opponents bid further.

After overcalls below 1NT and a response other than pass we have not demonstrated that we have 22+.If the opponents bid further natural bidding occurs overcalls and passes are non-forcing and X istakeout. If opener has a game force or possible game he will need to jump, cue or X for takeout andthen make a subsequent bid.

Opening Overcall Response Points Length

1 *f (X) Pass* 6, 7 semi-positive withXX*g reply as 18+

with mirrorresponses.Minimum bids after

a pass are 16, 17natural.

XX* 4, 5 semi-negative, 1 *greply as 20+ mirrorresponses

1 * 2, 3 negative with 1 *g22+ mirrorresponses

1 * 0-1 super-negative. Bidsof 2 up are gameforcing 24+

1NT*g 8+ five hearts

Others 8+ Same as withoutintervention
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1 *f (1 ) Pass 6, 7 semi-negative with X*g as any 18+ and mirrorresponses

natural X 4, 5 semi-positive with 1 *g 20+ and mirrorresponses

1 * 0-3 negative with bids of 2 up 22+ and naturaland cue bids as 22+ takeout

1NT*g 8+ five hearts same without intervention

2 *g 8+ no five card major

2 *g 8+ five spades

1 *f (1 ) Pass 6, 7 with X* by opener as game forcing 18+ askingfor mirror responses

natural X 0-5 negative, opener must jump of cue to show 21+

Others mirror responses preserved

No conventional bids are played after an overcall of 1NT and up. Instead X is penalties and pass isforcing, either weak or takeout shape 6+. In response to the forcing pass opener can also make apenalty double.

See penalty trap for more details.


1 *f (2 )

natural

Pass*f 0+ Could 0-5 or be 6+ with a takeout shape,opener should X with four hearts or bidnaturally except NT bids showing a takeoutshape.

X 6+ four card hearts asking partner to pass withtwo hearts or pull with fewer, NT bids aretakeout shape.

2 f 6+ 5 2/3NT Natural balanced with a stop

3 g 8+ 5

Higher g 7 good long suit RKCB

Opening Overcall Response

1 *f (3 ) Pass*f Either weak or takeout shape, opener assumes that it's a takeoutand makes a penalty double with three clubs or more. Responder

will pull this when weak. Without three clubs opener can bid afive card suit or bid 3NT for takeout.
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natural X Penalties three card clubs or more, opener should pass with twoclubs

3 g five card

3NT Natural with a stop

1NT Overcall

When the opponents overcall a natural 1NT all constructive 6+ hands make a X for penalties and other bids are 0-5 in the same way as over a club opener. If 1NT is artificial then we treat it like two levelovercall with the same responses as above

Responses to Five Card 1 Opening 12-15



Minimum responses show 10+ points, Jumps at two level are six card, at the three level are RKCBnaming the suit and at the four level are weak. 2NT is a slam try in the minors and 3NT is natural with both minors.

1 1 *f 10+ 4+ 10, 11 with four spades or game forcing with more

1NT 10, 11 no three card support or four card spades 2 *g 12+ game forcing could be a slam try

2 *f 10+ thee card hearts, partner bids 2 12, 13 other bids andcontinuations game forcing, marginal game or slamhands. Jumps in a new suit are Voidwood, 2/3NT isRKCB.

2 0-9 3+ TNT with six hearts and a maximum opener can bid2NT suggesting game with 7-9

2 *g 12+ 6

2NT*g 14+ Slam try both four card minors and two card support. With same shape and 12, 13 bid 3NT instead. 3 12+ 7 Names the suit as trumps 1430 RKCB

3/4 0-9 4/5 TNT raises

4 0-9 7 weak jumps

1 1NT 10, 11 no three card support or six hearts

2 *g 12+ game forcing could be a slam try

2 *f 10+ six card hearts, opener bids 2 12, 13 or 2 12, 13 sixspades misfit. Other responses by opener are gameforcing.


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2 *f 10+ thee card spades, partner bids 2 12, 13 other bids andcontinuations game forcing, marginal game or slamhands

2 0-9 3+ TNT raise

2NT g 14+ Slam try both four card minors and two card support. With same shape and 12, 13 bid 3NT instead.

3

12+ 7 Names the suit RKCB

3/4 0-9 4/5 TNT raises

4 0-9 7 weak jumps

Dealing with Intervention

After a double most responses are the same (system on)

Over-call Response Points Length

1 X Pass 0-9 X or XX by opener are for takeout

XX 10+ 2 Doubleton heart

1NT 10, 11 Singleton heart

Others Bids Same as without the X

After a 1 over-call system is on but 1NT shows 10, 11 with a stop and X is 10+.

Over a 1NT over-call X shows any 10+ penalties others are weak...

Over-call Response Points Length

1 1NT Pass 0-9

X 10+ Penalties

2 0-9 6 Singleton heart


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2NT UNT, both minors 55

Over a 2 level minimum over-called system is on except NT bids are natural and cue bids show a"mixed raise" meaning an invitational raise with TNT support.

Over-call

Response Points Length

1 (2 )

natural

Pass 0-9 Opener can then balanced with a X for take-out

X 10+ no other bid

2 *f 10+ good raise of hearts

2 *g 12+ 6 Same as without intervention

2NT 10, 11 with stop in clubs

2/3 0-9 3/4 pre-emptive TNT

3 *f 8, 9 four hearts invitational

3 g 15+ 5 five spades shows a stop stop in clubs, double first with fivelacking a club stop

4 *f 12+ genuine raise to game

4 0-11 5 pre-emptive TNT

Over higher intervention new suits are forcing, X is take-out and NT bids are natural.


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1NT Opening Bid 9-11 HCP

We are allowed to open 1NT with shapes 4333, 4432, 5332, 5422, 6322 and also 4441, 5431, 6331 witha singleton minor. Five card majors are not opened 1NT but are opened 2 of a minor instead. 1NT can be 9-13 in third and fourth since partner has shown fewer than 12 points, 2 response is natural by apassed hand.

The range allows us to open the most frequent three point range and never to play in 2NT the grave yard contract.

Since most systems feature five point ranges for suit opening bids when they re-bid their suit, it seemsreasonable to apply the same degree of accuracy to 1NT given that is has such a positive expectation,particularly at pairs where 'failing' to bid game may often get you a top.

Jones 2 Relay Response

This is another game forcing 2 relay. Obviously, as opener is weak, transfers are less attractive - butthey also give the opponents more chances to intervene since they can bid directly over the transfer orafter the transfer is completed to show a balancing hand. All games forcing hands go through this bid,the question is whether to stop in game or slam.


f Forcing RKCB Roman Key Card Blackwood (1430)

1NT 2 *g 0 15+ Most game forcing hands

2 *f 0 13, 14 Inivitational five+ card major or five+card diamonds to two top honours.

Opener bids 2 without a raise to game inhearts, 2 a raise to game in hearts butnot spades, 2NT shows raise to game in

both majors but not diamonds, 3 is gamein the majors or sign-off in diamonds and3NT is game in any.

2 5 0-12

3 6 0-7 pre-emptive

2NT* 13, 14 Five or more clubs to 2/3 top honours.

3 7 0-7 pre-emptive

3NT 15-21 Just bidding game directly

4 8 0+ May be slightly stronger in the majors

4NT* 21-23 Passwood, pass with minimum or show aces stepwise.

1NT 2 *g 2 *g 2 g 15+ five card

2 g 15+ five card

2NT * g 19 asking for yourlowest four cardminor


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3 g 19+ five card slam try with three cardsupport accept thesuit RKCB

3 g 19+ six card RKCB

3NT 15-21 Natural

4 g 19+ six card minorRKCB

4 15+ six card major noslam interest

4NT 21-23 Passwood with maxshow aces otherwisepass

1NT 2 *g

15+

2 *g no four card major

2 g four card hearts

2 g Four spades three hearts

2NT*g Four spades two hearts and a four card minor

3 g Four spades two hearts and five card minor

Responder Points

1NT 2 *g 2 2 g 4 15 will rebid spades or bid a minor later with five.

2NT*g 19+ asking for lowest four card minor, will accept RKCB or bid 3NT

3 g 5 19+ five card slam try, accept the suit with three card support RKCB

3 g 4 19+ RKCB

3 g 6 19+ RKCB

3NT 15-20

4 g 6 19+ RKCB

4

4 15-18 4 6 15--18

4NT 21-23 Passwood pass or show aces


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stepwise

Opener Responder Points

1NT 2 *f 2 f 2NT* 13-15 implies four hearts

3 heartsand 4spades

3 g 19+ five card slam try with three cardsupport accept the suit RKCB

3 13-15 five card support

3 13-15 four card spades

3NT* 15+ implies four hearts

4 g 19+ six card minor RKCB

4 15+ five card support

4 15+ four card support

Opener Responder Points

1NT 2 *f 2NTf Pass 13-15 four or five card hearts

2 heartsand 4spades

3 g 19+ five card slam try with three cardsupport accept the suit RKCB

3 13-15 six card hearts

3 13-15 four card spades

3NT* 15+ implies four hearts

4 g 19+ six card minor RKCB

4 15+ six card hearts

4 15+ four card support

Responder's bids after opener replies 3 g are very similar only it's a game forcing auction.

Defence to Penalty Double of 1NT

It is important to have a good pull of 1NT when doubled, the following is simple and effective...

Opening Response Points

1NT (X) Pass*f 0-12 forcing, no five card suit, asks opener to bid a five cardsuit or XX then responder normally bids suits upwards

but can also bid a suit then re-double to show a take-out


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of that suit. You can also pass the XX with 9-12.

2 0-12 five or six card

XX 13+ see penalty trap see TNT

2NT 0-12 55 in the minors

3 0-12 seven card pre-emptive 3NT 15+ Bit odd but 3NT is always natural to save confusion

4 0-12 seven card, pre-empts

Defence to Over-calls

After minimum intervention 2/3NT are natural with a stop, a cue bid shows a stop for 3NT but with amajor suit wanting to find a fit. Jump bids below 3NT are five card natural with a stop. So strongdirect bids show a stop and bids via a X deny a stop. Opening Overcall Response Points Length 1NT (2 ) 2 0-14 5 competitive

2NT 13, 14 Stop in hearts 3 0-14 6 competitive 3 *g 15+ four card spades with a stop in hearts 3 *g 15+ 5 shows a stopX* 0+ competative takeout or a game force

without a stop, coming back with a bidof 3 or above confirms the gameforcing type.

3NT 15+ natural with a stop 4 0-14 7 weak - X first then jump for RKCB

We're using a two way double that is either a weak takeout shape or shows a game value hand without a stop.Opener assumes the first and bids length before strength. With little preference between the suits at the nextlevel opener can use scramble.

Opening Overcall Response Opener Length 1NT (2 ) X* 2 4 denies a five card minor since we're

bidding length before strength 2NT Scramble asking the doubler to pick

his best at the next level. Here itasks for his better minor, over 2 it

would ask for his better of all threesuits.

3 4+ four card

If the doubler is strong he will come back with a bid of 3 or up showing a strong hand without a stop

in hearts. 3 would show four card spades but no stop, 3 would show five card spades with no stop,3NT would show both minors with no heart stop.


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2 Five Card Major Pre-empts

The Jones Strong Diamond System is designed for pairs and in pairs major suit contract tend to score very well when they make. Using two clubs to show five hearts and two diamonds to show five spadesallows you to bid both five and six card majors accurately. The frequency of these five card major bidsis much higher than regular six card weak twos. You also have the ability to pass the bid out or sign-off at a minimum level when you hold a singleton in partner's major.

The bid should show at least one of the top three honours to five when vulnerable. It is not made witha six card suit.

After and overcall X is used for all 15+ hands. After a X XX shows all 15+ hands. This leaves all other bids as weak hands with long suits and cue bids as Michaels and NT as UNT.

Opening Response PointRange

Length Description

2 7-11

Five hearts

2 0-14 5 Five card suit singleton heart typically (also 3 over 2 )

2 0-14 1 Generally shows two but might have asingleton

2NT 15, 16 Natural

3 *f 15, 16 Raising opener's minor show a good raise tothree of the major

3 g 17+ 5

4 0-13 7

3/4 0-13 TNT Raises, pre-emptive

3NT 17-23 Natural

4NT 23-24 Passwood, show aces stepwise or pass withminimum.

After a Double...


Length Description

2 X Pass 0-14 5 Must hold five clubs to pass

XX 15+ 4 Penalties with clubs

Other bids the same as without X


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Weak 2 Bids

Generally we dont open a weak two with 64xx if the four card suit is a major. Typically 6-10 HCP and asix or seven card suit.

Raising partner is pre-emptive using TNT.

After the relay responder gives step responses...

3 weak hand weak suit

3 weak hand 2/3 top honours

3 stronger hand weak suit

3 stronger hand 2/3 top hons

3NT stronger hand 2/3 top hons seven card

Artificial 2NT opener

Shows 7-9 and either six card minor non-vulnerable or seven card minor vulnerable. Partner bids aminor asking for opener to pass or correct. Majors are forcing with a good five or six card suit, openershould support with two card support or bid 3NT with a shortage in the major. A 3NT response would

show something like a 18 count and stops in both majors and a minor.

Wild Threes and Fours

Three level are 0-5 with a five or six card suit. Vulnerable you will have a six card suit or 55xx in twosuits. At the 4 level these are 7 card suits 0-7.

All bids by partner are non-forcing and natural

except 4NT RKCB. Notice that you need a very big hand to bid 3NT about 22+.

You can raise a minor non-vulnerable with four card support but majors should generally have fivecard support for a pre-emptive raise.

If you are 55xx open the lower suit so you have an escape route if the double gets passed round.

3 (X) Pass (Pass) 3 would show 55 in the two suits.

Notice that we are not bothered about minors scores being lower at pairs since we don't expect to makethe contract and will generally be scored against the opponent's playing the hand.


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Rationale of Wild Pre-empts

The theory of wild pre-empts is that with 0-5 you expect the opponents to be in game purely from ahigh card point of view and should hit them as hard as you possibly can from your first bid. It is truethat you might also hit your partner but you only have one partner and there are two opponents.

Also the statistics of fits are on your side because the vast majority of hands have an eight card fit andthe average fit on a random hand is 8.9 cards. Now I don't follow the law of total trick religiously butthis means that you generally have enough trumps to play at the three level even when doubled. If notdoubled the law of total tricks is irrelevant and with the routine use of take-out doubles it is hard tofind a penalty.

Alan Mould's 1998 book "Pre-empts A common sense approach to the hows and whys of pre-empts"introduces the concept of wild pre-empts. He gives this hand...

S xxx H xxx D xx C Jxxxx

as an example of Graeme Kirby and John Armstrong's (the top British pair at the time) first in pre-empt at green. However he also gave an example where Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell opened thispre-empt at red...

S xx H Qx D xxxxxx C xxx

and this was in 1986 the year that they won the world pairs by seven clear tops, the largest ever winning margin.

Artificial 3NT Opener

3NT shows a solid seven card suit with little outside. Partner passes with a stop in three suits and no void. 4 asks for the suit, 4 shows a raise of either minor and the majors are natural.


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Overcalls Over 1 Of A Suit NaturalOpenings

The priority with our overcalls is to get into the auction and compete to ourTNT level (see TNT section). We like to differentiate between strong handsand take out shape with our first bid and so use a strong double and a Baron1NT overcall for take out.

Key * Artificial

g GameForcing

f Forcing

RKCB Roman Key CardBlackwood 1430

Overcall Length Points X*f 15+ any stronger hand, see below for continuations

1 5 5-14 see below for continuations

1NT* 10-14 Baron, at least three cards in the other threesuits and at most two in the bid suit. If opener

bid a major then it shows four cards in the othermajor.

2/1 5 10-14 minimum over-call at the two level, not suitablefor a take-out bid of 1NT

CueBid*f

5-9 55 in the highest ranking unbid suit and anothersuit, Jump Cue 65 in the suits

2NT* 5-9 55 in the lowest two unbid suits, 3NT 65 in thelowest two

2 LevelJump

6 5-9 like weak twos same responses

3 LevelJump

6 5-9 six card non-vulnerable seven card vulnerable

4 LevelJump

7 5-9 seven card non-vulnerable, good suit vulnerableand eight card when vulnerable against not

Responding to a 1 Level Overcall

Our overcalls are weaker than normal and show a five card suit with at leastone of the top three honours.

Opener Overcaller Advancer Points Length

(1 ) 1 5-14 1 5-14 5+ same as directover-call non-forcing, missfit


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1NT 12-16 shows a stop andno major fit

2 *f 12+ Cue 12-16 support or15+. Over-caller

bids naturally butneeds 10-14 to bidpast 2 . Advancer willcontinue with 15+

by raising or bidding a new suit which is forcing.

2 10-14 5+ same as directover-call non-forcing, missfit

2 0-9 3 three card support

2 2-9 6 At least the Q tosix

2/3NT 17-19

20+

stop and no majorsuit fit naturallimit

3 12-14 Cue Cue bid, four cardsupport, semi-pre-emptive,partner bids 3

with 5-12, 4 12-14

3 0-11 4 four card support

3 up 0-11 7

4 12-14 Cue five card support,may be able todouble theircompetitive bids

4 0-11 5

Opener Overcaller Advancer Overcaller Points Length

(1 ) X* 15+ 1 * Pass 15-19 5 natural

1NT 15-19 with a stop,partner canpull to a fivecard suit toplay

2 15-19 5

2 *f 20+ no stop orfive card suit


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2 20+ 5

3 20+ 5

2NT 20-22 shows a stop

Responding to a 1 Level X When overcaller doubles showing 15+ and the opponents pass next step isnegative showing 0-6. If the opponent's bid or XX then pass is the negative bid 0-7 and X or XX is a 8+ without an obvious bid. You can also pass thedouble with 7+ and five cards in the bid suit.


(1 ) X* 15+ 1 * 0-6 0 Herbert Negative, step 1,

any weak hand 1NT* 3-6 natural stop in hearts

2 f 7+ 4 new minors four card,probably five

2 f 7+ 5 new majors five card

2 *f 7+ 0 take-out shape, fourcards in the other major

2NT 7-8 natural with a stop

3 g 7 game forcing good sevencard suit

3NT 9 natural with a stop

Opener Overcaller Advancer Overcaller Points Length

(1 ) X* 15+ 2 7+ 2 15+ 4 five card orfour card

without astop, fourcard supportor four cardspades

2 15+ 5

2 *f 15+ shows fourcards in theother major

3

15, 16 4 2NT 15, 16 balanced

with a stop


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Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer Points Length

(1 ) X* 15+ (2 ) X 7+ take-outshape

2 f 7+ 5

3 g 9+ 5

Response to Baron 1NT Overcall

We use a Baron 1NT overcall for several reasons. Firstly it differentiates between a takeout shape and strong hands. Secondly it allows us to raise pre-emptively and lastly it cuts down the opponents bidding space without givingthem a negative double or a cue bid. Over major suit openings a direct 1NTover-call shows four cards in the unbid major suit and three cards in eachminor at least. If the opponents double then we need a rescue method so XXand a cue bid show two suiters rather than strength.


(1 ) 1NT*

10-14

Pass 8-12 stop in the bid suit

2 0-12 4 natural weak

2 *f 12+ 0 all constructive otherthan NT hands, step 1 by over-caller is thenartificial and negative,step 2 is 12-14.

2NT 12-14 shows a stop

3 0-12 6 pre-emptive


3NT 14+ shows a stop


(1 ) 1NT*

10-14

(X) Pass lowest twosuits

2 a cue bidover aminor suitopening


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shows themajors

XX top and bottomunbid suits

2 5 five card


(1 ) 1NT*

10-14

(X) Pass lowest twosuits orhighest two,over-callershowspreferencefor lowesttwo. If over-caller

bids2 thenadvancer

will pull to2 with thehigher two.

XX top and bottomunbid suits

2

5

five card

Response to 2Level Overcalls


(1 ) 2 10-14 2 10-14 5 natural constructivedon't like clubs

2 *f 12+ 0 12-14 with support or15+ without

2/3NT 12-14

/15+

shows a stop

3 0-11 4



3NT 14+ shows a stop

3 *f 15+ club support


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(1 ) 2 10-14 (2 ) X 12+ take out orsupport attwo level

Others Same as

withoutraise

(1 ) 2 10-14 (3 ) X 12+

penalty oriented,three cardhearts ormore nomore thenthree clubs

4 four cardsupport,five card vul

Defence to Weak Twos

We use a take-out double with the same system of responses as to a double of an over-call over our 1NT opening. Overcalls at the two level are about 12-16,the three level will be a bit stronger 13-16 and a takeout double will be about12+, Jump bids are 16+ with a good six card suit. See 1NT section for Jones

2NT system.

Jones Defence To 1NT (weak orstrong)

Non-vulnerable Immediate Seat

Non-vulnerable we are very likely to pull 1NT and use all bids cluding pass toshow shape. With 18+ you can pass hoping partner will balanced with a X andthen pass out the X.

Opening Respons PointRange

Length Description

(1NT) Pass* 0+ Five card minor, both minors,4333 in the minors or any stronghand with a point more than1NT opener's max, say 15+ for12-14 1NT.

X* 0+ Four card spades, either 4432,4333 or 5422 in a minor.


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2 * 0+ 3 Four card hearts, denies fourspades, 4432, 5422 five cardminor or 4333 where you bid2.

2 5 Five card suit.

2NT* 0+ 55 in the minors

3 0+ 7 Seven card

3NT 13+ 7 Big single suit, suggesting amajor slam or minor suit game

4 0-12 7 Good seven card suit

In responses to all these bids new suits are non-forcing with a missfit and 2NTis scramble asking for best suit at next level.

Non-vulnerable Protective Seat

Here it's normal to X with min 21+ on your side and pull with 20 or less and afive card suit. Below show the point range when 1NT is 12-14 and a strongpass is 15+.

Opening Protective PointRange

Length Description

(1NT) Pass 0-5 weak with no five card suit

X 6+ Asking for your better minoror pass

2 0-5 5 Five card suit

2NT 0-5 55 in the minors

3 0-5 7 Seven card


4 0-12 7 Good seven card suit

ulnerable

When we are vulnerable we want to avoid going down two tricks for -200 which is normally a bottom overcall or double in the same with sound valuesonly.


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Length Description

(1NT) Pass 0+ Five card minor, both minorsor 4333 in the minors or justany 0-12

X 12+ Four card spades plus anotheranother

2 * 12+ 4 Bid suit plus four card hearts

2 12+ 5 Good five card suit

2NT* 0+ 65 in the minors

3 0+ 7 Seven card


4 0+ 8 Any eight

In the protective seat these bids are the same when vulnerable. in responsenew suits are constructive and forcing 10+ and NT bids are natural.

Note it is quite possible to simplify this defense to use the vulnerable approachthroughout.

Documents

Strong Diamond Card