Advanced Bridge

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Advanced Bridge

Lesson 1

Puppet Stayman

A. Background: Use of the standard Stayman Convention results in the No Trump bidder

disclosing his/her Major suit holdings when partner responds “2C”. The majority of times, however, in excess of 55% of the instances when the Stayman Convention is invoked, the opener has the opposite Major suit from that sought by the Responder, or no 4-card Major at all. Thus, the partnership returns to a No Trump contract with declarer having disclosed a 4-card Major suit or lack thereof. The result is that the defense now has insight into declarer’s distribution with specific reference to the Major suits, and, by deductive reasoning, the Minors as well. This information can be of great value in their defense of the hand.

The Puppet Stayman Convention , used in conjunction with Jacoby Transfer Bids, is a modification of the regular Stayman Convention, and is designed specifically to allow the same requisite disclosures while seeking a Major suit fit, but without the accompanying above-mentioned negative aspect afforded the defense. With this Convention it is the responder, not the opener, who evidences his/her Major suit holding. Remember, statistically speaking, it is responder’s hand which is likely to be tabled as the eventual Dummy. With this Convention the opener never discloses his/her Major suit holdings unless a fit is found, and even under a favorable fit circumstance, no disclosure is made by opener regarding the alternate Major suit about which responder has no central interest.

A secondary advantage of Puppet Stayman is to allow an opening bid of 1NT with a

15 HCP count (even 2NT with commensurate values) either scenario with an otherwise balanced hand, without giving up the possibility of eventually finding a potential 5-3 Major suit fit, especially under circumstances where there be invitational values by responder to the NT opener. Under circumstances where Puppet Stayman is not played by the partnership, such hands, oft times, offer opener a lack of an adequate rebid following a one Heart or a one Spade opening call. Note that if opener were to have opened 1 Spade as in Example (a), or 1 Heart as in Example (b), and assuming a possible 2 Club or 2 Diamond response by partner, any potential rebid by opener would be, to a greater or lesser degree, either inadequate, misleading and distorted, or both.

Example: (a) AQXXX AQX KXX XX (or) (b) XX AJXXX KQX AJX

B. The Convention: Puppet Stayman uses the “2C” response to a 1NT or a “3C” response to an opening 2NT to initiate a series of subsequent bids en route for a possible search for an 8-card Major suit fit. However, rather than asking opener to bid a 4-card Major, opener is asked to bid a Major suit only if it contains five pieces. If opener responds either 2H or 2S, responder can then proceed as if opener had opened 1H or 1S but with the additional knowledge that opener has just 5 pieces of the Major suit and 15-17 HCP’s. A response of “2D” by opener signifies the absence of any 5-card Major, but offers no information on opener’s possibly having none, one or two 4-card Majors. Note that almost all bids in the Puppet Stayman Convention need be alerted, for almost all are artificial. (All bids that are artificial, and thus alertable, are shown, hereafter, in quotes.)

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3-Way Jacoby Transfer/Inquiry Bids By Responder

(A) “2D”/ = Transfer to Hearts (“3D” over an Opening 2NT)

(B) “2H”/ = Transfer to Spades (“3H” over an Opening 2NT)

(C) “2S”/ = Minor Suit Inquiry (“3S” over an Opening 2NT) - Seeking a Minor suit

preference from opener. (Opener responds “3C” (“4C”)to show equal or longer Clubs or “2NT” )”3NT”) to show longer Diamonds). (Note 3C (4C) level is never by-passed by opener’s responses in case a final 3C (4C) destination be desired by responder. This Minor suit inquiry serves two purposes: (1) To find a 5-3 or better Minor suit fit in hands where responder, holding a 5-5 or better Minor suit holding, wishes to escape from a perceived doomed 1NT or 2NT contract, or (2) To explore a Slam interest in one of the Minors evidenced by an artificial “3H” further bid by responder subsequent to opener’s first answer to the Minor suit inquiry. Such a furtherance requests additional information about opener’s Minors in step fashion. Example: After 1NT/”2S”/”2NT”/”3H”/ “3S”= 3 Diamonds, “3NT”= 4 Pieces. After 1NT/”2S”/”3C”/”3H” “3S”=3 Clubs, “3NT” = 4 Pieces, “4C” = 5 Pieces.

Direct Puppet Stayman Bids By Responder After 1 NT By Opener

(By Groupings)

The following three groups of bids are used where Responder is not interested in opener’s Major suit holdings. In these series of bids, the Responder is the undisputed Captain of the bidding process and opener responds only to that which is asked by Responder.

1. Game Level Bids By Responder

All bids in this category are utilized when responder makes the unilateral decision that game is suitable and that it is presumed best if he/she be declarer; i.e., that the opening lead were to come towards, rather than through, responder; not-withstanding the stronger hand being revealed as the Dummy hand. (Opener passes all of the bids in this category)

(A) 3NT = To Play (Responder has no interest in either Major suit even if a 5-card Major held by

Opener)

(B) 4H = To Play (Used when responder opts to become declarer rather than to transfer.)

(C) 4S = To Play (Used when responder opts to become declarer rather than to transfer.)

(D) 5C = To Play

(E) 5D = To Play

2. Game-Forcing Texas Transfers Bids By Responder

All bids in this category are utilized when responder makes the unilateral decision that game is suitable and that it is presumed best if the strong hand be concealed, that opener become the declarer, and that the opening lead come towards the strong hand.

(A) “4D”/ = Transfer to 4H

(B) “2C”/”2D”/ “4H” = Transfer to 4S (“New Mexico Transfer”)

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3. Intended Drop Dead Bids By Responder

(A) “2C”/ = Willingness to accept any response from opener; i.e., “2D”, 2H or 2S. (Ideally

done with Responder having a 3-3-5-2, 3-3-7-0, or 3-3-6-1 distribution. Is

invoked when Responder wishes to exit from a NT contract holding as few as 0-8

HCP’s) Could even be utilized with a weak 6-card Diamond suit wherein, absent a

“2D” response, and subsequent to a 2H or 2S response from opener, responder will

run to 3D.

(B) “2NT”/ = Forces “3C” (Responder is either desirous of playing in a “drop dead” 3C

contract or else has a likely Slam 4-4-4-1 distribution. Subsequent to the “3C”

response from opener, responder will bid his/her singleton seeking support for one of

the other three suits.

4. Puppet Stayman Bid To Investigate for a 5-Card Major Before Settling on 3 NT

If Responder has game-going values; i.e., at least 10 HCP’s, knowing that the final destination is to be no less than a 3 NT contract, but yet having an unbalanced hand with a 3-card Heart suit and/or a 3-card Spade suit, Responder may well investigate for a possible hidden, as-yet-undisclosed, 5-card Major held by opener before settling on an alternate 3 NT contract.

(A) “2C”/”2D”/3NT = To Play (Responder first investigates the possible presence of a 5-card

Major. If opener responds 2H or 2S evidencing a 5-card Major

suit, responder can accept the Major suit if having 3 matching

pieces, or, if opener responds “2D”, responder can return to 3NT .)

Puppet Stayman Bids After “2D” Response By Opener

(By Groupings)

The following four groups of bids are used when Responder is interested in opener’s Major suit holdings. In these series of bids, the opener and the Responder work together as a team with one, or the other, acting as the ultimate Captain of the team in so far as the final contract dependent upon the series of questions and answers by the individual partners.

5. Invitational Bids With Responder Holding 6-4 or 4-6 in the Majors

The only means to accomplish this goal would be to handle the scenario as if there were a 5-4 invitational scenario and if opener does not evidence a fit for the 4-card suit, responder may then exit into his/her 6-card suit confident of no fewer than two cards from opener.

6. Game-Forcing Bids With Responder Holding 6-4 or 4-6 in the Majors

(A) “2C”/”2D”/”4C” = 6 Hearts and 4 Spades, Game Force (Opener bids 4S with 4 Spades or

4H absent the latter)

(B) “2C”/”2D”/”4D” = 6 Spades and 4 Hearts, Game Force (Opener bids 4H with 4 Hearts or

4S absent the latter)

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7. Bids with Responder Holding 5-4 or 4-5 in the Majors

(A) “2D”/2H/2S = 5 Hearts and 4 Spades, Invitational Values (With 15 HCP’s, opener will pass

with a Spade preference, bid 3-Hearts with a Heart preference, else 2NT.

With 16-17 HCP’s, opener will bid either 4H, 4S, or 3NT.)

(B) “2C”/”2D”/”3D” = 5 Spades and 4 Hearts, Invitational Values (With 15 HCP’s opener will

bid either 3H or 3S. With 16-17 HCP’s opener bids 4H, 4S, else 3NT.)

(C) “2C”/”2D”/”3H” = 5 Spades and 4 Hearts, Game-Force (Opener bids 4H holding 4 Hearts,

4S holding 3 or 4 Spades, else 3NT with

*(See # 10. Below for 2-way alternate meaning) specifically 3 Hearts and 2 Spades.)

(D) “2C”/”2D”/”3S” = 5 Hearts and 4 Spades, Game-Force (Opener bids 4S holding 4 Spades,

4H holding 3 or 4 Hearts, else 3NT with

specifically 3 Spades and 2 Hearts.)

8. Bids With Responder Holding One 4-Card Major

(A) “2C”/”2D”/”2H” = 4 Spades and Fewer than 4 Hearts (Opener responds 2S holding

4 Spades and a Minimum 15 HCP’s, 3S holding 4

* (See # 10. Below for 2-way Spades and a Maximum of 16-17 HCP’s, 2NT holding

alternate meaning) fewer than 4 Spades and a Minimum of 15 HCP’s,

or 3NT with fewer than 4 Spades and 16-17 HCP’s)

(Responder may pass, continue to 4S, or correct to 3NT when holding game values.)

(B) “2C”/”2D”/”2S” = 4 Hearts and Fewer than 4 Spades (Opener responds 3H holding

4 Hearts and a Minimum 15 HCP’s, 4H holding

4 Hearts and a Maximum of 16-17 HCP’s, 2NT holding

fewer than 4 Hearts and a Minimum of 15 HCP’s,

or3NT with fewer than 4 Hearts and 16-17 HCP’s.)

(Responder may pass, continue to 4H, or correct to 3NT when holding game values.)

9. Bids With Responder Holding Two 4-Card Majors

(A) “2C”/”2D”/”2NT” = Holding Both 4 Hearts and 4 Spades, and Invitational Values. (Opener

corrects to 3H or 3S with 4 of either and a minimum 15 HCP’s,

4H or 4S with 4 of either and a maximum 16-17 HCP’s, Passes

2NT with a minimum and neither 4-card Major, or responds 3NT

with a maximum 16-17 HCP’s and neither 4-card Major.

(B) Holding Both 4 Hearts and 4 Spades, with Game Values. (See # 10 (2) below)

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10. 2-Way Heart-Bids By Responder

There is one further nuance in order to evidence the missing possibilities not yet included. All Heart responses by the Invokee evidence a Two-Way possibility and not the single manner already shown.

(A) “2C”/”2D”/”2H” = Either: (a) Four Spades and Fewer than Four Hearts (Opener responds

2S with 4 Spades and a minimum of 15 HCP’s, 3S with

4 Spades and a maximum of 16-17 HCP’s, 2NT with fewer

than 4 Spades and a minimum of 15 HCP’s, or else 3NT with

fewer than 4 Spades and a maximum of 16-17 HCP’s.)

(With greater than 9 HCP’s, responder can either continue to 4S if opener bids 2S or 3S evidencing a holding of 4 Spades, or continue to 3NT if opener denies a 4 Spade holding and having evidenced 15 HCP’s by bidding 2NT.)

or: (b) An invitational 2NT scenario (Responder, not having been

interested in Spades at all, will correct to 2NT with 9-10 HCP’s

if opener bids 2S, or will continue to 3NT if opener responds 3S

evidencing 16-17 HCP’s.)

(B) “2C”/”2D”/”3H” = Either (1) Five Spades and Four Hearts, Game Forcing,

or (2) Four Spades and Four Hearts, Game Forcing

Opener will respond: (a) 4H with 4 Hearts

(b) 3S with 3 Spades (In case responder has 5 Spades)

(d) 3NT with specifically 2 Spades and 3 Hearts (No Major interest)

11. Puppet Stayman Over a 2NT Opening Bid

(A) 3-way Jacoby transfers as before. (D = Hearts, H = Spades, and S = Minor Suit Inquiry)

(B) “3C” asks for a 5-card Major, “3D” reply by opener denies a 5-card Major.

(C) “3NT” shows 4-4 in the Majors with game values, opener passes or corrects to 4H or 4S.

(D) “3C”/”3D”/”3H” = 4 Spades and fewer than 4 Hearts, or 5 Spades and 4 Hearts.

1. Opener will then bid 3NT if no interest in either scenario; (i.e., having 2Spades and 3 Hearts),

2. Or “3S” if having some interest in either or both scenarios.

Responder will pass 3 NT in instance 1. or if 2. will bid:

a) 3NT if holding 4S and fewer than 4 Hearts (Opener can correct to 4S if so desires).

b) or 4H if holding 5 Spades and 4 Hearts (Opener can then choose).

(E) “3D”/”3H”/”3S” = 5 Hearts and 4 Spades. Opener bids 4H, 4S, or 3NT.

(F) “3C”/”3D”/”3S” = 4 Hearts and fewer than 4 Spades.

(G) “3C”/”3D”/3NT = To play, Must be alerted as being necessary even if Responder has no

interest in a 5-card Major because of (C) above. or having an

interest in one of the Majors holding three pieces looking for

five pieces from opener.

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12. Quantitative Invitational NT Bids Over a 1NT Opening Bid

(A) 4NT = Demands a pass with a minimum (15 HCP’s) and 6NT with a maximum (16-17 HCP’s)

(B) 5NT = Demands 6NT with a minimum (15 HCP’s) and 7NT with a maximum (16-17 HCP’s)

13. Odd-Ball Holdings Utilizing Puppet Stayman

(A) “2C”/”2D”/”3C” = A long unspecified Minor Suit with Slam Possibility. Opener will

take a relay to “3D” after which responder, with Slam inquiry and 6-

losers in a pre-supposed 6-card or better Minor suit of choice, bids “3H”

with a semi-solid Club suit, “3S” with a semi-solid Diamond suit, and

3NT with a totally solid Minor (easily discernible by opener). Opener

will then apply the losing trick count, and with 6 losers and support for

the semi-solid Minor, or 6 losers opposite the solid Minor will proceed to

6 of the Minor.

C. Summation: The Puppet Stayman Convention is admittedly more intricate and involved than regular Stayman. In some of its fancy sequences, declarer’s hand is sometimes revealed, but in the “bread and butter” sequences, it usually is not. In the final analysis, it is usually more fun to play, more exacting and diverse in its capacity for Responder to show his/her holdings, yet devoid of mechanisms which inadvertently impart information useable by the defense should No Trump become the final contract. It is a valuable and useful bidding tool.

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Advanced Bridge

Lesson 2

“SOINX”

“SOINX” an acronym for “Scramble Out of 1NT Doubled (X)” is an artificial convention utilized when the Opponents double your Partner’s opening 1NT bid (evidencing an equivalency of approximately 16 or more HCP’s over a Strong (15-17 HCP) No Trump System, or 13 or more HCP’s over a weak (11-14 HCP) No Trump System, and you, the partner of the 1NT bidder, must decide, based upon your distribution, and/or the presence or absence of any of the remaining HCP’s left in the combined hands of you and your LHO (Doubler’s partner), whether to save your partner’s doubled 1NT, or to punish the original Doubler by steering the bidding into a penalty double scenario.

Example: North (Opponent)

“Double”

West (Partner) East (You)

1NT ???

The standard, more usual ways such a scenario is handled are either of the following:

a. Everything is natural to play.

Example: 1NT Dbl. 2H (To Play)

b. “Front of Card”; i.e., Stayman and transfers are both still in force.

Examples: (1) 1NT Dbl. “2C” (Stayman)

(2) 1NT Dbl. “2H” (Transfer to Spades)

The problem with the above-referenced extrication methods is that they fail to include a method wherein the NT bidder can be brought into the decision-making process when Partner has two suits with which to “save” the situation. The “SOINX” Convention, however, solves this problem and utilizes three bids by Opener’s partner, each of which signifies a very different kind of holding, and with variant intent. They are as follows:

???

a) A Redouble forces a puppet bid of “2C” by West, with East them placing the contract into a 1-Suiter by either passing if his/her suit is Clubs, or by bidding 2D, 2H, or 2S.

b) Any suit bid by East is the lower-ranking of 2 touching suits with the NT bidder either passing or bidding the next higher ranking whichever he/she prefers of the two offered choices.

(Examples: “2C” = C&D; “2D” = D&H; “2H” = H&S)

c) A “Pass” by Partner forces a “Redouble” by Opener. East now either converts the Redouble to penalties by passing; else bids the lower ranking of 2-Non-Touching suits (C= C&H; D=D&S) with Opener then choosing the lower-ranking by passing else converting to the higher-ranking suit if that be Opener’s preferred choice.

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Advanced Bridge

Lesson 3

New Minor Suit Forcing

“New Minor Suit Forcing” is generally recognized as a rebid by Responder, subsequent to a Minor-Major- NT bidding sequence by the partnership. It is an alertable cuebid using the alternate, previously-unbid Minor suit as the initiating, artificial cue bid.

Opener Responder

Examples: (a) 1C 1H

1NT “2D”

(or)

(b) 1D 1S

1NT “2C”

(or)

2NT “3C”

It can, however, be thought of as being provoked in a surrogate, alternative similar-meaning type sequence such as,

(d) 1H 1S

2H 3C

even though, in this latter example, the 3C Minor suit bid is natural; as opposed the the cuebids listed above in (a) or (b) or (c) which may well be conventionally artificial, it is still possible to be used in such a manner as to invoke a similar possible response from the opening bidder, as we shall discuss herein.

In each of examples (a), (b), and (c), above, Responder’s new Minor suit rebid evidences a possible 5-card Major suit holding with at least invitational strength; i.e., 10 HCP’s or more. Opener, who has evidenced a balanced hand, too weak to open 1NT in examples (a) and (b), or 2NT as in example (c); is asked to either evidence or to disavow a 3-card support for responder’s previously-mentioned Major suit.

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Opener, who has already denied 4-card support as a result of his/her response of NT, responds:

Without 3-card Support With 3-card support

Opener Responder Opener Responder

(a) 1C 1H 1C 1H

1NT “2D” 1NT “2D”

“2S” (with a minimum) 2H (with a minimum)

1C 1H 1C 1H

1NT “2D” 1NT “2D”

“2NT” (with a maximum) 3H (with a maximum)

(or)

(b) 1D 1S 1C 1S

1NT “2C” 1NT “2D”

“2H” (or 2D) (With a minimum) 2S (with a minimum)

1D 1S 1C 1S

1NT “2C” 1NT “2D”

“2NT” (With a maximum) 3S (with a maximum)

(or)

2NT “3C” 2NT “3C”

“3S” (With a minimum) 3H (with a minimum)

1D 1H 1D 1H

2NT “3C” 2NT “3C”

“3NT” (With a maximum) 4H (with a maximum)

Subsequent to any of these bidding sequences, Responder then becomes the Captain, signing off at 2- or 3NT, 3- or 4 of the agreed-upon Major, else invites or examines for Slam with the knowledge gleaned from the bidding interplay. Note that without 3-card support for Responder’s Major suit, all of Opener’s rebids in response to the New Minor Suit cue-bid are artificial in nature. Having acknowledged this fact, however, all of the bids in the New Minor Suit system are alertable since they have a specificity of meaning to the partnership.

For the most part, when responder invites to game on many hands with as few as

10 HCP’s., but one with a fit, a distributional point or two added to partner’s maximum could conceivably elicit game, whereas, if partner has only a 12 HCP count without a fit for responder’s Major suit, the partnership will usually fare best in a 2NT contract with their combined 22 HCP count.

New Minor Suit Should never be utilized by a Responder in above-type auctions with fewer than 10 HCP’s.

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The ability of Responder to handle the bidding subsequent to opener’s rebid of 1NT in a Minor-Major-NT sequence is now complete with the availability of the “New Minor Forcing” Convention.

In each of the following six (6) types of hands, what is Responders rebid?

Examples: The bidding has gone: Opener (Partner) Responder (You)

1D 1H

1NT ????

a) XX Opener (Partner) Responder (You)

KQXXX 1D 1H (Bid 2H. You are concerned not

XXX 1NT ???? to leave the final contract in NT with partner denying 4 Spades.

QXX You know opener can have no fewer than 2 Hearts due to his/her rebid of 1NT and you hope it be 3 pieces, but you are willing to play the hand in 2H even with a 7-card fit it lieu of 1NT. Your 2H bid is a drop dead rebid.)

===========================================================================

b) X Opener (Partner) Responder (You)

KQXXXX 1D 1H (Bid 2H once again a drop dead

XXX 1NT ???? scenario. This time you are confident of the 8 or 9 piece

QXX Heart fit with partner guaranteeing 2 or 3 pieces with his/her 1 NT Rebid.)

===========================================================================

c) XX Opener (Partner) Responder (You)

KJXXXX 1D 1H (Bid 3H, Invitational. You

AXX 1NT ???? Commit the partnership to a Heart contract evidencing at

QX least 6 pieces, you need only to ask partner to proceed with a 4H rebid holding a maximum of 13-14 HCP’s, else pass the 3H bid holding a minimum of 11-12 HCP’s.)

===========================================================================

d) X Opener (Partner) Responder (You)

KQXXXX 1D 1H (Bid 4H. You know opener has

AXX 1NT ???? no fewer than 2 Hearts and opposite the opening 7-loser

AXX hand you can see no less than a game contract in Hearts as the proper end contract.)

===========================================================================

e) XX Opener (Partner) Responder (You)

KQXXX 1D 1H (Bid “2C”, the New Minor Force.

KXX 1NT ???? You hold at least 10 HCP’s and 5 Hearts. Opener has

QXX already denied 4 Hearts, but can have no fewer than 2 owing to his/her rebid of 1NT. You now require information as to openers having either 2 or 3 Hearts, and whether his/her point count is either a minimum of 11-12 or a maximum of 13-14 HCP’s. If opener bids “2S” (2 Hearts + minimum) you will rebid 2NT (Drop Dead). If opener bids “2NT” (2 Hearts + a Maximum) you will Pass. If opener bid 2H

(3 Hearts + a Minimum) you will pass. If opener bids 3H (3 Hearts + a maximum) you will proceed to 4 Hearts.)

f) XX Opener (Partner) Responder (You)

KQXXX 1D 1H (Bid “2C”, the New Minor Force.

AXX 1NT ???? You know your team belongs in game, you only need to know

AXX whether opener has 2 or three pieces to determine whether 3NT or 4H is the better final contract. If opener bids “2S” or “2NT” showing 2 Hearts and a minimum or maximum point count respectively, you will proceed to 3NT. If opener bids 2H or 3H showing a holding of 3Hearts, in either case you will proceed to 4H.)

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Advanced Bridge

Lesson 4

“4^th Suit Forcing”

Usually, any new suit bid by Responder is natural and forcing for at least one round. There is one circumstance, where a new suit by Responder, is, however, not forcing. When Opener opens with either 1C or 1D, Responder then bids 1S, Opener rebids 1NT, and Responder rebids 2H, such sequences are not forcing.

Opener Responder Responder’s Hand

(a) 1C 1S AXXXX

1NT 2H KXXX(X)

X(X)

(b) 1D 1S XX

1NT 2H

In both of these examples above, Responder is showing 5-Spades and 4 or 5 Hearts, and, with less than game values, as Captain, is presenting, a final contract of either 2H or 2S as a better alternative than Opener’s 1NT. Here, even though a new suit by Responder has been introduced, the bid of 2H in each of the above, is not forcing. In most other examples, a new suit by Responder is forcing for one round.

At the 1-Level, as Opener and Responder both bid “Up the Ladder”, the new suits by Responder are all natural, and are both forcing for one round (Example c). Any new suit, presented by Responder at the 1-Level, is forcing for one round.

Opener Responder Responder’s Hand

AXXX

1H 1S KXXX

XXX

When Responder bid of any new suit is presented as a Reverse, such new suit bids are natural and are forcing to game (Example d). A Reverse by Responder evidences, at least, opening count, and is forcing to game.

Opener Responder Responder’s Hand

AXXX

(d) 1C 1H AXXXX

1NT 2S AK

A 4^th suit bid by Responder may be artificial or natural, but, unless at the 1-Level as in Example c above, is usually forcing to game (although some partnerships play 4^th suit is forcing only for one round). Such a bid is called “4^th Suit Forcing”. Until proven otherwise by any further rebid by Responder of that 4^th suit, the bid is considered conventional, is alertable, is usually artificial in that it, most likely, says nothing about that suit in particular and forces the partnership to game. (Examples [e], [f], [g], and [h])

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South North

Examples: You (North) Hold: XX 1D 1H

AXXX 2C “2S”

(e) AKQX

XXX

------------------------------------------------

AX 1S 2C

(f) XXX 2D “2H”

XXX

AKJXX

------------------------------------------------

XX 1S 2D

(g) KX 2H “3C”

AKQXXX

XXX

------------------------------------------------

XX 1C 1D

(i) KX 1H “2S”

AKXXXX

QJX (Notice in this example, North

jumped to “2S” in order for the bid to be 4^th suit forcing. If his/her bid had, alternatively, been presented as 1S it would not have been artificial and forcing, rather an “Up the Ladder” natural bid, as in Example c, above.)

Under most circumstances, when 4^th suit by Responder is employed, Responder seldom wishes to bid the 4^th suit in a natural sense. Had Responder truly held that 4^th suit, he/she would have, most likely bid NT himself/herself. The bid, therefore, generally evidences no stoppers in the 4^th suit, and is asking Opener to bid NT if Opener has a stopper in that 4^th suit. It is absolutely forcing to game, and, therefore, Responder must never bid as such unless he/she holds opening count, or better.

Absent a stopper in the 4^th suit, thereby obviating any NT call, Opener’s next obligation is to either (1) support Responder’s suit with a 3-card support, having already denying a 4-card support by not supporting previously, or (2) re-bidding his/her own 5-card suit absent any of the above alternatives.

If Responder rebids his/her 4^th suit, however, Responder then evidences a natural second suit, as in the following example:

South North

Example: You (North) Hold: AKXXXX 1D 1S

AKJXX 2C “2H”

(i) X 2NT 3H (Natural)

A bid, by Responder, of the only as-yet-unbid (4^th) suit at his/her second turn, above the 1-Level, is an artificial forcing bid, usually forcing to game. It is called “4^th Suit Forcing”. It is considered an “asking bid” unless that suit is rebid by Responder in which case it is then considered as natural (as in Example d).

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Advanced Bridge

Lesson 5

Forcing and Transfer Responses Over Reopening No Trump

A balancing, pass-out seat, 1NT shows a much wider range than does an opening 1NT, or a direct overcall of 1NT, both of which traditionally show a generally-accepted 15-17 HCP range. The balancing, or so-called “Reopening 1NT”, usually shows a 6-point range; i.e., perhaps 10-15 HCP’s.

Examples: North East South West

(a) 1H Pass Pass 1NT (10-15 HCP’s)

Pass ???

Responder, although a previously-passed hand, could conceivably have invitational or

even as much as opening values or more, previously unable to bid in second position following

the opening bid by his/her RHO. With the reopening No Trump evidencing a wide six point

range it is important for the reopening No Trump bidder to be induced to reclassify his/her hand into one of three categories (Minimum 10-11), (Moderate 12-13), or (Maximum 14-15) so that an appropriate final contract be achieved.

In order to invoke such a request, responder utilizes an inquiry with a “2C” artificial relay-type response when holding at least invitational vales; i.e., approximately 10+ HCP’s or more.

With a Reopening No Trump Bidder Holding a Maximum 14-15 HCP’s

Subsequent to the “2C” inquiry bid by responder, the reopening No Trump bidder, when holding a maximum of 14-15 HCP’s, bids Baron-style 4-card suits up the ladder at the 3-level or 3NT when holding a four-triple-three distribution with a 4-card Minor suit and a stopper in opener’s suit , or with four cards in opener’s bid suit. After any bid by re-opener showing a maximum, however, all sequences are game-forcing.

Examples: North East South West

(b) 1H Pass Pass 1NT

Pass “2C” Pass 3NT (14-15 HCP’s

and a 3-3-4-3 or a

3-4-3-3 distribution)

Pass “2C” Pass (3H - game forcing)

- 13 -

With a Reopening No Trump Bidder Holding a Moderate 12-13 HCP’s

Subsequent to the “2C” inquiry bid by responder, the reopening No Trump bidder, with any intermediate hand, (12-13 HCP’s), bids 2H, or 2S in an up-the-ladder style when holding a 4-card Major suit, or 2NT in order to denying any 4-card Major suit. After any medium range bid, 3-level bids by responder are forcing, while 2NT or 2S over 2H are invitational.

Examples: North East South West

(d) 1D Pass Pass 1NT

Pass “2C” Pass 2H (a 4-card Heart

holding saying nothing

yet about his/her Spade holding)

Pass 2NT (Invitational)

(e) 1D Pass Pass 1NT

Pass “2C” Pass 2S (a 4-card Spade

suit denying 4 Hearts)

Pass 3C (Forcing)

(f) 1H Pass Pass 1NT

Pass “2C” Pass 2NT (Absence of

either 4-card Major)

Pass Pass Pass

With a Reopening No Trump Bidder Holding a Minimum 10-11 HCP’s

Subsequent to the “2C” inquiry bid by responder, the reopening No Trump bidder, with any minimum hand, (10-11 HCP’s), bids an artificial “2D” bid without any reference, at this point, to his/her Major suit holding. After a 2H or 2S bid by the relay-er which show a 4-card suit, non-forcing; re-opener may either pass, correct to 2S over 2H, or else bid 2NT.

Examples: North East South West

(g) 1D Pass Pass 1NT

Pass “2C” Pass “2D”

Pass 2H or 2S (4-card suit) Pass

Pass Pass

(h) 1C Pass Pass 1NT

Pass “2C” Pass “2D”

Pass 2S Pass 2NT

Pass Pass Pass

(i) 1D Pass Pass 1NT

Pass “2C” Pass “2D”

Pass 2NT (Denies either 4-card Major)

- 14 -

When responder has less than 10 HCP’s, the question then arises as to whether it be more beneficial to leave the re-opener in NT, else convert the contract to a suit bid at the 2-level. Therefore, by partnership understanding, Jacoby transfer bids can also be used subsequent to a 1NT reopening bid occurring in the balancing, fourth seat pass-out position. The weaker the responder’s hand, the more likely the advantage of any such transfer to a

5-card or longer suit held by responder. With responder holding less than 10 HCP’s, the likelihood of a game being possible even if the reopening 1NT-er has a maximum of 15HCP’s is highly unlikely.

Examples: North East South West

(j) 1H Pass Pass 1NT (10-15 HCP’s)

Pass “2H” Pass 2S

(Transfer to Spades)

Pass Pass Pass

(k) 1S Pass Pass 1NT (10-15 HCP’s)

Pass “2D” Pass 2H

(Transfer to Hearts)

Pass Pass Pass

- 15 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 6

MARSHALL MILES CONVENTION OVER “2C” OPENING BIDS

The traditional method of responding to a strong, artificial, and forcing “2C” opening utilizes a bid of 2NT as a positive response evidencing 8-9 HCP’s without a 5-card suit (a); and a bid of 2H as a positive response evidencing the same 8-9 HCP’s with a reasonably good 5-card or longer Heart holding (b). Traditionally, as well, rebids by the Opening bidder of 2H following a negative bid of “2D” by Responder evidences a 5-card or longer Heart suit held by Opener (c); a 2NT rebid evidences a balanced hand with 23-24 HCP’s (d) ; and a jump to 3NT evidences a balanced hand with 25-27 HCP’s (e).

Examples: Opener Responder

(a) “2C”(1) 2NT(2) (1) Strong, Artificial, & Forcing

(2) 8-9 HCP’s with no 5-card suit

(b) “2C” 2H (3) (3) 8-9 HCP’s with 5 or more Hearts

2H (5) (5) A Natural Heart suit, 5+ Pieces

“2C” “2D”

(d) 2NT (6) (6) A Balanced 23-24 HCP Hand

(e) “2C” “2D” (7) A Balanced 25-27 HCP Hand

3NT (7)

The above bidding sequences present multiple problems. In example (a), should the partnership decide upon a No Trump contract, the strong opener hand becomes the tabled Dummy with the weaker hand thus becomes Declarer. In example (b), the same problem of the wrong hand becoming the open hand exists should Hearts become the final contract. Furthermore, Responder’s ability to utilize Stayman in example (f), or a Jacoby Transfer bid in example (g), in either instance in order to explore for a Major suit fit, is precluded in that an unsuccessful attempt will necessarily take the partnership beyond the 3NT level .

Examples: Opener Responder

(f) “2C” “2D” Responder holds: XXXX KXXX XXXX X

3NT ????

(Responder must Pass. Opener might

not have a 4-card Major and the partnership inadvertently exceed the

3NT level as a result of the desired Stayman attempt, thus precluded.)

(g) “2C” “2D” Responder holds: AXXXX XX XXXX XX

3NT ????

(Responder is similarly precluded from a

Jacoby transfer attempt to find a 5-3 Spade fit.)

- 16 -

The Miles method of responding makes use of a reversal in meaning of either, or both, the Heart and No Trump bids by the Responder and the Opener with beneficial effects in both instances. As you will see, the above-listed problems will be eliminated by means of this technic.

A. Miles Rebids By the Opening “2C” Strong, Artificial, and Forcing Bidder -

In the Miles system, subsequent to a “2D” negative 0-7 HCP response from Responder, when opener bids a rebid of “2H” it is a either a true Heart suit, else a hand where opener would have otherwise jumped to 3NT evidencing a 25-27 HCP count. Opener, thus, uses a “2H” rebid as a 2-way response.; i.e., evidencing either a natural Heart suit, else a very strong NT hand. Responder must then puppet “2S” to allow opener to show his real holding. If opener bids 2NT, he/she has a 25-27 HCP balanced hand allowing for Staymen or Jacoby Transfers to be employed by responder without by-passing 3NT, and if opener rebids anything other than 2NT, he/she has a legitimate Heart suit. Responder then acts accordingly.

Examples: Responder holds: XXXX KXXX XX XXX

(h) Opener Responder

“2C” “2D” (1) A 2-Way bid requesting a “2S” puppet

“2H”(1) “2S”(2) (2) A requested artificial puppet bid

3H(3) or [4C or 4D](4) 4H (3) A natural Heart suit

(4) Hearts and Clubs or Diamonds; etc.

(i) “2C” “2D” (5) A Balanced 25-27 HCP Hand which

“2H”(1) “2S”(2) would have normally rebid 3NT

“2NT”(5) “3C”(6) (6) Stayman - Responder will exit at 3NT

if no Major fit is found

Responder holds: XXX KXXXX XX XXX

(j) “2C” “2D”

“2H” “2S” (7) Jacoby Transfer to Hearts

“2NT” “3D”(7) (8) Check-back looking for 3 Hearts

3H 3NT(8)

Responder holds: QJXXXX XX XXX XX

(k) “2C” “2D”

“2H” “2S”

“2NT” “3H”(9) (9) Jacoby Transfer to Spades

3S 4S

----------------------------------------------------------

(l) “2C” “2D”

2NT(10) (10) The normal 23-24 HCP Balanced Hand

Stayman and Jacoby Transfer apply

as usual

- 17-

B. Miles Bids By the Responder - In the instances where responder would normally have made a positive response of either 2H or 2NT, he/she reverses these two bids.

Examples: Responder holds: XX KQXXX KXX XXX

(m) Opener Responder

“2C” “2NT”(11) (11) A positive 8-9 HCP Heart bid

4H holding 5 or more pieces - Opener who is likely to hold 3 or more pieces can then bid Hearts and the stronger hand thus remains the concealed hand. A potential disadvantage to this singular possibility is that should opener not have 3 or more Hearts, and the end contract be in NT, then the opener will not be the declarer.

Responder holds: XX KQX KXXX XXXX

(n) Opener Responder

“2C” “2H”(12) (12) A positive 8-9 HCP NT bid

3NT or 3S absent any 5-card suit.

Opener, who is now likely to want to exit into NT now remains declarer.

C. Miles Bids By the Responder other than”2H” or “2NT” - The Miles convention retains the standard meanings of the responses of 2S, 3C, or 3D. Each of these bids show a reasonable suit and a hand worth a positive response.

- 18 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 7

“TWERB”

Many Conventions exist used to interfere with, as a defense against, or to overcall subsequent to the opponents opening of a strong 1NT, 2NT, “2C”, or a Precision Strong “1C”. These include, but are not limited to the Brozel, Capeletti, Astro, Landy, Ripstra, and the most recent, “DONT” Conventions. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, all may be played over weak NT openings by the opponents as well. Each can be used either in direct position only, else in both direct and balancing positions.

The “Twerb” Convention (An acronym for “Two Way Exclusion Relay Bid”) is perhaps the most versatile of them all, and this author advises its use in both the direct and balancing positions subsequent to the opponent’s opening bid of any of the afore-mentioned openings. In all, there are but 10 (ten) possible hands that one would wish to bid in such a position; i.e., four (4) one-suited hands, and six (6) two-suited hands {four [4] with touching suits, and {two [2] with non-touching suits}. Each of these ten possible hands can be presented with the “Twerb” Convention, while preserving the “Double” for an equivalent or better hand to either be converted to penalties by partner’s “Pass”, else rescued as necessary if partner is weak. All bids by both the invoking and the responding partners are alertable since they are artificial. To be even more obstructive, if that be the intent, the invoking partner may jump a level by his/her invoking exclusion suit mentioned, and come in at the 3-level or even higher. All subsequent bids are still in effect as per the below-mentioned bids.

The bids of the Twerb Convention are as follows:

a) “Double” = An equivalent or better holding - Partner may “Pass” thereby converting the double to penalties, else bid evidencing either a poor hand or one interested in game as opposed to penalties.

===

- 19 -

b) “2C” = Either a one-suited Diamond holding or a two-suited Heart and Spade

holding (5-5 or better) - Responder takes the relay of “2D” - Invoking

partner may pass if Diamonds be his/her one-suiter, else bid “2H” if holding

both Hearts and Spades - Responder then chooses Hearts by Passing, else

bids 2 Spades if that be preferred. Note: “2C’ over a precision “1C” is not a

Michaels bid for the Majors.

c) “2D” = Either a one-suited Heart holding or a two-suited Spade and Club

holding (5-5 or better) - Responder takes the relay of “2H” - Invoking

partner may pass if Hearts be his/her one-suiter, else bid “2S” if holding

both Spades and Clubs - Responder then chooses Spades by Passing, else

bids 3 Clubs if that be preferred. Note: “1D” could be used over a precision

“1C”.

d) “2H” = Either a one-suited Spade holding or a two-suited Club and Diamond

holding (5-5 or better) - Responder takes the relay of “2S” - Invoking

partner may pass if Spades be his/her one-suiter, else bid “3C” if holding

both Clubs and Diamonds - Responder then chooses Clubs by Passing, else

bids 3 Diamonds if that be preferred. Note: “1H” could be used over a

precision “1C”.

e) “2S” = Either a one-suited Club holding or a two-suited Diamond and Heart

holding (5-5 or better) - Responder takes the relay of “3C” - Invoking

partner may pass if Clubs be his/her one-suiter, else bid “3D” if holding

both Diamonds and Hearts - Responder then chooses Diamonds by Passing,

else bids 3 Hearts if that be preferred. Note: “1S” could be used over a

precision “1C”.

Note: That in b) through e) above, the bid taken by the invoking partner is the exclusion

suit and that which is actually held by the invoking partner is either a one-suiter above, else a two-suiter below the suit actually mentioned.

===

f) “2NT” = A non-touching two-suiter (5-5 or better) evidencing either Clubs and

Hearts or Diamonds and Spades. - Responding Partner then bids the lower-

ranking of his/her two longest suits. Invoking Partner then either accepts if

that be one of his/her two suiters, else bids the cheapest of the other set of

two suits held and Responder can then choose from that pair. Note: “1NT”

could be used over precision “1C”.

===

- 20 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 8

The ROMAN KEY CARD (BLACKWOOD) CONVENTION

“RKC”

The Roman Key Card Convention (RKC) recognizes that the possession of the King of the agreed-upon trump suit may be just as important as the possession of any side suit Ace. Furthermore, it operates on the premise that possession of the Queen of the agreed-upon trump suit is the preeminent additional information of importance. With this additional information imparted, it is oft times easier for a partnership to determine if the final contract should be at the game level, the 6-Level (Small Slam) or, alternatively, even the 7-level (Grand Slam).

A. Using RKC, there are, therefore, five (5) key cards; i.e., the four (4) Aces and the King of Trumps. The King of trumps is, in the final analysis, almost as important a card as any Ace; for if a partnership is lacking both an Ace and the Trump King, a slam is likely to be a poor proposition.

The RKC Responses to 4NT are, therefore, more complicated than over the standard Blackwood Convention. They allow the responder to show the 4NT-bidder whether or not he/she holds the Queen of the specified Trump Suit as well as the five “Aces”.

(Using the 0314 Method):

“5C” = 0 or 3 key cards

“5D” = 1 or 4 key cards

“5H” = 2 or 5 key cards, without the Queen of the agreed-upon Trump Suit

“5S” = 2 or 5 key cards, with the Queen of the agreed-upon Trump Suit (*)

(*) When holding 5 or more pieces in the agreed-upon Trump Suit, Responder may respond as if he/she holds the Queen of Trumps even if it is not present (The unknown extra trump length acts as if the Queen of Trumps were present).

- 21 -

B. When the Responder has shown 0, 3, (“5C”) or 1, 4, (“5D”) key cards to the 4NT inquiry, he/she has not yet disclosed whether or not he/she holds the Queen of the Trump suit. If the “4NT” bidder wishes to ask about that card, he/she makes the cheapest possible bid exclusive of the trump suit, the latter of which would signal a sign-off. Using this method the responder would then answer the presence or absence of the Trump Queen along with his/her side suit Kings as follows:

First step = No trump Queen

Second step = Trump Queen and no side suit Kings

Third step = Trump Queen and one (1) side suit King

Fourth step = Trump Queen and two (2) side suit Kings

Fifth step = Trump Queen and three (3) side suit Kings

Example: Opener Responder

1S 3S

4NT “5D” (One or Four Key Cards)

“5H” (Trump Q?) “6C” (Trump Queen + One King)

C. If the partnership holds all five key cards and the trump Queen, 5NT is then bid by the invoking partner asking for Kings. Asking for Kings playing Roman Key Card is similar to asking for Kings using regular Blackwood; it promises all the Aces (plus the King and Queen of Trumps) and shows an interest in a Grand Slam.

The responses to 5NT in the RKC system are as follows: Note: The showing of one King (The King of Trumps) has already been accounted for.

“6C” = 0 or 3 Kings

“6D” = 1 King

“6H” = 2 Kings

D. If the Responder has a useful void, the responses to 4NT are as follows, as long as he/she does not go past the agreed-upon suit: Note than in so doing, h/she cannot distinguish between hands that do and do not contain the trump Queen.

“5NT” = 0 or 2 key cards plus an unspecified void

“6C” = 1 or 3 key cards, void in Clubs

“6D” = 1 or 3 key cards, void in Diamonds

“6H” = 1 or 3 key cards, void in Hearts

6 of the agreed-upon suit = 1 or 3 key cards, plus a void in a higher-ranking suit.

- 22 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 9

FORCING NO TRUMP

Whenever a partnership is utilizing a 5-card Major suit opening system, it is useful, in conjunction with a 2/1 (two-over-one) Game Force, to also use a Forcing 1NT response system. This pattern helps to narrow the ranges of other bids by the responder and thus helps in otherwise difficult situations. In general, the 1NT response to an opening of 1H or 1S is forcing, and alertable, and usually exhibits a range of between 5-11 HCP’s. (Note: In some situations, the responder’s HCP range may exceed 15; that is, may be unlimited.) Opener must make a rebid, even if it be a 3-card Minor or a 4-card Heart suit. Opener’s rebid then shows both distribution and point count. Responder, then becomes the team captain, and can then place the final contract, or invite to game, or slam.

Opener’s Rebid following Responder’s 1NT Force

Opener: AKXXX AXX KXX XX 1S 1NT

2D (Minimum Opening)

AQXXX KXXX XX AX 1S 1NT

2H (Minimum Opening)

AQXX KQXXX AQ KX 1H 1NT

2S (Hand is strong enough to reverse)

AQXX KQXXXX XX X 1H 1NT

2H (Minimum Opening + 6-Hearts)

AXXXX AKX AK QXX 1S 1NT

3H (Jump shift, Game Force)

JXX AXXXXX AKX A 1H 1NT

3H (One Trick Better than Minimum +

6 or more Hearts)

AXXXX AQX AX KXX 1S 1NT

2NT (A 16-18 HCP hand inviting to 3NT)

Thus, since the 1NT force usually exhibits 5-11 HCP’s, then any 2-level response of a new suit by responder shows 12+ points and is forcing to game in all but the following sequences where both opener and responder repeat their suits evidencing a misfit:

(a) 1H 2C (b) 1S 2D

2H 3C (Not Forcing) 2S 3D (Not Forcing)

2S 3C (Game Force)

- 23 -

Normally, under conditions where forcing NT is not employed the following response shows a wide range of between 5-10 HCP’s.

1H 2H (Support and 5-10 HCP’s)

With the use of the forcing NT, however, one can differentiate the following responses as:

(a) 1H 1NT

2C 2H (Support with 5-7 HCP’s and 10 Losing Tricks;

i.e., a hand weaker than (b) below, else a hand

holding only two trump support pieces)

(b) 1H 2H (Support with 8-10 HCP’s)(9-Losing Tricks)

------------------------------------------------- or

2D 3S (Limit raise with only 3 Supporting pieces)

NOTE: Responder would have jumped to 3 Hearts directly with the

same values, but with 4 Pieces in support of Spade suit

instead.

(d) 1S “2NT” (Jacoby 2NT evidencing Support for Spades with

Opening values. Forces partnership to game or

higher if opener has extra values.)

NOTE: Some partnerships have a non-standard “Multi-2NT Response”

Bid showing a Specialized bid. This Requires Partnership

Agreement as an alternate “2NT” response.)

------------------------------------------------- or

Responder holds: XXX XX KQXXXX XX

(e) 1H 1NT (Forcing)

2C 2D (A “Drop Dead” bid evidencing a 6-card or longer suit.

(or)

X AJXXXX JXX XXX

1S 1NT (Forcing)

2D 2H (A “Drop Dead” bid evidencing a 6-card or longer suit.

------------------------------------------------- or

Responder holds: AXX KQX KQXX AXX

(e) 1S 1NT (Forcing – with intent to either jump to 4H should opener

show a minimum hand with a rebid of 2H, 2S, 2C, or 2D;

else proceed onward to a possible slam should opener

evidence a better than minimum opening values with a

rebid of 3S, 2NT, 3C, 3D, 3H, or 4S)

- 24 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 10

Defense to Two-Suited Interferences

Unusual No Trump Over Unusual 2NT

Michaels Over Michaels Cuebid

When an opponent conventionally overcalls over your partner’s opening bid of 1C, 1D, 1H, or 1S, and evidences a two-suited hand, as with a MICHAELS CUEBID OVERCALL, or as with an UNUSUAL NO TRUMP OVERCALL, the opening bidder’s partner has several countermeasures; i.e., a double, a raise in opener’s suit, one or two cuebid(s) in the opponent’s implied suit(s), and a bid of the fourth suit not yet evidenced either by opener or by the implied two suits of the opponent’s overcaller. One must ascribe different meanings to each of these potential actions by the would-be responder.

---------------------------------------------------

1. A “Double” is a strength showing action. It is a hand that would be worth a redouble over opponent’s take-out double and should be avoided unless responder is prepared to penalize the opponents in at least one of the two choices implied by the interference.

--------------------------------------------------

Alternatively, if responder has offensive features, he/she should begin to describe his/her hand as in 2-5 below.

-------------------------------------------------

2. A Single Raise in opener’s suit is equivalent to a normal constructive raise in partner’s suit and is merely competitive. Although such a raise takes the partnership one level beyond a normal constructive raise, it has pre-emptive value on the assumption that the opponents have a fit which they would otherwise more easily find.

Example: You hold: XX QXXX AXXXX JX

1H “2H” ???

(Bid 3H even though without interference responder has

insufficient values for a Limit raise to 3H. At favorable

vulnerability, such a raise can be made with even fewer values.)

----------------------------------------

- 25 –

3. A Bid in a New Suit at the 2-level is natural and non-forcing, and a Bid of a New Suit at the 3-level is forcing to game.

Examples: You hold: QX AXXXXX KXX AX

1S “2NT” ??? (Bid 3H – forcing to game)

(or)

You hold: QX XXX AXXXXX KX

1C “2C” ??? (Bid 2D – Non-forcing)

-------------------------------------------------------------

4. A Cuebid in either suit shown by the interference, when two specific suits are evidenced by the opponents, is a general force that begins the further investigation for the best final contract. Responder must have invitational strength or better and either support for opener’s suit or length in the fourth, as-yet-unmentioned suit. In such instances, a cuebid in the lower ranking suit of the opponent’s implied two suits shows invitational strength or better in the lower ranking of the alternate two suits; and a cuebid in the higher ranking suit of the opponent’s implied two suits shows a good hand of invitational strength or better in the higher ranking of the alternate two suits. This parallelism; i.e., the lower cuebid = the lower of the alternate suits, and the higher cuebid = the higher of the alternate suits can be easily interpreted by opener as opener’s suit or, alternatively, the fourth, as-yet-unmentioned suit, simply by their relative suit positions on the bidding ladder.

Ex.: 1S “2NT” “3C” (Clubs and Diamonds are shown by the opponent.

Therefore, this cuebid of the lower ranking

of their two suits signifies a limit raise or better in the lower ranking of the remaining suits; i.e., the as-yet unmentioned Heart suit.)

(or)

1S “2NT” “3D” (Clubs and Diamonds are shown by the opponent.

Therefore, this cuebid of the higher ranking

of their suits signifies a limit raise or better in the higher ranking of the remaining suits; i.e., partner’s Spade suit.)

(or)

1H “2NT” “3C” (Clubs and Diamonds are shown by the opponent.

Therefore, this cuebid of the lower ranking

of their suits signifies a limit raise or better in the lower ranking

of the remaining suits; i.e., support for partner’s Heart suit.)

(or)

1C “2C” “2H” (Hearts and Spades are shown by the opponent.

Therefore, this cuebid of the lower ranking of

their suits signifies a limit raise or better in the lower

ranking of the remaining suits; i.e., support for partner’s Club suit.)

- 26 –

(or)

1D “2NT” “2C” (Clubs and Hearts are shown here by the

opponent. Therefore, this cuebid of the

lower ranking of their suits signifies a limit raise or better in the lower ranking of the remaining suits; i.e., support for partner’s Diamond suit as opposed to the higher ranking unmentioned Spade suit.)

------------------------------------------------------------

5. Note: In some two suit interferences, however, the opponent’s action also shows two suits, but, one of them remains unspecified. In these instances, responder only has one known cuebid available and the actions as outlined in # (4.), as well as the ability or need to mention a fourth suit, as before, becomes mute since the second unmentioned suit held by the interfering opponent remains as-yet-unmentioned.

(Examples: 1H “2H” (or) 1S “2S”)

In the above examples, Spades is the only available cuebid in the first instance, and Hearts, in the second, and the opponent’s Minor suit remains as-yet unmentioned. For these reasons, in these two unique instances, the following alternate responses by Responder to the opener are suggested.

(a) Most of all above-listed responses in numbers 1 through 3 are still in force; namely, a bid at the 3-level in a new suit is game forcing, and a double is penalty oriented.

(b) A bid of partner’s suit at the cheapest level is constructive.

(Examples: 1H “2H” 3H (or) 1S “2S” 3S

(Examples: 1H “2H” 2S (Invitational or better in support of

partner’s Hearts)

1S “2S” 3H (Invitational or better in support of

partner’s Spades)

(d) A Bid of 2NT is natural with invitational values.

---------------------------------------------------------

- 27 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 11

Cuebids

A Cuebid; i.e., a bid of a suit previously bid by the opponents, can mean different things at different times. They come in all shapes and sizes, denominations and bidding levels. A cuebid must always be considered within the framework of the bidding in which it takes place. It is, always, a forcing bid, and is usually in a suit in which the bidder does not wish to play, unless it is a natural bid as illustrated in the four examples listed in Section # 8., herein. Cuebids are sometimes alertable, but usually not. Cuebids can:

a) show a Control for Slam Purposes

b) show a Two-suited Hand (Michaels)

c) show a Strong (Limit Raise or Better) in Partner’s Bid Suit

d) create a Force to Game

e) create a Force for One More Round

f) ask for a Stopper

g) evidence a Stopper

h) Long-(Help-)suit and Short-suit Game Tries (Not herein discussed)

-----------------------------------------

1. Cuebids By the Opening Bidder

A. Cuebids Above or At Game Level – The level at which any cuebid is made is a vital consideration. At, or above the level of game, there can be no doubt that such a bid is a slam try. A cuebid used under these circumstances is also sometimes called a Control Bid in that it evidences First Round Control of the opponent’s bid suit. After a Major suit agreement at the 3-Level or higher, or a Minor suit agreement at the 4-Level or higher, new suits are slam-oriented cuebids showing first round control. Such bids are not alertable.

West North East South

2H “3H” (Limit Raise or Better in Support of Spades)

Pass “4H”

South has already committed the partnership to playing in at least a game level in Spades, so his/her bid of “4H” must, indeed, be a slam attempt. In such circumstances, a cuebid here guarantees first round control of the Heart Suit (either an Ace or a void) and asks partner to proclaim his/her next cheapest first round control. Absent any, partner then rebids the agree-upon suit, Spades in this instance.

North East South West

1D Pass 4D Pass

“4S” (A slam-oriented cuebid)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

- 28 -

B. Cuebids Below Game Level are much less precise. Under such conditions, a cuebid may or may not show slam ambitions, and the cue-bidder may, or may not, have a control in the cuebid suit. Such bids are not alertable.

West North East South

1H 1S Pass “2H”

All North can tell at this stage is that South has an enormous hand and wants to be in at least a game-level contract. Indeed, hypothetically, if South liked Spades and wanted to be in a Spade contract below game, South could have made a competitive bid of 2S, or a one-trick-better-than-opening bid of 3S. Here, however, South is either exploring for a contract higher than game in Spades (with holdings as in Example {a}), or is looking for a Heart stopper for a 3NT game (as with a holding as in Example {b}).

{a} AQ74 {b} A5

64 75

A6 AJ5

AKJ54 AKQJ86

North must make the most helpful bid he/she can conjure. If holding a Heart stopper, North must bid NT. In example {a} it would have been wrong for South to go immediately to 4S. South plans, however, to bid 4S on his/her next bid whatever the response from partner. A delayed or slow arrival to game always signifies a stronger hand than does a fast arrival. In {a} if North signifies a Heart stopper by bidding NT, then South will be interested in Slam. Absent a Heart stopper 4S is the optimum contract. In {b} South is seeking a Heart stopper for a 3NT contract else, absent one, a 5-Club contract appears to be the preferred game.

The use of a cuebid to seek a stopper (sometimes referred to as a Western Cuebid) is quite common. South holds the following hand:

West North East South

86 1C

J5 2S 3H Pass “3S”

Q97

AKQ864 The only way for South to determine if a 3NT contract be viable, would be

To ascertain whether North were to have, or not have, a Spade stopper. If

South had had a Spade stopper himself/herself, he/she could have simply bid

3NT directly.

-------------------------------------------

- 29 -

2. Cuebids By the Responder

A. Cuebids by Responder in a Competitive Auction Scenario; i.e., where there is overcall interference by the Direct Seat Opponent signifies support for partner’s suit and guarantees a limit raise (11-12 HCP’s or its equivalent; i.e., 8 Losers or fewer) or better in terms of point count. There is no upper limit to the strength of the cuebid when used under these conditions, and such bids are not alertable.

West North East South

1S “2S”

Notice here that 2H, 3H, and 4H bids were also available. The consensus, however, in these circumstances, seems to favor a 2H bid to be constructive (7-10 HCP’s; i.e., 9 Losers) – and 3H or 4H bids to be pre-emptive (0-6 HCP’s) holding four (4) and five (5) pieces of Hearts respectively. The cuebid thus becomes an invitational or better holding with trump support for opener while supporting directly in opener’s suit is either competitive or pre-emptive.

--------------------------------------------------------.

B. A Double Jump Shift (“Splinter Bid”) guarantees (1) support for Partner’s last-named suit, (2) opening count or better, (3) and either a singleton (Not a singleton Ace) or a void in the Suit in which the jump was made. Such unusual jumps guarantee game and suggest the possibility for a slam. (Note: Such bids can be made by either Responder or Opening Bidder. Splinter bids are alertable.

West North East South

1H Pass “4D” Pass (Here, East shows support

for Hearts, 13 or more

HCP’s, and a singleton or

void in Diamonds.)

(or)

West North East South

1H Pass 1S Pass (Here, West shows support

“4C” for Spades, 20 or more

HCP’s, and a singleton or

Void in Clubs.)

---------------------------------------------------------

C. “Fourth-suit Forcing” – A bid by Responder of the only unbid suit at Responder’s second turn, such bid being at the two-level or above, is an artificial force to game. Such bids are alertable. (Note: At the one-level, The “Up-The-Ladder” Principle applies and does not constitute a “fourth-suit forcing” scenario. Example: 1C, 1D, 1H, 1S)

West North East South

1H Pass 2C Pass

2D Pass “2S” (Fourth-suit Force)

East is clearly looking for a Spade-stopper. He/she would have bid NT himself/herself if a Spade-stopper was present in this otherwise obvious misfit hand.

- 30 -

3. Cuebids By an Overcaller

Charles Goren originally conceived that an immediate cuebid overcall, in the second seat relative to opener’s bid; i.e., 2C/1C, 2D/1D, 2H/1H, or 2S/1S was the equivalent of an opening forcing bid, guaranteeing a game. Today, such cuebids are two-suited take-outs commonly known as Michaels Cuebid. Such bids are not alertable.

A. Cuebids of Opener’s suit used in either the Direct or Balancing seat to signify a two-suiter with either 0-10 HCP’s or 16+ HCP’s. The distribution is usually 5-5 or better in the two suits held.

West North West North

(or)

1C “2C” (Hearts & Spades) 1D “2D” (Hearts & Spades)

West North West North

(or)

1H “2H” (Spades & Minor) 1S “2S” (Hearts & Minor)

-----------------------------------

B. Leaping Michaels. – A special type of Michaels bid made after an opponent’s opening weak 2-bid in a Major suit (Hearts or Spades). A jump to four (4) of a Minor suit under such circumstances shows the other Major suit and the bid Minor (probably 5-5 or better) with Game values. There bids are alertable.

West North West North

(or)

2H “4D” (Spades & Diamonds) 1S “4C” (Hearts & Clubs)

------------------------------------------------

4. Cuebids By the Responder to an Overcaller

The only forcing bid that a Responder to an overcaller can make is a cuebid of the opponent’s bid suit. Such a cuebid shows primary support for partner’s bid suit and an interest in game (a limit raise or better in HCP’s). Such bids are not alertable.

. West North East South

1S Pass “2H” (Limit raise or Better in support

of Spades)

--------------------------------------------------------

- 31 -

When the opposition has bid two suits, however, and their first bid suit is a Minor, then a cuebid of their Minor suit is natural and a cuebid of their second bid suit a cuebid with support for partner’s suit, as before.

. West North East South

1C or 1D

1H 1S “2S” (Limit raise or Better in support

of Hearts)

(But)

West North East South

1H 1S “2C” (A natural overcall with 10 or

more HCP’s and a 6-card or

better Club suit)

(or)

West North East South

1H 1S “2D” (A natural overcall with 10 or

more HCP’s and a 6-card or

better Diamond suit)

----------------------------------------------------------------

5. Cuebids in Response to Partner’s Take-out Double

A jump response to partner’s take-out double evidences a good hand with 10 HCP’s or more. Such jump responses, however, although a positive and encouraging response, is not forcing to game. Indeed it is not even forcing for one round. The doubler is invited to move towards game if he/she has extra strength, but much of the time, he/she will pass the jump. Bids stronger than such jump responses are, therefore, needed. A cuebid of the opponent’s bid suit initiates such encouragement. Such bids are alertable.

West North East South

South Holds: 1H Dbl. Pass “2H”

KQXX

XXX (With this hand worth 15 points, South is too strong for a

AQJXX jump to 2S, or to 3D, for, indeed, the doubler might pass.

X South desires to be in game, but where? The way to find

Out is to cuebid. If doubler answers 2S, South will jump

to 4S. If he/she answers 3C, South can now bid 3D without

fear of being passed there, for South will have described a

hand too strong for an immediate jump.

---------------------------------------------------------------

- 32 -

6. Cuebids as Part of the Lebensohl Convention

A cuebid of the opponents suit with which they interfered over partner’s opening bid of 1NT, is used as a game-forcing Stayman bid evidencing a 4-card Major, 11+ HCP’s, but without a stopper in the opponent’s suit. (See Lesson on The Lebensohl Convention – Other Cuebids exist within the Lebensohl Convention.) All Lebensohl cuebids are alertable.

West North East South

1NT 2H “3H” (4 Spades, 11+HCP’s but NO Heart

Stopper)

-------------------------------------------------------------

7. Cuebids on the Way Towards 3NT When:

A. The Opponents have bid only One Suit: Under this circumstance, such a Cuebid is an ASKING BID, inquiring whether or not partner has a stopper in the opponent’s bid suit enabling the partnership to afford a 3NT final contract. Such bids are not alertable.

West North East South

1D 1H 2D Pass

“2H” (ASKING East for a Heart Stopper on the way to 3NT. A 3D

Response by East would deny a Heart Stopper. A NT bid

By East would proclaim a Heart Stopper.

-------------------------------------------

B. The Opponents have bid two Suits: Under this circumstance, such a Cuebid is a TELLING BID, proclaiming a stopper in the bid suit of the opponents and inquiring whether or not partner has a stopper in the opponent’s other bid suit thereby enabling the partnership to afford a 3NT final contract. Such bids are not alertable.

West North East South

1C 1H 2C 2D

“3D” (TELLING East that West has a Diamond Stopper, and asks for

a Heart stopper to enable a NT contract. If East bids 3C

he/she would, in effect, deny a Heart Stopper.)

When the opponents have bid one suit, a cuebid asks, when they have bid two suits, a cuebid tells.

----------------------------------------------------------

- 33 -

8. Natural Cuebids

There are four specific situations in which cuebids are natural; i.e., evidencing an interest in the particular suit, or telling of a stopper in the new suit which has been bid. None of these circumstances require an alert since all of the following bidding scenarios are natural.

1. When the Opponents have Bid Two Suits:

West North East South

1C Pass 1S 2C (A Natural Overcall

with 6 or more Clubs)

----------------------------------------------------

2. When a Player has Passed and then Bids the Opponent’s Suit:

West North East South

1D Pass 1H Pass

1S 2D (A Natural Overcall with 6 or more Diamonds)

-----------------------------------------------------

3. A Jump Minor Suit Cuebid: Because a Minor suit cuebid is a Michaels Cuebid as previously mentioned, and because an opening bid of a Club or a Diamond by the opponents can, in reality, be as few as three (3) pieces in the bid Minor suit, it is important for a would-be overcaller to be able to evidence a natural Minor suit overcall with the requisite HCP’s and a 6-card or better Minor suit holding. A jump to three of the Minor is used for that purpose, and is NOT a Michaels Cuebid, but rather a natural Minor suit overcall.

West North East South

1D 3D (A natural 6-card Diamond suit with a good

11+ or more HCP’s)

(or)

West North East South

Pass Pass 1C 3C (A natural 6-card

Club suit with near

Opening count or

--------------------------------------------------------- better)

4. A new suit mentioned after a Minor suit Agreement at the 2- or 3-level. Such bids offer a stopper in the bid suit and ask for a stopper in the unbid Major(s) for a possible 3NT final contract.

West North East South

1D Pass 3D Pass

3H (Claiming a Heart stopper, requesting a Spade stopper in

order to finalize a make able 3NT contract. Absent one, East bids 4D.

------------------------------------------------

- 34 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 12

Support Doubles

A Support Double is a double used by the opening bidder to clarify the degree of support for Responder’s 4-card suit in a competitive auction scenario. The support double is usable as long as the overcaller does not raise the level above two of the Responder’s suit. A double, therefore, of a jump overcall over Responder’s response remains a penalty double, as before.

With 4-card or better support, standard bidding allows opener to evidence primary support for his/her responding partner’s 4-card or better suit. We are all accustomed to such bidding sequences such as:

(a) North East South West

1D Pass 1H 1S

(Here, North has shown 4 or more Hearts with a minimum 11-15 HCP count (seven or eight loser) opening bid.

---------------

(b) North East South West

1D Pass 1S 2C

(Here, North has shown 4 or more Spades with a one-trick better than minimum 16-18 HCP count (six loser) opening bid.

----------------

1C Pass 1H 2D

(Here, North has shown 4 or more Hearts with a maximum 20+ HCP count (five loser) opening bid.

-------------

In any of the above-listed sequences, however, it could, hypothetically be possible that South could, indeed, have had a 5-card suit, in which case North would only require 3-piece support to verify a Golden fit in Responder’s bid suit. We have already seen that standard bidding produces a way for opener to show a 4-card support for Responder. If opener doubles or re-doubles, he/she is showing precisely 3-card support for Responder’s suit. A support double or re-double is alertable.

- 35 -

All of the following bidding sequences are examples of a support double: Each is alertable.

North East South West

1C 1H 1S 2H

Double

1C Pass 1H 2D

Double

1D Pass 1S Double

Re-Double

---------------

If, conversely, opener passes, rebids his/her own suit, or bids another suit at opener’s second opportunity to bid, the implication is that (1) he/she does not hold 3-card support, or (2) that he/she will show support later. Such negative inference is also alertable.

In all of the following examples, the primary message is that opener has fewer than 3-card support for Responder’s suit because, (1) in the first, a new suit was bid, (2) in the second, opener has passed, and (3) in the third, opener has rebid his/her own suit.

North East South West

1C Pass 1H 1S

1D Pass 1H 1S

Pass

1H Pass 1S 2C

---------------

Thus, in summary, the support double does not seek to penalize the overcaller (the option to double the opponent’s overcall for penalties has been lost), but merely stipulates that the opener wishes to raise responder’s suit to the 2-level with a holding of only three trumps. It is generally accepted, anyhow, that low-level penalty doubles are rarely fruitful most of the time, in any event.

- 36 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 13

Negative Doubles

In a five-card Major suit bidding system, the frequency of a Minor suit opening is, of course, increased. As a result, it is easier for the opponents to overcall, and their having done so, may obviate the responder’s bid of a 4-card suit that he/she was planning to bid. (Examples: 1, 2 & 3)

Responder may be precluded from making his/her desired call because of either a lack of holding five or more pieces of the desired suit, too few HCP’s, or even both.

The Negative Double is a convention which copes with this situation. A double by Responder at his/her first opportunity, opposite a one-of-a-suit opening bid by partner followed by an interference overcall by Responder’s RHO (Right Hand Opponent) is a double for take-out rather than a double for penalties. The HCP count of a Responder who utilizes a negative double is unlimited. (Example: 4)

(Example: 1) West North East South

East Holds: 1D 1S Dbl.

XXX

AXXX (East’s Double shows at least four Hearts and at least

XX enough strength to have responded to opener’s 1D bid had

QXXX there been no interference. Responder hopes opener will

Be able to bid 2H. Here if instead, opener rebids 2C,

Responder will pass.)

-----------------------------

(Example: 2) West North East South

East Holds: 1D 1S Dbl.

XXX

KJXX (Absent a 2H call from opener in this case, Responder is

KXXX prepared to correct to 2D.)

-----------------------------

(Example: 3) West North East South

East Holds: 1S 2H Dbl.

JXX (Once again, the use of the Negative Double allows the

AXXX Responder to describe his/her hand.)

KXXX

-----------------------------

- 37 -

(Example: 4) West North East South

East Holds: 1D 1S Dbl.

KQXX (Here, Responder has a very strong hand but still requires

QXXXX the use of the Negative Double in that the overcaller has

AX made it difficult for East to bid the hand naturally. Once

East finds out whether or not the opener has four Hearts,

East plans to force at least to game thereafter.)

-----------------------------

Note: The use of an immediate double of an overcall as a negative or takeout double means that Responder cannot double the overcall for penalties. The fact, therefore, that the use of negative doubles may force the Responder to pass when otherwise he/she would have made a penalty double places a heavy obligation on the opening bidder. As a result, the opener must make every reasonable effort to keep the bidding open if his/her left-hand opponent’s overcall is passed around to him/her, especially if he/she be short in the over-caller’s suit.

(Example: 5)

(Example: 5) West North East South

West Holds: 1S 2D Pass Pass

AQXXX ????

KXX East Holds:

X XX

AX AXX

KJ10XX

XXX

(One guideline for the opener as to whether or not to

re-open the bidding is his/her length in the suit of the overcall. The shorter he/she is in that suit the more he/she should strain to keep the bidding open and conversely, the more cards he/she has in the over-caller’s suit, the more inclined he/she should be to pass. In Example 5 above, if West were to re-open the bidding with a re-opening double, East is prepared to pass the re-opening double thereby converting it to a penalty double. Also, note that East had had the original option of bidding NT, else passing and hoping for a re-opening double from partner which Responder then plans to pass.

-----------------------------

A secondary advantage of the use of negative doubles is that the overcaller may have a penalty inflicted upon him from either side as Opener may (having the necessary length in the over-caller’s suit) pass the double for penalties instead of bidding onwards. (Example: 6)

(Example: 6) West North East South

West Holds: 1S 2C Dbl.

AKXXX

XX (Here, Opener, having a lack of support for East’s negative

X double evidencing a probable Heart-Diamond holding, has the

AKJXX option of passing the negative double thereby converting it

to a penalty double.)

- 38 -

Advanced Bridge

Lesson 14

Splinter Bids

A Splinter Bid is any unusual (double) jump of a suit guaranteeing a fit for partner’s last named-suit and showing a singleton (other than a Singleton Ace) or a void in the suit in which the jump was made. Such bids guarantee game and often suggest a slam. (Note:

All splinter bids are alertable.) Splinters bids can be in both Major and Minor suits. Splinter bids can be utilized in a variety of situations. The most common are:

1) By Responder: North East South West

1H Pass “4D”

South exhibits a game-forcing raise (13 or more HCP’s) in support of North’s Heart suit (Willing to play in a 4H contract opposite what could be as little as a minimum opening bid), and a diamond shortage (Singleton or Void). Note: A 3D bid by South would have been a jump shift evidencing 19 or more HCP’s (Weak with some partnerships) as opposed to the shown double jump in Diamonds which reads as a Splinter Bid.

-------------------------------------

2) By Opener: North East South West

1D Pass 1S Pass

“4H”

North exhibits a game-forcing raise (20 or more HCP’s) in support of South’s Spades (Willing to play in a 4S contract opposite what could be as few as 6 HCP’s), and a Heart shortage (A Singleton or Void).

------------------------------------

3) By Responder to an Overcaller:

North East South West

1C 1S Pass “4D” (But not 4H)

Splinter bids are available when the opponents have opened, provided the bid is made below the game level, and is not in a Major.

------------------------------------

4) Following Stayman: North East South West

1NT Pass “2C” Pass

2H Pass “4D”

Here, South having invoked Stayman, liking North’s 4-card Heart suit, splinters in Diamonds in order to both guarantee game and to suggest slam possibilities in Hearts.

-------------------------------------

- 39 -

Splinter bids suggest slam, not necessarily on the basis of high cards, but rather on the basis of fit and distribution.

North South North South

A9853 QJ742 1S “4C”

KQ2 A84

K4 A1052

952 8

Note: Even with a minimum hand in the above-listed instance, North is encouraged to seek a 6S contract as a result of the fact that two of his previously-thought losers in Clubs are eliminated by South’s Splinter bid of “4C’ in support of opener’s Spades.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Splinter bids may be in support of Minor suit bids as well as in support of Major suits as shown previously.

North South North South

1C “3H” J108 A53

KQ10 6

A2 KJ97

KJ763 A9852

Here, South denies a 4-card Major suit holding, but shows excellent Club support (usually 5 or more pieces), opening bid values, and Heart shortage.

Note: North, Holding the hand shown above with strength and few losers in the Heart suit to begin with, will not be encouraged to consider a slam, and will bid 3NT, ending the auction. Reverse North’s Major suit holdings, however, as shown below, and North should easily get to a cold 6D contract.

North South North South

1C “3H” KQ10 A53

J108 6

A2 KJ97