Jim Berglund. A bidding card is used by a partnership to select the meanings various bids will have during a bridge game. It is then kept on the table

The Convention CardJim Berglund

OverviewA bidding card is used by a partnership to select the meanings various bids will have during a bridge game. It is then kept on the table and is used to record boards and scores as they are played and to estimate results. It is MANDATORY for both players to have bidding cards filled identically at any duplicate bridge game

The ‘outside’ of the card is made available to the opponents at each table so that they can also see the meanings of your bids.

The following discussion shows how many Calgary players bid. It is not the way I bid with my ‘regular’ partners, but it is close to the way I play with others.

JB

A Bidding Card

This is a typical bridge card. In the following slides, we’ll go through the way(s) it is filled out.

We’ll start on the right side…

Bidding Approach

Eg. 1H – P – 2C is a game-forcing sequence

Eg. 2H or P – P – 2H shows a long suit with a weak (5-10 HCP) hand

Eg. A two Club opener shows a game-forcing hand

Your Name and your Partner’s Name

Your Table number or your assigned number

No Trump Openers1NT14+-17 HCP (extras for Aces, 10’s & 9’s, 5 or 6 card minor)Balanced Hand

2NT20-21 HCPBalanced Hand

3NT (Gambling)10-12 HCPSolid, 7+-card Minor Suit (AKQJxxx); no more than a Queen

outside

LegendBlue – forcingGreen - Invitational

Responses to Opening NT Bids 2C – Stayman Convention – asks opener to bid a major 2D – Jacoby Transfer to Hearts 2H – Jacoby Transfer to Spades

2D – 2H = Garbage Stayman – 4-4in the majors; <0-7 HCP 2D – 2S = Smolen Convention – shows 5H, 4S, 7+ to 9- HCP 2D – 2NT = Invitational to 3NT - 7+ to 9- HCP 2D – 3C/D = Forcing with at least 5 cards in the bid suit 2D – 3H = Smolen Convention – shows 5S, 4H, 7+ to 9- HCP

2S – Minor Suit Stayman – interest in Slam 2NT – Transfer to 3C

Response – Pass, or correct to 3D, which MUST be passed 3C/D – Invitational at least 6 cards with 2 honors and 6-8 HCP 3H/S – Broken Suit Slam Try 3NT – to Play 4C – Gerber Convention- Asks for # of Aces 4D/H – Texas Transfer to 4H/S 4NT – Invitatonal to 6NT with a maximum.

No Trump Bids & Responses14+ 17

2119+5-5 - Invitational

5-5 - Forcingl5-5 Invitational

5-5 - Forcing

Minor Suit StaymanRelay to 3C

Minor Suit Stayman

1210

Gambling (AKQJxxx)

2C (art), Dbl

No points for Distribution. Eg. Open 1NT with K109 Axx KQ109x Q9 or similar intermediate cardsIf opponents interfere with an artificial 2C bid or a double, you bid as if they hadn’t. Use a double over 2C for StaymanIn 2/1, you always open a 5 card major in the suit, The Stayman Convention asks opener if they have a 4-card major suit – trying to find a 4-4 suit fit. If responder has a 5-card major, they make a transfer - bid of the suit below their 5-card suit. This forces opener to bid the suit (even with a doubleton) and right-sides the contract Texas Transfer is done at the game-level. It may or may not have slam interest, but makes it harder for opponents to interfere in the biddingMSS is used to start a slam-going sequence in a minor suit. It is usually made with a 5-5 or better hand. Opener should bid their better minor at the 3-level. With a very weak hand with a minor suit, responder bids 2NT, a relay bid. Opener must bid 3C, which responder can pass or correct to 3D. If responder has 6 or more cards in a minor suit with invitational values 6+ to 9 HCP with at least 4 points in the suit, he makes an invitational bid at the 3-level. If responder has 6 or more cards in a major suit, missing no more than one of the top honors, game-forcing or better values, he makes a forcing major-suit bid at the 3-level. Opening 2NT implies 20-21HCP and a balanced hand. It can be made with a very good 19 points including lots of intermediate values and/or a 5-card minor Transfer bids and Minor Suit Stayman are used over 2NT with the same meanings as they had over 1NTA 3NT opener is made with a 7-card minor headed by the AKQ(J) and no more than a Queen outside. Partner can pass with scattered values in the other suits, or bid if doubled or if interested in slam.

Minor – Suit Openers1C or 1DAt least 3 cards in the suitCorollaries:

No 5-card majorNot a NT opener

Responses to Minor – Suit Openers1C 1D – no 5-card major, at least 4 D, 5+

points1H or 1S - 4+ cards in the suit bid – 5+

points1NT – 6-9 HCP (probably 4 or more clubs –

why?)2C – Game force – looking for NT at least 4

clubs2H or 2S shows a stopper in the bid major2NT shows stoppers in both majors

3D denies a club stopper; 3NT ensures one

Responses over 1C:1D 1NT 2C 2H/S 3C 3NT 4NT 5C1H/S 2NT 2D 3D/H/S

Responses over 1D:1NT 2C 2H/S 3C 3NT 4C 4NT 5D

1H/S 2NT 2D 3D 3H/S LegendBlue – Forcing Green - Invitational

Note that any Major jump shift over a minor opener is Preemptive and weak. A double jump-shift is always a splinter (showing a singleton)

Major Suit Openers1H/S – Shows at least a 5-card suit

1S/h – shows at least 4 Spades and likely < 3H1NT – Forcing for one round - < 4 of the opened major

2C – may be short 2D/H/s at least 4 of the suit; < 17 HCP 2 of the Major – at least 6 cards; < 17 HCP 2NT – 18-19 HCP 3C/D – Game Force – 17+ HCP 3H/S – Game invite – 15-16 HCP – likely 6 cards 3NT – 20+ HCP, balanced

2C/D/H/s - Game Force2 of the opening Major – 3-4 cards; 7+ to 9- HCP2S/h – Preemptive – “Drop Dead” bid2NT – Jacoby – opening hand; 4+-card support; asks

opener to bid singleton or void; Game Force

Major Suit Openers (cont)3C/D/H/s/S/h – 4-card support with a

singleton in the bid suit; invitational to game3H/S – 4-card support; no singleton or void;

invitational to game3NT – 13-15 HCP; 2 cards in opener’s suit4C/D/H/s/S/h – Exclusion Blackwood; shows

void in bid suit; asks for number of ‘key cards’ in other suits only.

4 of opener’s suit – can be made with any 5+ card support – 0-7 points

Major/Minor Suit Openers

Help Suit Game Try

13 15 with 2 of the major

All major suit openers promise 5 or more cards and 13 or more playing points

Constructive Single Raise 8+/-

‘+’ means Aces & Kings with 9’s & 10’s, good suits, or favorable Distribution.Weak means 4+ cards with 0-6 HCP and Distribution. (eg 98xx,x,jxxxxxx,xx)A splinter, 1H,P,3C shows a limit raise or better with a singleton or void in clubs.A jump raise, or ‘Limit’ raise shows 9-12 HCP or equivalent distribution with 4 or more cards in the bid suit.

A jump to 3NT shows a balanced 13-15 HCP and 2 cards in your partner’s suitA ‘waiting bid’ – shows a variety of hands with less than 4 cards in partner’s suit.… when bid by by a passed hand and by agreement.Shows a 4+card ‘fit’ and opening values; asks partner to bid a singleton or voidDiscussed previously – known as ‘Jacoby 2NT’After a constructive raise, the bid of another suit asks responder to bid game with 2- cards or a stopper in the suit.

Major/Minor Suit Openers

Help Suit Game Try

13 15 with 2 of the major 7+ 10

11 12 13 15

Invitational

Preemptive Jump Shifts

Constructive Single Raise 8+/-

All double raises of a minor are weak, and preemptiveBecause we bid 5-card majors, minor openings can be ‘short’The corollary is that a single raise of a minor is a game force, looking for 3NTWith weak hands, over 1C, bid a 4-card major in preference to a 4 or 5-card minor1NT over 1C shows a better hand than 1D (6-9) and usually shows 4+ Clubs2NT over 1C shows an invitational, balanced hand with no 4-card major 3NT over 1C/D shows a balanced hand with no 4-card major 2D over 1C or 3C over 1D shows 5 cards in the opener’s suit and a limit raise2H or 2S over a minor opener shows a 6-card suit and less than 6 points.

Opening 2 of a Suit

Western Que – 3-Level

22+ or 8 ½ Tricks 2H – no Aces or Kings2NT – Hearts; 5+ cards with 2 of the top 3 honors.2S, 3C, 3D mean the same

(With strong hands, open 2C – it shows 22+, balanced, or a

great suit and outside values. It is usually forcing to game)

6

6 9 6 cards in the suit


9 6 cards in the suit

Opening 2 of a Suit



6




Other Responses: • 3NT shows at least 4 Queens (but still no A/K)Interference:• Over a Double (typically showing clubs) systems on.• Over a suit, double shows no values, pass shows at

least an A/K; all other bids are natural and show strength

After partner bids a suit over 2D• Jump to game if weak, bid first A/K if strong. After Partner bids 2S over 2H• bid 2NT with 2, 4S with 3 or moreIf Partner bids 3C/D• Raise with 3; bid game with 4• Bid your first 4-card suit with 2 or less If partner bids 2NT (23 or 24 HCP)• raise to game with a J10 or a Q or better

• A ‘Weak Two’ bid typically has 6 cards with values in the suit. It is intended to preempt the opponents, take up bidding room so it is harder for them to find their best contract.

• If you catch partner with a good opening hand (15+) they want to get more information. Any new suit is forcing and asks for support.

• 2NT implies a fit and asks you to bid an outside control (A or K)

• A raise to 3 is supportive and preemptive – as is a raise to 4. Neither imply interest in defending.

Other Calls:NMF – an unopposed sequence like 1C-1S-1NT happens often. If you’re hand is KJxxx Qxxxx Axx x, you may have game if you can find a major suit fit. Bidding the ‘new minor’, in this case 2D, asks partner to show 3-card support or bid the other 4-card major if she has it.Fourth Suit Forcing – in a sequence like 1C – 1H – 1S, a bid of 2D is an artificial game force and says nothing about diamonds.

Western Que Bid. – when opponents have bid a suit, and you have values for game, a bid of their suit at the 3-level shows Jxx or Qx and asks partner to bid 3NT with a similar or better holding

Opening 2 of a Suit



6




Other Responses: • 3NT shows at least 4 Queens (but still no A/K)Interference:• Over a Double (typically showing clubs) systems on.• Over a suit, double shows no values, pass shows at

least an A/K; all other bids are natural and show strength

After partner bids a suit over 2D• Jump to game if weak, bid first A/K if strong. After Partner bids 2S over 2H• bid 2NT with 2, 4S with 3 or moreIf Partner bids 3C/D• Raise with 3; bid game with 4• Bid your first 4-card suit with 2 or less If partner bids 2NT (23 or 24 HCP)• raise to game with a J10 or a Q or better

• A ‘Weak Two’ bid typically has 6 cards with values in the suit. It is intended to preempt the opponents, take up bidding room so it is harder for them to find their best contract.

• If you catch partner with a good opening hand (15+) they want to get more information. Any new suit is forcing and asks for support.

• 2NT implies a fit and asks you to bid an outside control (A or K)

• A raise to 3 is supportive and preemptive – as is a raise to 4. Neither imply interest in defending.

Opening 2 of a Suit



6




Other Responses: • 3NT shows at least 4 Queens (but still no A/K)Interference:• Over a Double (typically showing clubs) systems on.• Over a suit, double shows no values, pass shows at least

an A/K; all other bids are natural and show strengthAfter partner bids a suit over 2D• Jump to game if weak, bid first A/K if strong. After Partner bids 2S over 2H• bid 2NT with 2, 4S with 3 or moreIf Partner bids 3C/D• Raise with 3; bid game with 4• Bid your first 4-card suit with 2 or less If partner bids 2NT (23 or 24 HCP)• raise to game with a J10 or a Q or better

The Left Side of the Card…The right-hand side was used to describe unopposed bidding.

This side discusses Overcalling techniques, bids used when the opponents open first, defensive bids, opening leads, and signals – count, attitude and suit preference (lessons in themselves!)

When opponents bid a suit…

15+ 18 HCP

11 14 HCP

A 1NT overcall shows a stopper in the opener’s suit, a balanced hand and a good 15 to 18 HCP. If Systems On is checked, Stayman and transfer bids are played as if the opener hadn’t bid. Otherwise, all bids are deemed to be natural and non-forcing.

Should the bidding go 1X - P – P - ?, the partner in the balancing, or pass-out seat can reopen the bidding with 1NT, showing 11-15 HCP and a balanced hand, inviting partner to bid with a 5+ -card suit, or to pass, if that makes sense.

A bid of 1X – 2NT or 1X -P – P – 2NT shows a 2-suiter (at least 9 cards in two suits). If the opening was a major suit, it shows both minors. If as minor, it shows the 2-lower unbid suits. This is the ‘Unusual NT” convention.

Doubles

3S

3S

Most Direct-Seat Doubles are for ‘Take-Out’ into one of the other three suits. It will always show 4+ cards in the other major, if one is openedWhen Partner bids a suit and the opponent overcalls another suit, a double is “Negative”, denying support for partner and showing the remaining two suits.A negative double is usually only played up to the 3-level. After that, doubles are Penalty, indicating a wish to defend.A “Responsive Double” is used after a sequence like 1H – Dbl – 2H (or 3/4H) - ?Here a double asks partner to pick the suit as you have support for the other suits.

Overcalls

88 14

Overcalls are made once an opponent has opened the bidding. A standard suit overcall at the one-level generally shows 5 cards in the suit and 8-14 HCPTo make an overcall at the 2-level (eg 1H-2D), you need a full opener. Doubles typically show ‘extras’ and invite partner to show his best suit, which he will do with a jump bid showing 8+ HCP; Otherwise, he makes the bid at the lowest level possible.

Responses are generally forcing for one round. Jump raises of the suit are preemptive (weak)

Preemptive Bids

Except in pass-out seat, where it is intermediate - 11+ to 13-Any new suit is forcing by an unpassed hand and is looking for support. All raises are pre-emptive5-9 HCP and 5+ cards in the suit. Avoid if Vul vs Non-Vul

Bidding over T/O doubles

10+ HCP

Direct Cuebids

Typically shows 5-5 in the other two suits

Defence over NT• Natural• Astro• Brozel• Capaletti

• 2-under transfers

• DONT• Etc.

Shows a single suit

Shows the Majors

Hearts and a Minor

Spades and a Minor

2NT Shows the Minors

For Penalty

Doubles over Preempts

4H

Slam Conventions

Gerber over NT ONLY; 4D=1; 4H=2; 4S=3;4NT=4 Aces1430 – 5C=1 or 4; 5D=0 or 3; 5H=2 or 5 w/o Q; 5S=2 or 5 w Q

Playing 1430, to show a useful void, bid 5NT with 0,2 or 4 Keycards; 6C with 1 0r 3

Exclusion Key-card. A jump-bid of a new suit, once trump has been established, shows a void in the suit and asks partner to show only keycards outside the void suit.

Example: 1S – 3S – 5C -5H says “I have 0 or 3 key cards outside of clubs”

Leads and carding

HomeworkDownload the ACBL convention card editor from www.acbl.orgMake up your own card and one for your partnerDiscuss all bidding sequences

Documents

Jim Berglund. A bidding card is used by a partnership to select the meanings various bids will have during a bridge game. It is then kept on the table