Here is an overview of the TRIPE bidding system for the cardgame contract bridge. TRIPE stands for Tenaciously Resists Interference and Preempts Enemy. The T can also stand for Tenuously, since I couldn't think of a better name for the system! This is version 1.1.
The general philosophy of TRIPE is that the opening bids should be as descriptive (which makes it more robust against enemy interference) and as preemptive (three weak 2s and two types of weak 5-5 shapes can be shown) as possible. The 1♣ bid is usually made with a balanced hand without a five card suit, so responder can safely assume this to be the case unless opener takes further action to indicate otherwise (which would show an extremely strong or game forcing hand). The 1♦, 1♥ and 1♠ openings (usually) show at least a five card suit, and the 1NT opening shows at least five clubs as well, making them very resilient to competition. The bids 2♣ through 2♥ all show either a weak 2 in the next suit up, or a strong two-suited hand of a specific type. Again these are resilient to interference because any further, unprompted action from opener immediately tells responder that the strong two-suiter is held. Further details regarding how to deal with interference can be found at the bottom of the page.
A general principle when designing TRIPE was to use repeated patterns to aid recall. For instance, opener's rebid following the five responses to the 1♣ opening all follow a very similar pattern: step 1 is 19-24 balanced or an Acol strong 2; step 2 shows 11-14 balanced; step 3 shows 15-18 balanced; higher bids show a game-force of some description. Over the 2♣, 2♦ and 2♥ openings, responder assumes opener has a weak 2 and can sign-off or invite on this basis. If responder signs off, then opener bids on anyway with the strong two-suiter, and these rebids follow the same pattern in all three cases. If responder invites, then opener makes an OGUST-style rebid with the weak 2 hand or a higher rebid with the two-suiter; the meanings of the higher level rebids follow exactly the same pattern as the rebids over an initial sign-off (but exactly one level higher), which again helps with memory retention. In many cases, the system favours simplicity or repetition over accuracy. This is to make it easier to pick up and play, as well as fun – the occasional systemic loss will have to be accepted. I'm sure it could be much improved by those who are happy to learn long series of nested relays by rote!
As explained, I see the main advantages of TRIPE being its descriptive and preemptive nature, plus its prioritising of repetition and simplicity. What about the disadvantages? I'm sure there are many. Three that immediately spring to mind are:
- The 1♣ opening makes it very easy to miss low-level 4-4 fits in a major. This is the same disadvantage of opening 1NT in a conventional system. However, in the latter case it will only happen for a specific point range (e.g. 12-14, 15-17). In TRIPE it will happen much more commonly. Of course, this may or may not result in a bad score, since it will be hand-dependent.
- Occasionally, the 1♣ opening leads to playing in a 2♦ contract in a 5-1 fit.
- The 1NT opening (showing clubs) is both an advantage and a disadvantage. On the one hand it is very preemptive and descriptive, on the other hand it takes up a lot of room and can preempt our own auction. Experience indicates that it is better to bid optimistically to ensure that game is not missed. This, of course, means that TRIPE bidders will often get too high.
Without further ado, here is the full TRIPE system. It's a collapsible tree view, so you can click on each bid to reveal the list of responses. A greyed out bid means there are no explicitly defined continuations: any further bids are just common sense. Please note that I've gone quite deep on some of these auctions for completeness, but most of the artificial bids are only a few levels deep. Continuations after the artificial bids are supposed to be natural and logical, based on standard bidding principles. I could have left most of these out but I wanted to be as comprehensive as possible.
- 1♣: 11+, balanced with no 5-card suit (may be singleton ♦ in 4414 pattern) or any Acol strong 2 or any game force (apart from those opened 2♣, 2♦ or 2♥).✶♯
- 1♦: 0+, no 5-card suit.✶♯
- 1♥: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 1♠: relay.✶♯
- 1NT: 19-22, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2-any: 19-20.♮♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3-any: 5+.♮†
- 3-any: 19-22.♮
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2♣: Acol strong 2 with 6+♣.♮♯
- 2♦: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♦: Acol strong 2 with 6+♦.♮♯
- 2♥: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♥: Acol strong 2 with 6+♥.♮♯
- 2♠: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♠: Acol strong 2 with 6+♠.♮♯
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2NT: 23-24, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 3-any: 2+.♮†
- 3-any: 23-24.♮
- 3-any: 2+.♮†
- 1NT: 19-22, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 1♠: relay.✶♯
- 1♠: 11-14, no 5-card suit.✶♯
- 1NT: 0-10.𝄫
- 2-any: 11-12.♮?♭
- 2-any: 11-12.♮♭
- 3-any: 13-14.♮†
- 3-any: 13+.♮†
- 3-any: 11-14.♮
- 1NT: 15-18, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2-any: 15-16.♮♭
- 3-any: 17-18.♮†
- 3-any: 9+.♮†
- 3-any: 15-18.♮
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2♣: Game force with 5+♣.♮†
- 2♦: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♦: Game force with 5+♦.♮†
- 2♥: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♥: Game force with 5+♥.♮†
- 2♠: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♠: Game force with 5+♠.♮†
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2NT: 25+, game force with no 5 card suit.♮†
- 3♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 1♥: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 1♥: 0+, 5+♣.✶♯
- 1♠: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 1NT: transfer to ♣.✶♯
- 2♣: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2-any: 19-20.♮♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3♣: 3-4, 6+♣.♮?♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3-other: 5+.♮†
- 3-any: 19-22.♮
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2♦: Acol strong 2 with 6+♦.♮♯
- 2♥: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♥: Acol strong 2 with 6+♥.♮♯
- 2♠: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♠: Acol strong 2 with 6+♠.♮♯
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2NT: 23-24, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 3♣: 0-1, to play.𝄫
- 3-other: 2+.♮†
- 3-any: 23-24.♮
- 3♣: 22-24, 4♣, no 5-card suit, super-accept.♮♭
- 3NT: Acol strong 2 with 6+♣.✶♯†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♣: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 1NT: transfer to ♣.✶♯
- 1NT: 11-14, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2♣: to play.𝄫
- 3♣: 13-14, 4♣, super-accept.♮♭
- 3-any: 10+.♮†
- 3♣: 13-14, 4♣, super-accept.♮♭
- 2-other: 11-12.♮?♭
- 2-any: 11-12.♮♭
- 3-other: 13-14.♮†
- 3♣: 11-12, 6+♣.♮?♭
- 3-any: 13-14.♮†
- 3-other: 13+.♮†
- 3-any: 11-14.♮
- 2♣: to play.𝄫
- 2♣: 15-18, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2-any: 15-16.♮♭
- 3-other: 17-18.♮†
- 3♣: 7-8, 6+♣.♮?♭
- 3-any: 17-18.♮†
- 3-other: 9+.♮†
- 3-any: 15-18.♮
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2♦: Game force with 5+♦.♮†
- 2♥: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♥: Game force with 5+♥.♮†
- 2♠: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♠: Game force with 5+♠.♮†
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2NT: 25+, game force with no 5 card suit.♮†
- 3♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♣: 17-18, 4♣, super-accept.♮♭
- 3-any: 6+.♮†
- 3NT: Game force with 5+♣.♮†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 1♠: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 1♠: 0+, 5+♦.✶♯
- 1NT: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 2♣: transfer to ♦.✶♯
- 2♦: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2-any: 19-20.♮♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3♦: 3-4, 6+♦.♮?♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3-other: 5+.♮†
- 3-any: 19-22.♮
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2♥: Acol strong 2 with 6+♥.♮♯
- 2♠: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♠: Acol strong 2 with 6+♠.♮♯
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2NT: 23-24, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 3♦: 0-1, to play.𝄫
- 3-other: 2+.♮†
- 3-any: 23-24.♮
- 3♣: Acol strong 2 with 6+♣.♮♭
- Pass: 0-2, extremely poor hand.
- 3♦: 3-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 3♦: 22-24, 4♦, no 5-card suit, super-accept.♮♭
- 3NT: Acol strong 2 with 6+♦.✶♯†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♦: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2♣: transfer to ♦.✶♯
- 2♣: 11-14, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2♦: to play.𝄫
- 3♦: 13-14, 4♦, super-accept.♮♭
- 3-any: 10+.♮†
- 3♦: 13-14, 4♦, super-accept.♮♭
- 2-other: 11-12.♮?♭
- 2-any: 11-12.♮♭
- 3-other: 13-14.♮†
- 3♦: 11-12, 6+♦.♮?♭
- 3-any: 13-14.♮†
- 3-other: 13+.♮†
- 3-any: 11-14.♮
- 2♦: to play.𝄫
- 2♦: 15-18, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2-any: 15-16.♮♭
- 3-other: 17-18.♮†
- 3♦: 7-8, 6+♦.♮?♭
- 3-any: 17-18.♮†
- 3-other: 9+.♮†
- 3-any: 15-18.♮
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2♥: Game force with 5+♥.♮†
- 2♠: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♠: Game force with 5+♠.♮†
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2NT: 25+, game force with no 5 card suit.♮†
- 3♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♣: Game force with 5+♣.♮†
- 3♦: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♦: 17-18, 4♦, super-accept.♮♭
- 3-any: 6+.♮†
- 3NT: Game force with 5+♦.♮†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 1NT: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 1NT: 0+, 5+♥.✶♯
- 2♣: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 2♦: transfer to ♥.✶♯
- 2♥: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2-any: 19-20.♮♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3♥: 3-4, 6+♥.♮?♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3-other: 5+.♮†
- 3-any: 19-22.♮
- 2-any: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2♠: Acol strong 2 with 6+♠.♮♯
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2NT: 23-24, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 3♥: 0-1, to play.𝄫
- 3-other: 2+.♮†
- 3-any: 23-24.♮
- 3♣: Acol strong 2 with 6+♣.♮♭
- Pass: 0-2, extremely poor hand.
- 3♦: 3-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 3♦: Acol strong 2 with 6+♦.♮♯
- Pass: 0-2, extremely poor hand.
- 3♥: 3-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 3♥: 22-24, 4♥, no 5-card suit, super-accept.♮♭
- 3NT: Acol strong 2 with 6+♥.✶♯†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♥: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2♦: transfer to ♥.✶♯
- 2♦: 11-14, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2♥: to play.𝄫
- 3♥: 13-14, 4♥, super-accept.♮♭
- 3-any: 10+.♮†
- 3♥: 13-14, 4♥, super-accept.♮♭
- 2-other: 11-12.♮?♭
- 2-any: 11-12.♮♭
- 3-other: 13-14.♮†
- 3♥: 11-12, 6+♥.♮?♭
- 3-any: 13-14.♮†
- 3-other: 13+.♮†
- 3-any: 11-14.♮
- 2♥: to play.𝄫
- 2♥: 15-18, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2-any: 15-16.♮♭
- 3-other: 17-18.♮†
- 3♥: 7-8, 6+♥.♮?♭
- 3-any: 17-18.♮†
- 3-other: 9+.♮†
- 3-any: 15-18.♮
- 2-any: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2♠: Game force with 5+♠.♮†
- 2NT: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2NT: 25+, game force with no 5 card suit.♮†
- 3♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♣: Game force with 5+♣.♮†
- 3♦: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♦: Game force with 5+♦.♮†
- 3♥: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♥: 17-18, 4♥, super-accept.♮♭
- 3-any: 6+.♮†
- 3NT: Game force with 5+♥.♮†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♣: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 2♣: 0+, 5+♠.✶♯
- 2♦: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 2♥: transfer to ♠.✶♯
- 2♠: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2NT: 3-4.♮?♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3♠: 3-4, 6+♠.♮?♭
- 3-any: 21-22.♮†
- 3-other: 5+.♮†
- 3-any: 19-22.♮
- 2NT: 3-4.♮?♭
- 2NT: 23-24, no 5-card suit.♮♭
- 3♠: 0-1, to play.𝄫
- 3-other: 2+.♮†
- 3-any: 23-24.♮
- 3♣: Acol strong 2 with 6+♣.♮♭
- Pass: 0-2, extremely poor hand.
- 3♦: 3-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 3♦: Acol strong 2 with 6+♦.♮♯
- Pass: 0-2, extremely poor hand.
- 3♥: 3-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 3♥: Acol strong 2 with 6+♥.♮♯
- Pass: 0-2, extremely poor hand.
- 3♠: 3-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 3♠: 22-24, 4♠, no 5-card suit, super-accept.♮♭
- 3NT: Acol strong 2 with 6+♠.✶♯†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮†
- 2♠: 19-22, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2♥: transfer to ♠.✶♯
- 2♥: 11-14, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2♠: to play.𝄫
- 3♠: 13-14, 4♠, super-accept.♮♭
- 2NT: 11-12.♮?♭
- 3-other: 13-14.♮†
- 3♠: 11-12, 6+♠.♮?♭
- 3-other: 13+.♮†
- 3-any: 11-14.♮
- 2♠: to play.𝄫
- 2♠: 15-18, no 5-card suit.✶♭
- 2NT: 7-8.♮?♭
- 3-other: 17-18.♮†
- 3♠: 7-8, 6+♠.♮?♭
- 3-other: 9+.♮†
- 3-any: 15-18.♮
- 2NT: 7-8.♮?♭
- 2NT: 25+, game force with no 5 card suit.♮†
- 3♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♣: Game force with 5+♣.♮†
- 3♦: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♦: Game force with 5+♦.♮†
- 3♥: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♥: Game force with 5+♥.♮†
- 3♠: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 3♠: 17-18, 4♠, super-accept.♮♭
- 3NT: Game force with 5+♠.♮†
- 4♣: 0-6, negative.✶
- other: 7+.♮
- 2♦: 19-24, no 5-card suit or any Acol strong 2.✶♯
- 2♦: Fibonacci relay (optional), 14+.✶†
- 2♥: +1.✶
- 2♠: forced.✶
- 2NT: +3.✶
- 3♣: forced.✶
- 3♦: +8.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♠: +21; 1 + 3 + 8 + 21 = hand 33 = 15+, 4333 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 1 + 3 + 8 + 0 = hand 12 = 11-14, 2344 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 1 + 3 + 8 + 21 = hand 33 = 15+, 4333 shape.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♥: +13; 1 + 3 + 13 = hand 17 = 15+, 4414 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 1 + 3 + 21 = hand 25 = 15+, 4234 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 1 + 3 + 0 = hand 4 = 11-14, 4423 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♦: +8.✶
- 3♣: forced.✶
- 3♣: +5.✶
- 3♦: forced.✶
- 3♥: +13; 1 + 5 + 13 = hand 19 = 15+, 4342 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 1 + 5 + 21 = hand 27 = 15+, 2443 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 1 + 5 + 0 = hand 6 = 11-14, 3424 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♥: +13; 1 + 5 + 13 = hand 19 = 15+, 4342 shape.✶
- 3♦: forced.✶
- 3♦: +8.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♠: +21; 1 + 8 + 21 = hand 30 = 15+, 3334 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 1 + 8 + 0 = hand 9 = 11-14, 4243 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 1 + 8 + 21 = hand 30 = 15+, 3334 shape.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♥: +13; 1 + 13 = hand 14 = 11-13, 3343 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 1 + 21 = hand 22 = 15+, 4324 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 1 + 0 = hand 1 = 11-14, 4432 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 2NT: +3.✶
- 2♠: forced.✶
- 2♠: +2.✶
- 2NT: forced.✶
- 3♣: +5.✶
- 3♦: forced.✶
- 3♥: +13; 2 + 5 + 13 = hand 20 = 15+, 3442 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 2 + 5 + 21 = hand 28 = 15+, 2344 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 2 + 5 + 0 = hand 7 = 11-14, 4243 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♥: +13; 2 + 5 + 13 = hand 20 = 15+, 3442 shape.✶
- 3♦: forced.✶
- 3♦: +8.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♠: +21; 2 + 8 + 21 = hand 31 = 15+, 3343 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 2 + 8 + 0 = hand 10 = 11-14, 2443 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 2 + 8 + 21 = hand 31 = 15+, 3343 shape.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♥: +13; 2 + 13 = hand 15 = 11-14, 3433 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 2 + 21 = hand 23 = 15+, 3424 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 2 + 0 = hand 2 = 11-14, 4342 shape.✶
- 3♣: +5.✶
- 2NT: forced.✶
- 2NT: +3.✶
- 3♣: forced.✶
- 3♦: +8.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♠: +21; 3 + 8 + 21 = hand 32 = 15+, 3433 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 3 + 8 + 0 = hand 11 = 11=14, 2434 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 3 + 8 + 21 = hand 32 = 15+, 3433 shape.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♥: +13; 3 + 13 = hand 16 = 11-14, 4333 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 3 + 21 = hand 24 = 15+, 4243 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 3 + 0 = hand 3 = 11-14, 3442 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♦: +8.✶
- 3♣: forced.✶
- 3♣: +5.✶
- 3♦: forced.✶
- 3♥: +13; 5 + 13 = hand 18 = 15+, 4432 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 5 + 21 = hand 26 = 15+, 4243 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 5 + 0 = hand 5 = 11-14, 4324 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♥: +13; 5 + 13 = hand 18 = 15+, 4432 shape.✶
- 3♦: forced.✶
- 3♦: +8.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♠: +21; 8 + 21 = hand 29 = 15+, 2344 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: +0; 8 + 0 = hand 8 = 11-14, 4234 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: +21; 8 + 21 = hand 29 = 15+, 2344 shape.✶
- 3♥: forced.✶
- 3♥: hand 13 = 11-14, 3334 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3♠: hand 21 = 15+, 3424 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 15-16✶
- 4♥: 17-18✶
- 4♠: 19-20✶
- 4N: 21-22✶
- 5♣: 23-24✶
- 5♦: 25-26✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 3NT: hand 0 = 11-14, 4414 shape.✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♦: 11-12✶
- 4♥: 13-14✶
- 4♣: range enquiry.✶
- 4♣: ACOL strong 2 or GF with 5+ clubs.♮‡
- 4♦: ACOL strong 2 or GF with 5+ clubs.♮‡
- 4♥: ACOL strong 2 or GF with 5+ clubs.♮‡
- 4♠: ACOL strong 2 or GF with 5+ clubs.♮‡
- 2♥: +1.✶
- 1♦: 0+, no 5-card suit.✶♯
- 1♦: 11+, 5+♦ (or 4♦ in a 4441, 4144 or 1444 pattern).♮♭
- 1♥: 6+, 4+♥.♮♯
- 1♠: 11-14, 5♦ + 4♠.♮♭
- 1NT: 11-14, some 5332 shape.♮♭
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14 5♦ + 4♣ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♦: 6-9 with ♦ tolerance.♭
- 2♥: 10+.✶♯
- 3♣: 11-14, 5♦ + 4♣.♮♭
- other: 15+.♮†
- other: 6-9 natural.♮♭
- 2♦: 11-14, 6♦.♮♭
- 2♥: 11-12, 5♦ + 4♥.♮♭
- 2♠: 13-14, 6♦ + 5♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 19+ or any other game force.✶†
- 3♣: 13-14, 5♦ + 5♣, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♦: 13-14, 7♦.♮♭
- 3♥: 13-14, 5♦ + 4♥.♮♭
- 1♠: 6+, 4+♠.♮♯
- 1NT: 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♦ + 4♥.♮♭
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14 5♦ + 4♣ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♦: 6-9 with ♦ tolerance.♭
- 2♥: 10+.✶♯
- 3♣: 11-14, 5♦ + 4♣.♮♭
- other: 15+.♮†
- other: 6-9 natural.♮♭
- 2♦: 11-14, 6♦.♮♭
- 2♥: 13-14, 5♦ + 5♥, good playing strength.♮♭
- 2♠: 11-12, 5♦ + 4♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 19+ or any other game force.✶†
- 3♣: 13-14, 5♦ + 5♣, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♦: 13-14, 7♦.♮♭
- 3♠: 13-14, 5♦ + 4♠.♮♭
- 1NT: 6-10, no 4-card major.♮♭
- Pass: 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♦ + 4♥/♠.
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14 5♦ + 4♣ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♦: 6-9 with ♦ tolerance.♭
- 2♥: 10+.✶♯
- 3♣: 11-14, 5♦ + 4♣.♮♭
- other: 15+.♮†
- other: 6-9 natural.♮♭
- 2♦: 11-14, 6♦.♮♭
- 2♥: 13-14, 6♦ + 5♥.♮♭
- 2♠: 13-14, 6♦ + 5♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 19+ or any other game force.✶†
- 3♣: 13-14, 5♦ + 5♣, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♦: 13-14, 7♦.♮♭
- 2♣: 13+, 4+♣.♮†
- 2♦: 10+, 4+♦, no 4-card major, inverted minor raise.♮♯
- 2NT: 11-12, no 4-card major.♮♭
- 3♣: 6-9, 4+♦, no 4-card major.✶♯
- 3♦: 0-5, 4+♦.♮𝄫
- 4♦: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 5♦: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 1♥: 6+, 4+♥.♮♯
- 1♥: 11+, 5+♥.♮♭
- 1♠: 6+, 4+♠.♮♯
- 1NT: 11-14, 5332 shape.♮♭
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14, 5♥ + 4♣ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♦: 10+.✶♯
- 2♥: 11-14, 5♥ + 4♣.♮♭
- other: 15+.♮†
- 2♥: 6-9 with ♥ tolerance.♭
- other: 6-9 natural.♮♭
- 2♦: 10+.✶♯
- 2♦: 11-14, 5♥ + 4♦.♮♭
- 2♥: 11-14, 6♥.♮♭
- 2♠: 11-12, 5♥ + 4♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 19+ or any other game force.✶†
- 3♣: 13-14, 5♥ + 5♣, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♦: 13-14, 5♥ + 5♦, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♥: 13-14, 7♥.♮♭
- 3♠: 13-14, 5♥ + 4♠.♮♭
- 1NT: 6-12, <4♠.✶♯
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♥ + 4♣/♠ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♦: 10+.✶♯
- 2♥: 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♥ + 4♣/♠.♮♭
- other: 15+.♮†
- 2♥: 6-9 with ♥ tolerance.♭
- other: 6-9 natural.♮♭
- 2♦: 10+.✶♯
- 2♦: 11-14, 5♥ + 4♦.♮♭
- 2♥: 11-14, 6♥.♮♭
- 2♠: 13-14, 6♥ + 5♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 19+ or any other game force.✶†
- 3♣: 13-14, 5♥ + 5♣, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♦: 13-14, 5♥ + 5♦, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♥: 13-14, 7♥.♮♭
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♥ + 4♣/♠ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♣: 13+, 4+♣.♮†
- 2♦: 13+, 4+♦.♮†
- 2♥: 0-5, 3♥.♮𝄫
- 2NT: 13+, 4+♥, no singleton or void, Jacoby 2NT.✶†
- 3♣: 14+, singleton or void in ♣.✶
- 3♦: 14+, singleton or void in ♦.✶
- 3♥: 17+, no singleton or void.✶
- 3♠: 14+, singleton or void in ♠.✶
- 3NT: 14-16, no singleton or void.✶
- 4♣: 14+ with 5♣.♮
- 4♦: 14+ with 5♦.♮
- 4♥: 11-13.✶
- 3♣: 10-12, 4+♥, Bergen raise.✶♯
- 3♦: 6-9, 4+♥, Bergen raise.✶♯
- 3♥: 0-5, 4♥.♮𝄫
- 3♠: splinter – 13+, 4♥ and singleton or void in ♠.✶†
- 4♣: splinter – 13+, 4♥ and singleton or void in ♣.✶†
- 4♦: splinter – 13+, 4♥ and singleton or void in ♦.✶†
- 4♥: 0-5, 5+♥.♮𝄫
- 1♠: 6+, 4+♠.♮♯
- 1♠: 11+, 5+♠.♮♭
- 1NT: 6-12.✶♯
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♠ + 4♣ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♦: 10+.✶♯
- 2♠: 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♠ + 4♣.♮♭
- other: 15+.♮†
- 2♠: 6-9 with ♠ tolerance.♭
- other: 6-9 natural.♮♭
- 2♦: 10+.✶♯
- 2♦: 11-14, 5♠ + 4♦.♮♭
- 2♥: 11-14, 5♠ + 4♥.♮♭
- 2♠: 11-12, 6♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 19+ or any other game force.✶†
- 3♣: 13-14, 5♠ + 5♣, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♦: 13-14, 5♠ + 5♦, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♥: 13-14, 5♠ + 5♥, good playing strength.♮♭
- 3♠: 13-14, 7♠.♮♭
- 2♣: Gazzilli – 11-14, some 5332 shape or 5♠ + 4♣ or any 15-18.✶♯
- 2♣: 13+, 3+♣.♮†
- 2♦: 13+, 4+♦.♮†
- 2♥: 13+, 5+♥.♮†
- 2♠: 0-5, 3♠.♮𝄫
- 2NT: 13+, 4+♠, no singleton or void, Jacoby 2NT.✶†
- 3♣: 14+, singleton or void in ♣.✶
- 3♦: 14+, singleton or void in ♦.✶
- 3♥: 14+, singleton or void in ♥.✶
- 3♠: 17+, no singleton or void.✶
- 3NT: 14-16, no singleton or void.✶
- 4♣: 14+ with 5♣.♮
- 4♦: 14+ with 5♦.♮
- 4♥: 14+ with 5♥.♮
- 4♠: 11-13.✶
- 3♣: 10-12, 4+♠, Bergen raise.✶♯
- 3♦: 6-9, 4+♠, Bergen raise.✶♯
- 3♥: splinter – 13+, 4♠ and singleton or void in ♥.✶†
- 3♠: 0-5, 4♠.♮𝄫
- 4♣: splinter – 13+, 4♠ and singleton or void in ♣.✶†
- 4♦: splinter – 13+, 4♠ and singleton or void in ♦.✶†
- 4♠: 0-5, 5+♠.♮𝄫
- 1NT: 6-12.✶♯
- 1NT: 11+, 5+♣ (may be much weaker in third seat).✶♭
- 2♣: 0-9, negative.✶♭
- 2♦: Gazzilli – 15-17, 5♣ + 4♦ or any 18+.✶♯
- 2♥: 0-5.♮♭
- 2♠: 0-5.♮♭
- 2NT: any 6-9.✶♭
- 3♣: 15-17, 5♣ + 4♦.✶♭
- 3♦: to play.♮𝄫
- 4♣: invitational.♮♯
- 4♦: invitational.♮♯
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- 3♣: 15-17, 5♣ + 4♦.✶♭
- 3♣: 0-5.♮𝄫
- 3♦: 0-5, 6+♦.♮𝄫
- 2♥: 15-17, 5♣ + 4♥.♮♭
- 2♠: 15-17, 5♣ + 4♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 15-17, 5332 shape.♮♭
- 3♣: 15-17, 6+♣.♮♭
- higher: natural in a weaker, distributional hand.♮♭
- 2♦: Gazzilli – 15-17, 5♣ + 4♦ or any 18+.✶♯
- 2♦: 10+, Stayman.✶♯
- 2♥: 11-13, 4♥.♮♭
- 2♠: 13+, 5♠.♮†
- 2NT: 10-11, to play.♮𝄫
- 3♣: 10-11, to play.♮𝄫
- 3♥: 11-12, 4♥.♮♯
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for NT slam.✶†‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶†‽
- 4NT: RKCB for hearts.✶†‽
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- 2♠: 11-13, 4♠.♮♭
- 2NT: 10-11, to play.♮𝄫
- 3♣: 10-11, to play.♮𝄫
- 3♠: 11-12, 4♠.♮♯
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for NT slam.✶†‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶†‽
- 4NT: RKCB for spades.✶†‽
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- 2NT: 11-13, exactly 5♣, no 4-card major.✶♭
- 3♣: 10-11, to play.♮𝄫
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for NT slam.✶†‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶†‽
- 4NT: quantitative invitation to 6NT.♮‽
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- 3♣: 11-13, 6+♣, no 4-card major.♮♭
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for NT slam.✶†‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶†‽
- 4NT: quantitative invitation to 6NT.♮‽
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- 3♦: 14+, no 4-card major.✶†
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for NT slam.✶‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶‽
- 4NT: quantitative invitation to 6NT.♮‽
- other: natural.♮
- 3♥: 14+, 4♥ (does not deny 4♠).♮†
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for NT slam.✶‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶‽
- 4NT: RKCB for hearts.✶‽
- other: natural.♮
- 3♠: 14+, 4♠ and <3♥.♮†
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for NT slam.✶‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶‽
- 4NT: RKCB for spades.✶‽
- other: natural.♮
- 3NT: 14+, 4♠ and 3♥.✶†
- 4♣: Gerber, looking for ♥ or NT slam.✶‽
- 4♦: RKCB for clubs.✶‽
- 4NT: RKCB for spades.✶‽
- other: natural.♮
- 2♥: 11-13, 4♥.♮♭
- 2♥: 10-12, 5+♥.♮♭
- 2NT: to play.♮𝄫
- 3♣: to play.♮𝄫
- 3♥: invitational.♮♯
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- 2♠: 10-12, 5+♠.♮♭
- 2NT: to play.♮𝄫
- 3♣: to play.♮𝄫
- 3♠: invitational.♮♯
- other: natural and game forcing.♮†
- 2NT: 6-9, 4+♣ and no 4-card major.✶♯
- 3♣: 0-5, 4♣.♮𝄫
- 3♦: natural with a very long suit in a weak hand.♮♭
- 3♥: natural with a very long suit in a weak hand.♮♭
- 3♠: natural with a very long suit in a weak hand.♮♭
- 3NT: to play.♮♭
- 4♣: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 5♣: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 2♣: 0-9, negative.✶♭
- 2♣: 5-10, 6♦ or strong with 5+♦ + 4+♣ (♦ at least as long as ♣).✶♯
- 2♦: to play opposite a weak 2♦.✶♭
- Pass: 5-10, 6♦.♮
- 2♥: <19, strong, 1354 shape.✶♭
- 2♠: <19, strong, 3154 shape.✶♭
- 2NT: any strong 19+.✶♯
- 3♣: to play.♮♭
- any: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- 3♦: to play.♮♭
- any: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- other: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- 3♣: to play.♮♭
- 3♣: <19, strong, 5♦ + 5♣.✶♭
- 3♦: <19, strong, 6♦ + 4♣.✶♭
- 3♥: <19, strong, 0454 shape.✶♭
- 3♠: <19, strong, 4054 shape.✶♭
- 3NT: <19, strong, 6♦ + 5♣.✶♭
- 4♣: <19, strong, 6♦ + 6♣.✶♭
- 4♦: <19, strong, 7♦ + 4♣.✶♭
- 2♥: invitational or better opposite a weak 2♦.✶♯
- 2♠: 5-7, denies 2 of the top 3 honours in ♦ (poor suit, poor points).✶♯
- 2NT: 5-7, shows 2 of the top 3 honours in ♦ (good suit, poor points).✶♯
- 3♣: 8-10, denies 2 of the top 3 honours in ♦ (poor suit, good points).✶♯
- 3♦: 8-10, shows 2 of the top 3 honours in ♦ (good suit, good points).✶♯
- 3♥: <19, strong, 1354 shape.✶‽
- 3♠: <19, strong, 3154 shape.✶‽
- 3NT: any strong 19+.✶‡
- 4♣: <19, strong, 5♦ + 5♣.✶‽
- 4♦: <19, strong, 6♦ + 4♣.✶‽
- 4♥: <19, strong, 0454 shape.✶‽
- 4♠: <19, strong, 4054 shape.✶‽
- 4NT: <19, strong, 6♦ + 5♣.✶‽
- 5♣: <19, strong, 6♦ + 6♣.✶‽
- 5♦: <19, strong, 7♦ + 4♣.✶‽
- 3♦: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 4♦: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 5♦: preemptive.♮𝄫
- other: to play.♮𝄫
- 2♦: to play opposite a weak 2♦.✶♭
- 2♦: 5-10, 6♥ or strong with 5+♥ + 4+♦ (♥ at least as long as ♦).✶♯
- 2♥: to play opposite a weak 2♥.✶♭
- Pass: 5-10, 6♥.♮
- 2♠: <19, 3541 shape.✶♭
- 2NT: any strong 19+.✶♯
- 3♦: to play.♮♭
- any: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- 3♥: to play.♮♭
- any: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- other: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- 3♦: to play.♮♭
- 3♣: <19, strong, 1543 shape.✶♭
- 3♦: <19, strong, 5♥ + 5♦.✶♭
- 3♥: <19, strong, 6♥ + 4♦.✶♭
- 3♠: <19, strong, 4540 shape.✶♭
- 3NT: <19, strong, 6♥ + 5♦.✶‽
- 4♣: <19, strong, 0544 shape.✶♭
- 4♦: <19, strong, 6♥ + 6♦.✶♭
- 4♥: <19, strong, 7♥ + 4♦.✶♭
- 2♠: invitational or better opposite a weak 2♥.✶♯
- 2NT: 5-7, denies 2 of the top 3 honours in ♥ (poor suit, poor points).✶♯
- 3♣: 5-7, shows 2 of the top 3 honours in ♥ (good suit, poor points).✶♯
- 3♦: 8-10, denies 2 of the top 3 honours in ♥ (poor suit, good points).✶♯
- 3♥: 8-10, shows 2 of the top 3 honours in ♥ (good suit, good points).✶♯
- 3♠: <19, strong, 3541 shape.✶‽
- 3NT: any strong 19+.✶‡
- 4♣: <19, strong, 1543 shape.✶‽
- 4♦: <19, strong, 5♥ + 5♦.✶‽
- 4♥: <19, strong, 6♥ + 4♦.✶‽
- 4♠: <19, strong, 4540 shape.✶‽
- 4NT: <19, strong, 6♥ + 5♦.✶‽
- 5♣: <19, strong, 0544 shape.✶‽
- 5♦: <19, strong, 6♥ + 6♦.✶‽
- 5♥: <19, strong, 7♥ + 4♦.✶‽
- 3♥: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 4♥: preemptive.♮𝄫
- other: to play.♮𝄫
- 2♥: to play opposite a weak 2♥.✶♭
- 2♥: 5-10, 6♠ or strong with 5+♠ + 4+♥ (♠ at least as long as ♥).✶♯
- 2♠: to play opposite a weak 2♠.✶♭
- Pass: 5-10, 6♠.♮
- 2NT: any strong 19+.✶♯
- 3♥: to play.♮♭
- any: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- 3♠: to play.♮♭
- any: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- other: natural and game-forcing.♮†
- 3♥: to play.♮♭
- 3♣: <19, strong, 5413 shape.✶♭
- 3♦: <19, strong, 5431 shape.✶♭
- 3♥: <19, strong, 5♠ + 5♥.✶♭
- 3♠: <19, strong, 6♠ + 4♥.✶♭
- 3NT: <19, strong, 6♠ + 5♥.✶♭
- 4♣: <19, strong, 5404 shape.✶♭
- 4♦: <19, strong, 5440 shape.✶♭
- 4♥: <19, strong, 6♠ + 6♥.✶♭
- 4♠: <19, strong, 7♠ + 4♥.✶♭
- 2NT: invitational or better opposite a weak 2♠.✶♯
- 3♣: 5-7, denies 2 of the top 3 honours in ♠ (poor suit, poor points).✶♯
- 3♦: 5-7, shows 2 of the top 3 honours in ♠ (good suit, poor points).✶♯
- 3♥: 8-10, denies 2 of the top 3 honours in ♠ (poor suit, good points).✶♯
- 3♠: 8-10, shows 2 of the top 3 honours in ♠ (good suit, good points).✶♯
- 3NT: any strong 19+.✶‡
- 4♣: <19, strong, 5413 shape.✶‽
- 4♦: <19, strong, 5431 shape.✶‽
- 4♥: <19, strong, 5♠ + 5♥.✶‽
- 4♠: <19, strong, 6♠ + 4♥.✶‽
- 4NT: <19, strong, 6♠ + 5♥.✶‽
- 5♣: <19, strong, 5404 shape.✶‽
- 5♦: <19, strong, 5440 shape.✶‽
- 5♥: <19, strong, 6♠ + 6♥.✶‽
- 5♠: <19, strong, 7♠ + 4♥.✶‽
- 3♠: preemptive.♮𝄫
- 4♠: preemptive.♮𝄫
- other: to play.♮𝄫
- 2♠: to play opposite a weak 2♠.✶♭
- 2♠: 5-10, 5+♣ + 5+♦ (both minors).✶♭
- 2NT: 5-10, 5+♥ + 5+♠ (both majors).✶♭
- 3♣: 5-10, 7♣.♮♭
- 3♦: 5-10, 7♦.♮♭
- 3♥: 5-10, 7♥.♮♭
- 3♠: 5-10, 7♠.♮♭
A strong two-suiter is strictly a hand with 16+ HCP, or 13+ HCP concentrated in two five-card (or longer) suits.
✶ | artificial |
♮ | natural |
𝄫 | sign-off |
♭ | non-forcing |
♯ | forcing |
? | game invitational |
‽ | slam invitational |
† | game forcing |
‡ | slam forcing |
Against interference, the general rule is that we ignore any double of opener's bid (i.e. system remains on), but that we revert to natural bidding over any other interference (i.e. system is off). Opener has already revealed a lot about their hand, so the meaning of any further bids should be clear.
Without any indication of strength from responder following a 1♣ opening, opener can adopt the following guidelines when bidding on over opposition interference. Firstly, with a game force or Acol strong 2 in a suit, opener should make this clear by jump-bidding in that suit, or bidding it at the 3-level or higher if no jump bid is available. With a game forcing no trump hand, opener should cue bid the opposition suit. With a hand of at least 15 points, opener can bid no trumps with a stop in the opponents' suit. Opener also has the option of doubling for takeout, or bidding a 4-card suit at the cheapest level. Both these bids indicate a desire to compete and suggest a non-minimum hand. Stronger hands that are short of a game force can be shown by either doubling, then bidding a suit, or else jump bidding in no trumps. Finally, any raise of responder's suit is simply competitive and does not require any extra strength.