[mikestar]

Opening bids
1♣=18-20 or 23+ balanced, rule of 26 unbalanced. Forcing.
1♦=15-17 balanced, 4+♦ and rule of 20 unbalanced.
1♥/1♠=4+ suit and rule of 20 unbalanced.
1NT=12-14 balanced.
2♣=6+ clubs and rule of 20 unbalanced
2♦=Flannery, no void. Rule of 20.
2NT=21-22 balanced.
Other=preemptive, play however you like.

Balanced means 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 regardless of whether the 5-carder is a minor or major. All balanced hands must open 1♣, 1♦, 1NT, or 2NT depending on range. It is OK to open off shape with something like ♠Kx♥Kx♦AJxx♣Qxxxx.

1♦, 1♥, 1♠, 2♣ and 2♦ will be covered in depth. Your preferred Big Club and NT response systems can be used.

Choice of Opening
Unbalanced hands not strong enough for 1♣

One suiters
Open 1 of your suit (2♣ if your suit is ♣).

Two suiters
Treat 6-4 shapes as one suiters.
If one of your suits is ♣, open one of the other suit.
With ♥ and ♦, open 1♦ with 4=5 and strong enough to reverse; otherwise open 1♥.
With ♠ and ♦, open the longer suit; open 1♠ with 5=5.
With ♠ and ♥, open 2♦ with 4=5 not strong enough to reverse; otherwise open the longer suit or 1♠ with 5=5.

Three suiters
Open 1♠ with a 5 carder.
Open 1♦ with short ♥.
All others open 1♥.

Next
The 1♦ opening.

[mikestar]

The 1♦ Opening

1♦ shows two distinct hand types: natural and unbalanced with at least 4♦ and strong NT. The NT type may have a 5 card major.


Responses

1♥/1♠=6+ value, 4+ suit. Other responses deny a 4 card major. With both majors bid the longer suit, 1♥ if 4=4, 1♠ if 5=5.

1NT= good 6-9 value fairly balanced.

2♣=10+ value, 4+ ♣.

2♦=10+ value, 4+♦ (inverted raise).

2♥/2♠/3♣=weak jump shift.

2NT=13-15 balanced.

3♦=6+♦ or 5♦ with a stiff; no game interest opposite a strong NT.

3NT=16-18 balanced.


Opener's rebid

Balanced 15-17

After 1♥/1♠, raise with 4 or 5 card support or bid 1NT. Responder uses 2 way checkback over 1NT.

After 1NT, pass with a minimum, raise to 2NT with a maximum.

After 2♣/2♦ bid 2NT GF.

After 2NT, bid 3NT.

After 3NT, bid 4NT or 6NT.

Normally pass after a weak jump shift or weak 3♦, but raise or bid NT with a maximum and a good fit.


Unbalanced hands with 4+♦

After 1♥:
1♠=4♠, unable to raise ♥.
2♣=5-4 either way or longer in minors.
2♦=6+♦
2♥=4 card support, or 3 card support with a stiff.
2♠=5♠ and 6♦, strong.
2NT=3 card ♥ support, too strong for 2♥.
3♣=5-5 or better in minors, strong.
3♦=6+♦, strong.
3♥=4 card support, strong.

After 1♠:
2♣/2♦=same as after 1♥.
2♥=4♥, 5+♦, reversing values.
2♠=4 card support, or 3 card support with a stiff.
2NT=3 card ♠ support, too strong for 2♠.
3♣/3♦=same as after 1♥.
3♥=splinter
3♠=4 card support, strong.

After 1NT:
2♣=usually 5-4 either way or better in minors; might be 4=1=4=4.
2♦=6+♦.
2♥/2♠=5+♦ 4 in major, strong.
3♣/3♦=same as after 1♥.

After 2♣:
2♦=Waiting. Any minimum or a hand not convenient for another bid.
2♥/2♠=same as after 1NT
3♣=♣ support, GF.
3♦=6+♦, GF.
3♥/3♠=splinter.
3NT=to play, solid ♦.

After 2♦:
2♥/2♠=same as after 1NT
3♣=both minors, GF, possible slam interest.
3♦=minimum
3♥/3♠=maximum, stopper in bid suit.
3NT=maximum, stoppers in both majors.

After 2NT:
3♣=both minors, minimum.
3♦=6+♦ minimum.
3♥/3♠=5+♦, 4 card major, strong.
4♣=both minors, GF, slam interest.
4♦=6+♦, slam interest.

After 3NT:
4♣/4♦=same as after 2N.
4♥/4♠=5+♦, 4 card major, strong.


Next
The 1♥ opening.

[mikestar]

The 1♥ Opening

1♥ denies a balanced hand (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2).



Responses

1♠=6+ value, 4+♠.
1NT=6+ value, denies 4♠, forcing.
2♣/2♦=5+ suit, GF unless suit rebid.
2♥=6-9 value, 4 card support or 3 card support with a stiff.
2♠/3♣/3♦=weak jump shift.
2NT=Jacoby (GF ♥ raise).
3♥=10-11, 4 card support.
3♠/4♣/4♦=splinter.
3NT=Balanced minimum GF with 4 card support. Choice of games.
4♥=preemptive or minimum game vales, no slam interest.


Opener's Rebid

After 1♠:
1NT=4♥ and a 5 card minor or 1=4=4=4.
2♣/2♦=5+♥ and 4+ minor.
2♥=6+♥
2♠=4 card support or 3 card support with a stiff.
2NT=3 card ♠ support, too strong for 2♠.
3♣/3♦ 5-5 or better, strong.
3♥=6+♥, strong.
3♠=4 card support, strong.

After 1NT:
2♣=usually 5-4 or better either way in ♥ and ♣; might be 1=4=4=4 or 4=4=1=4.
2♦=usually 5-4 or better either way in ♥ and ♦; might be 4=4=4=1.
2♥=6+♥.
2♠=5+♥ and 4♠, strong.
2NT=4♥ and 5 card minor or 3 suited.
3♣/3♦=5-5 or better in ♥ and minor, strong.
3♥=6+ good ♥, strong.

After 2♣:
2♦=5-4 or better either way in ♥ and ♦; may pass 3♣.
2♥=5+♥, minimum or no convenient bid; may pass 3♣.
2♠=4♠, 5+♥ GF.
2NT=4♥, minimum; may pass 3♣.
3♣=♣ support, GF.
3♦/3♠=splinter.
3♥=solid 6+♥, GF.
3NT=to play.
4♣=good ♣ support, strong, no stiff.

After 2♦:
2♥=5+♥, minimum or no convenient bid; may pass 3♦.
2♠=4♠, 5+♥ GF.
2NT=4♥, minimum; may pass 3♦.
3♣=5-5 or better in ♥ and ♣, GF.
3♦=♦ support, GF.
3♥=solid 6+♥, GF.
3♠/4♣=splinter.
3NT=to play.
4♦=good ♦ support, strong, no stiff.

Standard methods may be used after raises. After a WJS, usually pass but raise or bid no trump with an appropriate hand.

Next
The 1♠ opening.

[akhare]

It would be interesting to know how you deal with the hands with 3 card ♥ support. Also, how do you sort out the relative lengths of suits in comp (or does it matter)?

Say after 1♥ - (1♠) - X - (P) - 2♣ = 4/5 either way in ♥/♣?

[straube]

What's the general thought behind your system? It looks similar to a strong club canape system.

[mikestar]

straube, on Feb 6 2009, 04:15 AM, said:

What's the general thought behind your system?  It looks similar to a strong club canape system.

Yes canape is used in several sequences. The fundamental concept is to have a big club method without the various weaknesses in Precision. Fundamentally, in Precision you can deal with a severely ambiguous 1♦ or you can open 2♣ with a 5 card suit and a side major. If you want a totally unambiguous 1♦ you a,lso need a wide range 1NT opening.

The tradeoffs here are to accept a bit more difficulty sorting out lengths in our major suit openings in exchange for the much less ambiguous natural or strong NT 1♦ opener and having 2♣ promise 6 cards.

By having 1M deny balanced shape, we can bid 4 card majors and still use 1NT forcing response and can also use artificial NT rebids by opener to show only 4 cards in the major. Thus our major suit auctions are more precise than in the general 4 card major case.

In many of the cases where lengths are not resolved, it is fairly harmless. As an example, it seldom costs much after 1♥-1NT-2♦ to play in our 4-3 ♥ fit rather than our 5-3 ♦ fit: 2♦ will make a bit more often, but 2♥ will score better when it does make.

Notice that we never use canape with both majors.

[mikestar]

[Inadvertent double post deleted]

[mikestar]

akhare, on Feb 6 2009, 02:41 AM, said:

It would be interesting to know how you deal with the hands with 3 card ♥ support. Also, how do you sort out the relative lengths of suits in comp (or does it matter)?

Say after 1♥ - (1♠) - X - (P) - 2♣ = 4/5 either way in ♥/♣?

Still working on competitive sequences. This one can be resolved in a way similar to comparable constructive cases.

1♥-(1♠)-X-(P)-2♣/2♦=5+♥, 4+ minor.
1♥-(1♠)-X-(P)-1NT=4♥, 5 card minor or 1=4=4=4. Doubler can bid 2m as pass or correct.

[straube]

Thanks for answering my question. It always helps to understand a system if you know what the designer is trying to accomplish. You obviously know how to write structures.

Specific question. What do I rebid with x KQxxx Axx Kxxx after a 1S response? Also 1N?

Is 1D-1H, 2N specifically 1-3-(54) 16-17? or could it be 3H/6D?

I guess a couple of things concern me about this system. The first is that 1C seems like it would be underutilized. 1C would usually be 18+ but also less if distributional. Still, it would come up a lot less often than my 15 pt 1C. Your system won't let you open balanced 10 or 11 counts....which I would rather do at least at some vulnerabilities.

The second is the 1D auction. It seems like your responses to 1D are a bit difficult in that you have to be prepared for partner having a weak opener...while suspecting he may have a strong no trump. For example, your 1D-1N (6-9?) is a bit awkward because it's a 4-pt range and opener will frequently (more frequently than standard) want to know if partner is top or bottom of that range. Seems like you will miss game (or be too high in 2N) slightly more frequently than standard pairs. I mean, for example, that a standard 1D-1N, 2N-P auction is rather rare.

[mikestar]

Thank you for your very intelligent questions. I will answer point by point.


Specific question. What do I rebid with x KQxxx Axx Kxxx after a 1S response? Also 1N?

In both cases the correct rebid is 2♣.
With x KQxx Axx Kxxxx, you would rebid 1NT after 1♠ but 2♣ after 1NT.


Is 1D-1H, 2N specifically 1-3-(54) 16-17? or could it be 3H/6D?

The sequence is intended primarily for the latter hand (the Bridge World Death Hand). The former hand would be OK but it might be better to rebid 2♣ intending to give a strong ♥ preference later.



I guess a couple of things concern me about this system. The first is that 1C seems like it would be underutilized. 1C would usually be 18+ but also less if distributional. Still, it would come up a lot less often than my 15 pt 1C. Your system won't let you open balanced 10 or 11 counts....which I would rather do at least at some vulnerabilities.

It would be possible to lower opening requirements across the board at certain vulnerabilities or positions without changing the fundamental structure.

The second is the 1D auction. It seems like your responses to 1D are a bit difficult in that you have to be prepared for partner having a weak opener...while suspecting he may have a strong no trump. For example, your 1D-1N (6-9?) is a bit awkward because it's a 4-pt range and opener will frequently (more frequently than standard) want to know if partner is top or bottom of that range. Seems like you will miss game (or be too high in 2N) slightly more frequently than standard pairs. I mean, for example, that a standard 1D-1N, 2N-P auction is rather rare

Not that much of a problem. I don't mind missing a possible 16-9 game while risking getting too high, so 2NT will tend to be bid only on a decent 17 count. But if we still are doing poorer than standard here, I expect offsets elsewhere. In any case there can't be as many losing cases as after a nebulous 1♦ opener that might be a stiff ♦ and long ♣.

[straube]

You're welcome. Yes, I think if you scaled the pt ranges back just slightly it would function better. Maybe the 1D as 14-16 and the 1C as 16+ or so. Like you say, vulnerability could weigh on your decision.

I agree 1D-1N, 2N not likely a big problem.

One has an interesting decision after 1H-1S for whether to show a 5M/4m or 4M/5m. Either decision means that a 2m rebid reveals 5 more cards to partner. I'm thinking you did correctly to show 5M/4m and conceal 4M/5m in 1N. I see with 6/4 you treat as a 1-suiter, so with 1-4-6-2 you would open and rebid in diamonds and not canape.

I still prefer my nebulous 1D, but your system seems nicely fleshed out and playable. I think you can't go far wrong by treating your 6/4s as 1-suited. I would be a bit uneasy about opening a 5S332 with 1D, but it probably will work out most of the time Good luck with your system.

[mikestar]

straube, on Feb 11 2009, 06:30 AM, said:

One has an interesting decision after 1H-1S for whether to show a 5M/4m or 4M/5m. Either decision means that a 2m rebid reveals 5 more cards to partner. I'm thinking you did correctly to show 5M/4m and conceal 4M/5m in 1N.

My though was that in the 4 major, 5 minor case it is more likely that partner would want to bash 3NT in a relatively less revealing auction than in the 5 major, 4 minor case where a major suit fit is still possible.

[mikestar]

The 1♠ Opening

Notice that this is extremely similar to the 1♥ opening.

1♠ denies a balanced hand (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2).


Responses

1NT=6+ value, forcing.
2♣/2♦/2♥=5+ suit, GF unless suit rebid.
2♠=6-9 value, 4 card support or 3 card support with a stiff.
2NT=Jacoby (GF ♠ raise).
3♣/3♦/3♥=weak jump shift.
3♠=10-11, 4 card support.
3NT=Balanced minimum GF with 4 card support. Choice of games.
4♣/4♦/4♥=splinter.
4♠=preemptive or minimum game vales, no slam interest.


Opener's Rebid

After 1NT:
2♣/2♦=5-4 or better either way in ♠ and minor.
2♥=5+♠ and 4+♥.
2♠=6+♠.
2NT=4♠ and 5 card minor.
3♣/3♦=5-5 or better in ♠ and minor, strong.
3♥=5+♠ and 4+♥, strong.
3♠=6+ good ♠, strong.

After 2♣:
2♦/2♥=5+♠ and 4+ red suit; may pass 3♣.
2♠=5+♠, minimum or no convenient bid; may pass 3♣.
2NT=4♠, minimum; may pass 3♣.
3♣=♣ support, GF.
3♦/3♥=splinter.
3♠=solid 6+♠, GF.
3NT=to play.
4♣=good ♣ support, strong, no stiff.

After 2♦:
2♥=5+♠ and 4+♥ suit; may pass 3♦.
2♠=5+♠, minimum or no convenient bid; may pass 3♦.
2NT=4♠, minimum; may pass 3♦.
3♣=5-5 or better in ♠ and ♣, GF.
3♦=♦ support, GF.
3♥/4♣=splinter.
3♠=solid 6+♠, GF.
3NT=to play.
4♦=good ♦ support, strong, no stiff.

After 2♥:
2♠=5+♠, minimum or no convenient bid; may pass 3♥.
2NT=4♠, minimum; may pass 3♥.
3♣/3♦=5-5 or better in ♠ and minor, GF.
3♥=♥ support, GF.
3♠=solid 6+♠, GF.
3NT=to play.
4♣/4♦=splinter.
4♥=good ♥ support, strong, no stiff.

Standard methods may be used after raises. After a WJS, usually pass but raise or bid no trump with an appropriate hand.

Next
The 2♣ opening.

[mikestar]

The 2♣ Opening

2♣ shows 6+♣ and may have a 4 card side suit.


Responses

2♦=relay
2♥/2♠=5+ cards, invitational or better.
2NT=puppet to 3♣, various hands.
3♣=puppet to 3♦, various hands.
3♦/3♥/3♠, 6+ suit, invitational.
3NT=to play.
4♣/5♣=preemptive.


Opener's Rebid

After 2♦:
2♥=a 4 card major.
2♠=no 4 card major, minimum.
2NT=no 4 card major, maximum, two side suits stopped. Responder's 3♦ asks for unstopped suit (3NT=♦).
3♣=no 4 card major, maximum, one side suit stopped. Responder's 3♦ asks for stopper (3NT=♦).
3♦=4♥, very strong.
3♥=4♠, very strong.

After 2♥:
2♠=4♠, 0-2♥.
2NT=0-3♠, 0-2♥, maximum.
3♣=0-3♠, 0-2♥, minimum.
3♦=0-3♠, 0-2♥, 4 good ♦, maximum.
3♥=3+♥, minimum.
3♠/4♦=splinter.
3NT=to play.
4♣=3♥, maximum, no stiff, very good ♣.
4♥=3♥, maximum, no stiff.

After 2♠:
2NT=0-2♠, maximum.
3♣=0-2♠, minimum.
3♦/3♥=0-2♠, good 4 card suit, maximum.
3♠=3+♠, minimum.
3NT=to play.
4♣=3♠, maximum, no stiff, very good ♣.
3♦/4♥=splinter.
4♠=3♠, maximum, no stiff.


Subsequent bidding

After 2♦-2♥:
2♠=relay. Opener bids 2NT (=♥) or 3♣ (=♠) with a minimum; 3♦ (=♥) or 3♥ (=♠) with a a maximum.

After 2♦-2♠:
2NT=invites 3NT.
3♣=signoff.
3♦/3♥/3♠=stopper showing.
3NT=to play.

After 2NT-3♣:
Pass=weak raise.
3♦=5-5 ♦+♥ GF.
3♥=5-5 ♦+♠ GF.
3♠=5-5 ♥+♠ GF.

After 3♣-3♦:
Pass=signoff.
3♥/3♠=natural slam try.
3NT or higher=♦ slam try.

[mikestar]

The 2♦ Opening

Yes, the F-word (Flannery).

Fills an important system gap and allows us to avoid canape with both majors.

Shows exactly 4♠ and 5♥, denies reversing values and denies a void. This last is contrary to the usual practice, but makes the bid more playable by narrowing the possible playing strength range. Doesn't reduce frequency that much, as 5-4-4-0 is a rare shape.


Responses
2♥/2♠=signoff.
2NT=artificial asking bid.
3♣=6+♣ signoff.
3♦=6+♦ invitational.
3♥/3♠=invites 4M.
3NT/4♥/4♠=to play.
4♣/4♦=transfer to 4♥/4♠ respectively.


Opener's Rebid
After 2NT:
3♣/3♦=3 cards, stiff in other minor.
3♥=no stiff, minimum.
3♠=no stiff, maximum.
3NT=no stiff, maximum, strong minors.

[mikestar]

I think I'll go ahead and detail some of my preferred methods for other openings, though you can certainly play what you like independently of using the above framework.

Responses to 1♣

1♦=0-7, any shape.
1♥=8+, balanced, may have 5 card major.
1♠/2♣/2♦=8+, 5+ suit.
1NT=8+, 5+♥.
2♥/2♠=4-7, fair to good 6 card suit. Opener's 2NT=Ogust.
2NT=8+, 4-4-4-1 with any stiff.
3♣/3♦/3♥/3♠=4-7, good 7 card suit but not AKxxxxx (make a positive response with that suit).

2NT is a usable place to put the rare 4-4-4-1 positives that went through the "Impossible Negative" in classic Precision.

The inversion of 1♥ and 1NT is suggested by Marshal Miles and I find it quite useful. While it wrongsides 4♥, it rightsides 3NT, which is more likely to be important.


Opener's Rebids

After 1♦:
1♥/1♠=4+ suit, unbalanced, may have longer minor. Forcing 1 round.
1NT=18-20 balanced, may have 5 card major. Responder uses Puppet Stayman and transfers.
2♣/2♦=5+ suit, unbalanced, denies 4 card major.
2♥=Kokish. Unbalanced ♥ GF (denies 4♠) or 25+ balanced, may have 5 card major.
2♠=Unbalanced ♠ GF, denies 4♥.
2NT=23-24 balanced, may have 5 card major.
3♣/3♦=Unbalanced GF, denies 4 card major.


After 1♥:
1♠/2♣/2♦/2♥=5+ suit, unbalanced.
1NT=18+ balanced. Responder uses Puppet Stayman and transfers.
2♠/3♣/3♦/3♥=good 6+ suit, slam interest, sets trumps. Responder shows key cards.
2NT=4-4-4-1 with any stiff.

After 1♠:
1NT=18+ balanced.
2♣/2♦/2♥=5+ suit, unbalanced.
2♠=agrees spades.
2NT=4-4-4-1 with stiff ♠.
3♣/3♦/3♥=good 7+ suit, slam interest, sets trumps. Responder shows key cards.
3♠=RKCB for ♠.

After 1NT:
2♣/2♦/2♠=5+ suit, unbalanced.
2♥=agrees ♥.
2NT=18+ balanced or 4=1=4=4.
3♣/3♦/3♠=good 7+ suit, slam interest, sets trumps. Responder shows key cards.
3♥=RKCB for ♥.

After 2♣:
2♦/2♥/2♠=5+ suit, unbalanced.
2NT=18+ balanced or 4=4=4=1.
3♣=agrees ♣.
3♦/3♥/3♠=good 7+ suit, slam interest, sets trumps. Responder shows key cards.
4♣=RKCB for ♣.

After 2♦:
2♥/2♠/3♣=5+ suit, unbalanced.
2NT=18+ balanced or 4=4=4=1.
3♦=agrees ♦.
3♥/3♠/4♣=good 7+ suit, slam interest, sets trumps. Responder shows key cards.
4♦=RKCB for ♦.

After 2NT:
3♣=asks stiff.
3♦/3♥/3♠/4♣=good 6+ suit. Agrees trumps opposite a stiff, slam interest opposite a fit.
3NT=good 6+ ♣. Responder passes with a stiff.

After 2 of a major or 3 of a suit, opener usually passes with a misfit. With a fit, opener raises or bids 3NT. With a strong misfit, opener rebids a new suit (forcing if below game).



Next

Interference to 1♣.