Eastern Mysticism Outline

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Legend

  • • All point ranges are approximate; use best judgment. Count HCP with no fit and support points (“pts”) after a fit is found. If you have 4 card support, count void 5, singleton 3, doubleton 1. If you have 3 card support, count void 3, singelton 2, doubleton 1. Or use SST-WP
  • • Slow arrival: jumping to a forced level shows minimum values.
  • • Opener’s bids are black; Responder’s bids are grey; Opponents’ bids are orange.
  • • M = any major; m = any minor; X = any suit; OM = other major; om = other minor.
  • • F1 = forcing 1 round; FG = forcing to game; FO = forcing on Opener; FR = forcing on Responder.
  • • (Alert!) indicates an alertable bid.
  • • (Announce) indicates an announceable bid.

Openings: 1♣ | 1♦ | 1M | 1NT | 2♣ | 2♦ | 2M | 2NT | 3X/4X/5X | 3NT
Overcalls | Doubles | Conventions

Openings and responses

1♣: 16+ HCP or 8+ tricks, any shape; F1 (Alert!) [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Pass [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • 1♦: 0-7 HCP, no preemptive suit; F1 (Alert!) [expandsub2 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
      • 1M: 4+ cards; F1
        • 1♠ over 1♥: 4+ cards
        • 1NT: 0-4 HCP, no M fit, may not be balanced, second negative (Alert!)
        • 2m: 5-7 HCP, no M fit, better minor
        • 2♥ over 1♠: 5-7 HCP, 5 cards
        • 2 of the M: 0-4 pts, support
        • 3 of the M: 5-7 pts, support; Invitational
          • After any of Responder’s rebids:
          • 3NT: 25-26 HCP, 1M may have been artificial
          • 4NT: 27-28 HCP, 1M may have been artificial; Invitational to 6NT
          • 5NT: 29-30 HCP, 1M may have been artificial; Invitational to 6NT or 7NT
      • 1NT: 16-18 HCP, balanced
      • 2m: 16-19 HCP, 4+ cards, no M
        • Pass: 0-5 HCP
        • 2♦ over 2♣: 6-7 HCP; Invitational
        • 2M: 6-7 HCP, 5 cards; Invitational
        • 2NT: 6-7 HCP; Invitational
      • 2M: 20+ HCP, 5+ cards; FR
        • Jump to game: 0-5 HCP
        • Other bids: 6-7 HCP
      • 2NT: 19-21 HCP, balanced
      • 3m: 20+ HCP, 4+ cards; FR
        • Jump to game: 0-5 HCP
        • Other bids: 6-7 HCP
      • 2NT: 19-21 HCP, balanced
      • 3NT: 22-24 HCP, balanced

      [/expandsub2]

    • 1M: 8-12 HCP, 4+ cards, not necessarily longest suit, ♠ denies ♥; FG or 2NT (Alert!) [expandsub2 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
      • 1♠ over 1♥: 4+ spades
      • 1NT: 16+ HCP, balanced, no M fit
        • 2X: Unbalanced hand
          • 2NT: 16 HCP, no support
            • Pass: Minimum, somewhat balanced
            • 3X: Unbalanced FG
            • 3NT: To play
          • Raise: Minimum w/ support
            • New suit: Slam try cuebid w/ support
          • 3NT: 17-20 HCP, no support
        • 2NT: 8 HCP; Invitational
        • 3NT: To play
      • 2m: Unbalanced, no M fit
      • 2♥ over 1♠: 5+ hearts
      • Raise: Support; asks for cuebids
        • Cheapest new suit: Maximum, cheapest 1st-round control
        • 2NT: Maximum, no aces
        • 3 of the M: Minimum
      • 2NT: Jacoby
      • Jump shift: 8-trick hand w/ long suit, < 16 HCP (Alert!)
      • Double jump shift: X-Blackwood

      [/expandsub2]

    • 1NT: 13+ HCP; FO (Alert!) [expandsub2 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
      • 2m: better m, no 5-card M
      • 2M: 5+ cards
      • 3X: 8-trick hand w/ long suit, < 16 HCP (Alert!)

      [/expandsub2]

    • 2m: 8-12 HCP, denies M; FG (Alert!) [expandsub2 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
      • 2M: 5+ cards
        • 2NT: 8 HCP, no support; Invitational
          • Pass: 16 HCP, balanced
          • New suit: Unbalanced; FG
          • 3 of the M: 6+ cards; FG
          • 3NT: 17-24 HCP, balanced
          • 4♣: Blackwood
        • 3 of the M: Maximum, support
        • Other M: Stopper; F1
        • 3NT: 9-12 HCP, no support
        • 4 of the M: Minimum, support
      • 2NT: 16 HCP, balanced
        • Pass: 8 HCP, balanced
        • 3X: Unbalanced; FG
        • 3NT: 9-12 HCP, balanced
      • 3 of the m: Asks for M stoppers
        • 3♥: ♥ stopper, no ♠ stopper
        • 3♠: ♠ stopper, no ♥ stopper
        • 3NT: Both M’s stopped
        • 4 of the m: Neither M stopped
      • Cheapest new suit: Natural
      • 3NT: 17-20 HCP, balanced
      • Double jump shift: X-Blackwood

      [/expandsub2]

    • 2M/3m: 5–7 HCP in that suit, 6+ cards; Preemptive (Alert!)

    [/expandsub1]

  • Double (natural or takeout) [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7 HCP, no long suit
    • Redouble: 13+ HCP
    • 1♦: 8-12, 4+ cards [may have M]
    • 1NT: 8–12 HCP, both M’s stopped; FG or 2NT
    • Jump in suit: Preemptive
    • Other responses unchanged

    [/expandsub1]

  • Double (Mathe or DISC) [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7 HCP, no long suit
    • Redouble: 13+ HCP
    • 1♦: 8-12 HCP, 4+ cards [may have M]; FG or 2NT
    • 1M: 8-12 HCP, cheapest stopper; FG or 2NT
    • 1NT: 8–12 HCP, both M’s stopped; FG or 2NT
    • 2♣: 8-12 HCP, 4+ cards [may have M]; FG or 2NT
    • Jump in suit: Preemptive

    [/expandsub1]

  • 1X [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7 HCP, no long suit
    • Double: Negative, 8-12 HCP FG or 2NT
    • Cheapest suit: 8-12 HCP, 5+ cards if M; FG or 2NT
    • 1NT: 8–12 HCP, with stopper; FG or 2NT
    • Cuebid: 13+ HCP; FG
    • Jump in suit: Preemptive

    [/expandsub1]

  • 1NT (Mathe) [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7 HCP, no long suit
    • Double: 8-12 HCP, negative (at least 1 4-card M); FG or 2NT
    • 2m: 8-12 HCP, cheapest stopper; FG or 2NT
    • 2M: 8-12 HCP, 5+ cards; FG or 2NT
    • 2NT: 13+ HCP FG
    • Jump in suit: Preemptive

    [/expandsub1]

  • 1NT/2X/3X (natural) [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7 HCP, no long suit
    • Double of 1NT: Penalty
    • Double of suit: Takeout; FG or 2NT
    • Cheapest suit: 8-12 HCP; FG or 2NT
    • Cuebid of suit: 13+ HCP; FG
    • 2NT over suit: 9–12 HCP, stopper; FG
    • Jump in suit: Preemptive
    • 3NT: To play

    [/expandsub1]

[/expand]

1♦: 11-15 HCP, no 5-card M (Announce: May have zero diamonds) [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • • Does not have 5+ major (would have opened 1M)
  • • Does not have 11-13 balanced (would have opened 1NT, but prefer 1♦ with both majors)
  • • Does not have both minors without 4 card major (would have opened 2♣)
  • Pass [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7, no 4-card M (Alert!)
    • 1M: Any strength, 4+ cards; F1 (Alert!) * Note: See special bids for 4 ♥‘s and 5 ♠‘s [expandsub2 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
      • 1♠ over 1♥: 4 ♠‘s, denies 4 ♥‘s
        • Pass: Weak, ♠ tolerance
        • 1NT: Signoff
        • 2♣: New Minor Forcing, Invitational or better hand; F1 (Alert!)
        • 2♦/2M: Signoff
        • 2NT: Invitational
        • 3♣: Weak; Signoff
        • 3♦: 6+ cards, no interest in NT; FG
        • 3M: Invitational
        • 3NT: To play
        • 4♣: 6+ cards, no interest in NT; FG
        • 4M: To play
      • 1NT: Balanced; denies 4-card support
        • Pass: Balanced, weak
        • 2♣: New Minor Forcing (Alert!)
        • 2♦: Preference
        • 2 of the M: 5+ cards; signoff
        • 2NT: Invitational
        • 3♣: Weak, long clubs; Signoff
        • 3♦/3M: Invitational
        • 3NT: To play
      • 2m: Unbalanced, no support, suggests m single-suiter
        • Pass: Weak
        • 2♦ over 2♣: Weak
        • 2 of the M: 6+ cards; signoff
        • 2OM: New Major Forcing, Invitational or better hand; F1 (Alert!)
        • 2NT: Invitational
        • 3 of new suit: Help-suit game try; Invitational
        • 3NT: To play
      • Raise: Support (may be 3-card support w/ side singleton or void)
        • Pass: Weak
        • 2♠ over 2♥: Spiral F1
        • 2NT over ♠: Spiral F1
        • Other new suit bid: cue bid, showing cheapest first round control, looking for slam; F1

      [/expandsub2]

    • 1NT: 6-9 HCP, balanced, no M; signoff
      • 2m: 5+ cards, unbalanced
    • 2♣: 10+ HCP, m single-suiter; F1 (Alert!) [expandsub2 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
      • 2♦: Minimum, no M stopper
        • Pass: Minimum, 5+ ♦‘s
        • 2♥: Asks about distribution; FG (Alert!)
        • 2NT: To play
        • 3m: Signoff
        • 3NT: To play
        • 4m: Invitational
        • 5m: To play
      • 2M: Minimum, cheapest M stopper
        • Cheapest OM: Asks about distribution; FG (Alert!)
      • 2NT: Minimum, both M’s stopped
        • Pass: Minimum
        • 3♥: Asks about distribution; FG (Alert!)
      • 3m: Maximum, no M stopper, cheapest m stopper
      • 3M: Maximum, cheapest M stopper
      • 3NT: Maximum, both M’s stopped

      [/expandsub2]

    • 2♦: 10+ HCP, no 4-card M, both m’s; F1 (Alert!) [expandsub2 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
      • 2M: Minimum, cheapest M stopper
      • 2NT: Minimum, both M’s stopped
      • 3♣: Minimum, no M stopper (Alert!)
      • 3♦: Maximum, no M stopper (Alert!)
      • 3M: Maximum, cheapest M stopper
      • 3NT: Maximum, both M’s stopped

      [/expandsub2]

    • 2♥: Weak 2-suiter with 4+ ♥s, 5+ ♠s (Alert!)
    • 2♠: Weak 2-suiter with 5+ ♣s, 5+ ♦s (Alert!)
    • 2NT: 10-12 HCP, no M, balanced; Invitational
    • 3X: Preemptive
    • 3NT: To play

    [/expandsub1]

  • Double/1M/2X [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-5, no preemptive suit
    • Double: Negative OR Invitational values; new suit or NT rebid invites
    • Redouble: Invitational or better values
    • Cheapest suit: Constructive Not forcing
    • NT bids: Unchanged values, stopper
    • Jump in suit: Preemptive
    • Cuebid: FG

    [/expandsub1]

  • 1NT (natural and strong) [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

    [/expandsub1]

[/expand]

1M: 11-15 HCP, 5+ cards [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Pass [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7 HCP, no support, no preemptive suit
    • 1♠ over 1♥: 8-12 HCP; F1
      • 1NT: Minimum, balanced
        • 2♣: New Minor Forcing
        • 2♦: Preference
        • 2M: Signoff
        • 2NT: Invitational
        • 3♣: Signoff
        • 3NT: To play
      • 2X: Natural
        • 2♦ over 2♣: New Minor Forcing
        • 2M: Signoff
        • 2NT/cheapest m/3M: Invitational
        • 3♦ over 2♣: Signoff
        • 3NT/4M: To play
        • 4NT: Blackwood
    • 1NT: 8-12 HCP, may be unbalanced and may have support; F1 (Announce: Forcing)
      • 2♣: May be as short as 2
      • 2♦/2♥ after 1♠ open: Natural
      • 2 of the M: 6+ cards
        • After any of Opener’s rebids:
        • 2X: Signoff
        • 2NT/3X: Invitational
    • 2X: Game force; 4+ cards for m, 5+ cards for M; FG
    • (2m by passed hand: Drury (Alert!))
    • Raise: 0-9 HCP, 3 trumps
    • 2NT: Jacoby; Forcing (Alert!)
    • 3X: Preemptive (Alert!)
    • 3NT: 13-15 HCP, flat, 3 trumps (Alert!)
    • 4 of new suit: X-Blackwood
    • 4 of the M: To play

    [/expandsub1]

  • Double/1X/2X [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: 0-7, no good suit
    • Double: Values
    • Redouble: Values; denies support
    • Cheapest suit: Constructive Not forcing
    • 1NT: 6-9, stopper
    • Raises/2NT: Unchanged
    • Jump in suit: Preemptive
    • Cuebid: FG, no support
    • 3NT: To play

    [/expandsub1]

[/expand]

1NT (1st/2nd seat): 11-13 HCP, balanced (Announce: 11-13)
1NT (3rd/4th seat): 13-15 HCP, balanced (Announce: 13-15) [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
Note: With both majors, prefer to open 1♦

  • Pass [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

    [/expandsub1]

  • Double [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Pass: asks for XX if next opponent passes. May be passed or may bid 6 card suit. F1 (Alert!)
    • XX: ask for opener to bid longest suit
    • 2♣/2♦/2♥: lower of two suits (4-5 at least)
    • Other bids: to play

    [/expandsub1]

  • 2♣ [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]
    • Double: Responder would have bid 2♣
    • Other bids unchanged

    [/expandsub1]

  • 2♦/2M [expandsub1 title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

    [/expandsub1]

[/expand]

2♣: 11-15 HCP, 5-4 or longer in m’s, no 4-card M (Alert!) [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Pass: Signoff
  • 2♦: Invitational+, asks Opener to describe hand; F1
    • 2M: Minimum, 3 cards in the M
    • 2NT: Minimum, no 3-card M, minors are roughly equal
    • 3♣: Minimum, 6+ clubs
    • 3♦: Minimum, 6+ diamonds
    • 3M: Maximum, 3 cards in the M
    • 3NT: Maximum, no 3-card M
    • 4m: Maximum, no 3-card M, 6+ cards, limited outside entries
  • 2M: To play; 5+ cards in the bid suit
  • 2NT: Invitational
  • 3m: Preemptive
  • 3M: 6+ cards; FG
    • Cheapest OM: “Splinter” (3-card support, singleton or void in OM)
    • 3NT: No support for the M, m’s are roughly equal
    • 4m: No support for the M, 6+ cards, limited outside entries
    • 4 of the M: 2-card support for the M
  • 3NT: To play
  • 4m: Invitational
  • 4M/5m: To play

[/expand]

2♦: Semi-preemptive weak 2 bid (5-10 HCP); 5-6 cards [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • New suit: Not forcing (Alert!)
  • 2NT: Feature-asking; F1
    • 3♦: Minimum; Discouraging
    • New suit: Maximum hand w/ top honor in bid suit
  • 3♦/4♦: Preemptive
  • 4♣: Blackwood
  • 5♦: To play

[/expand]

2M: Semi-preemptive weak 2 bid (5-10 HCP); 5-6 cards [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • New suit: Not forcing (Alert!)
  • 2NT: Ogust (after 2M); F1
  • 3 of the M: Preemptive
  • 4♣: Blackwood
  • 4 of the M: To play
  • 5 of the M: Preemptive

[/expand]

2NT: Unusual; 5-4 or better in m’s, 5-10 HCP (Alert!) [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • 3m: Signoff
  • 3M: 5+ suit, GF
  • 3NT: Signoff
  • 4m: Invitational

[/expand]

3X/4X/5X: Preemptive [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

[/expand]

3NT: Gambling (running minor, no outside stoppers) (Alert!) [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • 4♣: Moscow escape, pass or correct
  • 5♣: Moscow escape to game, pass or correct

[/expand]

Overcalls

of 1X: [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Cheapest suit: 5+ cards
    • New suit: Not forcing
    • Cuebid: Opening hand or better; F1
    • 1NT over 1♦: Balanced with stopper
    • 1NT over 1M: 8-12 HCP, forcing (may be unbalanced and may have support); F1 (Announce: Forcing)
    • Direct raises: Competitive based on trump length
    • 2NT over 2m: promises good stopper, Invitational to 3NT
    • 2NT over M: Jacoby; F1
  • Double: Takeout; 12+ points, strength in unbid suits or rockcrusher; F1
    • Cheapest suit or NT: Minimum
      • Jump in suit: Invitational
      • Cuebid: F1
    • Jump in suit: Invitational
    • Cuebid: FG
  • Direct 1NT: Light (optional) takeout; 12-15, at least ½-stop (Alert!)
    • Front of card
  • Sandwich NT (Alert!)
  • Cuebid: Michael’s; F1 (Alert! if cuebidding 2m)
  • Jump to 2M: Weak 2
  • 2NT: Unusual (5+ cards in two lowest unbid suits, weak or strong hand); F1
  • Jump to 3X/4X/5X: Preemptive

[/expand]

of 1NT: [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

[/expand]

of a weak 2: [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Double: Takeout
  • Cheapest suit: 11-15, good 5+ cards
  • 2NT: 15-18 balanced, stopper(s)
  • Jump to 3M: 15-17, 6+ cards; Invitational
  • Cuebid: Gambling, with solid m
    • 3NT: Promises stopper
  • 4m over 2M: Leaping Michaels; strong hand, 5-5 or 5-6 in other M and that m

[/expand]

of 3X: [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Double: Cooperative
  • Cheapest suit: 13-18, good 5+ cards
    • New suit: F1
  • 3NT: To play
  • Cuebid: Takeout

[/expand]

of 4X: [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Double: Takeout
  • 4NT: 2-suiter

[/expand]

of 5X: [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Double: Cooperative

[/expand]

Doubles

Competitive: Over 1X-2X, double shows general strength primarily for takeout.

Responsive: After LHO opens, partner bids, and RHO raises (not preemptively), double shows strength in the unbid suits and no support for partner’s suit, if any. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

After 1m + ♦ + raise, double shows both M’s

After 1m + 1M + raise, double shows the 2 unbid suits and no support

After 1M + Other M + raise, double shows m’s and no support

[/expand]

Snapdragon: After 3 suits have been bid, double shows 5+ in the 4th suit and tolerance for partner’s suit. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

1♣ + 1♥ + 1♠ + Double = 5+ diamonds, ~2 hearts

[/expand]

Support: After 1X + Pass + 1M + Overcall (below 2 of the M), double or
redouble shows 3-card support for Responder’s major.

Conventions

Blackwood: Asks for aces and the trump king, if any (5 key cards if trump suit, 4 if notrump). [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

Mystic uses 1430 Roman Keycard Odd-Even responses (with kickback and Voidwood for trump suits). With notrump or a suit agreement other than clubs, 4♣ is Blackwood. If 4♣ is unavailable or natural, 4 of the suit above trump is Blackwood (kickback). Blackwood structure is recursive: After any response, Blackwood bidder can place the contract in the trump suit or slide to ask about the next honor.

The basic 1430/Odd-Even step structure, used after NT or a slide, is:

  • 1 step: 1 or 4 of the top honor
    • Slide asks about next honor
      • 1430/Odd-Even step responses
  • 2 steps: 0 or 3 of the top honor
    • Slide asks about next honor
      • 1430/Odd-Even step responses
  • 3 steps: 2 of the top honor, odd number of next honor
    • Slide asks about next honor
      • 1 step: 1 of the honor, odd number of next lowest honor
      • 2 steps: 1 of the honor, even number of next lowest honor
      • 3 steps: 3 of the honor, odd number of next lowest honor
      • 4 steps: 3 of the honor, even number of next lowest honor
  • 4 steps: 2 of the top honor, even number of next honor
    • Slide asks about next honor
      • 1 step: 0 or 4 of the honor, odd number of next lowest honor
      • 2 steps: 0 or 4 of the honor, even number of next lowest honor
      • 3 steps: 2 of the honor, odd number of next lowest honor
      • 4 steps: 2 of the honor, even number of next lowest honor

Because of the trump honors and possible void, steps after a suit bid are:

  • 1 step: 1 or 4 key cards
    • Slide asks about trump Q and outside kings
      • Return to trump suit: Denies Q
      • 1430/Odd-Even steps: promises Q, shows outside kings
    • Skip slide asks about outside kings
      • 1430/Odd-Even steps: shows outside kings
  • 2 steps: 0 or 3 key cards
    • Slide asks about trump Q and outside kings
      • Return to trump suit: Denies Q
      • 1430/Odd-Even steps: shows outside kings
    • Skip slide asks about outside kings
      • 1430/Odd-Even steps: shows outside kings
  • 3 steps: 2 key cards, no trump queen
    • Slide asks about outside kings
      • 1430/Odd-Even steps: shows outside kings
  • 4 steps: 2 key cards, with trump queen
    • Slide asks about outside kings
      • 1430/Odd-Even steps: shows outside kings
  • 5 steps: 2 key cards, with a void
    • Slide asks about void
      • 1 step: void in lowest outside suit
      • 2 steps: void in middle outside suit
      • 3 steps: void in highest outside suit
  • 6 steps: 1 key card, void in lowest outside suit
  • 7 steps: 1 key card, void in middle outside suit
  • 8 steps: 1 key card, void in highest outside suit

Because of opener’s limited values, steps after a preempt are:

  • 1 step: 0 key cards
  • 2 steps: 1 key card, no trump Q
  • 3 steps: 1 key card, with trump Q
  • 4 steps: 2 key cards, no trump queen
  • 5 steps: 2 key cards, with trump queen

PODI (Pass = 1 step, double = 2 steps) over interference through 4NT; DEPO (double = even number of key cards, pass = odd) over interference at 5-level.

Exclusion Blackwood: As above, except that Responder ignores honors in the bid suit.

[/expand]

Robinson over NT [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Double: shows one of several hands, in this order of likeliness… (Alert!)
    • • 5 card minor, 4 card major
    • • 6 card minor
    • • As good or better balanced hand as the opponent’s NT bid. Top of opponents range or better.
    • • Strong major-minor two suiter
    • 2♣: prefer to play in the minor suit
      • Pass: 5 or 6 clubs
      • 2♦: 5 or 6 diamonds
      • 2M: Strong major-minor two suiter F1 (Alert!)
      • 2N: Strong NT, Invitational
      • 3N: Strong NT, to play
    • 2♦: prefer to play in the major suit
      • Pass: 6 diamonds, no major
      • 2M: 4 card suit
      • 2N: Strong NT, Invitational
      • 3♣: 6 clubs, no major
      • 3M: Strong major-minor two suiter F1 (Alert!)
      • 3N: Strong NT, to play
    • 2M/3X/4X: to play Preemptive
    • 2N: strong takeout FG (Alert!)
  • 2♣: a 6 card major
    • 2♦: asking for major
    • other bids: to play Preemptive
  • 2♦: both majors, at least 5-4
    • 2M/3X/4X: to play
    • 2N: asking for stronger major F1 (Alert!)
  • 2M: 5 card major, 4 card minor
    • 2N: asking for minor F1 (Alert!)
    • 2M/3X/4X: to play
  • 2NT: Both m’s
    • 3N: asking for better minor F1 (Alert!)
    • other bids: to play

[/expand]

DISC: DIsturb Strong Club [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Double: strong takeout
  • 1♦: 8+ points, Diamonds and a major, at least 4-4
  • 1♥: 8+ points, Hearts and either clubs or spades, at least 4-4
  • 1♠: 8+ points, Spades and clubs, at least 4-4
  • 1NT: 8+ points, Clubs and Diamonds, at least 4-4
  • 2X: 6 card suit Preemptive
  • 2NT: 8+ points, Clubs and Diamonds, at least 5-5
  • 3X: 7 card suit Preemptive

[/expand]

Drury: Support response by a passed hand to 1M [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • 2♣: 8–10 HCP, 3- or 4-card support
    • 2♦: Asks for more information
      • 2 of the M: 3 trumps, no singleton or void
      • 2 of the OM: 3 trumps, singleton somewhere
        • 2NT: Asks about singleton; F1
          • 3♣: ♣ singleton; F1
          • 3♦: ♦ singleton; F1
          • 3♥: OM singleton; F1
      • 2NT: 4 trumps, no singleton or void
      • 3 of new suit: 4 trumps, singleton in bid suit
      • 3 of the M: ?
      • 3NT (when ♥ are trump): 3-4 trumps, spade void
      • 4 of new suit below the M: 3-4 trumps, void in bid suit
    • 2 of the M: No interest in game (light opening)
    • 3 of the M: Invitational
    • 4 of the M: Signoff

[/expand]

Jacoby 2NT: Forcing raise of a M [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Limit raise or better; Invitational
    • 3m: Minimum (3♣) or maximum (3♦) w/ singleton; FG
      • Cheapest new suit: Asks about singleton; F1
        • 1 step: ♣ singleton; F1
        • 2 steps: ♦ singleton; F1
        • 3 steps: OM singleton; F1
      • 3 of the M (with no interference): Asks for cuebids
      • 3 of the M (if opponents have bid): Minimal hand; signoff
      • 3OM: Asks about second suit
        • 1 step: ♣
        • 2 steps: ♦
        • 3 steps: OM
        • 4 steps: Extra trump, no second suit
      • 3NT: Choice of game
      • 4♣: Blackwood
      • 4 of the M: Signoff
    • 3 of the M: Minimum, no singleton or void
    • 3OM: Void; FG
      • Cheapest bid: Asks about void
        • 1 step: ♣ void
        • 2 steps: ♦ void
        • 3 steps: OM void
      • 4♣: Blackwood
      • 4 of the M: Signoff
    • 3NT: Flat maximum
    • 4♣: Maximum, good second suit; FG
      • 4♦: Asks about second suit
        • 1 step: ♣
        • 2 steps: ♦
        • 3 steps: OM
      • 4 of the M: Signoff
      • 4♠ after 1♥: Blackwood
      • 4NT after 1♠: Blackwood
    • 4♦: Maximum, extra trump, no singleton or void; FG
    • 4 of the M: Minimum, extra trump, no singleton or void

[/expand]

Lead-directing support bid: Responder’s unnatural competitive bid below raise of Opener’s suit shows a raise and lead suggestion. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

Examples:

3♥ + X (takeout) + 4♣ (willing to play 4♥, requests ♣ lead)

1♥ + 1♠ + 2♥ + 2♠ + 3♦ (willing to play 3♥, requests ♦ lead)

[/expand]

Mathe: Shows M or m 2-suiter after a strong 1♣ opening (included as it’s a common defense) [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Double: Shows M’s
  • 1NT: Shows m’s
  • Other bids unchanged

[/expand]

New Minor/Major Forcing (NMF): Artifical bid of a new suit to show Invitational or better hand and ask Opener to describe his hand. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • 2♣: NMF; F1 (Alert!)
    • 2♦: no support for M, minimum unbalanced hand with ♦‘s
    • 2 of M: 3-card support, minimum hand
    • 2♥ after 1♦ – 1♠ – 1NT – 2♣: no support, unbalanced minimum with ♥‘s
    • 2♠ after 1♦ – 1♥ – 1X – 2♣: no support, unbalanced minimum with ♣‘s (Alert!)
    • 2NT: no support, balanced minimum
    • 3 of M: 3-card support and maximum hand
    • 3 of new suit: no support, unbalanced maximum
    • 3NT: no support, balanced maximum

[/expand]

Spiral: Asks person who raised major for more information. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

Below bids for hearts. For spades, every bid is one step higher.

  • 2♠: Spiral; F1 (Alert!)
    • 2NT: minimum with 3 card support (Alert!)
    • 3♣: maximum with 3 card support (Alert!)
    • 3♦: minimum with 4 card support (Alert!)
    • 3♥: maximum with 4 card support (Alert!)

[/expand]

Ogust: 2NT over partner’s weak 2M asks for clarification [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • 3♣: Bad suit, bad hand
  • 3♦: Bad suit, good hand
  • 3♥: Good suit, bad hand
  • 3♠: Good suit, good hand
  • 3NT: AKQxxx

[/expand]

Sandwich NT: After LHO opens 1X, partner passes, and RHO respondes 1X, 1NT is for takeout in the unbid suits; implies less distribution than double.
Stayman: Asks NT bidder about 4-card M’s. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

Responder bids cheapest ♣ to learn about NT bidder’s M-suit distribution. Responder may have any strength with both M’s, Invitational or better with at least one M, or long ♦‘s. Example here is shown after 1NT; all levels are 1 higher after 2NT.

  • 2♣: Extended Garbage Stayman
    • 2♦: No 4-card M; F1
      • Pass: weak, responder actually had 4+ diamonds (Alert!)
      • 2♥: weak, to play. NT bidder should pass or correct to 2♠
      • 2♠: weak, to play. Usually 5+ spades, 4+ diamonds
      • 2NT: Invitational to 3NT (Alert! Does not promise 4 card M)
      • 3♣: Responder has at least one 5-card M; F1 (Alert!)
        • 3♦: 33 in M’s
          • 3M: Invites game
          • 3NT: 5422 or 4522; offers choice of game
            • pass: no 5 card minor
            • 4m: 5 cards; implies doubleton in om
              • 4M: To play
          • 4♣: Blackwood
          • 4♦: Opener should bid better M
          • 4M: To play
        • 3♥: 23 in M’s
          • Pass: Weak hand
          • 3♠: 6+ spades Invites game
          • 3NT: To play
          • 4♣: Blackwood
          • 4M: To play
        • 3♠: 32 in M’s
          • Pass: Weak hand
          • 3NT: To play
          • 4♣: Blackwood
          • 4M: To play
      • 3♦: Preemptive
      • 3M: Smolen. Shows 4 cards in the bid M and 5+ in OM; FG
      • 3NT: To play
      • 4♣: Blackwood
      • 4M: To play
    • 2M: Shows 4-card M. 2♠ denies 4 hearts.
      • 2♠: 5+ ♣ Invitational (Alert!)
      • 2NT: Invites 3NT (Alert! Does not promise 4 card M)
      • Raise: Invites game in the M
      • 3♣: Transfer to ♦; F1 (Alert!)
      • 3NT: To play
      • 3X/4m of different suit: Cuebid, agreeing to M fit and showing cheapest first round control

[/expand]

Minor Suit Stayman: Asks NT bidder about 4-card m’s, denies 4 card M. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

Responder bids cheapest ♠ to learn about NT bidder’s m-suit distribution. Responder has game forcing values. Example here is shown after 1NT; all levels are 1 higher after 2NT.

  • 2♠: Minor Suit Stayman; FG (Alert!)
    • 2NT: No 4 card minor, stoppers in both majors, maximum
    • 3♣: 4-5 clubs. May have diamonds
    • 3♦: 4-5 diamonds. Denies 4+ clubs
    • 3♥: heart stopper, no spade stopper. May have 4 card minor but be very balanced. (Alert!)
    • 3♠: spade stopper, no heart stopper. May have 4 card minor but be very balanced. (Alert!)
    • 3NT: No 4 card minor, stoppers in both majors, minimum
    • 4♣: 4-5 clubs, maximum and somewhat unbalanced. May have diamonds
    • 4♦: 4-5 diamonds, maximum and somewhat unbalanced. Denies 4+ clubs

[/expand]

Transfer lebensohl (Slow Shows, Direct Denies) after overcall of 1NT or partner’s double of a weak 2 open [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • Pass: No information
  • Double: Penalty
  • 2X: To play
  • 2NT: Relay; F1 (Alert!)
    • 3♣: Forced bid (Alert!)
      • Pass/new suit: to play
      • 3NT: Promises stopper; to play
      • Cuebid: Stayman, with stopper; FG
  • 3X: 5+ cards in next highest nonovercalled suit; Invitational or better (Alert!)
    • Cheapest of transfer suit: Minimum hand
    • Other bids: Maximum hand FG
  • Cuebid: Stayman, no stopper; FG
  • 3NT: Values for 3NT, no interest in M-suit game, no stopper
    • Opener must have stopper to pass

[/expand]

Unusual over unusual: After a 2-suited overcall (e.g., Michaels or Unusual 2NT), Responder can cuebid to show one of the other suits. [expand title=’Expand button‘ trigclass=”noarrow” swaptitle=’Collapse button‘]

  • • When both overcalled suits are known, the cheaper cuebid shows the lower outside suit; the higher cuebid shows the higher outside suit. When cuebidding support for Opener’s suit, Responder promises Invitational or better values. When introducing a new suit, Responder forces to game.
  • • When only one overcalled suit is known, a cuebid of this suit promises a limit raise or better for Opener’s suit.
  • • Other suit bids are to play, 2NT and 3NT are natural, and a double suggests Invitational or better strength but no support or other clear action.

[/expand]

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