NOTRUMP Opening Bid***
Gambling 3NT Opening ***
Non-Forcing Stayman ***
Transfers ***
Texas Transfers ***
Major Suit Transfers (Jacoby Transfers) ***
Minor Suit Transfers ***
Jump Shifts ***
After Opponent’s Interference ***
Lebensohl ***
Over Natural Overcalls ***
Over Artificial Overcalls ***
Overcalls at the 3 level ***
Smolen Transfers ***
Minor Suit Stayman over 2NT (Option to 4 suit transfers ***
Bidding with Two-Suited Hands ***
1NT --- 15 to 17 HCP 2NT --- 20 to 21 HCP
2C: 2NT --- 22 to 24 HCP 2C: 3NT --- 25 to 27 HCP
3NT --- Gambling
All balanced hands with the appropriate HCP count, including some hands with a five-card major suit, should be opened with a NT bid. Semi-balanced hands may be opened in NT if the long suit is a minor, and the high card strength is primarily in the short suits.
Hands with 16 HCP and a 5-card major suit (5-3-3-2) should be opened 1NT in order to avoid an awkward rebidding situation.
Hands with 17 HCP and a 5 card major should be opened in one of the major. Raise a 1NT response to 2NT.
Hands with 15 HCP and a 5-card spade suit should be opened 1S and rebid as a minimum hand.
Hands with 15 HCP and a 5 card heart suit should be opened 1NT.Hands shaped 5-3-3-2 with a 5 card major and 20+ points can be considered suitable for 2NT or 2C (followed by a rebid in NT) Openers.
An Opening bid of 3NT describes a hand with a long, solid minor suit, which can be the basis of seven or more tricks in NT. There should be no outside Aces or Kings, and no outside 4-card suit.
1) With stoppers or length in all the other suits and at least a singleton in each minor, Responder will pass and expect to make 3NT. If Responder can count 12 or 13 tricks, he will bid 6NT or 7NT.
2) If Responder cannot play in NT, he will rescue to 4C, which Opener will pass or correct to 4D. With a strong enough hand, Responder will bid 5C, 6C or 7C. Opener will correct to diamonds if that is his suit.
3) In rare cases, Responder may have a hand so good that he wishes to play at game in a major, needing no trump help from partner. He will bid game (or slam) in his major, and Opener will pass.
4) If Responder has a hand where slam depends on Opener having a singleton in a particular suit, he bids an artificial 4D. With a singleton or void in a major, Opener bids that suit. With no singleton or void, Opener bids 4NT. With a singleton or void in the other minor, Opener bids his long minor (this is to avoid being forced to slam when diamond shortness is not what Responder needs).
5) If Responder has 3 first round controls and needs Opener to have an 8 card suit in order to make seven, he bids 4NT (which is not Blackwood). Opener bids 5C to show a seven-card suit and 5D to show an 8-card suit. Responder then places the final contract by bidding 6C, 7C, 6NT or 7NT. Opener corrects from clubs to diamonds if necessary.
6) If Responder needs to know if Opener has a good enough suit to play opposite a void, he bids 5NT. Opener, with a suit such as AKQJxxx or AKQxxxxx bids 7 in his minor. Otherwise he signs off at 6.
1) Double is for penalty.
2) 4C shows hearts and a minor suit. Partner bids 4H if he holds 3+ hearts. He bids4D otherwise. Overcaller then places the final contract.
3) 4D shows spades and another suit, which could be hearts. Partner bids 4S with 3+ spades, or 4H with 3+ hearts and fewer than 3 spades, or 5C. Overcaller then places the final contract.
4) All other bids are natural.
5) When defending a gambling 3NT contract, a good opening lead is often an Ace or even an unsupported King. The idea is to try to find the winning defense, and a look at dummy and Partner’s signal might be valuable.
The Stayman convention (a 2C bid by Responder over 1NT) is designed to find a 4-4 major suit fit, and to allow the strong hand to be declarer if such a fit exists. 1N/2C asks Opener to bid a four card major (bids 2H with both), and to bid 2D with neither. Responder guarantees possession of a 4-card major, except that when playing 4 suit transfers, Responder has to bid 2C with 8 or 9 HCP even with no 4 card major. Non-Forcing Stayman is played over an opening 1NT or 2NT, over 2C/2NT, and when a 2C Opener rebids 2NT or 3NT.
The HCP ranges for Responder to bid 2C over a 1NT Opening are as follows:
1) With fewer than 8 HCP and reasonable distributions (4-4-5-0 is ideal, but even 3-4-4-2 is a reasonable gamble), Responder is just trying to improve the contract. He passes any rebid by Opener.
2) With 8 or 9 HCP, Responder usually has, but does not guarantee, 4 cards in one or both majors. He invites game in a major by raising Opener’s major suit response if he has 4-card support. Responder invites game in NT by bidding 2NT, if Opener has bid 2D or bid a major that Responder does not have. If Opener bids 2H and Responder has 4 spades but not 4 hearts, he bids 2S. Opener then passes or raises spades with 4, or bids 2NT or 3NT.
3) With 10 to 15 HCP, Responder raises a major suit to 4, or bids 3NT without an 8-card major suit fit. Over 3NT, Opener with 4 hearts and 4 spades will have responded 2H, and will correct from 3NT to 4S.
4) With 16 HCP or more, or "slammish" distribution, Responder either suggests or forces to Slam.
1) After a major suit fit has been discovered, Responder may move toward slam as follows:
a) A jump to 4C is RKC Gerber, in Opener's major. NOTE: a jump to 4NT is a raise in NT, not Blackwood.
b) A jump to 3S over a 2H response, and a bid of 3H over a 2S response are splinter bids - showing a singleton or void somewhere and interest in slam in Responder's suit. If shortness in any suit would make slam a good bet, Opener makes his cheapest bid (either 3S or 3N). This asks Responder to show his short suit. Otherwise, Opener signs off at 4 of the agreed major.
Over 3S by Opener (spades is trump), Responder shows shortness in clubs or diamonds by bidding that suit, and in hearts by bidding 3NT.
Over 3N by Opener (hearts is trump), Responder shows shortness in clubs or diamonds by bidding the suit, and in spades by bidding 4H. Opener evaluates his hand with respect to Responder's shortness, and rejects or pursues slam accordingly.
c) A jump to 4D is an artificial bid agreeing trumps and showing a balanced hand (no singleton or void). Opener bids slam with a good slam hand, bids 4NT (RKC Blackwood), cue bids his cheapest Ace, or signs off at 4 of the major.
d) A bid at the 5 level in the agreed major is a slam invitation. Opener bids 6 with a maximum NT.
e) A jump to the 5 level in any suit except trumps is an Asking Bid, suggesting a grand slam if partner holds adequate controls (usually the King) in that suit.
2) If a major suit fit has NOT been discovered, Responder may move toward slam as follows:
a) A jump to 4NT is a quantitative small slam try and denies 4 cards in the major Opener responded in. Opener declines the invitation by passing or correcting to the other major with 4 cards. Opener accepts the invitation by bidding the slam directly in NT or the other major, or cue bidding his cheapest Ace.
b) A jump to 5NT is a quantitative grand slam try (denying a fit in Opener's major), forcing to a small slam. Opener may bid a small slam with a minimum or a grand slam with a maximum, in either NT or the other major.
c) Holding a 5+ card minor suit in addition to a 4 card major, bid the minor suit. This is game forcing and shows the other major and slam interest.If opener holds 4 spades and 4 hearts, he responded 2H. He now knows there is a 4-4 spade fit and must bid 3S, setting spades as trump. Responder may now pursue slam by cue bidding his cheapest Ace or bidding 4NT (RKC Blackwood for spades).
With no major suit fit and no slam interest, Opener signs off at 3NT (with the other minor well stopped) or raises Responder's minor suit.
With a good fit for Responder's minor, Opener may show slam interest by making the cheapest natural bid in a suit where he has values. Further bids are to determine whether the necessary controls for slam are present. A bid of 4 in the minor by either partner is RKC Gerber for that minor .
1) Ignore the double with one or both 4-card majors. Partner will then make his normal rebid.
2) Pass with no 4 card major and no club stopper. Partner will rebid as though Opener had rebid 2D.
3) Redouble with no 4 card major and good clubs (4+ cards and stoppers). Suggests the ability to play in 2C re-doubled or in NT.
1) Bid an unbid 4 card major at the 2 level if possible.
2) Double with no unbid 4 card major and good cards in the Overcaller’s suit. Partner may rebid as though Opener had rebid 2D, pass for penalty or bid the appropriate number of NT.
3) Pass otherwise.
Transfers (suit bids which force Opener to rebid in the next higher suit) are used over a 1NT opener and in response to a 1NT overcall. By partnership agreement, they may also be used over 2NT Openers and after a 2C Opener and a rebid of 2NT or 3NT. The purpose of the transfer bid is to allow the stronger hand to be declarer in Responder’s long suit. (The opening lead coming up to the strong hand is often worth a trick in the play).
Texas Transfers (4D ==> 4H, and 4H ==> 4S) may be used over 1NT or 2NT opening bids, and 2C followed by a 2NT or 3NT rebid.
1) 1N/4D shows long (6 or more) hearts, and demands that Opener bid 4H.
2) 1N/4H shows long (6 or more) spades, and demands that Opener bid 4S.
NOTE: 1N/2D: 2H/4NT is a quantitative raise in NT (NOT Blackwood). 1N/4D: 4H/4NT is RKC Blackwood!
Even if playing Jacoby Transfers, this transfer is useful because of its preemptive value, and because it tells the opponents very little. It also allows Jacoby Transfer auctions like "1NT/2D: 2H/4H" to be slam suggestions. Otherwise, Texas could have been used, since the 4H rebid shows 6+ hearts.
In competition, Texas may be used when the interference overcall is 3C or less. At levels higher than 3C, a cue-bid of the opponents suit would be "Stayman" and not a transfer bid. If Negative Doubles are being used after overcalls at the 3 level, however, transfers may still be used at the 4 level (since a cue-bid as "Stayman" is no longer necessary).
If the 4D or 4H transfer bid is doubled, Opener shows or denies a control (Ace or King) in the transfer suit as follows:
1) Pass denies a control. This allows Responder to bid game if the opening lead should come up to his hand (holding a diamond honor) or redouble to re-transfer. With a strong hand, which would have pursued slam (possibly by bidding RKC Blackwood), Responder now knows whether there are 2 quick losers in the transfer suit.
2) Holding a control in the transfer suit, Opener may bid game in the anchor suit if it doesn’t matter which hand is dummy. However, if it may be advantageous for Responder to play the hand (if Responder holds Qx in the transfer suit, for example), If Opener thinks this is possible, he redoubles and Responder bids the game or pursues slam.
Opener must pass and leave the decision to partner whether to double or bid on.
Opener most often will accept the transfer by bidding the suit (called the anchor suit) at the 2 level as requested by Responder. However, with a 4 or 5 card fit for Responder, Opener may make a "Super-Accept" in one of three ways:
1) Bid a new suit in a worthless doubleton as a game try. Partner will evaluate his hand for game (his best holding is 4 small in Opener’s doubleton suit) or slam (knowing Opener has 2 quick losers in his doubleton suit) and rebid accordingly.
2) Bid 3 of the anchor suit.
3) Bid 2NT with 4-3-3-3 distribution (4 cards in the major suit). Such a hand often plays for as many tricks in NT as in the major.
Opener may choose not to make a "Super-Accept" under the following conditions:
1) With 4-3-3-3 distribution and less than a maximum.
2) With a minimum hand when vulnerable.
3) With 4 cards in the other major.
4) With a preponderance of secondary honors. Such a hand is better for defense.
After Opener’s "forced" rebid in the transfer suit:
1) With fewer than 8 points, Responder passes.
2) With game invitational values Responder bids 2NT (holding a 5-card suit), and bids three of the major holding a 6-card suit.
3) With game values Responder bids 3NT (holding a 5-card suit). Holding a 6 card or longer suit, Responder would have used Texas immediately.
4) With slam invitational values and a 5 card suit, Responder bids 4NT (inviting a small slam in either NT or Responder's suit (This is not Blackwood) or 5NT (inviting a grand slam). Opener should evaluate his hand with respect to Responder's suit, and pursue or reject slam accordingly.
With a 6 card or longer suit, Responder jumps in a new suit to show a singleton or void. This sets the agreed major suit as trump. Opener evaluates his hand in light of the degree of fit with partner's shortness, and signs off or pursues slam accordingly. A bid of 4NT would be RKC Blackwood.
With a 6 card or longer suit and no singleton or void, Responder invites slam by jumping to game (failure to use Texas makes this a slam try).
5) With slam hands, Responder uses RKC Gerber, cue bids his cheapest Ace, or makes an Asking Bid.
Jacoby Transfers are also used over an opening 2NT, if a 2C Opener rebids 2NT or 3NT, and after partner’s 1NT Overcall. All of the above principles remain the same.
1) Opener normally passes with 2 cards in the transfer suit. Then:
a) With a weak hand, Partner will bid two of the transfer suit, which is a sign-off.
b) With invitational strength and a 5-card suit, Partner bids 2NT.
c) With game forcing strength and a 5-card suit, Partner bids 3NT.
d) With invitational strength and a 6-card suit, Partner bids his suit at the three level.
e) With game forcing strength and a 6-card suit, Partner transfers at the 4 level (Texas. Note that this is a slam try, since otherwise Partner would have used Texas originally).
f) If Partner jumps to 4NT, he is showing a 5-card suit and is inviting to 6NT. If Partner has a 6-card suit and wishes to investigate slam he may follow the Texas transfer bid with 4NT (RKC Blackwood) or cue bid at the 5 level.
2) Opener’s re-double shows 2 card support and 4+ cards in the suit Partner bid, and suggests the ability to play in that suit re-doubled.
3) With 3-card support, Opener accepts the transfer.
4) With 4-card support, Partner either accepts the transfer or makes a "super-accept".
1) With 2 cards in the transfer suit Opener may pass or double for penalty (holding good cards in the overcaller’s suit). Partner rebids as though the transfer bid had been doubled, but he also has the option to pass for penalty. He should not rebid in NT if Opener has passed unless he has the Overcaller’s suit well stopped.
2) With 3-card support, Opener accepts the transfer.
3) With 4-card support, Partner either accepts the transfer or makes a "super-accept".
A bid of 2S by Responder is a transfer to 3C and shows a 5+ card suit (at least 6 cards unless Responder is interested in slam). If Opener has Qxx or better in clubs, he bids 2NT ("Super Accept"). With a 6-card suit and 2 of the top 3 honors in clubs, Responder may bid 3NT hoping to run the club suit. Otherwise he will sign off at 3C or, with a strong hand, bid a second (usually a 4 card major) suit as a slam invitation in either of his suits (or possibly in NT).
A bid of 2N by Responder is a transfer to 3D and shows a 5+ card suit (at least 6 cards unless Responder is interested in slam). If Opener has Qxx or better in diamonds, he bids 3C ("Super Accept"). With a 6-card suit and 2 of the top 3 honors in diamonds, Responder may bid 3NT hoping to run the diamond suit. Otherwise he will sign off at 3D or, with a strong hand, bid a second (usually a 4 card major) suit as a slam invitation in either of his suits (possibly in NT).
Minor suit transfers are used over a 1NT Opening Bid or a 1NT overcall, and may (by partnership agreement) also be used over a 2NT opener or 2C: 2(x)/2NT sequence.
Jump Shifts
1) 1N/3C shows 5-5 in the minors with a weak hand. Opener passes or corrects to 3D.
2) 1N/3D shows 5-5 in the minors with a strong (game forcing or better) hand. With no slam interest, Opener bids 3NT. If Responder is still interested in slam, he bids 4C. Opener then bids 4H to set clubs as the trump suit, and 4S to set diamonds as the trump suit. Responder then pursues slam, probably by using RKC Blackwood. If Opener has slam interest and a minor suit fit, he bids 3H to set clubs as trumps or 3S to set diamonds as trumps. With a choice, Opener sets clubs as trumps to get the opening lead coming up to the stronger hand. Responder may sign off at 3NT or 5 in the agreed minor, or pursue slam by cue bidding or bidding 4 of the agreed minor as RKC Gerber.
3) 1N/3H shows 5-5 in the majors with a weak hand. With longer hearts, Opener passes. With equal length in hearts and spades, Opener bids 3S (to get the benefit of the opening lead coming up to the strong hand). With longer spades, Opener bids 3S.
4) 1N/3S shows 5-5 in the majors with a strong (game forcing) hand. With equal length in hearts and spades and no slam interest, Opener bids 4H (to get the opening lead coming up to the stronger hand). With unequal length in the majors and no slam interest, Opener bids the appropriate game. With 2-2 in the majors, Opener bids 3NT. Responder may choose to correct to a major suit game. With a "super accept " and slam interest, Opener sets hearts as trumps by bidding an artificial 4C. Responder must then bid 4D to transfer to hearts. Opener sets spades as trumps by bidding an artificial 4D (there is no need for Responder to transfer to spades, since spades has already been bid). Responder will pursue slam or sign off at game.
If the Opponents double the 1NT opener for penalty:
1) 2C is Stayman and all transfers are ON.
2) Redouble can be used with a weak hand to escape to clubs or diamonds at the 2 level. Partner must bid 2C, which you pass or correct to 2D. You can also use Redouble to escape to a 5 card major when you hold 5 hearts and 5 spades. After partner’s forced 2C bid, you bid 2H (which partner will recognize as a weak 5-5 in the majors, and will pass or correct to 2S).
An alternative after a penalty double is to use DONT, as follows:
1) Redouble shows a single suited hand. Opener must bid 2C, and Responder will then bid his suit.
2) Bidding a suit shows that suit and an unspecified higher ranking suit. Opener passes with 3+ cards in the suit, and bids the next suit up the line otherwise. Responder then passes or bids his second suit.
If the Opponents overcall the 1NT opener, use Lebensohl.
After a natural overcall (except for 2C) at the 2 level over a 1NT Opener, Responder can use Lebensohl to help describe his hand. Do not use Lebensohl after an overcall, which has a conventional meaning.
Lebensohl uses 2NT as a temporizing artificial bid to distinguish between strong and weak hands. Lebensohl can also be used to identify whether or not Responder holds a stopper in the suit overcalled. Opener must respond 3C to Responder’s 2NT.
Responder’s actions after partner’s 1NT opener is overcalled at the two level (except for 2C) are as follows:
1) An immediate 3NT shows 10+ points but denies a stopper in Overcaller’s suit.
2) 2NT followed by 3NT after partner’s forced 3C shows 10+ points and promises a stopper in overcaller’s suit.
3) A cue bid in the overcaller’s suit is Stayman and game forcing, but denies a stopper in Overcaller’s suit.
4) 2NT followed by a cue bid in the overcaller’s suit, after partner’s forced 3C, is Stayman, is game forcing and shows a stopper in overcaller’s suit.
5) A new suit at the 2 level is natural and non-forcing. Opener must pass.
6) 2NT followed by a 3 level bid in a new suit is natural and non-forcing, if Responder was unable to bid that suit at the 2 level (Opener must pass). If Responder could have bid that suit at the 2 level, a 3 level bid is game invitational.
7) An immediate 3 level bid in a minor suit is invitational to 3NT. Opener accepts with Qxx or better, and a maximum NT.
8) An immediate 3 level bid in a major suit shows 5+ cards and is forcing to game.
9) An immediate 4D or 4H bid is Texas, transferring to 4H or 4S respectively.
10) Double shows a balanced or semi-balanced hand with 8 or 9 points. Opener should not pass, but should rebid as though the double were Stayman (unless he judges that the penalty is preferable to a part score or game). Do not double with 10+ HCP or less than 8 HCP. Since Responder may have to pass with a hand he wishes to double for penalty, Opener will usually reopen with a double. If Responder is too weak to stand for the double, he must scramble looking for the cheapest reasonable contract (which may not exist).
11) If the overcaller’s bid is 2C, artificial or natural, do not use Lebensohl. A double is then Stayman (may be an 8 or 9 HCP balanced hand), and all transfer bids are ON.
1) After an artificial 2C or 2D overcall which shows two specific suits (e.g. Landy), do not use Lebensohl. Double is for penalty showing at least 8 HCP and a desire to penalize at least one of the two enemy suits. Partner should double the next enemy suit bid if he can, or pass to you where you will either double or bid 2NT. A cue bid of the lower ranking enemy suit shows a weak takeout for the other two suits. A cue bid of the higher-ranking enemy suit shows a game forcing takeout with length in the other two suits. With invitational strength you must choose between double and a game forcing cue bid. After an overcall that shows two suits, only one of which is known (e.g. DONT or Capelletti), bid as though the overcall is natural. Lebensohl is ON. If the overcall is an artificial 2C showing an unknown suit (Capelletti), double is Stayman and transfers are ON.
2) After an artificial double showing a single unknown suit (e.g. DONT), all systems are ON and redouble shows a balanced hand with 6 or 7 HCP.
If the 1NT or 2NT opening bid is overcalled at the 3 level, Responder bids as follows.
1) Double is Stayman. Opener may pass for penalty.
2) 3D and 3H are transfers to hearts and spades.
3) 3S is a transfer to 4C.
4) 3NT is natural, promising a club stopper.
5) 4C is Gerber.
6) 4D and 4H are transfers to Hearts and Spades.
1) Double is Stayman. Opener may pass for penalty.
2) 3H and 3S show a good 5+ card suit and are game forcing.
3) 3NT is natural, promising a diamond stopper.
4) 4C is Gerber.
5) 4D and 4H are transfers to Hearts and Spades.
6) 4S is a transfer to 5C.
1) Double is Negative. Opener may pass for penalty.
2) 3S shows a good 5+ card suit and is game forcing.
3) 3NT is natural, promising a heart stopper.
4) 4C is Gerber.
5) 4D shows long Diamonds and a weak hand.
6) 4H is a transfer to Spades.
7) 4S is a transfer to 5C, which Responder may correct to Diamonds.
1) Double is Negative. Opener may pass for penalty.
2) 3NT is natural, promising a spade stopper.
3) 4C is Gerber.
4) 4D is a transfer to Hearts.
5) 4S is a transfer to 5C, which Responder may correct to Diamonds.
If Responder wishes to make a penalty double, he must pass and rely on Opener to reopen with a double.
This convention combines Stayman and major suit transfers. With 4 cards in one major and 5 or more in the other major, Responder bids 2C.
1) If Opener bids a major suit, Responder then makes an appropriate raise or slam try (or passes with a weak hand). Smolen responses are OFF - they are not needed.
2) If Opener bids 2D, denying a 4 card major:
a) With a weak hand, Responder bids his longer major suit at the two level as a sign-off. Opener must pass.
b) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP), Responder has to judge whether his hand is weak or strong. If weak, he signs off in his longer major. If strong, he bids his 4 card major at the three level. By partnership agreement, the following convention (Perkins) may be used:
Responder bids an artificial 3C to show 5 spades and 4 hearts, and bids 3D to show 5 hearts and 4 spades. Opener then places the final contract in hearts or spades. Note that in the rare cases where Opener is 2-3 or 2-2 in the majors, this may result in playing in a 5-2 major suit fit (usually preferable) or a 4-3 fit.
c) With 10 HCP or more, Responder bids his 4 card major at the 3 level. This shows 5 or more cards in the other major. With a doubleton in this suit, Opener bids 3NT. With 3 cards in this suit, Opener bids 4 in the suit. When Opener has shown a doubleton, and Responder has 6 or more in the suit, he can transfer by bidding the suit just below the intended trump suit at the four level (implies at least a mild interest in slam - otherwise he would have used Texas). Opener can then show slam interest by cue bidding a control, or using RKC Blackwood. Responder also has the option, with a 6 card or better suit and no slam interest, to transfer immediately after Opener’s 2D bid to this suit at the 4 level.
Minor Suit Stayman over 2NT (Option to 4 suit transfers)
After an opening 2NT, or a 2NT rebid after a 2C opener, 3S by Responder shows at least 4-4 in the minors and is a slam try. Opener rebids 3NT with no 4 card minor. He bids 4 of his 4 card minor if he holds only one. Holding both minors, opener bids 4 of his shorter major. Slam is then pursued by cue bidding at the 4 level or bidding 4NT (RKC Blackwood for the agreed minor or both minors (2 Kings and 2 Queens, if not yet agreed).
If Opener ‘s rebid is 3NT, denying a 4 card minor, Responder may then bid 4S to show 5-5 in the minors. Partner will then choose his better 3 card minor by bidding 5C or 5D. In the rare event that Opener has only 2 cards in each minor, he will rebid 4NT (this is NOT Blackwood). Responder may then choose to play in No Trump or a minor.
1) With weak hands (0 to 7 HCP), Responder will pass or bid 2C, (hoping to improve the contract). The ideal hand for bidding 2C will be 4-4-4-1.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2C. If partner bids 2H or 2S, raise to the three level. If partner bids 2D (denying a 4 card major), bid 2NT.
3) With game strength (10 to 14 HCP), bid 2C. Raise a major suit response to game, and bid 3NT over 2D.
4) With slam invitational values, bid 2C. (See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman).
5) With slam values, bid 2C. (See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman).
5-4 in the Majors (Playing Smolen Transfers)
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), bid 2C and pass a response in a major suit. Over a 2D response, bid your 5 card major, which partner must pass.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP):
a) Holding 5 hearts and 4 spades, transfer to hearts and then bid 2S. Partner then passes, bids 3H or 4H, or bids 2NT or 3NT.
b) Holding 4 hearts and 5 spades, bid 2C and raise a major suit response to the 3 level.After a 2D response rebid 2NT. Opener can then pass, bid 3S to check for a possible 5-3 spade fit, or bid 3NT.
3) With game values (10 to 14 HCP), bid 2C. Raise a response in a major suit to the 4 level. Over a 2D response, bid your 4 card major at the 3 level (this is a game force). Partner will know you have at least 5-4 in the majors, and will select the correct game in a major or NT.
4) With slam invitational values, bid 2C. After a response in a major suit, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman). Over a 2D response, bid your 4 card major at the 3 level (this is a game force). Partner will know you have at least 5-4 in the majors, and will select the correct game in a major or NT. After partner selects the correct suit or NT, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman)
5) With slam values, bid 2C. After a response in a major suit, make a slam try
(See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman), making sure to bid slam if the controls are present. Over a 2D response, bid your 4 card major at the 3 level (this is a game force). Partner will know you have at least 5-4 in the majors, and will select the correct game in a major or NT. After partner selects the correct suit or NT, check for controls and bid the proper slam if the controls are there.
6-4 in the Majors (Playing Smolen Transfers)
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), bid 2C and pass a response in a major suit. Over a 2D response, bid your 6 card major, which partner must pass.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2C and raise a response in a major suit to the 3 level. Over a 2D response, decide whether to treat the hand as either weak or strong, and rebid accordingly.
3) With game values (10 to 14 HCP), bid 2C. If partner bids your 4-card suit, raise to game. If he bids 2D, make a transfer bid at the 4 level to your 6 card suit (Texas).
4) With slam invitational values, bid 2C. If partner bids a major suit, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman). If he bids 2D, make a transfer bid at the 4 level to your 6 card suit. Then make a slam try by cue bidding an Ace, or bidding 5 of the trump suit.
5) With slam values, bid 2C. If partner bids your 4-card suit, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman). If he bids 2D, make a transfer bid at the 4 level to your 6 card suit (Texas). Then check for controls and bid the slam if the controls are present.
1) With a weak hand bid 3H. Partner will pass or correct to 3S,
2) With invitational values (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2D (transfer to hearts). Then rebid 2S. Partner will select the final contract, usually in one of the majors.
3) With game values, bid 3S (game forcing). Partner will bid 4H, 4S or possibly 3NT (showing 2-2 in the majors).
4) With slam invitational values, bid 3S (game forcing) after partner has selected the trump suit, make a slam try by cue bidding your cheapest Ace.
5) With slam values, bid 3S (game forcing). After partner has selected the trump suit, check for controls using RKC Blackwood and bid the slam if the controls are there.
4 Card Major, 5 or 6 Card Minor (Playing 4 suit
transfers)
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), you may decide to pass, bid 2C (only with a hand like 4-3-5-1), or transfer to the minor suit.
2) With invitational values (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2C. If partner responds in your major, raise to the 3 level. Otherwise, bid 2N. Do not show your minor suit.
3) With game values, bid 2C. If partner responds in your major, raise to the 4 level. Otherwise, bid 3N. Do not show your minor suit.
4) With slam invitational values, transfer to your minor suit. Then rebid your major suit, which is a slam try in either of your suits. Partner should make a move toward slam with a good hand and a fit in either or both of your suits. If he signs off in NT or game in either of your suits, you should pass.
5) With slam values, transfer to your minor suit. Then rebid your major suit, which is a slam try in either of your suits. Partner should make a move toward slam with a good hand and a fit in either or both of your suits. However, even if partner signs off, you will continue toward slam by checking for controls and bidding the slam if the controls are present.
5 Card Major, 5 or 6 Card Minor (Playing 4 suit
transfers)
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), transfer to the major suit and then pass. Do not show the minor suit.
2) With invitational values (8 or 9 HCP), transfer to the major suit, then bid 2NT. Partner will then pass, bid 3NT, or bid 3 or 4 in your major. Do not show your minor suit.
3) With game values, transfer to the major suit, and then bid your minor suit (showing 5-5 or 5-6 distribution). Partner will correct to 3 of the major, holding 3 or 4 cards in that suit, which you will raise to game. Otherwise, he will either bid 3NT or 4 of the minor suit, which you may pass or raise to game.
4) With slam invitational values, transfer to the major suit and then bid your minor suit. After partner chooses the final denomination (major, minor or NT), make a slam try by cue bidding an Ace or bidding 4NT (natural) if the final contract is to be in NT.
5) With slam values, transfer to the major suit and then bid your minor suit. This is a slam invitation in either of your suits. And even if partner signs off, you will continue toward slam by checking for controls by cue bidding or using RKC Blackwood.
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), bid 3C. Opener will then pass or correct to 3D.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2NT. Opener will pass or bid 3NT.
3) With a game forcing or better hand (10+ HCP), bid 3D. With no slam interest, Opener bids 3NT. If Responder is still interested in slam, he bids 4C. Opener then bids 4H to set clubs as the trump suit, and 4S to set diamonds as the trump suit. Responder then pursues slam, probably by using RKC Blackwood.
If Opener has slam interest and a minor suit fit, he bids 3H to set clubs as trumps or 3S to set diamonds as trumps. With a choice, Opener sets clubs as trumps to get the opening lead coming up to the stronger hand. Responder may sign off at 3NT or 5 in the agreed minor, or pursue slam by cue bidding or bidding 4 of the agreed minor as RKC Gerber.
