. (18+ in 3rd/4th
chair. Add 2 points to all opening bid ranges in this table.)
and
rebid NT.
. After this, you can pass, raise, or
occasionally bid 2 (see the One Diamond Opening)
or 2 as appropriate.
, rebid clubs.
, rebid hearts.
, rebid hearts.
. See the One Heart Opening
for follow-ups.
.
.
over 1. There are a few special rebids hands over a suit response; see below.
] 6+ points, 4+ card suit.
] Any 4441 hand. See 4441 Rebids After One Diamond - One Major.
] is an invitational or worse relay, forcing 2, after which:
] is a signoff
] invites in diamonds
] is game-forcing checkback; showing heart support is first priority.
] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way
] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
] 13-15 balanced with 4 hearts (10-12 if vul vs. not)
] Mini-splinter with specifically 1444 shape.
] Blue-club-ish 10-card minor 2-suiter with better clubs.
] Good hand, good diamonds.
] 13-15 with 4 hearts and 4414 or 4441 shape
] 6+ points, 4+ card suit.
] is an invitational or worse relay, as above.
] is game-forcing checkback, as above.
] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way or 1444 shape.
] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
] 13-15 balanced with 4 spades (10-12 vul vs. not)
] 10-12 with 4 spades and 4441 shape (any non-spade singleton)
/3] See rebids over 1
] 13-15 with 4 spades and 4144 shape
] 13-15 with 4 spades and 4414 or 4441 shape
] 10-15, 9 cards in minors either way
] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
/3] See rebids over 1
] 10+ points with clubs (note that it could be 10-12 balanced; 6-9 with real clubs by a passed hand)
] 10-15, diamond one-suiter
] 10-15 with specifically 4441. 3 or 3 by responder is a signoff.
] 10-15 with specifically 4414. 3 or 3 by responder is a signoff.
; 3 shows the forcing club raise
(further bidding at the 3 level is stoppers for notrump); 3N is to play.
with a minimum, 3 with a diamond limit raise, 3 with a GF hand -- 3 would then show the club raise.)
] Minimum with good clubs, not balanced (therefore both minors). Not forcing. A return to 3 is non-forcing.
] Good hand with a good diamond suit
/3] splinter
] 10+ points with diamonds (note that it could be 10-12
balanced, or 6-9 with real diamonds by a passed hand.)
/2] 4441 and 4414 as in the 1=2 case.
3 or 3 by responder is a signoff.
relay:
is max with diamonds
is max with diamonds and clubs
] 10-15, minor 2-suiter, could be 1444 or 4144.
] Diamond one-suiter
/3] splinter
/2] Game forcing hand with good suit?
/3] These are preempts.
opener
had a four card major, the hand was 13-15 balanced or 10-15 with 4441 shape. This was a range of 13-18 support
points; the stronger hands jump raised so the single raise always showed 13-15.
In the interest of safety, we have changed the Caroline Club so that a red-white 1 opener
can have 10-12 balanced. This would put the range of a single raise at 10-15. We avoid this problem by making
the single raise a balanced hand, and using specialized rebids to show the minimum 4441's. (It is only necessary
to play this system when red on white, but we choose to play it at all vulnerabilities for ease of memorization.)
- 1, the 2 rebid shows a 10-12 4441 hand
with four-card spade support.
is to play.
by responder is a signoff.
, 3, 3 are game tries (or slam tries)
with a second suit, looking for honors in that suit -- even a singleton honor is acceptable.
- 1
- 3 (10-12 4441, game try in clubs)
: 4144
: 4414
: Any 4441, either small singleton or four small in the game try suit.
- 1, 1 shows any 4441.
when he has four hearts.
asks opener for his hand type.
shows the 4144 hand, over which:
is a signoff; 2 is invitational with spades, and 3 is a forcing spade raise.
shows any other 4441. Responder can rebid as after
1 - 1 - 1 above, with 2N asking for the singleton
and a new suit being a natural game try. (But over 2N, 3 shows a spade singleton).
shows a minimum hand with four spades and four or more hearts.
Opener passes with four hearts, or bids 2 with 4144. (Responder, with 6 or more hearts,
must not bid 2 over 1; he must relay with 2.)
, new suits strong. We play support doubles and redoubles.
opening due to
the possibility of the hand with 4 hearts and 5 spades. The one heart
opener is essentially divided into four types of hands:
, raise; pass 1N; rebid 2 over 2 of a minor.
Shows 3+ spades
is invitational or worse checkback,
2 is game-forcing checkback. Both look for 3-card spade support.
/2] 4 card major with 5+ minor.
] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
] 10-15 with 5 spades and 4 hearts.
/3] Max canape with good 6-card or longer minor.
] Max hand with a good suit
] Max spade canape
/2] 4 card major with 5+ minor.
] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
] To play, at least 6 spades.
/3] Max canape with good 6-card or longer minor
] Max hand with a good suit
/2] Shows 10+ [6-9 by passed hand]; denies 3 spades if invitational strength.
(Most 5332 hands with 3 spades should go through 1.)
] 4 hearts and 5+ diamonds.
] 10-15 with 6+ card heart suit
] 5+ spades, usually minimum, forcing.
by responder is game-forcing.
can all be passed.
over 2] Minimum club canape.
over 2] Canape with diamonds, max hand and good diamonds.
] Max hand with a good suit.
] Max spade canape with good suit.
] Natural raise, usually denies 3 spades.
- 2 - 2, 2N accepts a short suit game
try in spades.) A further rebid by opener below 3 of the trump suit shows shortness.
- 2, 2N shows a spade canape.)
] Strong jump shift; game forcing with good suit
] Game forcing raise.
] Shapely minimum; responder's 3 shows extras and asks for further description.
] One-suiter with extras
] asks opener to bid his singleton (3N = spades) if he has one
/4/4] Canape with extras
] One-suiter minimum
] Limit raise
] Preemptive raise
/4/4] Splinter raise, must have 4 trump
] To play, could have moderate values
-2
-2
-2
, a club canape can be awkward as the partnership is in a forcing auction with potentially 21 HCP. So really any minimum canape is in trouble after a 2-over-1.
Therefore after any 2-over-1, a 2NT rebid by opener is Reverse Lebensohl and is game forcing. The immediate canape is non-forcing, showing a minimum. This solves one of the main holes in the system, that opener can be forced to rebid at the 3-level with no fit and as few as 10 opposite 11.
), he shows a minimum canape. The bid is to play. Responder can return to his own suit, or bid opener's suit; neither bid is forcing.
If opener bids three of responder's 2/1 suit, he shows a maximum with a canape in responder's 2/1 suit.
The cheapest 3 level bid that is not needed naturally shows a maximum club canape. (Usually this is the suit above the 2/1 suit, since that suit can be bid at the 2 level or 3 level directly.)
Putting it all together:
1 - 2
2N - 3:
] Maximum diamond canape.
] Maximum club canape.
or 1 opener is 5332, he has a maximum
balanced hand (13-15 or 15-17) and can drive to game after a 2/1 (usually via 2N, then 3N). But when red on white,
a balanced 1 major opening is a minimum.
Therefore when vulnerable against not, responder should bid 1N with balanced 11, 12, or even some 13 point hands. Opener will bid again with shape, but will pass with 10-12. Responder can then bid 2N with extras.
If responder makes a 2/1 when vul vs. not, he has a game force or one of these hands:
.
After a 2/1, if opener bids 2N, responder should allow for 10-12 balanced. Rebidding responder's suit shows an invitational single-suiter; rebidding opener's suit shows a limit raise.
Note that if responder's suit is clubs, he must bid the cheapest unbid suit to force -- 3 should be taken as offering a place to play:
Red/white
1 - 2
2N - ?
] To play opposite 10-12 notrump
] Artificial force; 3 (the next step) shows the club canape
] To play opposite 10-12 notrump
, preemptive raises, cue bids
as LR+, negative free bids in some situations (the other major when major is overcalled
by a minor, or the minors after major suit overcall), fit showing jumps, Jordan 2NT, Manfield
redoubles (shows ability to penalize in 2 suits). Therefore, with
10-12 balanced and no 4 card support, pass and plan to take some
action later. A later double by responder if the bidding is at the
2 level or higher shows this 10-12 balanced hand.
opening tends to lead to problems when LHO overcalls 2 of a minor and opener
has spades, as opener can rarely reopen with 2, and having the balancing double show spades only
is wasteful. Therefore, we play "insinuating doubles" over 1-(2) and 1-(2). Like a negative double, they show spades, but only 3 or more. They should be combined with Negative Free Bids in spades only;
1-(2)-2 is still forcing 1 round since responder can have a good hand w/o 3 spades or support.
Negative Free Bids in spades are still a good idea since with a forcing spade hand responder can double and then
bid spades.
Thus:
-(1):
/2 = Negative Free Bid
-(2):
=1 round force w. diamonds and not 3 spades
=Negative Free Bid
-(2):
=Negative Free Bid
=1 round force w. clubs and not 3 spades (right now this is the same except for the 0-2 spades)
.
/2/2] 4 card major with 5+ of other suit
] 10-15 with 6+ card spade suit
] Max with a very good suit.
/2] Shows 10+ [6-9 by passed hand]
] 4 spades and 5+ diamonds.
] 4+ spades and 5+ hearts.
] 10-15 with 6+ card spade suit
with that.
over 2] Min canape
over 2] Max canape with six good diamonds
] Max spade-heart two-suiter with better hearts
] Max with a very good suit
] 10+, 5 card suit. These rebids are special so pay attention!
:
] Max diamond canape
] Max hand with 3-card support. Not balanced; can be 53(41) or 6-3 in the majors
] Max club canape
/4] Max canape with shortness in the bid suit
] Max 4522
/3] Minimum canape, fewer than 3 hearts
] Minimum 3-card raise, can be 5332 if red/white.
] Max hand, good suit
/4] Minimum splinter with 5+ hearts
] Minimum 4522
] Natural raise. 3-way game tries, as for 1=2
] Game forcing raise (same general style as 3 over 1)
] Shapely minimum
] One-suiter with extras
/4/4] Second suit with extras
] One-suiter minimum
] Limit raise
] Strong jump shift; game forcing with good suit
] Preemptive raise
/4/4] Splinter raise, must have 4 trump
] To play, could have moderate values
, preemptive raises, cue bids
as LR+, negative free bids in some situations, fit showing jumps, Jordan 2NT, Manfield
redoubles (shows ability to penalize in 2 suits). Therefore, with
10-12 balanced and no 4 card support, pass and plan to take some
action later. A later double by responder if the bidding is at the
2 level or higher shows this 10-12 balanced hand.
-(2):
=1 round force w. diamonds and not 3 hearts
=Negative Free Bid
-(2):
=1 round force w. clubs and not 3 hearts (right now this is the same except for the 0-2 hearts)
=Negative Free Bid
-(2):
/3 = Negative Free Bid
.
] Game-forcing relay.
] Forced unless opener has a 5-card major. Responder's
bids are:
/2] 5+ card suit; opener bids 2NT without Hxx in
support. Suit bids show at least Hxx in support and an outside
concentration. 3NT shows 3 key cards and 4 trump.
/3] 5 card minor
/3] Reverse Smolen (5 in that major, 4 in other)
/2] Shows 5 of the other major
] Invitational major ask
] Min without 4 hearts
] Min with 4 hearts but not 4 spades
] Min with a 5 card major, 3 asks responder to bid the
one he doesn't have.
] Max with hearts but not spades
] Max with 4 spades but not 4 hearts
] Max with no major
/2] To play. Opener can raise with 4 card support.
/3/3] Transfer preempt or game forcing; no
superaccepts. If responder bids again, it shows a game forcing hand,
as follows:
/4] South African Texas
and redouble if doubled).
] clubs and a major
] diamonds and spades
] both majors
] to play
by responder relays for
the suit. Responder can instead bid a suit of their own, of course.
, 2),
2 is a one-round force with spades -- could be a so-so 5-card suit.
3 is not needed as a transfer to spades, so it shows clubs.
(hearts and clubs), 3 is a signoff,
other suits at the 3 level are transfers -- 3 shows clubs,
3 shows diamonds.
, 2),
3 of any suit is a transfer (3 shows clubs).
is keycard in opener's minor.
] either 6+ clubs with no 4 card suit or 4+ clubs and 5+ spades
] is a relay. This is not game forcing or even invitational!
] minimum club one-suiter
] 4+ clubs and 5+ spades.
Transfer responses are on over this bid
(but not any other response to 2).
] maximum club one-suiter with a singleton. 3 asks;
=hearts, 3=spades, 3NT=diamonds.
/2] natural, 5+ cards, non-forcing
] Moderately preemptive, denies 3 spades
/3/3] Strong jump shift, game-forcing good suit
] Preemptive, denies 3 spades
] Keycard in clubs.
] 5+ hearts and 4+ diamonds.
] To play
] Shows spades, one round force, does not promise a rebid.
] Agrees diamonds, invitational+.
] Agrees hearts, invitational+.
] Shows clubs, game forcing.
] Shows diamonds, game forcing.
] Keycard in diamonds.
] 5+ hearts and 4+ clubs.
Responses are similar to 2:
] Shows spades, one round force, does not promise a rebid.
] To play.
] Agrees hearts, invitational+.
] Shows clubs, game forcing.
] Shows diamonds, game forcing.
] Keycard in clubs.
] 5+ spades and 4+ diamonds.
Responses by analogy with 2:
] Shows diamonds; to play, or game forcing if responder bids again.
] Shows hearts, game forcing.
] Agrees spades, invitational+.
] Shows clubs, game forcing.
] Keycard in diamonds.
= 0
= 1
over 5 asks for number of queens;
5 = 0, 5NT=1, 6=2.
= 2 + no queens
= 2 + one queen
, transfers start at 3; after other two-suited opening
bids, they start at 3. 3 is the highest transfer bid.
Note that after 2-2-2,
3 shows diamonds, not a club signoff.
2 - 3 (showing hearts):
] Minimum
] Spade fragment
] Club fragment
] 5 diamonds
] 6 hearts
2 - 3 (showing hearts):
3 (minimum) - 3 (relay asking shape):
] Club fragment
] 5 diamonds
] 6 hearts or 5422
to invite in diamonds, so probes for 3N are possible:
is a shape re-ask as above. Five steps are available so bids have their normal meanings.
- 3 is a puppet to 3,
and opener has no opportunity to accept an invitation. The above schedule is always used if responder has enough
strength to bid again -- there are no invitational bids in this sequence.
to request opener to show shape.
2 - 3 (showing spades):
] 2515, 2524 without good diamonds, 3514 (if minimum with bad spades)
AQ
] 1525
] 3514, 3604, 3505; not a minimum
] 1624
] Exactly 2524 with Ax or better in spades, no A or K of diamonds.
2 - 2N
] club shortness, game forcing
] 5 diamonds, to play
] 6 hearts, to play
] spade shortness, game forcing
, wonder bids at 1-level (double and 1NT
are both club wonder bids), DONT at 2-level. After 1=1,
double is a diamond wonder bid, 1NT is a club wonder bid, all else the
same. Against strong 2, everything one level higher.
] 0-8, 0-5 by passed hand.
/1] 9+, 5+ cds in other major
] 9-11 or 16+, balanced, 5332 possible only with long minor
] 9+, 5+ clubs, not 5332
] 9+, 4441
] 12-13 balanced. 2NT is Baron (bid 4-card suits up the line.)
is Stayman.
negative
sequence, the 2 balanced sequence, and the 2 4441 sequence.
They are covered in the following sections.
=1 Sequence Kokish, hearts or 19-20 bal or 23-24 bal or 27+ bal
Forced.
/2] hearts + that minor
] Minimum with 6+ hearts
] hearts + spades with some extras
/3/3] game forcing with hearts + that suit
] Strong 2 in hearts
] Bad hand no fit
/4/4] Good hand with fit, 1st or 2nd round control
] Bad hand with fit
/2/2] Natural, non-forcing. Jump shifts are
splinters, other responses natural.
=2=2 is garbage Stayman, 3 is 55 minors signoff,
3 is 55 minors game forcing. 3 is 55 majors
invitational, 3 is 55 majors game forcing.
] 19+ hcp with 54 or better in minors:
] inquiry:
/3] shortness in corresponding major
/3] 3-card fragment
/4] 65 or better, very good hand, bid better minor
] Signoff.
] Signoff.
/3/3] Strong 2. Next non-NT step is negative no
fit, cheapest NT is max with no fit, jump shifts are splinters, 4
over 2 is min with a fit. Other suit bids are cue bids with
fit.
as a transfer to 3NT showing minors.
Romex Stayman is:
] Denies 4 hearts, may have 4 spades. 3 shows a 5
card spade suit, 3 asks for 4 card spade suit.
] 4 or 5 hearts, not 4 spades. 3 asks opener to rebid
3NT with 4 hearts and 4 with 5.
] 5 spades
/4] to play
] mild slam try with both minors
] mild slam try with one minor. Opener bids 4NT.
/5] to play
] 65 or better in minors
] 65 or better in majors
=2 Sequence is Stayman in response, with the following responses. All other
bids are natural.
] 9-11, spades but not hearts
] 9-11, hearts but not spades
] 9-11, no 4-cd major
] 16+, no 4-cd major
] 16+, spades and not hearts
] 16+, hearts and not spades
=2 Sequence asks where singleton is; responder bids 2NT with spade
singleton, otherwise bids singleton; now next step by
opener asks controls, responses being 0-2, 3, 4, etc.
rebidding the singleton then asks for extras; bid next
step with no extras, and bid more the more you have.
2NT shows spades, suit bids are natural; responder shows
support for opener's suit by bidding:
; again, next step or singleton
asks for extras
] pass = 0-4, double = 5-8, otherwise ignore
] pass = 0-8, double = 9+ HCP/5+ spades, otherwise ignore
or higher]
, or 1.
Over natural interference of 1 through 2
(including 1NT), the following system may be used:
over 2 of a red suit became forcing. Transfers were redefined to allow
all suits to be shown at the 3 level. 3 no longer shows clubs after
2-2-2.
4 is now keycard.
Redefined new suit game tries after 4441 major raises; they now show broken honor sequences. Also made small clarifications to 2N singleton ask (2N is not GF; 3H shows spade stiff after 2N if hearts is trump).
We no longer play that there are two sets of bids to show major fragments after 1 -
1 - 2.
Insinuating doubles are on through 3 (not 2).