2/1 notes by Larry Lande notes are revised 5/02/02 Join the FREE 2/1 Lesson table with Larry Lande Thursdays 10 AM GENERAL APPROACH: 1NT: 15-17 HCP may include a five-card suit (major or minor). Normally open the higher ranking of equal length suits five cards or longer. Major Suit Openings show five-card suits (or better). Minor Suit Openings: Bid longest suit of unequal length minors. Holding 3-3 or 4-4 in the minors, open 1C. Strong artificial 2C opening. Weak 2 opening bids in diamonds, hearts and spades. Two over one response is Game Forcing. STANDARD CONVENTIONS: Forcing NT by unpassed hand Inverted Minor Suit Raises Reverse Drury (2-way and simple Drury also possible) Negative Doubles thru 3S Responsive Doubles thru 3S Support Doubles and Redoubles thru 2S Splinter Bids Non-Forcing Stayman Jacoby and Texas Transfer Bids Four-suit Jacoby Transfers Minor Suit Stayman after 2NT opening or 2C opening and 2NT rebid Jacoby 2NT response to major suit openings by unpassed hand Smolen Gambling 3NT Roman Keycard Blackwood 0314 or 1430 Gerber Unusual Notrump Michaels Jordan for both majors and minors Fourth Suit Forcing (game force) 2-way Checkback and New Minor Forcing Weak Jump Shifts over intervening double in competition DOPI, ROPI (ignore doubles) HAND EVALUATION: High Card Points (HCP) are based on Goren point count ace = 4, king = 3, queen = 2, jack = 1. Distributional points are added for every suit containing more than four cards, each card beyond four being worth 1 point First and Second seat borderline openers follow the Rule of 20. Add total HCP to the number of cards in your two longest suits. If the total comes to 20 or more, open the bidding. However, suits headed by the Q or J should be discounted 1 point. Third seat may open light if you can tolerate and are willing to pass any responding bid by partner. If you feel your hand would have been worthy of an overcall had RHO opened, then it is usually worthy of a light opening bid in third seat. Fourth seat borderline openers are based on the Rule of 15. Take your HCP and add the number of spades in your hand. If the total is 15 or more, open the bidding. With 14 you may open the bidding. Never rebid 1NT after opening a minor with less than 12HCP.As opener tend not to overbid, as responder tend to push. NOTRUMP BIDDING: Notrump opening bids are made with balanced hands and may include a five-card suit (major or minor). Do not open 1NT with five-card major and 17 HCP. Holding less than 15 HCP, balanced with no five-card major, open one of a minor planning to rebid 1NT. 1NT = 15-17 HCP Holding 18-19 HCP, balanced with no five-card major, open one of a minor planning to rebid 2NT. 2NT = 20-21 HCP, balanced. Holding 22-24 HCP, balanced, open 2C and rebid 2NT. 3NT = 25-27 HCP, balanced. RESPONDING TO 1NT: HAND EVALUATION: Responding hands containing long suits should be upgraded, as they contain more trick-taking power than flat holdings. Add one point for the fifth card in any suit longer than four cards, and at least one more for the sixth, seventh, etc. 2C is non-forcing Stayman the partnership is not committed to game. Stayman normally requires at least invitational values of 8+ HCP. However, Stayman may be used when responder is much weaker, in hopes of securing a better contract. In those instances, responder is willing to pass any response by opener (e.g. responder holds 4-4-4-1 distribution). Stayman is also employed when you have either an invitational hand in NT or at least one, four-card major. In response to Stayman, opener shows a four-card or longer major suit if he holds one. With four cards in both majors, opener bids hearts first. Thus if the bidding goes 1NT 2C 2H 3NT and opener holds four spades as well as four hearts, he will now convert 3NT to 4S. With no four-card major, opener bids 2D. Assuming responder has bid Stayman with invitational or better values: Continuations when opener rebids 2H: Holding four or more hearts, responder raises to 3H (invitational) or bids game in hearts. If the former, opener will raise to game with suitable values. Holding four spades but less than four hearts, responder bids 2S with invitational values (do not bid 2NT as it denies 4S). After a 3N bid by responder, opener may correct to spades when holding four cards in both majors and will raise to game in either denomination with suitable values. Holding five spades and four hearts, responder rebids 2S with invitational values and 3S with game forcing values. A minor suit rebid shows at least five cards in the bid minor and slam interest [e.g. 1NT 2C 2H 3C/3D]. Continuations when opener rebids 2S: Holding four or more spades, responder raises to 3S (invitational) or bids game in spades. If the former, opener will raise to game with suitable values. Holding four spades and five hearts, responder may rebid 3H with game forcing values. A minor suit rebid shows at least five cards in the bid minor and slam interest [e.g. 1NT 2C 2S 3C/3D]. Continuations after a 2D rebid: Holding 5-4 in the majors, responder bids the five-card suit at the two level with invitational values and the four-card major (Smolen) at the three-level with game forcing values. Opener corrects to notrump if appropriate and will raise an invitation to game when holding suitable values. When not holding 5-4 in the major suits, responder will bid 2NT with invitational values or 3NT with game forcing values. A minor suit rebid shows at least five cards in the bid minor and slam interest [e.g. 1NT 2C 2D 3C/3D]. 2D and 2H are Jacoby Transfer Bids. 2D transfers partner to 2H. 2H transfers partner to 2S. Transfer bids are made on all hands containing a five-card, or longer, major suit except as noted above (see Stayman) for 5-4 major suit holdings. When opener holds four-card support and 17 HCP he is permitted to accept the transfer by jumping to the three level. When responder holds a long major suit, it is appropriate to transfer with no strength, planning to pass when partner accepts the transfer. Continuations: Except as noted below, a new suit by responder is natural and game forcing. Holding a five-card suit and invitational values, rebid 2NT. Opener will pass, correct to three of the major, bid 3NT or bid 4 of the major suit. Holding a five-card suit and game forcing values, rebid 3NT. Opener will pass or correct to 4 of the major. Holding a six-card or longer suit, raise to the three level when invitational and the four level when holding game values. Holding 5-5 in the majors: With invitational values, transfer to hearts and then rebid 2S. With game forcing values, transfer to spades and then bid 3H. 2S is a transfer to 3C. Responder holds long clubs. If opener doesn t like clubs/hand opener will rebid 3C, then responder passes when holding the weak hand. When stronger responder cue-bids a control as a mild slam try or bids 3NT with appropriate values. Four Clubs is ALWAYS Gerger and four NT is invitational to six. If opener likes clubs for NT purposes, the rebid will be 2NT. 2NT is transfer to 3D. Responder holds long diamonds. If opener doesn t like diamonds/hand then opener will rebid 3D, then responder passes when holding the weak hand. When stronger responder cue-bids a control as a mild slam try or bids 3NT with appropriate values. Four Clubs is ALWAYS Gerger and four NT is invitational to six. If opener likes diamonds for NT purposes, the rebid will be 3C. 3C is weak with at least 5 cards in C/D. Opener is expected to pass or correct. With a maximum and a double fit partner can bid 4C. 3D is strong with at least 5 cards in C/D. 3H is weak with at least 5 cards in H/S. Opener is expected to pass or correct. With a maximum and a double fit partner can bid 4H. 3S is strong with cards in H/S. Let the cue bidding commense. 4C is Gerber. 4C is also Gerber over a 2NT opening bid and over any rebid of 1NT or 2NT by opener. 4D is Texas Transfer Bid to 4H. You generally use this bid when you have a six-card (or longer) suit and have No Slam Interest. 4H is Texas Transfer Bid to 4S. You generally use this bid when you have a six-card (or longer) suit and have No Slam Interest. 4NT is a quantitative raise inviting partner to 6NT when partner opened a maximum. 4NT is also quantitative over a 2NT opening bid and over any rebid of 1NT or 2NT by opener. INTERFERENCE: If RHO bids over partner's 1NT call, all systems are off, though a reasonable approach (by partnership agreement) would be:" If RHO doubles partner's 1NT call, all systems are "on"--2C is Stayman, 2D and 2H are transfers, etc. If RHO bids 2C over partner's 1NT call, Double is Stayman and all other systems remain "on". If RHO bids 2D, 3D is Stayman, Double is a transfer to hearts and all other systems remain "on". If RHO bids 2H, a cue bid of the overcalled suit is Stayman (no stopper in H); suit bids are natural; 2NT is Lebensol (Slow auction shows stopper) and forces partner to rebid 3c now 3d is signoff, cue is Stayman with a H stopper; and 3N shows game values without other major and stopper in H. Texas Transfers are on. If RHO bids 2S, a cue bid of the overcalled suit is Stayman (no stopper in S); suit bids are natural; 2NT is Lebensol (Slow auction shows stopper) and forces partner to rebid 3c now 3d is signoff, cue is Stayman with a S stopper; and 3N shows game values without other major and stopper in S. Texas Transfers are on. If RHO bids 2N (traditionally shows a freak hand, but watch out for other uses), X shows cards and suit bids are natural. Texas Transfers are on. If RHO bids higher than 2N, doubles are negative at the 3 level and suit bids are natural. Texas Transfers are off. If Stayman is doubled, opener may: Make a normal rebid Pass with four clubs Redouble with five clubs (or four good ones) If Stayman is overcalled, opener may: Bid a four-card major at the two level Double for penalty (with four or more cards in the opponent's suit) Pass In any event, responder may: Double (for penalty) Pass Make a normal rebid. If a transfer is doubled, opener may: Pass. In this event, responder may: Pass, to play Redouble, to play Make a normal bid Signoff by bidding his major at the two-level Redouble (showing a strong holding in the doubled suit) Complete the transfer (showing three+ trumps) Accept the transfer at the three-level (showing four trump and a maximum) If a transfer is overcalled, opener may: Bid three of the major (with a good supporting hand) Double (for penalty) Pass. In this event, responder may: Re-transfer Make a normal bid Double (to show strength) Pass RESPONDING TO 2NT: 3C is Stayman 3D and 3H are transfers and so are 4D and 4H 4C is Gerber 4NT is quantitative and invitational RESPONDING TO ONE OF A SUIT: Responder tailors his first bid based on the strength of his hand: Minimum Range = 6-9/10 points Invitational Range = 10/11-12 points Game Forcing Range = 13 + points Slam Zone = 19 + points New suits by unpassed hands are forcing. RESPONDING TO ONE OF A MAJOR: Hand Evaluation: With a fit for partner's major suit, responder should revalue his holding. Add "support points" for shortness in side suits that do not also contain possibly non-working honors. For example, a side suit void may be awarded as much as 5 support points, especially when accompanied by a fourth trump. A singleton receives 3 support points and a doubleton 1 point. The singleton ace would now be worth a total of 7 points, but the singleton queen is worth either 2 HCP or 3 support points, but not both. When adding for support points, do not also include extra value for side suit length - - one or the other, but not both. With a Minimum Hand (6-9/10 Points): Raise partner's major with three-card support or better. Lacking appropriate support for the major, bid a new suit, four cards or longer at the one level If you cannot do either of the above, bid 1NT non-forcing. A jump raise of opener's suit to the four level shows less than 10 points and five trump. This is pre-emptive. With an Invitational Hand (Good 10 to bad 12): Raising partner's major suit remains your primary duty. A jump raise to the three level is a "limit raise", showing four-card support. Note that a 10 point hand may be treated as invitational when good intermediate cards tens and nines. An outside five-card minor suit would also enhance the holding. Lacking sufficient trump support for a limit raise, show a new suit four cards or longer at the one level or with 3 card support and 6-9 pts raise the major. If unable to do any of the above, use the 1NT Forcing response. As a passed hand use Reverse Drury with three or four card support for partners major. If partner rebids his major then you must pass unless you have 12 points and four plus trumps. The best form of Reverse Drury is 2-way: 2c shows 4+ trump and 2d shows 3 trump. The 1NT Forcing bid: After 1M 1N; the rebids are as follows: 2C shows 2+ clubs, 2D promises 3 diamonds and implies at least 4. If 1H 1NT; 2H shows 6 hearts and 2S shows 4+ spades and reverse values. If 1S 1NT; 2h shows 4+ hearts and 2S shows 6+ spades. After these rebids: a raise is invitational and so is a jump to 3H (after 1S 1NT; 2C/2D). After 1H 1NT; 2any 2S is an impossible bid (for S) so this bid is used to show a super mini-max bid for partner s last bid suit. With Game Forcing Values or More: A 2NT response is a game-forcing raise (Jacoby 2NT) showing 4+ trump and 13+ support points. Opener is asked to clarify his distribution and assist responder in evaluating the partnership's prospects for slam. New suits, even at the one level, are forcing when made by an unpassed hand. With less than 19 points and lacking four-card support for partner, temporize by bidding a new suit, four cards or longer. A jump shift shows a suit of at least four cards and 19+ points. A 3NT response shows a balanced 15-17 points and two-card trump support. JACOBY 2NT: When responder jumps to 2NT after an opening bid of 1H or 1S, the trump suit has been established and opener is asked for further information regarding his hand. His rebids are as follows: A 4-level bid in a new suit shows a side suit of five+ cards. A 3-level bid in a new suit shows a singleton or a void in the bid suit. A rebid of the agreed suit denies a side singleton or void. If made at the four level, it shows a minimum hand. If made at the three level it shows a 16+ point hand. A rebid of 3NT denies side shortness and shows 14-15 HCP. Responder may now: Pass a game rebid by opener. Attempt to sign off in game. Bid RKC (assume 0314 unless discussed) or Cuebid if still interested in pursuing a slam. RESPONDING TO ONE OF A MINOR: HAND EVALUATION: Do not upgrade for "support points." The final contract may be in notrump, and even if the partnership plays in the minor, you may end up ruffing with the long trump suit. With a Minimum Hand: Bid a new suit, four cards or longer, at the one level. With more than one four card suit, bid "up the line." Note: with a hand suitable for only one bid, bypass a four/five-card diamond suit in order to get a major suit into the auction as quickly as possible. This approach requires an ALERT even though it is part of standard 2/1. Raise Partner's minor suit to the three level with appropriate support and no 4-card major. If you cannot do either of the above, bid 1NT non-forcing. With an Invitational Hand: · Showing a new suit, preferably a major, remains your primary duty. · Raising partner's minor from 1 to 2 (the inverted raise limit+) is fine, but if your partnership has hopes for game, that game will almost invariably be 3NT. After the Inverted Raise opener cue bids the cheapest stopper for NT purposes, 2NT shows both major suits stopped, jumps to 3 of a major show a singleton/void (splinter bid) with games forcing values opposite a limit raise, while a rebid of 3 of the agreed minor is a warning. · A Jump to 2NT shows 11-12 HCP and a balanced hand. The bid denies a four-card major suit. [In Standard versions, this bid shows 13-15 HCP and denies a four-card major suit.] Responding 2NT to a minor opening with a flat 10 HCP is not recommended. If the final contract is in notrump, you will have no long suit to run. The key is to think not only in terms of HCPs but also in terms of the trick-taking potential of the hand. With Game Forcing Values or More: Showing a new suit, preferably a major, remains your primary duty. New suits at the one level show four or more cards and 6-18 points. A Jump to 3NT shows 13-15 HCP and a balanced hand. The bid denies a four-card major suit. [In Standard versions, this bid shows 16-17 HCP and denies a four-card major suit.] A Jump Shift usually shows 19 points and a suit of at least five cards. OPENER'S REBIDS: With a minimum hand opener may: Rebid NT at the cheapest level Raise responder's suit at the cheapest level. four-card support for a major suit is desirable, but not mandatory. Show a second suit, four cards or longer, lower ranking than the first. Rebid the original suit at the cheapest level possible. This should not be done with less than 6 cards in the suit. With a medium opener (good 16 to 18 points), opener may: Jump raise partner's suit or jump rebid his own suit. Reverse in a new, higher-ranking suit (if the first suit is longer than the second) Show a new suit without reversing (note the wide range of 13-18 points for this action). With a maximum opener (19-21 points), opener will: Jump rebid in NT - - usually 18-19 points. Double-jump raise partner's suit. Double jump rebid his own suit. Jump shift into a second suit four cards or longer. SUBSEQUENT BIDDING BY RESPONDER: Following opener's rebid, responder will decide if he wishes to: Sign off in a part score. Invite to game. Sign off in a game contract. Force to game and receive more information regarding opener's hand. Investigate and or bid slam, etc. Bids available for signing off in a part score are: Pass. 1NT. A 2-level bid in a previously mentioned suit. Invitational Bids: 2NT. A 3-level bid in a previously mentioned suit. Forcing Bids: Following a 1NT rebid by opener a reverse or a jump shift into a new suit is forcing to game. The New Minor Forcing and 2-way Checkback auctions occur after 1m 1M; 1NT, then 2C is used to force opener to relay to 2D (it s possible to bid 3D if you have unconcealed diamond length and are also willing to play game if 2C was invitational). If partner bids over the relay, then partner shows an invitational hand. When responder rebids 2D (1m 1M: 1NT 2D) then it is game forcing and shows either 5+ cards in the bid major and/or 4 cards in the other major. Therefore, 1m 1S; 1NT 2H shows a hand with no interest in game opener should pass or correct. Opener should rebid 2 of responders major with 3 trump and a minimum hand, 2 of responders major with 3 trump and a minimum hand, 2 of the other major (if possible) and rebid 2NT or his own suit otherwise. A bid of the fourth suit at the two level or higher is game forcing. After 1C 1D; 1H 1S shows 4-cards (indeterminate HCP) and 2S is fourth suit forcing (FSF) and shows less than 4 spades. In response to a fourth suit forcing bid opener will: Bid responder's first suit with three cards. Raise with 4-cards (or rebid NT if the raise would carry the partnership past 3N). Rebid his own second suit at the cheapest level (weak hand). A jump rebid shows extra values. Rebid his own first suit at the cheapest level (weak hand). A jump rebid shows a solid suit. Bid NT to show a stopper in the fourth suit. Raise the fourth suit (with four cards), but 3NT should be the highest priority. Note: If responder has initiated a 2/1 auction (e.g. 1S 2C), then responder promises a second bid unless opener's rebid is at game level. This is due to the fact that opener may, of necessity, be concealing a medium hand of 17-18 points. Following opener's rebid, responder may limit his hand with a minimum rebid in NT or in a previously mentioned suit. THE 2C OPENING, RESPONSES AND LATER BIDDING: A 2C opening bid shows 22+ points, or the playing equivalent. Responses are as follows: 2D is artificial and "waiting." The bid simply indicates a hand not suited to any of the positive responses which follow. 2H, 2S, 3C and 3D are natural and game forcing. These bids promise a suit of five+ cards and, usually, two of the top three honors. 2NT shows a balanced holding of 8+ HCP. Opener's Rebids: A rebid in a suit at the lowest level available is natural and almost always shows a suit of five or more cards. This bid is forcing to the three level in a major suit or the four level in a minor suit. A jump rebid in a suit shows a self-supporting holding in that suit and is game forcing. A rebid of 2NT is not forcing and shows 22-24 HCP. After a 2NT rebid all systems are "on." 3C is Stayman, 3D and 3H are transfers, etc. PREEMPTIVE BIDDING: The Weak Two (2D/2H or 2S) - Criteria: 5-10/11 HCP Typically 6 cards of reasonable quality in the suit bid. No voids as partner is likely to hold values in your void. 2nd hand preemptive bids are the most critical. Your RHO has passed so the balance of the HCP rate to be with partner and LHO. No outside four-card major as you may miss a 4-4 major suit fit. However, if the six-card suit is very good (say AKQxxx) and the 4-card suit is xxxx, then you can ignore the 4-card suit. In 4th seat there is no need to make a preemptive bid as you can just pass the hand out. Use the preempt in this seat to show a playing trick hand of about 7 ½ tricks. A weak two may also be bid with a seven-card suit of poor quality and occasionally with a five-card suit - - normally this action will be taken in third position. Note the high end of the range is precautionary in that some 11 HCP hands, particularly if partner is an unpassed hand, can be too strong for a weak two. Compare: S: AKJxxx H: 7 D: JTxxx C: Qx S: AKQJxx H: 87 D: Jxx C: xx The first hand, with a singleton and doubleton is much too good for a weak 2S bid. The second hand, with 9 of the 11 HCP in spades is fine. Responses: 2NT is forcing, even when the opponents intervene over the preempt. Opener rebids his suit with a minimum. With a maximum, opener bids a new suit to show a "feature" - - an outside ace or "protected" king. Lacking a feature he raises to 3NT, allowing partner to place the contract or bids a side suit of four cards or more headed by the queen. A raise of opener's suit is to play and is often preemptive. A response of 3NT is to play. A new suit by responder shows at least five cards and is forcing for one round (RONF - - Raise Only Non-Forcing). Opener should raise a new major suit with three-card support or, perhaps, a doubleton honor. With no fit for responder's suit, opener rebids his own suit with a minimum. With a maximum he will name a new suit or bid NT. Three-Level Preempts: These bids are normally made on a seven-card holding and a hand that is too weak to open at the one level. New suits by responder below game level are forcing. In fourth seat use the three-level preempt to show a hand of about 8 ½ playing tricks. SLAM BIDDING: RKC is used to keep out of a bad slam. In RKC auctions there are 5 key cards the 4 aces. Additionally you can show the trump Q (or extra length above the length you ve already promised). Additionally you can show a void when you know it s working (maybe you splintered earlier) when you have two A s (5NT response to 4NT). 5C shows 0 or 3 keycards, 5D shows 1 or 4 keycards, 5H shows 2 keycards without the trump Q and 5S shows 2 keycards with the trump Q. After a 5C response or 5D response the cheapest suit (5D or 5H) asks for the trump Q, but you cannot use it if the agreed suit is H. Bidding beyond 5S confirms possition of the trump Q. A rebid of 5N by the RKC bidder asks you to bid the cheapest K below your trump suit. Gerber is employed for the same purpose in NT auctions - - refer to preceding material. A jump to 5NT in a suit auction is the "Grand Slam Force." Partner bids seven of the trump suit when holding two of the top three honors in the suit. Failing two of the top three, partner bids six of the agreed suit. Cue bidding may be employed to investigate slam once a trump suit has been agreed. Cue bidding is often used to avoid RKC when holding a void or worthless doubleton. When the opponents interfere over RKC or Gerber: DOPI (double with no aces, pass with one ace and with more bid naturally). If the interference is in the form of a double, ROPI (redouble with no aces, pass with one ace, etc.). COMPETITIVE BIDDING: Suit Overcalls show 8-16+ points. At the one level a major suit overcall may be made on a four-card holding of exceptional quality. All other overcalls show five+ cards. Responses are as follows: A simple raise shows three+ trump and 6-11 points. A jump raise shows four+ trump and is preemptive.[In standard versions this bid shows 10-12 points] A jump to game shows five+ trump and is preemptive. [In standard versions only four trumps are required,but in keeping with the Law of Total Tricks we recommend a minimum 10-card fit.] 1NT shows 9-11 points and denies a fit. 2NT shows 11-13 points if it is a non-jump, 13-15 if a jump. 3NT shows 15-16 points. A new suit is non-forcing and usually denies a fit with partner's overcalled suit. A cue bid of opener's suit shows a limit raise or better in overcaller's suit.[In standard versions, this bid is game forcing and does not necessarily show support for the overcalled suit] Overcalls of preempts are natural and show extra values, usually opening count or better.