General Approach

    In this section, you explain your general systemic approach. Several common systems can be specified just by checking a box. If your system cannot be easily explained by checking boxes, write it in on the line under "General Approach". If you play some version of Standard American, you can can write that on the line.

TWO OVER ONE:

    If you play two over one (e.g.,
    1 -Pass-2 is a 2/1 response) game forcing or nearly so, you must check the appropriate box:

    Game Forcing: Check this box if 2/1 is always game forcing except perhaps over an opponent's 1NT overcall or takeout double.

    Game Forcing Except When Suit Rebid: Check this box if responder's rebid of the 2/1 suit is non-forcing. Check the box if
    1 -2; 2 -3 is invitational. If it is forcing, do not check this box. If there are exceptions to your general 2/1 style, check the appropriate box and write in the exceptions.

VERY LIGHT:

    Check any boxes that apply to your partnership.

    Openings: If you routinely open hands with fewer than 11 high-card points (HCP) that are not especially shapely, check this box.

    3rd Hand: If you frequently open flat hands with 10 HCP or fewer with one of a suit, but only in the third position, then check this box.

    Overcalls: If you routinely overcall on hands with fewer than 8 high-card points, check this box.

    Preempts: If your preempts are undisciplined, frequent five-card suits for weak two-bids and six-card suits for three-bids, then check this box.

    If close, judge whether you would open a hand such as

Q 6 Q 9 5 4 3 2 J 8 5 9 3

    with 2, or a hand such as

7 3 J 8 4 7 4 Q J 9 5 4 2

    with 3 non-vulnerable versus vulnerable. If so, check the "Preempts" box.

FORCING OPENING:

    This section lists the strong bid(s) in your system. When you make this bid, partner is forced to respond with any hand. Check the one that applies to you: 1, 2 , Natural 2 Bids. If you have no forcing opening, write "none" on the red line to the right.

    Other: If something else is forcing for you
    (1 for example), check this box and write that forcing opening on the red line to the right.
     If you play NAMYATS
    (a four level opening of 4 to show a stronger than normal
    4 opening and 4 to show a similar 4 opening), do not list 4 and 4 here, list them in the     OPENING PREEMPTS section of the card.

The above is the official ACBL convention card guidelines as of Sep 2000.