NOTRUMP OPENING BIDS

    Things are arranged differently on the new convention card - in three columns. The first two columns are concerned with 1NT openings. The third column is where you describe your conventions and treatments after 2NT and 3NT openings.

1NT:

    Ranges:

    List the range of your opening 1NT bid. If you play any type of variable 1NT opening range, put the different ranges on the card with a note to the right explaining when each applies.

    5-card Major common

    If you frequently open one notrump with a 5-card major, check the box.

    System on over:

    If opener's left hand opponent (LHO) takes action directly after the opening 1NT bid, and your agreement is that your systemic bids (Stayman, transfers, etc.) are still in effect, then on the line to the right, list when they apply (over Doubles, over Natural Bids, over Any Call, etc.).

    2

    Check the appropriate box indicating the meaning of a
    2 response to 1NT in your system.
    Stayman: check this box to indicate a type of normal (non-forcing to game) Stayman (asking for a 4-card major)
    Puppet Stayman: check this box if 2 asks for a 5-card major, 2 with a 4-card major, or 2NT with neither a 4-card or 5-card major.
    If 2 has some other meaning in your system, write it on the red line to the right.

    2

    Check the appropriate box indicating the meaning of a
    2 response to 1NT in your system.
    Transfer to : Check this box if
    2 is a transfer to hearts.
    Forcing Stayman: Check this box if you play that a 2 response to 1NT is game-forcing, and asks opener for a 4-card major.

    2

    Transfer to : Check this box if
    2 is a transfer to spades.

    2 & 2NT

    If you have conventional usages for 2 and/or 2NT, write that agreement on the lines to the right.

    3-Level Bids

    Starting at the top of the 2nd column, write in any conventional uses of 3-level bids. If you play these bids as natural and forcing you can just circle the symbol.

    4, 4 Transfer:

    Check this box if playing Texas transfers (4 transfers to 4, 4 transfers to 4).
    If you play 4 transfers to
    4 and 4 transfers to 4, write this information on the line above, in the space below, or opposite "Other" at the bottom of the column. Remember, this latter usage requires an Alert.

    Smolen:

    Check this box if using this convention - responder rebids in the 4-card major when 5-4 (usually at the 3-level) after receiving a 2answer to Stayman.

    Lebensohl:

    2NT over an overcall
    (1NT-2 -2NT, for example) forces opener to bid 3, after which various continuations are possible. Either bidding 3NT directly (fast) or after first bidding 2NT (slow) denies a stopper in the suit overcalled. After checking the Lebensohl box, you should write in fast or slow as appropriate.

    Neg. Double:

    If you use the negative double after an overcall, check the box and write on the line to the right through what level it is used.

    Other:

    On this line you describe anything that can't be said with the boxes and lines elsewhere in the section. Put here things like special runouts over a double of 1NT.

2NT

    Range

    Put in the agreed range for an opening 2NT bid if playing this bid as natural.

    Puppet Stayman:

    Check this box if a 3 asks opener to rebid a 5-card major. If this box is not checked, it is assumed that you play regular Stayman. If you play some other conventional 3 responses, write it on the last line of the 2NT box (beneath the 3 line).

    Transfer Responses:

    Check Jacoby or Texas if you play 3-level and/or 4-level major suit transfers after a 2NT opening.

    3:

    Describe any conventional usage of this response on the line to the right.

    Other

    The last line can be used to note other conventional responses to a 2NT opening.

3NT

    Fill-in the range as appropriate. Use the additional line to describe any conventional responses to a 3NT opening.

Conventional NT Openings:

    If you play conventional openings such as 2NT showing a minimum 5-4 or 5-5 in the minors or Gambling 3NT, describe them here. If there is a point range, you can make use of the above point range areas with a distinct arrow pointing to the conventional description.

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