|
Ever since the game of bridge has become popular, competitive, and a means of leisure, bridge players from around the world have been trying to define 52 cards. They have devised many conventions, treatments, methods, formulas, techniques and approaches to describe 13 concealed cards to their partner who is also holding 13 concealed cards. With all of these arrangements, bridge players have been hoping to also convey a certain mathematical strength and card length.
As soon as these arrangements have been devised, developed, refined and altered, these bridge players have given names to these methods, which have ultimately become designated as systems. From these different systems, the bridge player may choose the conventions and treatments he will wish to include in his or her repertoire or agreement. From these devised systems come very many conventions and treatments which the individual bridge player still uses and employs today.
Following is an incomplete list of Bridge Bidding Systems, but it contains those systems which have survived the challenge of time and popularity. In listing these bidding systems, developed and devised by so many of the pioneering bridge players and those, who followed, the attempt is made to recognize their efforts, record their work, and provide them deserved credit.
The attempt is made to include as many as possible. If a bidding system is missing, then any contributions, suggestions, and/or recommendations shall be greatly appreciated. The attempt has been made to also include those bidding systems, which did not stand the test of time and have been forgotten or are simply collecting dust on the shelf.
The bridge student should be aware that some of these bidding systems have been lost to time, are no longer in published publications, are to be found in books not available to Bridgeguys.com, and the bidding system can only be outlined and not completely presented in its original form. The bridge student must also remember that a bidding system is a living entity and evolves, meaning that the entirety will change with time. The attempt is made to present the bidding system as originally designed.
Note: It is worthy to note that the development of bidding systems for the game of bridge were multitudinous and many early bridge students, players, and perhaps self-proclaimed bridge experts wished to somehow have their name attached to an approach, a treatment, a bidding system. Therefore, it was considered traditional in the pioneering days to attach the designation of bidding system to any new approach. This designation has been more narrowly defined over the years and what was once considered by the bridge community to be a bidding system can no longer be defined as such. However, since the work of these pioneers should be remembered, the designation of bidding system will be employed as published in the early works, books, pamphlets, etc., without change. We ask for the understanding of our visitors.
Aces Scientific Bidding System
Mr. Ira Corn of Dallas, Texas, had a goal and that was to reclaim the World Team Championship Title to the United States. With his financial aid, he formed a group of professional bridge experts, purchased a set of computers, and developed the Aces Scientific System. Mr. Robert Goldman acted as perhaps the chief designer.
Acol Bidding System
Acol is a bidding style or bidding system, which was developed in the early stages of the game in the United Kingdom. The Acol bidding system is not specifically a system etched in stone. This means that the Acol bidding system is rather interpretable and allows a stronger latitude in flexibility according to the partnership agreement.amBIGuous Diamond System
The origin of The amBIGuous Diamond bidding system is unknown. We are very thankful to Mr. Marvin French of San Diego, California, for contributing this information. The amBIGuous Diamond system is designed for matchpoint bidding. It combines the advantages of real-suit bidding with the bidding of notrump with all notrump-type hands (and only notrump-type hands). The bidding system permits and features four-card major opening bids. This information has only been archived and preserved on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.
Amsterdam Club Bidding System
This approach was developed in earlier stages of the game of bridge, as many other bridge bidding systems or approaches, and additional information is not available. The Amsterdam Club System has undergone many changes, multiple variations have been added, and the system has been modified. Only the opening bids are presented.
Approach Forcing System
This designation may be applied to most standard methods of bidding. The perhaps earliest devloped system in the game of Duplicate Contract Bridge was developed by Mr. Ely Culbertson, who advocated the principle of slow arrival in order to communicate as much information about the holdings as possible. The Culbertson System was followed by many other bidding systems, which employed the same foundation, such as a new suit being forcing and a preference of establishing a suit contract as opposed to a No Trump contract if a fit was found.Note: The Approach Forcing System devised and developed by Mr. Ely Culbertson is a culmination of his many publications printed and distributed in the early years of Duplicate Contract Bridge. These publications, however, required many revisions in the following years owing to the development of many new conventional methods at that time. Therefore, for this reason the Approach Forcing System of Mr. Ely Culbertson cannot be reduced to a concrete formula and certain bids, much less the continuances thereof.
Note: Of interest is the Approach Principle devised and promoted by Mr. Ely Culbertson. Information is provided in a .pdf file format with copies of the original published book titled Contract Bridge Complete.
Bankgkok Club Bidding System
When one of the bridge players at the bridge table opens 1 Club, then that bridge player could be using the Bangkok Club System devised by Mr. Somboon Nandhabiwat. This Club System was used with some success in several world championship tournaments.
Baron
Bernier Big Club Bidding System
This bidding system was devised by Mr. Jerry Bernier and Mr. Mike Schmenk in the 1960s, and is also known as the Bernier Big Club. Although relatively unknown in Standard American, the system may have its benefits for certain partnership agreements. Only the opening bids are presented.
Big Diamond
Bissell Bidding System
Blue Club System
The book Blue Club was written by Mr. Benito Garozzo in 1969, and the co-author was Mr. Leon Yallouze. Its contents explained the system used by the Blue Team of Italy, which had many successes. This book was adapted from the French by Mr. Terence Reese and the Introduction was written by Mr. Omar Sharif. The book was published in 1969. A simplified version is presented.Blue Team Club Openings - There are certain guidelines basic to the Blue Team Club, and it must be realized that the foundation, and thus the additional responses, have been altered over the course of many years. Several partnerships continue to play the Blue Team Club, although with certain modifications.
Blue Team Club Responses - The responses to a 1 Club opening show controls by Steps, counting an Ace as 2 controls and a King as 1 control.
Blue Team Responses to Blackwood
A variation on the Blackwood convention devised by the Blue Team of Italy and also the variation on the Blackwood convention called the English Roman Blackwood.Blue Team Club System - The Blue Team Club System is based on the principle that a 1 Club opening is forcing. The style of this System is called Canapé, and this means that the opener can/should bid the short suits before he bids the long suits. Canapé is a bidding method in which the opener bids his long suit on his rebid and was developed by Mr. Pierre Albarran from France.
Blue Team Two Diamonds - This bid is a main feature of the Blue Team Club system devised by Mr. Benito Garozzo. The Blue Team Club System is based on the principle that a 1 Club opening is forcing. The concept behind this opening bid of 2 Diamonds is the fact that it shows a high card point range between 17 and 24, and a distribution of exactly 4-4-4-1, the singleton being in any suit.
Bridge World Standard
The Bridge World Standard is the result of many bridge experts and the opinions of many individual bridge players, who elected and voted on the foundation of the devised bidding system created. It became the first consensus bidding system in the history of bridge. The result was that all bridge players could gather, play bridge, and actually understand the bidding. Source.Bridge World Standard - 1993
The first publication of the Bridge World Standard was in 1967, and was revised throughout the following years. The most major revision occurred in 1993 and was based again on the opinions of bridge experts and individual bridge players alike. Most of the revisions were the responsibility of the Bridge World Magazine and its readers.Bridge World Standard - 2001
Complete System BWS 2001. Bridge World Standard encapsulates common American expert practices, determined by polls, as a set of partnership agreements (and, where there is no consensus, non-agreements). It is used as a framework for problems in the Master Solvers’ Club, by impromptu partnerships, and as a basis for discussion by those who wish to formulate their own system. Source.Bridge World Standard Defense
Bridge World Standard Defense is a set of defensive-carding agreements based on the methods most popular among American experts. It is used as a format, style, and partnership agreement for defensive card-play. The advantage of a Standard Defense is that it permits both partners, who are acquainted with the format, to readily conform to the standards of the agreement without much prior discussion. Souce.CAB Bidding System
CAB is an acronym for Two Clubs, Ace-asking, Blackwood, and although the system is no longer used, the system did have some popularity in England during the decade of the 1950s. The development of the CAB bidding system is accredited to Col. George Gordon Joseph Walshe, who was born in the year 1873 and died in the year 1959, and who lived in London, England.CAB Responses to a Strong, Artificial 2 Clubs Opening Bid
The CAB responses to a strong, artificial 2 Clubs opening is a feature of the CAB Bidding System developed by Col. George Gordon Joseph Walshe, most likely in collaboration with Mr. Leslie William Dodds, both of London, England. These responses are also part of the Acol Bidding System generally employed in England and Australia with minor differentiations.Canary Club
The Caroline Club
As described by Mr. Floyd McWilliam on his website this bidding system was pioneered by Mr. Scott Benson and Mr. Douglas Bone with input from Steve Altus and Mr. Floyd McWilliam. The version is subtitled as being based on the (Ron) Sukoneck and (Russell) Ekeblad Club, a bidding system they developed as partners in tournaments. This information has been preserved and archived in .pdf file format on this site for future reference.Carrot Club Bidding System
The Carrot Club, originally Morotsklovern, (Swedish for Carrot Club), was invented by Mr. Sven-Olof Flodqvist and Mr. Anders Morath in 1972 for use in the European Championships in Athens, Greece. It was the system that won the European Championships in 1977, with two pairs playing Carrot. In the European Championships the Carrot team placed 1st in 1987, 3rd in 1989, 2nd in 1991, and 5th in 1993. In the World Championship they placed 3rd in 1987 and 1991, and in the Olympics 3rd in 1988 and 4th in 1992.Carrot Club
Note: This link is off line. This is a link to the Internet website for the Swedish version of the Carrotski Club in Swedish. A forcing club system devised 1988 by Mr. Hans Göthe, Mr. Sven-Olov Flodqvist, Mr. Per Olof Sundelin, Mr. Tommy Gullberg, Mr. Anders Morath and Mr. Sven-Åke Bjerregård of Sweden.Version as of 1992 compiled by Mr. Sven-Olov Flodqvist is available at the above link. This information has only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference only. This material is written in the Swedish language, and no translation is available.
Other designations, most likely in the evolution or development, include: Romklöver and also Bla Klöver.
Another version of the origins of the designation for this bidding system is that it was chosen for Mr. Anders Morath of Sweden, and it was named the Carrot Club because of the red hair, which he had at that time, especially when playing in the Bermuda Bowl Championships in Manila, Philipines, in 1977. Mr. Anders Morath continues to be nicknamed the Carrot.
Note: These web pages have only been archived and preserved on this site in .pdf file format for future reference. They are in the original language of Sweden and remain untranslated.
1. Carrot Club - This version, 1992, of the Carrot Club is written in the language of Sweden. No translation is available.
2. Carrot Club - This version of the Carrot Club is written in the language of Poland. No translation is available.
3. Magisk Carotti - This version of the Magisk Carotti (Carrot Club) is written in the language of Sweden. No translation is available.
4. See also: Auby-rutern or Auby Diamond
This is a system that was designed and developed by Mr. Daniel Auby. The Auby-Diamond is a system that was designed for playing only when non-vulnerable, and whenever the partnership was vulnerable, then the partnership would play according to the guidelines of the Magisk Carotti.5. O'Carrot Club - This version of the O'Carrot Club is written in the language of Sweden. No translation is available.
Carrotski Club - Carrot Club
This is a translation of the Carrot Club from Swedish. This system is a combination of Polish Club and the Swedish systems Svan and Skrot ("metal junk") developed by Mr. Anders Morath and Mr. Sven-Ake Bjarregard in 1972. Svan/Skrot are five-card-Major versions of the Carrot Club. The Carrot Club, originally Morotsklovern, (Swedish for Carrot Club), was invented by Mr. Sven-Olof Flodqvist and Mr. Anders Morath in 1972 for use in the European Championships in Athens, Greece.Carrot Club 1 No Trump Opening
The opening of 1 No Trump shows a range between 14 and 16 high card points. Any holding with fewer or more high card points may not be opened with 1 No Trump. This limiting bid does not exclude the No Trump bidder from remaining an active participant in any continuing bidding sequences.
Churchill Style
In the early, pioneering days of the game of bridge, Mr. Seymour Garton Churchill, aka Church, of Great Neck, New York, United States, advocated and promoted a certain style of bidding in the game of bridge. As an intellectual he joined the bridge community and, as a result, enhanced the game by becoming one of the leading American bridge players, by becoming one of the more outstanding personalities of the game, and by adding his personal touch to the game by introducing his own style of bidding.Crazy Diamond Opening Bids
These opening bids are from a bidding system used in The Netherlands and was developed by Mr. and Mrs. Arie van Heusden, (aka Willie), Mr. Jaap Kokkes, Mr. Kees Kaiser (WBF Code: NED&500602), Mr. Bob Kaiser, and co-bridge players and has been published in the book by Mr. Gerrit Jan R. Forch with the title Bieden voor Gevorderden.Culbertson
DESY Polish Club Bidding System
This is a form of the Polish Club bidding system used in northern Germany. The designation comes from the fact that the players are employees of a company called High Energy Physics Laboratory located in Hamburg, Germany. The website offers the visitor the chance to download their version of the DESY Polish Club bidding system, but the format is an internal company format and may be difficult to open. The present URL may be possibly outdated, but this is the only connection at the moment. The website and the contents are maintained by Mr. Henk Uijterwaal.Note: This website has not been updated since the year 1994. The information for the Polish Club presented on this website has been archived and preserved on this site in .pdf file format for future reference. The main contributors for this information are Katherine Wipf, Bill Murray and Doug Hasell, in collaboration with other contributors from 1985.
Dutch Spade
Dvores Bidding System
This is a bidding system devised and developed by Mr. Harris N. Dvores, a corporate lawyer of Orlando, Florida, United States. website. He concluded his studies about the game of bridge and posted his bidding system on the Internet in the year 1979. Mr. Harris N. Dvores is the inventor and developer of several games. His bidding system is based generally on the concept of steps, based on pre-agreed opening bids. Following an opening bid all continuances are defined. This information has only been archived and preserved on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.Eastern Scientific
Efos
Ekrens Bidding System
These web pages are devoted to the Ekrens Bidding System, named after Mr. Bård Olav Ekren, which he devised and developed in Norway. The bidding system has undergone several evolving stages and has been revised since the original concept. The addition of conventional methods, concepts and principles have supplemented the bidding system and these have also been included.Finnish Standard Bidding System
This document, as detailed by Mr. Jukka Korpela, presents a foundation for the Finnish Standard Bidding System for bridge. Officially the standard is defined for the bidding panel of the Finnish Bridge magazine, but it is often regarded as a more general standard. Finnish bridge players quite often base their bidding system on this standard, usually omitting some conventions or adding their own. Review also: Bridgetietoutta.Four Aces
Goren Bidding System
The basics of the Goren Bidding System includes opening the longest suit first. Other features is opening the lower of 4-4 in the Minor suits, jumping to 2 No Trump or 3 of the opening suit, if the point count is 13 to 15 support points. The No Trump range is between 16 and 18 high card points, and all 2 Diamonds/Hearts/Spades opening are strong.HUM Systems
Kentucky Club Bidding System
The origin of the Kentucky Club bidding system is unknown. The concept behind this bidding system is that the system employs a forcing 1 Club opening for only two distinctly types of holdings.Lea Bidding System
The Lea bidding system is based on the 1965 privately published book, authored by Mr. Robert H. Lea of St. Paul, Minnesota, entitled Bridge is Easy With The Lea System. The system is based on a strong, forcing 1 Club opening, which promises 12 plus high card points.Leghorn Diamond
Mr. Charles H. Goren summarizes the Leghorn Diamond bidding system in the following manner: Leghorn is designed to add a further way to elicit information about both high-card strength and distribution, employing an artificial one-diamond opening, as well as an artificial one club. When the right hand comes along for the system, there is no doubt that it gleans information that no other method can provide with the same accuracy.Leopard Bridge System, The
This bridge system was devised by Mr. Grant Foreman and published in the year 1972 with the title The Leopard Bridge System. Additional information is not available and any contribution would be greatly appreciated.
Little Major
L-System Bidding System
The L-System was devised by Mr. Hong Liu, of St. Louis, Missouri, United States, for light to very light openings. Associate Professor of Finance Mr. Hong Liu is also the originator of the LH Green Card and also the LH Blue Card bidding systems.The Magic Diamond Light - The authors of the Magic Diamond system are: Mr. Hans Göthe and Mr. Lars Andersson. This is a weak opening system based on Carrotti (Carrot Club), which in turn is a semi-forcing pass system. According to the authors Magic Diamond sprung from Carrotti when the administrators decided to make life har for players, who adopted these tactics, the main idea being to get rid of the hateful pass opening. The authors of the version called Magic Diamond Light are: Mr. Sven-OlovFlodqvis and Mr. Tomas Brenning. The principles behing the sytem are, among other features: 1. Natural approach with bilateral exchange of information rather than relay bidding, and 2. Well and narrowly defined strengths for most openings to enable fast arrival as often as possible.
Note: Following the development of the Magic Diamond system it became apparent that the devised system did not fall within the parameters as established by the bridge sponsoring organizations such as the WBF, ACB, SBF, EBL. Magic Diamond Light is as stated by the authors a clean, basic version of Magic Diamond with focus on natural bidding and few but frequent conventions.
Note: The authors have removed the link to their website and therefore only the preserved and archived version of Magic Diamond Light, Version 1.0.1., dated May 29, 2001, in .pdf file format is presented on this site for future reference.
Marmic - An Italian system, the name of which is derived from the first letters of the first names of its inventors Mr. Mario Franco and Mr. Michelle Giovine, hence Mar-Mic. This system is no longer played today.
MG Precision Handbook
This is a Precision bidding system handbook for those serious about playing a more sophisticated and scientific system, devised by Mr. Greg Earnest and wife/bridge partner Meaghin Burke of Oxford, Mississippi, United States. Mr. Greg Earnest has published this information privately and offers it for purchase on his web blog. This information has also been archived and preserved on this site in .pdf file format for future reference. The serious bridge student should, by all means, research the information as published by Mr. Greg Earnest.MG Precision Cuebids
The development of this bidding method is credited to Mr. Greg Earnest together with wife and partner Meaghin Burke. The first letter of their first names constitute the initials of this bidding approach. The concept and employment of these particular cuebids lie in the fact that they are able to show game values, 4-card plus support, slam interest, and promise also a first-round control in the suit bid.MG Opening Bids Only
The opening bids of the MG Precision bidding system are listed separately.Monaco Bidding System - The Monaco system was the original Relay System. It was devised by Mr. Pierre Ghestem of France around 1954, and used with Mr. Rene Bacherich in several World Championship tournaments. The main concept of the Relays some transfers is to bid in such a manner as to make the stronger hand become the declarer in the final contract. Although not officially a bidding system, this concept was a prototype of the evolving relay systems being developed, and which later found adherents.
MSklövern - Systemet presenterades i Bridgetidningen 1981 av Max Ödlund. Modern Standardklöver eller lättare sagt MSklövern är Modern Standard med stark 1-öppning. I princip kan man säga att buden 1och 2har bytt plats. 1visar minst 17 hp och uppåt. De andra färgöppningarna på enläget begränsas således till 12-16 hp. Annars är det i stort sett som Modern Standard. 2visar minst 5-kortsklöver och 12-16 hp. 1NT visar som vanligt 15-17 hp. 2NT 20-21 hp. Ett enkelt system för dig som spelar Modern Standard och vill pröva stark klöveröppning. Systemet kan utvecklas och byggas på efter eget huvud.
Note: Apologies if several characters do not appear correctly.
Rough Translation: The system was first published in the Bridge Magazine (Bridgetidningen) in 1981 by Max Ödlund. Modern Standard Clubs, or easier said, MSklövern, is Modern Standard, with a strong 1 Club opening. In principle, one can say that the bids of 1 Club and 2 Clubs changed places. 1 Club promises at least 17 high card points plus. The other suit opening bids become therefore limited to 12-16 high card points. Otherwise it is almost as Modern Standard. 2 Clubs promises at least 5-cards in Clubs and 12-16 high card points. 1 No Trump shows the usual 15-17 high cardpoints. 2 No Trump promises 20-21 high card points. This is an easy system for the bridge player to play Modern Standard and who wishes to try strong Club opening bids. The system can be developed further with this foundation. Source.
New South Wales System
This is a variation of the Vienna System formerly used by Mr. Richard John Cummings , (aka Dick Cummings), (born 1932 and died 1999), and Mr. Thomas Peter Seres, (aka Tim Seres), (born 1925 and died 2007), in collaboration with other Australian bridge experts. The system and the opening bids were amended and expanded by Mr. William K. A. Schaufelberger (aka Win Schaufelberger), (born 1902 and died 1972), and by Mr. Ronald D. Klinger, (aka Ron Klinger).Official
Orange Club
Precision Club
Pro System
Reith's One-Over-One
Relay Systems
Roman
Roth-Stone Acol With Pakistani Preempts
Super Precision
Symmetric Relay
Tangerine Club Bidding System
This bidding system was developed in 1995 by Mr. Jan Eric Larsson. Tangerine Cub was born out of distrust for the standard system, and incorporates features from other bidding systems, such as the Neapolitan Club, the Blue Team Club, Precision, and the Swedish system Hjortron, (Cloudberry). Tangerine Club was invented at the same time as Cloudberry, and precedes the weak/strong Carrot Club with more than five years.Tübingen Pass
This is a Forcing Pass Bidding System. The origin is unknown. The source is the website of Mr. Gerben Dirksen of Tübingen, Germany. This system is based on Weak Opening System methods and Prepared Club. It employs a two-way pass that is either weak or strong. Opening bids at the one-level require 17-24 Opening Points (HCP + 2 longest suits), 3 points less as the minimum opening bid in most systems. This information has also only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.Two Over One
Universal Club Bidding System
This bidding system was developed by Mr. Fred R. Thomas and was published in the year 1980 by the UNICLUB Press, located in Los Angeles, California, United States. The title of his publication is Universal: The System For Everyone, and in the words of the author, is so named because it is the one system that is natural and also universally suitable for everyone, average players as well as the experts.Universal Club Two Clubs Opening
In the Universal Club bidding system, developed by Mr. Fred R. Thomas, the opening bid of 2 Clubs has been assigned a specific meaning, which is that it shows a three-suited holding, generally a distribution of 4-4-1-4, with values between 12 and 17 high card points. A minimum and a maximum point count is known and also the short suit, which is Diamonds.Universal Club Two Diamonds Opening
In the Universal Club bidding system, developed by Mr. Fred R. Thomas, the opening of 2 Diamonds has been assigned a specific meaning. This opening bid promises a three-suited holding. The required point count is between 16 and 21 high card points. This opening demands that the Diamond suit be one of the three suits as opposed to the 2 Clubs opening bid, which shows Diamond shortage.Universal Club 2 Hearts and 2 Spades Opening
The Universal Club bidding system, developed by Mr. Fred R. Thomas, has relegated special, if not specific, information in the opening bid of either 2 Hearts or 2 Spades. Either of these two openings promise at least a 5-card card, or longer, and a second, unspecified second suit, also a 5-card suit, or longer. The point range is a minimum of 14 high card points and the upper range is unlimited. Therefore, these two opening bids are forcing for one round. They are not considered to be absolutely game-forcing in nature.Western Scientific
Vanderbilt Club
Vienna
Walsch
Winslow
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|