Bludgeon Opening Bids

Opening Bids Only

These opening bids were devised and developed by Mr. Ian Wilson of Irvine, California, United States. The concept is that the opening bids constitute a bidding system based wholely on limit bidding only with no bid being a forcing bid, neither one round forcing nor game forcing. The designation remains an unknown factor.

The following opening bids are from the author. Source.

1 :		11-14 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Club suit.
1 :		11-14 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit.
1 :		11-14 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit.
1 :		11-14 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit.
1 NT:		15-18 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		15-18 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Club suit or 8 winning tricks.
2 :		15-18 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit or 8 winning tricks.
2 :		15-18 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit or 8 winning tricks.
2 :		15-18 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit or 8 winning tricks.
2NT:		18-22 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
3 :		19+ high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Club suit or 9 winning tricks.
3 :		19+ high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit or 9 winning tricks.
3 :		19+ high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit or 9 winning tricks.
3 :		19+ high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit or 9 winning tricks.
3 NT:		18-22 high card points		Shows balanced shape.

As mentioned, these opening bids are not forcing, neither one round forcing nor game forcing. All continuances are to be considered the establishment of the final contract and also the final level of possible competition, unless the partnership wishes to sacrifice for a possible better score.

Unique for the complete bidding system is the elimination of all conventional methods except for the Stayman convention and the Blackwood convention, both as originally devised.

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.

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