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, pictured below, 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).
Note: This bidding system with the opening bids is not the same nor identical to the New South Wales System 1970, which is a defense mechanism following a No Trump opening bid by the opponents. Confusion might be in order since the designation is very similar. The confusing feature is possibly that the name of their bridge club in Sydney, Australia, is indeed New South Wales Bridge Association.
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The opening bids and principal features are shown in the schmatic below with additional comments.
1 :
12-22 high card points Shows various shapes. 1 :
12-22 high card points Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit. 1 :
12-22 high card points Promises a 5-card plus Heart suit. 1 :
12-22 high card points Promises a 5-card plus Spade suit. 1 NT: 16-18 high card points Shows balanced shape. 2 23+ high card points Shows any shape. 2 21-22 high card points Shows balanced shape. 2 6-12 high card points Promises a 6-card Heart suit. 2 6-12 high card points Promises a 6-card Spade suit. 2NT: 23-24 high card points Promises balanced shape; or distribution showing strong values and 5-5 in both Minor suits. Features
1. 5-card openings in Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades. 2. Strong 1 No Trump openings, 3. Weak Two-Bids in the Major suits, 4. The 2 Clubs opening is game forcing. 5. 2 No Trump openings show a strong Minor two-suiter. 6. 2 Diamonds openings show a balanced holding with at least 21 high card points. 7. 1 Club openings are used for all other opening hands:
a. long Club suit, b. balanced holding of 12-14 or 19-20 high card points, c. distributional holdings of 4-4-4-1 All responses in a new suit are considered forcing, and Jump Shift responses are employed as modified Culbertson Asking Bids, which is a method of inquiring about first and second round controls in an attempt to reach a final slam contract.
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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