What the Pros Play
by Stephen Levy

with an Introduction by
Fred Hamilton

Internet Publication: 1997

Part 1

The No Trump Structure
The No Trump structure presented here comes highly recommended by our team coach Jeff Meckstroth. No Trump openings are more frequent, so all the precise gadgets come into play more often too, enabling us to get to better contracts. We open 1 No Trump with a balanced 14-16 HCP hand in 1st or 2nd seat, and 1 No Trump with 15-17 HCP in 3rd or 4th seat. In 1st and 2nd we open 2 No Trump with 19-21, and with 20-21 in 3rd and 4th. When opener bids one of a minor in 1st or 2nd seat and then rebids 1 No Trump, the dilemma responder normally faces when holding those common balanced 11 HCP hands with a 5-card major disappears. Responder simply passes, knowing that opener has at most 13 HCP and probably a doubleton or three small in his major.

We use Garbage Stayman, with the exception of the following auctions: 1NT-2-2-2 or 1NT-2-2-2. Responder holds good values, just short of inviting with a reasonable five-card spade suit. These hands are extremely awkward to bid: a 15-17 1NT is opened and you hold AQxxx x J109x xxx. Stayman (not transfer) and then rebid 2. Partner will know what to do with Kxx Axxx Kxx AQJ. If you transfer and pass, you may have just lost 11 IMPs.

I once asked Barry Crane to give me one good tip in bridge. He told me, Never open 1NT with 4-4 in the majors. We do not open 1NT with two 4-card majors. But when responder is 5-4 in the majors with game values, we like Forcing Smolen after an opening 1NT and have incorporated it into our structure. Simply bid 2 Stayman, and if partner answers 2, jump to the three-level in your 4-card major. Partner will now opt for game either in NT or your 5-card major.

What is your opening bid in 1st or 2nd seat with the following hands?

	1.	AQJxx	Ax	xxx	xxx
	2.	Jxxxx	A	xxx	AQxx
	3.	Jxxxx	A	xx	AKQxx
	4.	KQxx	Axxx	Ax	Kxx
	5.	Qxxxx	Kxx	Axx	KQ
	6.	Axx	Kx	Kxx	QJ109x
	7.	Ax	KQxx	Axxxx	Kx
	8.	Ax	Q109	KQJ10x	Axx
	9.	AQJ	Kxx	AJ10x	KJx
	10.	QJx	xx	Axxx	AJxx

Partner opens 1NT in 1st seat. What approach do you take as responder?

	A.	Axxxx	Kxxx	x	Jxx
	B.	Qxxx	Jxxx	xxxxx	void
	C.	AKxxx	Kxxx	x	Qxx
	D.	xxxxx	xxxxx	xx	x
	E.	Ax	Axxxx	xxx	xxx
	F.	Qxxxx	Qxxx	xx	xx

1. Open 1. With a good 5-card suit and more than two quick tricks, you can easily rebid 2 if partner bids 2.
2. Pass. Even though you have the required points and quick tricks, the suit is too poor to rebid, and 2NT would show more.
3. I open 1. There is much controversy on this subject. Have a complete discussion with your partner about what to do in these situations. If you open 1 and partner responds 2, a rebid of 3 is considered a high reverse.
4. The pros open 1.
5. Try 1NT. The spade suit is poor and the hand’s balanced.
6. Try 1NT. Certainly the club holding is worth more than 3 points. If partner has a doubleton honor, there are four tricks.
7. Try 1NT. These hands are very difficult to bid naturally-don’t plan to reverse with 16 HCP and mediocre suits.
8. Open 1 intending to rebid 2NT.
9. Open 2NT – remember that all NT bids come down one point in 1st and 2nd seat.
10. We open 1 with 4-4 in the minors.

A. Stayman, planning to rebid 2 should partner bid 2. Partner will know you have a hand like this. Should partner respond 2, I would raise to three. If partner responds 2 to Stayman, what would you do?
B. Stayman, and pass whatever partner bids.
C. Stayman, and use Forcing Smolen over a rebid of 2.
D. Stayman, and rebid 2 over the expected response of 2. This doesn’t promise any values.
E. Transfer to 2. Go on only if there is a Super Acceptance.
F. Stayman and rebid 2 if partner responds 2.

Jacoby Transfers and Texas Transfers through 3 Clubs

The purpose of Jacoby Transfers is to allow the NT opener to declare the hand. Sometimes it is better for responder to play the hand, but we give that up. Responding 2 (which transfers to hearts) and responding 2 (which transfers to spades) has its merits. After showing a 5-card or longer major, responder subsequently chooses one of the following options:

1. Pass: a partial in a major is probably correct.
2. 2NT: usually 5-3-3-2, inv. values.
2. New minor on the three level: two-suiter, forcing.
3. Jump in the other major*: a singleton or void in that suit, forcing.
4. 3NT: 5-3-3-2, game values.
5. 4 of a minor*: shortness in that minor with a 6-card major. A mild slam try.
6. Jump to game in the transferred major: a mild slam try, promising 6.
7. Jump to 4NT: quantitative with only a 5-card major. Invitational. Usually 5-3-3-2.
8. Jump to 5NT: pick a slam, partner. Usually 5-3-3-2.

If responder holds a long major, generally a 6 or 7-card suit, he can use the Texas Transfer through 3. Responder will:
1) be weak, wishing to preempt the auction,
2) have game-going values, expecting partner to make, or
3) have a big hand, intending to employ an ace-asking sequence.
Remember that 4* transfers to 4 - don’t forget! But if the opponents bid 3 or higher over partner’s 1NT, Texas is off. Texas is on only when the opponents interfere with a bid of 3 or lower.

Partner opens 1NT in 1st or 2nd seat showing 14-16 HCP. What is your plan?

	1.	Jxxxx	xx	xxx	xx
	2.	Axxxxx	Ax	Qx	xxx
	3.	AQJxxx	void	AKxx	J10x
	4.	KQxxx	xx	AKxxx	x
	5.	QJxxxxx	Kx	xx	xx
	6.	AKxx	AKxxx	xx	xx
	7.	AQJxxxx	Axx	Kx	x
	8.	xxxxxxxx	x	xxxx	void
	9.	Axxxx	AK	Axx	J10x
	10.	AKJxx	x	xxxx	xxx
	11.	xx	KQJxx	Qxx	xxx
	12.	AQJ	KQx	QJ10xx	Qx
	13.	Kx	xx	xx	AKQxxxx
	14.	xxxx	xxxx	xxxx	A
	15.	KQxx	xxx	Axx	xxx
	16.	xxxx	AKx	QJ10	J10x
	17.	Axxxx	AKxxx	xx	x
	18.	AKxxxx	Axx	void	Kxxx
	19.	AKQxxx	AQ	xxx	xx
	20.	AKQxxxx	KQx	Qxxx	void

1.Should they come into the auction, you will be happy to pass. But if RHO declines to bid, the transfer to spades is best - 2.
2. Here you would like to transfer to spades, then invite by bidding 3.
3. Transfer to spades then bid 4, showing shortness in hearts.
4. Transfer to spades and then rebid diamonds - this is forcing.
5. Jump to 4 and hope partner remembers Texas!
6. This is a Forcing Smolen sequence. Stayman, and if partner bids 2 rebid 3, showing 4 spades and 5 hearts. Forcing.
7. Bid a Texas 4 and then use an ace-asking sequence.
8. Jump to 4. Your left hand opponent may have a big hand.
9. Bid 2 Jacoby, then jump to 4NT. Partner may pass, or sign off in 5, 6 or 6NT.
10. Stayman the hand and rebid 2. Do not use Jacoby.
11. All you can do is transfer to 2.
12. Invite a NT slam by jumping to 4NT.
13. Bid 4 Gerber. If the response isn’t what you wanted to hear, signoff at 4NT.
14. Stayman and pass partner’s response, or try for a 4-3 major fit by rebidding 2 over 2.
15. Stayman and invite. If partner bids spades raise to three, if partner bids hearts try 2NT. Partner cannot be 4-4 in the majors. If partner responds 2 bid 2NT.
16. Forget Stayman and bid 3NT.
17. Start with 2. After 2, jump to 4 to show this hand.
18. Texas (bid 4) then follow up with Exclusion Blackwood. What’s that? You’re going to hear more about it later in this chapter.
19. Use Jacoby then jump to 4 – a mild slam try.
20. Texas, then use Exclusion Blackwood.

Responding with weak minor-oriented hands
Holding invitational values and a minor suit usually 6 or 7 cards in length, you simply jump to 3 of the minor. After 1NT-3*/3*, opener must evaluate whether or not to pass. With 16 points like KQxx KQx Jx AJxx he should pass, because he may never be able to enjoy dummy’s diamond suit. But holding this ideal 14 HCP: Axx Axxx Qxx Axx he will gladly bid 3NT, seeing a good chance for six diamond tricks and three aces. It’s important to have aces to rebid 3NT after 3 of a minor. Responder should have something like xx xxx AKJxxx xx, generally two of the top three honors or a compensating card on the side.

Sometimes partner opens 1NT when you’re staring at a minor suit bust like this: xx xxx x Jxxxxxx. To play in a club partial, you simply respond 2NT*, which is a transfer to clubs. Now when partner bids 3* you will gladly pass. With a similar hand, in diamonds: xx xxx Qxxxxxx x, your call is 2*, and partner may respond 2NT*, or 3*. You follow with 3* and partner knows you have this kind of hand. This is Minor Suit Stayman’s drop-dead little brother – for diamonds, or for a weak minor two-suiter. In this case, you’ll pass whatever minor opener bids. We are going to talk more about the uses of MSS with stronger hands after you answer these questions.

Partner opens 1NT in first or second seat. What is your response?

	1.	xx	xx	KQJxxxx	xx
	2.	xx	xx	xxxxxx	xxx
	3.	xx	xx	xx	Jxxxxxx
	4.	xx	xx	Qxxxxxx	Jx
	5.	Ax	xx	Axxxxx	Jxx
	6.	xxxx	x	Qxxxxxx	x
	7.	xx	xx	AQJxxx	Jxx
	8.	xx	x	Jxxxx	Qxxxx
	9.	x	A	xxxxx	xxxxxx
	10.	x	x	KJxxxxxx	xxx

1. Invite with 3. Partner will accept with the ace of diamonds and sometimes with three small ones.
2. Pass. If you get doubled run to 2.
3. Bid 2NT and pass partner’s 3 bid, which is forced.
4. Bid 2. If partner rebids 2NT or 3, rebid 3. Partner must pass.
5. Gamble with 3NT.
6. Forget Stayman and the spade suit. Bid 2 MSS, and if necessary rebid 3 for play.
7. Close, but I opt for a bid of 3. 3NT could be right, though.
8. Pass.
9. Bid 2. If partner bids a minor, pass. If partner rebids 2NT, bid 3 showing both minors and no game interest.
10. Bid 5 before the opponents discover their major suit fit.

Minor Suit Stayman for strong minor-oriented hands
When partner opens 1NT and responder holds at least 5-4 in the minors with a concentration of controls, he should attempt to get to a minor suit slam–by bidding 2*, Minor Suit Stayman. Opener’s first obligation is to show a 4-card minor. Without one he simply rebids 2NT*. (We do not play the treatment that allows a 3NT response, in order to leave open the possibility of playing in a minor at the 3 level if responder has the weak hands discussed above.)

Responder has many options after opener rebids 2NT. 3* shows 5-5 in the minors and a bust. A rebid of 3* is a signoff, showing diamond length and nothing else. But 3* shows a good club suit and 3* shows good diamonds; these bids are slam tries. Subsequently opener may sign off at 3NT, cue bid, or ask for key cards.

So what motivates opener to probe for slam, and what discourages him? If opener is rich in controls (aces and kings) and has intermediate values in partner’s minor, he is motivated. If he is soft in controls (mainly queens and jacks), even when at the top of his bid he is not interested. He shows this by ending the dialogue with 3NT. If responder is insistent, sometimes the partnership ends up at 4NT, the final signoff. This is usually safe.

But sometimes he will be interested. The pros ask about key cards by using Key Card Redwood, the best minor suit slam convention. 4* asks in clubs, 4* asks in diamonds: the red suit asks for the suit below. Redwood allows you to stop in 4NT. We will talk more about Redwood shortly when we look at slam bidding. Alternatively, opener may choose to cue bid in a suit, as long as the bid is not Redwood. Remember that 4NT is always a signoff!

	1.	What are soft values?
	2.	What are hard or rich values?
	3.	What is Redwood?
	4.	What are the two weak auctions employing Minor Suit Stayman?

What do the following auctions mean:

	A.	1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3
	B.	1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 3NT - 4
	C.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 3
	D.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 3 - 4
	E.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 4NT
	F.	1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3NT
	G.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4NT
	H.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 5NT

1. Soft values are queens and jacks, and perhaps an unguarded king. Soft values are good for no trump contracts. They should not be over-evaluated for slam purposes. If you face a decision whether or not to go for slam, decline if your hand is soft.
2. Hard cards are aces and kings, or AQ combinations in the same suit. If you are indecisive about bidding a game in a suit or about bidding a slam, a concentration of hard cards should motivate you to bid.
3. Redwood is a key card convention for minors. 4 asks when clubs are agreed. 4 asks when diamonds are agreed.
4. The two weak auctions are 1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3, showing a weak 5-5 in the minors, and 1NT - 2 - 2NT - (3) - 3, which shows a diamond bust.

A. This auction shows a weak 5-5 minor hand–opener either passes or bids 3.
B. Opener does not have 4 of a minor. Responder has slam interest in diamonds, but opener signs off in 3NT. Responder persists, using Redwood in diamonds. The hands might look like this: opener: Axxx KQx Jxx KQx / responder: Kx x KQ10xxx AJxx. When responder learns they are off two aces he will sign off in either 4NT or 5. Which is better?
C. Responder is making a slam try in diamonds. 3 shows shortness. If opener does not have duplicated soft values in hearts, slam is a good bet.
D. This time, a slam try in clubs. 3 shows shortness, and 4 is Redwood for clubs. Here are the hands: opener Axxx Kxx Ax KJxx, responder x Ax KJ10xx AQxxx. The combined point count is 29, but the hands are rich enough in controls to conjure a grand slam. How would you play 7?
E. The pair found a good diamond fit. The 4 cue bid denies shortness in a major. This did not excite opener so he retreats to 4. Responder tried for slam and was refused, so he signs off in 4NT.
F. When no fit was found, 3NT ended the dialogue.
G. This is a quantitative 4NT, which may be passed. Responder is probably 2-2-4-5 with an assortment of honors, about 16-17 points. Opener may pass, bid 5, 6, or 6NT. If you were opener, what would you do after the 4NT bid with Ax Axxx Axxx Kxx?
H. The 5NT bid is forcing, a grand slam try in clubs. What do you do holding xxxx Kx KQx KQJx?

Special warning bids by responder after a 1NT opening
Pros don’t like to play 3NT when the opponents own a suit they can run. Suppose you hold x AQx Kxxxx Qxxx. Partner opens 1NT. You want to be in game, so you can’t invite with 3. MSS is used for slam going or weak hands, so that won’t work. Most players today just respond 3NT and hope for the best. But there is a better bid. Respond in your singleton (or void) on the three level; here it’s 3. Now, you might say, I just told the world that I have a singleton spade, and furthermore that they should lead spades against 3NT. I asked Paul Soloway what he leads against 1NT-3NT auctions. His response was 4th from his longest and strongest. The little old lady who just finished her novice class also leads 4th from longest and strongest. Soloway’s 35,000 master points of experience hasn’t changed his mind. Suppose the auction goes 1NT-3 and opener holds Jxx Kxx AJ AJxxx. He can try 4, and responder could even raise to game. If 5 goes down, well, that’s bad luck. But they’ll probably get two chances to lead spades against a 3NT contract, and that’s going to be at least one too many. Almost always, the distributions you’ll have for this bid are 3-1-5-4 (4-5) or 1-3-4-5 (5-4), more rarely 1-2 (2-1)-5-5 or 1-3 (3-1)-6-3. There will always be at least a 5-card minor, never a 4-card major. The singleton is always in a major.

Another special bid with a similar theme applies to the awkward 4-4-4-1 hand with game values. When partner opens 1NT, respond 2NT. This relays to 3. Should you bid over 3 you describe this hand pattern, with a singleton in the suit you rebid. 1NT-2NT-3-3NT shows a singleton club. Suppose opener holds AQJ Axx Axx xxxx and responder has Kxxx Kxxx KQxx x. Responder could Stayman, but would wind up playing 3NT. The probable club lead would reduce him to hoping that clubs break 4-4 or block, allowing them only 4 tricks before losing the lead. But if you go through the warning system, bidding 2NT, and partner relays to 3, then you can show the club singleton (3NT), and partner can opt for the Moysian (4-3) spade fit.

You open 1NT in first seat (14-16) and partner bids 3. What is your rebid:

	1.	Jxx	KQJx	Axx	K10x
	2.	Axxx	Kxx	Axx	Axx
	3.	Ax	Qxx	Kxxx	AQxx
	4.	AKQ	xxxx	Axx	Kxx
	5.	Ax	QJ98	QJx	QJ109
	6.	AQJ	xxxx	Axx	Kxx

Would you Stayman or relay to 3 with the following hands?

	A.	Axxx	Axxx	x	Jxxx
	B.	x	Axxx	Kxxx	Axxx
	C.	AKxx	AKxx	x	Axxx
	D.	xxxx	A	AKxx	xxxx

1. Bid 3NT.
2. 3, forcing. It shows four spades with deep concern about no trump.
3. 4. This doesn’t deny diamonds.
4. Force with 4. You want to be in slam. Let partner bid his long minor then boost him to the six level. This hand is super rich in controls and should produce a minor slam. Give an example of partner’s minimum holding for his bid.
5. You opened with 13 HCP! So would I. Gulp and bid 3NT, and hope the 10 is on your right.
6. Tough hand. You can’t bid 3 or 3NT so try 4.

A. You must Stayman this hand because you don’t know if you have game values. Certainly if you get a desired response you can invite. There is no way to show that singleton diamond.
B. You have game values, so bid 2NT. After partner bids 3 perforce, show your singleton spade by bidding 3.
C. Great hand, but just relay to 3 and then bid the singleton diamond. If partner does something encouraging, accept all slam invitations.
D. We hope it’s just enough to produce a game. Relay, then show the singleton heart.

Occasionally you will play a 4-3 fit in a major. Plan your play after the lead of the K and a trump switch.

	North	South
	Kxxx	AQJ
	Kxxx	Axx
	KQxx	Axx
	x	xxxx
		1NT
	2NT	3
	3NT	4

Mark Novisoff of Las Vegas won the trump switch in hand at trick two. He then ruffed a club. Returning to hand with the A he ruffed a club. He cashed the K, the K, then led a diamond to his ace and ruffed a club. The Q was cashed and he took three spades in hand to come to 11 tricks. Since all the suits behaved nicely 3NT would have made. But in spades, 10 tricks were available regardless how clubs broke. This is a classic example of the benefit of warning bids and of a well-managed Moysian fit suit contract.

Slam Bidding: ProGerber, Key Card Redwood and Key Card Blackwood
ProGerber, Key Card Redwood, and Key Card Blackwood are the ace-asking bids the pros are using today. They are superior to all previously used conventions. It is imperative, especially at IMPs, that you bid the makeable slams and avoid the bad ones. Eddie Wold once said that any pair who shares an excellent understanding of slam bidding will be very tough to beat.

ProGerber is used after 1NT. Simply bid 4; or after 1NT-2-2, 4 is also ProGerber. Opener’s responses are easy: with 0 or 3 aces bid 4, with 1 or 4 aces bid 4. With 2 aces and minimum values bid 4. With 2 aces and maximum values bid 4NT. 4NT as a subsequent bid is a signoff unless opener has the higher of the two: 3 aces instead of 0, or 4 aces instead of 1. The king asking bid is the old-fashioned 5NT, with Gerber responses: 0 or 4, 1, 2, 3 in steps.

Now suppose you Texas with a strong hand and want to ask for aces, or Smolen and are raised in your 5-card suit. You can now employ Key Card Blackwood. There are five key cards: the four aces and the king of trumps. The responses to 4NT Key Card in the majors are:

	5	1 step	0 or 3 key cards
	5	2 steps	1 or 4 key cards
	5	3 steps	2 without the queen of trumps
	5	4 steps	2 with the queen of trumps

Key Card Redwood uses the same responses. Remember that 4 asks in clubs and 4 asks in diamonds. The "red" suit asks for key cards in the suit below it. It must be clear that the suit is agreed upon. If the asking bid could be natural, then it is natural.

Respond

	Step 1	0 or 3
	Step 2	1 or 4
	Step 3	2 without
	Step 4	2 with

ing to 4/4 Redwood

4NT is Key Card when:

	Texas has been used
	Jacoby is followed by a jump to game followed by 4NT, i.e. 1NT - 2 - 2 - 4 - 4NT.
	Smolen is accepted and 4NT follows.

4 is Key Card when:

	Stayman is followed by a major and a jump to 4, i.e. 1NT - 2 - 2 - 4.
	When it follows an opening preempt on the 2 or 3 level (except 3-4, natural), i.e. 2 - 4.

4 is ProGerber when:

	2 follows a Stayman auction.
	Auctions are opened with 1NT or 2NT.

5 is ProGerber when 4 is natural and 4NT is quantitative: 2NT-3-3-5. ProGerber takes precedence over 5 Exclusion Redwood.

What do these auctions mean?

	1.	1NT - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 6NT
	2.	1NT - 4 - 4NT - 5NT - 6 - 6NT
	3.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4 - 4 - p
	4.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4NT - p
	5.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4NT - p
	6.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4 - 4 - 4NT - p
	7.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 6 - p
	8.	1NT - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 6
	9.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4NT
	10.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3NT - 4
	11.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3NT - 4NT
	12.	1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 4 - 4
	13.	1NT - 3 - 4 - 4
	14.	1NT - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4
	15.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4
	16.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4
	17.	1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 3NT - 4
	18.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4 - 4NT
	19.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 5NT - 6NT
	20.	1NT - 4 - 6

1. Responder uses ProGerber and opener shows 0 or 3 aces. Responder doesn’t know which opener has and signs off at 4NT. Opener must continue with three aces.
2. Opener shows 2 aces with a good hand. Responder continues by asking for kings. Opener has one, and that’s good enough for 6NT.
3. Responder Staymans and after getting the desired response he tries Key Card. Responder knows opener has only one ace and passes 4.
4. Responder has four spades, and since opener cannot be 4-4 in the majors he makes a quantitative try for slam.
5. After a Stayman auction, responder wants to show 16-17 HCP and a good hand. With a bad 15, opener stops.
6. Responder Staymans and then tries for slam, using ProGerber. He does not get the desired response and signs off in 4NT.
7. Responder has a great hand with 5 spades and 4 hearts. He Staymans and follows up with Forcing Smolen. Now knowing they have an 8-card spade fit he tries for slam using Key Card Blackwood in spades. Opener shows two key cards plus the queen of trumps, and responder bids the slam.
8. Responder makes a Texas transfer, Key Cards in spades, then signs off when opener shows 0 or 3. Opener bids the slam with 3.
9. Responder is inviting slam in either no trump or spades, and shows a balanced hand with 16-17 HCP.
10. Responder has a great hand with 4 spades and 5 hearts. After finding no major suit fit, he still tries for slam using ProGerber.
11. Another Forcing Smolen auction followed up with a quantitative slam try.
12. Responder holds a great hand in clubs, and opener likes his hard cards and raises him. Responder now uses Redwood by bidding 4. If he doesn’t get the desired response he may sign off in 4NT.
13. That singleton heart means no wasted values after opener bids 4: Axx x AQJxx Jxx. 4 could be natural, therefore it is natural and not Redwood.
14. Here responder has a good hand with 4-4-1-4 distribution. Opener likes the now known club fit. Responder bids 4, which cannot be natural. Therefore, it is Redwood. Natural bids take precedence over Redwood. Redwood takes precedence over cue bids.
15. A straight forward Minor Suit Stayman auction with a clear jump to Redwood.
16. Responder uses Minor Suit Stayman, and his rebid of 3 shows shortness. Opener simply bids 4 with nothing to add. Responder now bids 4, Redwood.
17. Here responder has a great diamond suit. Opener signs off in 3NT. But responder insists with Redwood.
18. Responder makes a mild slam try in spades. Opener has all hard cards and good trumps, so she Key Cards in spades.
19. Responder has 5 spades and 18-19 points. Pick a slam.
20. Responder is 4-4 in the minors, with no shortness and 16-17 HCP. This is a special quantitative bid used by pros. You’ll like it too.

If you got close to 50% of these auctions right, that would be outstanding! Anything over 50% and you’re ready for national team championships. Remember that if even if they can outplay you and defend better, good slam bidding can give you enough of an edge to win.

Queen Asking
The Key Card 3rd or 4th response tells us when partner holds the queen of trump. However, if partner answers with the first or second step, and we still want to know where she is, we simply bid the next available suit. If the next available suit is a signoff in our major or 4NT in Blackwood, then we can’t use those bids. We just go to the next one.
When responder doesn’t have the queen of trump, he simply retreats to the trump suit. In possession of the queen, he bids the suit of his cheapest king, unless that would take them past small slam in the agreed suit.

Let’s try understanding some auctions:

	1.	1NT - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 6 - 6
	2.	1NT - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 5NT - 6
	3.	1NT - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 6
	4.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 6
	5.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 5
	6.	1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 6 - 6NT
	7.	1NT - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 3 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 6 - 7
	8.	1NT - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 6 - 6

1. You hold KJxx Ax AKxx xxx, and open 1NT. Partner uses Texas for spades. He now Key Cards and you respond 0 or 3. Partner can tell by his hand that you hold 3, and then asks if you hold the queen of trumps. You know partner holds 6 or 7 spades, but he doesn’t know that you hold 4. Therefore you tell a white lie. "I hold the queen of trump, and, by the way, I also have the K, though not the K." His hand is Axxxxxx KQ Jx AQ. Would you have bid 6NT?
2. Texas for spades, followed by Key Card for spades, followed by 1 or 4, followed by, Do you have the queen of trumps. Answer: Yes, I do, but I have no kings. Soft hand.
3. This time Texas for hearts, followed by showing 1 or 4. Now responder wants to ask about the queen of trumps, but this would be a signoff bid–5. So he bids the next available suit, which is 5. Opener has the queen of trump but unfortunately cannot show his K. Additionally, he does not have a minor suit king.
4. Minor Suit Stayman is used and clubs is agreed. 4 is Redwood and 4 shows 1 or 4. Now responder wants to find out if partner holds the queen of trump. 4NT is signoff and so is 5. Alas, 5 is asking. 5 says, "Yes, and I have the K." We have the goods for 7.
5. Here we Stayman and then Key Card in spades. 4NT asks and 5 says, No. A bid of 5, 5, or 5 would say, Yes and I have that king.
6. Here responder holds a great diamond suit. 4 is Redwood and 4NT shows the second step, 1 or 4. 5 asks about the queen of trump. We hold it, along with the K, but not the K. We’ll rest in 6. No, I have something extra for 6NT.
7. We relay to 3 and show a 4-4-4-1 hand with a singleton heart. We have a spade fit and we Key Card. The response shows one or three. By the way, do you have the queen of trumps? Yes, and the K. Let’s take 13 tricks!
8. We Texas in spades, Key Card and get step 1. Do you have the queen of trumps? Yes, and the K.

Opener’s Super Acceptance of a Jacoby Transfer
With 4 trumps and hard cards, opener should accept the Jacoby transfer on the three level. Here’s an example of a Super Acceptance by the NT opener: 1NT-2-3, showing something like AQxx xx Axxx Axx. Note that opener has only 14 HCP, but the 4-card trump support and the hard card values are enough for a Super Acceptance. Of course, responder may have J9xxx xxx Qxxx x, and would pass 3 with this bust, but he still might make four.

Remember that as responder, since you hold at least a 5-card major, you will quite often hold a singleton, occasionally a void. Only four semi-balanced hand types without shortness are shown with a Jacoby transfer: 5-3-3-2 or 5-4-2-2 holding a 5-card major, and 6-3-2-2 or 7-2-2-2 with a longer suit. There are more types with a short suit. After a Super Acceptance by opener, the pros favor shortness bids to suggest slam. As responder to a Super Acceptance you might hold x KQxxx Axxx KQx. Over partner’s 3, bid 3. Now opener can evaluate his hand for slam. With wasted spade values he’ll sign off in 4. With good cards in the other suits he can go slamming with Key Card Blackwood: Jxx AJxx KQx AJxx.

Partner’s ace in a side suit where you’re void is of no use to you, since you can ruff the first round anyway in a suit slam. But you will often want to locate the other key cards. Exclusion Blackwood is the tool to tell you what you want to know–a jump in your void, asking for key cards outside that suit. Usually, it requires a jump to the five level (it can be 4). The meanings of the responses are identical to those for Key Card Blackwood, in steps.

What do these auctions mean?

	1.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4
	2.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 4
	3.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3NT
	4.	1NT - 2 - 2 - 4
	5.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 4
	6.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 3NT - 4
	7.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 3NT - 4 - 4 - 4
	8.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 5NT - 7
	9.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 5 - 5 - 6
	10.	1NT - 2 - 3 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 6

1. Straightforward transfer with a Super Acceptance. There is no slam interest by responder. But if opener had not Super Accepted and responder then jumped to game, she’s slammy.
2. After a Super Acceptance, responder bids his shortness in diamonds. Opener cue bids hearts, and responder regrets that he has nothing extra.
3. This was no Super Acceptance. 3 is natural and forcing. Opener obviously has his values in the red suits and opts for 3NT.
4. This is a mild slam try by responder. He probably has no singleton, a 6-card suit and maybe 15 HCP.
5. Here responder holds a singleton club. Opener does not have diamond control but has heart control. Responder correctly infers that they are missing the ace and king of diamonds and signs off.
6. Responder rebids 3NT showing a slam-going hand but no shortness. Opener has said it all and signs off.
7. Responder shows no shortness by bidding 3NT. Over opener’s cue bid of 4 responder shows his diamond values. Neither tries for slam after the cue bids and they rest in game.
8. Responder holds Ax Qxxxx AKQxxx void and uses the Grand Slam Force, asking for two of the top honors in hearts. Since opener holds the ace and king of hearts he bids the grand slam.
9. After a Super Acceptance, a rebid of 4 would show shortness. Since responder has a powerful hand with a club void, he can use Exclusion Key Card. Opener must subtract the ace of clubs from his answer. Therefore, opener has one or four key cards, excluding the A. The hands look like this – opener: AJx Jxxx KJx AQx / responder: KQx AKxxxx Axxx void.
10. Responder’s bid is the exception to the rule of jumping to the five level. Since a bid of 3 would be shortness, 4 bid indicates a spade void and asks opener to count key cards, excluding the A.

Interference over our 1NT
Many systems enabling the opponents to interfere are out there: Hamilton, Meckwell, D.O.N.T., Landy, Brozel, Astro, Suction and Crash, to name a few. These days, they are eager to get in your way, and simplicity is the key to coping successfully. Sometimes you will want to get to game in spite of their overcall. We suggest the Larsen system, superior to Lebensohl, developed by Kai Larsen.

If they double, all systems are on whether the double is for business or not.
If they bid 2, natural or conventional, all systems are on and double* is Stayman.
If they bid 2, then 2 and 2 are natural and non-forcing, a double shows cards (8+ HCP) and a bid of 2NT* is a transfer to clubs.
If they bid 2, 2 is natural and 2NT* transfers to 3.
If they bid 2, 2NT* is a transfer to 3.
All bids on the three level are transfers!

With this convention, responder may compete on the three level and stop, or rebid 3NT showing a partial to full stopper, depending on agreement. Transfers provide responder with great flexibility in competitive bidding situations: he can invite in his suit, and/or cope with further intervention according to his best judgment. Direct responses of 3NT show their suit stopped at least one and a half times. A response of 3 shows game values and transfers opener to 3NT, denying a stopper. Usually responder will hold a good minor and/or possibly a 4-card major. In these competitive auctions, you will once again realize the advantage of knowing that opener cannot have two 4-card majors. Ask what their interference bid means, and use common sense.

The opponents are playing the Hamilton convention. Double is penalty, 2 is a one-suiter, 2 shows the majors, 2 shows hearts and a minor, 2 shows spades and a minor. In each bidding sequence, opener starts in 1st seat with a 14-16 HCP 1NT. The opponent’s bid is in parentheses. Explain the auction.

	1.	1NT - (X) - 2
	2.	1NT - (X) - 2
	3.	1NT - (X) - XX
	4.	1NT - (X) - p
	5.	1NT - (2) - X
	6.	1NT - (2) - 2
	7.	1NT - (2) - 2
	8.	1NT - (2) - 2NT
	9.	1NT - (2) - 3
	10.	1NT - (2) - 2 - 2 - 2NT
	11.	1NT - (2) - 2
	12.	1NT - (2) - 2 - 2NT - p
	13.	1NT - (2) - X - (2) - X
	14.	1NT - (2) - 3
	15.	1NT - (2) - 2NT - 3 - 3NT
	16.	1NT - (2) - 4
	17.	1NT - (2) - 3 - 3
	18.	1NT - (2) - 3 - 4
	19.	1NT - (2) - 3 - 3 - 3NT
	20.	1NT - (2) - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 4

1. 2 transfers to spades. Responder may pass or continue.
2. The 2 bid is Stayman, ignoring the double.
3. The redouble means we are in trouble. Responder will usually have a minor one-suiter, trying to escape. Opener relays automatically with 2, awaiting a possible scramble.
4. Responder wants to sit it out. Opener may have a 5-card suit and opt to bid it if his right hand opponent passes.
5. The double is Stayman. Opener then bids as if partner had responded 2.
6. 2 is a transfer to hearts. To play in diamonds responder must bid 3.
7. 2 is Minor Suit Stayman. Responder may have a diamond bust or 5-5 in the minors.
8. 2NT relays to 3.
9. 3 is a transfer to diamonds and not the classic cue bid.
10. 2 shows 5 spades, and 2NT invites game.
11. 2 is a special warning bid for NT promising a heart stopper but denying one in spades.
12. 2 shows spades stopped, but not hearts. Partner could jump to game if on top.
13. Responder’s double shows cards 8+ points. Opener’s double shows a desire to defend.
14. Responder probably has a running minor and wants to play 3NT, but has no major suit stoppers.
15. Responder has clubs and a partial stopper or better in spades and wishes to play 3NT. But he allows his partner to opt for the club game or partial.
16. Texas is on.
17. Responder wants to compete in hearts.
18. Opener has a great hand for a heart game. He simply bids it.
19. Responder wants to be in game, but doesn’t know the correct strain. Responder probably has their suit stopped or partially stopped.
20. Responder has a good hand with clubs and 4 hearts.

Pros generally play Hamilton over weak NTs (retaining the penalty double) and Meckwell over strong NT (giving up the penalty double). Anyone who plays a weak 1NT at IMPs vulnerable should be severely penalized.

We generally do not open 1NT with a 5-card major but there are exceptions. Holding AQx Q10xxx Jx AJ10, you may be tempted to open 1NT. But if instead you bid 1 - all rebids are convenient. If partner responds in spades, you can raise. If partner bids 2 you can rebid 2NT. AKJ10x Qx QJx Q10x, however, is a reasonable 1NT opener. Do you want to rebid 3 to a forcing NT? You are not good enough to rebid 2NT to a forcing NT. Do you want to rebid 2? You don’t have six, but the main thing is you’re too good. Or 3? An overbid. Ask yourself first if all rebids are covered. If not, then and only then consider opening 1NT with a 5-card major.

2NT, however, is a different story. We do open 2NT quite often with a 5-card major. (Remember that our NT openings are slightly weaker in 1st and 2nd seats. We go back to the standard stronger version in 3rd and 4th seat. The 2NT opener has about 19-21 HCP, occasionally a bad 22. With a good 22-23 we start with 2. It can obviously be stronger.) We play Jacoby Transfer bids, Puppet Stayman, and special warning bids over 2NT. We also use Texas Transfers and High Gerber (Super Gerber).

The sequence 2-2*-2NT* does not limit opener’s hand! Since we encourage a double negative by responder of 2* showing no ace, no king and no 2 queens, the 2* bid is a game force. Therefore, with a 26 HCP balanced hand, opener can rebid 2NT* after the auction 2-2* and all tools are available. Should responder sign off, opener can make one more try. Obviously this does not hold true in the auction 2-2*; opener rebids 3NT with 26 HCP.

Puppet Stayman asks the strong NT opener to please bid a 5-card major, or, holding a 4-card major, to respond 3*. With neither, to rebid in NT*. 2NT-3*-3* means opener has five spades; 2NT-3-3NT denies a 4 or 5-card major. 2NT-3-3 shows an unspecified 4-card major and maybe both. We can open very strong balanced hands when 4-4 in the majors. When opener responds 3* showing 1 or both 4-card majors, responder bids the major he does not have. If there is a fit, opener can now declare the hand in the 4-4 major suit fit. 2NT-3*-3*-4* means responder has two 4-card majors, and asks opener to declare in the one she has.

Remember that 3* and 3* by responder are Jacoby Transfer bids, 4* and 4* are Texas Transfer bids. The special bid of 3* either shows a long minor and suggests a slam, or simply a hand that wants to play in 3NT. Opener automatically relays to 3NT*. Responder either 1) passes if this is where he wanted to be all along, or 2) bids the minor* he does not have. Opener may then Key Card by bidding the next higher suit*, or reject by signing off in 4NT. 2NT-3NT* is Minor Suit Stayman, slammish. All of these bids are intact over 2-2*-2NT*. CAUTION: Since it comes up relatively rarely, everyone forgets this, even the pros–especially 2NT-3NT*. It’s an excellent treatment, but do remember it!

In addition, 2NT-4 is ProGerber, 2NT-4NT is quantitative. When responder uses a Jacoby Transfer and rebids 4, the 4 bid is natural, showing a two-suiter. When responder bids Jacoby and jumps to 4NT, this is quantitative. Responder can use Key Card only after Texas, as in 2NT-4*-4-4NT.

Partner opens 2NT and responder holds KJxx Kx KJxx Q10x. To check for a 4-4 spade fit he bids 3. Opener now bids 3 showing five, and responder wants to try for a NT slam. But along the way, he wants to check for aces . It gets tricky, because 4 should be natural and 4NT would be Key Card in hearts. 4 is Exclusion. So he bids 5, High ProGerber, which elicits the same responses as ProGerber. When no other ace-asking bid is available, 5 is High ProGerber and takes precedence over Exclusion Blackwood.

Explain the dialogues of bidding after opener begins in 1st seat:

	1.	2NT - 3 - 3NT
	2.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4
	3.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 3NT
	4.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4
	5.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 3 - 4
	6.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4
	7.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5 - 6 - 6
	8.	2NT - 3 - 3NT - 4 - 4 - 4NT - 6
	9.	2NT - 3 - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 5
	10.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 7
	11.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5NT
	12.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4NT
	13.	2 - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 3NT - 4NT
	14.	2 - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 4
	15.	2-2-2NT-4-4
	16.	2NT - 3 - 3NT - 4 - 4NT
	17.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4NT
	18.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4NT
	19.	2NT - 4 - 4 - 6NT
	20.	2NT - 3 - 3 - 4NT

1. Opener has 19-21 HCP and no 4 or 5-card major.
2. Opener has a 5-card spade suit and responder opts for that game. Notice responder may have only 3 spades, and possibly heart shortness.
3. Opener has a 4-card major, but responder does not.
4. Same as #2.
5. Opener has a 4-card major, and responder has 4 hearts. Opener has found a match.
6. Opener has one 4-card major and responder has them both, with game only values. Opener takes his pick.
7. Opener has a 4-card major and responder has both 4-card majors, with slam invitation.
8. Responder relays to 3NT, implying a long minor and slam potential. Responder shows a diamond suit by bidding clubs. Opener Key Cards in diamonds by simply bidding 4. Responder’s 4NT is the 3rd step, showing two key cards without the queen of trumps. That’s all opener needs to know to bid the slam.
9. Responder transfers to spades and opener Super Accepts. Responder Key Cards and opener bids the first step, presumably 3 key cards. Responder was hoping for more and signs off.
10. Opener has five hearts and responder employs Exclusion Redwood (usually a jump to the five level, except in spades). Opener shows the third step and responder bids the grand.
11. Opener has five spades and now it gets tricky. Responder cannot use Exclusion if 5 is Super Gerber! Perhaps responder wanted to check for a 4-4 heart fit. Nevertheless, opener must respond to Super Gerber. Had responder bid 5 or 5 over 3, it would have been Exclusion. Opener responds 5, showing three aces. Not enough. Responder wants to sign off in 5NT so he bids 5. Opener correctly rebids 5NT. (see advanced notes on criss-cross)
12. Responder has 5 spades and also long clubs. This is the only way he can show both suits. Opener signs off in 4NT.
13. Opener has more than 19-21 balanced, so opens 2. Responder has some values and bids 2. Responder shows a balanced strong hand and responder uses Puppet Stayman. Opener has no four or 5-card major and nothing more to offer. Responder makes a move for slam if opener is at the top of his bid.
14. Responder has some values and makes a mild slam try with his 6-card suit.
15. With a weak hand and a long spade suit, responder uses the Texas Transfer.
16. Responder has a long minor and opener relays. Responder bids diamonds, showing clubs. Opener has no interest. If he were interested, a bid in the next suit () would have been Keycard in clubs.
17. Opener has five spades. What is the 4NT bid by responder? (see advanced notes on criss-cross).
18. Responder is making a quantitative try for slam. This is clearly not Key Card since responder could have used Texas and followed up with Key Card Blackwood.
19. 4 is ProGerber.
20. Responder was checking for a 5-3 major fit and used a quantitative bid when he received the unwanted response.

These sequences are probably the most awkward part of bidding. Jacoby Transfers, Texas Transfers and Puppet Stayman should probably be mastered first. Then learn the ace-asking bids and experiment with them. Opening one point light in first and second seat (either 1NT or 2NT) will probably double the frequency of opening NT bids you can make. A sound understanding of the NT complex will win you IMPs and knockout matches and increase your average matchpoint scores.

Summary of the NT complex
1NT in 1st and 2nd seat = 14-16 HCP
1NT in 3rd and 4th seat = 15-17 HCP
Non-forcing Stayman; except 1NT - 2 - (2, 2) - 2 = invitational
Drop Dead Stayman
Forcing Smolen
ProGerber
Jacoby Transfers; subsequent bid of 4NT = quantitative
Texas Transfers; subsequent bid of 4NT = Key Card Blackwood
1NT - 3 of a minor = invitational
1NT - 3 of a major=shortness
Minor Suit Stayman
1NT - 2NT = relay to 3 Subsequent bids show 4-4-4-1 patterns with shortness in the bid suit.
Redwood for the minors

2NT in 1st and 2nd seat = 19-21
2NT in 3rd and 4th seat = 20-21
Puppet Stayman
Jacoby and Texas Transfers
3 is relay to 3NT, subsequent bid by responder shows other minor.
Redwood for the minors

Advanced notes (optional)
When the auction goes 2NT - 3 - 3
3NT = signoff
4 = clubs
4 = diamonds
4 = Key Card in spades (criss-cross Key Card)
4 = signoff
4NT=quantitative
5 = Super ProGerber
5 = Exclusion Key Card
5 = Exclusion Key Card
5 = Exclusion Key Card (excluding clubs)

When the auction goes 2NT - 3 - 3
3 = Exclusion Key Card
3NT = signoff
4 = clubs
4 = diamonds
4 = signoff
4 = Key Card in hearts (criss-cross Key Card)
4NT = quantitative
5 = Super ProGerber
5 = Exclusion Key Card
5 = Exclusion Key Card (excluding clubs)

The Major Suit Complex

When in doubt about opening a hand one of a major in first or second seat, the key question to ask yourself is "Do I have a rebid?" Holding AKxxx Ax xxx xxx in first or second seat, we open 1. Should partner respond 2, 2 or 2 we could comfortably rebid 2. This does not guarantee six spades, and if partner now rebids his suit, we can pass. In our way of playing 2 over 1 game force, there is an exception. It doesn’t come up much, but when both opener and responder has each rebid their suit, the 2 over 1 game force is canceled. Remember that when your partner makes a 2 over 1 response to your opening bid, if he does not subsequently rebid that suit you are then in a game forcing auction.

In first or second seat, what do you open?

	1.	AKQxx	Kxx	xx	xxx
	2.	Kxxxx	Ax	Kxx	Jxx
	3.	AQxxx	xx	AJx	xxx
	4.	QJ109x	KJ	QJ10	QJ10
	5.	Jxxxx	AQx	xx	Axx
	6.	AKQJx	x	xxxx	xxx
	7.	xx	AKxxx	KJxx	xx
	8.	Kxxxx	Ax	Axxx	xx

1. Open 1, intending to rebid 2 over 2 or 2. Raise 2 to three-do not jump to four. We do not play fast arrival in the common way, to simply announce a minimum. We use it to show specific hand types, trump length, or in some cases , suit quality. More about this later.
2. Pass.
3. Open 1. Over 2 or 2 rebid spades. Raise 2 to three.
4. Open 1NT.
5. Pass.
6. Open 2 weak.
7. Open 1. There are no rebid problems.
8. Pass.

 

Supporting partner’s opening bid in a major

Bergen raises have lots of virtues. The convention is based on powerful ideas about trump fits and trick-taking potential, and a sound understanding of these concepts is essential to survival in modern competitive bidding. The problem is that it’s often played in combination with a strong major raise: 2NT. Experts play a 2NT response to a 1 of a suit opening as natural and forcing, usually showing a balanced hand with 12 to 14+ HCP (and possibly a very strong 18+ as well). They are nearly unanimous in refusing to abandon this response to other meanings. They generally like 3NT to show a balanced 15-17. Many pros now play a modified system we’ll call Bergenstyle raises. This structure combines the best features of both conventions, and among other improvements it frees up the direct, natural 2NT response to a major suit opening.

Remember SML
S=strong
M=mixed
L=limit

These three raises show 4-card support for partner’s one of a major opening. When you share a nine-card fit, game very often requires significantly less in values than 8-card fits demand. This is particularly true when you have a secondary suit fit too. Strong raises are game forcing and initiate an asking sequence, just as Jacoby 2NT does. The strong raise is the cheapest jump shift response. After an opening bid of 1, 2* is the strong, artificial asking bid. A 2NT* rebid by opener shows a balanced minimum, 12-15- HCP, and denies a singleton or void. A rebid of 3*, 3*, or 3* shows a singleton or void in the suit. 3NT* shows a great 15 HCP or more, and a balanced hand. Rebidding 4* of a minor announces a good secondary 5-card suit that will be a source of tricks. A 4* rebid promises a six or 7-card suit with nothing extra. Similarly, after an opening bid of 1, 3* is the strong spade raise. Rebids of 3* and 3* show singletons or voids; 3NT* is shortness in clubs. All bids on the four level announce a natural, good 5-card suit. 3* shows a balanced hand, unlimited but possibly minimum, and specifically denies a sixth spade. 4* promises 6+.

A mixed raise is a 4-piece trump raise just under a limit raise in strength, about 7-9 points. It’s the next suit after the cheapest jump shift. 1-3* is a mixed heart raise and 1-3* is a mixed spade raise. If opener bids the "gap" (the suit in between, under trump) he is asking whether partner is on top or bottom of his bid. 1-3*-3*-4 means responder holds a maximum mixed raise with hard cards.

A limit raise is the familiar 4-piece trump raise, inviting game if partner has better than a minimum 11-12 point hand. It is shown by bidding the second suit after the cheapest jump shift. 1-3* is a 4-piece limit raise in hearts, and 1-3* is a 4-piece spade raise.

Bergenstyle raises after a 1 opening in 1st or 2nd seat

	1 - 2*	strong: Jacoby-like responses
	1 - 3*	mixed: opener bids the gap to invite
	1 - 3*	limit

Bergenstyle raises after a 1 opening in 1st or 2nd seat

	1 - 3*	strong: Jacoby-like responses
	1 - 3*	mixed: opener bids the gap to invite
	1 - 3*	limit

A double raise of an opening bid of one of a major–1-3* or 1-3*–shows 4-card support, less than 7 HCP and is intended to be preëmptive. An immediate raise to game is much like the old-fashioned Goren bid, usually promising 5 trumps, side shortness and weakness. We do not make these bids blindly, however, just because we have 4 or 5-card trump support. It’s true that with nine and especially ten-card trump fits, games can be on with fewer values than are needed with lesser fits, and sacrifices can be very profitable. But it is important to use your head here. Particularly at unfavorable vulnerability, caution is king. Be sure you have some tricks.

What do the following auctions mean?

	1.	1 - 3 - 3 - p
	2.	1 - 3 - 3 - 3 - p
	3.	1 - 2 - 3NT - 4 - 4 - p
	4.	1 - 3 - p
	5.	1 - 4 - p
	6.	1 - 3 - 4
	7.	1 - 3 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 6 - p
	8.	1 - 2 - 3 - 3NT - 4
	9.	1 - 2 - 4 - p
	10.	1 - 2NT - 3NT - 4

1. Opener has something like AKxxx Ax xxx xxx and responder has a 4-piece limit raise in spades. Opener has minimum values for his opening bid and signs-off. Responder holds Jxxx Kxx xxx AQx.
2. Responder has a mixed raise in spades, something like Qxxx Ax xxx xxxx. When opener bids the "gap," it simply asks if responder is on top of her bid. She’s minimum and signs off in 3.
3. 2 is a game force, and opener has no singleton or void. He has the option of bidding 2NT with nothing more to offer, so 3NT indicates a balanced 15-17 or more. Responder cues 4, which emphasizes club losers since he skipped the suit. Opener has no second round control there and signs off in game.
4. With Kx Jxxx xxxxx xx, responder wishes to preëmpt the opponent’s auction with a weak heart raise. She simply bids 3. This may blockade the opponents from finding their 9-card spade or club fit. Opener passes and hopes to make it.
5. Responder has Jxxxx xx Axx xxx, a standard Goren raise to 4. It’s very nice when you have an ace for partner with this bid.
6. 3 is a mixed raise in spades. Opener has a good 16-17 point hand and directly bids game. He is not interested in a slam.
7. Responder has a mixed raise in hearts and opener bids the "gap" to find out if he is on top of his bid. Responder jumps to game with his maximum and opener cues clubs, hoping to hear a diamond cue from partner. Partner duly bids diamonds, so opener bids the slam. For example, A AKxxxx xx AQJ10 opposite xxxx Qxxx AQ xxx.
8. Responder is making a strong raise of heart and opener shows spade shortness. The 3NT bid is known as the "non-serious" 3NT. Since the partnership cannot possibly want to play 3NT, this bid is just marking time in an attempt to elicit more information, in this case asking partner to cue bid. Opener cannot cue either clubs or diamonds, and it turns out the four level is high enough.
9. Opener has minimum values with six or seven hearts.
10. Responder has a balanced hand with 12-15- high card points, and may have 3 trumps for partner. Opener raises this forcing bid and responder corrects to 4, showing a balanced hand with 3 trumps.

Major suit responses with 3 trumps
The auction that goes 1-2* probably should be alerted, since responder generally has precisely 3-card trump support. There are exceptions. Faced with unfavorable vulnerability, responder may not wish to employ a preëmptive raise. The risk is too great of going for 500 against a non-vulnerable game. So she exercises discretion and gives a single raise. The single raise generally shows 6-10 points, on some hands a bad 11. With invitational raises of 10-12 and 3-card support we generally take the scenic route, through the forcing 1NT. Respond 1NT to 1 with Axx Ax Kxxxx xxx. Then you can jump raise spades over any 2 level rebid. With bigger hands we temporize with a 2 over 1 bid followed by a "delayed raise," which is game forcing. With 3-card support and an excellent 4 or 5 points we use the forcing 1NT and then raise, or pass if partner rebids his suit: Axx xx xx xxxxxx.

Partner opens 1 in first seat, with unfavorable vulnerability. How should we respond?

	1.	Ax	Qxx	xxxx	xxxx
	2.	Axxx	Qxx	xx	xxxx
	3.	QJx	xxx	QJx	QJxx
	4.	Axx	Jxx	AKQ	xxxx
	5.	Ax	Jxxx	xxxx	xxx
	6.	Ax	Axx	Kxxxx	xxx
	7.	Axxxx	Axx	Kx	xxx
	8.	KJx	Qxx	KJx	KQxx
	9.	A	Kxx	Kxxx	Qxxxx
	10.	KQ10	QJx	K10x	A10xx

1. Raise to 2.
2. Show the fit with this one bid hand. Raise to 2.
3. 2.
4. Try 2 (many would bid 2).
5. Raise to 2. The preemptive jump raise is too risky.
6. Start with a forcing 1NT. At your next opportunity jump to 3.
7. It’s OK to bid 1.
8. 2NT.
9. Start with a forcing 1NT, then rebid hearts on the three level.
10. Bid 3NT. Nine tricks are usually easier to win than ten with a flat hand.

When the opponents double partner’s major opening
Their take-out doubles can be very helpful! All Bergenstyle raises are on: strong, mixed, limit and preëmptive raises are the same. And their intervention provides subtle new colors to paint on our raises. Here’s how.
Transfer bids are on beginning with 1NT*, through a raise of the major:

	1NT*	transfers to
	2	transfers to
	2	transfers to
	2	transfers to (if partner opened 1)

Two kinds of 3-card raises are better than just one. Suppose partner opens 1, and you have a bad raise with three trumps and about 5 or 6 points. Bid 2* over their take-out double. But with a good 6-9 HCP you can transfer to hearts by bidding 2*. You now have two distinct single raises. Or, you are dealt Axx x xx J1098xxx. You can bid 1NT*, which is a transfer to clubs. Then pass. You are out of the woods and have warned partner not to rebid a mediocre 6-card suit. If your suit were diamonds you’d transfer with 2*, and partner would rebid 2*.

Sometimes we open hearts and they double. It looks to responder as if they probably own the spade suit. With xx Jxx AQJx xxxx, she definitely wants a diamond lead, so she transfers with 2*. If we can’t buy the contract, at least we can get off to a good lead.

After a take-out double, we like to use 2NT* for a limit raise with exactly 3 pieces and side shortness somewhere. With no side shortness the redouble is usually best.

Before long matches, I think it’s proper to give the opponents a courteous pre-alert of our transfers over their takeout doubles of a major. Bergenstyle raises and transfer bids are on only in response to first and second seat major suit opening bids. This style of bidding is played by Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell. Many other top American experts, including Mark Lair, Eddie Wold, and Fred Hamilton use this treatment as well.

Partner opens 1 in 1st seat and RHO doubles. Your call?

	1.	Ax	Kxx	xxxx	xxxx
	2.	A	xxxx	xxxx	xxxx
	3.	A	xxxxx	xxxxx	xx
	4.	Jxx	Kxxx	xxx	xxx
	5.	Ax	xxx	Qxxx	xxxx
	6.	Ax	Axxx	xxxx	xxx
	7.	x	Axx	Axxxx	QJxx
	8.	xx	x	QJ9xxxx	xxx
	9.	xx	xxx	xxxx	AKQx
	10.	x	AKxx	KQxxxx	xx

Partner opens 1 in 1st seat and RHO doubles. Your call

	A.	Axx	x	xxxxx	Qxxx
	B.	Axxx	void	xxxxxx	xxx
	C.	xxx	AQJx	xxxx	xx
	D.	xxx	xxx	AJ10	xxxx
	E.	Axx	x	Axxxx	Qxxx
	F.	Kxxx	x	xxxx	xxxx
	G.	Axxx	xx	AQJ10x	Kx
	H.	x	QJ10xxxx	xxxx	x
	I.	xx	xx	QJ10xxx	xxx
	J.	xx	AJ10x	Axxx	Kxx

1. 2 to show a good raise.
2. 3 seems right–no doubt a spade bid is imminent. A jump to 4 creates a problem for you when the opponents bid 4 and partner passes.
3. Something more imaginative than 4 may be in order, but we’ll settle here for the mundane bid.
4. 2 is the perfect bid. 4-3-3-3 is always a yellow light.
5. The 2 transfer is appropriate for this hand.
6. The perfect mixed raise–3.
7. We might eagerly hope to defend 2 doubled, but game our way seems pretty likely. I’m starting with 2NT and then insisting on game. I’d like four trumps to bid 2.
8. I’ll transfer to diamonds by bidding 2.
9. I’ll transfer to clubs for the lead, and then support partner. Bid 1NT.
10. Slam is possible–start with 2.

A. This is a good raise, so I bid 2.
B. I’ll jump to 4. With a void, I like to bid one more.
C. I’m going to bid 2, because I prefer a heart lead if we have to defend against a minor partial.
D. Just raise spades. You’re not strong enough to do anything else.
E. 2NT seems just right. A 3-piece limit raise with shortness. With a balanced 3-piece raise, opt for the redouble with 10+ points.
F. Preempt to the 3-level with 3.
G. Start with 3.
H. Bid 2 to transfer to hearts.
I. 2.
J. Redouble. We expect to make 3NT but can also beat them at least 3 tricks. Seriously consider defending when you have overall strength combined with shortness in partner’s suit.

Special pro auctions
Tough-to-describe hands: responder
When partner opens one of a major in 1st or 2nd seat, standard bidding leaves us few options when 1) we can neither raise immediately and 2) we don’t hold the sound opening values sufficient for a 2 over 1 response. Even with the forcing 1NT catchall it’s often tough for both players to adequately define their hands at a low level. Let’s take a look at some very useful bids to help you describe hands that come up a lot, beginning with some basics:

• In the "impossible" auctions 1-1NT-2-2* and 1-1NT-2-2,* responder promises 5-card minor support and 10+ points. A good minor raise.
• To go with a minimum 5+-9- HCP, we generally expect partner to have six hearts for the auction 1-1NT-2/2-2.
• 1-1NT-2/2-3* promises a nearly 2/1 hand with 6 or 7 hearts (x QJ109xxx Kxx Kx).

Here’s a wonderful gadget pros use to show a variety of other hand types precisely and at a low level after a 1 opening: it begins 1-1NT-2-2*. This gadget kick into operation when these bids occur exactly in this order. At this point, if she has doubleton heart honor or better, opener proceeds on the assumption that responder has a 5-card heart suit, and rebids 2*. (Otherwise she just rebids the spade suit.) Over 2* in the sequence 1-p-1NT-p-2-p-2*-2*, responder’s action will describe one of the following hands:

	Pass*	5 hearts, 0-1 spades, 6-9 HCP	x	KQ10xx	Jxxx	xxx
	2*	doubleton spade honor, 10-11	Qx	KQxx	Kxxx	Jxx
	2NT*	4 clubs, 11 HCP	K	KQxx	xxxx	Kxxx
	3*	5 clubs, 11 HCP	Ax	xxx	Axx	QJxxx
	3*	6+ diamonds, 116+	Qx	Axx	Qxxxxx	Kx
	3*	good 5-card heart suit, 11-12	x	KQJ10x	KQxx	xxx

*Note: 1-1NT-2-3* is for play. 6+ diamonds and less than 11 HCP: x Ax Jxxxxxx Qxx.

Use your bidding judgment. Most of these 10-11 HCP bids are flexible. Find the one that most closely fits your hand and use it.

Special auctions by opener
When opener rebids 2NT to partner’s forcing 1NT, it shows a balanced type hand with 18-19 HCP. Opener could have a bad 6-card suit with a 6-3-2-2 distribution, or a bad 4-card secondary suit with a 5-4-2-2 distribution, but most of the time it’s some variety of 5-3-3-2. Other distributions are rare. Many pros play that 1-1NT-2NT is forcing, and transfer bids are on. I highly recommend this. So what’s this: 1-1NT-2NT-3*? A trick question! Responder is 5-5 in the minors, with good values. A pro bid that will come in handy, if you can remember it!

So with as much as 17 HCP opener must take his best shot in a suit at the two level, quite often by rebidding a 3-card minor. Holding 16-18 and a 6-card major, opener can invite game with a jump to the three level: 1-1NT-3.

Special pro auctions available to opener are 1-1NT-3 and 1-1NT-3*. Both guarantee about 18 HCP. In the first auction opener promises 5 hearts. The second auction relays to 3*. If opener has 4 hearts, he was making an artificial call and rebids 3. If he is bidding clubs naturally he can bid anything other than 3 to show his strong hand. In a related auction, 1-1NT-3*-3*-3, opener is showing excellent black suit values with strong interest in 3NT if responder can help out in the red suits.

What do these auctions mean when opener is in 1st or 2nd seat?

	1.	1 - 1NT - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 3NT
	2.	1 - 1NT - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3NT
	3.	1 - 1NT - 2NT - 3 - 4 - 6
	4.	1 - 1NT - 2NT - 3 - 4 - 4 - 5
	5.	1 - 1NT - 3 - 4
	6.	1 - 1NT - 2NT - 3
	7.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3
	8.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2
	9.	1 - 1NT - 3 - 3 - 3
	10.	1 - 2 - 2 - 3

Based on these auctions, describe responder’s hands:

	A.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2
	B.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2
	C.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2NT - 3
	D.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2
	E.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 - 4
	F.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 3
	G.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 3
	H.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2
	I.	1 - 2NT
	J.	1 - 3NT

1. Opener has a balanced 18-19 HCP, and usually 5 spades. Responder has enough values to respond with a long diamond suit - his 3 bid is a transfer to diamonds. The 3NT rebid notifies opener that this is where his values and length are. Partner sits but has the option to bid many things, including 5.
2. Opener has 18-19 with spades and is balanced. Responder has 5 hearts (3 transfer) and probably a doubleton spade honor for his 3 bid. Make sense?
3. This is a real-world hand, played against Mark Lair’s team in the semi-finals at Jekyl Island in ’95. Partner Fred Hamilton held Kxxxx AKx Ax Axx opposite my xx Qxxxxxx KQxx void. 6 by the strong hand was a great contract.
4. Another actual hand. Responder had long clubs and a doubleton spade honor. Partner opted for the club game since he had a bad spade holding. Remember that 3 here is a transfer to clubs.
5. What does responder do when he was intending to jump in partner’s suit with a balanced 10-12 HCP and three trumps, and partner jumps to show 6+ trumps and 16-18 high cards? He bids the stronger minor to convey the message. 4 is forcing and shows better clubs with 10-12 points and 3 trumps.
6. A special auction. Responder is at least 5-5 in the minors with good values.
7. Responder has 10-12 points and 5+clubs. Opener stops in three.
8. Responder wants to play hearts, holding 6+ of the suit and less than 10-12 points. Should opener hold Axxxx AKx x AQxx, he knows he’s got a powerhouse and can jump to game.
9. Opener is shy of a 2 opener and has precisely 4 hearts. Rebidding 3 in the pro system shows at least 5 hearts. Therefore, opener rebids 3, which may be artificial. This relays to 3, allowing opener to show a 4-card heart suit. Bidding something other than hearts indicates spades and clubs.
10. This auction is non-forcing. The hands might look like this: AKJ10x Axx xxx xx opposite x KQx xx KQxxxxx.

A. Responder could have xx KJ109x Kxxx xx. He was able to capitalize on the system and get to a good 5-2 heart fit for a plus score. Without the gadget he has to rebid 2 over 2, since he doesn’t have a sixth heart.
B. Responder could have the same hand as in A, but he had the luxury of consulting partner in a joint decision on where to play. Now, since opener doesn’t have as much as Qx, spades is the spot.
C. Responder has 4 clubs and about 11 points. He does not have five hearts but must begin the "gadget" as if he did. Opener has something like AKJxx Qx xx Kxxx. He must first accept hearts, then subsequently opt for the 4-4 club partial. 3 says, Stop.
D. Responder has minimum values with a doubleton spade–and fewer than 5 hearts. Had he a good 10-11 point hand with a doubleton spade, he would first go through the "gadget" and then rebid 2.
E. Opener’s hand looks something like this: Axxxx AKx x AJxx. He sees the value of his hard cards opposite x Qxxxx Axxx Qxx. No guarantees–but I’d like his chances. And what if responder doesn’t have hearts at all, but diamonds? She’d bid 3NT.
F. Responder has a near 2/1 hand with 6+ hearts.
G. Responder is minimum: x Axx xxxx QJxxx, nothing extra. Otherwise, responder would have used the gadget. Passing 2 makes it easy for opponents to find their red-suit fit. At times you could be abusing the "law," but in the long run, 3 is superior to passing.
H. The gadget is not available in this sequence and responder feels this is the right spot.
I. An old-fashioned Goren type bid the pros still like, generally 12-14+ HCP. Could have 3 trumps. Absolutely forcing.
J. Same sort of bid with about 15-17. With 18-19 try 2NT first then raise past game, i.e., 1-2NT-3NT-4NT or 1-2NT-4-4NT/5.

In practice, the gadget does not come up that often, so some openers will increase their opportunities to use it by rebidding 2 when they’d normally rebid 2. For example, with Axxxx Axx Jxx Ax. After opening 1 and hearing partner bid 1NT, it’s clear that a potential heart fit would work out well. So they lie and rebid 2, hoping partner rebids 2. Members of the "liars club" have close to a 65% success rate, but be prepared to declare 2 opposite x xxxx xxxx KQJx, and be prepared for a raise as in G. Good luck.

Game tries
The easiest part of the pro system is game tries. Such auctions as 1-2 or 1-2 can be followed up with an all-purpose game try of 2NT*. This simply asks, How many trumps and how do you like your hand? 95% of the time, responder to a 1st or 2nd seat opening has 3 trumps, but sometimes 3rd or 4th seat will have opened a 4-card major. Here are the responses for either major:

	3*	3 trumps minimum values
	3*	3 trumps maximum values (A,K
	3*	4 trumps minimum values
	3*	4 trumps maximum values (A,K)

Another opportunity for the 2NT game try is when partner overcalls 1 and you raise. Partner rebids 2NT*, and advancer responds as outlined above
The maximal double is another type of game try. This operates when the opponents own the suit directly below yours. In the auction 1-(2)-2, to try for game opener would bid any suit below spades–a rebid of 3 is always competitive and implies 6 trumps. But when advancer has raised, as in 1-(2)-2-(3), the enemy has cramped your invitational style. Therefore, when no suit is available in which to invite, a double stands in for an invitation.
Bidding a new suit after an auction such as 1-2-3 is forcing and tends to be natural–opener may want to hear a diamond or heart bid from you, or a simple jump to 4. We do not use help suit game tries.

Reverse Drury after 3rd or 4th seat major openings
Reverse Drury is the choice of most pros after partner has opened one of a major in 3rd or 4th seat. (They generally prefer to leave 2 free as a natural bid, so 2-way Drury to show 3 and 4-card limit raises is not commonly used.) The system is off in interference, except for the following auction: p-(p)-1-(1). In this auction a bid of 2* would begin a Reverse Drury sequence. Opener’s job is simple–he rebids his major with a weak hand or bids 2* with a full opener (or 2NT* to start a Jacoby-like asking sequence).

A special auction caters to the following hand: AKJx Jxxxxx xx x. Opener in 3rd or 4th seat has the luxury of opening 1. Responder starts with 2* and opener may now bid 2*. This shows weakness and equal or longer hearts. Responder must always pass 2 with equal length in the majors. We tend to believe that 1 of a major in 3rd or 4th seat followed by a rebid of 3 should be natural: good clubs and a full opening bid.

Don’t open a 4-card major in 3rd or 4th seat when you hold full opening values. Properly used these bids are prëemptive, and tend to be lead-directing as well.

Explain what these auctions mean. Bids in parentheses are the opponents’. If there are no parentheses, opponents are passing throughout.

	1.	(1) - 1 - (X ) - 2 - (p) - 2NT - (p) - 3
	2.	1 - 2 - 3
	3.	1 - 2 - 2NT
	4.	1 - (1) - 2 - (2) - 3 - (p) - p - (3) - X
	5.	1 - (2) - 2 - (3) - X
	6.	1 - 2 - 3 - 4
	7.	1 - 3 - 3 - 3
	8.	1 - (p) - 2 - (3) - X
	9.	p - 1 - 2
	10.	(1) - 1 - (2) - 2 - (p) - 2NT - (p) - 3

	A.	p - 1 - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 3NT
	B.	p - 1 - 2 - 2 - 3
	C.	p - 1 - 2 - 2
	D.	p - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2NT
	E.	p - (p) - 1 - (1NT) - 2
	F.	1 - (2) - 2 - (3)3 - (p) - 4 - (p) - 4
	G.	1 - (2) - 3 - (3) - X - (p)
	H.	p - 1 - 2 - p

1. You and partner overcall and raise spades. Overcaller now bids 2NT, which is conventional. The raiser with 4 trumps and good values bids 3 to show this hand. Overcaller can even try for slam if he wishes, but game is a sure thing.
2. 3 is a game try. Responder must go on the assumption that it is natural and bid accordingly. The weakest rebid would be a rebid of the heart suit.
3. This is conventional, and responder must bid according to his trump length and values.
4. Opener has a 6-card heart suit with no game interest but good controls. If lacking defensive values, partner can certainly pull this double .
5. This double indicates that opener wishes to get to game in hearts. Maximal doubles are cooperative. Opener has no "room" to invite a heart game so must double. If opener had rebid 3 instead, this would have been competitive, showing 6 hearts.
6. In this sequence the 3 bid is natural and forcing. With no heart support but good values for his raise, responder would jump to 4. Opener holds AKQxx AKxx Qx xx opposite responder’s Jxx Jxxx Axxxx x.
7 The 3 bid is a mixed raise in spades. The only bid available to invite game is 3 (Do you have hard cards, partner?). With Axxx Qxxx Qxx xx, responder signs off in the partial.
8. When I was playing with Geoff Hampson in a Houston knock-out, this auction woke up both of us. Is the double penalty or maximal? Well, the top players seem to be split on this one. For simplicity sake we treated this bid as maximal and therefore invitational in spades.
9. What should responder have for the 2 bid? Something like x Axxx KQxxxx xx.
10. Here, 2NT is conventional. The 3 bid shows a maximum response with four trumps.

A. 3rd or 4th seat opener has a big heart hand with known support from partner. The 2NT bid takes on a Jacoby effect. 3 shows diamond shortness and the subsequent bid of 3NT shows good trump support. Now opener can cue further, launch Key Card Blackwood, or stop in game.
B. Responder has Axxxx xx Axxxx x, and makes one more try with 3.
C. Opener has equal or longer hearts: KQJx Qxxxx xx xx.
D 2NT is natural, showing something like Jxx K1098 KJ10 QJx.
E. The 2 bid is natural, or possibly some other conventional bid. It’s not Reverse Drury.
F. There was only one bid available to invite the spade game, and that was 3. It could be natural. Responder bids 4 in case it was natural. Opener corrects.
G. This is an action double. It could be maximal, or show plenty of high cards.
H. Protected by Reverse Drury, partner opened 1 with xxx xx xx KQ10xxx! Very wicked.

Other game forcing auctions
Besides the strong Bergenstyle raises, the other typical game force sequences begin with 2/1 responses or splinter bids. One of a major followed by a 4NT response is basic Blackwood, just inquiring about aces. One of a major followed by five of a minor is natural, to play. Before using Key Card Blackwood or Exclusion Blackwood, always make sure first to lay a foundation of suit agreement with a fit-showing bid.

This is one of the most difficult hands to bid with standard methods: specifically 5-4-2-2 and a good 15-17 HCP–ususally the partnership either gets to the wrong suit, or too high, or both–or not high enough. Holding AKxxx KJxx Ax Jx, you open 1 and partner responds 2. If you had a singleton in a minor you could splinter to the four level, but that won’t do here. We recommend a jump to 4*. One bid tells the whole story, and it’s not fast arrival–you’re 5-4-2-2 with extra values. With AKxxx Axx Axx xx, we simply raise to 3. Should partner cue diamonds we sign off (partner could be cueing KQxx). If partner cues clubs we cue diamonds. If partner supports spades we might bid 4. Should partner bid 3NT we stop in 4.

Another bid which might seem foreign is 1-3*-4*. In standard Jacoby 2NT, a subsequent jump to game by opener shows nothing except "no extra values." But we promise a sixth spade; we may or may not have minimum values. A rebid of 3* denies the sixth spade and is unlimited. 1-3*-3*-3NT-4 shows minimum values. The 3NT bid is not "serious" but rather prompts opener to cue bid below game level.

A jump rebid after a 2/1 response shows a solid 6-card + suit. The auctions 1-2-3* or 1-2-3 each promise a 6-card + major, with all of the top 3 honors. With a broken 6-card + suit, we rebid 4.

Cue Bidding
The art of cue bidding takes a lot of practice in partnerships. Whenever opener can clear up the issue of trump quality below game, slam bidding is streamlined - and sometimes slam avoiding. Below game, the nagging question is often: Partner, can you launch Key Card Blackwood? Is the only issue the number of key cards we hold? Generally, cue bids below game may just show "pieces," such as KQx or KJx, holdings that will forbid the enemy to abscond with the first two tricks in the suit. Above game, cue bids pinpoint specific first-round controls: bid aces and voids only, up the line, with stress on skipped suits. Sometimes a player initiates a cue bid simply to entice a response of useful pieces. Holding AKxxx xx xx KQxx you open 1 and partner responds 3. Your rebid of 3 tells partner a lot: you have no singleton, no good secondary 5-card suit, and only 5 spades. Partner now bids 3NT to entice you to cue. You obey with 4 - that you don’t have the ace of clubs is not vital at this time since partner can subsequently Blackwood in spades. Partner’s hand is Qxxx x AKx AJxxx. He can now Key Card in spades, knowing that you have club "pieces." Note how much space a rebid of 4 immediately wastes, as dictated in the Jacoby 2NT convention! In addition, note how wise partner was not to splinter with this hand! Responder wishes to elicit information from opener in preference to "giving" information. Holding Qxxx AQxx x AJxx, I might opt for a splinter bid of 4.

Popularized by Mary and Max Hardy, the use of 4* as Key Card Blackwood when hearts have been agreed as trump is very handy. Many slams are lost or overbid in strong auctions where hearts is the suit agreed and the answer to 4NT Key Card is 5. That one more step allows you to ask about the queen at a safe level, clarifying most ambiguous trump situations. So if 4* is Key Card in hearts, what is 4NT? It’s a spade cue bid, or Exclusion Blackwood in spades. We play that it’s Exclusion.

What do these auctions mean:

	1.	1 - 4
	2.	1 - 4
	3.	1 - 3 - 4
	4.	1 - 5
	5.	1 - 3 - 3 - 5
	6.	1 - 2 - 4
	7.	1 - 2 - 4
	8.	1 - 2 - 4
	9.	1 - 3 - 3NT
	10.	1 - 3 - 4

Decide not only what these auctions mean, but also the strength of each hand:

	A.	1 - 3 - 3 - 3NT - 4 - 4
	B.	1 - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 5
	C.	1 - 2 - 4 - 4
	D.	1 - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 5 - 5
	E.	P-1 - 2 - 2NT - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 6
	F.	1 - 4NT - 5 - 5
	G.	1 - 3 - 3 - 3NT - 4 - 4
	H.	1 - 3 - 3NT - 4 - 4NT - 5 - 6
	I.	1 - 3 - 3 - 3NT - 4
	J.	1 - 3 - 3 - 5 - 5 - 7

1. This is a straightforward splinter bid in support of spades. Often responder will have to decide between a splinter and a strong raise.
2. Not a splinter (3), not Key Card Blackwood (no suit agreement). I want to play 4!
3. Splinter, followed by Key Card Blackwood in hearts.
4. Not High Gerber, not Exclusion in clubs, but to play!
5. Opener has no singleton or secondary suit and rebids 3 to mark time. 5 is Key Card Blackwood, excluding the diamond ace.
6. Opener has 4-card heart support and diamond shortness. Opener probably has minimum to mediocre values. With a strong hand, this bid would have been somewhat superfluous. Since a game force is operating, opener would just raise hearts.
7. Remember? This shows 5-4-2-2 distribution with about 16 HCP.
8. Opener may have Ax Axxxxx Ax xxx. He must have at least a sixth heart for this bid (or 2-7-2-2), with no singleton and minimum values.
9. Opener is showing a singleton club.
10. Opener has 5 clubs and prefers to show them rather than his singleton.

A. Opener’s 3 bid simply marks time. He could be minimum. Responder’s 3NT implies good trump support and/or is initiating a cue bidding sequence of meaningful pieces; he may not have any 1st round control. This dialogue is used to cautiously explore the slam possibility at a low level, a much better approach than a precipitous leap into Key Card Blackwood. It appears that their club control is inadequate so the partnership signs off.
B. The problem here is the heart suit. If opener can stop the first or second round of hearts he should bid slam.
C. Opener’s distribution is probably 5-4-3-1. Responder isn’t interested.
D. Opener has a big hand, two-suited in hearts and clubs. Responder has a balanced 12-14+ HCP and probably three hearts. Opener cue bids 4, but responder already told the whole story. Opener tries Key Card (4) and gets an undesirable response.
E. Here opener is in 3rd or 4th seat, and responder uses Reverse Drury. Opener has a big hand and bids 2NT, which is Jacoby. Responder has 5+ clubs and opener Key Cards. Getting the desired response, he bids the slam.
F. Responder has x AKxxxxxxxx x x. This hand came up at the Pasadena Summer Nationals in 1992. 4NT is old-fashioned Blackwood and 5 is a sign-off.
G. Responder has a limit raise. Opener accepts and cues. Responder has good trumps (3NT). 4 is a cue, but slam eludes them because of bad clubs.
H. Here, responder has a limit raise and opener entices a cue with 3NT. 4 strikes a chord and they’re off to slam.
I. Opener has an absolute minimum. A typical "fast arrival."
J. Opener marks time with 3 and responder blasts off with Exclusion Blackwood. A grand slam is lay-down.

Minor suit openings
Now and then you do have to open one of a minor. Sometimes the issue is which one. We open 1 in first and second seat with longer clubs, or with a balanced 3-3 in the minors. An exception to this rule is a hand with 1-3-4-5 distribution, a bad club suit and insufficient strength for a reverse. What would our rebid be if we opened 1 on x Axx AKJx Jxxxx and partner responded 1? Open these hands 1. In first or second seat with 4-4 in the minors, open 1. End of discussion. In 3rd or 4th seat, you should generally open the minor you want partner to lead.

Responding to partner’s one of a minor
The 10-12 invitational 2NT and 13-15 3NT responses so commonly played today are simply bad! Pros do not use these bids when they have a choice. Respond 1NT with 6-11 HCP and no 4-card major. An exception might be Jxxx KQJ Jxx Jxx: if partner opens one of a minor, respond 1NT. Not so much because you are balanced, but because if you did respond 1, and partner holds Axx and no heart stopper, he will raise you. With 15 HCP, opener will show life over a 1NT response, on the off-chance that responder bid it with 11. And he often has. With a balanced 12-15, respond 2NT. This is forcing and shows a balanced hand with opening values, just like over a major suit opening. Simple, isn’t it? Bid naturally with balanced hands. You can bid 2NT with one or even two 4-card majors. Opener can Stayman if he wishes. It is often quite nice to declare a no trump contract with a hidden 4-card major or two, unknown to the defense.

Responding to Stayman (1/1-2NT-3*)

	3*	denies 4-card major and shows interest in opener’s minor.
	3	shows 4 hearts. May have 4 spades.
	3	shows 4 spades.
	3NT*	denies major and shows interest in other minor.

Should opener not bid Stayman or raise 2NT to game, subsequent bids show shortness.

1/1-2NT:

	3*	show shortness in the other minor
	3*	shows shortness in hearts
	3*	shows shortness in spades

	1-2NT-3*	opener:	Axx	Axx	KQxxxx	x
	1-2NT-3*	opener:	Axx	x	AJx	KJxxxx
	1-2NT-3*	opener:	x	K10x	KQ10xx	AQxx

Stayman takes priority over shortness. After the auction 1-2NT, holding KJxx x AQ10x Axxx, bid 3 to explore a possible spade fit.

With a balanced 16-17, responder bids 3NT–unlike with 2NT 12-15, there can be no 4-card major here. Show that at the one level, and describe your strength later. With 18+ responder starts with 2NT then bids more: 1-2NT-3NT-4NT or 1-2NT-3*-3-4-5/4NT. With 5-6 distributions and minimum values, x AJxxx AQ10xxx x, opener jumps in his major: 1-2NT-4*. Another special bid is 1-3*. This has the same meaning as Max and Mary Hardy recommend, showing 6+ clubs and 10-11 points: Kx Ax xxx KJ10xxx. Non-forcing.

Suppose partner opens 1 and RHO overcalls 1. Pros play that the negative double here shows 4-4 in the majors, so a bid of a major over their 1 overcall doesn’t guarantee 5 cards in the suit. Should the opponents overcall in a major suit over partner’s minor opening, a bid of the other major should guarantee 5+ and the negative double guarantees 4 of the unbid major.

Inverted minors
Inverted minor raises are not all that wonderful, but we do play them. 1-p-2* or 1-p-2*: When there has been no interference, responder forces with at least 11 points and at least 4-card support. This bid denies a 4-card major. Subsequent 2 level bids become no trump probes; the only non-forcing auctions are 1-2*-2NT-3 and 1-2*-3 (ditto with clubs, of course). Opener’s 2 level rebid of a major after responder’s forcing raise shows a stopper there, and is a probe for a no trump contract. It is generally assumed that responder has the other minor stopped; the focus is on major suit stoppers.

Opener’s jump rebids below 3NT show shortness in the suit: 1-2*-3* promises at least game-going values and a stiff or void in hearts. Any pull from 3NT is "slammy:" 1-2*-2NT-3NT-4. Redwood is available on the 4-level.

Responder’s jump to the 3-level after a minor opening implies distributional meat. Most of the time, when partner opens 1 of a minor he will hold a balanced hand with 12 or 13 HCP, so avoid leaping to three with xx Axx Qxx Qxxxx. Over 1, try 1NT. A better 3-level raise: x Axx Qxx Qxxxxx. Inverted minors are off in competition, including doubles.

Dallas Convention
Mike Passell and Gene Freed have had a perfect record with the "Dallas" convention. After a minor opening, when responder holds a 7-card major headed by the AKQ, with no outside ace or king, he shows this hand by jumping to the 4-level in a minor. Clubs are linked to hearts and diamonds are linked to spades: 1 or 1-4*(hearts)/4*(spades). Should opener bid the "gap"–1-4*-4* - this is asking for a singleton or void. Responder bids it or denies shortness by reverting to his suit - in this case, 4*.

1-4*-4NT* asks for specific queens, which are bid up the line. Any jump to 5 of the major asks for the jack in that major and is forcing to 6 or 7. Dallas, like inverted minors, is off over interference. Redwood is on after the inverted raise of a minor. (Since 1-4* is Dallas, 1-2-4* is Redwood.) A one of a minor opening followed by a jump to 4NT is standard Blackwood. Jumps to game are natural: 1-4 or 1-5.

What do these auctions mean?

	1.	1 - 2 - 2 - 2NT - 3NT
	2.	1 - 2 - 2NT - 3
	3.	1 - 3
	4.	1 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 5
	5.	1 - 1 - 2
	6.	1 - 2 - 3
	7.	1 - 4NT - 5
	8.	1 - 2 - 2 - 4
	9.	1 - 2 - 2NT - 3NT - 4
	10.	1 - 3 - 3 - 3NT

Describe what you know about the player’s hands.

	A.	p - 1
	B.	p - 1 - 2
	C.	p - 1 - 3 - 4
	D.	1 - 4 - 4 - 5 - 6
	E.	p - 1 - 2 - 2NT

You hold x Axx AKxx Qxxxx, and in 1st seat open 1. What is your rebid after partner responds:

	F.	2
	G.	3
	H.	4
	I.	5
	J.	2

1. Opener probably holds a balanced 12-13 HCP and no substance in spades. It is probably better for responder to make the decision to play in no trump. Note that 2NT would be forcing. Opener can get out by rebidding the minor, but instead opts for game. This is her hand: xx KQ10x KJx Axxx.
2. Both hands seem to be reluctant to get to game, so they stop in 3 of a minor. Remember that the minor raise is not game forcing, just forcing to 2NT or 3 of the agreed minor. Opener may have something like Axxx AJxx xxx Ax.
3. Here the limits of the hands have been bid. They probably hold a 9-card diamond fit and the opponent’s major fit may have been lost.
4. Here the 4 bid is Redwood, and responder shows 0 controls (three would be impossible). Opener stops.
5. Opener can have numerous kinds of hands, but responder should suspect in these sequences that opener could have longer clubs. Responder passes holding Axxxx xxx xx Qxx.
6. Opener has at least a game-going hand with a singleton or void in spades. Responder now is forewarned about bidding 3NT–and the opponents know what to lead.
7. 4NT is straight Blackwood. 5 shows 1 ace.
8. 4 is Redwood!
9. 4 is Redwood! Opener has Ax Axx KJx AQxxx.
10. What is the 3 bid? It must initially be interpreted as a genuine try to get to 3NT. Opener always takes responsibility for having "the other minor stopped," therefore the problem is in hearts. Responder should now rebid 3NT with a heart stopper. Should 3NT be pulled to 4, then the spade bid was natural and opener has 5 spades and 5+ clubs (AQ10xx Qxx void AJxxx).

A. Remember that in 3rd or 4th seat, minor openings tend to be lead directing. The rules for 1st and 2nd seat may be ignored. Opener wants a diamond lead with Jxxx Kxx AKx Qxx.
B. This raise is standard (6-10 points), not inverted. Ax xx xxxx Qxxxx.
C. Opener’s 4 is preemptive. The partnership has at least 10 clubs and the opponents have a major suit fit: x Axx xxxx AQJxx.
D. Responder’s hand is AKQxxxx xxx xx x. He shows club shortness after opener bids the "gap". Opener has xx Axx AKQJ xxxx and the 23 point slam can be easily bid. What defeats it?
E. Opener was too strong to open 1NT in 3rd seat so he holds 18-19 points. This is a standard auction holding Axx KQx Axx AQxx.
F. I like 2. 3 (splinter) may work.
G. I’m going to boost diamonds to the 4-level before they find the spade suit on the 3-level.
H. 4 should be the limit of this hand.
I. Pass!
J. Now I splinter with 3.

What do these auctions mean?

	1.	1 - 1NT - 2NT
	2.	1 - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 3NT - 4
	3.	1 - 2NT - 3 - 3NT
	4.	1 - 2NT - 3NT - 4NT
	5.	1 - 2NT - 3 - 4
	6.	1 - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 3NT
	7.	1 - 2NT - 3 - 3NT
	8.	1 - 2NT - 4
	9.	1 - 2NT - 3 - 3 - 4
	10.	1 - 3NT

Soloway-type jump shifts in the majors
We like to use a modified version of Soloway jump shifts in a major, after partner’s one of a minor opening, showing 2 entirely different hand types. With Type A, a one-suiter with 1 side control, we jump rebid to game in our major. With Type B, a good 5-card major and good minor support, we show our support by our rebid.

Type A: 7-solid and 1 outside control

1-2*-2NT-4*

Kx

AKQ10xxx

xx

xx

Type B: 4-card+ support for partner and a good 5-card major

	1 - 2* - 2NT - 3*	AKQxx	xx	AQJx	Kx
	1 - 2* - 3 - 3*	x	AQJ9x	KJ10x	AQx
	1 - 2* - 3 - 4*	KQJxx	xx	A	AQJxx

(A new conventional meaning to the special auction of 1-2* will be introduced below.)

What do these auctions mean?

	A.	1 - 2 - 4
	B.	1 - 1NT - 2 - 2 - 2NT
	C.	1 - 1 - 1 - 1
	D.	1 - 1 - 1 - 2
	E.	1 - 1 - 1 - 2NT
	F.	1 - 1 - 1NT - 3
	G.	1 - 1 - 1NT - 3
	H.	1 - 3 - 3
	I.	1 - 3 - 4
	J.	1 - 2 - 3

1. This may be the most important problem of the set: The 2NT bid can be made on a very good 15 or 16 HCP that opener decided not to open 1NT. He may be 4-4 in the majors, for example. 1/-1NT-2NT* promises 18 points and is forcing. 1/-1NT-2NT is not forcing. The reasoning behind a lighter, non-forcing raise after a minor opening is that responder can have 6-11 HCP.
2. Opener has a 4-card spade suit and uses Stayman to see if there is a fit. Responder shows 4 hearts, but this does not deny 4 spades (remember, it’s ok to respond 2NT to a 1/ opening with 1 or even two 4-card majors). Responder then corrects to 4, knowing full well that opener must have 4 spades to have used the Stayman convention. Showing 4 spades in response to a Stayman query absolutely denies holding 4 hearts, but showing 4 hearts does not deny 4 spades.
3. Opener probably has long diamonds and definitely holds a singleton or void in clubs, "the other minor." Responder is not concerned.
4. Opener went directly to game and responder showed at least 18.
5. Opener has spade shortness and responder is worried with Qx KQxx KJxx Kxx. There may still be a game-but 3NT is definitely a dog.
6. Here responder has no 4-card major and likes clubs; otherwise he would have rebid 3NT instead of 3.
7. This time responder denies a 4-card major holding and prefers the other minor, diamonds.
8. Opener holds x AQxxx x AQxxxx. Many would open 1 but we prefer 1. To show a minimum 5-6 hand over 2NT, opener must jump to 4 of her major.
9. Opener has Kx Kx Kxx AQJxxx. When partner implies good club support, opener can now Redwood in clubs. Should opener fetch Axx Axx QJx Kxxx, and 6NT is a snap.
10. Responder has a balanced 16-17 points.

A. Opener likes the heart bid and Key Cards with xx Jxxx AKQxxx A.
B. With Qx Jx AKxxx AKJx, opener feels there might be a shot for 3NT.
C. Yes, the spade bid is natural and forcing. Axxx xx KQxxxx x.
D. 2 denies four spades and is game forcing! xxx Axx KQxxx Ax.
E. Holding KJx Jx QJxxx K109, responder invites.
F. Invitational. Responder has xx xx KQxxxxx KJ.
G. Jxx x AJxx AJ109x. Invitational.
H. 3 is forcing and should be a no trump probe, showing a heart stopper and asking for one in spades. 3NT by responder would show one. Either 5 or 3NT should be right, and opener wants to make it a joint decision. Opener has xx AKx Axxx AQxx.
I. 4 is Redwood in clubs.
J. 3 is a splinter in support of clubs.

 

 

 

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