A Convention, as defined by The Random House College Dictionary, is an agreement, a compact, or a contract; an international agreement, especially one dealing with a specific matter; a general agreement or consent; accepted usage.

A Convention, as defined by The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, is a call or play with a defined meaning.

There were many pioneers in establishing these conventions, and they are used, employed, and applied by bridge players globally. They were invented, implemented, revised, and became useful tools in the management of 26 cards. They serve as instruments of communication between two people playing the same game. Some have practically remained the same from the day of their conception, and some have experienced several variations.

If all bridge hands were balanced, the game would be boring. There are many combinations resulting from the deal of 52 cards. Many have weird shapes. In order to master these multitude of card combinations, conventions have been devised, created, invented, and then varied and modified by the average and expert bridge player. Our intention is to simplify their definitions and applications in order to make the conventions understandable and helpful. One disadvantage to conventions are their interpretations. Even bridge players with thirty years experience disagree on the defined meaning of some bids because of the numerous amount of card combinations. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to reach a Partnership Agreement, and if your partner makes an inaccurate bid, then he has made a mistake, which you must accept. Shouting at him will do no one any good. Bridge is supposed to bring joy, fun and entertainment to the players. If a bidding mistake happens, please return to your written Partnership Agreement, review it, and, if necessary, make the required amendments. In this manner, you and your partner will avoid the same mistake again.

It is important to have a Partnership Agreement concerning the definition of a convention. Otherwise the Line of Communication becomes disturbed and distorted. Therefore, in addition to the Basic Guidelines, the agreed usage of the definitions of the conventions must be clear to both partners.

Claus and Raymond Conventions Sites Search Bridge Guys  Search Bridge-Related Websites

Following are several conventions and summaries of ethics and conduct at the Bridge Table. The list is incomplete, of course, but we shall be adding new conventions as time passes. The attempt has been made to simplify the definitions, in order that the reader does not become overwhelmed and overpowered by examples and explanations. Simply search for the convention you would like to review, deal yourselves a few hands as practice, and if you like the convention, please include it in your partnership agreement. Keep in mind that almost every convention has been altered, changed, improved over time and variations have also become popular. We have tried to include these variations under the main heading of the convention.

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We have decided to make a special page for the Acol System and all of its features, modifications, conventions and treatments. A quick or intensive study of this main Bidding System of England might assist the individual bridge player deciding to visit England.     By clicking on the icon above, you will be taken to this section we have devoted to the Acol Bidding System.

Artificial Opening Bids - Artificial 1 Club Opening Bid
Included, among others, are Strong One Club Opening bids, Strong One Diamond Opening bids, Precision Bidding Systems, Strong Club Bidding Systems. Many bidding systems and/or conventional methods employ an opening bid, which is one round forcing for the partner. They are generally categorized as strong Club systems or openings. The attempt has been made to list these devised and developed approaches, including possible variations. In some instances, only the opening bids are provided since there are no additional resources to draw from because some bidding systems have been lost to history, have been modified and varied, have not been fully published, are in books presently out of print, or are simply the result of a particular, individual partnership agreement, or the origins were developed in other countries and these publications have not been translated.

Defense Methods Against Artificial Opening Bids
The popularity of the strong, artificial 1 Club opening bid and other strong, artificial opening bids on the one level has increased since such an opening bid allows the partnership to perhaps reach a contract, which would otherwise not be biddable. Owing to such strong, artificial opening bids the bridge experts, the bridge authorities, and experienced bridge players have devised and developed defense methods in order to compete.

Artificial Two Clubs Opening Bid - Two Clubs Opening Bid - 2 Clubs Opening Bid
A conventional method for opening a very strong hand, which contains either values or is strong owing to distributional values. In modern bidding practice, there are several conditions and requirements under which a holding should be opened with a strong forcing bid.

Response Methods to a Strong, Artificial 2 Clubs Opening Bid
We have listed possible response methods on a separate web page. These response methods, or continuances, are critical to the partnership in order to exchange and communicate definitive information and to establish the final contract.

Basic Guidelines - These are only recommended guidelines, which have proven effective over past years. The best instructions come from a certified bridge teacher and/or instructor, who can guide the learning bridge player. The beginning bridge player must be made aware that there are various and excellent publications offered to enhance the enjoyment of learning the game. These can be suggested by your local bridge club, bridge teachers, and friends, who already play the game. These publications contain the basic outlines for bidding and playing and are tailored to the needs of the beginning player.

Opening The Auction - Under which circumstances and with how many high card points should a player open the auction.

Responding - Once the auction has been opened by your partner, what are the Basic Guidelines you should follow to accurately and quickly describe your hand. This is important for the communication between partners and should form the foundation upon which you build trust and confidence.

Rebid By The Opener - This rebid is one of the most important bid in the auction, because it informs partner as to the length and strength. This bid is the most descriptive.

Golden Rule - A little but important guideline which will assist, as a part of the partnership agreement, the communication of held distribution.

Rebid by the Responder - It is important to learn the guidelines used by many bridge players to communicate not only strength and length. The rebid by the responder is an excellent tool.

Behavior - and you thought we forgot.

Etiquette
An essential element at the Bridge table. It does not matter whether you are playing social bridge, rubber bridge or Duplicate Contract Bridge.

Concentration
If you lose your concentration, you may lose the necessary trick needed to make the contract. Always stay alert.

Conduct
It is always nice to make a good impression on your fellow bridge players. We should always try to be friendly and courteous.

Propriety
A strict code of ethics and courtesy is part of the game. The purpose of the Proprieties contained in Chapter VII, Laws 72 to 76 is to make the game of bridge more enjoyable for everyone, no matter what the situation.

Zero Tolerance
The ACBL has printed Guidelines on all of the above. It would be nice if everyone would read this article. This policy has now been established and is enforced at all sanctioned events.

Mr. Marty Bergenhas developed several bidding conventions and bidding methods which are applied in modern bidding auctions. We have listed them separately to make the search easier for the visitor.

Bridge Bidding Systems
The attempt has been made to list the different bidding systems available to the bridge player. Many pioneering men and women from around the world have worked diligently to devise these bidding systems applicable to the game of bridge. The attempt has not been undertaken to explain each and every bidding system, but the self-improving bridge player should be aware that there are many other and different bidding systems employed by bridge players. Many of these bidding systems have also withstood the challenge of time, and have survived through popularity in the bridge community; others have not.

Biedermeijer Bidding Methods
These bidding methods are adapted to the learning skills of the bridge player, the bridge student, and the bridge novice. The methods are designated by colors, which refer to the level of the bridge player's skill. Many of these presentations are in the original language of The Netherlands. However, bridge players from The Netherlands have been so kind as to contribute translations, for which we express our gratitude.

Blackwood
Mr. Easley Blackwood came up with an idea on how to bid and also how to avoid slams. This concept in the game of bridge is almost universal in practically every bidding system, albeit somehow varied, modified, and/or altered to meet modern bidding versions.

Blackwood Variations
There have been many variations to this concept and all have their place in the game of bridge. The attempt has been made to include as many of these variations as possible.

Note: Blackwood is not the only conventional method to attempt to find a slam. Other conventional methods have been devised and developed. These conventional methods have been listed separately under Slam Bidding Methods.

Carding - Signals - Discards - Leads
All these designations are employed during play and are employed by the defense in order to communicate certain information. This communication begins with the first card, the lead to the play of the hand, and continues throughout the entire play. Each partnership must have, should have an agreed method as to what information a certain lead, discard, or played card communicates.

Defense Methods
Once an auction has begun, then competition also begins. As a result many defense methods have been created, invented, devised, and developed. The attempt has been made to list these defense methods and offer the wisdom of bridge experts and bridge players.

Defense Methods Against No Trump Openings
Many bridge players, many experienced bridge players, many expert bridge players have devised methods to compete against an opening No Trump bid by the opponents. All ranges of No Trump can be addressed. Once an original concept has been published and accepted by the bridge community, then the variants, the variations, the revised versions, and the modified versions are soon devised to remedy a certain flaw or short-coming of the original version. We have attempted to list these original concepts and their variations on a separate web page.

Defense Methods After No Trump - Doubled

Nilslandske slinkningar
The English designation of Nilsland Defense or the Swedish designation of Nilslandske slinkningar is a defense method against a double by the immediate opponent after a 1 No Trump opening, devised by Mr. Mats Nilsland of Sweden. This conventional method can be used after a 1 No Trump opening has been doubled or 1 No Trump overcall has been doubled.

Touching Escape Bids
This convention method provides a so-called escape system in particular auctions whereby one player has opened the bidding with a suit and there has been an overcall of a natural 1 No Trump, which is then doubled for penalty by the next player in rotation. This conventional method is also employed when the opening bid of 1 No Trump has been doubled for penalty.

Defense Methods Following One Level Suit Opening Bids
There are many competitive methods, approaches, and conventions, which allow the players, who have not opened the auction, to compete. These methods have been listed on this web page.

Defense Methods Against Strong, Artificial 1 Club Opening Bids - The concept of opening the auction with a strong, artificial 1 Club bid was conceived by Mr. Harold Stirling Vanderbilt in 1925, by the person who is credited with devising a scoring system, which popularized the evolving game of bridge to the extent that its popularity outweighed all other card games. This concept has proven effective and has been adopted into several bidding systems, including Precision and Big Club bidding systems. This concept was the foundation of his Vanderbilt Club System. Bridge theorists and bridge players have since then attempted to find a way to compete against such an opening bid. The attempt has been made to list such competitive methods.

Doubles - Redoubles - Every bridge player employs the call of double, but the meaning can be different in many cases and from partnership agreement to partnership agreement, and can actually change during the auction. Please take a look, and brush up on your doubles.

Ekren's Bidding System - This bidding system was devised and developed by Mr. Bård Olav Ekren, who is from Norway. The original version has been altered to reflect the evolving stages and has been complemented with several Concepts and Principles. The bidding system has been catagorized independently. This is written in a .pdf file format, and, depending on your browser, will either be automatically opened by your browser or automatically downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Gerber and Gerber Variations - The concept behind the Gerber convention, which Mr. John Gerber, (1906 - 1981), devised in 1938 is rather universal in its application. This convention is sometimes referred to as the Four Clubs Blackwood. However, the concept was also devised independently by Dr. William Konigsberger and Mr. Wim Nye, both of Geneva, Switzerland, and was also published by them in Europe in 1936. There are many variations of this approach and the attempt has been made to list these also.

Muiderberg - This is a bidding concept popular and often employed in The Netherlands. Other designations are The Dutch Two Bids and The Lucas Two Bids. The origin of the Muiderberg or Muiderbergh Two Bids, which is sometimes spelled differently is the village of Muiderbergh, The Netherlands, which lies near Amsterdam. The concept was devised by Mr. Onno Janssens and Mr. Willem Beogem, who both lived in this village, and was based on Weak Two openings

The material is presented in the original language of The Netherlands and in the English language. Bridge friends from The Netherlands have been so kind as to translate the information and to contribute these translations for the benefit of our visitors. We greatly appreciate their time and effort.

 

Continuances by the Partnership following Immediate Interference after a 1 No Trump Opening Bid - These are conventional methods, devised approaches, suggested and recommended treatments for the partnership following an overcall by the immediate opponent after partner has opened the auction with 1 No Trump

Note: In essence these are defense methods triggered and employed by the partnership following the employment of a defense method by the opponents. In other words these methods are defense methods to defense methods, which are normally initiated following an overcall by the immediate opponent following the opening of No Trump by partner on the one level. Whether or not these guidelines and methods are applicable and can be applied following a No Trump opening on the two level is only by partnership agreement or when such is included by the developer of said method.

Note: The No Trump range can be either weak or strong, generally between 12 point and 18 points. The partnership adjusts the working values and the distributional values in order to reach the best contract.

 

No Trump Response Methods - Stayman Response Methods - How can the responder most accurately describe his hand after his partner has opened the auction with 1 No Trump. Which conventions allow him to provide the necessary information. After one partner has opened the auction, or even overcalled with a No Trump bid, the continuances are many and various. The attempt is made to list possible response methods, which can describe a certain pattern in addition to values held.

One Level Opening Bids and Continuances
Most auctions begin on the one level with either a suit or No Trump. The attempt is made to list those conventional methods, which are continuances to an opening bid on the one level. These conventional methods can take on many shapes and the agreements are various. The bridge student should take the time to consider these methods, study the various options, and decide which approach is best suited for the partnership.

Opening Bids of Bidding Systems - Many bridge theoreticians, bridge authors, bridge publicists, and bridge players have devised bidding systems to describe a holding containing thirteen cards. Generally these bidding systems have survived the test of time only in the preservation of the opening bids. This is a collection only of these opening bids, not the responses and/or continuances. This is only a study for the bridge historian. If there is a bidding system not mentioned here, any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Opening bids on the One and Two Levels, and which are not Preemptive Bids: Opening Bids are perhaps the most important in the game of bridge, since it begins the actual auction, whereas a Pass generally identifies the lack of ability to compete and possibly opening values. The attempt is made to provide a list of conventional opening bid methods.

One Heart Opening Transfer to One Spade
The origin of this conventional opening is unknown. An opening bid of 1 Heart transfers the partner to the Spade suit either or the one level or on the two level depending on whether the immediate opponent intervenes with an overcall of a suit or No Trump. If the opponent makes a call of a double, then the partnership treats this action as not having occurred and is ignored. This conventional method is presented in the form of a .pdf file by ACBL. This method is only archived and preserved on this site, also in .pdf file format, for future reference.

Parkes Two Spades Opening Bid - Parkes 2 Spades
The origin of this conventional opening is unknown. The concept is frequently a Weak Two bid opening with multiple meanings and clarified by the opener with the second bid. The high card point values may be less than an opening count or exceedingly strong and the Weak Two bid is dependent on distribution.

Two No Trump Either As Both Major Suits Or Both Minor Suits
The origin of this conventional opening method is unknown and is considered to be classified as a Highly Unusual Method - HUM - in that no known suit is recognizable when opened. It is, or was, generally played in Norway and has been allowed to be played in several divisions of bridge events and even on a national level, but has been disallowed owing to the fact that any opening, as defined by the sponsoring bridge organizations, is defined by indicating at least one known suit if the opening bid is weaker than 16 high card points.

Polish Club Bidding System - Many of the following articles are present on the Internet and have only been archived on this site. The majority of this information has been presented for and posted to the Internet by Mr. Mike Mardesich. The information provided in these articles has also been through the contribution of several bridge experts, such as Mr. John Blubaugh, who for many years was a member of the expert panel of the Problem Solvers for the online Brydz Magazine of Poland, a magazine which is comparable to The Bridge World.

Preempts and Preemptive Bids plus Weak Two Bids - These are bids by any player, which increase the level of bidding and are used as a form of obstruction. They can be disciplined or undisciplined preempts and can change according to the state of the vulnerability of the partnership.

Defense Methods Against Preemptive Opening Bids - Finding and agreeing upon a method following a preemptive bid by an opponent is sometimes difficult since the bidding space for communicating information has been stolen, removed, deleted. Many bridge experts have devised and developed such defined defense methods.

Rules - A compilation of the mathematical Rules, which help, assist, and guide the player by defense and offense through counting and application.

Scoring Software Programs - Many bridge players, who are also very much acquainted with computer programming, have developed computer software programs to assist in the scoring of duplicate bridge events. Below is a list of Internet Websites, which offer such programs. The individual bridge player must determine the reliability of such software applications. Some of these software programs are freeware and others must be purchased.

Slam Bidding Methods abound in the game of bridge and not all are Blackwood-related. The attempt has been made to list these methods, some of which were devised and developed in the very early stages of the newly organized game of bridge.

Squeezes and Squeeze Plays - These are different plays which forces an opponent, sometimes both opponents, to discard a winner or a potential winner. Squeeze Plays constitute a main and major portion of the game of bridge and deserves its own category. The foundation, logic and reason for establishing a squeeze play is based on the auction, based on the count of the cards, based on inference of the location of known cards and guards, as they are called, and on many other different aspects. The student of bridge is well advised to study the different squeeze plays and become acquainted with them.

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Under Construction - Speed Bumps - Please drive slowly.

The following is an alphabetical list of conventional methods, approachs, treatments, and systems, which do not fall within the categories above. This is the Main Section of our Library, or source for bridge-related items.

Advance Cuebid
A cuebid in the absence of an explicitly agreed suit.

Ambra - The origin of this designation is unknown. This .pdf file is in Italian. This is a compilation, with added variations, of the methods based on the Two Over One bidding system devised by Mr. Benito Garozzo for the Italian 2000 World Junior Championships. The .pdf file will be automatically opened by your browser. Source: Daniel's System Page. These .pdf files have only been preserved and archived on this site for future reference.

The second choice is Ambra in English, which is also an older .pdf file format in English, and again, the .pdf file will be automatically opened by your browser. The author, who is unknown, has included several smilies into his compilation, and the reader should not be surprised.

Another version of Ambra in English, which is the newer .pdf file format in English, and again, the .pdf file will be automatically opened by your browser.

Astro Cuebid - The Astro Cuebid is also an invention of Mr. Paul Allinger - Mr. Roger STern - Mr. Larry ROssler to indicate a two-suited holding after an opponent opens the auction on the one level with a suit bid.

Balancing - Some views on the Art of Balancing, which is not a science under any standard. However, one should familiarize oneself with the basic requirements of Balancing before reaching a partnership agreement.

Blue Team Club System - The Blue Team Club System is based on the principle that a 1 Club opening is forcing. The style of this System is called Canape, and this means that the opener can/should bid the short suits before he bids the long suits. Canape is a bidding method in which the opener bids his long suit on his rebid and was developed by Mr. Pierre Albarran from France.

Brozel Rescue Bids - Many partnership agreements include the agreement that the No Trump range is 11 to 14 high card points. The frequency of being doubled when using this No Trump range is higher than when the No Trump range requires more high card points. This conventional defense method is not a defense method against a No Trump opening by the opponents, but rather a defense method against any and all defense methods, using the double to communicate certain information, employed by the immediate opponent after partner opens a No Trump.

Carding - Defined as: The set of agreements between partners relating to the meanings of cards played on defense. There are several methods of signaling your partner when defending. We have decided to list several carding or signaling defense mechanisms and/or methods, which communicate information to the partner.

Journalist Leads - Journalist Lead - The term Journalist seems to stem from a series of articles in the respected Bridge Journal in the United States. While these leads were popularized by the Bridge Journal in the 1960s, they were described earlier by Mr. Helge Vinje of the Oslo Academic Bridge Club.

Obvious Shift Principle - A carding method from A Switch in Time by Pamela and Matthew Granovetter. At Trick 1, partner of opening leader compares the led suit and obvious shift suit. Encouragement, upside-down or standard, denies tolerance for the obvious shift suit. Discouragement actively confirms tolerance for the obvious shift suit. This applies whether opening leader will maintain the lead or not.

Rusinov Leads - Rusinov Lead - The principle behind Rusinow Leads is simply the leading of the second-ranking of touching honors. Rusinow Leads are used only on the first trick against a suit contract in a suit, which the partner has not bid during the auction, if at all. It is uncommon to employ the Rusinow Leads also against a No Trump contract since the purpose of the lead against a No Trump contract is entirely different in nature, but it is not illegal.

The Magic Diamond Light - The authors of The Magic Diamond system are: Mr. Hans Göthe and Mr. Lars Andersson. This is a weak opening system based on Carrotti (Carrot Club), which in turn is a semi-forcing pass system. According to the authors Magic Diamond sprung from Carrotti when the administrators decided to make life har for players, who adopted these tactics, themain idea being to get rid of the hateful pass opening. The authors are: Mr. Sven-OlovFlodqvis and Mr. Tomas Brenning. The principles behing the sytem are, among other features: 1. Natural approach with bilateral exchange of information rather than relay bidding, and 2. Well and narrowly defined strengths for most openings to enable fast arrival as often as possible.

FClub or F-Club or Scanian Strong Club - The origin of this artificial 1 Club opening plus complete continuances is unknown. The link is to the Home Page of Mr. Daniel Neill. This bidding approach has been only preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file 1 and .pdf file 2 format for future reference. These files will automatically be opened by your browser.

New South Wales System - A variation of the Vienna System formerly used by Mr. Richard Cummings and Mr. Tim Seres and other Australians.

Tangerine Club Bidding System - The Tangerine Club is a Bridge bidding system based on a weak/strong 1 Club opening, followed by simple but efficient asking bids, light opening bids of one of a suit showing 10-14 points and at least 4 cards in the suit, a 1 No Trump opening of 12-14 high card points and a balanced hand without five card Majors, a natural 2 Clubs opening showing 10-14 points and at least 5 clubs, and Weak Two openings of 5-9 points and at least 5 cards in the suit.

Universal Club Opening Bids - The origin of these opening bids is unknown but is based on a system developed in the United States. The 1 Club opening bid has a definite limited range and shows a minimum of length in the Club suit. However, the 1 Club opening may show a stronger holding, which then has to be determined. These opening bids also employ the use of a 5-card suit whenever a Major suit is opened and the No Trump range has been extended. Generally any opening on the two level promises distinct distributional holdings. The opening bids are shown in the schematic below.

Universal Club Two Clubs Opening - In the Universal Club bidding system, origin unknown, the opening bid of 2 Clubs has been assigned a specific meaning, which is that it shows a three-suited holding, generally a distribution of 4-4-1-4, with values between 12 and 17 high card points. A minimum and a maximum point count is known and also the short suit, which is Diamonds.

Universal Club Two Diamonds Opening - In the Universal Club bidding system, origin unknown, the opening of 2 Diamonds has been assigned a specific meaning. This opening bid promises a three-suited holding. The required point count is between 16 and 21 high card points. This opening demands that the Diamond suit be one of the three suits as opposed to the 2 Clubs opening bid, which shows Diamond shortage.

Universal Club 2 Hearts and 2 Spades Opening - The Universal Club bidding system has relegated special, if not specific, information in the opening bid of either 2 Hearts or 2 Spades. Either of these two openings promise at least a 5-card card, or longer, and a second, unspecified second suit, also a 5-card suit, or longer. The point range is a minimum of 14 high card points and the upper range is unlimited. Therefore, these two opening bids are forcing for one round. They are not considered to be absolutely game-forcing in nature.

Toad Club System
This bidding system was developed by Americans Mr. Ken Schutze and Mr. Jim Griffin, and played in the 2005 United States Women's Trials. The Toad Club system is a Big Club System in which all good hands (16 plus high card points or equivalent playing strength) are opened with 1 Club. Failure to open 1 Club, therefore, limits the hand to at most 15 points (except a 1 Heart opening may contain 17 high card points when holding a 5-card suit and unbalanced hand). The system actively encourages aggressive opening bids and, by design, allows the opener to get out at a low level in many auctions in which he has elected to open light. Consequently, many auctions that would be forcing in Standard American are non-forcing in Toad Club. The major component of the Toad Club system is the use of many distributional relays to ascertain partner’s exact distribution. This bidding system is only preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference. The visitor should select the link for the original version as presented by Mr. Marin Johnson.

Cole Convention - The origin of this conventional method is attributed to the suggestion of Mr. William (Bill) Cole to the the Woolsey-Manfield partnership, which consisted of Mr. Christopher R. (Kit) Woolsey and Mr. Edward (Ed) A. Mansfield. Mr. Kit Woolsey published a two-part series on the Cole convention in The Bridge World magazine March 1991, pages 16-18 and April 1991, pages16-20. It is basically a rebidding system permitting the partnership to accurately describe certain distributional holdings plus showing the range of values.

Convention Chart - Everything you wanted to know about the new Convention Chart and more.

See also: Convention Card Instructions - Links to a printable text file explaining how to fill out a Convention Card. Also a link to ACBL.com which presents the 24 .pdf files published in the Bridge Bulletin beginning August 2004, explaining and illustrating how a Convention Card may be filled out.

Copenhagen Convention
This conventional method was originated by Mr. John Trelde and Mr. Gert Lenk, both of Copenhagen, Denmark. The concept is a system of jump overcalls, which promises a two-suited holding after the auction has been opened by an opponent in a suit on the one level.

Modified Crash Convention - This version of the Crash conventional method was employed and popular in England. The version is employed in combination with the TWERB convention method, which is an acronym for Two-Way Exclusion Relay Bidding.

Culbertson Four-Five No Trump
This conventional method was designed and developed by Mr. Ely Culbertson in the year 1934 and was published in his book Contract Bridge Complete: The Gold Book of Bidding and Play in the year 1936. Publisher is The John C. Winston Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ISBN B000KJ31MU, LC:36017463. This is perhaps the first bridge conventional method employed in the game of bridge, which asked for the number of Aces, Kings, and even voided suits. It is also referred to sometimes as a Captain-Private Four-No Trump Slam Method.

Declarative-Interrogative 4 No Trump - D.I. Four No Trump - This is the official designation used for Declarative-Interrogative, otherwise known as simply D.I. It refers to a 4 No Trump bid employed as a general slam attempt. This method was originally established as part of the Neapolitan system. The Blue Team Club was based upon a bidding system called Neapolitan, the origin of which remains unknown, but which was played successfully by many bridge players in Italy. However, since 1965, Mr. Benito Garozzo has gradually revised the Neapolitan and renamed it the Blue Team Club system.

Defense Methods to Defense Methods

Defense Methods in General
The attempt has been made to include as many defense methods as possible after interference by the opponents. This interference, overcall, double in competition may take any permissible form. In essence, the attempt is made to provide the partnership with a possible bidding scheme to compensate for the interference by the opponents.

These suggestions and recommendations are only suggestions and recommendations. Basically, these web pages represent defense methods against defense methods, which any competition is. Defense methods against certain openings are presented elsewhere.

Any and all contributions are welcomed and will be presented here as contributions for the assistance of other bridge players.

Defense Method to Opponent's Overcalls of 1 No Trump - This defense mechanism was written by Marinesa Letizia and published in the Bridge Bulletin November 1997 and presents an alternative method of dealing with overcalls of 1 No Trump. The logical approach outlined assists the bridge player to deal with most of the conventions devised to disturb the communication of two players.

Defense Signal Summary - A short summary of defensive signals, carding and discarding methods, which have perhaps the higher frequency of application. The individual defense signals have been posted elsewhere, but this short summary may be useful.

Defense to a Preempt on the Three Level - There are several methods of defending against opponents, who decide to open the auction on the Three Level. Many bridge players have given much thought to this form of attack.

Cheaper or Lower Minor - This is a method, sometimes referred to as a convention, which uses the Cheaper or Lower, still available Minor suit, if the preempt on the Three Level is in the Club suit, as a takeout double.

Cheaper Minor Over The Blacks - This method uses an overcall of 3 Diamonds after a preempt on the Three Level of 3 Clubs, and a 4 Clubs bid over a preempt on the Three Level of 3 Clubs, for takeout. Any double over a preempt on the Three Level of 3 Clubs is for penalty. Any double over 3 Diamonds or 3 Hearts is considered a cooperative double.

FILO - A defense method after an opponent opens the auction with a preempt on the Three Level. This method is used mainly in England and is called FILO for FIshbein over Red suits and LOwer Minor, or Cheaper Minor, over Black suits is for takeout. Any double is considered to be for penalty.

Reese Method - A method, which uses the bid of 3 No Trump as a takeout after a preempt on the Three Level in a Major suit only. The call of a double is for penalty. If the preempt is in a Minor suit, then a double is takeout, even in the pass-out seat.

Smith Convention - A variation of the Cheaper or Lower Minor suit, devised by Mr. Curtis Smith, whereby a bid of 4 Clubs is the only bid over any preempt on the Three Level for takeout. Used mainly in England.

Tonto Convention - This conventional method was devised and developed by Mr. Robert Stone. The designation is an acronym for Transfers Over 3 No Trump Overcalls. It is a basically a means employed by the partnership to continue to explore for additional information after one partner has overcalled an opening preempt bid on the three level by the opponents with 3 No Trump.

Weiss Method - This is a method of defense, which is a partnership understanding, generally against a Preempt on the Three Level, and which combines the application of the Cheaper Minor Suit for takeout, and the double is applied as an Optional Double.

Hudson 1 No Trump Overcall
The origin of this conventional defense method is accredited to Mr. Robert R. Hudson of Dunedin, New Zealand. Fundamentally it is a defense method devised to be employed after an opponent opens the auction with either a natural bid or an artificial bid on the one level.

Dragon 2 No Trump - Dragon 2 NT - Contributed by Mr. Robert Hanly of Canada. This conventional method is employed when the partnership employs Weak No Trump openings and an opening of 1 Club or 1 Diamond promises multiple values and shape. Included in this .pdf file are also Dragon 3 Clubs, which is an Asking Bid when playing 1M-2NT as natural and forcing to game; Canadian 2 Diamonds, which is a variation of the Mexican 2 Diamonds conventional method; Dragon Defense to Polish Club, which is a constructive defence mechanism to the Polish Club System; and GForce, which is a conventional method for responses to a Forcing Raise in a Major suit, compiled by Mr. Fred Gitelman, with a few variations. Clicking on the link will open the .pdf file.

Drury Convention - A convention devised by Mr. Douglas Drury to allow partner to show a certain point range with distributional support after passing.

Bergen Drury - A method devised by Mr. Mary Bergen to differentiate between a 3-card and a 4-card support for the original Major suit opening in third or fourth seat of partner.

Drury Convention Variation - Norway Drury - The following variation, origin and developer unknown, played generally in Norway defines the rebids of the opener in a more detailed fashion and allows for a more informative description of the holding of the opener. The auction proceeds normally, but it is important to remember that a distinction is made between the opening of 1 Heart and 1 Spade as well as the continuances.

Reverse Drury
After a third or fourth seat opening of 1 Spade or 1 Heart, a 2 Clubs response shows a strong raise of opener’s suit, about 9 to 11 points. The opener then rebids his suit on the Two Level to show a minimum hand. Other rebids by the opener are natural and considered forcing.

Two Way Drury
This variation employs two bids to discover whether or not the holding of the opener is weak, sub-minimal, or a full opening.

Two Way Reverse Drury
This variation employs two bids to discover whether or not the holding of the opener is weak, sub-minimal, or a full opening.

Dynamic 1 No Trump - Dynamic One No Trump - Dynamic 1 NT - This method of opening No Trump is an integral feature of the Romex Bidding System, devised by Mr. George Rosenkranz of Mexico and Mr. Phillip Alder. The concept is that the opener may show a relatively strong holding, which is unbalanced, and which can be made on any distribution except 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 holdings. The strength is restricted to exactly 18 to 21 points and must have at least five controls and which has only four to five losers.

Dynamic 1 No Trump - Dynamic One No Trump - This method of opening No Trump is an integral feature of the Romex Bidding System, devised by Mr. George Rosenkranz of Mexico and Mr. Phillip Alder. The concept is that the opener may show a relatively strong holding, which is unbalanced, and which can be made on any distribution except 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 holdings. The strength is restricted to exactly 18 to 21 points and must have at least five controls and which has only four to five losers.

Finnish Standard - This document, as detailed by Mr. Jukka Korpela (Source), presents a foundation for the Finnish Standard Bidding System for bridge. Officially the standard is defined for the bidding panel of the Finnish Bridge magazine (See Finnish Bridge Federation), but it is often regarded as a more general standard. Finnish bridge players quite often base their bidding system on this standard, usually omitting some conventions or adding their own. Review also: Bridgetietoutta.

Fishbein Convention - Defense convention against a Preemptive Opening or a Weak Two Opening.

Balancing Fishbein Convention - This convention allows the player in the Pass-Out Seat ways of describing his hand accurately. Please review the Fishbein Convention first.

Five No Trump Opening - 5 NT Opening - The origin of this conventional method is unknown. It is, however, a feature of the Acol bidding system generally used in the United Kingdom as an opening bid to describe a certain holding containing one Losing Trick in both Minor suits.

Flannery Two Diamonds - Flannery 2 Diamonds - Flannery 2D - This convention allows the opener to describe a certain distribution and point count range in both Major suits with one descriptive bid. For a possible defense method see Glossary.

Anti-Flannery Variation
The origin of this variation is unknown. The basic concept is employed mainly in bidding systems using the canapé approach, meaning that the shorter suit is opened or bid first before the higher-ranking suit. The fundamental concept can also be employed in several variations of the Blue Club bidding system developed by Mr. Benito Garozo and used by the Blue Team during their successful reign in the world bridge tournaments in the 1960s, in which the canapé approach was mainly employed. The off-shoot of this bidding system, designated sometimes as Lancia, origin unknown, also uses this variation to some degree, but this cannot be confirmed. Source is: publication The Blue Club as adopted and translated by Mr. Terence Reese, 1969, ISBN-10: 0571092659 / ISBN-13: 978-0571092659.

Flower Bids or Fit Showing Jumps
This designation is used for a feature in several bridge bidding systems. The origin of the concept as well as the designation is unknown. A Flower bid is generally made by a Passed Hand to denote generally a good 5-card side plus suit containing a source of winners and at least a 4-card support for the suit of the partner, and a maximum of six Loser Tricks and 12 or fewer support points.

Fourth Suit Forcing - A convention, whereby the rebid of the unbid fourth suit, generally by the responder, is forcing for at least one round.

Gambling Three No Trump - Gambling 3 No Trump - Gambling 3 NT - An opening bid based on a long solid Minor suit.

Gambling Two No Trump - Gambling 2 No Trump - Gambling 2 NT
A 2 No Trump opening based on a long, solid Minor suit. A modified version of the Gambling 3 No Trump conventional method. The difference being that this method requires only one stopper in a side suit.

Gazzilli
This conventional method addresses a common systemic feature by introducing an artificial 2 Clubs rebid by the opener after an opening in a Major suit and a first response of 1 Spade or 1 No Trump. The conventional method has been extended to also include openings in the Minor suits and adjustments have been made to accomodate these opening bids.

1. Glossary: Visit our Glossary to find the results of our search regarding the development of this conventional method and to view and review the published articles about this conventional method in several languages. If there are any visitors wishing to translate the Italian and emailing us this translation, we would greatly appreciate this.

2. .pdf file: To view a transcript of the three parts as published by the Dehli Bridge Association Newsletter, all three parts contributed by Mr. Sudhir Aggarwal, the visitor can review the original articles by visiting our Glossary or click on the above link. This information is only preserved and archived on this site.

Gerber Convention - A convention devised by Mr. John Gerber to ask for Aces and Kings one level lower than the Blackwood convention. Mr. Gerber also included suit contracts in his convention, and the application thereof can be quite effective. Beware, however, that certain ambiguities can arise by using this convention. Included are also explanations for Rolling Gerber or Sliding Gerber, as it is sometimes known.

Following are several variations and modifications on the concept of the Gerber convention, which many partnerships have included in their partnership agreements.

Key Card Gerber - A variation of the Gerber convention to show Key Cards.

Lillois Gerber / Lillois Blackwood / Lillois Ace-Asking Convention
This variation was devised by Mr. Pierre Ghestem of France, a bridge expert and published author. This particular designation is possibly a French derivation of the town in France called Lille, where Mr. Pierre Ghestem was born. Although the Ask-Asking bid is the same as the Ask-Asking bid in the Gerber convention, the conventional method is also referred to sometimes as Blackwood and/or Ace-Asking. This variation of the original concept of the Gerber convention provides the partner with the information about the rank and the color of the Aces.

Goldilocks Two Bid - Goldilocks 2 Bids - This concept was devised by Mr. Glen Ashton. The link is to his website on the Internet. The foundation of this conventional method is that all bidding auctions begin on the two level. This conventional method has also been archived and preserved only on this site in a .pdf file format which will be automatically opened by your browser.

Gnats Convention
This conventional method was developed by Mr. Tom G. Townsend in order to permit and allow the partnership to describe, define, delimit, and determine one-suited and two-suited holdings, and also balanced and unbalanced holdings, with Spade support, but of different strength and values. This conventional method first found a public format in The Bridge World magazine authored by Mr. Barry J. Rigal of New York, New York, in October 1996, page 27.

Help Suit Game Try - Weak Suit Game Try - Long Suit Trials - Short Suit Trials - Long Suit Trial and Short Suit Trial Combined - Counter Trial
As with some partnership agreements, one partner can show a hand willing to accept an invitation to game by bidding any other suit. This action is referred to as a Help Suit Game Try. All of the above designations apply for this particular concept. This action can be used, for instance, when employing Reverse Drury or Limit Raises.

John Wayne Bridge Convention
This convention was created by graduate students at Princeton in the late 1990s and early in the year 2000, but was begun years earlier by the family Miller, according to Mr. Steven Miller. The family members often played Whist, which is a card game related to bridge where the players only bid once (without naming a suit) and no hands are placed face-up. As initiated by Mr. Jeffrey Miller, the method began as a way to goad opposition (or sometimes one's partner!) into bidding high, by making statements such as John Wayne would bid 5.

Jacoby Two No Trump - Jacoby 2 No Trump - Jacoby 2 NT - This treatment is an integral part of Limit Raises.

Jacoby Plus 2 No Trump Response to a Major Suit Opening - The origin is unknown. This is a method used by several partnerships and which is designed to employ the first response of 2 No Trump after a Major suit opening by the partner. It is based on the Limit Raises convention, but with slight differences and interpretations.

Minor Suit Stayman - This convention, a variation of the Jacoby Transfer originally devised by Mr. Oswald Jacoby, is used by the responder whose partner has opened the bidding with 1 No Trump. The Minor Suit Stayman convention was devised for specifically three types of holdings held by the responder, and which will be determined during the ensuing auction:

1. a holding with a 6-card plus Diamond suit and weak values.

2. a 5-5 distribution in both Minor suits and weak values.

3. a 5-4 distribution in both Minor suits and possible slam values.

Four Suit Transfer Bids - 4 Suit Transfer Bids - This is the extended version of the Jacoby Transfer originally devised by Mr. Oswald Jacoby after an opening of 1 No Trump by the responder to transfer to all four suits.

Two No Trump Response as a Relay to Three Clubs - This treatment is used by many partnerships, which utilize the response of 2 Spades as a slam try in a Minor suit. The concept is easy since, after a 1 No Trump opening by the partner, a 2 No Trump first response is a Relay to Clubs.

Jordan Two No Trump - Jordan 2 No Trump - Jordan 2 NT - Also known as the Truscott Two No Trump and the Dormer Two No Trump. A treatment to show support for partner's suit after an intervening overcall. It is especially used when playing Limit Raises.

Extended Truscott - Mr. David Morgan discovered that the Truscott Two No Trump conventional method was somewhat flawed when attempting to describe certain holdings, especially when the opponent doubling was in third seat. This is a variation of the Truscott / Jordan / Dormer Two No Trump conventional method to overcome this particular flaw.

Splimit - This is a variation of the Truscott Two No Trump conventional method to show, after a double by the opponent, shortage in a side suit and at the same time a Limit Raise of the suit of the partner. The designation is a combination of Splinter and Limit Raise.

Kabel Three No Trump - Kabel 3 No Trump - The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The concept is to determine the location of specific Aces and Kings with an opening of 3 No Trump. The opening bid is forcing and implies a very strong holding with fewer than three Losing Tricks. After determing whether partner holds any specific values and the location thereof, the opener is then able to set the correct contract at the correct level.

Karosel 2 Diamonds - Karosel Two Diamonds - This conventional method, published by Mr. Charles L.L. Dalmas, specifically addresses the holding of a semi-balanced holding with 18-19 high card points.

Keen's Two Bids
Perhaps the official designation should be Dave Keen's Two Bids, since the concept and conventional method was devised by Mr. Dave Keen of Mercyside, United Kingdom. This is the desgination for a full system of Two Bids, which can be played either as weak or strong. In general all Two Bids show either a Strong Two in that suit, or Weak Two in the higher-ranking suit

Kennedy Method - Kennedy Approach - Kennedy Convention
The origins of the Kennedy Method, or Kennedy Convention, or Kennedy Approach, is unknown. Any additional information would be greatly appreciated. The concept of this approach is to communicate with the first response following a Minor suit opening whether the responder holds a 4-card Major suit or a 5-card Major suit.

Kickback - A method of asking for Keycards when seeking slam. The origin of this concept is by Mr. Jeff Rubens of Scarsdale, New York. The concept is also a result of an application called U.S.P., or Useful Space Principle, also conceived by Mr. Jeff Rubens, which is defined as when allocating bidding space under partnership agreements and understandings, then assign the bidding space where most useful without reference to natural or traditional bridge meanings of calls.

Redwood - A version of the Kickback conventional method employed only when the agreed trump suit is a Minor suit. This concept is also based on the application called U.S.P., or Useful Space Principle conceived by Mr. Jeff Rubens.

Kokish Rebids - In order to resolve several bidding problems after a 1 Diamond opening and a 2 Clubs response, Mr. Eric Kokish has formulated a series of responses to communicate better information regarding the holding of the partner.

Kokish Relay Bids - Mr. Eric Kokish devised this mechanism to illustrate how it is possible to show a holding of 25 to 27 high card points and a balanced hand without having to consume bidding spade on the Three Level.

Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge 1997 - Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. The American Edition as promulgated in the Western Hemisphere by the American Contract Bridge League. Effective May 27, 1997 and published and distributed by the American Contract Bridge League. All copyright laws are in effect. Also see:

Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge 1997 - .pdf file format

Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge 1997 - In Polish language.

lebensohl Convention - A convention to assist the partnership in clarifying the responses to a 1 No Trump opening and after an immediate overcall. The Lebensohl convention has also other applications.

lebensohl Over Reverse Bids - The origin of this method and partnership agreement is unknown, but it addresses a problem situation whenever the opener employs the Reverse bid.

Library Archive Room

Little Known Conventions - We take you on a Guided Tour of conventions and conventional methods, which did not make the Top Ten List.

Power Dutch Doubleton - The author is unknown. In Dutch. Any assistance in a translation would be appreciated. This is written in a .pdf file format, and, depending on your browser, will either be automatically opened by your browser or automatically downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Power Dutch Doubleton - Mr. Roy Reshef has been so kind as to contribute the translation of the web pages for this conventional method from the original Dutch into the English language. He has also included footnotes, which are essential in understanding this conventional method better. We thank him for his contribution. This is written in a .pdf file format, and, depending on your browser, will either be automatically opened by your browser or automatically downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Cambridge Standard Opening Bids
A chart showing the significance of opening bids used by several bridge partnerships, especially in England.

Carrot Club Bidding System
This is the English version of the Carrotski Club. Included is Interference After a Two-Way Club Opening and responses after a 1 No Trump opening. A forcing club system devised 1988 by Mr. Hans Göthe, Mr. Sven-Olov Flodqvist, Mr. Per Olof Sundelin, Mr. Tommy Gullberg, Mr. Anders Morath and Mr. Sven-Åke Bjerregård of Sweden.

Clement Oliver Opening Bids - A partnership understanding for opening bids as devised by Mr. Bruce Clement and Mrs. Pam Oliver of Wellington, New Zealand.

Cobra - Computer Oriented Bridge Analysis is the result of feeding a computer certain elements of the evaluation and distributional factors of card combinations by Mr. E.T. Lindelof.

Dutch Acol Openings - A variation of the ACOL bidding system used by bridge partnerships in The Netherlands.

Flint Three Clubs - Flint 3 Clubs - The Flint Three Club convention allows the partnership to stop in a 3 Diamonds contract, or three of a Major suit after a 2 No Trump opening. A 3 Club response forces the opener to bid 3 Diamonds, after which the responder then passes or signs off in a Major suit.

Flint Two Diamonds - Flint 2 Diamonds - A second modification of the Flint convention is the Flint Two Diamond Convention, and is used to investigate game in a No Trump contract or a Minor suit after a Weak No Trump Opening. A 2 Diamonds response shows either a hand with a solid Minor suit or an unbalanced hand with at least four cards in each Minor suit.

Gardener No Trump Overcall - Devised by Mr. Nico Gardener, London. As a defense method, a 1 No Trump overcall can be very effective. It is definitely obstructive. However, the Gardener No Trump overcall has two interpretations.

Granville Convention - Although the origin is unknown, the general consensus is that this conventional method was developed in England. It is sometimes referred to as the Kaplan Interchange, although it has little to do with the Kaplan-Sheinwold Bidding System. The problem arose owing to a particular problem presented mostly in the Two Over One bidding system.

Halsall Convention - A bidding treatment to show a two-suited hand over a preempt, generally on the Three Level.

Inverted Psycho Suction - A defense mechanism after a No Trump opening, devised by Mr. Thomas Andrews.

Kamikaze No Trump - The Kamikaze No Trump is a bidding system devised by Mr. John Kierein. The concept was to open a holding in First or Second Seat with a total of 9 to 12 high card points. After the ACBL regulated that any No Trump opening with less than 10 high card points could not apply the usual conventions such as Stayman, Mr. John Kierein altered his Kamikaze No Trump opening to show values between 10 and 13 high card points.

Kantar Kleinman Slam Force - Mr. Eddie Kantar and Mr. Danny Kleinman, during their play as bridge champions, devised separately a method of reaching slam. Since their method reached the bridge community about the same time, this method became known as the Kantar-Kleinman Slam Force.

Kaplan Interchange - Although the origin is unknown, the general consensus is that this conventional method was developed in England. It is mainly referred to as Granville, although it has little to do with the Kaplan-Sheinwold Bidding System. The problem arose owing to a particular problem presented mostly in the Two Over One bidding system.

Kiri Asking Bid - The origin of this designation is unknown. The concept serves only one purpose and is employed only after one partner, whose partner has not previously passed, opens the auction with 1 No Trump. The responder, with game forcing values and the correct distribution, first responds with 4. The opener, with this Kiri Asking Bid, is required to describe the strength of the No Trump opening.

Liberty Double - The Liberty defense mechanism versus the Multi offensive mechanism is used when the opponents opening bid has multiple weak possibilities with no known suit. This defense mechanism is designed to increase the possibility of penalties while also providing, at the same time, some blocking bids. The main feature is the Liberty Double made directly over the Multi bid.

Major Minor Canape - MamiC
The concept of the MamiC Opening Bid system was devised by Mr. Richard Lighton of New Jersey around 1990. The concept is based on the Major-Minor-Canape opening bidding system.

Matthew Two Spades - Matthew 2 Spades - The origin of this conventional opening is unknown. The concept is a Weak Two bid opening with multiple meanings and clarified by the opener with the second bid. The high card point values are less than an opening count and the Weak Two bid is dependent on distribution.

Mock Swedish - This is a opening bidding system devised in 1993 by Mr. Richard Lighton of New Jersey, who was fascinated by the Muppet Show created by Mr. Jim Henson.

Psycho Suction - A defense mechanism after a No Trump opening, devised by Mr. Thomas Andrews.

Reverse Flint Convention

Roudy Convention - Roudi Convention
The origin of this conventional method is unknown. This conventional method is considered popular in the country of France and is applied after the responder has bid 1 Spade, which has a definite significance.

Stenberg - The origin of Stenberg is not known, but it is a variation on the Limit Major Raises. Included are the rebids by the opener and several by the responder with the corresponding meanings.

Swedish Jacoby 2 No Trump - This is a variation of the Jacoby 2 No Trump used in Limit Raises. This variation is played in Sweden and has gained some popularity.

Tape Relay System - The Tape Relay bidding system was devised by Mr. Donald Evans, and uses a Forcing Pass as an opening bid in any seat, after prior players, opponents or partner, have passed.

Tiroler Berg Weak Two Bids - The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The basis of the concept is the Weak Two bid in either Major suit with the original opening showing a specified suit. The opening can have several meanings, which are then clarified by the rebids.

VROOM Defense to 1 No Trump Openings - Mr. Mohamed Abdel Bari summarized and Mr. Scott Bennett Graham contributed this defense to 1 No Trump openings by the opponents.

The Weak 6-4 Method - This concept was devised as an augmentation to the convention New Minor Forcing. The foundation of the concept is, as a responder, the ability to show a particularly distributional holding of 6-4 and generally weak values.

Woodgroves Multi - The Woodgroves Multi convention begins with the opener bidding 2 Diamonds. The holding of the opener can vary according to the partnership understanding and will be clarified during the ensuing auction. The employment of the Woodgroves Multi is to some degree questionable and should be cleared with the governing bridge organization.

Wittes Adjunct to New Minor Forcing - The origin of this treatment is unknown. When employing New Minor Forcing as the partnership agreement, the partnership may wish to show the quality of the opener's holding in the responder's Major suit.

Yellow Rose of Texas Convention - This conventional method is one of many invented by Mr. Danny Kleinman and this presentation is a contribution of Mr. Danny Kleinman, and which are published in his book called A Cornucopia of Conventions. This particular conventional method is employed after the partner has opened the auction with 1 No Trump or 2 No Trump, and the partnership agreement is to use also Texas Transfers.

Library Main Section

Exit Transfer Bids - Exit Transfer No Trump Runouts
The origin of this conventional method is unknown. It has been assumed that the correct designation for this bidding action is Transfers Following (After) A Double. The designation of Exit Transfers is, more or less, a term accepted by the bridge community and not exactly an official designation.

Limit Raise - Limit Raises - A different approach to supporting partner's bid suit. Below are several conventions, treatments and methods of responding to an opening.

Jacoby Two No Trump - Jacoby 2 No Trump - Jacoby 2 NT - This treatment is an integral part of Limit Raises.

Mini-Splinter

Omnibus Two No Trump Response To A Major Opening

Semi-Artificial Raises - These are Limit Raises devised by Mr. Thomas Ahmann and Mr. Thomas Ahmann, Jr. This approach is presented in a .pdf file format, which will be automatically opened by your browser.

Singleton Swiss

Super Swiss

Swiss Convention

Long Suit Trial Bid - This bidding method, used after a Major suit opening, is very useful if the responder shows immediate support to determine whether the partnership should be in partscore or in game. This web page also includes Short Suit Trial Bids and Long Suit and Short Suit Trial Bids combined. This concept has similar features as in the method known as Help Suit Game Try or Short Suit Game Try.

Mellon Diamond
Authored by Mr. Adam Meyerson and Mr. Noble Shore. This documentation can be found by clicking on the link. The significance of the designation is unknown. As stated by the authors: The Recursive Diamond is a precision-like system, featuring light limited openings, weak notrumps, and an artificial forcing bid (1). See also: The Recursive Diamond.

Note: A short summary of the opening bids is presented on this site, which has been excerpted directly from the documention. This short summary also includes the pictures of Mr. Adam Meyerson, Mr. Noble Shore, and Mr. Greg Humphreys.

Merrimac Coup
Also known in earlier games, such as Whist and Auction Bridge, as Hobson's Coup or Hobson's Choice it describes the intentional and deliberate sacrifice of a high card, generally an honor card, with the object of eliminating a vital and necessary entry in the hand of the opponent, usually the dummy.

Mexican Two Diamonds - Mexican 2 Diamonds - Developed by Mr. George Rosenkrantz as a feature of the Romex System, and an opening which has become fundamental in the Romex System. The problem was that a hand containing 18/19-20/21 high card points could be opened with a Dynamic 1 No Trump, showing a balanced holding with six controls or a holding just short of the requirements for a 2 Clubs opening.

Michaels Cuebid - This convention allows one partner to inform his partner about a 2-suited hand. Distributional hands are very powerful, and this convention instructs the user how to use this tool.

Modified Michaels Cuebid - A variation of the Michaels Cuebid played in Canada. An effective and efficient variant which uses Jump Cuebids.

There have been modifications to the Michaels Cuebid convention, of which many have been suggested, and three versions are presented below, which are in included in our Glossary:

Extended Michaels Cuebids Over Minor Suit Openings - Also known as Spear Cuebids, the designation given by the developer Mr. Jack Spear. This information has been contributed by Mr. Jack Spear and is presented in its original version in a .pdf file format and will be automatically opened by your browser.

Note: The designation of Extended Michaels is contained in the publication The Intermediate American Bidding System, American Bridge Series, Volume II, 1998, with Jerry Pottier, Publisher: Trafford Publishing, ISBN -10: 1-55212-210-7. Source. No other information is presently available regarding this method.

Leaping Michaels - A version of Michaels Cuebids and which is employed only following a Weak Two bid in a Major suit opening by an opponent.

Michaelangelo - Developed and devised by Mr. Gordon Bower in the year 1999 and presented on his website. Addressing a certain weakness of the Michaels Cuebid method, this approach combines the features of Michaels Cuebids and the features of the Roman Jump Overcalls.

Super Michaels - This method or modification of the Michaels Cuebid convention is based on the same principle of the Michaels Cuebid except that a jump cuebid shows both Major suits and is, at the same time, a game-forcing action.

Top and Another Cuebids - T and A Cuebids - This method of the standard but combined Michaels Cuebid and Unusual No Trump as overcalls was developed by Mr. Gene Hendricks.

Mini Roman Two Diamonds or Mini Roman 2 Diamonds - The origin of the Mini-Roman Two Diamonds is unknown. The concept is closely related to the concept of the Roman Two Diamonds conventional method and should be studied together with this concept. The Roman Two Diamonds conventional method promises a three suited holding with a distribution of 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0.

Monaco Bidding System - The Monaco system was the original Relay System. It was devised by Mr. Pierre Ghestem of France, and used with Mr. Rene Bacherich in several World Championship tournaments. The main concept of the Relays some transfers is to bid in such a manner as to make the stronger hand become the declarer in the final contract.

Montreal Relay
This concept or conventional method arose in the bridge community, whereby the partnership could distinguish, via a particular bidding sequence, which, upon employment, would determine whether the responder has a 5-card Major suit. The concept is that only when the opening is 1 Club and the first response is 1 Diamond, then the responder does not hold a 5-card Major suit. After the concept found some popularity, Mr. Eric Kokish developed and devised a continuation of bidding, which is based on this concept. Mr. Eric Kokish published an article in the publication The Bridge World, August, 1974, Volume 45, No. 11, called The Montreal Relay.

Montreal Relay Bids - Provided by Neil H. Timm
The student of the Montreal Relay as presented in the Bridge World by Mr. Eric Kokish should also view and review the issue of BridgeNews, Volume 1, Issue 1, of November, 2006 of The Villages Duplicate Bridge Club. An article contained therein is titled Montreal Relay Bids and is provided by Mr. Neil H. Timm. This is a .pdf file and should load automatically. The Villages Duplicate Bridge Club is in central Florida and is located in District 9, Unit128, and is supported on the Internet by BridgeScore.com. Although the designation for this method is practically identical to the development of Mr. Eric Kokish, certain differences are obvious. Therefore the designation must be considered from the perspective that the two methods are not identical.

Moscito - This bidding system was developed and devised first by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess. If one takes the first four letters, then it builds an acronym for Major Oriented Strong Club. For its foundation, Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess used to a considerable extent the Symmetric Relay system and applied their version especially in auctions where the opening side has the balance of power. Originally, the Moscito System was a Strong-Pass system, but was altered in 1992 to the following structured bidding sequence.

Moscito Byte Bidding System - Moscito Byte, as a variation of the original Moscito bidding system, was researched and devised with several targets in mind, that of entering and exiting the auction as quickly as possible and find a contract, especially in a Major suit, that of determining whether game values are present, and if slam should be explored. and that of increasing the difficulty of communication between the opponents.

German Moscito - The variation with the name German Moscito was developed by Nikolas Bausback, Jurgen Dueball, Bjorn Janson, and Rene Steiner, and is based on a Moscito version devised by Mr. Martin Buchen of Australia.

Moscito 2002 - This is a summary of the Moscito Bidding System, written by Mr. René Steiner and Mr. Nikolas Bausback. This summary is in German. This is written in a .pdf file format, and, depending on your browser, will either be automatically opened by your browser or automatically downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Honeymoon Moscito - The variation of the Moscito Bidding System called Honeymoon Moscito was devised by Mr. Peter Buchen of Australia. This variation is based on the original Moscito System devised by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess.

Moscito-D - This variation of the Moscito System was developed by the German Moscito Team Mr. Nikolas Bausback, Mr. Jurgen Dueball, Mr. Bjorn Janson, and Mr. Rene Steiner. In Germany, the standard form for the most recognized bidding system is called Forum-D, derived from French bidding systems.

Newlands Moscito - This variation of the Moscito System is called the Newlands Moscito and was developed by Mr. D A. Newlands and Mr. M. Willcox, and is based on the original Moscito System devised by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess.

Terrorist's Moscito - Also titled Major-Oriented Strong Club with Intrepid Two Openers was published by Mr. Bo-Yin Yang of the Department of Mathematics at the Tamkang University in Taiwan. Contributing authors are: Mr. Ruey-Lun Lin, Jessica Y. Lee, and Mr. David Morgan. This publication can be downloaded as a .pdf file.

Moscito Byte by GIB - This is another variation of the Moscito bidding system devised by and for GIB or Ginsberg's Intelligent Bridgeplayer, which is a computer bridge software program developed by Mr. Matthew Ginsberg, a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Oregon and an expert bridge player.

Moscito System - This is a summary of the opening bids of the Moscito System as written and compiled by Mr. Richard Willey. The opening bids are described in detail and the continuing auction is presented with explanations. Suggestions on defense mechanisms are also offered with possible interpretations.

Moscito Notes by Mr. Richard Willey - A comprehensive compilation of opening bids and responses regarding the Moscito Bidding System. This information has been removed from the Internet and has only been archived on this site. The author is Mr. Richard Willey. This information is presented in a .pdf file format, and, depending on your browser, will either be automatically opened by your browser or automatically downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

SCRAPE or Strong Club Relay Avoiding Passing Ever
Mr. Mark Abraham of Australia has compiled a collection of various bidding systems. This particular bidding system is a derivative, modification and/or adaptation of the Moscito System and is therefore included in this list. The system has also been archived and preserved on this Website for future reference. See: Glossary

Movements - A movement is a schedule of progression for bridge players, which indicates the seat to be occupied in succession of the play. This schedule also indicates the boards and the numbers of the boards to be played by each player during each round of play. It is the obligation of the director to announce the movement to be followed before play commences. We have included several of these movements and will be adding more.

Multi Two Diamonds - Multi 2 Diamonds - The Multi 2 Diamonds opening was devised in the 1960s by Mr. Terence Reese and Mr. Jeremy Flint, assisted by fellow bridge partners Mr. Robert Sheehan, Mr. Jonathan Cansino and Mr. Irving Rose. The concept behind this opening is to make the interference by the opponents difficult and to obstruct their line of communication by an opening on the Two Level.

Multi Two Diamonds - Multi 2 Diamonds - This variation is by Mr. Barry Rigal and Mr. Chris Ryall of England.

Defense Method to Multi 2 Diamonds Opening
This method of defense against a 2 Diamonds opening by the opponents, employing the Multi 2 Diamonds convention, was devised by Mr. Danny Kleinman, a bridge expert player, who together with Mr. Eddie Kantar devised the Kantar Kleinman Slam Force.

Multi 2 NT Response - Multi 2 No Trump Response
This conventional method was originated by Mr. Ronald Denny Klinger, better known as Mr. Ron Klinger of Australia. The concept is that a first response of 2 No Trump after the opening by partner indicates at least a 4-card support for the bid suit and at least 7 high card points. The range of the values of the responder are however unlimited, and for this reason the significance of this first response can have multiple meanings, which are clarified later in the auction.

Myxomatosis Two Bids - This system of Weak Two bids, or bids beginning on the two level, with optional and various features was devised and developed by Mr. Robert Sebesfi. The noun describes a disease which kills rabbits.

Nagy Game Tries - This method of discovering whether game is a possibility after a one level raise of a Major suit, especially Spades, is worth exploring, was most likely devised by Mr. Peter Nagy.

New Minor Forcing - Generally a low level bid of the remaining unbid Minor suit, which is one-round forcing and requires partner to continue to describe values and length of the holding. Also refered to as Unbid Minor-Suit Force.

Hardy Adjunct to New Minor Forcing
The designation carries the surname of the originator, namely Mr. Max Hardy. The definition of the word adjunct is something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it. Mr. Max Hardy discovered that more information could be communicated by adding a feature to the traditional conventional method of New Minor Forcing.

Simplified New Minor Forcing - Devised by Mr. Martin Gellman. The addition of Mr. Martin Gellman to the New Minor Forcing convention is presented due to the understanding of certain partnership agreements. The idea behind this simplified form is readily understood and should be made available to the bridge players, who use different interpretations of the auction to mean different things.

Wittes Adjunct to New Minor Forcing - The origin of this treatment is unknown. When employing New Minor Forcing as the partnership agreement, the partnership may wish to show the quality of the opener's holding in the responder's Major suit.

New South Wales System
This is a variation of the Vienna System formerly used by Mr. Richard John Cummings , (aka Dick Cummings), (born 1932 and died 1999), and Mr. Thomas Peter Seres, (aka Tim Seres), (born 1925 and died 2007), in collaboration with other Australian bridge experts. The system and the opening bids were amended and expanded by Mr. William K. A. Schaufelberger (aka Win Schaufelberger), (born 1902 and died 1972), and by Mr. Ronald D. Klinger, (aka Ron Klinger).

Nightmare Bidding System or Nightmare System or Nightmare
A form of a bidding system, compiled by Mr. Massimo Lanzarotti, Mr. Eric Kokish, Isabel Gallego, and Mr. João Fanha, and devised by teams from Italy for major bridge events beginning in the late 1990s, employed primarily by Mr. Massimo Lanzarotti and bridge partner Mr. Andrea Buratti in those bridge tournaments. This is a .pdf file.

Nilsland Defense Against 1 NT Doubled or Nilslandske slinkningar - The English designation of Nilsland Defense or the Swedish designation of Nilslandske slinkningar is a defense mechanism against a double after a 1 No Trump opening, devised by Mr. Mats Nilsland of Sweden. This conventional method can be used after a 1 No Trump opening has been doubled or 1 No Trump overcall has been doubled. The only disadvantage to this convention is that the partnership may not be able to play 1 No Trump doubled.

Norman Four No Trump - Norman 4 No Trump - Norman 4 NT - A slam convention in which the Kings and Aces are shown with one bid. The Ace is counted as 1 point and the King is counted as 0.5 points.

No Trump Opening - When, and with how many high card points should you open 1 No Trump or 2 No Trump. See also: Weak No Trump Opening

Octopus Club Bidding System
This is the designation assigned to a bridge relay system, which was devised and developed by Mr. Giorgio Rivara, whose website can be visited by clicking on the link above. Mr. Giorgio Rivara, genovese, istruttore di bridge, si è dedicato all'elaborazione ed alla stesura dell'Octopus Club prendendo spunto dal sistema Ultimate Club pubblicato per la prima volta negli Stati Uniti nel 1981.

Octopus Club Bidding System - Opening Bids
This is the designation assigned to a bridge relay system, which was devised and developed by Mr. Giorgio Rivara. The opening bids are described below and have been provided by courtesy of Mr. Giorgio Rivara, to whom we are very thankful for sending them to us and for contributing them for the benefit of other bridge players.

Oltbrink Bidding System
This system was devised by and is played by Mr. Sjoert Brink and Mr. Erik Oltmans in the Dutch top division. The Lorenzo Two Bids are compulsory and must therefore be made even on hands like xxxx - xxx - xxx - xxx. This system is only in use when not vulnerable.

Online Bridge Text Messaging - Online Abbreviations
For all of those bridge players, who also chat with others online playing bridge, a new and shortened digital language has been devloped to spare the fingers from typing out the entire words. Instead, abbreviations and abbreviated signs have formed and accepted to relay the indentical information in short form. This information is also available in a .pdf file format.

Poly Club Two Diamonds Opening Bid
The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The concept behind this method is to indicate either a two-suited holding or a possible one-suited holding. This opening bid is forcing for one round and the first response allows the opener to clarify his holding.

Economou Two No Trump - Economou 2 NT
The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The employment of this conventional method is only applicable if the player is the first player in rotation to make an opening bid. The opening bid is either 2 No Trump or 2 Spades and shows a holding with an unknown single, long suit and either opening bid is intended as a preempt. This conventional method is also known by the designation of Terrorist Two No Trump. Since this conventional method also employs an opening bid of 2 Spades to show a similar, if not identical single-suited holding, the conventional method also carries the designation of Economou Two Spades.

Raptor Convention - The idea to utilize a 1NT overcall to denote a 5-4 two-suiter seems to have originated independently in Sweden and Poland in the early eighties of the twentieth century. The name, however, comes from Mr. Ron Sutherland and his son who re-invented this approach and published it in a Toronto magazine in 1993 under the acronym "wRAP around TORonto" style.

The Recursive Diamond - The link is to the Internet documentation of this bidding system. The Recursive Diamond is a bidding system devised by Mr. Jason Woolever, Mr. Qixiang Sun, Mr. Adam Meyerson, and Mr. Greg Humphrey . This information has also only been archived and preserved on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.

Relay Bids - These are minimum bids unrelated to the actual holding of the bidder, and are intended only to keep the auction open, in order that the partner can continue to describe his hand. We all use them in one form or another.

Relay Precision - Written by Mr. Hugh Grosvenor and Mr. Ian Robinson. This is an adaption of methods developed in New Zealand over the last few years. It is a strong club system, similar in many ways to Precision Club but using relay continuations over all of the openings.

Relay Precision - This version of the Symmetric Relay System is by Professor Roy Kerr and has been modified by Mr. Richard Hills in November 2000. This version has only been archived on this site in .pdf file format.

Reverse Bids - A method to show No Trump strength without No Trump distribution.

Ingberman Convention - This is not a variation of the Reverse bid, but rather a concept devised by Mr. Monroe Ingberman to be used by the responder of a Reverse bidder to show minimum values through a Relay bid of 2 No Trump.

Roman Asking Bids - Roman Asking Bids are an integral feature of the Roman System, and have, in part, been incorporated in the 1969 version of the Kaplan-Sheinwold System. It must be noted that both bidding systems limit the use of the Asking Bids to Jump Bids, which would otherwise be meaningless or impart no logical information.

Romex Bidding System - This bidding system was devised and developed over the years by Mr. George Rosenkranz of Mexico in cooperation and collaboration with Mr. Phillip Alder. Following are some of the features specifically designed for this bidding system, and which are used by bridge players independently of the system.

Dynamic No Trump - This method of opening No Trump is an integral feature of the Romex Bidding System, devised by Mr. George Rosenkranz of Mexico and Mr. Phillip Alder. The concept is that the opener may show a relatively strong holding, which is unbalanced, and which can be made on any distribution except 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 holdings. The strength is restricted to exactly 18 to 21 points and must have at least five controls and which has only four to five losers.

Romex Gerber - After the Gerber Convention was devised, many bridge players began to apply it in their bidding auctions. They discovered that the convention had several drawbacks and decided to alter the convention. Other partnerships devised a modification of the Roman Gerber variation, and this modification was used in the Romex Bidding System.

Romex Jump Shifts - A short description of the requirements and restrictions included in the Romex Bidding System to allow for the bids by either partner to be forcing.

Romex Namyats - This concept is an integral part of the Romex Bidding System, devised and developed over the years by Mr. George Rosenkranz of Mexico in cooperation and collaboration with Mr. Phillip Alder. The principle behind the concept is based on the original Namyats convention, devised by Mr. Victor Mitchell. The basic structure remains the same, but the requirements are stricter and more accurately defined.

Romex Stayman Over 2 NT and 1 NT - Mr. Marshall Miles, Mr. George Rosenkranz, the developer of the Romex Bidding System, and others developed this alternative to Puppet Stayman.

Romex Trump Asking Bids - The Romex Bidding System, devised by Mr. George Rosenkranz and Mr. Phillip Alder employs the 2 Clubs opening as an artificial bid, which is forcing to game. The Trump Asking Bids are conducted in Step Responses, and the trump suit may change during the bidding sequence.

Rubinsohl - A transfer method by the responder immediately after an overcall. This method uses the combination of transfers and Lebensohl in competitive auctions, aimed at allowing a player to show his distribution with both weak and strong hands. This method was introduced by Mr. Bruce Neill of Australia in an article in The Bridge World in 1983. The concept was based on the articles published in the same magazine by Mr. Jeff Rubens, who used the term Rubensohl.

Rumble versus Big One Club - This conventional defense mechanism was devised by Mr. Glen Ashton. Rumble is used against strong artificial forcing strong One Club openings. Rumble is an aggressive method, which the bridge player can employ effectively play against strong One Club openings. The link is to the website of Mr. Glen Ashton. This information has only been archived and preserved in .pdf file format on this site.

Sandwich No Trump - This term refers to the bid of 1 No Trump, generally on the one level, of a player made between two bidding opponents after two suits have been mentioned. Generally the overcall can be made in Third Seat, but more often in Fourth Seat after partner has passed. This bid describes a distribution of 5-5 in the other two unbid suits.

Score - A complete list of how to score points for Partscore, Game, Overtricks, Undertricks, Slams, Doubles and Redoubles.

Score Card - A complete list of all possible contracts and the results either doubled, redoubled, vulnerable and not vulnerable.

SCRAPE or Strong Club Relay Avoiding Passing Ever - Mr. Mark Abraham of Australia has compiled a collection of various bidding systems. This particular bidding system is a derivative, modification and/or adaptation of the Moscito System. The system has also been archived and preserved on this Website for future reference. See: Glossary

Sharples Convention - The Sharples convention is a method of responding to a No Trump opening when the responder holds only one 4-card Major and one and/or both 4-card Minor suits. This conventional method was devised by the twin brothers Mr. James Sharples and Mr. Robert Sharples. The Sharples convention is an extension of the Stayman convention and allows the partnership to explore first of all for a fit in a Major suit, and, if no fit is found, then to attempt to find a fit in a Minor suit.

Sharples Against No Trump Opening - Although the Sharples convention, devised by Mr. James and Robert Sharples, is originally a method of responding to a No Trump opening by the partner, Mr. James Sharples and Mr. Robert Sharples, both of Caterham, England, also developed a method of defending against a No Trump opening by the opponents.

Soloway Jump Shifts - A specific bidding sequence developed by and named after Mr. Paul Soloway.

Splinter - A convention allowing certain distributional hands to bid slam without necessarily having the high card points, but rather indicating the position of certain Key Cards.

Stoplight Convention - The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The intent of the concept is that a light opening by one partner is recognized, after a forcing response, by partner to possibly stop short of game. This is accomplished by employing an artificial rebid which informs the responder that opener holds a very light opening, hence the designation: "Stop - Light". This concept is similar to the Wolff Sign Off method. This article has been contributed by Mr. Marvin French of San Diego, California, and which, as a .pdf file, will be automatically opened by your browser. An article about the conventional method of Stoplight was published in Popular Bridge magazine, February 1978. The article won second place in the International Bridge Press Association's Awards for Best Article or Series on a System or Convention (C. C. Wei "Precision" Award). It was also published in the Contract Bridge Forum, August/September 1982. It is included in the book Bridge Conventions Complete, by Amalya Kearse.

Suction Convention - The Suction convention is a little known defense mechanism if the opponents open the auction with 1 No Trump. The overcall of any suit shows the next-higher suit, or the other two suits. This is known as a Transfer since the overcaller is actually transferring his partner to the desired suit.

Swiss - The Swiss convention requires a response of Four in A Minor Suit to an opening of one in a Major Suit and shows a Standard Forcing Raise to the Three-Level.

Variations of this convention are listed below.

Trump Swiss - A variation of the Swiss convention with a more informative bidding process.

Fruit Machine Swiss - A variation of the Swiss convention showing Singletons, Aces, and Trump King.

Singleton Swiss - A variation of the Swiss convention showing two Aces and maybe a singleton.

Super Swiss - A variation using a four step bidding process showing Voids, Singletons, and Aces.

Conglomerate Major Raises - An extension of the Swiss convention.

Limit Raise - Limit Raises - Limit Raises apply the Swiss convention in reaching the correct contract.

Unbalanced Swiss Raises - A feature of the Aces Scientific System.

Value Swiss Raises - A feature of the Aces Scientific System.

Texas Convention - Commonly referred to as Texas Transfer Bids. The Texas convention is simply a Transfer Bid. It was devised by Mr. David Carter of the United States, and also independently by Mr. Olle Willner of Sweden. The conventional method was developed and promoted by Mr. Oswald Jacoby.

Dutch Texas Transfer or Dutch Texas Transfer Bids - This is a variation of the Texas Transfer convention and which originated in The Netherlands, which has become known by the country of its origin. The method is outlined below. The possible advantage to this conventional method is that the bidding sequence allows the hand holding the important tenaces to become the declarer.

Extended Texas Convention - A variation of the Texas Convention married with the Smolen conventional method to show a particular holding in both Major suits.

Roth Texas Convention- This variation of the Texas convention was developed by Mr. Alvin Roth, and was described in his publication Picture Bidding.The idea of the concept is the realization that a Texas transfer bid may result in a game contract, which may catch the No Trump bidder with a very weak 2-card suit.

Texas At The Two Level- Although quite similar to the Jacoby Transfer conventional method, this approach is different is several aspects. One main difference is that the responder is able to transfer partner to a Minor suit. A second feature of this conventional approach is that the partnership can use the two level, the three level, and the four level to communicate certain distributions.

South African Texas Convention - A variation of the Texas Convention.

The Unusual No Trump - How to show your Partner a two-suited hand with an overcall of one bid, and to show him which suits they are. A powerful tool of bridge utilized by many bridge players.

Super Unusual Two No Trump - Super Unusual 2NT- This variation appears in the book authored by Mr. Larry Cohen in his publication entitled: To Bid or Not to Bid - The Law of Total Tricks beginning with page 118-119. The content of this web page is an excerpt from this book and posted to the Internet with the permission of the author.

Defense Method Against Unusual No Trump Overcalls - A presentation of a defense method.

Thomas Convention - The origin of this convention is unknown and is properly designated as the Thomas Four Diamonds - Thomas 4 Diamonds convention. It can be used in several bidding systems, such as the Universal Club bidding system, but can also be employed as a stand-alone method of asking for Aces. The convention is used only used after an opening of a Major suit, not after a Minor suit opening.

Toad Club - This Strong Club System was developed by Mr. Ken Schutze and Mr. Jim Griffin. This information contains only system notes as opposed to a defined system. This information has only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.

Tonto Convention - This conventional method was devised and developed by Mr. Robert Stone. The designation is an acronym for Transfers Over 3 No Trump Overcalls. It is a basically a means employed by the partnership to continue to explore for additional information after one partner has overcalled an opening preempt bid on the three level by the opponents with 3 No Trump.

Touching Escape Bids - This convention method provides a so-called escape system in particular auctions whereby one player has opened the bidding with a suit and there has been an overcall of a natural 1 No Trump, which is then doubled for penalty by the next player in rotation.

Transfer Advances: Part 1 and Part 2
This is a technique / conventional method published by Mr. Jeff Rubens in the Bridge World in the 1970s, and compiled by Mr. Marc Smith for the Internet. The basic concept of the Transfer Advance is that the player rotate the meaning of all bids between and including the simple cue-bid to the bid below the raise. This information has only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format.

Transfer Bids - This is the designation for a bid or call that shows, by agreement, length in the next higher-ranking suit. This bid is employed to transfer the contract into the stronger holding and also to provide a more flexible bidding. Such bids, or calls, were first employed by Mr. David Carter, who devised them for the conventional method designated Texas Transfers. These bids were also developed by Mr. Oswald Jacoby, who employed them for his Jacoby Transfer bids. Such transfer bids were also independently devised and developed by Mr. Olle Willner of Stockholm, Sweden, who published their employment and use in a series of articles in the magazine Bridge Tidningen in 1953 and 1954. Transfer bids can also be employed by the partnership to distinguish between weak and strong opening preempt bids and to allow the responder to judge whether a slam possibility exists. Since their development, transfer bids have been used for many bidding situations and have led to other conventional methods known by different designations but all of which have the transfer concept generally by the responder in common.

Trap Method Against Strong 1 Club Openings
The origin of this conventional defense method is unknown, but this defense method was popularized by Mr. Anthony (Tony) R. Forrester of Upton Bishop, England. It is a defensive bidding system employed after strong, artificial One Club openings.

Modified Trap Method Against Strong 1 Club Openings
The origin of this conventional defense method is unknown. It is a modified version of the Trap Defense Method and contains in addition bids on the two level to show distribution not capable of being shown by the Trap Defense method. As with the original concept, the modified version is a defensive bidding system employed after strong, artificial One Club openings.

Twisted Swine - Runouts After 1NT - Dbl or Runouts After 1 No Trump - Double or Swine Runouts
The origin of this concept known by several different designations, is unknown. The concept deals with an immediate overcall by an opponent after a 1 No Trump opening. The bridge player must be aware of the fact that an overcall of a 1 No Trump opening is a competitive defense mechanism, and therefore this treatment designated as Twisted Swine is a defense mechanism to a defense mechanism. It is with this understanding that the following information be viewed, read, und understood.

Two Way Checkback - Two Way Checkback, introduced by Mr. Kit Woolsey in an article in Bridge Today, uses the rebids of two of either minor by the responder after opener's 1 No Trump rebid as artificial and forcing. In the Woolsey-style, 2 puppets to 2 to play 2 or 3 or to invite game in various strains. 2 over 1 No Trump is artificial and game forcing. By Mr. Jeff Goldsmith.

Two Way Drury
This variation employs two bids to discover whether or not the holding of the opener is weak, sub-minimal, or a full opening.

Unbalanced Heart Convention - Contributed by Mr. Marvin French of San Diego, California. The concept assists the partnership is describing an unbalanced holding held by the responder of game-invitational strength with five hearts and fewer than four spades. The Unbalanced Heart Convention was published in The Bridge World magazine, February 1978, and in the Contract Bridge Forum, August 1977. It is included in the book Bridge Conventions Complete, by Amalya Kearse. This is a .pdf file, which will automatically be opened by your browser.

Under Jump Shift - The Under Jump Shift is used to show:

(a) four card support for the Ma jor suit bid by the opener

(b) 9+ to 12- high card points (Limit Raise values)

(c) a singleton or void in a side suit

The responder does this by making a jump shift in the suit immediately below the Major suit named by the opener. This is a .pdf file format and will, depending on your browser, be automatically downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat or automatically opened by your browser.

Vasilevsky Convention
This competitive conventional method was described in the book Competitive Bidding in the 21st Century by Mr. Marshall Miles. The concept is that the opponents can enter the competitive auction after a Major suit opening, a pass by one's partner, and a first response by the partner of the opening bid of 1 No Trump. The name of this conventional method is unknown, but it could be possible that it has been named after the bridge professional Mr. George Vasilevsky of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

Wagner Two Diamonds
The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The concept is that one player opens 2 Diamonds, indicating either a Weak Two Bid in Hearts or Spades. The idea is to obstruct the opponents as much as possible and have them conceiveably play in an incorrect final contract.

Walsh Relays
This is a method devised and developed by Mr. Richard Walsh to describe the appropriate responses by the responder, who is seeking slam after partner has opened the auction with 1 No Trump.

Walsh Transfers - Walsh Transfer Bids - Transfer Walsh
The concept of Walsh Transfers (aka Transfer Walsh) has been expanded to include additional features by Mr. Micha Keijzers - website. The reasoning is that the method is effective in discovering a 5-3 or 4-4 fit in either Major suit following a preparatory 1 Club opening bid. This information has only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.

Weak Two Bids - Weak 2 Bids - A Convention or a Treatment? First practiced by Mr. Schenken and Mr. Van Vleck, and then adopted by many bridge players around the world because of its obstructive element. These bids have become universal, but not every player knows what to do afterwards.

Variations on this concept follow below.

Bailey Weak Two Bids - This treatment was originated by Mr. Evan Bailey of San Diego California and Mr. Edward Barlow of Sacramento, California. The concept is that one partner opens a Weak Two bid in any suit except Clubs with specific distributional attributes.

Benjamin Convention - Mr. Albert Benjamin from Scotland liked the Weak Two Bid so much, that he decided to alter it somewhat. He grew up using the Acol System, and altered the bidding auction.

Defense Against Weak Two Bids - There are many forms of defense methods against any and all conventional methods. It would be impossible to introduce them all since they are normally based on a partnership agreement and/or understanding. We do wish to present several defense mechanisms whenever possible and whenever we find them.

McCabe Adjunct - This is a method whereby the Weak Two bidder and his partner play in a new suit on the three level.

Matthew Two Spades - Matthew 2 Spades - The origin of this conventional opening is unknown. The concept is a Weak Two bid opening with multiple meanings and clarified by the opener with the second bid. The high card point values are less than an opening count and the Weak Two bid is dependent on distribution.

Major Suit Weak Two Bids - This variation has been provided by Mr. Dirk Waerenborgh of Belgium. This conventional method is a variation of the general guidelines for opening Weak Two Bids combined with the Muiderberg convention and includes a Preemptive Opening on the three level. The exception is that the Weak Two Bids are confined to only the two Major suits. This is a .pdf file format and will automatically be opened by your browser.

Ogust Convention - A conventional method of rebidding after a 2 No Trump response to a Weak Two opening bid by partner, devised by Mr. Harold A. Ogust, with the intention of describing the holding more completely in terms of weakness and strength.

Benji Acol Variation - This variation has been adopted for the Acol bidding system to show not only the quality of the suit, but also the number of high card points via the responses.

Bogust Variation - This variation is based on the Weak Two bidder opening with either a good 5-card suit with two of the top three honors, or any 6-card suit. In response to the forcing 2 No Trump bid by partner, the rebids of the Weak Two bidder show the length of the suit and the approximate number of Losing Tricks.

Feature Variation - The origin is unknown. This variation, via the responses, determine whether the Weak Two bidder is indeed weak or strong and to discover whether the Weak Two bidder has a specified feature in a desired suit. The indicated honor is generally considered either a Queen or higher.

Honor-Quality Variation - The origin of this variation is unknown. Similar to the Ron Klinger variation, this variation promises a certain number of the top three honors together with the quality of the suit.

New Ogust or September - The origin is unknown. A variation of the Ogust conventional system, whereby the rebids are based on the Losing Trick Count method.

Reverse Ogust - A variant of the Ogust conventional method, origin unknown, whereby the meanings of the two bids 3 Diamonds and 3 Hearts are reversed.

Ron Klinger Variation- A variation developed by Mr. Ron Klinger of Australia to indicate via the rebids the number of honors held after a Weak Two opening bid.

Tiroler Berg Weak Two Bids - The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The basis of the concept is the Weak Two bid in either Major suit with the original opening showing a specified suit. The opening can have several meanings, which are then clarified by the rebids.

Weak Jump Shift Response - During the evolution of the Strong Jump Shift response, signifying 15/16 high card points and a 6-card suit, it became evident that even a normal response had the same effect, since any response by the responder continues to be forcing for one round. Therefore, another interpretation of the Jump Shift response became the norm. Instead of being strong, the Jump Shift became weak.

Weak No Trump Opening - The use of a No Trump range between 10-12 high card points, used as a preemptive strike against the opponents. Employed mainly by favorable vulnerability and generally in the First, Second, and sometimes Third Seat.

Weak Opening Systems - Weak Opening Systems, or WOS, has become a bidding system in its own right. The first such system was primarily accomplished by Mr. Jukasz Slawinski of Poland. It was based originally upon the concept behind a Strong Two Club bidding system. This concept was revised, expanded, and amended.

Weak Suit Game Try - Help Suit Game Try - Long Suit Trials - Short Suit Trials - Long Suit Trial and Short Suit Trial Combined - Counter Trial - All designations refer to the same concept and conventional method, regardless of whether each explanation varies from another. As with some partnership agreements, one partner can show a hand willing to accept an invitation to game by bidding any other suit. This action is referred to as a Weak Suit Game Try. All of the above designations apply for this particular concept. This action can be used, for instance, when employing Reverse Drury or Limit Raises.

Weissberger - Used in the Acol bidding system, this conventional variation of the Stayman convention assists the partnership to establish whether the No Trump bidder holds a 3-card Major suit.

Western Cuebid - Although this is not a convention, it is a useful concept when the partnership discovers that the better contract could be a No Trump contract rather than a suit contract. The only requirement is that an opponent must make a suit overcall in order that one partner can cuebid that particular suit in order to discover whether the other partner has a stopper in that suit. Therefore, the Western Cuebid asks for a stopper, but does not show a stopper.

California Cuebid - This is another designation for the Western Cuebid.

Eastern Cuebid - Although this is not a convention, it is a useful concept when the partnership discovers that the better contract could be a No Trump contract rather than a suit contract. The only requirement is that an opponent must make a suit overcall in order that one partner can cuebid that particular suit in order to show the other partner that he/she has a stopper in that suit. Therefore, the Eastern Cuebid shows a stopper, but does not ask for a stopper.

Whirlwind Convention - The origin of this conventional method is unknown. This conventional method is employed by the defense as a defense mechanism after one opponent has opened the auction with an opening of a strong 1 Club.

Wolff Signoff Bids or Wolff Convention
A method devised by Mr. Bobby Wolff and permits the responder to stop the auction at the three level, after the opener has made a jump rebid of 2 No Trump.

The Wolff Signoff can also be used by the responder as a second bid in the ACOL bidding system.

Woodson Two-Way No Trump - This convention, named after Mr. William Woodson, permits an opening bid of 1 No Trump with any balanced hand and can contain 10-12 high card points or 16-18 high card points. Mr. William Woodson reasoned that the opponents would have a more difficult time entering the auction if confronted by a 1 No Trump. If you select to use the Woodson Convention, include it in your Partnership Agreement, and ascertain whether you may play it at certain tournaments.

Wraight Convention - Devised by Mr. Philip Wraight. Playing Acol, you may have a problem as responder with a balanced 10 count, if you are unable to bid a four card suit at the one level, since 1 No Trump shows 6-9 points except over 1 , and the 2 No Trump rebid shows 11-12 points.

Yellow Rose of Texas Convention - This conventional method is one of many invented by Mr. Danny Kleinman and this presentation is a contribution of Mr. Danny Kleinman, and which are published in his book called A Cornucopia of Conventions. This particular conventional method is employed after the partner has opened the auction with 1 No Trump or 2 No Trump, and the partnership agreement is to use also Texas Transfers.

Zia Cuebids - Zia Cue Bids - The Zia Cuebid consists of bidding the suit, which the defender should not lead.

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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