Two Over One in Bridge
Two Over One in Bridge
Two Over One in Bridge
Tu (Stephen on OKB) Other Sources: OKbridge 2/1 Notes and "Modern Bridge Conventions" by William S. Root /Richard Pavlicek. Index
Introduction Overview Errors and obvious omissions in the OKb 2/1 CC General Approach How it Works (updated 9 August 2002) 1NT Forcing! (updated 14 August 2001) Preempt Jump Shifts! (PJS) 2NT Feature over Wk2! & R-O-N-F Unusual 2NT! (unusual) Michaels Cuebid! (michaels) Jacoby Transfers to Majors! (JXfers) Texas High Level Transfers! (Texas) Minor Suit Stayman! (mss) (updated 28 June 2001) (4sf) 4 Suit Artificial and GF! (updated 25 August 2001) Gambling 3NT! Negative Doubles! (negx) Responsive Doubles! (resx) Support Doubles & Redoubles! Jacoby 2NT! (J2N) Jordan 2NT! (also known as Truscott) (jordan) Inverted Minors! (invm) Lebensohl! (leb) New Minor Forcing! (nmf) Reverse Drury! (rdrury) (updated 25 August 2001) Defence to Strong 1/2 Club Openers! 2nd Negative Response to Strong 2 Club Openers Slinter Bids (splinters) Cappelletti! (capp) (hamilton) ( omission corrected 10 March 2003) Roman Key Card Blackwood (rkc) (Updated 28 June 2001) OKb 2-1 CC
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Introduction
This description of the OKbridge-Style 2 over 1 Bidding System assumes that you are already familiar with the Standard American Yellow Card. If not, see SAYC Simplified on http://www.annam.co.uk/sayc.htm. Other conventions not specifically included in the OKbridge 2/1 CC, but commonly used on OKbridge, can be found on http://www.annam.co.uk/sayc02.htm. ! = Alert throughout : GF = Game Force; NF = Non-Forcing ; HCP=High Card Points; Points=HCP+distributional points
Overview
The most important changes in OKb-style 2/1 as compared with OKb-style SAYC are: 1. Any 2 over 1 bid by an unpassed hand in an uncontested auction is Game Forcing. 2/1 is OFF in competition BETWEEN opener and responder. A 2 over 1 bid refers to a sequence such as 1-Pass-2!, in which responder bids a new suit at the 2 level without jumping. In that case, neither player may pass until a game contract is agreed. There are no exceptions to this rule. 2. 1NT! response to a 1 or 1 opening bid is forcing for 1 round by an unpassed hand and shows approximately 6-12 HCP. If a passed hand responds 1NT it shows about 6-11 HCP (depending on how light you open) and is not forcing. 3. A large collection of advanced conventions. 4. "Up the line" bidding differs from the SAYC treatment in that responder bids a 4 card major, bypassing a longer Diamond suit, whenever responder has less than GF values. Responding 1 and then bidding a major would show GF strength. Opener's rebid over 1 assumes that responder does not have a 4 card major. Therefore, opener will rebid 1NT with a 4 card major and balanced hand, (or a major instead of 1NT if his hand is unbalanced). Opener 1 1NT 1 1 Responder 1 2- 1 1NT Shows Responder's rebid of 2 or 2 is natural, forcing This is a natural sequence. Responder might have a diamond suit but cannot bid it with limited values
This approach allows many game forcing and slam try auctions to occur without space consuming jumps or anxiety about being passed (especially by a pickup partner ). Drawbacks include not being able to play in 1NT after an opening 1 of a suit in an uncontested auction (a big factor in matchpoints) and the loss of a natural invitational 2 level response with a good 5 card suit.
1. The OKb 2/1 CC should include the following "common practice" conventions: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. Splinter Bids Lightner Doubles GrandSlam Force (GSF) DOPI Gerber over NT SOS Redoubles Unusual NT
2. Errors and areas in which the OKb 2/1 CC and summary differ from common practice a. "Leb" only over 1NT not 2N opener b. Single minor suit raise is standard in comp. (OKb 2/1 CC says "INVM on in comp") c. Strong 2: after a 2 waiting response and a suit rebid by opener, the cheapest 3 of a minor rebid (if available or 3NT if not) is the 2nd negative: this bid is artificial and shows about 0-4 HCP. (OKb 2/1 CC says "cheapest 3 level") d. Texas Transfers are "on" in competition through 3. (OKb 2/1 CC says "on /x" but recommends that they are "on" in the OKb 2/1 notes)
General Approach
1. Normally open five-card majors in all seats. 2. Open the higher ranking suit with 5-6 when the hand is minimal, and open the lower ranking suit when the playing strength (not necessarily HCP) justifies an invitational reverse on the next round of bidding. 3. Open the higher ranking of long suits of equal length: 5-5 or 6-6. 4. Normally open 1 with 4-4 in the minors. 5. Normally open 1 with 3-3 in the minors. 6. 1NT = 15-17HCP (NT openings show a balanced hand but can be made with a five-card major or minor suit). 7. 2NT = 20-21HCP 8. 3NT = Gambling solid minor (usually 7-carder) and no outside Ace or King 9. Strong artificial 2 Opener = 22+ HCP with a balanced hand. Unbalanced hands should have approx. 9+ playing tricks with at least 2 defensive tricks outside the long suit. 10. Weak two-bids in diamonds, hearts and spades = 5-11 Points, 6 card suit. A good quality trump suit (2 of the top 3 honours or close to that) is expected in 1st & 2nd seats (as a consequence of playing Feature Ask 2NT). In 3rd seat, the openings can be very undisciplined, especially at favourable vulnerability and at matchpoints.
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How it Works
2/1 GF applies only when our side opens 1 of a suit in 1st or 2nd position, the next player passes, and responder bids a new suit at the 2 level without jumping. Here are all of the cases: 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 The auction can stop in 4 of a minor only if 3NT is determined to be unplayable (because of unstopped suit), no major fit has been found, and both players are minimum. In other cases, 4 of a minor is forcing. Discussion point: Some partners prefer "100% game forcing". If the opponents interfere after the the 2/1 GF response, then our side is forced to double them for penalty or to bid to game (or 4 of a minor). We cannot let them play undoubled at any level. Related conventions: Forcing 1NT responses are a key element of the 2/1 GF system. This bid occurs when our side opens 1 or 1 in 1st or 2nd seat and the next player passes. The Forcing 1NT response shows about 6-12 HCP (sometimes more). It gives the system a way to show hands with 10-12 HCP that cannot respond with a game forcing bid at the 2 level. More on this below. The sequence 1-pass-3 shows 6 or more clubs and 9-11 HCP in many 2/1 partnerships. This is a discussion point. When is 2/1 not GF?: Standard methods apply when the opponents interfere directly over the opening bid. A new suit at the 2 level is invitational and forcing for 1 round by an unpassed hand (the logic here is that a negative double is often available for hands that are not good enough to force to game. Furthermore, the 3 level is close to game anyway). A non-jump new suit at the 3 level by an unpassed hand is forcing to game. Examples: 1-(2)-2 = invitational 1-(2)-3 = game force Standard methods generally apply if responder is a passed hand and bids a new suit at the 2 level. An exception is a 2 response to 1 or 1 opener in 3rd (by arrangement 4th) seat, which is RDrury.
Note: A first round jump shift is not condsidered a 2/1 response: 2/1 refers to a non-jump bid of a lower ranking suit. Jump shifts retain their normal meaning. By an unpassed hand when RHO passes, a jump shift (as played in SAYC and OKb 2/1) shows a very strong hand and a good 5+card suit, usually a 6+card suit. Furthermore there is nothing special or different about it in OKb 2/1. The availability in OKb 2/1 of the NMF and 4SF conventions results in some auctions in which it is neither useful or necessary to jump shift with 17+ playing points on hands where one might consider it necessary to do so in SAYC due to a lack of good sequences after starting with a 1-level response. Examples Opener 1 Opp1 Pass Responder 2!-!-! Opp2 any Shows GF neither player can pass until game is reached, since the 2/1 bid is in a new suit. 1-2 shows 5+cards but 2 of a minor suit is often 4 (or even 3 cards, 3433 pattern), since J2N is used instead of a natural GF 2NT response GF unless opener or responser doubles which would be penalty double. After a 2/1, the opps can't play undoubled, so passes are forcing if an opp made the last bid, obliging Responder to double for penalty or bid on. Approx 10+points. Not GF Approx 10+points. Not GF Weak jump shift - 6+ card suit, 0-6 points. Sign off not GF
How it Works (Contd)
1 1 1 1
Pass 2 1 1
2! 2- 2- 2!
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How it Works (Contd)
Opener's Rebids after 2/1 GF Bid Opener X (in comp) Pass (in comp) Simple rebid Jump rebid New suit at the 2-level New suit at the 3 level (not a jump) Jump Shift to 3 level Jump Shift to 4 level 2NT 3NT Single raise of hearts Single raise of minor Jump raise Rebid Shows Penalty oriented Forcing Pass. Responder must X for penalty or bid on The catchall bid (a bid that covers all the remaining possibilities), does not promise extra strength or length Extra values, 6+card suit, solid or semi-solid depending on agreement. Responder's new suits are cuebids in support. Natural, at least four cards, any strength Natural, at least 4 cards, extra values (at least a king above min). This bid will be a minor suit. Requiring extra values helps responder gauge whether bidding past 3NT to explore a minor slam in safety. With minimum, bid 2NT if balanced/semi-balanced with stoppers, or rebid your major, the catchall. You may show the suit later if given an opportunity Ambiguous. Depending on agreement, could be Splinter in support of responder, or a strong 5/5 with most of the strength in the suits. Avoid this bid with new partners Splinter in support of responder 12-14 or 18-19 bal, stoppers in unbid suits. With 18-19, make slam try if responder signs off (e.g., natural 4NT after 1-2-2NT-3NT-4NT). Responder will assume 12-14 initially 15-17 balanced Any 3-card support, any strength. Not raising denies 3-card heart support. Denies hand appropriate for Splinter or jump raise Extra values, prefer 4 card or good 3 card support since responder often has only 4. The extra values help determine whether to bypass 3NT in search of slam. With min, bid catchall or 2NT and maybe show support later. Most points concentrated in the 2 suits, denies control (A, K, singleton, void) in other suits.
Responder's Rebids after 2/1 GF Bid Responder 2NT Jump to 3NT Rebid 2/1 suit New suit Raise opener's suit Rebid Shows 12-14 or 18-19, stoppers in unbid suit(s). Could be unbalanced if no fit for opener. With 18-19, invite slam if opener signs off in game (1-2-2-2NT-3NT-4NT). Opener assumes 12-14. 15-17, stoppers, could be unbalanced if no fit Natural, 5/6+cards, forcing Natural, 4+cards, or a cuebid if a fit has been established See section below
Responder's Raises after 2/1 GF bid 1. Since all bids below game are forcing, responder usually has many bids available to raise opener (3+card support if opener's first suit, 4-card support if opener's second suit). The concept of "fast arrival", jumping to game to show less strength than a lower raise, should only apply in situations when opener is usually minimum. This is when opener rebids 2NT or rebids his opening suit, the catchall. Thus: 1-2-2NT-4 and 1-2-2-4 show a minimum GF hand with 3+ support. 1-2-2NT-3 and 1-2-2-3 show more than a minimum, and asks opener to cuebid. "Fast arrival" is not used in other situations, when opener could be any strength, because jumping to game would lose room to make cuebidsIn these other cases, a jump to game in opener's major is a "picture bid", showing points concentrated in the 2/1 suit and the major, and denying any controls (A,K,singleton/void) in the other suits. Examples of Picture Bid Sequences: 1-2-2-4 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 1-2-2-4
How it Works (Cont)
2.
If opener has rebid 2 of a new lower ranking suit, responder has 3 raises available for opener's first suit: a. The jump raise to the 3 level is used to show extra values with good cards for a slam (1-22-3) and asks opener to cuebid b. Splinter - a jump in a new suit showing a singleton/void in that suit, and support for opener's last bid major, examples showing spade support and single/void diamond: 1-2-2 -4! 1-2-2NT-4! 1-2-3 -4!
c.
If responder bids the lowest level raise, he just denies a hand appropriate for a Splinter or one of the jump raises.
The auction, 1-(P)-2 This auction is a special case, and is different from auctions that start 1 of a major. The opening bid did not promise 5 cards, and there is no 1NT! forcing available to responder. In many styles of 2/1 this auction is not played as GF. For OKb 2/1 however, the GF is "on". This is consistent with the treatment of 1-2NT as invitational with 11-12 points. The following set of recommended rebids is also consistent with that treatment, but do not expect a new partner to be on the same wavelength, as it is not Universal - accidents can be frequent!
Opener's Rebids after 1-(P)-2 Rebid Shows 5+, any strength, does not deny 4-card major 12-14,bal,stoppers, does not deny 4-card major 18-19,bal,stoppers 4-card major, denies 5+ unless major rebid on 3rd round to show a 5/6 hand. Does not promise extra strength
Other rebids by opener and responder retain the same meaning as other 2/1 auctions. Since opener does not deny 4-card major when rebidding 2 or 2NT, responder with a 4-card major and 5+clubs must bid the major at the next round to uncover a fit if on exists Note: Since 2 is a GF, what do you do with invitational hands? With a long 6+club suit, bid 1-(P)-3. This shows 10-12 points and is invitational, but non-forcing. It is no long a strong jump shift. With no long club suit, no 4-card major, and a hand that can't make an inverted raise of diamonds, bid 2NT, which shows 11-12 points. You will have to do this on some hands that don't have stoppers in one or both major suits.
If opener's hand does not fit into the above categories, he must bid his longest side suit "up the line", but always bid a 4 card heart suit with 5440 or 5404 shape. Sequence 1-1NT! 1-1NT! Opener holds: KQJT9 KJT6 A3 54 KQJT9 KJT A63 54 Examples: Opener's Rebid 2 2! Shows 4+,appx 12-18 points,NF 3+,appx 12-18 points,less than 4 hearts,fewer clubs than diamonds,NF 2+,appx 12-18 points, less than 4 spades, clubs equal or longer than diamonds.(the example hand is not strong enough to reverse).NF 2+, appx 12-18 points, less than 4 hearts, clubs equal or longer than diamonds:(in this example the spade quality is not good enough for a rebid:opener hopes for another chance to clarify).NF
1-1NT!
AQJT KJT98 Q6 54
2!
1-1NT!
2!
Sequence
Responder pass raise 2NT 3xnew suit pass raise major 2x new suit 2NT
1-1NT!-2
1-1NT!-2
Other notes: 1. Jump Shift by Opener (example: 1-1NT!-3). Responder usually prefers back to opener's major with 2 card support (or bids 3NT with stoppers), even when holding good 4 card support in the minor. This is to conserve bidding space and allow for the likelihood that opener's second suit is short. With 3 card support in the major and 10-12 support, responder follows through on the original plan and jumps to game in the major. 2. 1-1NT!-2/-2: logically, this cannot be natural. A common agreement is for this to be an artificial raise of opener's second suit, showing 4+ support and invitational values. By extension, a raise of opener's minor changes in meaning to be 5+ card support and less than invitational. This approach can shut out the opponents and occasionally leads to thin shapely games or slams. 3. Partner opens 1, you respond 1NT!. Now partner rebids 2 or 2. You bid 3, which is to play. This is one exception to the normal rule where typically a new suit by responder is forcing. Here it is not. However, with say, Axxxx AQxx x Axx, another call by opener would be warranted since he has three-card support for responder's minor, a singleton in an unbid suit and both aces in the long suits. Examples: Sequence Responder holds: K43 98 KJ43 J432 K43 K98 AJ J9854 1-1NT!-2! T43 K8 QJ2 KQ876 K43 A8 QJ32 T98 6 A53 52 AQT876 Rebid 2 3 3 2NT 4 Shows Correct to 2. Don't pass 10-12 points.2+,does not deny 4+.Invite 10-12 Points 5+,denies 3x.Invite 10-12 Points, gd stops in the unbid.Invite 10-12 Points, 3x (hand has added value with dbl-fit).
Unusual NT( ! )
1. A jump overcall of 2NT! over a 1 of a suit opener is Unusual NT and shows at least 5/5 in the lower 2 unbid suits. Overcaller's values can be very wide ranging, but should be concentrated in the long suits. 2. After a strong 2 opener, an overcall of 2NT! has the same meaning. Responses to Unusual 2NT are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Preference bid Jump preference bid (mostly pre-emptive) Cuebid for game or slam invitation Bid another suit (non-forcing) Bid 3NT with stops in the other 2 suits and enough entries for the long suits Bid 4NT which would be Blackwood
Note 1: Except 3NT, any other NT bid after both opponents have bid and partner has passed can also be considered as Unusual NT Note 2: A 4NT bid over opp's opener of 1 of a suit should also be recognised as Unusual NT
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Michaels Cuebid ( ! )
The Michaels Cuebid promises a 2-suited hand. Examples Overcall Shows both majors spades and an undisclosed minor hearts and an undisclosed minor
Opp1 1- 1 1
O/Call 2-! 2 ! 2 !
Note 1: A response of 2NT over the major suit cuebid asks partner to bid his minor Note 2: In a competitive auction, if 2NT is unavailable, responder can bid 4 (non-forcing) or 4NT (forcing) to locate the minor. 3NT is always to play. Note 3: The strength of the Michaels Cuebid follows the same guidelines as used for Unusual NT overcall. It is more "shape" than HCP that counts
Note 1: Jacoby Transfers are also used over openers of 2NT Note 2: Jacoby Transfers are "off" altogether if the NT opening is overcalled.
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Texas Transfers ( ! )
Jump responses of 4/4 over opener of 1NT/2NT to transfer to 4/4 when responder wants to be in game but has no slam interest Opener 1NT/2NT Responder 4! 4 ! Opener 4 4
The idea behind this convention is similar to that behind Jacoby Transfers - it is better for opener to be declarer, since his high cards won't be exposed to the defenders. Using both transfer conventions, responding to both 1NT and 2NT, Root/Pavlicek recommend the following understandings: 1. Texas, then pass is signoff in game, therefore: 2. Jacoby, then raise to game is mild slam try (not forcing but opener is invited to bid again with maximum). 3. Jacoby, then 4NT is defined as quantitative slam invitation, therefore: 4. Texas, then 4NT is Blackwood. Opener Responder 2-! 1NT 2-! 4-! 4-! Opener 2- 2- 4- 4- Responder 4- 4NT Pass 4NT Using both JXfer and Texas, Shows Suggests slam interest Quantitative slam invitation Signoff in game, no slam interest Blackwood, not quantitative
Texas Transfers are "on" in competition through 3 (see OKb 2/1 CC says "on /x"), i.e., Opener 1NT Opp1 2-3 2 3 Responder 4! 4 ! 4 Shows Xfer to 4 Xfer to 4 Natural, not an Xfer
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4SF does not apply in the following situations: 1. In an "up the line" bidding sequence, e.g., 1--1-1. This is not artificial and forcing only for 1 round. 2. When responder's rebid is a jump bid in the 4th suit showing invitational values and at least 5/5 in his bid suits, e.g., 1-1-2-3 3. In competition
Gambling 3NT ( ! )
With a solid minor of 7 or more cards, open 3NT! (The hand should have no outside Ace or King). If responder has stops in the other 3 suits and no minor void (and no slam interest), he can pass. If he does not have the required stops and entry, he must bid 4 which opener can adjust to 4 if necessary. Note: The official OKbridge 2/1 summary states that the 3NT bidder should not have a void or small singleton. However, there are almost no hands that meet the requirement and few players who practice it.
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Pard 1 1 1 1 1 Note:
Opp 1 1 1 1 1
Pard 2 X! X! X! X!
1. A direct double of opponent's 1NT opener is penalty oriented. 2. On OKbridge, always include a brief message to the opps when making a negative double: e.g., "=negx" or "=neg". Negative doubles are not alertable in ACBL competition, but are in most other areas. Responses to Negative Doubles Bid Shows Minimum (below game) Jump Cuebid of opps suit Pass (rare) Note: 1. All rebids by the Neg Xer below game are non-forcing, except a cuebid of opps suit. 2. Using Neg Xes means that partner is unable to double for penalty. Therefore, when an opp's suit overcall is followed by 2 passes, opener should try to re-open with a double, if he has 2 or less cards in the opp's suit, since partner may have passed with a good hand for penalties. upto 16HCP (non-forcing) 16-18 Points (non-forcing) 19+Points (forcing to game) for penalty
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Responsive Double ( ! )
The responsive double is a response to partner's takeout double after the opponents have bid and raised a suit. For example: 1 - X - 2 - X! The responsive double is based on the principle that a penalty double is usually unrewarding, therefore the responsive double shows scattered values with at least 6 points and interest in locating a fit. If the opponents are bidding a minor suit, a responsive double asks partner to pick a major suit. If the opponents are bidding a major suit, a responsive double requests partner to choose a minor suit. For instance, advancer might hold KT43 QJ32 93 JT9 and hear: 1 - X - 2 - ?, he should make a responsive double to ask partner to bid a major. Note: A double by advancer is responsive only when the opponents have opened a one-bid and raised it. Some players also use the responsive double when partner has made a simple overcall in a suit. In this case the responsive double would show 8+HCP, little support for partner's suit, and usually 5/5 or better in the 2 unbid suits: e.g., 1-1-2-X! would suggest 5/5 hearts/diamonds: partner with 3 card or better support for either should bid that suit rather than repeat his own if it is only a 5 carder. With no support for either he will rebid his own suit. The above description is fine if you have such "perfect" hand types. In practice, however, many players make a responsive double with any hand that has competitive or better values and no other good bid. For example: 1. You hold Kxx KQx xxx Axx and you hear 1-X-2, you have no good call so must use the responsive double and await partner. 2. You hold Kx Axx xxxx Jxxx and you hear 1-X-2, again, you have no good call so must use the responsive double. 3. You hold Txxx KQx xxx Jxx and you hear 1-X-3. Here again, with no good call, you must use the responsive double A good rule of thumb is not to use an ambiguous bid or sequence when there is a clear specific bid or sequence available Bidding situations in which double is NOT responsive but for penalty: 1. RHO has bid a new suit, e.g.,1 - X - 1 - X 2. Partner has made a jump overcall, e.g., 1 - 2 - 3 - X 3. LHO has opened with a preempt, e.g., 2 - X - 3 - X 4. Partner has overcalled in no-trumps, e.g., 1 - 1NT - 2 - X Note: On the OKb 2/1 cc, responsive doubles are on through 3.
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Note: On the OKb 2/1 cc, support doubles and redoubles are on through 2
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XX
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Inverted Minors ( ! )
A single minor raise is forcing and a jump minor raise is weak, thus "inverting" the standard meaning of the two bids. When responder has a weak minor raise (eg. 1-2) he is unlikely to "buy" the contract so he may as well bid 3. Conversely if responder has a good minor raise, he wants to keep the bidding as low as possible to allow careful exploration for game, or slam. No hand is too strong for a single minor raise. A classic "rule of thumb" is not to make a weak jump response to an opening bid with more than a poor 6 hcp. This avoids missing game when opener has a balanced 18-19 HCP. For example: Responses over an Opening of 1 of a Minor North South Shows 1 1 1- 1- 1NT 1NT 2-! 6-10HCP balanced hand.Denies 4-card major. Does not deny 4 of bid minor (NF) 6-10HCP, can be very unbalanced when holding long clubs.Denies 4-card major (NF) Min 10 Points (no upper limit) and 4+trumps, denies 4-card major (forcing)
After the single minor raise, opener must bid again, (except if responder is a passed hand, or if opener's RHO intervenes with a bid or a double). North South Opener's Possible Rebids North Shows 2NT! 1- 2-! 3-3! 2-! 3NT! Min response suggests NT as final contract Min response hand unsuitable for NT 4+ of the bid minor, stop in the bid major, says nothing about length of the major 18-19HCP (if playing 15-17NT), balanced hand
After a single minor raise responder is compelled to bid again only if opener rebids in a new suit. Otherwise, responder has the option of passing if he feels the proper contract has been reached. North South 1- 2-! 1- 2-! 1- 3-! 1- 2-! 1- 2-! 2-! 2NT! 2-! 3-! 2-! 3-! 2-! 3-! 2-! 3NT! Responder's Possible Rebids South's Rebid Shows Natural showing 2- raise as minimum Minimum single raise (unsuitable for NT) Strength in the other minor: may help to enable 3NT 3 good - (south denied 4 with the single minor raise) Stops in the 2 unbid suits
After responder's rebid, any further bidding is governed by the following principle: "After a single minor raise, if either partner returns to 3 or 4 of the agreed minor or 2NT, this is not forcing (except if either partner has bid 3NT prior to a return to 4 of the minor) and indicates minimum values for his previous bidding. Hence, any other bid that does not complete game is forcing. In competition, the forcing single minor raise is "off" after a single suit overcall (see OKb 2-1 CC errors) or t/oX although it is usual to preempt with a weak hand and trump support over any 1 of a suit opener after a t/oX, e.g., 1any-X-3same indicates v weak hand with 4+trumps
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Lebensohl ( ! ) (leb)
A method of contending with the opposition suit overcall of partner's 1NT opening bid, when responder is weak but has a 5+card suit and approx 7 or less Points. Essentially it involves an artificial response of 2NT!. which demands that opener bids 3! as a "relay" bid. Responder may then pass (with clubs) or sign off in his real suit. After a 2-level overcall by the opponents, a response of 3 of a new suit is natural and forcing, (applies also if response is a jump shift, e.g. 1NT-2-3!). If responder, after the Lebensohl 2NT bid, bids a suit that is higher ranking than overcaller's suit, it is invitational to game (e.g. 1NT-(2)-2NT!-(P)-3!-(P)-3!). The logic behind this is that if the responder had wished to sign off, he could have bid two immediately after the overcall, which would be weak, just as in standard bidding (e.g. 1NT-2-2). A common problem after an overcall of the 1NT opening is determining whether a stopper is held in the opponent's suit. This can be solved through another application of the Lebensohl convention. Here's how (assume Opp2 passes): No. 1 2 3 4 North Opp1 1NT 3! 1NT 3! 1NT 1NT 2 Pass 2 Pass 2 2 South 2NT! 3NT! 2NT! 3 ! 3NT! 3 ! South's Rebid Shows Confirms a heart stop -partner must pass The delayed 3 cuebid is stayman showing 4 spades and confirms a heart stop Denies a heart stop - partner must have a stop to pass Denies heart stop but shows 4 spades -partner must have a heart stop to bid 3NT
Memory Aid: "DD" = "Direct Denies" After a 2-suited overcall (eg. when opps are using conventions such as Brozel, Astro or Landy) and the overcall is artificial, it is still possible to employ Lebensohl, but with modifications as follows: 1. After a 2-suited artificial overcall of 1NT opening, the suit bid is still an "unbid" suit. 2. The agreements re the stop in opp's suit (see above) are "off" 3. After a 2-level artificial overcall, a double is for penalty but the doubler does not promise specific values in the artifical suit(s), but defensive strength (approx 7+HCP) and usually suggests length in one or both of the opp's suits. Note : After a natural 3-level suit overcall a double is for takeout A further application of Leb is used after partner has made a takeout double of opponent's weak 2-bid opener. A response of 2NT! (if you are weak and have a long suit) requires the doubler to bid 3! (unless he is v strong and can pass or bid 3NT), then you may pass (with clubs) or sign off in your suit. East 2 Pass South X 3! (relay) West Pass North 2NT! Pass (with clubs)/3! North's Rebid Shows Less than 7HCP with 5+cards in the bid suit
Note: The failure to engage the Lebensohl 2NT bid gives a constructive/forcing meaning to 3-level suit responses to partner's takeout double: to bid a higher ranking suit at the 3 level after engaging Leb 2NT would be invitational, e.g., 2-X-2N!-3!-3!
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New Minor Forcing (NMF) ( ! )
The use of a bid in an unbid minor suit by responder as an artificial convenient forcing bid after a 1NT rebid by opener. Much like "4th Suit Forcing (4sf)", it promises about 11+HCP and is most frequently used when responder has a 5-card major suit as a means of enquiring about 3-card support. With a choice of "new minor", bid the longer and stronger to suggest a stop. NMF is also effective when responder has 5/4 spades/hearts (after a minor-suit opening). It asks opener for a 4-card heart suit, as well as for 3-card spade support. NMF may also be used as a temporising bid when responder wishes to invite game in his own suit, or in opener's suit. This is the only means of describing such hands of invitational strength, assuming that responder's 2nd-round jump bids are forcing. After the NMF forcing bid, opener must further describe his distribution, in order to help responder locate the best contract. In most cases, opener may also indicate whether he holds minimum or maximum strength for his 1NT rebid. Note: In competition if either opponent has bid, the NMF convention is "off": responder's rebid in a new minor after opener's 1NT shows a real suit and is not forcing. Priority
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Opener
1 1NT 2! 1 1NT 2/3! 1 1NT 2NT/3NT! 1 1NT 2! 1 1NT 3!
3rd Round Bids Available to Opener Responder Opener's 3rd Rnd call Shows
1 2! ? 1 2! ? 1 2! ? 1 2! ? 1 2! ? Shows 4 hearts by bidding the unbid major. Does not deny 3xspades
Denies 3 hearts, no spade stop, does not agree clubs but shows 4 of them
If the NMF convention is adopted, responder must know the proper methods of describing 2-suited hands (at least 5/5 shape) after opener's 1NT rebid: 1. With a weak 2-suiter, responder may (a) rebid a reasonably good 5-card major or (b) pass. Do not bid a new minor suit. (With 5/5 majors, responder is able to bid both suits). 2. With an invitational 2-suiter, responder should bid a new minor, even when holding both majors. Then on the next round, responder may bid his 2nd suit (unless opener's 3rd bid has indicated an obvious final contract). 3. With a game-forcing 2-suiter, responder should jump in his 2nd suit.
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Reverse Drury (rdrury) ( ! )
An improved version of Drury that "reverses" the meanings of opener's rebids. RDrury is an effective way to gauge the strength of partner's 3rd (4th seat by arrangement) 1 of a major opener. 2! by responder shows 1012 points with at least 3 card support for the bid suit. Opener 1- 1 1 Responder 2! 2! 2! Opener 2! 2-! 2 ! 3-! Shows Artificial, showing full opening hand (with 3/4+ majors, responder should bid 2/ to cater to opener having 5/4 majors Rebid of suit=subminimum hand, responder should pass At least 5/4 spades/hearts, denies opening strength. Responder can pass with 4 hearts or return opener to spades
Good 5 card minor. Does promise opening strength, since the p/ship is committed to the 3-level. (forcing) Note: If responder really wants to show a long good minor he needs to bid 3/ over 1/
Drury, and all its variations, is off if the 1 of a major is doubled /overcalled: (with discussion some play it on)
Splinter Bids ( ! )
The use of an unusual jump bid to show a singleton or void in the suit bid and excellent trump support for partner's last bid suit. This is forcing to game and unlimited. North 1 1/1 1 South 3 ! 4/4! 4 ! Shows 13+ support points, agrees hearts, singleton or void spade (forcing). As above but with club/diamond void or singleton As above but with heart void or singleton
Note: 1. In competition after opponent's t/oX, splinter bids are still "on" 2. In non-competitive auctions, splinter bids may be extended to areas of rebidding, by both opener and responder. In this respect the "rule of thumb" is if a particular new-suit bid would be forcing, then one level higher in that same suit is a splinter bid. 3. Some partners do not like splinters with a singleton A or K. 4. Some partners do not like splinters with a void. 5. Some partners use 1-4 as a splinter. This might seem to be unnecessary when 1-2 is game forcing, thus leaving 1-3 as the unusual jump. 6. A splinter usually cannot be used to show shortness in partner's first bid suit.
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Cappelletti! (Capp) ( ! )
Used versus opponent's opening of 1NT in direct and balancing positions. East South
X! 2! 1NT 2! 2! 2! 2NT!
Capp O/Call
X! Strong Penalty
North
Pass 2 x Suit 2!
2 ! 1-Suited
2! 5/4+majors
2! hearts+minor (NF)
Asks Pard to bid his minor or shows a limit raise, eg.,1NT-2!-P-2NT!-P-3-All Pass or, 2NT! (force 1rnd) 1NT-2!-P-3-3 (invitational,NF)** Pass Content to play in 2 Preemptive as * above 3!
2! spades+minor (NF)
2NT! Asks Pard to bid his minor or shows a limit raise as ** above but spades instead of hearts (force 1rnd) 3-! 3-! Pass/3NT! Preferred minor A good major suit of your own and 11+HCP (more likely vs wk NT)(NF) 11+HCP Balanced hand with good major stops (more likely vs wk NT)
The above responses assume Opp2 passes. If Opp2 doubles the 2 overcall, then a redouble shows 7+HCP and support for all suits inviting the overcaller to compete at the 3-level The Partnership may agree that a double by a passed hand shows a 4-card major + a longer minor, or that a double shows clubs. Neither of these is part of OKbridge 2/1 Capp may also be used over openings of 2/3NT (including Gambling 3NT) by partnership agreement (not part of OKbridge 2/1) Further, the Partnership may also agree to use Capp after one partner has opened the bidding with 1/1 and opponent has overcalled 1NT. In this case, Partner2's Capp overcalls at the 2-level would have the same meaning as above and would indicate a weak hand of 8 or less Points, since with a stronger hand he would double for penalty
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After the reply to 4NT, 5 of the trump suit is a signoff. If the reply is 5 or 5, the cheapest relay asks for the trump Queen, and the next cheapest relay is used to ask for Kings. If the reply is 5 (denying the trump Queen) or 5 (showing the trump Queen), then the cheapest relay is used to ask for Kings. Note 1: (With Partnership Agreement) 1. A 5NT response to 4NT can show an 0 or 2 controls with a working void 2. 6 of any suit below the trump suit can show 1 or 3 controls with void in the bid suit 3. 6 of the agreed trump suit can show 1 or 3 controls with a void in a higher ranking suit Note 2: 1. A 5NT rebid by the RKC bidder, when it is not a 1st or 2nd relay, asks for the cheapest King. With the club King, for example, responder would bid 6. 2. Many players expect that asking for the trump Queen or for Kings is a grand slam try that guarantees that all keycards are held by the partnership. If so, then either partner is entitled to go to the 7 level when their unshown holdings are judged to be "the right stuff". 3. The relays re Q of trumps and asking re Kings are based on "agreed trump suit" - if no trump suit has been agreed (eg., 1-P-1-P-4NT), you should assume the last bid suit is the trump suit, ie., spades 4. Relays exclude the agreed trump suit which would be used to signoff. 5. If an Ace/Control is missing be aware that to ask about Kings may take you over 6 of the agreed suit. 6. Some players show Zero Kings by bidding 6 of the agreed suit and specific Kings by bidding the cheapest suit in which a King is held. 7. Some players bid 5NT to show a King in a suit above the trump suit. If you are in any doubt as to what any of the replies mean, ask the RKC bidder.
RKC (Cont'd.)
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RKC (Cont'd.)
RKC Asking for Side Suit Kings & Queen of Trumps South Agreed North South (RKC Aces Reply) Trump Suit 5 ? trump Q clubs 5 5 5 5 ? Kings 5NT 6 6 5 ? trump Q diamonds 5 ? Kings 4NT 5 5 ? trump Q hearts 5 5NT 5NT 6 6 6 5 5 5NT 5 ? Kings 6 6 6 5 ? trump Q spades 5 5 5 5 ? Kings 5NT 6 6
RKC (Cont'd.)
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RKC (Cont'd.)
RKC Asking for Side Suit Kings & Q of Trumps (Cont'd.) North (RKC ? Aces) South (RKC ? Aces Reply) Agreed Trump Suit North 5 ? trump Q clubs or diamonds South 5 5NT 5NT 5 ? Kings 6 6 6 5 ? trump Q 5 hearts 5NT ? Kings 5NT 6 5NT 6 6 6 5 ? trump Q 4NT spades 5NT ? Kings 5 5NT 6 6 6 6 5NT clubs, diamonds, or hearts 5 spades 5NT ? Kings 5 ? Kings 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 clubs diamonds hearts spades 6 5NT ? Kings 6 6 6 Shows no trump Q trump Q 0 1 2 3 no trump Q trump Q 0 1 2 3 no trump Q trump Q 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
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OKbridge 2/1 CC
OKbridge 2/1 CC System NT 2NT 3NT Majors Minors Strong Weak Overcalls NT-Over Doubles Vs.Doubles Preempts Vs.Preempts Cuebids Slam-Bids Suit-leads NT-leads Carding Misc Simple 2/1 GF Always by unpassed hand, except in comp 15-17,Jxf,Txf*,Leb,sys on over x,2S=mss or correct to 3d with diam bust, 2N->3C cl signoff or bid stiff in 4-4-4-1 next 20-21,Jxf,Txf*,3S=MSS,sys on /x 3N=gmblg no outside A or K 5cm, J2N(4X=2nd suit),1N=1 rd frce,rev drury,pjs in comp, 3N=balanced 16-17 HCP (4-3-3-3 or 4-4-3-2) 3+(usually 4 diam), inverted (off in comp*) (force to 2nt or 3min),2N=11-12,3N=13-15,bypass 1D unless GF strength 2C - 2D wait, cheapest 3 minor(3N over 3D rebid) is 2nd neg* 5-11(wider 3rd, stronger 4th),2NT-feature,RONF 8-16,new suit nf tends to deny good supp, Q=1rd frce, Q then new suit forcing, weak raises if next opp doubles System on-incl Leb* if next opp bids Neg-3S, Resp-3S, Support x and xx ->2H Jordan 2N (maj and min), raises are weak if partner opener-new frce 1 level only,xx implies no fit 10+ standard type (gen rule of 2 and 3), new suit forcing X=takeout, leb/weak 2 all seats Michaels over maj or min (2N asks minor), nat over artificial 0314 RKC(last bid suit unless only 1 fit established) 4th best, Xxx, Akx(x)A(i.e, lead A from 3 or more to the AKQ) 4th best,Xxx,A asks honor-count if none, K asks attitude standard signals 4SF(GF), NMF, Capp/nt, over strong 1C or 2C X=maj, NT=minors
* = Corrections to OKb 2-1 CC a. INVM "off in comp", the OKb 2-1 CC says "off /x" b. "Leb over 1NT" not over 2NT as stated in the 2-1 CC c. /Strong 2C, 2C - 2D wait, cheapest 3 minor(3N over 3D rebid) is 2nd neg whereas the OKb 2/1 CC, states "cheapest 3 level". d. Texas Transfers are "on" in competition through 3. (OKb 2/1 CC says "on /x" but recommends that they are "on" in the OKb 2/1 notes) See also Common Practice Conventions which most players use but are not listed in the OKb 2-1 CC
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Page Designed by Anna Marsh (a.k.a. Ana on OKbridge) July, 2000 (updated 10th March , 2003) Any Queries, suggestions, etc., email Ana (anna@annam.co.uk)
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