SpadeHeart 
 DiamondClub
Release 2.19r
0 5 5 9 8 4
Pages viewed in 2024
Standard System for Individual Tournaments
Standard System for Individual Tournaments

BIDDING SYSTEM SUMMARY – ACOL BASED
WEAK NT / 4-CARD MAJORS / 3 WEAK TWOS

(See notes below)

BIDDING:
1.    Opening 1NT: 12-14

Responses: Stayman & Red Suit Transfers   
2.    Opening 2NT: 20-22
Responses: Stayman and Red Suit Transfers
3.    3 Weak 2s (2D/H/S showing 6 card suit & 6-10pts)
Responses:
2NT OGUST enquiry (see note 6) other bids natural
4.    Higher suit bids: Pre-emptive
Responses: Natural
5.    Strong 2C (strong 8 playing trick hand or better)
Responses: 2D negative (< A and K <7pts) other bids natural
6.    Simple Suit Overcalls: 5 card suit
Responses: Natural
7.    Jump Suit Overcalls: Intermediate (12-16pts & 6 card suit)

Responses: Natural

8.    1NT Overcall: 15-17pts with stop
Responses: Stayman and transfers as over opening 1NT
9.    Normal Blackwood
5C=0 or 4, 5D/H/S=1/2/3 aces (Gerber only as immediate response to 1NT & 2NT opening bids)
10.    Take Out Doubles of 1, 2 or 3 level suit showing openings
Responses: Natural  (See note 7 for other doubles)
11.    Defence against 1NT:

Double for penalties (at least 15pts) – suit bids natural (<15pts)

PLAY:
1.    Leads:
Standard
2.    Signals & Discards: Natural - High Encourages/Low Discourages

Notes:
1) The system overleaf is suggested as a Standard System for club individual tournaments (e.g. Fearn Cup Final) where players play with different partners throughout the session, playing only a few hands (typically 2 or 3) with each partner.

2) As there is not time to discuss a full system with each partner, the Standard System can be taken as agreed if there is no discussion to the contrary. 

3) Variations to the Standard are allowed provided they can be agreed quickly (e.g. “can we please not play transfers”). 

4) Generally accepted meanings and conventions (e.g. invitational response to a weak NT opening showing 11-12pts and cue bids) are allowed.

5) Overly complex systems are not allowed (e.g. if a player finds himself playing with a regular partner) as the opposing pair will not have time to discuss a defence.

6) Responses to 2NT OGUST enquiry over weak 2s:

  • 3C – low points & 1 of top 3 honours
  • 3D – low points & 2 of top 3
  • 3H – high points & 1 of top 3
  • 3S – high points & 2 of top 3
  • 3NT – high points and 3 of top 3 (AKQxxx)

7) Doubles of suit bids up to 3S are take-out and higher doubles are for penalties, except take out doubles do not apply when doubling a suit bid for the second time after passing the first time (penalties), or partner has already shown their hand or other circumstances indicate no need for take-out (penalties), or a conventional bid (e.g. transfer) is doubled (shows that suit).

June 2020 Amendments for Fearn Cup