Preferred system for regular partners and in particular for those using "Find a Partner".

    • Open 4 card majors
    • A weak no-trump -12-14 high card points
    • 3 weak twos
    • 2♣ strong …23+balanced…9+ winners unbalanced
    • Stayman
    • Transfer to a major
    • Blackwood

The system is based on the following strategies:
    • Bid FAST when you are weak…..remove bidding space
    • Bid SLOW when you want to exchange information……retain bidding space
    • IF your hand is BALANCED you aim to bid or rebid no-trumps at the appropriate level
    • With two 4 card suits in a hand that cannot open no-trumps, you open the higher ranking BUT open ♥ with ♥ and ♠ 
    • IF your hand is UNBALANCED you aim to open your longest suit and rebid the shorter
(A balanced hand is NORMALLY a distribution of 5332 4432 and 4333)

Alternative system for regular partners and in particular for those using "Find a Partner".

It is based on 5-card majors and a strong 1NT.

GENERAL APPROACH :
    • Normally open 5-card majors in all seats with opening values
    • Open the higher of long suits of equal length: 5-5 or 6-6
    • Normally open 1♦  with 4-4 in the minors
    • Normally open 1♣  with 3-3 in the minors OR
    • Open ‘ better/convenient ‘ minor OR
    • Open a ‘ short club ‘ with 4432 (not 15-17)…you need 4♦  to open
    • Notrump openings show a balanced hand….5532, 4333, 4432 and may include a 5-card major or minor
    • 1NT = 15-17
    • 2NT = 20-22
    • Strong conventional 2♣  opening
    • 3 weak twos
    • Stayman
    • Transfer to a major
    • Blackwood

The system is based on the following strategies:

    • Bid FAST when you are weak……remove bidding space
    • Bid SLOW when you want to exchange information…..retain bidding space
    • IF your hand is BALANCED you aim to bid or rebid no-trumps at the appropriate level. A rebid of a 4-card major can show 44 (unlike in ACOL where it will show UNBALANCED 5+4+)
    • IF your hand is UNBALANCED you aim to open your longest suit and rebid the shorter

Alternative system for regular partners and in particular for those using "Find a Partner".

It is for players who like playing a 5-card major system but are not prepared to give up their weak NT.
    

GENERAL APPROACH:
    • Open 1NT with a balanced hand 12-14 (ANY 5332,4333,4432)
    • Aim to rebid NT with 15-19 balanced…. at the appropriate level
    • Normally open 5-card majors UNBALANCED BUT
    • Normally open your longest suit and plan to rebid the shorter
    • Select a system from SAYC (above) for a hand that cannot open 1NT OR 1 MAJOR
    • 1NT = 12-14….2NT = 20-22
    • Strong conventional 2♣ opening
    • 3 weak twos
    • Stayman
    • Transfer to a major
    • Blackwood

The system is based on the same strategies as appear under A Basic Modern Acol Bidding System BUT remember that you cannot open a 4-card major!

BALANCED HANDS

Use the "responder line" high card points evaluation

UNBALANCED HANDS

Use the LOSING TRICK COUNT for hand evaluation when you are UFO

• Unbalanced
• Fit - your side has a MAJOR suit “fit“
• Openers - your side has opened the bidding

Reference notes for members keen to improve their Bridge

Reference notes for members keen to improve their Bridge