There were many pioneers in establishing these conventions, and they
are used by bridge players in America and around the world. 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.
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The
attempt has been made to list the conventions
alphabetically.
The
attempt has been made to group the conventions under a General
Category.
Our
fellow bridge players can do a Search and Find
and/or just
scroll down the web page.
We
hope that this method meets with your cyberspace
satisfaction. | |
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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 click on 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 below, you will be taken to this
section we have devoted to the Acol Bidding
System. | |
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Artificial Two
Clubs - Two
Clubs - 2
Clubs Opening - A tool for opening a very strong hand. In
modern practice, there are two conditions under which a holding should be
opened with a strong forcing bid.
Following are several tools, conventions and
treatments, used in partnership agreements for responding to a strong,
artificial 2 Clubs opening.
Albarran - De Nexon Responses - This concept was introduced and devised by Mr.
Pierre Albarran and Mr. Baron Robert de Nexon of France and authors of
the bridge book: Notre Methode de Bridge, published 1935. This treatment and/or convention is used only after a 2 Clubs opening by the responder. Fundamentally, the Albarran - De Nexon
convention is Ace Showing, providing information to the 2 Club bidder before
he/she has a chance to define and describe his/her holding.
Ace
Showing Responses - These are responses to forcing strong
artificial Two Clubs opening bids that are based on the theory that the
opener with a powerful unbalanced or semi-balanced hand is more interested
in the first-round controls of his partner than in his long suit or general
strength.
Automatic
Two Diamonds Response - A treatment devised by several partnerships,
whereby the only response permitted to a strong artificial Two Clubs opening
must be 2 Diamonds.
CAB
Responses - The C.A.B.
responses to a strong, articial 2 Clubs opening is a feature of the C.A.B.
Bidding System devised by Mr. Leslie William Dodds of London,
England. These responses are also part of the Acol Bidding System generally
employed in England and Australia with minor differentiations.
Eric
Kokish's Responses to a Strong, Artificial 2 Clubs Opening - Mr.
Eric Kokish believes that most experts are correct in the opinion, that
two-suited hands should not be opened with the artificial, strong 2 Clubs
bid. Therefore, when the 2 Clubs opener shows a second suit, it is expected
to be a 4-card suit. This stipulation affects some of the recommended
sequences. In the discussion below, an Ace is two controls, and a King is 1
control.
Gamma
Responses - These responses to a Strong, Artificial 2 Clubs opening
were developed by Dr. E. Lachand of France. He also devised the Gamma
System, which features a 2 Clubs opening bid being employed with two
different holdings.
Two
Diamonds Negative Response - A response showing minimum values to an
opening forcing 2 Clubs bid.
Two
Diamonds Positive Response - A partnership agreement, whereby the
only possible positive response is 2 Diamonds after an opening of a strong
artificial 2 Clubs bid.
2
Diamonds As Negative And 2 Hearts as Neutral Response - Two
different responses to a strong artificial Two Clubs opening.
Two Hearts
Negative Response - Among the
many and various responses to a strong, artificial 2 Clubs opening are the
following first responses to let the opener know a possible distribution and
a possible number of values held by the responder.
Cheaper
Minor as a Second Negative - A treatment allowing the responder to
show with his rebid the lower range of his values.
Herbert
Second Negative Response - A convention to show the lower range of a
weak response used by the responder on the second rebid.
Step
Responses - This convention was devised by bridge players in the
past decades to allow the responder, whose partner has opened the auction
with an strong artificial Two Clubs bid, to inform his partner Step by
Step the possession of Aces and Kings.
Super
Sudhaker - This conventional method has been developed by Mr.
Sudhakar Bhatt. It is a conventional method of responding to a strong,
artificial 2 Clubs opening whereby the responder may or may not be a passed
hand. The concept has borrowed elements of other conventional methods, with
which it has several similarities, but contains certain requirements for the
responder which differ and excludes the first response of a 2 No Trump bid.
This is a .pdf file and will be automatically opened by your
browser.
Warren
Convention - This is a 4 No Trump convention, which is sometimes
referred to as the San Francisco
Convention. It was used by many bridge players when the game of
bridge was evolving and it is, to some degree, very similar to the concept
of the Culbertson Four-Five No Trump convention. The origin of the
designation of the convention is unknown.
The amBIGuous
Diamond System - The origin of this system is unknown. We are very
thankful to Mr. Marvin Fench of San Diego, California, for contributing
this information. The amBIGuous
Diamond system is designed for matchpoint bidding. It combines the advantages
of real-suit bidding with the bidding of notrump with all notrump-type hands
(and only notrump-type hands). The bidding system permits and features
four-card major opening bids. This is a .pdf file and will be
automatically opened by your browser.
Aspro
Convention - With the Aspro convention the opponents can defend against a 1 No Trump
opening. Mr. Terence Reese devised this method and based it on the
Astro Convention.
Asptro
Variation - This method is also a defense mechanism to a 1 No Trump opening and
is a variation of the Aspro
convention and the Astro convention.
Astro
Convention - This convention uses the bid of a Minor suit overcall after a strong 1
No Trump opening of 15-18 high card points to show a particular distributional
holding. The terminology comes from the names of the bridge players, who
devised the convention: Mr. Paul Allinger - Mr. Roger STern -
Mr. Larry ROssler.
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.
Baby
Blackwood - Sometimes, there are some bridge hands which are
slam-suspicious. Employing the normal Blackwood convention would present a
problem, because the bidding might exceed a safe contract. Baby Blackwood was
devised as a convention to prevent this.
Bailey
Weak Two Bids - This treatment was originated by Mr. Evan
Bailey of San Diego, California, and Mr. Edward Barlow of
Sacramento, California. The link is to the web pages of Mr. Evan Bailey. The
concept is that one partner opens a Weak Two bid in any suit except Clubs, and
this opening shows specific distributional attributes. Following are
the requirements for a Bailey Weak Two Bid. These requirements allow
only five distributions: 5-3-3-2, 6-3-2-2, 6-3-3-1, 5-4-2-2, and 5-4-3-1. This
concept is also preserved and archived on this site in a .pdf file
format.
1.
Five or six cards (as weak as Q-x-x-x-x) in the bid suit.
2. Two or three
cards in each unbid Major.
3. One to four cards in each unbid
Minor.
4. No more than nine cards in the two longest suits.
5. 8-10
high card points if nine cards are held in the two longest suits, and 9-11
high card points if eight cards are held in the two longest
suits.
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.
Bangkok Club
System - When one of the bridge players at the bridge table opens 1
Club, then that bridge player could be using the Bangkok Club System devised
by Mr. Somboon Nandhabiwat.
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Basic Guidelines
For
Beginners | |
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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.
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.
Following are several additional tools for the
responder and for his/her second bid to describe the values and
distribution.
Bart
Delayed Game Raise
Fourth Suit Forcing
New Minor Forcing
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Behavior
At the Bridge
Table | |
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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.
Becker
Convention - Becker is a conventional method employed after one opponent opens 1 No
Trump. It shows a certain two-suited hand with varying strength which is
generally in the two suits indicated.
Benjamin
Convention - A scheme for opening Two-Bids or bids on the two level:
Majors: weak; Diamonds: artificial (near) game-force; Clubs: artificial, an
Acol two-bid with long suit(s) as yet unspecified.
Benjamin Two
Bids or Benjamin 2
Bids - The origin is unknown. This is a designation for a strong,
sometimes artificial Minor suit opening on the Two Level, which promises
either a game holding or a near-game holding. It is part of the Acol bidding
system or a variation of an Acol bidding system feature. Also known as: French
Two Bids or Unnamed Strong Two Bid Openings.
Mr. Marty Bergen has 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.
Bergen Over No Trump
Bergen
Drury
Bergen Over Doubles of 1 No Trump
Impossible 3 No Trump
Jump Cuebids As Transfers
Bergen Major Suit Raises
Bidding
Systems - A list of Bridge Systems employed around the world. This
list contains the most widely-used Bidding Systems which have caught the
attention of the bridge player. These Bidding Systems have also withstood the
challenge of time, and have survived through popularity in the bridge
community.
Blackwood
- Mr. Easley Blackwood came up with an idea on how to bid and also how
to avoid slams. His convention has caught the attention of every bridge player
around the world.
Variations on this concept of Mr. Easley Blackwood are
presented below and have enhanced this concept greatly to benefit many
bridge partnerships, and are worthy of the serious bridge player.
Baby
Blackwood - Sometimes, there are some bridge hands which are
slam-suspicious. Employing the normal Blackwood convention would present a
problem, because the bidding might exceed a safe contract. Baby Blackwood
was devised as a convention to prevent this.
Blackwood
After Interference - If the opponents dare to interfere with the
bidding after you initiate the Blackwood convention, you have several
choices to show your number of Aces. There are several devised conventions
to show your strength, such as: DEPO, ROPI,
PODI, DOPI, DOPE, RIPO.
Blue
Team Responses - A variation on the Blackwood convention devised by
the Blue Team of Italy and also the variation on the Blackwood convention
called the English Roman Blackwood.
Byzantine
Blackwood - A complex variation of the Blackwood convention using
Side Suits and Half-Side Suits as features.
Cheap
Blackwood - A variation of the Blackwood convention to allow more
bidding space for the exchange of descriptive information.
Exclusion
Keycard Blackwood - A form of Roman Key Card Blackwood in which
partner is asked to show Aces and/or Key Cards except in a particular suit,
which has been determined to be a void. This convention is also known as
Voidwood.
Key
Card Blackwood - A variation of the Blackwood convention, which
shows the four Aces and the King of trump. Also known as Five-Ace
Convention.
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.
Minorwood
Convention
The origin of this variation of the Blackwood conventional method is
unknown. As the designation signifies, this variation is only employed when
the established or inferred trump suit is a Minor suit.
Rolling
or Sliding Blackwood - Rolling Blackwood, or Sliding Blackwood, is a
variation of the Blackwood convention. It takes into account that two
partners could reach an unsafe contract in the Minors using the normal
Blackwood convention.
Roman
Blackwood - This convention is a variation on the concept of Mr.
Easley Blackwood and shows matching Aces and Aces of the same color and/or
rank.
Roman Key Card
Blackwood - This variation of the Blackwood convention includes the
King of Trump as a fifth Ace, and the responder shows Key Cards.
6-Ace Roman Key
Card Blackwood - This
conventional method, otherwise known by its abbreviated designation
6A-RKCB, is considered to be a natural extension of the concept
known as Roman Key Card Blackwood, whereby the Key Card Bidder asks for
five known Key Cards. However, the 6A-RKCB conventional method asks
for eight known Key Cards, the four Aces, the two Kings, and the
two Queens. The one difference is that the Roman Key Card Blackwood
conventional method applies to only one known suit fit, whereas the
6A-RKCB conventional method applies to two known suit fits.
RKCB
Void Showing Variation - This variation of the original
conventional method was developed by Mr. Chip Martel and Mr. Lew
Stansby to show a void in addition to the number of held Keycards.
This variation employs different responses if the void has been
established in advance during the auction.
Roman Key
Card Blackwood 1430 Convention - A variation of Roman Key Card
Blackwood which reverses the meaning of two responses.
Voidwood
Blackwood - A form of Roman Key Card Blackwood in which partner is
asked to show Aces and/or Key Cards except in a particular suit, which has
been determined to be a void. This convention is also known as Exclusion
Keycard Blackwood.
Blue
Club System - The book Blue Club was written by Mr. Benito
Garozzo in 1969, and the co-author was Mr. Leon Yallouze. Its
contents explained the system used by the Blue Team of Italy, which had many
successes. This book was adapted from the French by Mr. Terence Reese and the
Introduction was written by Mr. Omar Sharif. The book was published in 1969. A
simplified version is presented.
Blue
Team Club Openings - There are certain guidelines basic to the Blue
Team Club, and it must be realized that the foundation, and thus the
additional responses, have been altered over the course of many years.
Several partnerships continue to play the Blue Team Club, although with
certain modifications.
Blue
Team Club Responses - The responses to a 1 Club opening show
controls by Steps, counting an Ace as 2 controls and a King as 1
control.
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.
Bridge
Bidding Systems - Here you will find a list of the different Bidding
Systems available to the bridge player. Many great men and women from around
the world have worked diligently to devise these Bidding Systems. We do not
plan to explain each and every Bidding System, but the good bridge player
should be aware that there other Bidding Systems used. If possible, the bridge
player should become acquainted with several, because very many conventions
and treatments have been incorporated into the 5-Card American Standard
Bidding System.
Bridge Sites
- If you click on the Links Button below, you will also find out where other
interesting Bridge Sites are on the Internet and around the world, where the
Districts and Units are located and many personal Bridge Webpages. It is
fascinating to discover that interest in the Game of Bridge is so high and
alive.
Brozel
Convention - The Brozel convention was developed by Mr. Bernard Zeller, and
can be applied either in the direct or balancing position. The Brozel
convention is a system of bids to describe a two-suited hand. Distribution of
the hand bidding Brozel is the key to a successful contract. Similar to the
Pinpoint Astro,
it however places emphasis on Hearts.
Brozel
Rescue Bids - Many partnership agreements include the understanding 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.
Byzantine
Blackwood - A complex variation of the Blackwood convention using Side
Suits and Half-Side Suits as features.
Cansino
Convention - The origin of this defense convention is attributed to Mr. Jonathan
Cansino and Mr. Jeremy Flint, both of England, during the 1960s,
and who were also instrumental in devising the Multi 2 used in the Blue Club
System. This is a defense tactic used after the opponents have opened
a 1 No Trump, especially against a weak No Trump opening with 12 to 14 high
card points or even a No Trump range of 10-12 high card points. This idea is
to discover, as soon as possible, a 7-card fit at least in one of the four
suits, and preferably an 8-card fit.
Cappelletti
Convention - This convention was invented by Mr. Michael Cappelletti
as a defense generally against a 1 No Trump opening. This method is also
called Hamilton
and/or Pottage. Mr. Michael Cappelletti created this method to be used
either in the direct seat or in the balancing seat.
Modified
Cappelletti - This concept is variation to the Cappelletti
Convention, which is a defense mechanism to an opening by an opponent of
No Trump. The origin is unknown.
Revised
Cappelletti - This concept is variation of the Cappelletti
Convention, which is a defense mechanism to an opening by an opponent of
No Trump. The origin is unknown.
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.
Checkback
Stayman by the Responder - This .pdf file has been written and
contributed by Mr. Marvin French of San Diego. It represents a thorough
explanation of this conventional method and employs illustrative examples
demonstrating auctions and situations, in which the conventional method is
used. We are very grateful to Mr. Marvin French for his contribution. The .pdf
file will be automatically opened by your browser and not automatically
downloaded to your computer.
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Library
One Club
Bidding
Systems | |
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Club
Systems List - This is the begin of a list of Club Bidding Systems,
which open with 1 Club and attempting to define the meaning of what that
exactly is. In some instances, only the opening bidding sequence is given
since there are no resources to draw from because some bidding systems have
been lost to history, have been modified and varied, have not been 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.
Bangkok Club - As the name indicates, this Club System was devised in Thailand.
Yes, there are bridge players in Thailand. Devised by Mr. Somboon Nandhabiwat this Club System was used with some success in several world
championship tournaments.
Blue Club
- The Blue Team developed a bidding system using a combination of the
Neapolitan and Roman bidding systems. Combining the most favorable features
of both bidding systems resulted in the formation of the Blue Club bidding
system. The main proponents of this bidding system were Mr. Walter Avarelli,
Mr. Benito Garozzo,Mr. Pietro Forquet, Mr. Massimo D'Alelio, and Mr. Giorgio
Belladonna. They had great success at the bridge tournaments using the Blue
Club System.
Blue
Team Club Openings - Blue Team became the popular name for the
Italian International Bridge Team, which had many international successes
from 1956 to 1975. The captain and the members of the Blue Team devised a
bidding system, which is still played today. The Blue Team Club was the
result of the efforts of the Italian Bridge Federation, Mr. Carl Alberto
Perroux, the team captain, and the team members, who dedicated themselves
to the study of the game of bridge.
Blue Team Club System - The Blue Team Club System was mainly devised by Mr. Benito Garozzo. The Blue Team Club System is based on the principle that a 1 Club
opening is forcing. The style of this system is called Canapé, and
this means that the opener can/should bid the short suits before he bids
the long suits. Canapé is a bidding method in which the opener bids his
long suit on his rebid and was developed by Mr. Pierre Albarran
from France.
Blue
Team Club Responses - As the name implies, the opening will be 1 Club. The significance
of this 1 Club opening is that it is defined as 1. forcing, and 2. shows
17 or more points using a 4-3-2-1 count. Sometimes it is also a
distributional factor which may define a 1 Club opening with slightly less
than 17 points, or a weaker 1 Club opening with exactly 17
points.
Blue
Team Roman Responses to Blackwood
Even the Roman
Blackwood convention, a variation of the original Blackwood
Convention, has a variation. This variation was devised by the
Blue Team Club and was applied with some success. The Blue Team was the
popular name given to the Italian International Bridge Team which had a
series of huge successes starting in 1956 and ending in
1969.
Carrot Club
Bidding System - The Carrot Club, originally "Morotsklovern",
(Swedish for Carrot Club), was invented by Mr. Sven-Olof Flodqvist and
Mr. Anders Morath in 1972 for use in the European Championships in
Athens, Greece. It was the system that won the European Championships in
1977, with two pairs playing Carrot. In the European Championships the
Carrot team placed 1st in 1987, 3rd in 1989, 2nd in 1991, and 5th in 1993.
In the World Championship they placed 3rd in 1987 and 1991, and in the
Olympics 3rd in 1988 and 4th in 1992.
Kentucky Club
Bidding System - The origin of this bidding system is unknown but
the name can hold a clue.
Lea
System - The Lea
System is based on the 1965 privately published book, authored by Mr.
Robert H. Lea of St. Paul, Minnesota, entitled Bridge is Easy With The
Lea System. The system is based on a strong, forcing 1 Club opening, which
promises 12 plus high card points.
Monaco
Bidding System - The Monaco system was the original Relay System. It was
devised by Mr. Pierre Ghestem of France around 1954, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Crash
Convention - The conventional method was devised by Mr. Kit
Woolsey and Mr. Steve Robinson, and is devised as a means to enter
the auction with weak two-suited holdings after a strong, artificial 1 Club
opening by the opponents.
Crash
Convention - Altered Version - This altered version of the original
version allows the partnership to vary the concept after overcalling a
strong, artificial 1 Club opening.
Crash
Convention - Three Suited Version - The idea
behind the Three-Suited Version of the Crash conventional method adds the
possibility that the overcaller, or intervenor, to show a three-suited hand
for competing against a strong, artificial 1 Club opening.
Crash
Convention - Transfer Version - The idea
behind the Transfer Version of the Crash conventional method is to make
certain that the overcaller, or intervenor, with the stronger holding become
the declarer as opposed to the advancer.
Crash Over
One No Trump - Crash over
1 NT - This is an extension of the Crash convention, which was devised by
Mr. Kit Woolsey and Mr. Steve Robinson, which was originally
devised for preemptive interference after an artificial 1 Club opening by
the opponents. This extension was created for constructive bidding after the
opponents open with 1 No Trump.
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.
Super Crash
Convention
The origin of
the Super Crash conventional method is unknown. This variation of the
original Crash conventional method is devised to show either a one-suited
holding, a two-suited holding, or a three-suited holding after the opponents
begin the auction with a strong, artificial 1 Club
opening.
Crawling
Stayman - The origin of
this conventional method is unknown. The designation is sometimes also
referred to as Creeping Stayman. The concept behind this conventional
method of the employment of two other conventional methods in the partnership
agreement of Non-Forcing Stayman and the Jacoby Transfer method. It is mainly
employed when the responder has a weak holding and decides that the
partnership has a better chance in a suit contract rather than in a No Trump
contract.
Crowhurst
In the Acol
Biddding System an opening of 1 No Trump indicates a weaker range, generally
12 to 14 points, than generally played in Standard American. This concept is
designed to assist those bridge players to show this different range agreed
upon by partnership agreement.. This method was devised by Mr. Eric Crowhurst and is widely used by British
tournament players.
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 to 1
No Trump - Defense to
One No Trump - Defense to 1
NT - This link leads you to Defense conventions against 1 No Trump
openings. This connection will take you on a Tour For Defense Conventions.
Clicking on the individual links below will take you specifically to the
convention you may choose.
Note: Many concepts have been pioneered as defense mechanisms
against an opening No Trump bid. This has increased the level of competition
in many auctions and has enhanced the game of bridge. As with all defense
mechanisms against an opening by an opponent there have been variations of the
original concept developed based sometimes on the strength of the No Trump
range, based on the individual partnership agreement, based on the
vulnerability, based on the number of Losing Tricks, and other factors and
therefore become modifications, variations, revisions. Some of these
variations carry a distinct designation and other variations are generally not
known by a definite or definitive term. Even the variations have variations
and modifications. The attempt has been made to include these variations as
they become known or are contributed by our visitors.
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
Mechanism 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.
Defense
to Strong Artificial Opening Bids - Mr. Alan Fraser Truscott
has devised a method of defending against a Strong, Artificial Opening bid,
generally an opening of 1 Club, to show a one-suited or two-suited
holding.
D.O.N.T.
or DONT -
This is a convention used in bridge bidding and which was
devised by Mr. Marty Bergen
and published by Mr. Larry Cohen.
This convention is sometimes referred to as Bergen Over No Trump,
but has been accepted into the language of bridge as simply
D.O.N.T.
Doubles -
Everyone uses them, but the meaning can be different in many cases, and can
actually change during the auction. Please take a look, and brush up on your
doubles. By clicking here, you can take a Tour Of Doubles. Clicking on the
individual Doubles below will take you directly to the particular
Double.
