12 to 14; could be terrible 15 (with Queens and Jacks), or great 11 in Aces and Kings plus 5-card minor. Undistinguished 12 is often passed except on favorable vulnerability. Thus, a good 14 is OK for 1N. Almost never contains 5-card major. A very strong 5-card minor is preferred as opening. Very seldom on 5-4-2-2 pattern. Never with 6-card minor. 1N opening has been known on specifically 1-4-4-4 pattern, with spade honor, because of rebidding problems, but 1H is usually preferable if Hearts are decent.

2C

Nonforcing Stayman; bid any 4-card major; better first with both

2D

signoff; often to get out of frying pan.

2M

Signoff, but opener may bid.

3m

Signoff; opener expected to pass.

2N

Natural; opener passes only with 12.

3M

Forcing; good suit, choice of games

4C

Gerber

4D

In place of 6N; opener bids 4-card suits up the line; jumps to 6 in a good 5-carder.

4M,
5m

Absolute signoff.

4N

Quantitative; if accept, bid suits up the line.

5M

Need A-K of trumps; pass with neither; raise with one; cue-bid King with both; 5N with both and no outside King

5N

Bid 7 with strong 5-card suit and maximum; bid 6 of suit with weak 5-carder and maximum; otherwise sign off at 6N.

6x

Absolute signoff.

1N - 2C;
2D - 2H;

Nonforcing; could be 4-card suit (4-4 in majors); only mildly invitational. Opener must run to 2S with doubleton heart. With 3 hearts, opener passes unless maximum. With maximum and fit, he bids:
 

1N - 2C;
2D - 2S;

1N - 2C;
2H - 2S;

Nonforcing; highly invitational, 5-card or longer suit. Opener can pass with minimum, but normally raises with 3-card fit. Other rebids by opener:
 

1N - 2C;
2M - 2N;

Nonforcing; not as invitational as direct raise. Opener goes to 3N only with full maximum. If opener has both majors, he presumes a 4-4 fit in the other and bids 3OM with a bare minimum or 4OM with an absolute maximum. 3m is a short-suit try in the other major. Similarly, if Responder rebids 3N, opener bids 4OM if he has both.

1N - 2C;
2S - 2N;
3S

Opener has a raise to 3N, but he has 3 hearts and wants Responder to bid 4H with a 5-card suit (or very strong 4-carder).

1N - 2C;
2S - 3H;

1N - 2C;
2D - 3M;

1N - 2C;
2H - 3S

Forcing. Opener has no option. He must bid 3N with a doubleton, raise or cue-bid with 3 cards or more. Thus, Responder should use the direct jump when he has 5-3-3-2 or 6-3-2-2 with a strong suit, and may want to play Notrump even opposite a fit.

1N - 2C;
2D - 3C;

Forcing, presumably to game (but in all sequences in which the fit is in a minor, "forcing to game" auctions may be dropped at 4 of the minor in a pinch). Opener must bid 3D if he does not hold 4 clubs. Bids at 3-level show major-suit stoppers for Notrump. Bids at 4-level are cue-bids for slam. Note that Responder may be on a 4-card club suit, particularly when he has both minors and knows there is a fit in one of them. Similarly, Responder's 3D after opener's 2D could be a 4-card suit. Again, 3-level bids are stoppers, 4-level bids cue-bids.

1N - 2C;
2M - 3m

Forcing. If opener now bids the other major, he has 4 cards there. If opener bids 3N he has other major stopped. If opener rebids his major, he is afraid of the other. If he is interested in a 4-4minor fit for slam, he should bid 4N or 5N, or a direct 4D.

1N - 2C;
2x - 4C;

Gerber.

1N - 2C;
2x - 4N;

Quantitative. Opener accepts by bidding unbid suits up the line.

1N - 2C;
2x - 5N;

Forcing. Opener bids unbid suit or 6N.
 

1N - 2C;
2D - 3M;
3N - 4M;

Some slam interest, 6-4 in majors. With no interest, bid 4M over 2D.

1N - 2C;
2M - 4D

Slam interest in M, but weak trumps.

1N - 2M;

Opener usually passes, but can bid:
 

1N - 2N;

Opener passes with 12 points, but can instead bid 3C with 4-4 in minors to play a part-score in suit. Instead of bidding 3N, he can bid 3M - "I have two small in the other major - beware."

1N - 3M;

Forcing; strong suit (good 5-carder or better), often 5-3-3-2 to offer choice of games. Opener may bid 3N with support, or raise (or cue-bid) with good doubleton, at his judgment.

1N - (X) - XX;

1N - (P) - P - (XX);
P   - (P) - XX;

Business. Virtually all other redoubles are S.O.S. Responder may run to his shortest suit over double, then redouble for S.O.S.

1N - (X) - 2N;

Forcing. Opener treats it initially as a bad hand with minors, but if Responder rebids it is a game-force with any two-suiter. I.e.,

A Q x x x
K Q x x x
x x x
-

1N - (2C) - ?

If 2C is Landy, double shows cards, 2H or 2S is "cue-bid" - presumably stopper for Notrump. All other bids are natural, nonforcing, limited by failure to double or cue-bid. If 2C is Ripstra, Becker, or any other convention that implies clubs, double shows cards but is negative - opener passes only if he has clubs. Bid of any suit overcaller has promised is "cue-bid" as above. All else is natural, nonforcing, limited. If 2C is Astro, 2H promises 4 spades. Similarly over conventional 2D overcalls.

1N - (2M) - ?;

Suit at 2-level is nonforcing (but opener is a little more free to make game try). Suit at 3-level is forcing. Cue-bid is Stayman. Double is negative. 2N is natural.

1N - (3x) - ?;

Suits are forcing, Double is penalties.

1N - (2H) - P - (P);
X

Takeout.

1N - (P) - P - (2H);
X

Penalties.

1N - (P) - 2C - X;
?

If Double shows Clubs:

1N - (P) - 2C - X;
P   - (P) - 2D

Nonforcing. Probably a bad hand.

1N - (P) - 2C - (2H);
P

Does not deny spades. Opener would rarely bid here.

Opener does not shade his 1N in 3rd or 4th seat, so all sequences are unchanged. However, Responder's strong sequences obviously become "intended as forcing"; strongly invitational, but may be passed.

1C or 1D opening bid is either 15 points or more, balanced, or a sound unbalanced opening. Equal short minors (3-3 or 4-4) are normally opened 1C (but certain 4-4's with 17, 18 points up are better opened 1D - see 2C - rebid sequences, B-16). Black 5-5's are normally opened 1S. Hands with a long minor may be opened one when the opening would be 2C if the suit were a major. Responder strains to find a bid.

8 points or less

1. 1M with 4 or more; normally 1H with both majors, but prefer 1S when 4-4 in majors if 6 or bad 7 points.
2. Jump raise with 5-card support - could have 4-card major only if very weak
3. 1N, if balanced, no major
4. Other minor if unbalanced, no major, no big fit.

9 to 11, 12

1. 1M.
2. Single raise with 4-card or longer support.
3. Other minor.

12, 13 or more

1. Long, strong side suit, even other minor. But prefer single raise to other minor. I.e., bid 1C - 2C, not 1D - ? with:

   x x
   A x
   A J 10 x x
   K x x x

    

2. 4-card major.
3. Single raise.
4. 2N.
5. Weak side minor.

Obviously, jump shift is also available. The response of 3N shows 16 or 17 points with specifically 4-3-3-3 distribution, 4 in other minor. 2N = 12-15 or 18 up. The triple jump raise is preemptive. The response of 4N is Blackwood.

1C - 1D;
1N - ?

Signoff; opener can safely bid 2D if his Clubs are shaky.

Signoff.

Natural, game-forcing, promises long strong diamonds, likely slam interest.

9 points, balanced.

Game-force. 3C likely 3-card support.

Forcing, natural, 6-5 pattern.

Gerber.

1C - 1D;
2M

Opener is almost always unbalanced, and is virtually unlimited. He may be on short major, as in reverse sequences (B-12). Responder, who should not pass, may bid:

1S

Ambiguous, forcing; either very strong hand with long diamonds and secondary spades, or moderately strong hand without a spade stopper.

1N

9 to 11. Too good for direct 1N.

2C

8 points or less, discouraging preference.

2D

Nonforcing, but not discouraging.

2M

9 to 11, 3-card raise.

2H

(When M = Spades) game-forcing, long Diamonds.

2N

12 up; forcing, natural.

3C

Game-force, strong diamonds, could be on 3-card support.

3D

Natural, intended as forcing.

3M

Game-force; very strong.

3N

16 or 17 points. Specifically 3-3-5-2 shape.

Opener should prefer to rebid 2C with 6-card suit or strong 5-carder when minimum, rather than 1M.

1C - 1M;
1N - ?

Natural, nonforcing.

Natural, nonforcing.

Forcing, conventional (see B-5).

Forcing, natural (see B-6).

9 points. M is 4-carder.

Forcing, natural. M is 6-carder, om is 5-carder, m is 4-card support.

Gerber.

Quantitative.

Forcing; choice of slams.

1C - 1M;
1N - 2om

Responder indicates a 5-card major with game prospects. The only bad hand he can hold is with a 6-card suit in the other minor. Opener replies:

2D

(If possible) - minimum count, no fit for M, 5-card diamond suit.

2H

(Regardless of M) - minimum, no fit for M.

2S

(Regardless of M) - minimum, tripleton M.

2N

Maximum, no fit for M.

3C

(Regardless of m) - Maximum, tripleton M.

Over a minimum reply, Responder's only forcing continuations are jumps or OM. Over a maximum reply, all continuations are forcing except 3om (signoff). If Responder bids 3N over fit reply, he is giving opener a choice of games - 5-3 fit or Notrump.

This rebid is natural and forcing, but not necessarily strong. Opener rebids:

2S

2 or 3 Spades, not 4 hearts; the normal rebid. Responder may now invite with 2N, 3m, 3H or 3S. He may force with 3 om.

2N

1 spade, 3 hearts, 4-5 in minors, minimum count. Responder places contract. Rare.

3m

Same pattern as above, maximum count. Responder places contract. Rare.

3om

4 hearts, maximum. Opener must pass a return to 3H.

3H

4 hearts, minimum.

3S

3 spades, super-maximum, rare.

Note that Responder must rebid 3H directly with game going 5-5.

Ambiguous strength; intended as forcing; could be 3-card suit (rare). Responder bids:

1N

8 points or less. No stopper promised in om.

2m

Normally 9 to 11. Opener passes only when minimum unbalanced.

2om

Forcing; natural in principle. Only nonforcing continuations by Responder are 3om or 2N

2H

Nonforcing, but opener often rebids.

2S

Normally 9 to 11. Occasionally 3 cards when 2m is not available.

2N

Forcing, 12 to 15.

3m

Forcing.

3om

Forcing, 5-5 two-suiter.

3H

Intended as forcing. Opener may pass with minimum misfit.

3S

Forcing, 4-card support.

3N

16-17 points. 3-4-3-3 precisely.

4m, 4om

Singleton, spade fit.

4H, 4 S

Natural, distributional, no slam interest.

2M

Value of 15-17, high cards plus distribution, normally 4-card support, could be 3 cards (rare).

3M

Value of 18-19. Always 4-card support.

4M

Value of 20-21. 4-card support. No singleton or void.

4m

6-4-2-1. No high-card control in short suit.

4 om, 3 or 4OM

Double jump shift - void in bid suit plus fit. Not a great hand otherwise.

With singleton: reverse or jump-shift in fragment, then raise unrebid suit to game:

Singleton diamond; excellent spades.

Singleton diamond; not such good spades.

(See reverse auctions - B-12, 13.)

Usually 15-17, 4-card fit. Could be unbalanced equivalent. Rarely, 3-card support, too concentrated for 1N rebid:

A Q x
x x
x x x
A K Q x x

Responder bids with 8-9 points upwards:

3M, 2N

Game tries; nonforcing, but 2N rarely passed.

3m, 3 om, 2 or 3OM

Game-force. Choice of games, or slam possibilities.

3N

Choice of games. 4-3-3-3 usually.

Jump shifts

Asking bids.

When there is an overcall over 1M, the raise no longer indicates 4 trumps. Now, Responder's 3m is natural, progressive, nonforcing. Also, Responder needs a point or two more to try for game as opener promises less. With 4 trumps and normal maximum single raise, opener jumps to 3M.

Forcing, but not necessarily a monster, promises rebid over anything but 3m. Promises length in m and strength, not length, in reverse suit (R). Could even be doubleton, with 2-1/2m rebid, or 2-1/2M with 3 trumps, or game raise in M with singleton in fourth suit. Responder's rebids:

2M

5 cards or more; ambiguous strength. Any other rebid denies 5-card major. (Exception: 1m - 1S, 2H - 3H.)

3m

4-card major; under 7-8 points. No length promised in m; could be doubleton (conceivably singleton). The only signoff.

2N

4-card M; stopper in 4th suit; 8-11 or 15 up.

3 R

4 cards in M (see exception above), often 5 cards in R, usually no stopper in 4th suit. A strong rebid.

4th suit

4 cards in M, not stopper in 4th suit; not fit for R, so usually length in m but too good for 3m. Becomes natural if rebid.

3N

4 cards in M; stopper in 4th suit. 12-14.

3M, 4m

Game-force but not necessarily very strong. Emphasis on unusual honor-strength in suit of jump.

3m

Nonforcing; not monster, not fit for M; could have stopper in 4th suit, but minimum. If Responder now bids 4th suit, he asks for stopper there.

2N

Nonforcing. Better than minimum; stopper, no fit.

3M

Nonforcing. Not monster. 3-card fit.

3N

Natural, extremely strong.

4M

3-card fit; not singleton in 4th suit; strong.

3 R

Natural; 6-5. Nonforcing.

4th suit

Game-force; a Roth-Stone reverse; R suit likely natural; probably no stopper since then 3N. Responder makes his most natural rebid, with emphasis on 3N if stopper, or 3M if good suit.

Jump in 4th suit

Game-raise in M. Singleton (or void) in 4th suit.

3m

Nonforcing; bare minimum; last chance at partial.

3M

Forcing; 3-card fit; singleton in 4th suit; look for 4-3 fit.

4M

4-card fit; singleton in 4th suit.

4th suit

As always, this shows the Roth-Stone reverse. Slam interest, probably in m, not M.

Jump in 4th suit

4-card fit for M, void in 4th suit, very strong slam interest.

Forcing. Strong rebid, like a reverse but does not promise long diamonds absolutely; guarantees a rebid. Responder rebids:

2D

4 cards in M; ambiguous strength, no stopper in OM unless minimum; no diamond support promised; forcing - a neutral bid.

2OM

Natural. At least 5 cards in M; forcing.

2M

5-card major; ambiguous strength; forcing.

2N

4 cards in M; stopper in OM, 8-11 or 15-up.

3C

4 cards in M; good, long clubs; strong, forcing.

3D, 3M

Game-force; emphasis on honors in the suit of the jump.

3N

12-14 points, 4 cards in M; stopper in OM.

2OM

Game-force; likely 2-2-5-4; no stopper in OM.

2M

Nonforcing, 3-card fit, 18-19 points, no stopper.

2N

Nonforcing; 17-18 points; mildly unbalanced.

3C

Nonforcing; strong 5-5 in the minors.

3D

Nonforcing; 2-1/2Diamond bid.

3M

Forcing; 4 trumps, singleton in the 4th suit.

3OM

Forcing, like 3M but void in OM; very strong.

3N

19-21 points; mildly unbalanced.

4C

Forcing; monster two-suiter in the minors.

Same as above, except:

3M

Nonforcing; 3-card fit; no singleton.

4M

Same, but stronger.

OM

Like 2OM above.

Jump in OM

Fit in M, singleton or void in OM.

Responder has one of three patterns:

1. Balanced; too good for 1N (he will rebid in NT).

2. Diamonds & clubs; too weak for 2C, unsuited to 3C. (He will rebid in clubs.)

3. Unbalanced, long diamonds.

   1. If weak or moderate, will rebid diamonds.

   2. If strong, will jump or, usually, reverse - only then may he have 4-card major.

Opener's rebids:

1M

Long clubs; unbalanced; could be honors, not length, in M, like reverse over major. See B-3.

1N

15-17 balanced. Could have majors.

2C

Bare minimum; discouraging.

2D

Like raise in major; good hand.

2N

18-19 balanced; could have majors.

3C

Forcing; very strong; like jump rebid over major.

3D

Forcing. 18 up; or unbalanced monster.

3N

Long clubs, stoppers.

3M

Void in M; diamond fit.

Responder has exactly the same hands as those with which he bids 1C - 1D. Opener rebids:

2D

Nonforcing; minimum, unbalanced. Responder can now force to game with a jump or reverse, or try with 2N or 3D, nonforcing. 3C is a signoff.

2M

Forcing. Long diamonds, feature in M, extra values. Responder may sign off with 3C; anything else he bids is forcing.

2N

15-19 balanced, forcing. 3C is a signoff. 3D is nonforcing, a hand too weak for 1D - 2D. Anything else is strong.

3C

Nonforcing; minimum unbalanced; prefers 3C to 2D as contract. Responder's 3D is a signoff.

3D

Strong, but nonforcing.

4C

Forcing; minor-suit monster. With less, reverse and then support clubs.

3N

Long diamonds, stopper.

5-8, fairly balanced, stoppers not promised. Opener passes normally only with strong Notrump.

2m, 2 om, 2M

Natural; nonforcing. Reverses show extra values, long m, real second suit.

2N

18-19 balanced, or possibly semi-balanced hand with slightly lower count.

3m

Forcing; very strong.

3N

Long m.

12-15, stoppers, no 4-card major; normally no 4-card support for m. Opener's rebids are all natural and forcing; 4C is Gerber; 4N is quantitative. 5N = pick a slam. Responder could have 18-up, balanced, and has if he bids over opener's raise to 3N.

Responder has 8-9 points up, unlimited, at least 4 cards in m; no major. Opener rebids:

3m

Nonforcing, limited, unbalanced. "I would have passed a limit raise."

New suit

Forcing (to 3N or 4m). At least 4 cards in m, stopper, extra values (either 15-up balanced or unbalanced strong).

2N

Forcing, 15-17 balanced. Likely 3-card m (could be balanced 15 with 4 cards, but poor for suit play). Opener may pass 3m rebid.

3N

Balanced, 18-19, always 3-card m. Responder's 4C is Gerber.

After opener's new-suit rebid, which has slammish overtones, Responder should try to rebid 2N or 3m when he has minimum values; a new suit by him suggests interest in big things.

Forces 3D by opener, to sign off in diamonds or Responder's suit. If Responder does not sign off, 3C becomes natural.

One of two hands: a monster 6-5, or a game raise in M, singleton in 4th suit, more honors in R than in M.

Often a game raise, singleton in 4th suit. If not, then a monster: a hand that others might have opened 2C - the suit of the jump shift is 4 cards or more (since 3m is available for one-suited monster). (Not: 1D - 1M, 3C.)

Preemptive. To try for game, opener must bid a new suit (stopper).

Asking-bid.

New suit

Forcing. All auctions exactly as if opponent had passed.

Jump shift

Preemptive. No game opposite a 15-17 balanced hand.

2m

Strong, forcing, unchanged.

3m

Preemptive.

1N

4-card fit in m; weak, balanced.

2N

5-card fit in m; semi-balanced, some stoppers, 9-10 points; game opposite Notrump hand but preempt opposite suit hand.

Redouble

High cards, probably balanced. At most 3 cards in m; penalty-oriented.

Forcing, normal.

Preemptive.

Constructive, balanced, stopper. Good 8 to bad 11; opener normally bids with the balanced hand.

Negative; at least 4 cards in every unbid major; no relation to minor; if over 1H, specifically 4 spades. Not limited. Auctions exactly as if major had been bid. Thus,

2C

Forcing.

2S

Normal spade raise.

3S

Spade jump raise.

1S

"I would have felt like passing had you responded 1S." Useless hearts, or 3 spades.

Normal, forcing. Over 1D overcall, 1M could be 4; denies OM. Over 1H overcall, 1S shows 5. Over 1S overcall, 2H shows 5. Could be shaded values; opener's 3H or simple rebid nonforcing.

Preemptive. No game opposite 15-17 balanced.

3m

Strong, not forcing. A hand worth 1m - 2m but that would pass a rebid of 3m.

2N

Forcing, natural.

4m

Forcing.

New suit

Forcing, but does not guarantee rebid. Opener must not pussy-foot.

X

1C - 2D - X is negative; both majors at least 4 cards; unlimited. All other doubles of weak bids are for penalties. Doubles of strong or intermediate jumps are loosely defined as negative doubles. Double of any overcall in opener's minor - 2m, 3m, etc. - shows cards, not m's. That is, loosely defined as negative.

Jump shift

Strong if jump overcall is weak; weak if it is strong or intermediate.

Takeout for majors; nonforcing. 3m is the weak raise.

If the cue-bid shows majors, 2M is length in om (5 or more) plus tolerance for m, likely honor in M. If cue-bid shows major-minor two-suiter, 2M (enemy M) shows at least 4 cards in OM plus tolerance for m. No matter what 2m shows, the bid of the 4th suit is nonforcing, limited by the failure to double or cue-bid.

Takeout. All competitive doubles of low contracts are for takeout after they (or we) have raised a suit. Typically, they say, as here: "For God's sake, let's not let them buy this hand so cheap."

Jump shift by passed hand is weak, no game opposite 15-17 balanced. If the weak jump shift is 2M, opener's 2N rebid is forcing, a game try in M. Thus, his 3M is primarily preemptive, not a game try.

All other auctions remain the same, but the "forcing" responses are obviously only invitational. With a monstrous fit for opener's minor, a hand with which you would be sick if you raised to 2m and opener passed, bid 3M - a major in which you have an honor, preferably. Thus,

Also, 1C - 3D. That is, any double jump shift. Not 1D - 3C -- a weak jump shift.

Lower limits, both top and bottom, than minor opening. I.e.

	a.		A J 10 x x x x x A x x x x	= 1S
	b.		A K Q x x x x A x K Q x x	= 2S

where, if black suits reversed, (a) = pass and (b) = 1C.

Promises 5 cards, but may be strong 4 in three cases:

1. Balanced hand, concentrated honors, 12-14 or 17 up.

   A K J x
   x x x
   x x x
   A x x
    

2. Four good spades, five hearts, minimum values.

   K Q J x
   A x x x x
   K x
   x x
    

3. 1-4-4-4 pattern, 13-14 points, so 1N rebid available to 1S.

   x
   K Q 10 x
   A Q x x
   Q x x x

All 5-5 two-suiters opened in higher suit unless highly distorted.

5-6 two-suiters normally opened in lower 6-card suit, but touching two-suiters may be opened in higher 5-card suit with bare minimum to avoid reversing.

1M - ?

Responses:

Ambiguous strength, usually 5-card suit (1N with 4-carder unless strong), occasionally psychic.

5 to 11 points, "intended as forcing" but may be passed.

Usually 12 points up. Could be just solid (or semi-solid including Ace) suit if rebid is 3m.

9, 10 up, 5 cards or more.

5 to 9 points; 3 cards or more in support. If 5-6 points, 4 trumps or ruffing value (otherwise 1N).

12 to 15 points, balanced, game-force. Rarely 18-19.

10-11 points, 4-card support or 3 cards and singleton, nonforcing.

Forcing raise, 12 points up, 4-card+ support, normally no singleton (except 1S - 3N could have singleton heart).

Forcing raise, singleton (at most) in bid suit. Not 1S - 4H (natural).

Strictly preemptive, very weak distributional hand.

Forcing, strong, slam-oriented.

Blackwood.

2m

Lower 3-carder on 5-3-3-2; 4-carder if available. Preferable to 2M with 16 points or more.

2H (1 S opening)

Prefer 2H to 2 S on 6-4; prefer 2 H to 2m on 5-4-4.

2S (1 H opening)

Nonforcing, but promises good 15, 16 points.

2M

Normally 6 cards at least, 15 points or less.

2N

18-19 points, normally 5-3-3-2 pattern.

3M

17-19 points, strong 6-card or longer M, nonforcing but rarely passed.