Precision Big Club

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Big Club - Systems using the 1 Club System include: Bangkok Club, Italian Blue Club, Canary Club, Carrot Club, French Club, Little Roman, Marmic, Orange Club, Precision, Relay, Roman System, Roth Club, Simplified Club, Trefle Squeeze, Vanderbilt, Vienna.

The following methods are used by many Precision players - Note: all artificial bids are alertable

See below for other methods.

Also see Precision/Big Club Books, Alpha Cuebid , Beta Cuebid, Trump Asking Bid, Control Asking Bid, Suit Asking Bid, Delta Asking Bid.

Illustrative Precision system based on the book "Precision Today":

Opening Bids
1C	16+ HCP or a very good 15 HCP hand.
1D	11-15 HCP with 2+ Diamonds
1H/S	11-15 HCP with 5+ suit
1N	10-12, 11-14, 13-15 HCP (various opening ranges are in use)
2C	11-15 HCP with 6+ Clubs maybe with 4-5 card major (simplified method)
2D	11-15 HCP with a three suited hand with shortness in Diamonds
2H/S	5-10 HCP with 6+ cards in major suit (preemptive weak 2)
2N	22-23 HCP, balanced (standard); optionally Unusual Notrump - weak with long minors
3C+	Same as other systems - preemptive at 3 level, Gambling 3N, NAMYATS

1N Opener: 10 – 12 points (1^st, 2^nd, and3^rd seat) (treatments vary with other Notrump ranges)
1N – 2D	Forcing Stayman (to game); may not have 4 card major
1N – 2C; any – 2N	Game invitational, denies a 4 card major
1N – 2N;	Game invitational, denies a 4 card major
1N – 2C; 2D – 2H	Crawling Stayman to play or correct to 2S; Garbage Stayman too.
1N – 2H/S/3C/D	To play
1N – 3H/S	Game forcing, 5er; Opener chooses 3NT or 4H/S
1N – (X) – P	To play; may be 9-13 HCP
1N – (X) – XX	One suited hand (Moscow Escape), opener puppets to 2C, responder Passes or bids suit if required
1N - (X) – 2C/D/H	Responder has support for suit and higher suit (Moscow Escape), opener Passes or bids lowest reasonable suit
1N – (X) – 2N	Unusual Notrump for the minors (Lebensohl "off")
1N - 2C/D; 2x - 3y	New suit at 3 level shows 6+ card suit. Invitational if responder began with 2C Game forcing (Slam try) if responder began with 2D
1N – (any) – 2x	To play
1N – (any) – X	Takeout Lebensohl (some play standard penalty treatment)
1N – (2x) – 3x	Stayman without stopper (not Western Cuebid)

2D Opening: 11-15 points, Diamond shortage
2D – 2H/S/3C	To play, 0-11
2D – 2N	Query asking; have 11 HCP+ with shortness to ask.
2D – 2N; 3C	3=4=1=5 (aid: 1^st step black 3C = only 3S)
2D –2N; 3D	4=3=1=5 (aid: 2nd step red 3D = only 3H)
2D – 2N; 3H	4=4=1=4 with 11-13 points (aid: 3rd step = weak)
2D – 2N; 3S	4=4=1=4 with 14-15 points (aid: 4th step = strong)
2D – 2N; 3N	4=4=1=4 with DA or DK (aid: 3N = stopper)
2D – 2N; 4C	4=4=0=5 with 11-13 points (aid: 4C = no stopper, weak)
2D – 2N; 4D	4=4=0=5 with 14-15 points (aid: 4D = no stopper, strong)
2D – 3H/S	Responder sets Game Force, 5+ H/S

2C Opening: 11-15 points, 6+ Clubs (no 5 card major)
2C – 2D	Waiting/query; asks Opener for a 4 card major 2C–2D; 2H/S=4 & 11-13, 2N=bal, 3C=Clubs, 3D=4D & 5C, 3H/S=4 & 14-15, 3N = Solid Clubs & 14-15 (3S/N non-std)
2C – 2H/S	Invitational; must be 5er in length and 11-13 TP
2C – 3H/S	6+ pieces, game forcing, 14 + TP
2C – 2N	Invitational
2C – 3C	Competitive
2C – 3D	Inviting 3 Notrump (no 4 card major, forcing to 4m)

Responses to 1C
1C – 1D	0-7 HCP
1C – 1H/S	8+ distribution points and any 5 card suit If playing asking bids, TAB, reTAB, CAB, reCAB, Alpha, Beta apply
1C – 1N	8-13 HCP, balanced (5 in minor okay but not major) If playing asking bids, CAB, reCAB, Alpha, Beta apply
1C – 2C/D	8+ distribution points and any 5 card suit (same as 1H/S response) If playing asking bids, TAB, reTAB, CAB, reCAB, Alpha, Beta apply
1C – 2H/S	4-6 HCP disciplined preemptive (no worse than K J 10 9 x x). If opener queries with 2N, responder shows shortage if possible
1C – 2N	14+ HCP, balanced and 4+ controls If playing asking bids, Suit AB, CAB, reCAB, Beta apply
1C – 3C	Black shortage, 1=4=4=4 or 4=4=4=1, < 4 controls (mostly < 12 HCP) If opener asks by bidding 3D, Responder bids 3H=C or 3S=S shortage 1C – 3C; 3D – 3H/N; P/3N/4M to play, 4C asks controls (0-2, 3, 4…)
1C – 3D	Red shortage, 4=1=4=4 or 4=1=4=4, < 4 controls (mostly < 12 HCP) If opener asks by bidding 3H, Responder bids 3S=D or 3N=H shortage 1C – 3D; 3H – 3S/N; 4M to play, 4D asks controls (0-2, 3, 4…)
1C – 3H	Spade shortage, 1=4=4=4, 12+ HCP and 4+ controls If playing asking bids, CAB, Beta apply
1C – 3S	Club shortage, 4=4=4=1, 12+ HCP and 4+ controls If playing asking bids, CAB, Beta apply
1C – 3N	Solid running 7 or 8 card suit (opener's right to play in NT)
1C – 4C	Diamond shortage, 4=4=1=4, 4+ controls and 12+ HCP If playing asking bids, CAB, Beta apply
1C – 4D	Heart shortage, 4=1=4=4, 4+ controls and 12+ HCP If playing asking bids, CAB, Beta apply

Auctions after 1C – 1D (Negative Response)
1C – 1D 1H/S	Usually 5+ card suit (could be 4=4=4=1 or 4=4=1=4), 5+ LTC Non-forcing
1C – 1D 1N	16-19 HCP, balanced Non-forcing, responder "systems on": Stayman, Jacoby, Texas, 4 Suit Transfers
1C – 1D 2C/D	5+ card suit, 5+ Losing Trick Count Non-forcing
1C – 1D 2H/S	5+ card suit, 0-4 LTC (equivalent to 2C opener in normal systems) Forcing
1C – 1D 2N	20-21 HCP, balanced Non-forcing, responder "systems on": Stayman, Jacoby, Texas, 4 Suit Transfers
1C – 1D 3C/D	6+ card suit, 0-3 LTC Forcing
1C – 1D 3H/S	6+ card suit, 0-3 LTC Forcing
1C – 1D 3N	24-26 HCP, balanced, responder "systems on": Stayman, Jacoby, Texas, 4 Suit Transfers
1C – 1D 4H/S	8+ card suit, above NAMYATS 4C/D opener

Auctions after 1C – 1D; 1H (non-forcing)
0-3 Dist Pts	Pass
4-5 Dist Pts	Raise denomination (suit or Notrump), or bid Spades with 4+
6-7 Dist Pts	Jump raise denomination (suit or Notrump)
6-7 Dist Pts	5+ and no support, bid new suit

Auctions after 1C – 1D; 1N (non-forcing 16-19 HCP)

1C – 1D

1N – 2D/H

0-6 Dist Pts, transfer and Pass (unless opener super-accepts)

1C – 1D;
1N – 2S;
3C

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

Four Suit Transfers (stronger hand plays), otherwise use 2C to invite

1C – 1D
1N – 2S

Stayman with 6-7 HCP, however responder may not have a 4 card major; opener responses:
2D = 16-17 and no major
2H/S = 16-17 with major (up the line)
2N = 18-19 "bad" and no major
3C = 18-19 with major/s, responder puppets to 3D, opener shows major
3D = 18-19 "good" with no major, responder normally bids 3N

Jackson-Kokish Relay

An alternative opener Notrump bidding response, conserving bidding space and allows other uses for opener's 2N opening bid (as Unusual Notrump)

1C - 1D;
1H - 1S;
1N After responder's 1D negative response, opener's 1H forces responder to bid 1S. Using this approach, opener's 1N second rebid shows 19-21 points

1C - 1D;
1N Opener's direct 1N rebid continues to shows 16-18 points

1C - 1D;
1H - 1S;
2N Opener's 2N rebid after relay shows 25-27 points

1C - 1D;
2N Opener's 2N direct rebid shows 22-24 points

Note: some players use other different treatments

1C – Positive Response; Opener Rebids (all game forcing)
1C – 1H/S 1N	16-19 HCP, balanced and no support If playing asking bids, Beta responses
1N – 2C/D 2N	16-19 HCP, balanced and no support If playing asking bids, Beta responses
1C – 1H/S 2N	20-21 or 24+ HCP ("Good-bad"), balanced and no support If playing asking bids, Delta responses
1C – 2C/D 3N	20-21 or 24+ HCP ("Good-bad"), balanced and no support If playing asking bids, Delta responses
1C - 1H/S/2C/D Non NT - Alpha	Alpha Cuebid (Support Asking Bids), off when responder bid is above 2D. Steps based on controls: 1st = 0-3 controls and J x x or less 2nd = 4+ controls and J x x or less 3rd = 0-3 controls and Q x x or above 4th = 4+ controls and Q x x or above 5th = 4+ controls and Q x x x or above (some play jump responses show 0-1 trump support for opener and either 5-5 or longer 2 suited hand or broken 7+ card suit if rebid
1C – 1H/S 2H/S - TAB	Trump Asking Bid (TAB) - Steps based on trump length & honors: 1^st = 5+ trump with 0 of top 3 (AKQ) 2^nd = 5+ trump with 1 of top 3 3^rd = 5+ trump with 2 of top 3 4^th = 6+ trump with 1 of top 3 5^th = 6+ trump with 2 of top 3 6^th = 5+ trump with AKQ Repeat TABs also possible to show specific honors If playing asking bids, opener may TAB after Alpha response
*Note – CABs are only on after* TABs**
1C – 1H/S; 2H/S – any; New Suit < 5C	Control Asking Bid (CAB) about new suit. Steps based on controls: Note - others reverse responses (slow shows) 1^st = No controls, J x x or worse 2^nd = 3^rd round control, Q or xx 3^rd = 2^nd round control, K or x 4^th = 1^st round control, A or void 5^th = AK or AQ Repeat CAB asks shortage/strength (1^st = short, 2^nd = honor/s) If playing asking bids, CABs on after TAB, Alpha, or Unusual Positive
1C – 1H/S; 2H/S – any; New Suit 5C+	Compressed Control Asking Bids (CAB) about new suit. Steps based on controls: Note - others reverse responses (slow shows) 1^st = No controls, J x x or worse 2^nd = 2^nd round control, K or x 3^rd = 1^st round control, A or void
1C – 2C/D	Same treatment as majors described above
Optional Beta Asking Bids, used when partners do not have a suit fit
1C - 1N; 2N - Beta 1C - 3D; 3H - 3S; 4C - Beta 1C - 4C; 4D - Beta	Beta Cuebid, responder rebids show controls: 1st = 0-2 controls (or 4 if prior Unusual Positive) 2nd = 3 controls (or 5 if prior Unusual Positive) 3rd = 4 controls (or 6 if prior Unusual Positive) 4th = 5 controls (or 7 if prior Unusual Positive) If playing Beta, on after TAB, Alpha, or Notrump response
1C – positive New Suit	Opener suit bid is Natural, 5+ card suit If playing Alpha Asking Bids, responder steps based on controls: 1st = 0-3 controls and J x x or less 2nd = 4+ controls and J x x or less 3rd = 0-3 controls and Q x x or above 4th = 4+ controls and Q x x or above 5th = 4+ controls and Q x x x or above (some play jump responses show 0-1 trump support for opener and either 5-5 or longer 2 suited hand or broken 7+ card suit if rebid
1C – 1N 2C	Stayman, responder rebids: (transfer approach, stronger hand plays) FYI – Stayman may only be shape-asking (not promising majors) 2D = 4H and 8-10 HCP (may have Spades) 2H = 4S and 8-10 HCP 2S = 8-10 HCP without 4 card major 2N = 11-13 HCP with 4333 shape 3C = 11-13 HCP with Clubs and another 4 card suit 3D = 11-13 HCP with 4 Diamonds and 4 Hearts 3H = 11-13 HCP with 4 Hearts and 4 Spades 3S = 11-13 HCP with 4 Spades and 4 Diamonds 3N = 11-13 HCP and poor 5 card suit Note – Precision players have further rebids not described here
1C – 1N 2D/H/S	Natural (various Precision follow-up treatments: natural, Support or Suit AB)
1C – 1N 2N	Artificial, shows 5+ Clubs (some Precision play natural)
1C – 2N 3C	Baron, bid 4 card up-the-line (some Precision play SABs)
1C – 2N 3D/H/S 1C - 2N 3D/H/S - Suit AB	5+ card suit natural Suit Asking Bid: steps showing trump support for opener: 1st = 2-3 trump, no honors 2nd = Doubleton honor 3rd = Tripleton honor 4th = Doubleton, 2 honors 5th = Tripleton, 2 honors 6th = 4 trump
1C – positive Jump Suit	Natural, 5+ card suit, showing extra length and values. If playing Delta Asking Bids, responder shows Aces: Lowest suit = Ace in named suit, may have additional Aces Skip suit = Possess Ace, missing Aces in skipped suit/s Notrump = No Aces in suits skipped Cheapest level trump suit = No Aces
1C - positive; ... - ...; Quantitative	Jump Notrump bids by opener are Quantitative If playing Beta Asking Bids followed by signoff attempt, responder may make Quantitative Notrump raise as slam try

Interference over 1C (Mathe, two-suited systems: CRASH, DONT, SET-SCRew, etc)
General Approach P = 0-4, 1D = 5-7. 1M = 8+, X = 5+ T/O, NT = 8-13 stoppers, Unusual versus Unusual, XX = GF
1C – (X) – P	0-4 HCP
1C – (X) – 1D	5-7 HCP
1C – (X) – XX	Game Forcing, usually balanced
1C – (X) – 1D		5-7 HCP
1C – (X) – 1N	8-13 HCP and stoppers if Double shows majors

1C – (1x) – P	0-4 HCP or a Trap Pass Note – if Trap Pass and opener Doubles, psyche overcaller will usually flee
1C – (1x) – X	5+ HCP or 5-8 unbalanced 1 round forcing unless opener rebids 1N
1C - (1X) - 2x	Game Forcing, no stopper (ala Western Cuebid)
If opponents' 1N shows minors, use Unusual Versus Unusual type treatment
1C – (1N) – X		Moderate HCP, ability to penalize at least 1 suit
1C – (1N) – 2C/D		5+ Hearts/Spades, game forcing
1C – (1N) – 2H/S		5+ Hearts/Spades, non-forcing

1C – (2x) – X		6-8 HCP, any shape (Responsive Double) 1 round forcing unless opener rebids 2N
1C – (2x) – 2y		5+ card suit, game forcing
1C – (2x) – 2N		8-10 or 14+ (“good-bad”) with stoppers
1C – (2x) – 3N		11-13 with stoppers

1C – (3x) – X		Game Forcing
1C – (3x) – 3y		5+ card suit, game forcing
1C – (3x) – 3N		8-11 HCP with stoppers

1C – (4x) – X		“Cards” (defensive values)

1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) P		16-18 HCP, balanced
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) X		Takeout
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) 1N		17-19 HCP, stopper
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) 2N		20-21 HCP, stopper
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) 2H/S		19+ Dist. Pts., cuebid lacking stopper
If opponents' 1N shows minors
1C – (P) – 1D – (1N) P		16-18 HCP, balanced
1C – (P) – 1D – (1N) X		Penalty oriented
1C – (P) – 1D – (1N) 2C/D		Hearts/Spades, extra values (Unusual Versus Unusual) Forcing 1 round
1C – (P) – 1D – (1N) 2H/S		16-18 HCP, Hearts/Spades Non-Forcing
1C – (P) – 1D – (1N) 2N		Upper 1NT values, stoppers in minors
1C – (P) – 1D – (2N) 2C/D		Hearts/Spades, extra values (Unusual Versus Unusual) Forcing 1 round
If opponents' Double shows Diamonds
1C – (P) – 1D – (X) P		16-18 HCP, balanced
1C – (P) – 1D – (1N) 1N		17-18 HCP, Diamond stopper
1C – (P) – 1D – (1N) 2C/D/H/S, etc		Precision “systems on”, ignore opponent’s Double
1C – (P) – 1D – (2x) P		16-18 HCP, balanced
1C – (P) – 1D – (2x) any		18+ HCP
Opener Doubles – general approach
1C – (2x) – X – (3x) X		Takeout
3^rd Double	Penalty
2^nd Double	Penalty if responder’s Double was Penalty

1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) P		16-18 HCP, balanced
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) X		Takeout
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) 1N		17-19 HCP, stopper
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) 2N		20-21 HCP, stopper
1C – (P) – 1D – (1H/S) 2H/S		19+ Dist. Pts., cuebid lacking stopper

PRECISION BIDDING IN BRIDGE
Courtesy of Mark London

Notes: * means not specified in simplified version.
# means specified in simplified version.
@ means specified in Goren's version.
! means not specified in Goren's version.

         Count distribution points only when supporting partners suit.
           A = 2 controls, K = 1 control

1. 1C: 16 or more, 15 with 5-5 or 14 with 6-5
      Responses:
      a) NEGATIVE: 1D: 0-7 or (* Impossible negative(4441) 8 pts)
1) 1NT: 16-18 balanced
Pass: 0-6 balanced
2C: 6-7 stayman
                               ! 2D: No major 16-17
                               ! 2NT: No major 18
2D/2H/2S: 0-5 unbalanced, signoff
Jump to 3 of a suit: Impossible negative,
       singleton in suit bid
                  2) 2NT: 19-21 balanced
3C: stayman or Impossible negative
3H/3S: 5 carder, forcing
3NT: sign off
4 of a suit: natural, long suit
5 of a minor: game, signoff
                  3) 3NT: 24-26 (#25-27)
4) Jump in a suit: 22, good 5 carder suit or freak hand with
9 winner. With 4441 bid lowest suit.
# Treat like strong 2 bid, min NT = negative response,
#   raise shows some values.
                           min NT: 0-3 doubleton support
   raise: 0-3, 3 card support
   New suit: 4-7 min 4 carder (avoid with weak suit)
   Jump raise: 4-7, 3 carder support
   Jump new suit: Impossible negative
   Jump NT: Impossible Negative in opener's suit
                  5) Non Jump in suit bid: 5 carder minor or 4 carder major.
                        With both, bid 4 card major unless very weak.
   Pass: 0-4, 2 card support
   Raise: 2-4, 3 card support
   min NT: 5-7, no 5 carder
   new suit: 5-7, 5 carder
   Jump Raise: 5-7 4 card support
   Jump new suit: Impossible negative
   Jump NT: Impossible Negative in opener's suit

    * b) CONSTRUCTIVE: 2H/2S: 4-7, 6 carder with 1 top honor
                   7 carder with J
    * c) CONSTRUCTIVE: 3C/3D/3H/3S: 4-7, 7 carder or J to 8
      After a CONSTRUCTIVE response
       Pass: No chance of game
       Game: sign off
       2NT: suit fitting. asking for singleton
Rebid: no singleton
New suit: singleton
               New suit: Forcing
Raise: 3 card support
new suit: 2 card or less, side values in suit bid
                Rebid: minimum, no 3 card support
3NT: maximum, no 3 card support
               Raise: Inviting
Pass: minimum
Game: maximum
      d) POSITIVE: 1H/1S/2C/2D: 8 points, 5 carder. With 11 points or more
   and at least 4 controls, jump at your next response (unless
   you have a balanced hand and would go past 3NT).
Raise: TAB (see below) (#3+ card support min)
         New suit: 5 card+
             Responder bids as follows with 8-10 pts or 0-3 controls
raise: 3+ card support
New suit: 4+ cards, denies support
NT: denies support or good need suit
rebid suit: 6+ cards, prefer rebidding a major suit
    to bidding or raising a minor suit
     With 11+ pts and 4+ controls responder bids similarly,
     but with a jump, but not if bid passes 3NT.
NT response: no 5 card suit (unless weak minor)
      @ 2C: exactly 8 points, no unbid 4c or longer suit
New suit: 4+ cards
                        rebid suit: 6+ cards, prefer rebidding a major suit
                                    to bidding or raising a minor suit
NT: Game forcing
Jump raise: 19-21 good support
Game: Signoff
New suit: Cue bid
Jump shift: Solid 6c or longer and 19+. May use AAB for
     responses.
Raise: min
NT: min with some strength in all unbid suits
New suit: Cue bid
3NT: 16-18, no good 5+ card suit or 4c major, balanced
New suit: At least 5-5 distribution
4H/4S: 16, no good 5+ card suit, 3+ card support
      e) POSITIVE: 1NT: 8-10 balanced
2C: Stayman
   2D: no major
   2H/2S: major
                 2D/2H/2S/3C: 5 carder suit
   Raise: 3 card support
   Show major or NT
         2NT: invitational to game
Pass: minimum
3NT: maximum
                 3NT: sign off, 17-18 pts, balanced
Jump in a suit: min 19, 6 carder semi solid suit
4NT: invitational to 6 NT
Pass: minimum
6NT: maximum
      f) POSITIVE: 2NT: 11-13 balanced or more than 15
3C: stayman
With greater than 15, respond:
4C with 4c C
4D with 4c D, no 4c C
4H with 4c H, maybe 4c S
4S with 4c S, no 4c H
3D/3H/3S: 5 carder
3NT: sign off
4C: Gerber

      g) POSITIVE: 3NT: 14-15 balanced
       4C: modified stayman asking responder to start bidding his
   4 carder starting from lowest
    # h) POSITIVE: 2H-3D Impossible negative(4441) 8 pts, singleton in suit bid.

      RESPONSES AFTER INTERVENTION
a) After Double by opponents:
      Pass: 0-7 with 4+ card C
      1D: 0-7 with 3 or less card C
        Redouble: 8 pts, two 4 card majors
Other calls: natural as without intervention
b) After an overcall up to 2S:
      Pass: 0-4
        double: 5-8 pts, no 5c suit
        suit bid: 5-8 pts, 5c suit
        jump suit bid: 5-8 pts, 6c+ suit
min NT: 9+, 5c+ suit, unbalanced
jump NT: 9-11 balanced, stopper in opponents suit
3NT over a 1 level overcall: 12-14, stopper in opponents suit
                Cuebid: 9+ no good 5c suit, no stopper in opponents suit
NOTE: Many play 1NT over a 1 level overcall as normal 8-10 pt
balanced and stopper, and use cuebid instead.
b) After an overcall greater than 2S:
double: Penalty
3NT: 9-12, 1 good stopper
Suit: Good 5c+, probable game
Cuebid: Strong takeout

      After a POSITIVE suit response,
    &nbs