System Summary Form (SSF), 2021 Open USBC

Bids that Require Advance Preparation

We play a variant of Swedish Club with canape style 1, 1, 1 bids. Below are specifics which you may wish to discuss a defense: -1 is Artificial, and shows 11(10+)-13 balanced with at least one 4 card major, 4=4=(4-1) dead min 11-12, or good 16+ any shape. 1 when 11-13 balanced could contain a 5cd major. 1-1 is a 0-7 negative. 1-1-1M is usually 4+ cards and could be 11-13 or 16-21, and is NF. 1-1-1N is 16+-19 bal (generally no 5cd Major). Other rebids by opener are 16+. 1-1M is 4+ cards, 8+. 1-1N 8-11 near-bal no 4M. 1-2 ART no 4M gen 11+, 1-2/2M/3m are minor-oriented no 4M 8-11 hands. -Our 1, 1 and 1 openings are all 4+ cards, and may contain a second suit that is as long, or longer than the suit we opened (Canape-style). These openings are usually 4 cards with a 5+ side suit, or 6+ cards. The opening will always be semi-balanced or unbalanced. -Our 1N opening is 12 to a bad 16 balanced ("Modified Carrot NT"). It is weighted more towards 14 to a bad 16, because we only open 12-13 HCPs if we don't have a 4 card major (min bal with a major opens 1). Per ACBL regulation, we cannot upgrade 11s into the range, so you will never see any upgrades on the lower end. -Our 2 opening shows 10-15(16) 4+s and exactly 5 of either major, or 20-21 balanced. -Our 2 shows 13-15(16) 4441 or 4=4(50), with exactly 4 (with 4=1=4=4 10-15, we open 1) -Our 2/2N/3/3 openers are 2-under preempts, 0-10 HCPs, 6+ cards, and are very wide ranging. -Our 3/3 opener show a solid (AKQ 7th) single-suiter in the two touching suits (3 shows s or s, 3 shows s or s). By ACBL definition it must meet the rule of 19. -Our 3N opening shows a solid Major (AKQ 8th) 1-1 is an artificial 1 round force (responder is unlimited, and typically is 8+, though 1 can be bid lighter with tolerance for any of opener's rebids). In the auction 1-1, responder's 1 response occasionally only 3s. This is because if opener has support, it always is a minimum of 5 cards. After a 1, 1 and 1 opening, responder's initial double doesn't promise length in the unbid major (just takeout oriented, suggest tolerance for new strains). Non-Vulnerable, a direct cuebid by overcaller shows the touching suits (2/1 shows 5+s & 4+s, 2/1 shows 4+s & 5+s, 2/1 shows 4+s & 5+s, 2/1 shows 5+ s & s). Simple jump overcalls show at least 5-4 in the suit bid and the suit directly above (at least 5 of the suit bid). 2N is a strong two suiter (<=5 losers) with at least 5 of the suit of the same "shape" (s/1,s/1, s/1,s/1).

General Bidding Style

We open all 11s in all seats, upgrade a good portion of unbalanced 10s (Kyle opens more 10s than Daniel), particularly that fit rule of 19 with close to 2+ defensive tricks. Suit quality is not a requirement for a 1-level opening bid (xxxx Ax AKxxxx x would open 1). If a 5-5 Major-Minor 2-suiter, we will treat the major as primary by opening 1 or the ART 2 opening (intending to show 4+ + exactly 5M). With both minors or majors, we could open either first. The first bid suit will typically be perceived as only being 4 cards, so if there is suit quality disparity, usually the worst suit is opened. If 6-4 with a 6+ Major and a dead minimum, we may sometimes open 1M (choosing to deny the 4-cd minor). In 3rd seat, everything gets a bit lighter, we open all unbal 10s and good balanced 10s, but can open 1/1/1 as light as 8 favorable, particularly if we want to get in lead direction or have an easy way to get out low in the auction. With the 2-under transfer preempts, we strive to bid with most 6+ suits, particularly the minors, particularly favorable, and particularly if not 6322.

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Defensive Signals