System Summary Form (SSF), 2018 USBC

Bids that Require Advance Preparation

1 Opening is 1+ non-forcing with balanced hands outside of our NT range (15-17) or primary clubs, or 4441. We play transfer responses to 1 Opening. Our agreement is to respond anytime we have a 5-card major not promising specific values. We would also respond extremely light when we don't have clubs or for tactical reasons. 1-1 is balanced or clubs or non-forcing diamonds 1-1NT is the equivalent of 11-12 balanced 1-2 is 5+ GF 1-2 shows both majors and less than game forcing strength 1-2 shows 54 in the minors GF 1-2 shows 54 in the minors constructive/invitational 1-3 shows 54 in the minors mixed/preemptive Our reverses (on level 2) after 1 opening are natural and non-forcing with limited hands (10-15) Level 1 rebids by opener (other than 1NT) are wide range 2C rebid by opener is 16+ and denies 3-card support for the major where it applies. 3 of a new suit rebid by opener shows 65 and a strong hand. --- 1 Opening by agreement is 5+ unbalanced or occasionally a good diamond suit we want to show for lead/competition. Our guideline is that we open 1 if we want to compete in diamonds. 1-2 is a GF raise is 1-2 is an invitational raise in --- 1M-2C is GF balanced or clubs 1 or 1M-2NT is 8+ with some shortness and 4+ support 1 or 1M-jump in a suit are various raises with a fit in the opening. could be 3-card for the invitational raise, otherwise it's 4+ --- 2 and 2M openings are weak twos. Rarely 5-card. --- 3NT Opening shows a solid major without outside A or K --- Responding to other than 1C opening is fairly standard unless we think we get tactical advantage by responding ultra light.

General Bidding Style

2/1 based approach Light openings and overcalls. We tend to open on good 10+ and shape and otherwise 12+ for balanced hands. 15-17 NT --- Our preemptive style is fairly standard. More sound when we are vulnerable. 3rd seat favorable anything goes. --- 3rd seat favorable anything goes for any opening and we are careful not to bury partner for opening. --- In competitive situations, we would bid when we have reason to. In other words we may not support partner right away on bad hands where a large majority will consider it automatic; We play transfers in competition over 1-2 overcalls. 2NT in competition is usually forcing. DBLs in competition are usually not penalty if we haven't been able to define our hand to both shape and strength. DBL by the 3rd hand on a final contract has lead directing implications.

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Defensive Signals