System Summary Form (SSF), 2026 Open USBC
| Team: | Parrish | Last Updated | Mar 11, 2026 at 12:29 |
| Players: | Phil Clayton - Danny Sprung | ||
CLICK HERE to see their ACBL convention card in a new window
Bids that Require Advance Preparation
| General Approach is 2/1 with a short club and transfers.
2  is a weak two in a major. No strong option. Stated range is 3-10 (1-2-3) but is vulnerability-dependent. Six cards is expected vul, but five is acceptable NV.
- pass = 4+ diamonds but occasionally tactical - 2  / 2 / 3 / 3 = p/c
- 2N asks for suit and strength - 3  / 3 = asks about / length
- 4 = 'transfer me' to your suit
- 4 = bid your suit
If 2 is doubled, pass shows diamonds, XX is bid 2, otherwise system on.
2M is 5M and 5m (4 is possible in 3rd seat). Stated range is 4 to 9. Responses: - 2N - good hand and asks about minor - 3 /4/5 - pass / correct
- 3 /4/5 - good raise of the major
- 3M/4M - weaker than D calls 1 - 1 is a forcing NT with 0-4. Opener transfers over this. 1 - 1N shows 5.
1 / 1 / 1 are all 5+, deny a 5332, so will be 54 in two suits as a minimum. Possible to have 5332 for 1 in 3rd intending to pass 1N. May open a good four card suit in 3rd or 4th if we do not have a rebid issue.
1 opening is 2+ (or exactly 4=4=4=1). 1 includes all balanced hands out of range for 1N, 2N or 2. It may include a longer side suit, and any 5332 shapes (even 5M332). responses:
- 1 red = 4+ in /
- 1 = no 4cM. May have any balanced strength. if minor oriented, should be less than invite.
- 1N / 2 = / (inv+)
- 2 = weak JS in major
- 2 = 5 / 4, less than invite
- 2 = 5+-4+ either way in minors
- 2N = GF balanced - 3x = less than invite and long suit |
General Bidding Style
| Open nearly all 11's NV, but are more conservative vul. While a 1 opening is non-forcing, we rarely pass.
Transfer responses after 1 .
- 1 is no major, may include many balanced ranges, INV+ minor two-suiters
- 1N / 2 = GF in /
- 2 response shows a weak two in a major.
- 2 = 5+ / 4+ (less than invite)
- 2 = weak 5+-4+ minors (less than invite)
- 2N = GF balanced - 3x = 6-7 cards, (less than invite) After a 1 opening and response, opener's rebids are transfers.
1N is either 14-16 or 15-17 depending on seat and colors. Many transfers in competition. Preempts and preempting strategy is down the middle. |
Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand
| Honor leads: Rusinow (with exceptions) against suits and NT. Versus NT, a Rusinow honor shows at least four. K asks unblock with T or higher vs NT and at the five level and higher requests count. In middle game, Jack denies.
Spot leads: 2/4th vs NT, 3rd and low versus suits. 3rd and low against partner's unraised suit versus NT. In middle game, we tend to lead attitude, unless count or a cashout is paramount. |
Defensive Signals
| Signals are UDCA with attitude, count and suit preference (in that order). Reverse Smith (lo-hi = likes and delayed Smith) vs NT by both partners. When following suit to declarer's plays: a) we will signal suit preference in trump and b) in a side suit, we will either signal suit preference or count, depending on context.
After an initial signal is given (whether it is attitude or count), the next card is suit preference unless count is obvious. When we have given suit preference, our 2nd card is count. When one hand has shown 5+ length in the bidding, we revert to suit preference. When one hand has known length through the play, carding is suit preference. |