System Summary Form (SSF), 2026 Mixed USBC

Bids that Require Advance Preparation

1 includes most balanced hands not in NT opening range, including balanced hands with 2 clubs and 4 diamonds. May be balanced with 5D when stronger than 1N opening. Transfer responses to 1 through 2 (except 1N is natural and invitational). 1-2 invitational or better with 6+ clubs 1-3 mixed raise, usually 6+ clubs 1-1/1-1N is stronger than an opening 1N and may include 5 diamonds or clubs 1-2 artificial game forcing raise 1-2 artificial invitational raise 1m-1M-2N 15+ with 3 card major support and 6+ minor 1M-2 may be as few as 2 with some balanced hands. 1M-3 4 card limit raise, may be intending to raise to game with shortness somewhere. 1N opening bids or overcalls may have a small singleton with a few awkward shapes. 2 10-15 HCP, 4 5+ (Flannery). Low end will have prime values or 6 hearts. => 1-1N may have 4 spades, or even 5 when we have 3 hearts. After (1m) P (1N) or (1) P (1) or (1) P (1 no 4M): 2 = 5-4 either way in majors, or 5-5 weak 2 = Michaels 5+-5+ in majors, constructive Support Double after 1 when responder transfers with 1/1 and 4th seat acts below 2 of responder's suit. Support Redouble in this case is strong (17-19) because accepting the transfer over 4th seat double shows minimum with 3 card support. Support doubles and redoubles after 1 opening. When we open or overcall 1M, and the next hand acts, 2N, jump or not, is a 4-card raise. Responses in competition include many transfers and swaps, too many cases to list here. (1 natural, quasi-natural, or Polish) 2 is natural, 2 is majors (1 strong) 1N is 5-5 majors constructive, 2 single major, 2 hearts+minor, 2 spades+minor Direct double of 1N is penalties by unpassed hand, 2 shows majors, and 2 shows a single major. Same in balancing seat vs weak NT (12-14 or less). In balancing seat vs strong (13+) NT, or in any seat by passed hand, Double is a single minor or both majors (Meckwell), 2m is minor+major.

General Bidding Style

Generally light initial actions, conservative responses when we don't have a fit. We open and overcall aggressively nonvul and fairly standard vulnerable. When nonvul, we open most hands with 11 HCP, some with 10 HCP or rule of 19. Responder with as much as 13 HCP may be considered invitational. We tend not to pass 1 if we can do something. Balanced 11-13/14 with 5+ will usually open 1 but 1 is an option. Otherwise 1 is natural unbalanced 11-21 in first and second seat. In third and fourth seat, we may open 1D with a balanced minimum when we prefer a diamond lead. 1M openings are on the light end, especially nonvulnerable, but when we open light we try to have quick tricks and better suits. 5332 hands prefer to open 1NT or 2NT when in range. In third and fourth seat, we may open good four card suits with a minimum. Our 1N opening may have 5 card major or 6 card minor. With 13 HCP, many but not all hands open 1N when NV. Vulnerable or 4th seat, 1N is at least a good 14 HCP. When nonvul, weak 2s can be 5 cards usually only with a very good suit and some shape. 3 level preempts are rather light.

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Defensive Signals