System Summary Form (SSF), 2016 Senior USBC


Team: Simson Last Updated May 12, 2016 at 11:30
Players: Doug Simson - Jeff Aker

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Bids that Require Advance Preparation

1. 2-suiter overcalls:
1C-2D = 5-5+ Majors.
1 minor-3 minor = strong Majors.
over 2+ 1D-2H=5+-5+ Majors NF

2. ART responses to 1C opening (16+ ART):
1D = 0-7; others = ART GF:
1H = S or 11-13 BAL,
1S = H (suits = 5+),
1N = C,
2C = D,
2D = 8-10 BAL,
2H = 14+ BAL,
3C = any SOL suit,
others = 8+ w/3-suiter.

3. Responses to 1D opening:
2H = 5S/4H (+), less than INV,
2S = same but INV,
3C = minors less than INV.

4. Many comp TFERS used. If to new suit, = showing that suit, or a lead-directing raise perhaps w/o 5+ cards in the transferred-to suit, 1S-X-1NT = tfer to Clubs, 2C = to D, etc.

5. Many ART raises used. 1 under at 3-level is normally a Mixed raise (7+-9 support value with 4+ trump). 2NT normally used as Major raise.

General Bidding Style

Precision (RM style). All stated point count ranges are approximate.
1NT opening = 14-16, but 15-17 in 4th seat, or 3rd seat VUL.
1C = 16+,
1D = 11-15 catchall but 2+'s, very rarely 5M332 or stiff D honor with the shape for a 2D opening
5-card Majors 11-15,
2C = 6+ 11-15,
2D = 3-suiter short in D (can be 43 in Majors either way) 11-15.

Responses can be light, or passes heavy. Openings tend to be light. Preempts can be on 5 (weak 2's) or 6 (3's). General light style, and variations allowed, e.g. can open 1NT with 13 if we think it is worth 14, or 1D with stiff K of Diamonds instead of 2D, or opening with less than 11 HCP with a reason to to so.

3rd seat openings can be very light, and might be on shorter length (4-card Major, 5-card 2C opening).

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Vs NT: in dummy's or partner's suit, standard honor leads. Otherwise, Rusinow (K=Power) from 4+ card suits; top from 3 or less. In pard's suit, 9/10 = 0/2 higher, and 3rd best spot leads (otherwise att, or hi-ish from weak).

Special leads when using Rusinow vs NT: 9 can be from A98 or J98, 10 from AQ109, Q or J from AQJ or KQJ.


Vs suits: Standard honors vs 5+ level and in pard's suit (but 9/10 = 0/2 higher in pard's suit). Opening lead always 3rd/low. Ace from AK and otherwise standard honor leads (exceptions noted above, and below when Rusinow applies).

If known to have 3+ cards in the suit led, Rusinow honor leads apply (if not pard's suit).


After Trick 1, spot leads are 3rd/low or ATT or bridge plays. 9 or 10 = 0/2 around into Q or J in dummy. If needing to hold the lead, often lead 2nd best from non-touching card combinations.

Defensive Signals

Upsidedown Count, Attitude,
If we show the AK combination, then Trick 1 Count or ATT would be standard. Also applies if we switch to the King around into Qx(x) in dummy, holding. Standard ATT if we lead low from our own long suit vs NT and dummy wins stiff Q or higher.

Normal style is ATT on pard's lead and CT on Declarer's lead, but we try to give the signal partner would logically be looking for. We might signal honestly or randomly; depends on who we think will benefit from it. We play SP vs suits at trick 1 unless AK lead-1098=high SP,567=Enc, 234=low SP. If not holding appropriate card use upside-down attitude (so if wanting to encourage from 1093 play the 3)