System Summary Form (SSF), 2017 USBC

The following additional SSF forms are also available for this player:
Jay Barron-Jacob Morgan


Team: Harris Last Updated Apr 13, 2017 at 11:10
Players: Ai-Tai Lo - Howard Liu - Jay Barron

Click here to see their ACBL convention card in a new window

Bids that Require Advance Preparation

2D over opponent's 1NT = H or S.

1M/2M-(x)-transfers starting from 1NT/2NT (C).

(1m)-1M-(x)-transfers starting from 1NT (C).

(1H)-1S-(x)-transfers starting from 1NT (C).

1m-2H by UPH is either SJS in H or balanced 11-12.

1m-2S by UPH is either SJS in S or constructive raise in partner's minor.

1H-2S by UPH is either SJS in S or D invitational.

1H-3D is a mixed raise (by PH and in comp also).

1S-3H is a mixed raise (by PH and in comp also).

1D/1H/1S-3C by UPH is natural and invitational.

1S-3D by UPH is natural and invitational.

WJS by UPH (in comp only) except 1 under is still a mixed raise.

FSJ by PH (in comp also) except 1 under is still a mixed raise.

1M 3M-1 is always mixed.

General Bidding Style

5-card majors, 2/1 GF, forcing NT can have up to bad 14.

1M 2C may be 2, 2D promises 5+.

1NT: 14-16 HCP at 1st, 2nd and 3rd not vul.

1NT: 15-17 HCP at 3rd vul and 4th.

Open 1NT as often as possible; 5431 with a singleton honor, 6-card minor, etc..

3rd-seat 1NT/2NT opening can be shaded and off-shape (especially W vs R).

We open 11 balanced (optional when vul), and 10 HCP unbalanced (occasionally 9 HCP with a good 6-card suit).

Usually open 1C with (23)44. Otherwise, open 1D with (14)44.

With 5C and 4D, less than 1NT opening strength, we open 1C with 2245 or (13)45 with a singleton honor and rebid 1NT. Otherwise, open 1D and then rebid 2C. We don't rebid 1NT with a singleton small in responder's suit.

3rd seat opener could be as light as 8 HCP W vs R, 4-card M often (two of the top four honors, e.g, QJxx for lead-directing purpose.

May respond with a very weak hand (0 to 5 HCP, may be 0 W vs R) if we have a fit or a long suit to get out with. We almost always respond to 1C opening.

One level overcalls shows 7+ HCP, two level sounder ((1D) 2C could be light). Suit quality is more important than HCP values.

2-level preempts W vs R can be very bad especially at 1st seat (5-card suit often). It is rare but possible that we will preempt at the 3 level with a 5-card suit at 1st seat W vs R.

May open/overall a 3-card suit at 3rd seat for lead-directing purpose.

Doubles at the 2- and 3-level are generally takeout, card-showing at the 4-level and up.

Anti-lead double when it is clearly the opponents' hand.

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

vs NT: 4th best, 2nd from bad holdings (3rd in partner's suit).

vs NT: 3rd/5th in partner's suit.

vs NT: K is our power lead and A asks for attitude.

vs NT: Russinow in a 4-card suit or longer except in:

Partner's suit.
Dummy's suit.
Preemptor's side suit.

vs suits: 3rd from even or 3, lowest from odd, but will lead high from nothing in partner's raised suit.

vs suits: A from AK except against 5-level or higher, or AK doubleton, or ready to switch to a side singleton. Occasionally, we will lead K to ask for count if it is known opening leader has AK in that suit.

Spot leads is 3rd/5th against suits and 2nd/4th against NT during the hand.

vs both: J denies and 10,9 shows 0 or 2 applies in the middle of the hand if we think it's helpful to partner.

Defensive Signals

Upside down count and attitude, standard suit preference and present count. The 2nd card in the same suit tends to be SP.

Upside down discard. The 2nd discard in the same suit tends to be SP.

Signaling priority is Attitude, Suit Preference, Count.

Occasional suit-preference in trumps if we can afford to. Signaling for ruff takes precedence from opening leader's side.

Attitude in partner's suit if dummy wins trick-1 vs NT with A or K, otherwise it's count.

Reverse Smith vs NT: low cards in declarer's first suit encourage the opening lead suit (suit preference if attitude to opening lead suit is known) except when it's an obvious count situation (dummy has a long suit without any side A or K).

Suit preference when dummy has a singleton, middle is ambiguous (no clear preference).

When splitting honors, we play the second highest if we have two honors (J from QJx, Q from KQx), the highest if we have three (K from KQJ, Q from QJ10).

We give true count early in the hand. Later in the hand, our count can be suspect.