System Summary Form (SSF), 2017 USBC

Bids that Require Advance Preparation

1. We open 1 on all balanced or semi-balanced hands out of range for NT without a 5 card side suit. If 5332 with 5 , it's optional to open in either minor. 2. Our 1 opening not only shows 5+ , it also denies a 4 card Major unless Opener has 16+ HCP. We open 2 with 5+ and a 4 card M. 3. All of our 2-level openings are intermediate and natural, generally 8-15 HCP: 2 = 8-13, 5+ (must be 6+ if 8-11 HCP) 2 = 8-15, 5+ and a 4 card Major (must have 6+ if 8-11 HCP); 2M = 8-15 HCP, 6+ card suit, denies 4+ in OM. 4. We use TRANSFER RESPONSES to a 1 opening: 1 = 4+ hearts 1 = 4+ spades 1 = catchall: no 4+ major, bal or unbal. 5. 1 � 2: Responder has 5 and 4+ , with less than GF. 6. 1 � 2: Transfer to . Either a WJS (5+ , 0-5 HCP), or GF (6+ 1-suited, or 5-5). 7. 1 - 2: Transfer to . Either a WJS (5+ , 0-5 HCP), or GF (6+ 1-suited, or 5-5). 8. 1 - 2: Responder is at least 5-5 in the Majors, with less than GF. 9. 1 - 2: inv. raise (3+ ) (12-15 HCP). May have a 4 card Major. 10. 1 - 2: inv.+ with 6+ s. May have a 4 card Major. 11. 1 - 2NT: GF w/ 4+ D and a 4 card Major. Always a singleton or void somewhwere. 12. Kaplan inversion after a 1 opening, so: 1 - 1 (0-4 s, less than GF) 1 - 1NT (5+ s) (exactly 5 unless GF) 13. 1M - 2 (shows 6+ cards in OM, less than GF) 14. 3C opening: (8-13 HCP) (5-5 minors) 15. 4m opening: shows length in the corresponding Major with 10+ tricks. IN COMPETITION: 16. Many unusual doubles, including in common, 1-level auctions. X is often NOT a Negative X. Sometimes it�s a transfer; other times it may show a strong balanced hand; etc. If we alert a double, we strongly advise you to ask. 17. 1m - [1 or 1 overcall] - 1: Responder has inv.+ strength with no Major, and no long minor. May or may not have a stopper. 18. 1m - [1 overcall] - 2: Responder has inv.+ strength with no Major, and no long minor. May or may not have a stopper. 19. When we open 1m and you overcall 1M, Responder uses SWITCHES. Here is an example after 1 - [1 overcall]: 2 = 5+ OM, inv.+ 2 = 5+ , inv.+ 2 = 5+ , exactly inv. 3 = 5+ , GF 3 = 6+ , light inv. 20. When we open 1 and you T.O. X, Responder uses SWITCHES: 1 = 5+ (inv.+) or 6+ (8-11 HCP) 1NT = 5+ (inv.+), or 6+ (8-11 HCP) 2 = constructive raise, 2 is weaker 21. When we open 1 and you T.O. X, Responder uses similar SWITCHES: 1NT = 5+ (inv.+), or 6+ (8-11) 2 = 5+ (inv.+), or 6+ (8-11) 2 = constructive raise, 2 is weaker 22. In our GF auctions, we use Pass-Double inversion. Pass = clear decision (either penalty or a slam try), while X = doubt / unsure.

General Bidding Style

1. We open as light as Precision pairs. Our 1M openings include most 10s. Our 1 opening starts at 8 HCP, while 1 starts at 11. We often respond very light. 2. 1NT = 14 to 17 HCP (any 14). 5422 and 6322 shapes are common, but almost never a singleton. 3. The base of our system is a 5551 opening bid structure. So 5 card Majors, and 1 also promises a 5 card suit. 1 can be a singleton (if 4-4-4-1), but it's almost always 2+ . 4. We do NOT use 2/1 methods. There's always an artif. GF response, while most 2-level responses are conventional and weaker. 5. 1 opening: either BAL (11-13 or 18-22), or unbalanced with primary s. Occasionally 4441. 6. 1 opening: 5+ . Tends to deny a 4 card Major. Opener can only have 4M if he has 16+ HCP. 7. 1M opening: tends to show exactly a 5 card suit. Opener can only have 6+ M if: (a) 16+ HCP; or (b) 4+ in OM. 8. We never make control bids in slam try sequences. Instead, we use asking bids to pinpoint partner�s shape, HCP range, key cards, etc. 9. We often treat a weak 5 card Major as 4 card suit, both by Opener and Responder. We use similar judgment in many situations: e.g., show 5422 when really 5431 with a stiff K.

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Defensive Signals