System Summary Form (SSF), 2017 USBC

Click the following bids to see the ASF forms for these players:
1  1NT  System  

Bids that Require Advance Preparation

ACBL-required pre-alerts: 2NT = either minor 6+m, -no major, -1st/2nd seats 12+-15 HCP, -3rd/4th seats 14-17- HCP (17 with 5+ controls usually opens 1), -ACBL defense: http://web2.acbl.org/defensedatabase/mc18.pdf Please note that while the defense states "weak preempt" so pairs might want to play the initial balanced doubles somewhat heavier. 1 of a major = natural; -may have longer suit; -4+ cards; -1 also shows 0-3; -1st/2nd seats NV Near Average to 9 HCP, V Near Average to 10 HCP; -3rd/4th seats 14-17- HCP (17 with 5+ controls usually opens 1); -3rd/4th seat will either be a four card suit or balanced 5 card suit. 3-level preempts may be as undisciplined as xxxxxx. Other opening bids, responses and competitive calls that may require advance preparation, but are not ACBL pre-alerts are listed below the general bidding style.

General Bidding Style

List of Openings: 1 = 0+; -1st/2nd 10-14 nf; -3rd/4th 14+-16 unbal forcing (5- losers) 1 = str 0+ forcing; we'll open this instead of 2m if we want to ask/bal/bad suit. -1st/2nd 15+, -3rd/4th 17+ 1 = 4+ could have longer suit, all hands in range with 4+; -1st/2nd NV near av-9, V -10; with long 3 or 4 is an option; with 10: open 2M if qualify and 2+controls, 1 if 4 or both majors 3+controls 7-losers unbal -3rd/4th 14-17- 4-5 bal or 4(441) 1 = 4+, 0-3 could have longer m; -1st/2nd NV near av-9, V -10; same as for neg inference on other openings -3rd/4th 14-17- 4-5 bal or 4=1=4=4 1NT = Natural -1st/2nd 10-12 if 12 no 4+Major, V if 10 no 4+Major -3rd/4th 14-17- no 4+Major 2 = str 5+, forcing (bal will often opt 1) -1st/2nd 15+ if bal -3rd/4th 17+-35 if bal 2 = str 5+ forcing; 0-3; 54m(31) or 6+; -1st/2nd: 15+ if 5431 -3rd/4th: 17+-33 if 5431 2 = 5+; -1st/2nd: 10-14, 0-3, 54m(31) or 6+; -3rd: 0-14- -4th: 12-14, points+=16 2 = 5+ -1st/2nd: 10-14, 0-3, 54m(31) or 6+; -3rd: 0-14-; -4th: points+=16 2NT = 6+m, no 4+Major; open 1 w/max and 65 minors, 6 solid, or bad suit, 3NT w/7 solid (no side A/K 1st/2nd) -1st/2nd: 12-15- -3rd/4th: 14-17- 3NT = solid minor -1st/2nd: no side A or K Psychics/awkward situations were we violate system: We tend not to be crazy third seat because we're systemically crazy first and second. Have rarely opted to show Kx when holding stiff K in relay or add a card to AQ and subtract a card from xxxx; rare because it will be two cards off actual pattern. Can't show 8+suits or 12 cards in two suits in relay so have to represent another pattern if responding to relay. Forcing pass: We play pass double inversion when one of us has made a game forcing bid. This does not apply to a game raise. In some invitational sequences (e.g., 1-1 and 1-2) our direct passes of bids are forcing below 2NT. Relay notes: For all openings 1st/2nd and through 2NT and 1m/2m 3rd/4th there's a response that forces game and a subsequent relay. To prevent relay: 1-(1NT) is high enough 1st/2nd 1-(2) 3rd/4th (1X)-X-(1NT) 1-(2) 1M-(1NT) 1N-(2) 2-(2) 2-(2) 2-(2) 2-(2NT) To interrupt relay once started, 1-1-(2) 1-1NT+-(typically 6 steps, but only 3 after 1-2); this may increase by two steps if opponents double the first time. others, typically 3 steps If there's one-step interference (e.g., 1-1-(1), both opener and responder usually have a penalty double available. General style: We play a strong diamond system with many weird openings, competing calls and follow ups. In the 15+ HCP range in 1st and 2nd seats we have 4 calls: 2 = 5+, 15+HCP; 2 = 5, 4-card minor, (31) or 6, 15+HCP; 2NT = artificial, 6+card minor, 12+-15; and 1 = 15+ art., for hands that want to ask partner what he has or any other pattern than the 2 of a minor opening patterns. In 1st and 2nd seats in the 10-14 range, we have 4 calls below 2NT: 2 of a Major = natural; -either a 5-card major, 4-card minor, (31) or a 6-card or longer major; -10-14 HCP; 1NT = natural, -10-12 HCP, -12 HCP has no 4+major, -Vul 10 HCP has no 4+Major 1 = 10-14 any pattern. -We prefer to open 2M or 1NT to 1 (but may open 1 with a 2M shape if we don't know whether to accept an invitation or not. -We have the option to open 1 with a 2NT shape. In the Near average-9 HCP (10 if vul) range we can either open at the 3-level or above or, if we have a 4+card major, we open 1 of a major. Both majors 8-9(10) HCP will always open 1. Our style is to open all average strength hands even 4333. We can upgrade or downgrade (with some exceptions like not being able to upgrade from less than near average to near average to open 1M or from 9 to 10 to open 1N). Our preempting style is to be disciplined on tricks and length, but not suit quality. Length is 6+ 3-level, 7+ 4-level and higher. In 3rd and 4th seats, since we already opened all average strength hands and most near-average strength, we increase the strength requirements for our strong bids to 17+ with minimum shape. We add another forcing opening: 1 with 14+-17- and a 5-card suit unbalanced and a 5 or fewer loser hand. Our 1, 1, 1NT and 2NT are all 14-17- also. 1M = natural, -4-5M, -balanced, semi-balanced or 4441 hands. 1NT = balanced with no major. 2NT = 6m no major 14-17-. The minus in 17- is fewer than 5 controls. We also play in 3rd seat 2M natural 5+cards 3-14 HCP (with no conventions) and no distribution requirements. In 4th seat, it's 11-14 HCP. In 3rd/4th seats, we will pass balanced 0-13 counts with no 5-card major. Other opening bids that may require advance preparation: 1 1st/2nd seats = 10-14 HCP, -any pattern, -could be as short as 0, -non forcing. -Some negative inferences that some patterns may have a narrower HCP range. --Balanced 4+M 12-14, --balanced 2-3M 13-14, --5M4m(31) or 6+M 12, --unbalanced 6m 10-12-, --semi-balanced 6m 12-, --everything else 10-14. 1 = 15+; -artificial; -forcing; -could be as short as 0; -any pattern. -Some negative inferences that opener did not opt to open 2m showing 5M strong; -3rd/4th seats 17+, if 17, 5+controls. 1N 1st/2nd seats = natural, -10-12 HCP, -if 12 no major. 1N 3rd/4th seats = natural, -denies a major (i.e., 2-3M), -14-17- HCP, 17 HCP will have 2-4 controls 2 = 5+; -strong; -artificial; -forcing, -15+ HCP if balanced; -3rd/4th seats 17+-35 HCP if balanced, if 17 5+controls. 2 = 5+; -54m31 or 6+; -0-3; -strong; -artificial; -forcing; -15+ HCP if 5431; -3rd/4th seats 17+-35 HCP if 5431, if 17 5+controls. 2M = natural, -10-11 HCP or 13-14 HCP, -5M4m(31) or 6+M Responses that may require advance preparation: 1-1 1st/2nd seats = GF art. 1-1M 1st/2nd seats = natural NF, 0-9 HCP 1-2 1st/2nd seats = 12-13- HCP, -artificial, -5-card Stayman, -does not promise 4+M 1-2 1st/2nd seats = 10-11 HCP, -artificial, -4 or 5 card stayman, -promises 4+M 1-2+ 1st/2nd seats = 10-11 HCP, -natural, -non-forcing 1-1 artificial; -semi positive; -forcing; -1st/2nd seats 6-10- or a quick trick, 10 HCP will have 0-1 controls; -3rd/4th seats 5-8- or a quick trick, 8 will have 0-1 control. 1-1 artificial, -double negative, -non-forcing, -no quick tricks, -1st/2nd seats 0-5 HCP, -3rd/4th 0-4 HCP 1-1NT+ = artificial, game forcing 1M-2 1st/2nd seats = artificial, game forcing 1M-2 new = natural, invitational, non-forcing 1N-2 1st/2nd seats = artificial, game forcing 1N-2 1st/2nd seats = artificial, -puppet to 2, -either a sign off in any suit or invitational with both majors. 1NT-2M 1st/2nd seats = invitational, non-forcing, 4+M 2-2 = artificial, game forcing 2-2 = 4+ non-forcing, not a drop 2-2 = 0-3, drop 2-2NT = puppet to 3, -with one minor, -weak 2-3 = artificial, unfitted, invitational, non-forcing, 0-4 2-3 = artificial, -5+, -forcing, -invitational+ 2-3 = artificial, -3+, -forcing, -invitational+ 2-2 = 0-3, drop 2-2 = Game forcing, artificial 2-3 = artificial, -5+, -forcing, -invitational+ 2-3 = artificial, -3+, -forcing, -invitational+ 2-2+ responses are like 2-2+ responses 2-3+ responses are like 2-3+ responses 2NT-3 = pass or correct 2NT-3 = Game forcing, Artificial 2NT-4m = South African Texas transfer showing 6M in major two steps up Competitive calls that may require advance preparation: (1 of a suit natural) – 1NT = takeout, -typically 8-17- HCP 2nd seat -10-19- HCP 3rd/4th seats) (1 of a suit natural) – Double = 15+ HCP 2nd seat; -(1)-X also shows a stopper; -3rd/4th 17+-35 HCP (1 natural) – 2 = 4+, 5+, 8+HCP (1m natural) – 2 = 4+, 5+, 8+HCP

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Defensive Signals