System Summary Form (SSF), 2020 USBF Invitational-1

Bids that Require Advance Preparation

ACBL Pre-alerts: 1M could be canapé any seat We play 1M openings as light as 8 HCP and upgrade qualifying hands that are lighter (1HCP per card over 9 in two suits) in 1st and 2nd seats and very wide range 2M (0-14) preempts 3rd seat. We also play very light (0+) responses to 1. 1NT can be either natural or (5431), (4441) or (6331) with a small singleton. Opening preempts may be as undisciplined as all spot cards. Jump overcalls after (P)-P-(1 of a suit) or P-(1 of a suit) can be as short as 5. Other opening bids, responses and competitive calls that may require advance preparation, but are not ACBL pre-alerts are listed at the bottom of the general bidding style. In general, people like to make defenses against 1 strong, 2 6+0-4 or 54m 10 to 14, 2 strong with 54m(31) or 6+0-3, 2NT strong and limited with 6+ and rarely against 1NT for t/o and 1-1R transfers.

General Bidding Style

Strong , Weak 1M [For points listed here, we routinely upgrade HCP ranges according to ACBL's Rule of 19 (e.g., 5-5 is a 1 point upgrade). This is on top of any other permissible controls, quality or concentration related upgrades which are usually 1 point and rarely 2+.] List of Openings: 1 = 0+; -1st/2nd 10 to 14 nf; -3rd/4th 15 to 17 unbal forcing (5- losers) 1 = str 0+ forcing; we will open this instead of 2m if we want to ask/bal/bad suit; -1st/2nd 15 to 37; -3rd/4th 18 to 37 1 = 4+ could be canapé, we open every hand qualifying for 1M this or something else; -1st/2nd 8 to 10- NV, 8 to 11 V; -3rd/4th 15 to 17 4+, typically balanced 1 = 4+, 0-3 could have longer m; -1st/2nd 8 to 10- NV, 8 to 11 V; -3rd/4th 15 to 17 4+, 1-3, typically balanced 1NT = Either natural or could have one small singleton, no void and 9 or fewer cards in two longest suits; -1st/2nd NV 10 to 12-, V 12+ to 14; -3rd/4th 15 to 17, no 4+Major 2 = 6+0-4 or 54m0-3; -1st/2nd 10 to 14; -3rd/4th 18+ 2 = str, forcing, 54m(31) or 6+, 0-3; -1st/2nd: 15 to 33; -3rd/4th: 18 to 33 2 = 5+; -1st/2nd: 10 to 14, 5H4m(31) or 6+, 0-3; -3rd: 0 to 14 5+ any distribution; -4th: 13 to 14 and expectation of going plus 2 = 5+; -1st/2nd: 3 to 9, 54m(31) or 6+0-3; -3rd: 0 to 14 any distribution; -4th: 13 to 14 2NT = 6-70-3 single suited -1st/2nd: 15 to 17 -3rd/4th: 18 to 19 3NT = solid minor -1st/2nd: no side A or K -3rd/4th: Gambling/Preemptive, expectation game can make vs. a random 5 count but slam is unlikely Psychics/awkward situations where we violate system: We tend not to be crazy third seat because we are 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. We cannot show 8+suits, 7411 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/2NT 3rd/4th there's a response that forces game and initiates a subsequent relay. To prevent relay: 1-(1) is high enough (1X)-X-(1NT) is high enough 2nd, we do not play relay after 3rd and 4th seat power doubles 1-(1NT) is high enough 1M-(1NT) is high enough 1st/2nd if it is natural or shows 2 known suits otherwise 2, no relay 3rd/4th 1N-X is high enough if it cards/penalty/takeout or shows two known suits, (2) is high enough 1st/2nd if it shows two known suits, otherwise (2), system off 3rd/4th 2-(2) is high enough 1st/2nd, no relay after initial response 3rd/4th 2-(2) is high enough 2-(2) is high enough 1st/2nd, no relay 3rd/4th 2-(2NT) is high enough 1st/2nd, no relay 3rd/4th 2NT-(3) is high enough if it shows two known suits otherwise (3) To interrupt relay once started, Typically 3 steps; this may increase by two steps if opponents double after pattern has been shown Before pattern is shown, if there is one-step interference (e.g., 1-1N; (2), opener has a penalty double available. After a double, opener and responder have a penalty redouble available before pattern has been shown, afterwards only opener has a penalty redouble. General style: We play a strong diamond system with many weird openings, competing calls and follow ups. In the 15 to 37 range in 1st and 2nd seats we have 3 calls: 2 = 54m(31) or 60-3, 15 to 33; 2NT = artificial, 6+0-3, usually one suited, 15 to 17 1 = artificial, 15 to 37 In 1st and 2nd seats in the 10 to 14 range we have six calls available: 2 = natural; -54m(31) or a 60-3; -10 to 14 1NT = natural, -NV 10 to 12- HCP, -V 12+ to 14 HCP 1 = 10 to 14, 0+ nf 1M = 8 to 10- NV / 8-11 V 4+M could have a longer side suit, 1 also shows 0-3 -We prefer to open 2 or 1NT to 1, 2 or 2 (but may open 1 with an unbal 2X shape if we do not know whether to accept an invitation or not). In the 8 to 9 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. NV we will prefer 1NT to 1M, unless it is a downgrade such as 0-1 control. Both V&NV, 10 to 11 hands with 4+M we tend to avoid 1M and instead bid 2M, 2 or 1 if they are 5431, or have more shape unless they have 0-1 control. Our style is to open all 10 HCP hands even 4333 and all 8+HCP strength hands with a 4+M. We can upgrade or downgrade (with some exceptions imposed by the Open+ chart like not being able to upgrade from less than near average to near average to open 1M or from near average to average to open 1NT). Our preempting style is disciplined on tricks and length, but not suit quality. Length is 6+ 3-level, 7+ 4-level and higher, except that P-P-(1 of a suit)-Jump Overcall or P-(1 of a suit)-Jump overcall can be made on 5+cards. In 3rd and 4th seats, since we already opened all 10+ and most 8+ hands, we increase the strength requirements for our strong bids to 18+. We add another forcing opening: 1 with 15 to 17 and a 5-card suit unbalanced and a 5 or fewer loser hand. Our 1, 1, 1NT are all 15 to 17 also, but NF. In the 15 or higher range, we have 8 bids 1 = 15-17 unbal 1 = 18+ 1M = 4+M Either balanced or could have one singleton, no void and 9 or fewer cards in two longest suits -4-5M, -balanced, semi-balanced or 4441 hands. -could be canapé -1 also shows 1-3 1NT = 15-17 Natural NT denying 4+M or (31)(54)/(33)(61). 2 = 18+ 54m0-3 or 6+0-4 2 = 18+ 54m(31) or 6+0-3 2NT = 60-3, usually one suited 18-19 In the less than 15 range we play 2M natural and 3+ 2M -3rd 5+cards 0 to 14 and no distribution requirements -4th seat, it is 13 to 14. In 3rd/4th seats, we will pass 0-14 counts with no 5+M and no 6+m. Other opening bids that may require advance preparation: 1 1st/2nd seats = 10 to 14, -any pattern, -could be as short as 0, -non forcing. 1 = 15 to 37 -artificial; -forcing -Some negative inferences that opener did not opt to open 2 or 2NT 1st/2nd or 2 3rd/4th; -3rd/4th seats 18 to 37 1N 1st/2nd seats = natural, (4441), (5431) or (6331). 4=4=(41) can be shown in relay. Others require representing a doubleton usually by moving it from the shortest 3+m. Opening with small singletons rare, but most likely with (31)(54) or (31)(63) -10 to 12- HCP NV, -12+ to 14 HCP V 1N 3rd/4th seats = natural or 6m(331) -denies a major (i.e., 1-3 in each major), -15 to 17 2 = 5+ -54m0-3 or 6+0-4 -1st/2nd: 10 to 14 -3rd/4th: 18+ 2 = 5+; -54m31 or 6+; -0-3; -strong; -artificial; -forcing; -15 to 33 1st/2nd -18 to 33 3rd/4th 2 = natural, -10 to 14 1st and 2nd -54m(31) or 6+0-3 2 = natural -3 to 9 1st and 2nd -0 to 14 3rd -13-14 4th Responses that may require advance preparation: 1-1R 1st/2nd seats = transfer, 0-11 1-1 1st/2nd seats = GF art. 1-2 1st/2nd seats = 12-13 HCP, -artificial, -Stayman, -does not promise 4+M 1-1 artificial; -semi positive; -forcing; -1st/2nd seats 6 to 9 or a quick trick; -3rd/4th seats 4+-7-, 4+ will have at least one control. 1-1 artificial, -double negative, -non-forcing, -no quick tricks, -1st/2nd seats 0 to 5, -3rd/4th 0 to 4, if 4, no controls 1-1NT+ = artificial, game forcing 1M-2 1st/2nd seats = artificial, game forcing 1M-2 = Art. semi-fitted+, inv+ (4+ card support 3rd/4th) 1M-2oM = NF not a drop 1N-2 1st/2nd seats = artificial, game forcing 2-2 = artificial game forcing 2-3 = artificial, invitational in 2-3 = artificial, invitational in 2-2 = Game forcing, artificial 2-3m/3 = forcing, artificial inv+ (3=other major, 3=limit+, 3=SPL) 2-2+ 1st/2nd responses are like 2D-2S+ responses 2-3m/3 1st/2nd = art inv (3=nf no supp, 3=5+, 3=limit+) 2NT-3 = GF art. 2NT-3R = Jacoby (may req. def. b/c 2N=6+ STR) 2NT-4m = SPL Competitive calls that may require advance preparation: (1 of a suit natural) – 1NT = takeout, -typically 8 to 17- 2nd seat -10 to 19- 3rd/4th seats) (1 of a suit natural) - Double = str NT overcall typically, 2+ in suit doubled, -2nd seat: 15 to 37, -3rd/4th: 18 to 37, -(1)-X also shows a stopper; (1 natural) - 2 = 4+, 5+, 8 to 16 2nd seat only (1m natural) - 2 = 4+, 5+, 8 to 16 2nd seat only

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Defensive Signals