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Negative 1♦

In our version of Polish Club, the 1♦ relay denies invitational values. This relay contains all hands without another suitable bid.

StrengthDistribution
0–6Any
7–90–3♠, 0–3♥, probably UNBAL
15–17(32)44

Traditionally, 2♦ is game-forcing and 2NT is 21–23. I find 2♦ low enough to accomodate 21+. Then, 2NT takes care of 18–20 natural clubs, alleviating burden of 2♣. The side effect is that most (xx)45 are better opened 1♦.

1♣-1♦0–9 or 15–17
1♥12–19, 4+♥ or BAL MIN 3=♥
1♠12–19, 4+♠ or BAL MIN 3=♠
1NT18–20, 2–4♠, 2–4♥, 2–6♦, 2–6♣
2♣12–17, 5+♣
2♦!ART F, 21+
2♥20–23, 5+♥
2♠20–23, 5+♠
2NT!18–20, 6+♣
3♣21–23, 6+♣
3♦21–23, 6+♦
3♥!FRAG, 21–23, 4♥(540)
3♠!FRAG, 21–23, 40(54)
3NT!Gambling, SOL 7+♣, likely stops in two side suits
P-1♣-1♦0–9
PBAL MIN, 4=♦

1♣-1♦-1M

Given that Polish Club is a 5-card major system, the major suit left in 1♣-1♦-1M gets longer when stronger.

StrengthLength
12–144=# or occasional UNBAL 3=#
15–174=# or occasional 5+# 6+♣
18–195+# or UNBAL 4=#

I reuse 2NT for the most pesky hands in the range of 1♣-1♦.

1♣-1♦ 1M-12–19, usually 4+#
1NTBAL, 5–7
2♣♦NF, 5–9, 5+#
2MNF, 4–6, 4–5# or UNBAL 3=#
2NT!UNT, 7–9, usually 5+♦ 5+♣
3♣MAX, 7–9, 6+♣
3♦MAX, 7–9, 6+♦
3MNF, 4–6, 5+#
1♣-1♦ 1♥-12–19, usually 4+♥
1♠NF, 4–6, 4+♠
2♠NF, 4–6, 6+♠
3♠!S/T, 15–17, 3244
3NTS/T, 15–17, 2344
1♣-1♦ 1♠-12–19, usually 4+♠
2♥NF, 4–6, 5+♥
3♥!S/T, 15–17, 2344
3NTS/T, 15–17, 3244

1♣-1♦-1NT

1♣-1♦ 1NT-BAL 18–20
2♣!STAY, Garbage STAY, or INV 5=♠
2♦!TRF, 5+♥
2♥!TRF, 5+♠
2♠!INV or 6+♣. FG, 5+♣, 5+♦.
2NT!5+♦, 5+♣ or 6+♦
3♣INV, 6+♣
3♦!FG FRAG, (31)(54)
3♥!INV, 5+♠, 5+♥
3♠!Choice of games, 5+♠, 5+♥
4♣!Gerber BW
4♦!Texas TRF, 6+♥
4♥!Texas TRF, 6+♠

1♣-1♦-2♣

The 2♣ rebid is wide, but worry not. Lebensohl fits in this auction because responder already denied invitational values.

1♣-1♦ 2♣-12–17, 5+♣
2♦NF, 0–9, 5+♦
2♥NF, 0–6, 5+♥
2♠NF, 0–6, 5+♠
2NT!PRE, 0–6, 3+♣
3♣NF, 7–9, 3+♣
3♦NF, 7–9, good 6+♦
3NTS/T, 15–17, (32)44

1♣-1♦-2♦

The 2♦ rebid shows a nearly balanced hand with 21–23 HCP or any game force. If you can force to game, bid as if partner opened a natural 2NT. Otherwise, try to sign off at the 2-level.

1♣-1♦ 2♦-21+
2♥NF, 4+♥
2♠NF, 4+♠
2NTNF, 0–3♠, 0–3♥
3♣!FG, Romex STAY, 3+M
3♦!TRF, 5+♥
3♥!TRF, 5+♠
3♠!FG, 6+♣ or 5+ 4+ minors
3NT!FG, 6+♦

Romex Stayman

1♣-1♦ 2♦-3♣Romex STAY
3♦!0–4♠, 0–3♥
3♥4+♥, 0–3♠
3♠5+♠
3NT!44(xx)
… 3♦-0–4♠, 0–3♥
3♥!Ask for 4=♠
3♠!54(xx)
… 3♥-4+♥, 0–3♠
3♠!Ask for hearts
3♠ 3NT!4=♥
3♠ 4♣♦!5+♥, CTRL
3♠ 4♥5+♥