Competing at the 1-level
This part shares similarities with the 1♣ opening. There are also differences since 1♦ shows a long suit that allows further preempts.
Like 1♣ (X), natural 1NT is not very useful after a double. Transfer to clubs instead. Unlike 1♣ (X), there is no space for Transfer Walsh here.
| 1♦ (X) | - |
|---|---|
| XX | NF BAL G/T, 10+ |
| 1M | F, 7+, 4+# |
| 1NT! | TRF, 7+, 5+♣ |
| 2♣! | CONST+, 8+, 3+♦ |
| 2♦ | PRE, 0–7, 3+♦ |
| 2M | PRE, 0–7, 6+# |
| 2NT! | TRF, PRE 7+♣ or FG 6+♣ |
| 3♣! | INV+ TRF, 4+♦ |
| 3♦ | PRE, 0–7, 4+♦ |
| 3M!, 4♣! | SPL, 0–1#, 4+♦ |
Spades below 3NT are transfer cuebids.
| 1♦ (1M) | - |
|---|---|
| 1NT | NAT, 8–11 |
| 2♣ | NF, 8–11, 5+♣ |
| 2♦ | NF, 6–10, 3+♦ |
| 2♠! | INV+, ask for stopper |
| 2NT | NAT FG |
| 3♣! | CONST, 7–9, 4+♦ |
| 3♦ | PRE, 4–6, 4+♦ |
| 3NT | NAT S/T, 15–17 |
| 4OM | To play |
| 4M! | S/T, ask for CTRL |
Transfer Walsh only applies to 1♦ (1♥), the only 1-level red suit.
| 1♦ (1♥) | - |
|---|---|
| X! | TRF, 7+, 4+♠ |
| 1♠! | TRF to 1NT, 8+ |
| 2♥! | TRF, 6+♠ |
| 3♥! | INV+ TRF, 6+♠ |
| 3♠! | S/T, 4+♦, about 15–17 |
The whole bidding structure leans toward hearts over (1♠). A well-known example is the negative double.
| 1♦ (1♠) | - |
|---|---|
| X! | TRF, 7+, 4+♥ |
| 2♥ | NF, 5+♥, 7–11 or 6+♥ |
| 3♥ | INV, 6+♥ |
| 3♠! | FG, 6+♥ |