This book is a collection of my bidding systems. I have been studying forcing
club systems since reading Good, Better, Best by Jan Eric Larsson, whose
simulations show that forcing club systems tend to outperform other systems.
I believe opening 1♣ for all strong hands is a superior treatment.
Strawberry Polish Club is a BTU-flavored Polish Club largely based on Polish
Club 2020: Expert. Polish Club serves as a gateway to the world of forcing
clubs. It is 5-card major. Its main opening range is 12–17. Sharing these
properties, it has similar bidding structure to 2/1, the lingua franca of modern
bridge.
Blueberry Precision Club is a modernized mix of Blue Club, Precision Club,
Cottontail Club, and new ideas from BTU. It is a 4-card major strong club
system. It is highly experimental and subject to change without notice.
Total points: HCP + distribution points (void = 3, singleton = 2, doubleton
= 1, subtract 1 for each short suit with HCP)
Zar: 6-4-2-1 + Zar distribution points (a + b + a - d, where the
letters are the number of cards from the longest to the shortest suit)
Fifths:
4.0–2.8–1.8–1.0–0.4, adjusted HCP for notrump contracts especially 3NT
BUM-RAP: 4.5–3–1.5–0.75–0.25, adjusted HCP for suit contracts
NLTC: Count 1.5–1.0–0.5 losers for each missing AKQ
NLTC is a good single hand evaluator but not very additive. It suits preemptive
initial actions but not for showing supports. I wrote a blog article on
that topic.
Descriptions in bidding tables are dense in information. To make them concise,
I use abbreviations suggested by WBF. Besides, for natural reading
flow, I use usual punctuation marks to connect conditions. Their meanings are
usually self-explanatory in a bidding table.
The comma (,) works as AND.
The period (.) works as OR.
The colon (:) follows general description of the call.
I used to collate my system notes in BML. It is a powerful tool for
typesetting multi-layered bidding structures. However, I also yearn
interconnectivity in Markdown. Markdown has hyperlinks. I can break down my
systems into reusable chapters and then link them together.
The below are my legacy system notes built with BML. I keep them here for now
because I have not yet fully covered them in this book. I will eventually
remove them when the migration is complete.
Our Polish Club opening contains minimum clubs like Polish Club 2020: Expert.
I adjust the 1♦ opening to contain 18–20 unbalanced diamonds with no 4-card
major. This method makes 1♣-1♦-3m limited enough (21–23) for their level.
There is no natural diamond reverse in Polish 1♣. The only chance to introduce
diamonds is at the opening. I’d open 1♦ until the artificial 1♣-1♦-2♦ relay
(21+ any) takes over.
In our version of Polish Club, the 1♦ relay denies invitational values. This
relay contains all hands without another suitable bid.
Strength
Distribution
0–6
Any
7–9
0–3♠, 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♦.
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.
The positive responses 1♣-1♥♠ show 7+ points and 4+ cards. They are as natural
as in a natural bidding system. We also use conventions from 2/1, a ubiquitous
5-card major system.
Odwrotka 1♣-1M-2♦ is a fit reverse showing a game-forcing 3+ card support. The
jump reverse of the other major shows a game-forcing minor two suiter to
alleviate the burden on 2NT.
We use the relay structure in Polish Club 2020: Expert. The 2♥ response to
Odwrotka is a slam try with 11+ HCP or a certain fit and <= 8.0 NLTC. The
relay structure generally lets the strong opener declare notrump.
1♣-1M 2♦-
FG, 3+ SUPP
2♥!
(R) S/T, 11+
2♥ 2♠!
(R)
2♥ 2NT
Probably (4333)
2♠!
NEG, 7–10, 4=M
2♠ 2NT!
Ask for a side suit, a 5-card minor or the other 4-card major
2NT!
MIN, 7–10, 5=M, not BAL
2NT 3♣!
Ask for the side suit
3♣
Mild S/T, 9–11, 5+♣, 4=M
3♦
Mild S/T, 9–11, 5+♦, 4=M
3M!
MIN, 7–10, BAL 5=M
3OM!
SPL, 7–10, 0–1#, 6+M
3NT
MIN, 7–10, 6+M
4♣!
SPL, 7–10, 0–1♣, 6+M
4♦!
SPL, 7–10, 0–1♦, 6+M
Relay systems can be cryptic! I am summing up why we arrange the steps in this
way.
2♥: The lowest step layers strong hands. We can repeat the whole
structure inside. This step follows the logic of (reverse) Lebensohl.
2♠: The second step holds the possibility of a misfit, 4 cards. We
need space to explore games in the other strains.
2NT:Unbalanced fit! Opener never settles in 3NT. Feel free to bid
notrump.
3M:Balanced fit! Give opener a chance to declare 3NT with a flat hand.
3m: Take some hands out of the nebulous 2♠. These hands suggests a
minor suit slam.
Others: These Splinter-level steps are made for big fits.
I group these suitless positive responses together for simplicity. These
responses deny 4-card majors and 6-card minors. I also list 1♣-3NT here as
reference because it takes precedence over 1♣-2NT.
The positive responses 2♣♦ show a longest suit with 5+ cards. They are
game-forcing by unpassed hand like 2/1. This method helps finding minor suit
slams. I spell out the minor suits because there is a subtle difference between
them. Finding a big fit in clubs is easier because opener can have minimum long
clubs.
Opener reverses with extra values to utilize higher steps to send information.
This avoids an awkward situation Bridge World calls “two temporizers and zero
describers.” Deviating from Polish Club 2020: Expert, I define 1♣-2♣♦-2♦♥♠ as
reverses. This bidding structure separates 15–17 from 12–14 with a 4-card
major. I believe this treatment helps finding the best contract. When we only
have a game, we want to play in a major suit despite of a better minor fit.
However, we play the best fit in a slam to maximize our chances, especially at
IMPs.
1♣-2♣
FG, 5+♣
2♦!
(R) S/T, 15+, 4+♣
2♥
S/T, 15+, 4+♥
2♠
S/T, 15+, 4+♠
2NT
Nearly BAL, 12–14 or 18+
3♣
NAT, 12–14 or 18+, 4+♣
3♦
S/T, 18+, 6+♦
3♥
S/T, 18+, 6+♥
3♠
S/T, 18+, 6+♠
3NT
NAT, 12–14, 3343
1♣-2♦
FG, 5+♦
2♥
S/T, 15+, 4+♥
2♠
S/T, 15+, 4+♠
2NT
Nearly BAL, 12–14 or 18+
3♣
NAT, 12–14 or 18+, 5+♣
3♦
S/T, 15+, 4+♦
3♥
S/T, 18+, 6+♥
3♠
S/T, 18+, 6+♠
3NT!
S/T, 15–17, 5+♣
I make 1♣-2♦-3NT so because otherwise it would be hard to show these hands.
Grouping 12–14 and 18+ together is usually OK because 18+ can explore slams
unilaterally.
P-1♣-2♣♦ reduce to natural invitations without a 4-card major. Opener hides
4-card majors in this case.
There is still an important difference between 2♣ and 2♦. Opener can always
sign off by passing 2♣ due to a sure 7-card club fit. This is not the case for
2♦.
The design of the responses already bears competitive bidding in mind. We
somehow ignore the meaning of overcalls to deal with artificial and psychic
bids. We reorder major suit bids with Transfer Walsh to get a “support double”
by accepting the transfer.
Transfer to major suits has the same meaning as major suit responses to 1♣.
Opener usually bids as if responder had bid the suit naturally. However, opener
has a new option: accept the transfer at 1M. This option steals the support
double when advancer passes.
Here I only list support rebids for brevity. The complete set of responses is
at 1♣-1M.
Transfer Walsh in competition is also called Cachalot in French.
1♣ (1♦) X
7+, 4+♥
1♥
SUPP, 12–17, 3=♥
2♦!
FG, 3+♥
2♥
MIN, 12–14, 4=♥
3♥
INV, 15–17, 4+♥
1♣ (1♦) 1♥- |
1♣ (1♥) X-
7+, 4+♠
1♠
SUPP, 12–17, 3=♠
2♦!
FG, 3+♠
2♠
MIN, 12–14, 4=♠
3♠
INV, 15–17, 4+♠
The cuebid is a useful tool to ask for stopper by ceding notrump declaration. I
decide to have a dual meaning 2♥, similar to 4SF. It asks for a stopper by
default. Rebidding the suit shows a natural suit.
I recommend a transfer system below 3NT. Since X frees up 2NT, 2NT and above
become transfers (cf. Rubens advances). Below 2NT, continuations to
1NT form a major-oriented structure. Such structure
allows bidding a 5-card major regardless of strength.
This opening shows 4+♦ and usually 5+♦. It gets more unbalanced as the strength
increases.
Strength
Distribution
12–14
5+♦ or 4♦(441)
15–17
UNBAL, 5+♦ or 4♦(441)
18–20
UNBAL, 5+♦, 0–3♠, 0–3♥
Unlike Polish Club 2020, I use standard (i.e. non-inverted) minor raises along
with mixed raises to maximize preemption. This method utilized the frequent 5th
diamond in the 1♦ opening.
Note that 1♦-2♣ is sometimes a phony suit. It is the only way to bid a
game-forcing hand with long diamonds and no side major suit.
The responses 1♦-1♥♠ show 4+ cards just like any 5-card major system. Responder
has 6+ points most of the time, but sometimes responder bids with a freaky hand,
especially with a long major suit and short diamonds.
Like 1♣-2♥, 1♦-2♥ is Reverse Flannery. It shows constructive
4+♥, 5+♠.
1♦-2♥
CONST, 4+♥, 5+♠
P, 2♠
S/O
2NT!
LEB
3♣!
FG, 2+♠
3♦!
FG, 3+♥
3♥
INV, 4+♥
3♠
INV, 3+♠
3NT
S/O
BTU Lyric + Lebensohl becomes even more useful after the 1♦ opening. When
opener wants to play 3m, they can have either long diamonds or a two suiter in
minor suits. Responder assumes a 5-5 two suiter first, and then opener can pass
or correct.
Major-oriented transfer system competes well with (1NT).
1♦ (1NT)
-
X
PEN, nearly BAL INV+
2♣!
TRF, 3+♦
2♦!
TRF, 5+♥
2♥!
TRF, 5+♠
2♠!
TRF, 5+♣
2NT!
TRF, PRE 7+♣ or FG 6+♣
3♣!
TRF, PRE 7+♦ or FG 6+♦
3♦!
TRF, PRE 7+♥ or FG 6+♥
3♥!
TRF, PRE 7+♠ or FG 6+♠
3♠!
Gambling, SOL 7+ suit with no stopper outside
3NT!
Gambling, SOL 7+ suit with one stopper outside
As clubs are directly under diamonds, bidding after 1♦ (2♣) is pretty natural.
1♦ (2♣)
-
X!
T/O, INV+
2♦
CONST, 3+♦
2M
NF, 5+#
2NT
NAT INV
3♣!
INV+, 4+♦
3♦
PRE, 4+♦
3M
FG, usually 6+#
Competition with 1♦ (2M) models after Rubinsohl. The
forcing raise 3♣ and the preemptive raise 3♦ weaponize the diamond fit. The
Strawberry adjunct applies here just like
1♣ (2M).
This jump shift tries to tackle hands hard to describe with BTU CB. It shows
6+♠ with either extra values or a heart fit, but not both. With both features,
1♥-1♠-1NT is the happy path since it ensures a double fit.
The principle of fast arrival should not apply to an unlimited Jacoby 2NT.
The weaker opener is, the more likely responder has something to say.
Therefore, I import responses from Stenberg AKA Swedish Jacoby 2NT.
Unlike 1♥-1NT, 1♠-1NT my conceal a heart fit. Finding a 3-5 fitted 4♥ after
1♠-1NT is pretty challenging. Bart is a convention after forcing 1NT that
tries to tackle heart invitation. Lisa, Bart’s smarter sister, is an
improvement of Bart. Maggie, the youngest Simpson, solves this problem at
1♠-2♣ instead.
Given a natural 2/1 bidding system, 1♠-2♣-2♦♥ are underused. These steps are a
better place for a convention than inside the crowded 1♠-1NT.
1♠-2♣
NAT FG or INV 5–6♥
2♦!
(R) MIN, 12–14, 0–3♥
2♥!
MIN P/C, 12–13, 2–3♥
2♠!
FG, MIN 4+♥
2NT!
MAX, 3-4♥
3♣
MAX, 4+♣, 0–2♥
3♦
MAX, 5+♦, 0–2♥
3♥
MAX, 5+♥
3♠
MAX, 6+♠, 0–2♥
3NT
MAX, 5=♠︎, 1–2♥, 3–4♦, 2–3♣
4♣!
MIN FRAG, 0–1♦, 3+♥, 4+♣
4♦!
MAX SPL, 0–1♦, 3+♥, 4+♣
2♥: To play for an invitation.
2♦: Not to play 2♥ for an invitation:
13–14 that wants to play a game
12–13 that wants to sign off at 2-level
1♠-2♣ 2♦-
(R) MIN
2♥
NF S/P, 6=♥ or 0–1♠
2♠
NF S/P, 2+♠
2NT+
NAT FG
1♠-2♣ 2♥-
MIN P/C
2♠
NF, 3=♠
2NT+
NAT FG
Compared with the default 1♠-2♣-2♠ in 2/1, Maggie occupies no more space.
Non-forcing sequences only take space up to 2♠.
The principle of fast arrival should not apply to an unlimited Jacoby 2NT.
The weaker opener is, the more likely responder has something to say.
Therefore, I import responses from Stenberg AKA Swedish Jacoby 2NT.
Ekren is an artificial preempt showing 4+ cards in each major. It is originally
at 2♦. Polish Club 2020: Expert moves it to 2♣ to replace Precision 2♣ and
leaves space for Multi.
2♣-
PRE, 4+♠, 4+♥
2♦!
F, ask for the better major suit
2NT
NAT NF, usually long ♦
3♣
NAT F
3♦
NAT F
4♣!
STR choice of games
4♦!
PRE choice of games
2♣-2♦
Ask for the better major
2♥
♥ ≥ ♠
2♠
♠ > ♥
2NT!
ART, 5+♠, 5+♥
3♣!
MAX SPL, 0–1♣, 5+♠, 5+♥
3♦!
MAX SPL, 0–1♦, 5+♠, 5+♥
3♥
6+♥
3♠
6+♠
There are two kinds of choice of games:
4♣ by strength
4♦ by distribution
Such distinction helps judging how to react to interference. Besides, 4♣ lets
the strong hand declare. On the other hand, 4♦ closes the auction ASAP.
Blueberry employs a novel approach to the strong club opening bid. The 1♥
response is an immediate double negative. This approach is well known for the
strong 2♣ opening in natural systems, but it is uncommon for strong 1♣ systems.
This pioneering method has two main goals:
1♣-1♦-1♥ is forcing and accommodates steps on the notrump ladder.
1♣-1♥ proposes playing 1♥, more powerful than playing 1♦.
The cost is that 1♦ is now forcing, the contract we seldom play even if
opponents ever let us. The 1NT response also sporadically wrong-sides the
notrump contract. I find slowly showing strong balanced hands OK since these
hands are slow in competition anyway.
There have been many variants to unfold BAL 19+ at 1♣-1♦-1♥, such as Terrorist’s
Moscito and Viking Precision. All these variants successfully rescue the 2NT
opening from the notrump ladder, freeing 2NT up for preemptive uses. However,
they tend to involve a cryptic relay structure at 1♣-1♦-1♥. I believe that
1♣-1♦-1♥ becomes too crowded when 1♣-1♦ is too negative.
In Blueberry Precision Club, 1♣-1♦ promises a suitable rebid to 1♥. The weak
and relatively balanced hands go to 1♣-1♥.
Raises become more constructive because everyone had a chance to bid.
Opener can pass invitations with a mimimum 7–8-card fit. The unlisted rebids
below 3NT are natural game forces.
New suits by passed hand are completely natural. It limits the benefit of the
2♣ transfer to hearts that responder fails to preempt. The natural 2♣ also
proposes a reasonable contract. Raises become more constructive because everyone
had a chance to bid.
Opener can pass invitations with a mimimum 7–8-card fit. The unlisted
rebids below 3NT are natural game forces.
Unlike most variants of Precision, I reassign opener’s 3♣ to the most common (5422).
There is no space left for an invitational 2NT at 2♣-2♦-2♠. Responder must take
this into account when inviting with 4=♥.
The related 2♦={both majors} opening is known as Ekren or Ekrens after the
Norwegian grand master who invented it. Bjørn Olaf Ekren prefers the 2♦
incarnation should not bear his name.
This bidding system has a strong notrump opening that does not contain a 5-card
major. We use the BTU continuations after the 1NT opening: Stayman takes care
of invitation with 5+ spades.
BTU reuses 4♠ for QUANT. This fills the blank that Gerber and Texas leave.
Standard QUANT usually invites the upper 1/2 to 2/3 of the opening range. This
4♠ serves as a narrower QUANT than 4NT or 5NT by only inviting the top 1/3.
There are 3 ways to bid 5-5 majors in BTU 1NT: 3♥♠ and via transfers. There is
more than one version in BTU. I am demonstrating my recommendation here step by
step.
There are 4 levels of 5-5 majors: weak, invitational, choice of games, and slam
try.
Weak: transfer to the better major and pass. Give up on the other one.
Invitational: anything goes except 3♠.
FG+: anything goes.
Hands around the game level are prone to interference. On the other hand,
leaking opener’s shape can be helpful in slam bidding. As a result, I
recommend the following bidding structure:
BTU Jacoby transfers are characterized by subsequent forcing relays. Thanks to
moving spade invitation to Stayman, we enjoy one more step to separate slam try
from choice of games.
Opener super-accepts with maximum 4-card support. To help game try, opener
tries to show (4333) or xx in a side suit.
I suggest Terrorist’s runout regardless of what (X) means. This runout
also applies to a conventional double, yet responder can also pass balanced
hands more often.
1NT (X)
-
XX
PEN
2♣!
P/C, 5+♣ or 4+♦ 4+♠♥
2♦!
P/C, 5+♦ or 4+♠ 4+♥
2M
NF, 5+#
2NT!
CUE, good unbalanced hand
3X
PRE, 6+#
Opener often runs with clubs because it is hard for responder to do so.
Systems on is a decent approach over 1NT (2♣︎). The overcall is somewhat
ignored, and X replaces the stolen bid of 2♣. Since continuations to 1NT is
major suit oriented, it is crucial if (2♣) shows a major suit.
Rubinsohl is a bidding convention aiming for competition at the 2-level.
Originally, for auctions such as 1NT (2♦♥♠), use 2NT and some steps above to
convey conventional meanings. I am generalizing onset conditions as follows:
Partner has ever bid a non-pass.
Moreover, the last non-pass is (2♦♥♠) by either opponent.
If the last non-pass is an artificial call by partner, such as a takeout double,
I recommend Rumpelsohl instead.
Similar to Rubens advances, the transfer structure helps saving bidding space.
Showing the suit faster also helps competition.
* (2♦)
-
X
OPT
2M
NAT NF
2NT!
TRF to 3♣
3♣!
STAY
3♦!
INV+ TRF to 3♥
3♥!
INV+ TRF to 3♠
3♠!
FG TRF to 3NT or 4♣
* (2♥)
-
X
OPT
2♠
NAT NF
2NT!
TRF to 3♣
3♣!
TRF to 3♦
3♦!
STAY
3♥!
INV+ TRF to 3♠
3♠!
FG TRF to 3NT or 4♣
Swap 3♥♠ against (2♠) like Larry Cohen to avoid declaring hearts.
Rumpelsohl by Paul van Rijckevorsel was published in The Bridge World, October
1992. Traditionally, (2X) X also start Lebensohl. However, artificial calls,
even limited ones, are not meant to be passed with boring hands. I decide to
modify the bidding structure for this subtle difference.
The last bid is 2♦♥♠
The last non-pass is an artificial call by partner.
In this section, I list (2X) X as examples. The meaning of each step varies
with partner’s call. There are several reasons to invite with 2NT.
Bidding to (2X) X is not free.
An invitational X usually lacks a stopper.
Therefore, 2NT includes NF clubs and constructive-invitational hands.
When opponents have bid two suits, optimists take the opportunity of gaining two
cuebids! When opponents have shown two anchor suits, it’s time for Unusual vs
Unusual.
This is one key difference between BTU vs Unusual and literature. The BTU
variation uses the lowest three bids from the following list:
The cuebids, the bids that name an adverse suit
2NT or 4NT
Let me provide some examples for clarity.
Auction
BTU v U bids
1♦ (2♦ = ♠ + ♥)
2♥, 2♠, 2NT
1♠ (2NT = ♦ + ♣)
3♣, 3♦, 4♣
1♠ (3♣ = ♥ + ♦)
3♦, 3♥, 4♣
2♥ (4♦ = ♠ + ♦)
4♠, 4NT, 5♦
(1♦-1♠)
2♦, 2♠, 2NT
(1♦) 1♥ (X = ♠)
1♠, 2♦, 2♠
The BTU v U bids are abbreviated as Q1, Q2, Q3 to facilitate discussion. If
the cuebid is 4NT or above, I recommend that it start another slam try
convention (e.g. RKCB, Turbo) as per partnership discussion.
In competitive and defensive bidding, combinations of calls grow factorially.
It is convenient to replace unknown suits with variables, just like how algebra
brings computation to a higher level.
This book usually follows principles introduced in BML and CSS.
Juxtaposition of strain symbols produces multiple rules, similar to | in
regular expression. For example, 2MNT is a valid expression that matches
2♥, 2♠, and 2NT.
Specificity is determined like CSS specificity. The rule with the most concrete
strains wins. Then we compare the number of suit classes. Note that juxtaposition
expands to multiple rules instead of one. For example:
The most specific rule applies. If there are multiple rules with the same
specificity, compare specificity lexicographically. For example, 1M-2X > 1X-1R
because 1M is more specific than 1X. If there are still multiple rules with the
same specificity, the last rule applies, like CSS and laws but not BML.
I advocate using cuebids for 5+ 4+ two suiters, except (1♠) 2♠ that forces
playing at the 3-level. The strength shall be either too weak for an opening
or too strong for a direct overcall.
(1♣) 2♣!: Landy, 5+ 4+ majors or 44(41)
(1♦) 2♦!: Flannery, 4+♠, 5+♥
(1♥) 2♥!: Muiderberg, 5+♠, 4+♦♣
(1♠) 2♠!: Michaels, 5+♥, 5+♦♣
Landy is just Ekren 2♣ but a forcing overcall. I suggest
using its continuations. Muiderberg also coincides
an opening convention. Michaels is a special case of Muiderberg. The
only thing we need to discuss here is Flannery, deprived of the 2♦ relay
compared to Landy.
Flannery (1♦) 2♦ is close to Flannery 2♦ and the original Ekren 2♦. I suggest
continuations from BTU Ekren + Lebensohl.
Balancing overcalls tend to be intermediate. Jump overcalls are sound because
there is no one to preempt. On the other hand, constructive overcalls are light
because partner may have passed a weak notrump.
Unpassed 2NT is no longer unusual because we’ve got more steps on the notrump
ladder.
The takeout double is one of the oldest conventions. Most players bid naturally
to the double. However, I suggest transfer advances at 3Y+. This way, we can
separate paths to suit games by strength and by length.
Whenever there is a debate between forcing and non-forcing responses, choose
transfer responses!
—I, Chen-Pang He (jdh8) @BTU, 2024
I sometimes relabel suit variables from the main title.
(1X) 1Y
(1X) 1Z
(1Y) 1Z
I use these formulae interchangeably to accommodate a new-coming strain, e.g.
(1X) 1Y-1Z
(1X) 1Z-2Y
(1Y) 1Z-2X
In competitive bidding, we want more space for raises. On the other hand,
notrump already shows length or strength in the adverse suit. The “standard”
and naïve approach is to reuse the cuebids for forcing raises. However, there
are two reasons to use Rubens advances AKA transfer advances.
There is a debate if new suit advances are forcing or not. For a suit lower
than Y (say X), forcing is decent. Aggressor has a cheap cuebid [(1Y) 1Z-2X;
2Y!] to show opening strength, similar to Drury. Nevertheless, when the auction
goes (1X) 1Z-2Y, opener has a problem to rebid a minimum opening hand without a
stopper:
2Z: utterly an underbid
2NT: lies about the stopper
3Y: an overbid
On the other hand, it is not the most effective to allocate forcing bids at
cuebids. When we have a fit, we have little interest in exploring side suits.
Space between the forcing raise and Z is unnecessary. Therefore, it is the most
useful to let Z − 1 transfer to Z. Consequently, the strains
[Y .. Z − 1] map to the suits [Y + 1 .. Z].
Lower new suits are always minor suits. Since minor suit games are hard to
make, bidding a new minor suit somehow marks failure to bid a major suit or
notrump. Aggressor should be aware that the new minor suit might be a
convenient suit to make a forcing advance.
I suggest playing Gladiator at (1M) 1NT, which is more effective against a major
suit opening, especially 1♠. Aggressor can have 5 hearts at (1♠) 1NT because 2♥
would be an underbid. We get an additional cuebid to invite with 3 hearts,
roughly equivalent to Puppet Stayman. There is also an indirect 3NT for choice
of games with 3 hearts.
This version of Gladiator originates from a BTU gadget.
(1♠) 1NT
(1♠) 1NT-
STR ~BAL
2♣!
(R), Gladiator
2♦♥
INV, 5+#
2♠!
STAY, INV+, 4=♥
2♠ 3♠!
Choice of games, e.g. MAX 3433
2NT!
NF INV, 5+♣
3X
FG, 5+#
3♠!
SPL, 0–1♠, 4=♥
4♣♦!
Leaping Michaels, 5+♥, usually 5+#
4♥
S/O, 6+♥
4♠!
Leaping Michaels, 5+♦, 5+♣
(1♠) 1NT-2♣
Gladiator
2♦!
P/C
2♥!
P/C, 5+♦
2♠!
MAX, 4=♥, 4+♦
(1♠) 1NT-2♣ 2♦-
P/C
P
S/O, 5+♦
2♥
S/O, 5+♥
2♠!
INV, 3=♥
2NT
BAL INV
3♣
S/O, 6+♣
3♦♥
INV, 6+#
3♠!
SPL, 0–1♠, 0–3♥
3NT!
Choice of games, 3=♥
Slow 3NT still has 3=♥ if RHO bids up to 2NT.
(1♠) 1NT (2♣♦♥♠)
-
2NT!
TRF LEB
3♣!
TRF INV+, 5+♦
3♦!
TRF INV+, 5+♥
3♥!
FG STAY, 4=♥
3♠!
SPL, 0–1♠, 4=♥
(1♠) 1NT (2♣♦♥♠) 2NT
TRF LEB
3♣!
P/C
3♣-3♠!
SPL, 0–1♠, 0–3♥
3♣-3NT!
Choice of games, 3=♥
3♦!
P/C, 5+♣
3♥!
P/C, MAX, 4+♦, 4+♣
(1♠) 1NT (2NT) - (3♠-P)
-
X
PEN, 3=♥
3NT!
Choice of games, 3=♥
I have not yet come up with how we utilize the slow cuebid.
(1♥) 1NT
(1♥) 1NT-
STR ~BAL
2♣!
(R), Gladiator
2♦♠
INV, 5+#
2♥!
STAY, INV+, 4=♠
2♥ 3♥!
Choice of games, e.g. MAX 4333
2NT!
NF INV, 5+♣
3X
FG, 5+#
3♥!
SPL, 0–1♥, 4=♠
4♣♦!
Leaping Michaels, 5+♠, usually 5+#
4♥!
Leaping Michaels, 5+♦, 5+♣
4♠
S/O, 6+♠
(1♥) 1NT-2♣
Gladiator
2♦!
P/C
2♥!
P/C, 5+♦
2♠!
P/C, MAX, 4=♠, 4+♦
(1♥) 1NT-2♣ 2♦-
P/C
P
S/O, 5+♦
2♠!
S/O, 5+♠
2NT
BAL INV
3♣
S/O, 6+♣
3♦♠
INV, 6+#
3♥!
SPL, 0–1♥, 0–3♠
(1♣♦) 1NT
Otherwise, I suggest ignoring the minor suit opening. Take the 1NT overcall as
a strong notrump opening.
Good, Better, Best recommends using conventional double over a strong notrump.
We consider a natural notrump opening strong if at least half of the hands
contain 15+ HCP. For instance, 14–16 is considered strong but 13–15 is not.
We play plain Landy against a weak notrump. This simple defense undermines
their systems on approach over (1NT) 2♣. Meanwhile, we still threat to stop
in our natural 2♦.
I regard Multi vs Multi as a specialized version of Unusual vs Unusual. X
remains “penalizing” either suit but longer. Cuebids are reordered and show
unbid (minor) suits.
Here I recommend a modified version of Rumpelsohl.
Frequently pass 2♦x with 4+ diamonds to ease slam exploration, especially for
minor suit slams.
(2♦) X-
OPT: either major or 19+
2M!
P/C
2NT!
INV+, REV LEB
3♣
PRE, usually 5+♣
3♦!
INV+ TRF, 5+♥
3♥!
INV+ TRF, 5+♠
3♠!
FG TRF, usually 6+♣
3NT
To play
4♣!
STR choice of games
4♦!
PRE choice of games
(2♦) X-2NT
REV LEB
3♣!
P/C, 12–14
3♦!
S/T, 18+
3M
NAT, 15–17, 5+#
When RHO bids, X is penalty and usually short in the other major. We play
Rubinsohl here because we need to bid diamonds. Please refrain from penalizing
with length in both major suits. It is usually better to make our own contract
than setting their doubled partscore.
(2♦) X (2M)
P/C
X
PEN, good 4+# and usually short in the other major
2♠!
P/C
2NT!
TRF, 5+♣
3♣!
TRF, 5+♦
3♦!
TRF, 5+OM
3♥!
P/C, INV in ♥, INV+ in ♠
3♠!
P/C, INV in ♠, FG in ♥
(2♦) X (3M)
P/C
X
PEN, usuaully short in the other major
After opener shows their major, doubler always penalizes when holding the same
suit. This action is mostly safe because doubler sits behind the opener. More
importantly, this treatment creates a negative inference that a pass implies
holding the other major.
