cdhS

Roadmap:
a bidding system

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Opening 1NT .................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Opening one of a suit: first response ............................................................................................................... 6
4. Opening one of a suit: raises by responder ..................................................................................................... 7
5. Opening one of a suit: responding one of a suit ............................................................................................. 10
6. Opening one of a suit: other responses .......................................................................................................... 14
7. Opening 2NT .................................................................................................................................................. 18
8. Opening 2c ................................................................................................................................................... 20
9. Preemptive opening bids ............................................................................................................................... 22
10. Slam bidding ................................................................................................................................................. 23
11. Suit overcalls and competitive bidding .......................................................................................................... 25
12. Takeout double .............................................................................................................................................. 28
13. Other sequences when opponents open the bidding .................................................................................... 32
14. Other sequences when we open the bidding................................................................................................. 35
1. Introduction

Roadmap is a two-over-one system with weak The first opening

notrumps. The development effort was to:
1cd 11-21 unbalanced or 15-19 balanced, better
 select time-tested and widely adopted treatments
minor, tend to open 1c with 3.3, 1d with 4.4.
and conventions (together with some less popular
ones) and integrate them into a consistent bidding 1hS 11-21 unbalanced or 15-19 5332, five or more
toolset; cards.
 articulate sequences on recurring principles as far as
possible, resorting to artificialities only when really 1NT 12-14 balanced, includes 5332s with a five-
valuable; card major.
 keep complexity at an acceptable level, hoping to 2c Strong, artificial and forcing – 22+ balanced
make the system suitable for many players. or any unbalanced game force.
In this document you will find bid definitions and ex- 2dhS Weak two-bid, usually 6-9 and a six-card
amples of bidding sequences, the latter often based on suit, may be weaker and/or just a five-card
bidding logic rather than partnership agreements. suit when white vs. red.
Since examples are intended to show the system me-
chanics, sample hands are not included: it is assumed 2NT 20-21 balanced, includes 5332s with a five-
that the reader is skilled enough to decide when to card major.
force, when to invite, which feature is most important 3cdhS Preemptive, usually 6-9 with a seven-card
to show or ask, etc. suit, may be weaker and/or just a six-card
suit when white vs. red.
* * *
3NT Broken Minor, 6-9 with seven or eight cards
Before going into content, a disclaimer: every time you in an unspecified minor.
read "he" or "his" please read "he/she" or "his/her". Us-
ing male pronouns or adjectives in the document is just 4cd Namyats, 8-9 tricks with seven or more
a convention to make reading a little bit more fluid. hearts (4c) or spades (4S).
4hS Preemptive.

Roadmap – 2
2. Opening 1NT

Why the weak notrump 1NT - 2c

The rationale behind the 12-14 notrump is to keep weak Stayman is used with multiple hand types. Its usual
balanced hands out of suit opening bids, making those purpose is to look for a 4.4 fit in a major with a hand of
bids stronger: any strength – but following these guidelines:
 playing the 12-14 notrump, suit opening bids cannot  if you want to respond 2c with a weak hand, make
have more than 6-7 losers; sure you can handle all the replies: have a long suit
 minor suits are almost always "real": when you open as fallback, or a 4441 short in clubs;
1c or 1d with a three-card suit you will have 15+  unbalanced hands start with a transfer response;
points to compensate, and as soon as you bid a sec- start with 2c instead if you have:
ond suit partner will know that your hand is unbal- - five spades and four or more hearts;
anced; - an invitational two-suiter with a four-card major
 5332 hands with a five-card major are also opened and a long minor;
1NT: therefore, 1h and 1S opening bids will have - a three-suiter with both four-card majors.
shape values or 15+ points;
Opener replies are standard. 2d denies any four-card
as a consequence, when you open in a suit and the
major; now responder passes, bids game or continues:
auction becomes competitive, partner will be encour-
 2hS: sign-off, implies four cards in the other major;
aged to bid more often.
 2NT: invitational, unsupported major;
A secondary benefit of the weak notrump – limited, but  3c: sign-off, five or more cards, unsupported major;
valuable – is its preemptive effect on opponents. You  3d: invitational or better, five spades and four hearts;
will open 1NT more often than strong notrump favorites may have five hearts only with an invitational hand;
do (about twice as much), removing the entire one level  3hS: game-forcing, three-suiter, short minor (3h =
from the auction when opponents can still have a short clubs, 3S = short diamonds).
game: they will have to bid constructively over your
2hS shows a four-card major (hearts first). Responder
1NT and will lose some definition.
passes, bids game or continues:
On the other hand, when you adopt the weak notrump  2S/2h: weak, four spades and a long minor; opener
you must accept its downside: passes with a spade fit, otherwise bids 2NT to play in
 sometimes it preempts the opening side: you could responder's minor;
lose a better suit partscore in a 4.4 or even 5.4 fit;  2NT: invitational;
 even if penalty doubles are much less frequent than  3cd: five or more cards, unsupported major; sign-off
they once used to be, every now and then you could over 2S, invitational over 2h (if weak, bid 2S);
get punished and score -800: anyway, your  3hS (raise): invitational, 4.4 fit;
chances may improve by adopting a rescue mecha-  3Sh (the other major): game-forcing raise, major
nism to look for a less dangerous suit contract; two-suiter;
 balanced hands of 15+ points become difficult to  4cd: Splinter, major two-suiter.
show in competitive auctions.
1NT 2c 1
Sign-off, major two-suiter. Responder
2d 2hS1 was hoping to pass over 2h or 2S: since
Responses
no fit has been found, he resorts to his
Responder's first bid is based on four-suit transfers: five-card suit.
2c Stayman, guarantees a four-card major. 1NT 2c 1
Weak, five or more clubs. Again, re-
2d 3c1 sponder was looking for a 4.4 major fit.
2dh Transfer to majors.
1NT 2c 1
One-round forcing, five spades and
2S Transfer to clubs or game invitation in notrump.
2d 3d1 four hearts.
2NT Transfer to diamonds. 3h 2 2
Minimum, only two spades.
3S3 3
Minimum, three spades.
3c Game-forcing, five or more diamonds, four or 3NT4 4
Maximum, only two spades.
more clubs. 4cd5 5
Maximum, three spades, cuebid.
3d Slam try, balanced hand. 1NT 2c 1
Weak, four spades.
3hS Game-forcing, three-suiter, short suit. 2h 2S1 2
No spade fit.
2NT 3d3
2 3
Sign-off. 2S always implies holding a
3NT To play. long suit as refuge.
4cd Transfers to 4hS.
4hS To play.

Roadmap – 3
1NT 2c 1
Invitational, four spades and long dia-
1NT 2d 1
Four or more clubs, game-forcing.
2h 3d1 monds. With a weak hand responder
2h 3c1 2
Diamond values, probe for NT.
should bid 2S, hoping to find a spade
3d2 3
Three hearts, good clubs.
fit at the two level.
3h3 4
5332, five spades. Opener can intro-
1NT 2c 1
Here 3d is weak instead, with four un- 3S4 duce his five-card major at the three-
2S 3d1 supported hearts. 4c5 level only.
4h6 5
Good fit in clubs, cooperating in case
1NT 2c 1
Forcing raise, major two-suiter – with a
responder has slam in mind.
2S 3h1 balanced slam try, respond 3d over 1NT. 6
Three hearts, poor clubs.
4cd2 2
Splinter.
1NT 2h 1
5.5 in the majors, game-forcing.
1NT 2c 1
Three-suiter, short diamonds.
2S 3h1 2
Spade preference, heart values as well.
2d 3S1 2
Limit, probably some duplication, but
3S2 3
Cuebid, heart preference, spade val-
4c2 not enough for 3NT.
4cd3 ues too.
4d3 3
No duplication in diamonds, club fit.
4hS4 4
Preference, little or nothing in the other
major.
1NT - 2dh
Transfer to a five-card or longer major suit. Opener will 1NT - 2S
usually complete the transfer, but is entitled to "super-
Transfer to clubs OR invitational with a balanced hand
accept" with four-card support:
and no four-card major: if responder has clubs, he will
 3hS: not promising more than four trumps;
hold at least five cards with game-forcing values or at
 side suit: maximum, trump support and fair suit;
least six cards with a weaker hand. Opener will bid:
 2NT: maximum, trump support and values in the suit
 2NT with a minimum;
artificially bid by responder;
 3c with a maximum.
 3dh ("raise"): maximum, trump support and a pref-
Responder will pass, signoff, or force to game.
erence for being dummy – "Aces-and-spaces".
After super-acceptance, retransfers are on. 1NT 2S 1
Maximum.
3c1 pass2 2
Weak one-suiter.
1NT 2d 1
Maximum, four hearts, values in dia-
3NT3 3
2S was invitational.
2NT1 3d2 monds.
3h3 4h4 2
Retransfer. 1NT 2NT 1
No fit in diamonds.
3
Mandatory. 3c1 pass2 2
Here is the exception to "six cards
4
That’s it. Responder may also bid 4h at when weak". Responder implies a
the second round to be declarer. weak 5.5 in the minors: maybe clubs
will play better than diamonds.
1NT 2h 1
Maximum, four spades, Aces-and-
3h1 3S2 spaces. 1NT 2S 1
Minimum.
4c3 2
Sign-off. 2NT1 3c2 2
Weak one-suiter.
3
Cuebid. 3d3 3
Game-forcing two-suiter.
3hS3 4
Non forcing slam try in clubs.
When opener just completes the transfer, responder
3NT4
passes, raises to game or continues:
 2S after 2d: second suit, invitational or better; 1NT 2S 1
Maximum.
 2NT: balanced, invitational; 3c1 3S2 2
Clubs and spades, game-forcing.
 3NT: balanced, offers a choice of games; 4c3 3
Club fit, suit-oriented hand.
 3hS (raise): one-suiter, limit; 4dh4 5
Cuebid for spades, good clubs too.
 3cd: second suit, game-forcing; 4S5 6
Spade fit, poor clubs.
 3h after 2h: major 5.5 two-suiter, game-forcing;
 jump shift: one-suiter, Splinter; 1NT - 2NT
 4hS (raise): one-suiter, good suit, non-forcing slam
Transfer to diamonds: includes game-forcing hands
invitation (compare with 1NT - 4cd).
with at least five diamonds and weaker hands with at
1NT 2d 1
Four spades, one-round forcing. least six cards (with an exception – we will see soon).
2h 2S1 2
No major fit, minimum. When holding a game-invitational hand responder is
2NT2 3
Fit in the bid suit, minimum. mostly looking for support in his suit. Opener will bid:
3hS3 4
Fit in the bid suit, maximum.  3d with a diamond fit – Hxx or better;
4hS4 5
Exceptional fit in spades, maximum,  3c otherwise.
4cd5 cuebid. Responder will pass, signoff, or force to game.
3cd6 6
No major fit, maximum, good five-card
suit. A minor-suit game is still possible
if responder has a three-card fit.

Roadmap – 4
1NT 2NT 1
Fit in diamonds. 1NT 3d 1
Positive, four card suit.
3d1 3NT2 2
Responder is bidding game assuming 3h1 3NT2 2
Mark-time, clearly both minor suits.
to run diamonds. This option is not 4cd3 3
Four card suit, defines trumps.
available when he has long clubs: in 4h4 4
5332, in case you have three hearts:
that case invitation acceptance is here 4NT by responder is negative and
based on general strength. sign-off.
1NT 2NT 1
No fit in diamonds. 1NT 3d 1
Positive, four card suit.
3c1 pass2 2
Here is the exception to "six cards if 3h1 3S1 2
Mark time, interested in a minor-suit fit.
3NT3 weak". Responder implies a weak 5.5 3NT2 3
Cuebid for spades (compare with 3NT).
in the minors: maybe clubs will play 4cd3 4
Good five-card suit.
better than diamonds. 4h4 5
Spade fit, suggesting values concen-
3
Non forcing slam try, diamond one- 4S5 trated in the majors.
suiter.
1NT - 3hS
1NT 2NT 1
No fit in diamonds.
3c1 3h2 2
Four hearts, game-forcing. Game-forcing Splinter, three-suiter, short in the bid
3S3 3
5332, five spades. suit, slam is possible if opener has no duplication. Re-
4c4 4
Heart fit, maximum, cuebid. sponder should have about 5-6 losers – with a stronger
4d5 5
Cuebid for hearts as well – remember, hand duplication is likely: in case, treat your hand as
4h6 3c says "no fit in diamonds". balanced.
6
Heart fit, nothing extra.
Opener will select the strain:
1NT 2NT 1
Diamond fit.
1NT 3h 1
Club preference.
3d1 3S2 2
Four spades, game-forcing.
4c1 4d2 2
Cuebid.
4d3 3
Now it's different: diamonds are still in
4h3 3
No duplication in hearts – very en-
4ch4 the picture since opener has promised
couraging.
a fit. So, 4d is natural and encouraging.
4
Cuebid for spades. There is a bit of artificiality just in one specific case:

1NT - 3c 1NT 3S 1
Heart preference, minimum.
4h1
Minor two-suiter, primary diamonds, game-forcing.
Since transferring into diamonds and then bidding 1NT 3S 1
Club preference, OR hearts prefer-
clubs would take the bidding at the four level, this re- 4c1 4d2 ence with a maximum.
sponse fixes the issue: now every two-suiter can be de- 4h3 2
Which one?
scribed within the three level. 4S4 3
Hearts.
5c5 4
Clubs, no duplication in spades.
1NT 3c 1
Diamond fit OR probe for notrump: re- 4
Clubs, some duplication in spades,
3d1 sponder should show a major stopper. not enough for 3NT over 3S.
3hS2 2
Five-card suit.
4c3 3
Club fit, suit-oriented hand. No issue with the other suits: opener can give a natural
preference without getting to the game level.
1NT - 3d
1NT – 4cd
Balanced slam try. Responder will typically have a
4432, since with 4333s and 5332s will go – more Transfers to a six-card or longer major suit. Responder
properly – through a quantitative notrump bid. will have one of two types of hand:
 game hand, suitable for being dummy (if you want
Opener is expected to cooperate with a hand rich in to play the hand, respond 4hS instead);
controls (Aces and Kings) and no soft values. His replies  slam try, needing to check side suit controls.
will be: Opener will complete the transfer with 4hS (there is no
 3NT: negative; responder will pass; point in responding the in-between step), and re-
 suit: positive, cheaper four-card suit. sponder will reopen with the strong hand type.
1NT 3d 1
Positive, four card suit.
3S1 4c1 2
Cuebid for clubs. Opener has denied
4h2 four hearts.

Roadmap – 5
3. Opening one of a suit: first response

Responding to a minor suit bid Responding to a major suit bid

When the opening bid is 1c or 1d, the first response will After a 1h or 1S opening bid, direct raises take priority:
be selected among the following:  2hS: 8-11, three-card fit; constructive, thus stronger
 1hS, 1d/1c: natural and one-round forcing – 5+, four than in most popular systems;
or more cards; consider that:  3hS: 4-7, four-card fit;
- as a consequence of the weak notrump, suit open-  4hS: 0-7, five-card or longer fit;
ings tend to be solid: responder will strive to bid  3NT: 8-10, four-card or longer fit (often five), very un-
even with minimum values; balanced hand;
- responder will select his longer suit, but lacking  3cd, 3h/1S: Mini-Splinter – 8-10, four-card or longer
game-forcing values he will anticipate his four- fit, singleton or void in the bid suit;
card major over his five-card minor;  4cd, 3S/1h, 4h/1S: game-forcing Splinter – 10-14,
 1NT: 6-9, no four-card major; four-card or longer fit, singleton or void in the bid suit;
 2NT: 12-14 or 18+, balanced, may have one or both  2NT: at least a mild invitation – 8+, four-card or
four-card majors; longer fit.
 3NT: 15-17, balanced, no four-card major;
Other responses:
 2c/1d: two-over-one, natural and game-forcing –
 1S/1h: 5-11, four or more spades, at most a game in-
12+, four-card or longer suit, may have a diamond
vitation;
fit;
 1NT: 5+, one-round forcing; includes:
 3c/1d: natural and invitational – 9-11, six or more
- weak hands, possibly with a three-card fit;
clubs;
- invitational hands with less than three cards in the
 2hS, 2d/1c: game-forcing Soloway jump – includes
opening suit;
one of the following strong hand types:
- strong balanced hands (12+) with less than four
- solid or semisolid six-card suit;
cards in the opening suit; responder may have a
- good five-card or longer suit and four-card or
three-card fit and/or four spades after 1h opening;
longer fit in opener's suit;
 2cd, 2h/1S: two-over-one, natural and game-forc-
- good five- or six-card suit in a semi-balanced
ing – 12+, good five-card or longer suit, may have a
hand, about 18-19;
fit in opener's suit (even four cards);
as a special case, 2h/1d also includes invitational
 2S/1h: old-fashioned game force – 12+, good five-
balanced hands with four or more clubs and no four-
card or longer suit, may have a three- or four-card
card major (responder will find out, see below).
fit in hearts.
Direct raises deny four-card majors:
Only a small change is in order when responder is a
 2cd: 8+, usually five or more cards (may have four
passed hand:
with 10+), forcing to 3cd;
 2cd, 2h/1S: 9-11, five or more cards, not forcing; de-
 3cd: 4-7, five-card fit;
nies three-card fit;
 4cd: preemptive raise – 0-7, five or more cards, very
 2S/1h: Mini-Splinter – 8-10, four-card or longer fit,
unbalanced;
singleton or void in spades.
 3hS, 3d/1c, 4c/1d: game-forcing Splinter – 11-15,
five-card or longer fit, singleton or void in the bid suit.
Some changes are needed when responder is a passed
hand:
 2c/1d: 9-11, five or more cards;
 2hS, 2d/1c: fit-jump – 9-11, good five-card suit and
four-card fit;
 2NT: limit – 10-11 balanced, no four-card major.

Roadmap – 6
4. Opening one of a suit: raises by responder

Direct raises over 1hS A jump shift at the three level is Mini-Splinter: about
7-9, four trumps, two cover cards and a singleton or
When the opening suit is major, direct raises have al-
void in the bid suit. Beware: 1h - 2S is NOT a Mini-Splin-
ways top priority.
ter by an unpassed hand (more on this later).
A single raise is constructive – 8-11 and usually three-
2NT is a general game (or slam) try: responder will
card fit. Opener will pass (rarely), bid game or con-
have 8+ and a four-card or longer fit. Opener replies:
tinue as following:
 3hS (trumps): bad minimum;
1S 2S 1
Slam try, good six-card suit. Since re-  4hS (trumps): minimum but good shape, usually six-
3S1 sponder is positive, there is no need card suit or other distributional values;
for a "1-2-3 stop" re-raise.  3 new suit: natural and descriptive, shows strength
and usually length, not necessarily with extra values
1h 2h 1
Solid six-card suit, suggests playing in (bidding can stop at 3hS);
3NT1 notrump and looking for nine tricks in-  3NT: 15+, solid or semi-solid six-card suit;
stead of ten.  4 new suit: cuebid, 15+ one-suiter.
1h 2h 1
The first step is an artificial game try Further bidding is natural and descriptive.
2S1 3c2 (may become a slam try later). 1S 2NT 1
As the only point to remember, re-
2
Responder bids game to accept (even 3c 4d1 sponder's second round jump under
suggesting 3NT), returns in trumps to game level shows a good five-card
reject: when in doubt, shows a suit side suit, an initial minimum and a re-
with top honors or ruff values. Here evaluated hand after opener's reply.
2NT would be a substitute for spades
(farthest suit). Supporting a major at the second round
1S 2S 1
Artificial game try. Compare direct raises with other sequences, when the
2NT1 3d2 2
If your try is in diamonds, fine. support bid comes after another response:
3h1 3
It's in hearts.
1h 1S1 1
5-11, weak or invitational.
1h 2h 1
Artificial game try. 2d 2h2 2
5-7, two or three hearts.
2S1 4d2 2
A jump shows a maximum and a good
five-card suit. This could be a valuable 1S 1NT1 1
Forcing notrump.
information if opener's rebid turns out 2h 2S2 2
6-9 and two trumps or 4-7 and three
to be a slam try. trumps. Should opener decide to try
for game, any bid is descriptive.
1S 2S 1
A new suit is a natural slam try, here
3d1 3S2 with four good diamonds. 1h 1NT1 1
Forcing notrump.
4S2 2
Natural (Slow Arrival, see below). 2c 3h2 2
A jump raise in the opening suit shows
3h3 3
Values in the bid suit, good for all. 12+ balanced and a three-card fit.
A jump raise is preemptive: responder promises four Here the raised major is opener's second suit:
cards in 1hS - 3hS, five cards in 1hS - 4hS. 3NT is a
1S 1NT1 1
Forcing notrump.
"good" game raise instead – about 8-10 and five
2h 3h2 2
Invitational, four hearts.
trumps, or possibly four trumps in some 6.4 two-suiter.
4cd3 3
Strong balanced hand, four hearts,
1S 3NT 1
Opener will usually return to trumps cuebid.
4d1 but sometimes will introduce a cuebid
As a general rule, when you have a fit, a good side suit
with some hope for slam.
and some slam chances, prefer introducing your suit
A double jump shift is Splinter, with about 10-14 and a at the two level and then show support – and this takes
singleton or void in the bid suit. Responder will have us to "Slow Arrival".
four or more trumps and three or four cover cards in
The "Fast Arrival" principle is well known and very pop-
the three side suits.
ular: a forcing raise of partner's suit under the game
1h 4c 1
Opener can bid game or reopen with level shows extra values, whereas a jump raise at the
5c1 RKCB or a cuebid. Alternatively, he game level shows a minimum. In this system "Slow Ar-
can "raise" the Splinter bid as a direct rival" is adopted instead:
and quantitative slam try, showing no  a forcing raise of partner's suit under the game level
duplication and asking responder to shows a minimum with bad trumps OR extra values;
bid slam with four cover cards (or  a jump raise at the game level (being the forcing
three cover cards and a void). raise available) shows a minimum AND good trumps.

Roadmap – 7
1h 2d1 1
Two-over-one, five good diamonds, 1d 2d 1
15+ balanced, stoppers in all suits.
2h 3h2 game-forcing. 2NT1 3d2 2
Limit, 8-9.
4h pass3 2
Heart support, Slow Arrival. 3h3 3
A new suit over 2NT shows a singleton
4S4 3
Minimum, bad hearts. or void and some chances for slam.
2
Extra values, cuebid. 1c 2c 1
18-19 balanced, square hand with
3NT1 probably just three clubs. Strong sug-
1S 2c 1 1
Two-over-one.
gestion to play there.
2h 4S2 2
Minimum, four good spades.
1d 2d 1
A new suit bypassing 4d is a slam try:
1S 2d1 1
Two-over-one.
3S1 it shows extra values, good trumps
2h 3S2 2
Spade support, Slow Arrival.
4d2 and good values in the bid suit.
4c3 4S4 3
Cooperating (cuebid). 2
When no concentration is available, a
4
Minimum, three spades (or four small).
jump raise is a natural slam try.
1S 2c1 1
Two-over-one.
Other raises are distributional, with five or more trumps:
2d 2S2 2
Probably just a doubleton spade, un-
 3cd: preemptive, 4-7;
suited to 2NT (no heart stopper).
 4cd: preemptive, 0-7, very unbalanced;
1h 2S1 1
Five or more spades, game-forcing.  Splinter double jumps: 11-15.
3c 3h2 2
Heart support, Slow Arrival.
Supporting a minor at the second round
Second-round forcing raises can be artificial:
A delayed raise to a minor suit at the three level is pri-
1S 2d1 1
Two-over-one. marily a probe for notrump – limit or forcing, depend-
2S 4c2 2
Delayed Splinter, three or four spades. ing on responder's first bid – and states that no eight-
1S 2d1 1
Two-over-one. card major fit is available on the line.
2h 4c2 2
Splinters agree partner's last bid suit: 1c 1h 1
Limit, three or four clubs.
here, hearts are trumps. 2c 3c1 2
Maximum, diamond stopper.
1h 2c1 1
Two-over-one. 3d2 3S2 3
Spade half-stopper (bid 3NT with a
2S 4c2 2
Six very good clubs and four hearts. full stopper, 4c with no stopper – or
propose 3h with four good cards).
Direct raises over 1cd 1d 1h 1
Very likely six or more diamonds.
When the opening suit is minor, direct raises deny any 2d1 3S2 2
Splinter, three or four diamonds.
four-card major. The single raise is positive: 4d3 2
Slam try, good diamond fit, only four
 it shows 8+ and is forcing to 3cd; hearts (or five bad hearts).
 it usually has five or more trumps – but may have 1d 2c1 1
Two-over-one, game-forcing.
just four with 10+; 2d2 3h3 2
Usually five or more diamonds – but
 its primary purpose is probing for 3NT. may be a minimum 4441 with short
1d 2d The primary purpose of the single raise clubs (more on this later).
2S1 3c2 is probing for 3NT.
3
Splinter.
1
Cheaper stopper: responder has a 1d 1h 1
Preference, not a "real" raise. Now any
stopper in spades and not in hearts, 1S 2d1 bid from opener promises extra values.
says nothing about clubs.
2
Stopper in hearts (otherwise 3d), not 1d 1S 1
Sometimes responder will give a "false
in clubs (otherwise 2NT, forcing). 2c 2d1 preference", hoping opener will be
2S2 4c3 able to keep the bidding alive.
1d 2d 1
Stopper in spades, not in hearts. 2
Three spades, extra values.
2S1 3d2 2
No stopper in hearts, minimum. 3
Game invitation.
3S3 3
Four good spades and extra values,
looking for a possible 4-3 fit in spades. Here are some examples of raising opener's second
(minor) suit:
1c 2c 1
Stopper in hearts, not in diamonds.
2h1 2S2 2
Stopper in diamonds, not in spades. 1h 1S1 1
5-11, four or more spades.
3S3 3
Extra values and half-stopper in 2d2 3d3 2
11-18, four or more diamonds, less
spades (Qx or Jxx): responder can bid than three spades (more on this later).
3NT with the other half stopper, other- 3
Invitational, diamond fit.
wise retreat to 4c.
1S 1NT1 1
Forcing notrump.
2d2 3d3 2
11-18, four or more diamonds.
4c4 3
Invitational, diamond fit.
4
Balanced slam try, diamond fit, cuebid.

Roadmap – 8
1h 2c1 1
Two-over-one, game-forcing.
2d2 3d3 2
Four or more diamonds.
3S4 3
Diamond fit.
4d5 4
No spade stopper, probe for 3NT.
5
Suit-oriented hand, slam try.

Roadmap – 9
5. Opening one of a suit: responding one of a suit

For a start, let's assume a 1c or 1d opening bid: the When opener reverses there is some artificiality in the
sequence 1h - 1S is special and needs a specific devel- continuation:
opment.  2NT by responder shows fit for the second suit – if it
is real;
Opener's strong sequences  raising last bid suit actually shows a fit for opener's
first suit – slam try.
Major-suit raises are always the first thing to consider:
1d 1S 1
Heart suit or fragment.
1c 1h 1
About 16-17, four-card fit. May be bal-
2h1 2NT2 2
Interest in hearts, any strength.
3h1 anced or unbalanced.
3d3 3
Diamond one-suiter, heart fragment.
1c 1h 1
About 18-19, four-card fit. May be bal- 3h4 4
Two-suiter, minimum reverse.
4h1 anced or unbalanced. 3c5 5
Two-suiter, game-forcing.
1c 1S 1
Balanced, 18-19, four-card fit, 4333. 1d 1S 1
Heart suit or fragment.
3NT1 Same meaning after 1d opening (three 2h1 3h2 2
Slam try in diamonds.
good diamonds, three so-so clubs).
Other rebids by responder are natural:
1d 1h 1
Splinter (higher jump than reverse) –
1d 1S 1
Heart suit or fragment.
3S1 maximum, four spades, singleton or
2h1 2S2 2
Six spades, not forcing.
void in clubs.
3d3 3
Diamond preference, not forcing.
1c 1S 1
Splinter as well – but you can bid this 3c4 4
General force, usually a probe for 3NT
3h1 with 15+, since it does not bypass the 3S5 or a checkback for three spades.
three level. 5
Six fair spades, game-forcing.
1d 1S 1
Maximum two-suiter, six good dia- Opener's limited sequences
4d1 monds and four spades.
1c 1h 1
A simple raise of responder's suit is
Other strong sequences: 2h1 wide-range: could be a minimum two-
1d 1S 1
A jump rebid is game-forcing (about (or three-) suiter or a 15-16 balanced.
3d1 18-20), with a six-card or longer suit. Natural continuation (Splinter jumps).
This is a deviation from the main- Other suit bids at the second round confirm five or
stream treatment, in which jump re- more cards (rarely four) in the opening suit.
bids are limited to 15-17(18).
1d 1h 1
A suit rebid shows a minimum hand
1d 1h 1
A jump shift is also game-forcing: the 2d1 (11-14) with a five-card or longer suit.
3c1 3d2 second suit is always four cards or Here opener has six or more dia-
3S3 longer. monds: any other suit is available in
2
Checkback for three hearts – 4d is non-reverse.
available as a diamond slam try.
3
Probe for 3NT, no spade stopper. 1c 1S 1
Here opener may well have only five
2c1 clubs and four cards in a red suit.
1c 1S 1
A reverse is just one round forcing. It
2h1 shows strength in the second suit, not 1d 1h 1
A rebid in a new suit shows 11-18: the
necessarily length: opener may have 1S1 second suit can be just a fragment if
a 15-17 one-suiter. opener has extra values. Diamonds
will usually be five or more, occasion-
1d 1h 1
When opener has an intermediate ally just four (4441 with short hearts).
2c1 any one-suiter with no reverse available,
3d2 he will introduce a strong fragment… 1c 1h 1
This sequence is similar but tends to
2
… and then return in his first bid suit. 1S1 guarantee five clubs: with 4.4 in the
3d guarantees six diamonds, not nec- minors open 1c only if clubs are
essarily four clubs. stronger than diamonds.
1d 1h 1
5.5 in the minors, limit. 1d 1h 1
Unbalanced minor two-suiter, 5.5 or
2c 2h 2
Extra values, three hearts (clubs may 2c 2h longer, suggests (but does not guar-
3c1 still be a fragment). 3c1 antee) extra values.
3h2 3
Extra values, no spade stopper.
2S3 4
Extra values, spade stopper, invita-
2NT4 tional.

Roadmap – 10
Responder's sequences 1d 1h 1
Bourke Relay.
2d 2S1 2
Forcing raise, keeping 3NT into the
Rebids in notrump and in the original response suit are
3c 3d2 picture (4d would be an unbalanced
limited:
slam try).
1d 1h 1
About 6-9.
1d 1h 1
Splinter, diamond fit. Compare with
1S 1NT1 2
About 10-11, club stopper.
2d 3S1 the previous sequence.
2NT2 3
15-17, club stopper. With 12-14 or 18+,
3NT3 respond 2NT over 1d. 1c 1S 1
Bourke Relay.
2c 2d1 2
Doubleton in spades.
1c 1h 1
To play, usually six or more hearts.
2S2 3h3 3
Five hearts, forcing. Pointless with
1S 2h1 Now any bid by opener shows extras
four hearts (opener bypassed 2h), un-
and invites to game.
suited to 1S-then-2h because of next
1d 1S 1
Invitational, six good hearts. sequence…
2c 3S1
1c 1S 1
Natural, one-round forcing.
In order to force, responder must bid a new suit – often 2c 2h1 2
Diamond stopper.
artificial. After three suits have been bid, the fourth 2NT2 3h3 3
5.5 in the majors, limit.
suit is game-forcing, asking for further information
1d 1S 1
Natural, one-round forcing.
and not promising any length or strength in the suit
2d 2h1 2
Preference, probably a doubleton.
(actually tends to deny strength). After that, further
2S2 2NT3 3
5.4 in the majors, club stopper, limit.
bidding is natural and as descriptive as possible.
Playing both the fourth suit and the Bourke Relay as
1d 1h 1
Fourth suit forcing.
game-forcing you may occasionally regret not play-
1S 2c1 2
Five or more diamonds, less than three
ing these bids as invitational, at least at the two level:
2d2 3d3 hearts.
in case, just select the lesser evil among available limit
3
Forcing raise: opener will initially take
bids. Anyway, some more options are available if re-
it as a probe for 3NT with no club stop-
sponder is a passed hand:
per.
pass 1
One-round forcing, maximum pass,
1d 1h 1
Fourth suit forcing.
1d 1h usually looking for a three-card heart
2c 2S1 2
Three hearts.
1S 2c1 fit or a stopper in clubs.
3h2 3S3 3
Heart forcing raise. Opener has two
suits and support for a third one: can- pass 1
Five spades and four diamonds, invi-
not reasonably have a spade stopper, 1c 1S tational but not forcing.
so 3S should not be a probe for 3NT. 2c 2d1
1d 1h 1
Fourth suit forcing.
Development of notrump rebids
1S 2c1 2
If opener has no convenient natural
3c2 bid available – no additional length A 1NT rebid shows 15-17, 2NT shows 18-19. Both rebids
anywhere, unsuited for notrump – he suggest a balanced hand but may come from a
can raise the fourth suit (within the slightly unbalanced one when the alternatives are
three level). worse. Over a 1h response, a notrump rebid may have
four spades.
1c 1h 1
When bid with a jump, the fourth suit
1S 3d1 is Splinter and agrees partner's last Beware: strong balanced hands may become critical
bid suit. in competitive auctions and should be considered one
of the weaknesses of this system.
When opener has rebid his original suit, there are two
unbid suits available – and this is the schedule: After a 1NT rebid showing a 15-17 balanced hand, re-
 cheaper unbid suit: Bourke Relay, artificial and sponder's replies are as follows:
game-forcing (similar to fourth suit forcing);  2c: invitational, looking for a fit; opener gives his
 other unbid suit: natural and one-round forcing; best natural description:
 2NT or single raise of opener's suit: limit; - 2 of a suit with a minimum – 2hS with length, 2d
 jump unbid suit: Splinter. as a last resort; now any bid by responder is limit;
- 2NT or more with a maximum, game-forcing;
1c 1S 1
Bourke Relay.
 2d: game-forcing, looking for a fit; opener replies
2c 2d1 2
Six spades (fair suit, not good enough
with his best natural description, up to 3d;
2NT 3S2 for a 2S initial response).
 2hS: natural and not forcing;
1c 1S 1
Bourke Relay.  2NT: puppet to 3c; responder continues with:
2c 2d1 2
Three spades (2S would only suggest - pass, 3d: sign-off in opener's suit or in a long minor
3S2 a doubleton). of his own;
- 3hS: slam try, good five-card fit in opening suit,
Roadmap – 11
 only four cards in first suit, Splinter; a delayed re- 1d 1S 1
Checkback.
bid of the first bid suit shows a singleton or void in 2NT 3d1 2
Four hearts, may have three spades.
the unbid minor; 3h2 3
Three spades, less than four hearts.
 3cdhS: game-forcing Splinter, not wanting to com- 3S3 4
No major length to show.
mit to the opening suit (via 2NT-then-Splinter); as an 3NT4
obvious exception, a jump rebid of the first bid suit
1d 1S 1
Checkback.
shows six good cards (game-forcing as well).
2NT 3d1 2
Slam try in partner's last bid suit – with
1c 1h 1
Invitational. 3hS 4c2 a club suit, responder should bid 4c
1NT 2c1 2
Three hearts, minimum. at the second round.
2h2 3
Four spades, two hearts, minimum.
1c 1h 1
Six-card suit.
2S3 4
No major length to show, minimum.
2NT 3h1 2
Non-forcing slam try, stronger than
2d4
3NT 4h2 bidding 4h at the previous round.
1d 1h 1
Invitational.
1d 1h 1
Singleton or void.
1NT 2c1 2
Three hearts, minimum
2NT 3c1 2
Four spades.
2h2 2S3 3
Four spades, only four hearts, limit.
3S2 4S3 3
To play.
1c 1S 1
Invitational.
1c 1S 1
Singleton or void.
1NT 2c1 2
Five good clubs, maximum.
2NT 3h1 2
Values in spades.
3c2 3
Diamond strength, possibly length,
3S2 3NT3 3
Suggesting 3NT could be the right
3d3 maximum, no spade stopper: could be
4c4 spot if opener has hearts well stopped.
5422.
4d5 4
Slam try, good club fit.
1d 1S 1
Game-forcing. 5
Unable to bid 1d-then-spades, now
1NT 2d1 2
Four hearts. bypassing 3NT – must be a limited un-
2h2 3c3 3
Five or more clubs, only four spades, balanced hand.
suit-oriented hand.
1c 1S 1
Natural slam try, 5.5 (compare with
1c 1S 1
Not forcing. 2NT 4d1 previous case, note 5).
1NT 2h1 2
Less than four hearts. 4S2 2
Preference.
2S2 4h3 3
Cuebid, diamonds are trumps.
1c 1h 1
Puppet to 3c.
Sequence 1h - 1S
1NT 2NT1 2
Five good clubs, only four hearts, Splin-
3c 3hS2 ter (3h = short diamonds, unbid minor). This sequence has a special development, since 1S is
limited: 5-11, at most a game invitation, may have
1d 1S 1
Splinter. three hearts if minimum (with 8+, a direct 2h is better).
1NT 3c1 2
Four hearts. Opener replies:
3h2 3S3 3
Five spades, less than four hearts.  1NT: exactly three spades, any strength, one round
4c4 4
Spade fit: a return in responder's short forcing; other replies deny three spades – except
suit (by both players) agrees partner's raises that promise four;
last bid suit.  2cd: second suit, 11-18; may show a fragment from
1c 1S 1
Splinter – not a delayed support. a one-suiter or 5332 hand, with extra values;
1NT 3c1  2h: six-card suiter, minimum;
 2S: four spades, minimum;
1c 1S 1
Splinter.  2NT: 18-19, 5332;
1NT 3d1 2
Three spades.  3cd: second suit, game-forcing;
3S2 4c3 3
Five good clubs, slam try, probably  3h: one-suiter, game-forcing;
four hearts – otherwise responder  3S: four spades, game-invitational;
would bid 2NT-then-3S.  3NT: four spades, 5422;
After a 2NT rebid showing a 18-19 balanced hand,  4cd: four spades, Splinter.
many systems offer the chance to stop at three of re- Further development is not too different from se-
sponder's suit. Here, we prefer to play any continua- quences described above. Only the 1NT rebid needs
tion as game-forcing: articulation:
 3 responder's suit: six-card suit;
 3 opener's suit: beware – artificial checkback, look-
ing for a major fit;
 3 new suit: Splinter, only four cards in the first bid
suit, probe for 3NT or slam try in a minor;
 4cd: natural slam try.

Roadmap – 12
1h 1S 1
Three spades.
1h 1S 1
Natural.
1NT1 2cd2 2
Minimum, five-card suit.
2cd1 2h2 2
Preference.
2h3 3
Minimum, two or three hearts.
2NT3 3
Invitational, balanced, maybe just a
2S4 4
Minimum, five spades.
3h4 fragment in the minor.
2NT5 5
Invitational. 4
Invitational, six hearts, the minor may
3cd6 6
Maximum, five-card suit, limit.
be a real suit or a fragment.
3S7 7
Invitational.
3h8 8
Not needed as a natural bid – you can This 1h - 1S sequence (found on the Internet under the
play it as showing a maximum and a name "Tucker") fits well with:
good six-card suit in spades.  responding 2S with game-forcing values and a five-
card suit; and
If you pick a weak 4441 with a singleton heart, you will
 responding 1NT (forcing) with a strong balanced
have to manufacture a bid after opener's 1NT.
hand that may have four spades.
Opener may invite game, or even force, at the third It helps to find 5.3 fits in spades and also helps in bid-
round: ding Flannery hands (five hearts and four spades, not
strong enough for a reverse), a typical issue in two-
1h 1S 1
Three spades.
over-one systems.
1NT1 2d2 2
Four spades, five or more diamonds,
2NT3 minimum.
3dh4 3
Invitational, 5332.
3c5 4
Natural and invitational.
5
General force (probe for 3NT).

Roadmap – 13
6. Opening one of a suit: other responses

Notrump responses over 1cd 1d 2NT 1

Four spades.
3S1 3NT2 2
Misfit, 12-14.
The 1NT response is traditional – 6-9, no four-card ma-
4S3 3
Fit, 12-14.
jor, unsuited to a direct raise. Responder may have
4cdh4 4
Cuebid – may still be 18+.
four diamonds over 1c, especially with a "notrumpish"
4NT5 5
Misfit, 18+. Cannot be RKCB by a bal-
hand. Opener will pass or:
anced hand (more on this later).
 suggest a partscore at 2cd (opening suit);
 invite with 2NT; When responder is a passed hand 2NT over 1cd is nat-
 force one round with a new suit at the two level; ural and limit: 10-11 balanced.
 force to game with 3cd – opening suit, or clubs after
1d – or a Splinter at the three level. The 3NT response shows 15-17, balanced, most likely
4333 with four cards in the unbid minor.
1d 1NT 1
Heart suit or fragment (partner has
2h1 2S2 denied four hearts). 1d 3NT 1
Natural slam try.
3d3 3h4 2
Spade fragment. 4cd1 2
Six diamonds and five-card major.
3
Six diamond, invitational. 4hS2
4
Would be happy to accept, but no As a consequence of these notrump responses, when
club stopper: here are three hearts, in responder rebids in notrump he must have an invita-
case you like the 4-3 fit. tional hand or 15-17:
1d 1NT 1
Spade suit or fragment. 1d 1h 1
Limit, 10-11.
2S1 3c2 2
Five or more clubs. 2c 2NT1 2
15-17, four hearts.
3S3 3
Surprise – 6.5 two-suiter. Not forcing. 3NT2
1c 1NT 1
Splinter, maximum one-suiter.
3d1 4c2 2
Limit. Forcing notrump over 1hS
One of the cornerstones of two-over-one systems,
The 2NT response is game-forcing, showing 12-14 or
here is played with some deviations from the popular
18+ in a balanced hand: may have one or both four-
treatment. The 1NT response may be:
card majors. Opener replies as follows:
 weak – up to three cards in the opening suit;
 3c: a singleton or void; responder asks with 3d, and:
 worth of a game invitation – less than three cards in
- 3hS: singleton or void in the bid suit;
the opening suit; remember, we play constructive
- 3NT: singleton or void in the other minor;
single raises (8-11 and three-card fit);
- 4cd: singleton or void in the other minor, slam try;
 strong (12+) – balanced, less than four cards in the
bid the opening suit with six good cards, otherwise
opening suit; remember, a two-over-one response is
the other minor;
based on a good five-card suit, and a 1S response is
 3d: slam try in a minor; responder replies:
at most invitational.
- 3h: interested in clubs (here opener bids 3S with
Over 1h, responder may have four spades only with
diamonds);
the strong type.
- 3S: interested in diamonds;
- 3NT: not interested; Opener's replies in a similar fashion to one-of-a-suit
 3hS: natural, four-card suit; responses (with an exception, see below), and re-
 3NT: no need to look for anything else. sponder will continue depending on his hand type:
Responder will push beyond game with 18+.  weak – give preference to opening suit, or introduce
a long suit of his own;
1d 2NT 1
A short suit somewhere.
 invitational – raise opener's second suit, or jump in a
3c1 3d2 2
Tell me more.
long suit of his own at the three level, or bid 2NT;
3S3 4c4 3
Singleton or void in spades.
 strong balanced – bid 2S with four spades, or jump in:
4
Four clubs, denies a double stopper in
- one of opener's suits – natural;
spades.
- an unbid suit, bypassing 3hS (opening suit) –
1c 2NT 1
Slam try in a minor. cuebid, agreeing opener's second suit;
3d 1
3S2 2
Interested if the minor is diamond. - notrump – natural and quantitative.
3NT 4NT4
3 3
No – it's a club one-suiter.
Most of the continuations are classic or follow the
4
18+ – unlikely to be passed: opener
same logic you have seen after a suit response.
has the chance to bid 6c or 6NT.
Opener can reply 2cd with a real suit OR with a frag-
ment in a one-suiter with extra values – 15-17(18).

Roadmap – 14
1S 1NT 1
Club suit or fragment. 1h 1NT 1
Weak preference.
2c1 2h2 2
Weak, five or more hearts (usually six). 2c 2h1 2
Not Flannery! Responder has denied
2S3 3
Six spades, extra values. 2S2 four spades, so 2S can only be a
notrump probe, with extra values and
1h 1NT 1
Six hearts, minimum.
a spade stopper.
2h1 3d2 2
Weak, six diamonds, singleton or void
in hearts. 1h 1NT 1
Game-forcing, balanced, four spades.
2c 2S1 2
Flannery – spades are trumps.
1S 1NT 1
Five spades and four or more hearts.
3S 2 3
Real clubs, diamond stopper.
2h1 2NT2 2
Invitational, values in the minors.
2NT3 4
Real clubs, suit-oriented hand.
3h3 3
Invitational, four hearts.
3c4 5
Real clubs, no diamond stopper.
1S 1NT 1
Diamond suit or fragment. 3d5 6
Club fragment, strong heart one-
2d1 2S2 2
Weak, two or three spades. 3h6 suiter.
1S 1NT 1
Diamond suit or fragment. Two over one
2d1 3d2 2
Invitational, four or more diamonds.
3S3 3
Spade one-suiter, extra values, only a This approach is very popular in five-card major sys-
3h4 fragment in diamonds. tems, since it greatly helps game and slam bidding: in
2
Confirms real diamonds, extra values, this system any 2-over-1 response from an unpassed
heart stopper, suggests 3NT. hand is game-forcing (more properly, forcing to 3NT
or four of a suit) and shows a good five-card or longer
Other sequences are not mainstream: suit.
1S 1NT 1
Five spades and four or more hearts. For consistency, the sequence 1d - 2c is game-forcing
2h1 3S2 2
Game-forcing, balanced, three spades. as well. We have arranged invitational hands based on
4cd3 3
Game-forcing, balanced, four hearts, clubs in other responses (2h with four or five clubs, 3c
cuebid. with six – later).
1h 1NT 1
Diamond suit or fragment. You have seen in section 4 sequences in which re-
2d1 2S2 2
Game-forcing, balanced, four spades sponder raises one of opener's suits. Other sequences
(in most two-over-one systems this are mostly driven by logic and some general rules:
would be a strong diamond raise).  a suit rebid by opener at the two level is a sort of
The specific sequence 1h - 1NT - 2c is artificial, since it catchall bid – only denies the ability to make another
also includes Flannery hands. Responder can bid 2d descriptive bid;
to know more, but this relay implies a club fit or enough  a notrump bid, by whichever partner, always con-
values to handle all opener's replies: firms that the partnership has all suits stopped;
 2h: minimum, Flannery (four spades);  when 2NT is available, jumping to 3NT shows extra
 2S: minimum, real clubs; values – it is not a sign-off;
 2NT: 15-17 balanced, club fragment;  a jump in an unbid suit is Splinter, with support in
 3c: extra values, real clubs; partner's last bid suit;
 3h: extra values, heart one-suiter, club fragment;  Slow Arrival is on – a game-level jump support shows
 3d: extra values, heart one-suiter, club AND dia- a minimum hand with good trumps; with extra values
mond fragments. or bad trumps, raise without jumping and clarify
Other responder's replies over 2c follow the same logic with your next bid.
as before. 1h 2d 1
Four spades, extra values – with a
1h 1NT 1
Interest in clubs. 2S1 3c2 minimum hand, stick to 2h and raise
2c 2d1 2
Real clubs, minimum. spades if responder bids 2S.
2S2 3c3 3
To play.
2
Fourth suit – stopper ask.
3dS4 4
Strong balanced, stopper. 1h 2d 1
15-17, all suits stopped (bid 3NT in-
1h 1NT 1
Weak, long clubs. Take this as a new 2NT1 3c2 stead with 18-19).
2c 3c1 suit, being 2d available to investigate
2
Second suit. Notrump rebids, espe-
a possible club fit. cially 2NT, can be slightly off-shape:
opener could be 5431 with four clubs
1h 1NT 1
Weak, preference. and a singleton diamond.
2c 2h1 2
5.5 two-suiter, some extra values.
3c2 1d 2c 1
Catchall, could be just a four-card
2d1 suit from a minimum 4441 with short
clubs – both 2h and 2NT need extra
values.

Roadmap – 15
1S 2h 1
Heart fit, Slow Arrival – if minimum,  a two-suiter, with a good five card suit and a good
3h1 denies good trumps. four-card fit for opener – responder supports open-
4cd2 2
Splinter, usually four hearts. ing suit at next round, or introduces an unbid suit as
Splinter;
1S 2c 1
Splinter. With a good 5.5 in the ma-
 a balanced or semi-balanced hand with 18-19 – re-
3h1 jors, bid 2h and then 3h.
sponder rebids in notrump.
4c2 2
Unbalanced, good trumps.
Facing a Soloway jump shift, opener:
1d 2c 1
A raise at the three level can be given  supports responder's suit with an honor (Queen or
3c1 with a minimum. When in a minor suit, more), even singleton – top priority;
tends to be a mark-time bid to investi-  rebids his first bid suit or introduces a new one with
gate stoppers for notrump. two of the top three honors;
 resorts to 2NT when no other bid is available.
1S 2d 1
Only denies four hearts.
2S1 3d2 2
Six diamonds. 1d 2S 1
Top values in clubs, no spade honor.
3h3 3NT4 3
Heart stopper, no club stopper. 3c1 3S2 2
Solid or semi-solid one-suiter.
4d5 4
Club stopper. 4S3 3
Solid suit, minimum values (somehow
3S6 5
No club stopper, no extras, not forcing. according to Slow Arrival).
4c7 6
No club stopper, spade doubleton.
1c 2h 1
No heart honor, scattered values.
7
General force, suggests extra values
2NT1 3c2 2
Four good clubs, probably 5422.
and very strong diamonds.
3h3 3
Delayed raise – three small hearts.
1S 2c 1
Four hearts.
1c 2S 1
No spade honor, scattered values.
2h1 2NT2 2
Diamond stopper, 12-14 or 18+ (bid
2NT1 3NT2 2
18-19, balanced or semi-balanced.
3c3 3h4 3NT instead with 15-17).
3
Three clubs. 1c 2S 1
Top values in diamonds.
4
As soon as someone bids notrump, 3d1 3h2 2
Four good clubs, short in hearts.
stop worrying about stoppers: 3h is a 4h3 3
Extra values, no wasted values in
progressive move towards a club hearts, therefore minor suits packed
slam, with heart values. with honors.
1h 2d 1
Solid or semisolid suit, extra values 1c 2h 1
Heart honor.
3h1 (hearts are trumps). With a minimum, 3h1 4c2 2
Natural raise, slam try.
4h2 bid 2h and then 3h, or… 3S3 3
Over a raise you need cuebids for
2
… rebid 4h with a solid suit and no your own suit – no Splinters.
other value.
The 1d - 2h sequence is special: the response includes
When responder is a passed hand, a two-over-one re- both Soloway hands AND balanced hands worth of a
sponse shows about 9-11 and a good five-card suit. game invitation. Opener is requested to relay with 2S,
Further bidding is natural. and then responder clarifies with:
 2NT: 10-11 balanced, four or five clubs;
We don't feel a special need for Drury 2c. If opener
 other replies: Soloway, as in the general scheme.
wants to open light in third seat, he can (as long as his
suit is five-card or longer); consider that: 1d 2h 1
Mandatory.
 a single raise by responder is constructive and allows 2S1 2NT2 2
Balanced invitation.
the bidding to stop at the two level when opener is 3cd3 3
Sign-off, unbalanced.
sub-minimum; 3hS4 4
Stopper, probe for 3NT.
 the worst scenario is a 2NT limit raise, that will force 4cd5 5
Natural slam try.
the bidding to the three level – but then responder
1d 2h 1
Mandatory.
will have four or more trumps, and this should miti-
2S1 3c2 2
Five good hearts, diamond four-card
gate the issue.
3h3 fit, short clubs, game-forcing.
3
Heart fit (Slow Arrival).
Jump shift over 1cd
As anticipated, responding 3c over 1d is natural and If responder is a passed hand a jump shift is a fit bid: it
invitational with a six-card suit. Opener is in the posi- shows a maximum pass (9-11), a good five-card suit
tion to place the contract or make a progressive move and a four-card fit in opening suit.
with a club fit. pass 1
Unlikely but possible, suggest-
A jump shift at the two level over 1cd is Soloway – a 1c 2S ing a very minimum hand with
strong and game-forcing bid that may come from: pass1 bad suits.
 a solid or semi-solid one-suiter – responder rebids his
suit at next round;

Roadmap – 16
 pass 1
Sign-off, minimum and heart misfit. Sequence 1h - 2S
1c 2h Any other bid by opener is positive.
Simple and natural game-forcing: responder has five
3c1
or more spades. Further bidding is logic-driven.
pass 1
Game-forcing. Even if opener is mini-
1h 2S 1
5.5 two-suiter. No need to bid a minor
1d 2S mum, the double fit should provide a
3cd1 with a four-card suit, since…
3S1 play for game. Slow arrival on.
2NT2 2
… you can ask information with 2NT.
pass 1
Notice that now 2h is similar to other
1h 2S 1
Tell me more.
1d 2h1 jump shifts: balanced invitations go
2NT1 3cd2 2
Four-card suit.
2S2 through 1d - 2NT.
3h3 3
Heart fit (Slow Arrival).
3c2 2
Game-forcing, strength in spades, no
3S4 4
Good six-card suit.
special fit in hearts. The hand will be
played in diamonds or notrump. If responder is a passed hand, 2S is Minisplinter – just
like the other jump shifts.
pass 1
Game-forcing, balanced or semi-bal-
1d 2S anced.
2NT1 3ch2 2
Singleton or void. Showing a short suit
3d3 after a notrump bid is a recurring prin-
ciple in the system.
3
Likely 5422.

Roadmap – 17
7. Opening 2NT

Responses
2NT 3c 1
One or both four-card majors.
3c Relay, interested in major suits OR slam try in 3d1 3NT2 2
Sign-off, was looking for a 5.3 fit.
clubs. 4d3 3
Both majors, pick your favorite one –
cannot be natural: with a diamonds
3dh Transfer, five-card or longer major suit.
one-suiter the first response is 3S, not
3S Slam try, diamonds or both minors. 3c.
3NT To play. 2NT 3c 1
No four-card major.
3h1 4hS2 2
Balanced slam try – 4h shows four
4cd Transfers to 4hS. clubs, 4S four diamonds (opener bids
4hS To play. 4S over 4h if interested in diamonds).
2NT 3c 1
One or both four-card majors.
2NT - 3c 3d1 4hS2 2
Balanced slam try, again 4h = clubs
Game-forcing relay, asks information about the major and 4S = diamonds. Responder starts
suits. It should be used with: with 3c with any balanced slam try.
 a game-limited or slam-going hand interested in dis-
2NT 3c 1
One or both four-card majors.
covering a 4.4 or 5.3 major fit;
3d1 3hS2 2
Four card in the other major.
 a major two-suiter with five spades and four hearts
3NT3 4hS4 3
No fit.
– or possibly five hearts, if worth a slam try; 4
Balanced slam try, showing his four-
 a club one-suiter.
card minor as before.
Further bidding is coded – opener replies:
2NT 3c 1
Five spades.
 3d: one or both four-card majors; now responder
3S1 4d2 2
Natural slam try, five or more diamonds
bids 3hS to show four cards in the other major, 4d
4S3 and four unsupported hearts.
with both four-card majors; 3
Cuebid – once partner has not sup-
 3h: no four-card major; now 3S by responder shows
ported with 4S or 4h, spades cannot
five spades and four hearts;
be trumps.
 3S: five spades; here 4h by responder is a slam try
in spades; 2NT 3c 1
Five hearts.
 3NT: five hearts; now 4d by responder is a transfer 3NT1 4S2 2
Slam try, five or more diamonds and
and agrees hearts. 4NT3 four spades! 4d would be transfer, no
This scheme is known with the name "Muppet". 5d4 other bid is available for diamonds.
5c5 3
Negative.
2NT 3c 1
One or both four-card majors. 4
Diamond fit.
3d1 3h2 2
Four spades. 5
Diamond fit and good hand (now 5d
3S3 3
Me too – otherwise, 3NT.
from responder would show a long di-
2NT 3c 1
One or both four-card majors. amond suit and a limited hand un-
3d1 3S2 2
Four hearts. suited to 3NT).
4c3 3
Heart fit, cuebid. Opener may bypass
3NT only to show a fit. 2NT - 3dh
2NT 3c 1
Natural slam try. May have or not an Transfer to a five-card major suit. Opener will often
any … unsupported four-card major. complete the transfer, but should "super-accept" with
… 4c1 a good four-card support:
 4hS: good trump support;
2NT 3c 1
One or both four-card majors.  side suit: good trump support and value concentra-
3d1 3h2 2
Four spades. tion in the bid suit;
3NT3 4d4 3
No.  3NT: good trump support and value concentration in
4NT5 4
Natural slam try. the suit artificially bid by responder;
5
As a general rule, 4NT is always nega-  4dh ("raise"): good trump support and Aces-and-
tive when replying to a minor-suit slam spaces hand, prefers to be dummy.
try – here 4h and 4S would be cuebids. After super-acceptance retransfers are on: after that,
2NT 3c 1
No four card major. responder signs off or start cuebidding.
3h1 3S2 2
Five spades (and four hearts). When opener just completes the transfer, responder
3NT3 4h4 3
5.5 in the majors, mild slam invitation: passes or continues as in popular developments:
compare with 3h (transfer) followed by
4h, that only offers a choice of games.

Roadmap – 18
2NT 3d 1
Five hearts, four spades. 2NT - 3S
3h 3S1 2
No major fit.
Slam try, diamond one-suiter or both minors. Opener
3NT2 3
Cuebid for spades, in case responder
replies 4c with four clubs or 3NT otherwise, and now
4cd3 has slam ambitions. Any cooperative
responder continues with:
move in heart is pointless after transfer
 4cd: natural, better minor (4d may be a one-suiter);
completion.
 4hS (cuebid) or 4NT (RKCB): agree clubs over 4c,
2NT 3h 1
Choice of games, classic. diamonds over 3NT (one-suiter).
3S 3NT1 2
Choice of games as well – 5.5 in the
2NT 3S 1
Two-suiter, longer clubs.
4h2 majors. Responder may also show this
3NT 4c1 2
Diamond preference.
4NT3 shape starting with 3c, but it would be
4d2 3
Club fit (three cards), cuebid.
stronger – in cases like this, a simple
4hS3 4
Not interested.
principle is to assign more strength to
4NT4
the less space-consuming bid.
3
Quantitative. 2NT 3S 1
Natural, one- or two-suiter.
3NT 4d1 2
Not interested.
2NT 3d 1
Six-card suit, mild slam try. Without
4NT2 5c5 3
5.5, not forcing.
3h 4h1 any slam ambition, responder should
bid 4h or 4c at the first round (more
2NT - 4cd
space-consuming = weaker).
Transfers to a six-card or longer major suit. As after
2NT 3h 1
Second suit, slam try. 1NT, responder will have a limited hand or a slam-go-
3S 4c1 2
Negative, three spades. ing one.
4S 2 3
Cuebid for clubs.
4dh3 4
Negative, total misfit. Once again, 4NT After opener completes the transfer, responder will re-
4NT4 is natural and negative when partner open with the strong hand type (this reopening is
makes a slam try in a minor suit. stronger than 2NT - 3dh - 3hS - 4hS, that is just slam-
invitational and can be passed at game level).

Roadmap – 19
8. Opening 2c

Strong, artificial and forcing: 22+ if balanced, at most  jump suit: positive, Splinter raise;
four losers if unbalanced. It may be a little lighter than over 3cd:
the popular strong opening in most natural systems: a  1st step: negative;
19-20 hand with good playing strength usually quali-  3h over 3c: positive, four or more diamonds;
fies for 2c.  3S: positive, five or more cards in the other minor;
 raise: positive, good fit, slam-going hand;
The proposed development comes from Robert
 jump suit or 4c/3d: positive, Splinter raise.
Sundby (although modified from the original, that only
includes unbalanced hands). It is focused on finding A couple of points:
fits as soon as possible, including 4.4 in a major, in-  when responder gives a negative rebid, any bid by
stead of anticipating controls or general strength: it opener can be passed;
also enables responder to bid a little more freely with  Splinter raises may be given with limited honor
weak unbalanced hands. This development is a good strength: one or two cover cards plus the ruff value
compromise between simplicity and accuracy, espe- from the short suit.
cially considering how rarely it happens to open 2c.
2c 2d 1
Negative.
2S 2NT1 2
Four spades, canapé.
Responses
3cd 3S3
2 3
Responder may pass or propose a differ-
A number of rich and sophisticated developments are ent contract: 3S shows a bust with four
available for strong and artificial 2c, but all of them spades, not worthy raising spades on
have a flaw: as good and efficient as they could be, the round before.
they are subject to memory fails since they occur very
rarely at the table. Therefore, the scheme suggested 2c 2d 1
Negative.
here is not terribly complex and should work decently: 2h 2S1 2
Four hearts, canapé into spades: here
2NT 3S3
2
2NT is a substitute for the farthest suit.
Responses show suits before strength: 3
Preference.
2d No five-card major, any strength.
Points to remember:
2hS Five-card suit, any strength.  5.5 hands in the majors start with 2h;
 there is no specific developments for opener's three-
2NT Natural and positive – 8+, balanced, no four- suiters – the usual solution: bid 2hS in a four-card
card major. suit and rebid in the cheapest four-card suit.
3suit Six-card or longer suit with two of the top three 2c 2d 1
Positive, four spades.
honors, no other value. 2h 2NT1 2
After a positive, a minor at the three
3NT Any solid suit, six-card or longer. 3d2 3h3 level may come from a 4.5 or a 5.4.
3S4 3
Three hearts. Here opener will bid 3NT
4hS Seven-card suit, weak hand, denies two of the 4cd5 with four hearts only, or cuebid with
top three honors. five or more hearts.
4
Less than three hearts, doubts about
2c - 2d 3NT (no club stopper).
After responder has denied a five-card major, opener
5
Diamond fit (4c is a cuebid).
replies: Two suiters with a five-card major and a four-card mi-
 2hS: unbalanced, four or more cards, may be a can- nor are the weak part of this development. Both suits
apé with four cards only and a five-card suit aside; can be shown only if responder is positive: otherwise,
 2NT: 22+ balanced; opener will have to repeat the major at the third round.
 3cd: unbalanced, five or more cards, may be a 5.5
with a major suit aside; 2c 2d 1
Positive, four or more diamonds.
 3hS: solid or semisolid suit, starts a cuebid sequence 2S 3d1 2
Five hearts, only four spades.
(see slam bidding); 3h 2 4
Five or more spades, may have four
 3NT: 24-26 balanced. 3S3 clubs.
3NT4 5
No fit – therefore, four spades and five
Over opener's unbalanced hands responder must clar- or more clubs.
ify his strength. Over 2hS:
 1st step: negative, at most one cover card; 2c 2d 1
Negative.
 2NT/2h: positive, four spades; 3d 3h1 2
Five diamonds and five cards in the ma-
 3cd: positive, natural, often a four-card suit; 3S2 jor (3d-then-4S shows a 5.5 as well, but
 3h/2S: positive, four cards (usually 4333); 4h2 stronger).
 raise: positive, four cards, Slow Arrival;

Roadmap – 20
If opener rebids 2NT (22-23), responder passes or con- best natural description available;
tinues as following:  raises and Splinters are as usual.
 3c: relay for majors; continuation as after 2NT
2c 2h 1
Negative.
(opening bid) - 3c;
2S 2NT1 2
Positive, second four-card or longer
 3d: minor two-suiter, slam try; opener may propose
3cd2 suit.
his five-card major with 3hS, or support with 4cd, or
3h3 3
Positive, one-suiter or 5332, sort of
retreat to 3NT: responder may still push with 4cd in
3S4 mark-time bid.
his longer minor;
4S4 4
Four-card raise, Slow Arrival.
 3h: club one-suiter, slam try;
4cd5 5
Splinter raise.
 3S: diamond one-suiter, slam try.
2c 2S 1
Negative.
2c 2d 1
Relay for majors.
3c 3d1 2
Positive, four or more hearts.
2NT 3c1 2
No major suit.
3h2 3
Positive, nothing more to say.
3h2 3S3 3
Warning! In the 2NT system 3S shows
3S3 4
Four or more diamonds.
five spades and four hearts, but here
3NT4 5
Club fit (4d = Splinter).
responder cannot have such hand. If
4cd5
you like, play 3S as a balanced slam
try with both minors (keeping 4hS for 2c 2h 1
Negative.
stronger hands). 2NT 3c1 2
Positive, second suit.
3dS2 3
Positive, six-card suit.
After 2c - 2d - 3NT responder may try for slam by bid- 3h3 4
Very positive, second suit.
ding his cheapest four-card suit. 4c4 5
Positive, but no other bid available (may
3NT5 have four clubs).
2c - 2hS
Five cards, any strength. Opener replies as over 2d, Other responses
with only a few adjustments:
 3hS (raise) shows fit and asks for a cuebid; Over a response of 2NT or 3 of a suit opener rebids in
 2NT is a mark-time bid, not necessarily balanced, a natural fashion.
asking responder for his best natural description; Over a response of 3NT, opener will always be able to
 2S/2h is still canapé, whereas 3h/2S is just a forcing identify responder's suit; he will place the contract or
bid with five or more hearts. ask additional information:
Responder's rebids are basically unchanged:  4c: asks for any short suit; responder bids it, or re-
 the 1st step is still negative (even over 2NT); turns in his suit with a 6322 or 7222;
 any other bid at the three level is positive and the  4d: asks for the suit length; responder replies by
steps: 4h=6, 4S=7, etc.

Roadmap – 21
9. Preemptive opening bids

General principles Opening three of a suit

Preemptive opening bids are disciplined when vulner- After a 3c or 3d opening bid responder passes, bids
able. They promise about 7-10 points and: game or replies:
 a six-card suit, at the two-level;  raises: preemptive;
 a seven-card suit, at the three level;  3d over 3c, 3h over 3d (1st step): natural OR invita-
 an eight-card suit, at the four level; tion in notrump game;
The long suit should be good, some KJ10xxx or better.  3hS over 3c, 3S over 3d: natural and forcing;
 4dc (other minor): slam try in opener's suit.
The same bids can have a wider range when non vul-
nerable, especially at white vs. red: Over the 1st step, opener replies:
 you may have a couple of points less;  3S: good suit, needs an honor to be solid;
 your suit may be a card shorter;  3NT: not a good suit, singleton or void in the response
 the suit quality could be shaded; suit (in case it is natural);
and your maximum is still there: you may still have 10  4 opening suit: not a good suit, tolerance in the re-
points and a good full-length suit. sponding suit;
 in-between suit: not a good suit, but three-card fit in
It is not easy to manage such a vague definition: a lot
the responding suit.
depends from the player's skill and experience, but the
Responder signs off in 3NT or in the opening suit, or
system can help to some extent.
bids anything else to confirm that the first response
was natural.
Opening 2d, 2h or 2S
After a 3h or 3S opening bid responder passes, bids
After a weak two bid responder passes, bids game or
game or inserts a cuebid (3S over 3h is a cuebid).
replies:
 raises: preemptive, with appropriate support and not
Opening 3NT or four of a suit
much more;
 change of suit: good suit, usually six-card or longer, 3NT is a four-level preempt in an undefined minor. Re-
constructive but not forcing; sponder passes or replies:
 jump-shift: fit-bid, trump support and a good suit of  clubs or diamonds (at any level): "pass or correct"; a
his own; diamond bid implies a club fit, since it forces the bid-
 2NT: relay, one-round forcing. ding one level higher if opener has clubs;
 4hS: to play;
Over the relay, opener replies:
 4NT: general slam invitation.
 3c: decent minimum, depending on the vulnerabil-
ity; if the opening bid was in a major responder may 4c and 4d are not preempts – they show a seven-card
ask again with 3d, and opener will clarify with: or longer suit in hearts (4c) or in spades (4d), with
- 3hSNT: as descriptive as possible; eight to nine tricks. Responder can:
- 4 new suit: 5.5 hand;  signoff in opener's suit;
 3d: less-then-decent minimum;  bid the intermediate step as a positive move: opener
 3hSNT: maximum, as descriptive as possible; will return in his suit with eight tricks or will cuebid
 4 new suit: maximum, 5.5 hand. with nine.
Responder can introduce a very good suit of his own
4h and 4S are real preempts. Partner will pass or
after 2NT – forcing under the game level (e.g. 4c or
cuebid.
4d).

Roadmap – 22
10. Slam bidding

4NT RKCB 1h 2c 1
Slow arrival: minimum and bad trumps
2h 3h1 or extra values.
4NT is RKCB when both the following are true:
4c2 4NT3 2
Cuebid.
 the partnership has agreed upon a trump suit,
… 3
RKCB. Opener has not really limited his
through a raise or any other implicit bid (when there
hand, but neither responder did.
is no trump suit agreed upon, 4NT is natural and
quantitative);
Exclusion RKCB
 the 4NT bidder has not limited his hand in the previ-
ous sequence. A variation of RKCB, useful when the captain wants to
ask for key-cards but has a void in a side suit – and
Put it simply: only the captain of the partnership can
therefore is not interested in the Ace of that suit. Not a
bid 4NT as RKCB (the captain is the player in the better
very frequent case.
position to place the contract – usually who knows
more about the combined values after a limited bid by Exclusion RKCB is a non-necessary jump in an unbid
his partner). In slam sequences 4NT by the captain's suit. Replies are by steps:
partner has a different meaning than RKCB:  1st step: zero OR three key-cards;
 when opener is balanced, responder is the captain;  2nd step: one OR four key-cards;
if responder makes a slam try at the four level, 4NT  3rd step: two key-cards, no trump Queen;
by opener is negative and suggests playing there  4th step: two key-cards, trump Queen.
(see 2NT opening bid); Three and four key-cards are unlikely, of course, but
 in a cuebidding sequence, 4NT by the captain's let's keep the same responses as RKCB for consistency
partner shows key-cards (later). and ease of memory.
All this said, suggested replies to RKCB are mainstream: Continuations by the RKCB bidder:
 5c: zero OR three key-cards (Aces and trump King);  1st step after zero-or-three or one-or-four (other than
 5d: one OR four key-cards; trumps): asks for the trump Queen;
 5h: two key-cards, no trump Queen;  void suit: general Grand Slam try;
 5S: two key-cards, trump Queen.  side suit: specific Grand Slam try, asking for values
Higher responses show a useful void: in the bid suit (King or singleton).
 5NT: even key-cards, a void somewhere;
1S 2d 1
Exclusion RKCB. 4c would be Splinter.
 6 of a suit: odd key-cards, void in the bid suit;
2S 5c1 2
Two key-cards, no spade Queen.
 6 of the trump suit: odd key-cards, void in a suit
5S2 6h3 3
I need values in hearts – the King or the
higher than trumps.
7S4 ability to ruff.
Continuations by the RKCB bidder: 4
Yes!
 after a 5cd reply, the first step (other than trumps)
asks for the trump Queen: Cuebids
- trump suit: no Queen;
The other classic slam approach. When a trump suit
- side suit: trump Queen AND King in this suit;
has agreed upon, a side suit is a cuebid; in general
- 5NT: trump Queen, no King to show under the
terms, a cuebid shows:
trump suit;
 some slam ambition;
 5NT is a Grand Slam try; when in doubt, partner
 the first- OR second-round control in the bid suit;
shows a King within 6 of the trump suit;
but there are exceptions, which we will see in a while.
 a side suit is a specific Grand Slam try, asking for
values in the bid suit (King or singleton). Being defined that simply, cuebids are very much
logic-driven. Here are the key points to consider:
2NT 3c 1
One or both four-card majors.
 captaincy has still a role in a cuebidding sequence,
3d1 3h2 2
Four spades.
although not as strongly in control as in RKCB: a
3NT3 4d4 3
No.
cuebid by the captain asks for controls AND cooper-
4h5 4NT6 4
Natural slam try.
ation, whereas RKCB only asks for key-cards;
… 5
Cuebid. After a notrump opening bid
 when the captain puts slam in the picture with a
(or rebid) responder is the captain:
cuebid, a cuebid in return by his partner does not
opener can cooperate by cuebidding,
promise extra values, unless it bypasses the trump
whereas 4NT would be negative here.
suit;
6
RKCB. Suggests controls in clubs AND
 cuebids are as cheap as possible – therefore, if you
spades.
skip a suit you deny any control in that suit, and
partner must signoff in the trump suit if he does not
control that suit either.

Roadmap – 23
1S 2NT1 1
Spade raise, four trumps, game-invita- 1NT 2NT Diamond fit.
1

4S2 5c3 tional or better. 3d1 3S2 Four spades, game-forcing.

2

5d4 6S4 2
Minimum, six good trumps. 4h3 4S4 3
Cuebid for spades, no club control.
3
Cuebid – slam interest, club control. 4
Signoff. Or slam was not in the picture
4
Cuebid – diamond control, opener must anyway, or the partnership has two
cooperate within the 5S level. quick losers in clubs.
5
Responder was only interested in the 4NT and 5NT in a cuebidding sequence
diamond control, and Grand Slam ap-
As already seen, 4NT by the captain is RKCB, even af-
pears unlikely.
ter one or two cuebids. Here are the other cases:
1S 2h 1
Heart fit, Slow Arrival.  4NT is Turbo, showing an even number of key-cards
3h1 3S2 2
Cuebid – slam interest, spade control. – as a consequence, bypassing 4NT shows an odd
4c3 4h4 3
Cuebid – club control. number of key-cards;
4d5 4
No diamond control – partner is invited  5NT, by both players, is a cooperative move towards
4NT6 to reopen with a diamond control and the Grand Slam but denies the trump Queen.
some extras.
1c 1h 1
Slam hopes, club control but no spade
5
Cuebid – still interested, diamond con-
3h 4c1 control.
trol, but needs extra values by opener
4S2 2
Diamond control, first- AND second-
to go on.
4NT3 round spade controls.
6
RKCB. Compare with 4d.
5c4 3
Diamond control, spade control (first-
1S 2h 1
Same sequence as before, but this time OR second-round), even number of
3h 3S opener denies a club control and shows key-cards.
4d1 4h2 a diamond control instead. 4
Diamond control, spade control, odd
5c3 2
Stop – no club control. number of key-cards, club control.
3
Cuebid – first- AND second-round con-
Turbo does not interrupt the cuebidding sequence – it
trol in clubs, but unsuited hand for
allows both players to show additional controls and at-
RKCB (maybe xxx in diamonds).
titude towards slam.
1c 1h 1
Cuebid – slam hopes, club control but
1c 1h 1
Club control, no spade control.
3h 4c1 no spade control. A cuebid in partner's
3h 4c1 2
Diamond control, spade control, even
4d2 suit shows the Ace or the King, NOT a
4NT2 5d3 number of key-cards.
singleton or void.
5S4 5NT5 3
Diamond control, no double control in
2
"Squeezed cuebid" – the only cuebid
clubs, strong invitation.
available under game. It promises a 4
Once again bypassing trumps – maxi-
spade control (otherwise 4h) but does
mum, additional values in spades
NOT promise a diamond control.
(probably the Queen, having already
Does not promise a diamond control? Why? Consider: denied the double control).
 opener has limited his hand with 3h, but still has 5
Grand Slam invitation, no trump Queen.
some latitude: about 15-18 and four hearts, may be
balanced or not; 5NT "Pick a slam"
 with both spade and diamond controls AND maxi- In some high-level sequences slam appears likely but
mum values, opener would be entitled to bypass 4h there is no trump suit agreed upon. When this is the
(what else responder could ask for slam?); case, 5NT "Pick a slam" asks partner to select a strain
 so, 4d must express some uncertainty: minimum val- at the six level.
ues or no diamond control.
1h 2d 1
Fourth suit, tends to deny a spade
When the first cuebid comes from the captain's part- 2NT 3c stopper.
ner, it shows extra values in case the captain is inter- 3h 3S1 2
At this point opener has shown 15+, a
ested. 3NT2 5NT3 semi-balanced hand, good hearts and
1NT 2c 1
One-round forcing, five spades and 6d4 a spade stopper: consider that he re-
2d 3d1 four hearts. 6h5 fused to bid 3NT at the previous round.
4c2 4S1 2
Maximum, three spades, cuebid. 6NT6 3
Unclear where to play, but willing to bid
3
Not interested. slam. Partner will choose.
4
Good three-card diamond fit.
5
Very good hearts, uncertain about the
spade stopper.
6
The spade stopper is not an issue.

Roadmap – 24
11. Suit overcalls and competitive bidding

Bidding in competition is based on judgement more (1c) 1S (2d) 3S1

than partnership agreements. Thus, there are fewer 4S2
conventions and more logic. 1
Jump raise: weak and preemptive – four-card sup-
port, at most one cover card, does not promise any
Suit overcalls
defensive values.
Overcalling style is mainstream: 2
Weak and preemptive but more distributional –
 an overcall at the one level promises a good suit, guarantees five cards or a very unbalanced hand.
usually with five or more cards, around 9-18; if part-
ner is not a passed hand, the overcall is generally - 1S (2d) 4c1
constructive, otherwise it could just suggest a lead or 4h2
a defense; 1
In any competitive sequence, a jump in a new suit is
 an overcall at the two level is stronger: if partner is a fit bid, showing four or more cards in partner’s suit,
not a passed hand, it shows an opening hand with a length and strength in the bid suit, and adequate of-
six-card suit, up to 4-5 losers; otherwise could be a fensive values for the level of the bid: it does not
weaker, tactical move; promise a lot of high cards but is stronger than the
 a jump overcall is weak and preemptive, usually ex- preemptive jump raise (here 4S). It is definitely not a
cluding defensive values; as a difference, over a slam try: it is rather a descriptive bid, aimed to help
preemptive opening bid a jump overcall is not weak: partner to assess the combined offensive potential in
it shows a good hand with 4-5 losers and a six-card case opponents bid more.
suit. 2
As an exception to the fit-bid rule, a jump at the
game level is to play.
Raises in competition
- 1c (1h) 2S1
When both partnerships are bidding, raises follow the 3S2
same principles, whichever the opening side:
 when a partnership has a fit, the other will likely have
1
Fit bid: five or more spades, four or more clubs. It
a fit as well; the more unbalanced the hands, the should have some defense, and also offers spades
more both sides will be able to bid their respective as an alternative trump suit.
suits at a high level;
2
More offensive than 2S: probably fewer high cards
 in such cases, it is essential to differentiate support- and more distribution (maybe 5.5 in the black suits).
ing bids, expressing not only the fit but also the type - 1h (2c) 4c1
of values held – distributional vs. defensive – con-
veying the most useful information and enabling
1
As a general rule, Splinters do not exist in competitive
partner to decide when to bid and when to double or sequences. The only exception is a jump in the oppo-
pass; nent’s suit (bypassing 3 of the partner’s suit), that
 trying to discover a double fit is also important – that promises a good fit, a singleton or void in the bid suit
would greatly increase the offensive potential of the and some high cards in the side suits – hence, some
partnership; defensive values.
 this information should be given quickly, in order to (1d) 1h (2d) 3d1
make our partnership bid its own contract while op- 2NT2
ponents are still looking for their bidding limit;
 as a consequence, it pays to adopt multiple raises, 1
Limit raise or better – four-card or longer support
able to express both the fit and the hand type in one and high card values. Suggests partner may con-
bid. sider doubling opponents when appropriate.
2
Limit raise or better as well, but a less offensive hand
- 1h (1S) 2h1 – some "soft" cards, possibly just a three-card fit.
1
Single raise: three trumps and one or two cover cards (1S) 2c (2S) 2NT/3S1
(weaker than the single raise had opponent passed).
1
When partner has bid a minor suit, both 2NT and the
- 1d (1h) 2d1 cuebid still suggest a fit but tend to be more
1
Single raise as well. No inverted minor raises in com- notrump-oriented: here 2NT guarantees a stopper,
petition. whereas 3S asks for a stopper (but might reopen
over 3NT with a suit-oriented hand).

Roadmap – 25
 (1c) 1h (pass) 2c1 opponents bid again;
3c2  double is usually for penalty; as an exception, dou-
ble after a lead directing bid shows extra offense, in-
1
When the right hand opponent has not bid, the
viting partner to compete further;
cuebid at the two level does not necessarily show a
 pass over an opponent’s bid is forcing if our side is
fit: it is rather a generic force, asking for another de-
stronger, or if partner’s previous bid has forced to a
scriptive bid.
level still to be reached: in this case, bidding our suit
2
Limit raise or better (a "real" cuebid), four-card fit.
is the weakest action.
(1c) 1h (1S) 2c1
(1S) 3h (3S) 4d1
3c2
(4S) pass (pass) dbl2
2S3
1
Lead-directing. After a preempt by partner, assume
1
Here opponents have bid two suits. In these cases,
opponents are stronger.
the cheapest cuebid is the "normal" cuebid: 2c is a 2
Offensive values, suggesting further competition but
generic force, whereas…
leaving a penalty pass available.
2
… 3c is a limit raise or better, four-card fit.
3
Mixed raise, four-card fit and a couple of cover cards (1S) 2h (3S) 4d1
– too strong for a preemptive raise (3h) but too weak (4S) pass (pass) dbl2
for the limit raise. 1
Descriptive. Similar sequence as before, but this time
partner's overcall is positive and in-between oppo-
New suits in competition
nent has preempted.
In competitive sequences, a change of suit is usually 2
Penalty. Partner's pass should be taken as forcing.
natural, one round forcing at the one level, not forcing
at the two level or higher. In some cases, it is actually - - - 1h
a fit bid: (1S) 2h (2S) 3S1
(4S) pass (pass) dbl2
- - - pass
(1d) 1S (3d) 3h1
1
Clearly a strong bid, states that our side is stronger.
2
Penalty. Once again, partner's pass was forcing.
1
Fit-bid. It cannot be a real suit: with a long and
strong heart suit, you could have opened 2h or 3h. - - - 1S
Then, 3h should logically show a spade fit and a (2NT1) 3S (4c) 4h2
good heart suit (four cards are enough). 1
Unusual Notrump – 5.5 two-suiter with both minors.
(1d) 2c (2S) 3h 1
2
Descriptive – partner will not be on lead.
1
Fit-bid. When only one suit is available, it can be bid - - - 1S
only with a fit for partner’s suit. A hand with a heart (dbl) 3c1 (3d) pass2
suit but no spade fit can be described by a takeout 3S3
double (more on this later). 1
Fit-bid, good clubs and spade fit.
(1c) 2h (3c) 3d 1
2
Forcing. 3c was forcing to 3S, and we are not yet
there: therefore, opener’s pass is forcing and shows
1
Fit-bid. Over partner’s preempt, suggesting an alter- extras, inviting partner to 4S.
native trump suit does not pay. In this example, 3d is 3
Weak, not encouraging.
not natural, but shows a heart fit (three cards are
enough) and diamond values. - - (1h) 2S
(3c) 3d1 (3h) pass2
After a fit has been found 1
Fit-bid, good diamonds and spade fit.
In a competitive sequence, when our partnership has
2
Forcing – actually inviting partner to save at 4S over
found a fit all further bids give additional information the most likely 4h by opponents.
and are aimed to help partner to decide how to pro- (1d) 1S (dbl) rdbl1
ceed. Here are the guidelines: 2S2
 a new suit is lead directing if partner will be on lead
and opponents seem to be stronger: it does not invite
1
Special case – Rosenkranz redouble, showing two or
to compete beyond the first available bid in our three cards in the overcalled suit including one of the
trump suit; top three honors. Partner is invited to consider a
 on the contrary, a new suit is descriptive if partner spade lead.
will not have to lead, or the strength is evenly divided:
2
Three-card fit, but no honor.
such a bid shows strength and length in the bid suit
and invites partner to compete further in case

Roadmap – 26
Raising the preempt - - - pass
(pass) 2S (3h) dbl1
When you make a preemptive bid, you assume that (a)
opponents are stronger, and (b) the bid suit is the best 1
After the initial pass and partner's weak two, we can
possible trump for your side. When the opponents’ assume that opponents are stronger. Therefore, the
bidding confirms this assumption, supporting the double invites partner to save at 4S if he has the right
preempting suit is the top priority: at the same time, hand. Double would be for penalties if the doubler
you need more ways to support. had not been a passed hand.
- 3c (dbl) 4c1 (1c) 2h (2S1) dbl2
3NT2 3d3
1
A natural raise is "push": partner is requested to 1
Forcing.
pass, whichever hand he has (consider that our 2
Once again the hand is theirs. So, double is a raise
preempts have a wide range). and invites to save at 4h.
2
Fit in partner's suit, invites to save at the five level if 3
Fit-bid. When partner preempts, our assumption Is
partner has a "typical" preempt (good seven-card that his suit is the best possible trump for our side.
suit). This treatment allows the partnership to handle So, any suit shows values AND fit.
the wide range of the initial preempt.
(1S) 4c (dbl) 4d1
(1d) 3c (3d) 3NT 1
1
At the four level, a new suit should be taken as lead
1
Again – club fit, invites to save at 5c over further directing, or as useful information for the defensive
competition play. 4d commits the partnership to as high as 5c:
it is unlikely for the 4d bidder to push more than that.
A similar structure applies when partner opens a weak
Much more likely, the overcaller is asked to lead dia-
two or makes a jump overcall at the two level:
monds against a 5h or 5S contract.
- 2h (dbl) 3h1
2NT2 Overcalling with a solid suit
1
"Push". We have two direct overcalls of this type over a suit
2
Invites to save at 4h if partner has a classic weak two opening bid by an opponent:
(good six-card suit and around 8-9 points).  3NT: a solid minor suit, at least seven cards long, and
a stopper in opponent's suit;
 3 in the opponent's suit: a solid minor suit, at least
seven cards long, and nothing else; hopefully part-
ner will be able to play 3NT from his side.
Partner will try 3NT with useful values, otherwise will
bid as after the 3NT opening bid (in most cases, 4cd
"pass or correct").

Roadmap – 27
12. Takeout double

The takeout double is the most flexible bid in competi- - 1c (3h) dbl1
tive sequences. Usually its purpose is: 1
Takeout. No difference over a preemptive overcall.
 to show a desire to contend the auction;
The double asks partner to keep the bidding alive,
 to ask partner for a preference in the unbid suits, im-
selecting the best bid available: it suggests four
plying two or maybe three suits: to this extent, dou-
spades.
bling is very different from bidding a suit, that usu-
ally offers just one possible trump suit. (1h) 1S (2h) dbl1
In other rare cases, the double can be used to prepare
a strong bid in a long suit, thus showing too much
1
Takeout. This fourth-seat double implies length in
strength for a simple overcall. both minors and enough values to compete at the
three level.
When to double for takeout (1h) dbl1 (2h) dbl2
There are many cases, but the logic behind them is al- 1
Takeout.
ways the same. The most common case is the double 2
Takeout as well, offering a choice between minors.
over an opening bid of one of a suit: With four spades and enough values to compete, 2S
- - (1h) dbl1 would be the most appropriate bid.
1
11+, fit or tolerance for the three unbid suits. With (1d) 1S (2h) dbl1
minimum values the doubler will have a suitable 3c2
shape (4441, 4432, 5431), but with substantial extras 1
Takeout, even if there is only one suit available. It
may have a less typical shape, balanced or with a promises long clubs, five or six cards.
good five-card or longer suit. 2
Fit bid: club suit and spade fit. This is the reason why
- - (2/3/4S) dbl1 double is for takeout.
1
Takeout. Compared with the previous case, this dou- - - - 1d
ble should be a little stronger (13-14 or more) but is (1S) pass (2S) dbl1
more flexible about shape: it will include every hand 1
Takeout. Extra values, inviting partner to bid.
that cannot be expressed with a suit overcall.
- - - 1d
(1d) pass (1S) dbl1 (1S) 2c (2S) dbl1
1
Takeout. It works the same way even after two bids 1
Takeout again, even if partner has denied four
from opponents: here the doubler is showing at least hearts: implies diamond extra length and club toler-
four cards in both unbid suits and enough strength ance, inviting partner to select a minor.
to compete at the two level, once again 11+.
- - (1h) 1S
(1h) pass (2h) dbl1 (2h) pass (pass) dbl1
1
Takeout, with the same requirements of the double 1
Takeout, even after an overcall: suggests extra val-
over a 2h opening bid. It would be the same over a ues and length in both minors, typically 5431 with a
preemptive raise to 3h or 4h. heart singleton.
- 1c (1S) dbl1 A warning – we DON'T play the "support double" (dou-
1
Takeout, implies both unbid suits. Here it tends to ble by opener to show three cards in partner's suit).
guarantee four hearts, almost surely four diamonds Playing the weak notrump, second-round double by
(or a club tolerance, to fall back into that suit), and opener is needed to express strong balanced hands.
at least a moderate strength (8-9) with no upper
limit. The doubler could also have a strong hand with
a long heart or diamond suit, too strong for a non-
forcing 2d or 2h: in this case, he will introduce his
long suit after opener’s rebid.

Roadmap – 28
After a takeout double at the one level (1h) dbl (pass) 1S1
(pass) 1NT2
Here we follow a standard approach:
2h3
(1h) dbl (pass) 1S1 1
Minimum preference.
2S2 2
A rebid in notrump shows about 17-20 in a balanced
1NT/2NT3
with a heart stopper. Warning: we don't have the
2h4
natural 1NT overcall available (more on this later).
1
Preference, up to 7-8. Doubler’s partner must bid 3
Double-then-cuebid shows a strong hand, usually 4
even with zero (unless passing with super trumps and losers or less: it does not promise, but does not deny,
nowhere else to go). a fit for partner’s suit. Partner will rebid his suit with
2
Jump preference, about 8-11, invitational. Four cards an absolute minimum, otherwise he will look for a de-
are enough to jump in a major, you need five to jump scriptive bid.
in a minor (the doubler may easily have just three).
(1d) dbl (pass) 2S1
3
Natural and constructive – 6-9 or 10-11, respectively,
(pass) 3d2
and a stopper in the opponents' suit.
4
Enough strength for a jump preference with two 1
Jump preference, about 8-11.
equivalent suits, or a game-going hand. Here 2h of- 2
A cuebid over a positive reply by partner is game-
fers initially a choice between 3c and 3d: having forcing and shows some doubts about the final con-
spades the advancer would prefer jumping to 2S. tract. Here the doubler should have just three
spades, without a stopper in the opening suit: part-
(1h) dbl (pass) 2h1
ner will look for a constructive bid, rebidding his suit
(pass) 3c2 (pass 3S3
with five cards or proposing an alternative strain.
1
invitational with minors, or any game-going hand.
2
Preference. After a takeout double at the two level
3
Game-forcing, five or more spades.
By “double at the two level” we mean a sequence in
(1d) dbl (pass) 2d1 which the bidding is at 2 of some suit when it is the turn
(pass) 2h2 (pass) 3h3 of doubler’s partner.
1
invitational with majors, or any game-going hand. (1h) dbl (2h) 2S1
2
Preference. 3d2
3
Limit. 3h3
3S4
(1d) dbl (pass) 1h1 2NT5
(pass) 2h2
3h3 1
Still a weak preference (up to 7), but it should have
some values in high card or shape.
1
Minimum preference. 2
Preference at the three level: about 8-11, invitational.
2
About 15-17, four hearts. 3
Game-forcing, four or more spades, also guaran-
3
About 18-20, four or more hearts. tees a stopper in hearts in case the doubler only has
(1c) dbl (pass) 1S1 three spades.
(pass) 2h2
4
Natural and forcing, five or more spades.
3h3
5
Lebensohl – weak in a minor or game-going hand
without a heart stopper.
1
Minimum preference.
2
Good heart suit, five cards or longer, too strong for Let's take a closer look at Lebensohl. It is basically a
an overcall at the first round (18+). preparing bid, after which all rebids say, "I have some-
3
Solid suit, some slam aspirations. thing less than making this rebid earlier".

Roadmap – 29
 (1h) dbl (2h) 2NT1 - - (1h) pass
3c2 pass3 (2c) pass (3c) pass
3d4 (3S) pass (4c) pass
3h5 (6c) pass (pass) dbl1
3S6 1
Doubling a slam contract (not a save, nor in compe-
3NT7
tition) is Lightner: partner is requested to make an
1
Lebensohl. unusual lead. Here, the normal lead seems to be di-
2
Usual reply. amonds, the unbid suit: the doubler asks for a major
3
Weak with clubs. Bidding 3c at the first round would suit instead, probably because he has a void and is
have been more encouraging. hoping for a first round ruff.
4
Signoff, diamond preference.
- - - 2h
5
Good hand, four spades – but no heart stopper.
(2S) pass (3h) dbl1
6
Limit, five or more spades.
(3S) pass (4S) pass
5
Game values, but no heart stopper. The doubler will
(4NT) pass (5d) dbl2
pass with a heart stopper of his own, otherwise will
propose a minor suit. 1
"Don't lead hearts".
2
"Lead diamonds". Quite a strange auction, with two
Also consider that:
doubles by a weak opener: he will probably have a
 when opponents’ suit is clubs, Lebensohl does not
fair heart suit and a good diamond holding, like AQ.
apply: 2NT would be natural and invitational;
Once again, doubling an artificial bid is lead direct-
 the doubler may bypass 3c with a strong hand:
ing: now opponents cannot bid slam anymore, not
other rebids have the same meaning seen before;
even in notrump.
 these sequences apply also to weak two bids by op-
ponents, e.g. (2S) - pass - pass - ?.
Redoubles
Lead directing doubles We follow the mainstream style here: redoubling
shows a good hand with no fit for partner’s suit, look-
Let's recall some common sequences in which the dou-
ing for penalties.
ble should be taken as lead directing:
- 1h (dbl) rdbl1
(1NT) pass (2c) dbl1
1
The typical case. Responder is showing 10-11 or
(1NT) pass (2dh) dbl1
more, at most two hearts, and values in at least two
(1NT) pass (4cd) dbl1 suits. Opener is invited to double next bid by oppo-
nents with four cards in that suit, otherwise to pass
1
Very common: doubling an artificial bid suggests
and let the redoubler in control of the bidding.
partner to lead in the doubled suit.
- 1h (dbl) rdbl
(1NT) pass (2h) dbl1
(1S) 2c1 (pass) 3c2
(2S) pass (pass) dbl2
2S3
1
Lead directing. 1
With an unbalanced hand, opener could decide not
2
"Normal" heart overcall.
to double and bid his hand instead: here he implies
- - - 1S a weak heart-club two-suiter, probably 5.5.
(2c) pass (2S) pass 2
Invitational.
(2NT) pass (3NT) dbl1 3
Game-forcing, most likely with a club fit.
1
Doubling a game contract after an opening bid or an - 1h (dbl) rdbl
overcall invites partner NOT to lead in the previously (1S) dbl1 (pass) 2d2
bid suit. In this example, opener will typically have a 1
Penalty.
bad spade suit and four good cards in a red suit: 2
Natural and game-forcing, five or more good dia-
which of the two, it is the partner to guess.
monds (usually six). Responder can also redouble to
prepare a forcing bid with a suit of his own: 2d over
the double would be competitive and not forcing.

Roadmap – 30
Penalty doubles - 1d (1h) pass
(1NT) pass (2h) dbl1
As a general rule, double is for takeout when we have
not yet found a fit (even though partner could pass for 1
Just one example of a deferred double: after passing
penalty, with the right hand). Double is for penalty in- over 1h, doubling cannot be for takeout, so it has to
stead when we have found our fit and partner’s hand be for penalty.
is limited, or when it is a deferred double.
(1h) dbl1 (pass) 2S
(3h) pass2 (pass) dbl3
1
Suggests four spades.
2
Limits the hand and tend to confirm spades.
3
Penalty.

Roadmap – 31
13. Other sequences when opponents open the bidding

Two-suited overcalls (1S) 1NT1 (2S) dbl2

3c3
We use two overcalls of this type:
2NT4
 2 of the opponent's suit: 5.5, two suits of the same
ranking – that is, (1cd) - 2cd shows both majors, 1
Four hearts and an unknown five-card minor.
(1hS) - 2hS shows both minors; 2
Takeout, defensive values.
 1NT: four or more cards in an unbid major, five or 3
Pass or correct, values in the minors.
more cards in an unbid minor; this bid: 4
Limit raise or better in hearts – the only raise availa-
- is as strong as a normal overcall, with a 4.5 or 4.6; ble at the three level.
- has substantial extra values, with a 5.5.
(1d) 1NT1 (pass) 2c2
The purpose of the 1NT overcall is to introduce a four- 2d3
card major at a convenient level, keeping the door 2hS4
open towards a safer long minor if no major fit is found. 2NT5
Consider that: 3c6
 a 4.5 or 4.6 hand with substantial extra values goes 3d7
through a takeout double: if no major fit is found, the 3hS8
doubler can introduce his long suit at the next round;
 there is no specific overcall for major-minor 5.5
1
Five clubs and an unknown four-card major.
hands with normal overcalling strength; you will
2
To play.
have to choose between overcalling in the major suit,
3
Which is your major?
if good enough, or hiding the fifth card in that suit
4
Natural, constructive but not forcing, good five-card
and overcalling 1NT all the way. or longer suit.
5
Limit raise or better in clubs.
Given that the overcaller has a known suit and an un- 6
Preemptive raise.
known one, depending on the opening bid, partner can: 7
Splinter – this is four level, since our suit is clubs.
 after a major suit opening, suggest a minor – pass or 8
Fit bid, five-card suit.
correct;
 cuebid the opening suit, asking for the unknown suit; When the 1NT overcaller makes a free and unexpected
 bid 2NT or jump-cuebid the opening suit: limit raise bid at the next round, he is showing a strong 5.5 hand.
or better in the known suit. (1d) 1NT1 (pass) 2c2
Other advances are the same as over a suit overcall – 2hS3
preemptive raises, fit bids, etc. 1
Five clubs and an unknown four-card major.
(1h) 1NT 1
(pass) 2cd 2 2
To play.
2S3 3
Strong 5.5, this is the major.
2h4
2NT5 (1h) 1NT1 (2h) pass
3h6 (pass) 2S2
3cd3
1
Four spades and an unknown five-card minor.
2
Pass or correct. 3c would be "pass or correct" as
1
Four spades and an unknown five-card minor.
well, with values concentrated in the minors (3d
2
Strong 5.5, very good spades, minor suit still undis-
would also be p/c, but unlikely). closed (partner may ask with 2NT).
3
To play. A preemptive raise to 3S is also available.
3
Strong 5.5, second suit.
4
Good hand, tell me which is your minor. (1S) 1NT1 (2S) dbl
5
Limit raise or better in spades, soft values. (pass) 3cd2
6
Limit raise or better in spades, "pure" hand. 3hS3
1
Four hearts and an unknown five-card minor.
2
Normal overcall strength, long suit.
3
Strong 5.5 – 3h shows clubs, 3S diamonds. This
should be logical, but you can just bid 4cd to avoid
any misunderstanding.

Roadmap – 32
2NT overcall (1S) pass (2S) pass
(pass) dbl1 (pass) 2NT2
15-17, a good six-card minor, stopper in the opening
(pass) 3c (pass) 3d3
suit. This overcall is obviously notrump-oriented: part-
ner will raise to 3NT with some values, otherwise will bid 1
Balancing double.
a minor as "pass or correct". Other replies are as over 2
Asking partner to select a trump suit. In these bal-
a normal overcall. ancing sequences, we are just competing for a
partscore and are not interested in game invitations:
(1h) 2NT1 (pass) 3c2
we just want to find a fit and play there at the lowest
3d3
possible level. If advancer had a five-card suit, he
3h4
should have bid 3cdh: having no long suit, he bids
3S5
2NT, ready to pass over doubler’s preference…
1
15-17, good six-card minor, stopper in hearts. 2
… well, not always: here 3d offers a choice between
2
Let's play in your suit at the three level. the red suits. It should be noted that the balancing
3
Weak distributional hand, diamond misfit but good double implies at least two four-card or longer suits
values in clubs, 5c could be playable. (if you have just one, balance in your suit).
4
Unusual – very good hand, would play game and
maybe slam in both minors. Defense over 1NT
5
Good six-card suit, constructive but not forcing –
Whichever the strength of 1NT, we use this defense (in
anyway, very rarely passed.
second seat and in fourth seat):
(1c) 2NT1 (3c) dbl2  double: two-suiter, spades and another suit (spades
3d3 usually shorter);
3hS4  2cd: two-suiter, hearts and the bid suit (hearts usu-
4c5 ally shorter);
 2NT: minor two-suiter, or any strong 5.5 two-suiter
1
15-17, six good diamonds, stopper in clubs. with 3-4 losers.
2
Penalty – it would be pointless as takeout, since The strength of overcalls depends on several factors:
partner has given a full description of his hand. over a weak or mini notrump they tend to be construc-
3
To play. tive, whereas over a strong notrump they can be dis-
4
Good six-card suit, constructive but not forcing – the turbing actions with a good shape.
overcaller will usually pick the preferred game.
5
Diamond raise, very good hand. Further bidding is natural, with some special cases:
(1NT) dbl1 (pass) 2d2
Balancing
(pass) 2S3 (pass) 3c4
Balancing bids after 1suit - pass - pass go as follows: 1
Spades and another.
 double, 1NT and non-jump suit bids have the same 2
Every suit bid except 2S is “pass or correct” and im-
meanings as in direct position, but with 3-4 points
plies interest in the skipped suits.
less; same development too, but of course partner 3
Five spades and five clubs (holding only four spades,
must have 3-4 points more for his positive bids;
3c is more descriptive).
 a jump overcall is positive, showing a good six-card 4
Invitational: if weak with a club fit, bid 2c at the first
suit and about 15-17; a jump in a minor denies a stop-
round.
per in the opening suit (otherwise, 2NT);
 the cuebid shows a strong unbalanced hand, one- (1NT) dbl1 (pass) 2NT2
or two-suiter, at most 4 losers; since partner will tend (pass) 3c3 (pass) 3S4
to apply a penalty pass over the double, the cuebid
includes all hands unsuited for the penalty pass and
1
Spades and another.
is forcing until suit agreement.
2
Should advancer want to make a game try he can
relay with 2NT.
In other sequences balancing bids are natural. As the 3
Second suit.
only exception, a 2NT bid is "Scrambling", asking for a 4
Limit.
preference in the unbid suits.
(1NT) 2S (pass) 2NT1
- - (1h) pass
(pass) dbl1 (pass) 2S2
1
Limit raise or better, since no cuebid is available.
1
Balancing double.
2
Opening strength but a bad spade suit, not ade-
quate for a 1S overcall. The doubler will assume
about 11-14 points with four cards.

Roadmap – 33
 - - (1NT) 2NT1 Versus three- or four-level preempts:
(pass) 3d2 pass 3h3  double: takeout thru 4d, always promises defensive
values;
1
Minor two-suiter, or any very strong 5.5 hand.
 cuebid, or 4NT over 4hS: strong two-suiter.
2
Diamond preference – assuming minors.
3
Game-forcing, hearts and another (maybe dia- Versus Multi 2d – the following defense assumes that
monds, maybe not). Forcing to suit agreement. 2d actually conceals a weak hand with a long major (if
opener has some strong hand, overcalls are rare), and
Defense over strong artificial opening bids tries to put ambiguity back against opponents:
 double: good hand (13+) and a long major suit: now
Over a forcing and artificial 1c or 2c, showing a strong
partner can double responder’s 2hS for takeout, al-
hand but no specific suit, the standard approach
lowing doubler to pass for penalty if he has the same
seems to be adequate:
suit held by opener;
 pass with a good hand – and balance later if oppo-
 3cd: 9-13 and a good six-card suit;
nents stop at a low level and there is a chance for a
 2hS: artificial – 14+ and a good six-card minor; 2h is
fit on our side;
for clubs, 2S for diamonds;
 suit overcalls are natural, with jumps being preemp-
 2NT: 16-19 balanced;
tive; non vulnerable overcalls can be more aggressive
 3NT: 20-22 balanced.
than over a normal suit opening bid;
 double shows length in both majors, whereas a (2d) dbl1 (2h) dbl2
notrump overcalls shows both minors; partner will
give a jump preference with some shape.
1
Major one-suiter.
2
Good for everything. If opener will pass (holding
Defense over preempts hearts), doubler can also pass with hearts, otherwise
will introduce his spades or maybe bid 3cd (holding
Versus a weak two: spades AND this suit).
 suit overcalls: natural, 5-6 losers, good six-card suit;
 cuebid: strong two-suiter, 4-5 losers; 3hS over 2hS (2d) 3c1 (?)
shows both minors, 3d over 2d both majors; 1
Being able to overcall in a minor with limited values,
 4cd over 2hS: strong two-suiter, the other major sometimes we could confuse opponents: if opener’s
and the bid minor; partner has a long major suit, he will assume that
 4c over 2d: strong two-suiter, clubs and a major opener has the other major and will bid conserva-
(partner may ask with 4d); tively, when they could have an exceptional fit.
 jump in a major: solid suit, 3-4 losers;
 double: takeout, 14+, defensive values; In fourth seat we revert to a standard defense: takeout
 2NT: 16-19 balanced, stopper in the opening suit; double and natural overcalls.
partner may cuebid to show interest for unbid four-
card majors;
 3NT: 20-22 balanced.

Roadmap – 34
14. Other sequences when we open the bidding

1NT - (double) - 1NT (dbl) 2S

(pass) 3S1
When opponents double our weak notrump for penal-
3d2
ties, we could be in trouble: if partner is weak, he needs
a rescue mechanism to find some convenient suit fit at 1
Preemptive, four-card fit.
a low level. Here are our suggested rescue responses: 2
Preemptive and lead-directing, with four spades and
 pass: nothing to say at the moment; may have some enough offensive values for the three level.
values, or possibly a weak hand with four clubs; - 1NT (dbl) 2NT1
 2c: five or more clubs OR two four-card suits except (pass) 3d (pass) 3S
clubs; opener will pass, and when opponents double: (pass) 3NT (pass 4h2
- pass: clubs;
- redouble: diamonds and spades;
1
Strong unbalanced hand. Bidding from here on is
- 2d: diamonds and hearts; natural, until…
- 2h: hearts and spades;
2
… the 2NT bidder shows his two suits.
 2d: five or more diamonds OR both majors; opener Over a fourth-seat double opener will tend to pass, al-
will pass, and when opponents double: lowing partner to stand the double or activate the res-
- pass: diamonds; cue mechanism:
- redouble: majors, longer spades;  redouble: takeout, clubs and another, 4.4 or longer;
- 2h: majors, longer hearts;  2cd: as after the second-round double.
 2hS: five or more cards.
Other responses are positive or preemptive: 1NT - (2suit)
 redouble: for business, usually with a relatively bal- Over opponents' 2c system is on (double = 2c, other
anced hand and about 10-11 points; opener is asked bids unchanged). Over 2dhS:
to double opponents' bids with four cards or pass:  double: takeout, looking for a fit; may be strong if
opponents cannot play undoubled at the two level; followed by a new suit (forcing);
 2NT: game-forcing – strong two-suiter, unsuited to  2 suit: competitive, five-card or longer suit;
redouble; natural continuation;  2NT: competitive in a lower-ranking suit;
 3 of a suit: six- or seven-card suit, to play;  3cd (new suit): competitive with a five-card or longer
 4cd: Texas Transfers. suit AND four card in an unbid major;
 cuebid: stopper-asking.
Often the system will do the job for you, but sometimes
you will have to apply some logic:
2c - (overcall)
- 1NT (dbl) pass
If opponents double 2c, we ignore the double and go
(pass) 2d1
with our system. When they overcall, responder bids:
1
Five-card suit. Why not.  double: very negative, no useful value; opener can
pass for penalties or make his most descriptive bid
- 1NT (dbl) pass (game-forcing);
(pass) rdbl1 (pass) 2c2  pass: semi-positive or better, no good suit of his own;
(dbl) rdbl3 (pass) 2d4 now opener can:
1
SOS, suggests a 4432 and a hope for a 4.4 fit. - double for takeout;
2
Four clubs. - introduce his long suit or bid notrump (system on)
3
SOS again – does not like clubs. - bid the opponent's suit – natural, as a defense
4
Four diamonds. against psyches;
 a suit: natural, good six-card suit (occasionally five);
- 1NT (dbl) pass  notrump: natural – few values, concentrated in the
(pass) rdbl1 (pass) pass!2 opponent's suit.
1
SOS.
2
Suggests about 8-9 – too weak for redoubling at the
previous round, too strong for saving now. Let's try
for game.

Roadmap – 35
More about Lebensohl 2NT - - - 1h
(pass) 2c (2S) 2NT1
In constructive sequences in which opener can double
for takeout, 2NT shows a minimum unbalanced hand, 1
Warning – this sequence is game-forcing, no Le-
making other bids at the three level available for game bensohl is needed. Here opener is showing a spade
invitational hands. stopper.
- 1c (pass) 1h
- - - 1d
(1S) 2c (2S) 2NT1
(pass) 1S (2h) dbl1
3cd2 1
Even responder can use Lebensohl at the second
2NT3 round. Here the takeout double is available: there-
fore, 2NT is competitive (in which suit, next bid will
1
Takeout – 15+ balanced or slightly unbalanced.
tell), whereas 3 in a suit would be game-invitational.
2
Natural – unbalanced hand, extra values (4-5 los-
ers), game could be on.
3
Lebensohl – unbalanced hand, minimum values,
wants to contend the partscore.
- - - 1d
(pass) 1S (2h) 2NT1
(pass) 3c2
3d3
3S4
3h5
1
Takeout – 15+ balanced or slightly unbalanced.
2
To play if opener has a minor two-suiter.
3
To play.
4
Six or more spades, suggests playing here.
5
Game-forcing, probably with a diamond fit.

Roadmap – 36