Category: Conventions Page 2 of 4

Bridge Conventions

Muppet Stayman

On 16 July 2020

This bid is used after an opening bid of 2NT showing 20-22 points where it can contain a 5 card major. It’s used to find a 5-3 or 4-4 fit in the majors and also to get the strong hand to play out the contract.

After reading these notes…take a look at the muppet stayman video to further reinforce your understanding of the subject (19 hands included).

3♣ is muppet Stayman with the following responses.

Bid	Meaning
3♦	I have at least one 4 card major
3♥	I don’t have a 4 or 5 card major
3♠	I have a 5 card spade suit
3NT	I have a 5 card heart suit

So this is the interesting thing about Muppet Stayman compared to Puppet Stayman – the 3♥ and 3NT bid are switched around.

Continuation after 3♦

The responses are similar to puppet stayman.

Bid	Meaning
3♥	Asks how many spades
3♠	I have a 4 card heart suit
3NT	To play
4♣	Both majors with slam interest
4♦	Both majors no slam interest
4♥	Slam interest in clubs
4♠	Slam interest in diamonds

The 3♥ is an ask just in case partner (the hand opposite the 2NT opener) had started with 5 spades and 3 hearts. Rather than transfer to spades and give up on finding a 5-3 heart you will go through muppet stayman.

Bid	Meaning
3♠	I have a 3 card spade suit (4 hearts and 3 spades)
3NT	I have a 2 card spade suit (4 hearts and 2 spades)
4♣	I have 4 spades and potential slam interest
4♠	4 spades no slam interest

After 4♣, suit bids are cue bids apart from 4♥ which is a relay to 4♠ and 4NT is RKCB…5♥ and 6♥ would be further relays to spades if need be.

Continuation after 3♥ (showing no 4/5 card major)

Bid	Meaning
3♠	Relay to 3NT
3NT	Shows a 5 card spade suit (very easy to forget!)
4♣	5-5 Both majors slam interest
4♦	5-5 Both majors no slam interest
4♥	Slam interest in clubs (6+ card suit)
4♠	Slam interest in diamonds (6+ card suit)

Continuations after 4♣ (5/5 Majors slam interest)

So after 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 4♣ or 2NT – 3♣ – 3♦ – 4♣

Bid	Meaning
4♦	RKCB in hearts
4♥	To play – bottom end of your hand
4♠	To play – bottom end of your hand
4NT	RKCB in spades

Continuations after opener bids 3NT (showing 5 hearts)

Bid	Meaning
Pass	To Play
4♣	Undisclosed minor (or diamonds?)
4♦	Puppet to 4♥ then 4NT is RKCB
4♥	? Could be used as a slam try in clubs
4♠	Cue Bid
4NT	Quantitative no hearts

Because 4♦ is a puppet you cannot bid that to show diamonds.

Continuations after opener bid 3♠ (has a 5 card spade suit)

Bid	Meaning
3NT	To play
4♣	Constructive natural (could show diamonds)
4♦	Constructive natural (could show clubs)
4♥	Slam try in spades
4♠	To Play
4NT	Quantitative

After a 3NT relay response

So after 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 3♠ – 3NT – ?

Bid	Meaning
4♣	Natural Slam try in Diamonds (5 card suit)
4♦	Natural Slam try in Clubs (5 card suit)
5NT	Pick a slam – looking for a 4-4 minor fit

By playing it this way opener can play a slam in diamonds which might be more advantageous.

Opener bids 4NT to sign off or bids the next suit up to agree a slam in the agreed minor.

It’s really critical you discuss this as a lot of people play this the wrong way and as soon as they here 4NT they start answering RKCB…you shouldn’t play it this way in the minors…use a suit bid to agree a minor slam interest.

Next suit up can then be RKCB (4130) or you can cue bid. Again make sure you agree.

After 4♥ to show slam interest in clubs

So after 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 4♥

Bid	Meaning
4♠	RKCB agreeing clubs (4130)
4NT	To play

After 4♠ to show slam interest in diamonds

So after 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 4♠

Bid	Meaning
4NT	To play
5♣	RKCB in diamonds (3041)

Muppet Transfers

So if you have 5 spades and 4 hearts you can bid 3♣ where you can find a major fit – don’t use transfers with this holding like you normally would.

But! When you hold 5 hearts and 4 spades transfer to hearts first and then bid 3NT to show this hand with no interest in slam.

If you find muppet stayman too difficult (understandable) for you…or you think you might forget it then take a look at puppet stayman instead.

Puppet Stayman

By John Stell

On 11 July 2020

In Conventions

This bid is used after an opening bid of 2NT showing 20-22 points where it can have a 5 card major. It’s used to find a 5-3 or 4-4 fit in the majors.

3♣ is puppet Stayman with the following responses.

Bid	Meaning
3♦	I have at least one 4 card Major
3♥	I have a 5 card heart suit
3♠	I have a 5 card spade suit
3NT	I don’t have a 4 or 5 card major.

Continuation after 3♦

Bid	Meaning
3♥	I have a 4 card spade suit (this is not a mis-print)
3♠	I have a 4 card heart suit
3NT	To play
4♣	Both majors with slam interest
4♦	Both majors no slam interest
4♥	Slam Try in Clubs
4♠	Slam Try in Diamonds

For most people that’s enough information for you to use the system to find the right game contract. If you want to know more then read on…

Let’s look at the continuations to possible slam…

Continuations after 4♣

Bid	Meaning
4♦	RKCB in hearts
4♥	To play – bottom end of your hand
4♠	To play – bottom end of your hand
4NT	RKCB in spades

Continuations after opener has a 5 card heart suit

Bid	Meaning
3♠	Slam try in hearts (Could play this as RKCB in hearts!)
4♣	Natural Slam try in Clubs
4♦	Natural Slam try in diamonds
4♥	To play
4♠	Splinter
4NT	RKCB for hearts or quantitative in hearts (make sure you agree)

Continuations after opener has a 5 card spade suit

Bid	Meaning
3NT	To Play
4♣	Natural Slam try in Clubs
4♦	Natural Slam try in diamonds
4♥	Slam try in spades (Could play this as RKCB in spades)
4♠	To play
4NT	RKCB for spades or quantitative in spades (make sure you agree)

After a 3NT response

Bid	Meaning
4♣	Natural Slam try in Clubs
4♦	Natural Slam try in diamonds
4♥	5/5 in the majors no slam try
4♠	5/5 in the majors slam try?

Opener bids 4NT to sign off or bids 4♦ over 4♣ to look for slam in clubs. Responder bids a major to show interest in slam in diamonds or bids 4NT to sign off.

It’s really critical you discuss this as a lot of people play this the wrong way and as soon as they hear 4NT they start answering RKCB. You shouldn’t play it this way in the minors…use the majors to agree a minor slam interest.

Take a look at this puppet stayman video to see it in action.

Also when you’ve mastered puppet stayman….take a look at muppet stayman which is a more advanced system.

Lavings

By John Stell

On 27 June 2020

In Conventions

The Lavings convention is a simple way of asking for 5 card majors after partner has opened a strong or weak NT.

After an opening 1NT Bid and 2♣ Response

So it’s important to known you can only bid 2♣ with invitational hands.

Bid	Meaning
2♦	Minimum no 5 card Major
2♥	Minimum 5 card hearts
2♠	Minimum 5 card spades
2NT	Maximum no 5 card suit
3♣	Maximum 5 card club suit
3♦	Maximum 5 card diamond suit
3♥	Maximum 5 card heart suit
3♠	Maximum 5 card spade suit

Continuations after 2♦

So after 1NT – 2♣ – 2♦ uninterrupted

Bid	Meaning
2♥	5 card suit non-forcing
2♠	5 card suit non-forcing
2NT	To Play
3♣	Promissory 4 card Stayman
3♦	3 Card Stayman
3♥	Shows 5 spades and 4 Hearts
3♠	Shows 5 hearts and 4 Spades

Continuations after 2NT

So after 1NT – 2♣ – 2NT uninterrupted. 3♣ would be promissory Stayman and a bid of 3♦ would ask for a 3 card major.

Some Examples

Let’s look at some examples of strong and Weak NT openers.

a)	b)	c)	d)
♠ AQ1083 ♥ K8 ♦ KJ7 ♣ A97	♠ AJ53 ♥ J54 ♦ QJ72 ♣ K7	♠ KJ4 ♥ K108 ♦ AQ762 ♣ A7	♠ KJ862 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ AJ10
♠ 954 ♥ A74 ♦ Q8543 ♣ K3	♠ Q73 ♥ KQ973 ♦ A65 ♣ 43	♠ Q72 ♥ AQ962 ♦ 93 ♣ 953	♠ Q73 ♥ KQ973 ♦ A65 ♣ 43
e)	f)	g)	h)
♠ AQ862 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ KJ10	♠ KJ82 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ AJ107	♠ KJ8 ♥ 42 ♦ KQJ7 ♣ A1092	♠ KJ62 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ AJ107
♠ J73 ♥ K10973 ♦ 43 ♣ A65	♠ Q763 ♥ KQ93 ♦ A65 ♣ 43	♠ Q763 ♥ KQJ3 ♦ 1073 ♣ K5	♠ Q1073 ♥ KQ73 ♦ A65 ♣ 43
i)
♠ K82 ♥ AQJ6 ♦ A982 ♣ K8
♠ AJ943 ♥ 1094 ♦ QJ3 ♣ A7

The Bidding

a) 1NT (15-17) – 2♣ – 3♠ – 4♠

So the 3♠ shows a maximum and you simply raise it to 4♠

b) 1NT (12-14) – 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥

Partner has invitational 5 card heart suit but after just bidding 2♥ you can pass this even with 3 card support.

c) 1NT (15 – 17) – 2♣ – 3♦ – 3♥ – 4♥

The original NT bidder is maximum with a 5 card diamond suit. You now bid your 5 card heart suit (game forcing) which gets supported to 4♥.

d) 1NT (12 – 14) – 2♣ – 3♠ – 4♠

The original NT bidder is maximum with a 5 card spade suit. You now bid 4♠.

e) 1NT (15-17) – 2♣ – 2♠

So the 2♠ shows a minimum with 5 spades which you can just pass.

f) 1NT (12-14) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♠ – 4♠

2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♣ is promissory Stayman (it guarantees a 4 card major) and partner bids 3♠ which then gets raised to 4♠.

g) 1NT (12 – 14) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♦ – 3NT

The 2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♣ is promissory Stayman (it guarantees a 4 card major) and partner bids 3♦ which denies a 4 card major. 3NT is then bid.

h) 1NT (12 – 14) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 3NT – 4♠

The 2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♣ is promissory Stayman (it guarantees a 4 card major) and partner bids 3♥. 3NT is bid as you don’t like hearts and partner converts to the known 4-4 spade fit and bids 4♠.

g) 1NT (15 – 17) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♦ – 3♥ – 3NT – 4♠

The 2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♦ asks for a 3 card major (should guarantee a 5 card major) and partner bids 3♥. 3NT is bid which partner can either pass or bid 4♠ if they have 3 card spade support.

So that’s how to play the Lavings bidding convention….a five card major ask after an opening 1NT.

Michael’s Cue Bid

By John Stell

On 23 June 2020

In Conventions

The Michael’s cue bid is a very popular bidding convention to show distributional hands…hands usually with at least 55 shapes (5521).

This Michael’s cue bid is usually used in the direct position, i.e., immediately after an opponent has made their bid.

All these direct overcall bids are known as Michael’s cue-bids:-

Opening Bid	Direct Overcall	Shows
1♣	2♣	5+ hearts and 5+ Spades
1♦	2♦	5+ hearts and 5+ Spades
1♥	2♥	5+ spades and 5+ unspecified minor
1♠	2♠	5+ hearts and 5+ unspecified minor

For example if your right-hand opponent opened 1♥ and you bid 2♥, your 2♥ call would be a Michael’s cue-bid. This would show at least 5 spades and at least 5 card in either clubs or diamonds.

If your right-hand opponent opened 1♠ and you bid 2♠, your 2♠ call would be a Michael’s cue-bid. This would show at least 5 hearts and at least 5 card in either clubs or diamonds.

Better still if your right-hand opponent opened 1♣ or 1♦ and you bid the Michael’s cue-bid.

This would specifically show 5-5 (or longer) in the majors. This is better for you as you know exactly what two suits partner has.

What about points?

So that’s the shapes and the suits…but what values should you have for the bid?

Typically I imagine a hand like:

♠ KQ1072
♥ KQ1073
♦ 4
♣ 75

You can play several methods but usually either a weak hand (say, 6 to 11 points) or a strong hand (a good 15 or more high-card points). Hands with intermediate strength should simply overcall at the one level, with the hope that the second suit can be shown later in the auction. Why do this? It’s to give partner some indication of our strength and involve him in the decision process as to how high we compete (sacrifice).

Responding to the Michael’s cue bid

So after 1♣ – 2♣ showing at least 5 / 5 in the majors….

Response	Meaning
2♦	Natural, good diamond suit (usually 6+) Non-forcing.
2♥	Sign-off…may be equal length as spades.
2♠	Sign-off…must be longer in spades than hearts though.
2NT	Natural and invites partner to bid 3NT
3♣	Artificial, game / slam interest in hearts or spades. Forcing.
3♦	A very strong diamond suit (6+ cards). Forcing
3♥	Preemptive, usually with 4 hearts
3♠	Preemptive, usually with 4 spades
3NT	To Play

So after 1♦ – 2♦ showing at least 5 / 5 in the majors….

Response	Meaning
2♥	Sign-off…may be equal length as spades.
2♠	Sign-off…must be longer in spades than hearts though.
2NT	Natural and invites partner to bid 3NT
3♣	Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♦	Artificial, game / slam interest in hearts or spades. Forcing.
3♥	Preemptive, usually with 4 hearts
3♠	Preemptive, usually with 4 spades
3NT	To Play

So after 1♥ – 2♥ showing at least 5 spades and a minor suit as of yet unspecified.

Response	Meaning
2♠	Sign-off.
2NT	Asks for the minor
3♣	Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♦	Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♥	Forcing
3♠	Preemptive, usually with 4 spades
3NT	To Play

So after 1♠ – 2♠ showing at least 5 hearts and a minor suit as of yet unspecified.

Response	Meaning
2NT	Asks for the minor
3♣	Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♦	Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♥	Preemptive, usually with 4 hearts
3♠	Forcing…usually slam interest in hearts.
3NT	To Play

Bidding in 4th position

You can also use it to show 5 / 5 in the other two suits like:

North	East	South	West
1♣	Pass	1♠	2♣*

Now the 2C bid shows 5 /5 in diamonds and hearts.

OR…..

North	East	South	West
1♣	Pass	1♥	2♣*

Now the 2C bid shows 5 /5 in diamonds and spades.

You could also have a different meaning for the other cue-bid:-

OR…..

North	East	South	West
1♣	Pass	1♥	2♥*

Now the 2♥ bid shows 5 /5 in diamonds and spades….but a stronger hand 15+

Another alternative….

North	East	South	West
1♣	Pass	1♥	2♥*

Now the 2♥ bid could show longer spades than diamonds at least 6/5. This is because you have bid the higher cue-bid.

And now….

North	East	South	West
1♣	Pass	1♥	2♣*

Now the 2♣ bid could show longer diamonds than spades at least 6/5. This is because you have bid the lower cue-bid.

So the Michael’s cue bid is a great way of letting your partner know your shape using just one bid….of course it does tell the opponents as well which means they might stop out of a game if they know the splits are bad. Quite often these bids can be used to find a good sacrifice.

Make sure you have an agreement with your partner…like I said a common one is to show the hand as either weak OR strong.

Alternatively you can play a bidding convention called CRO (Colour/Rank/Other). Using the CRO bidding convention you can specify what the other minor is.

Kokish Relay

By John Stell

On 20 June 2020

In Conventions

After a strong 2♣ and 2♦ relay (waiting bid).

You can go two ways with this to demonstrate two different NnTrump strength holdings.

Bidding 2♥ forces 2♠. Now the 2NT bid shows 25+ points
Bid 2NT directly shows 23-24 points.

Some people play reverse Kokish as well – where the two bids above are reversed…so make sure you know which Kokish you are playing if you are playing it.

Partnerships can have different points holding for 2NT openers so make sure you have a partnership agreement as some people play 20-21 2NT openers.

Let’s look at some examples of 2♣ openers using kokish relays :-

a)	b)	c)	d)
♠ AK ♥ AJ10 ♦ AQ532 ♣ AK7	♠ AKJ5 ♥ AQ9 ♦ A87 ♣ AK5	♠ AQ10 ♥ AK ♦ QJ104 ♣ AQJ10	♠ Q103 ♥ AQJ ♦ AQJ ♣ AK96
♠ QJ732 ♥ 98765 ♦ 5 ♣ 42	♠ 107 ♥ K108632 ♦ K52 ♣ 43	♠ 7432 ♥ 543 ♦ 987 ♣ 973	♠ KJ954 ♥ 42 ♦ 1074 ♣ 743

a) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 4♦ – 4♥.

The 2NT bid shows 25+ points. partner bids muppet stayman and the 3♥ response denies a 4 card major. Partner bids 4♦ to show 5-5 in the majors and 4♥ is reached.

b) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2NT – 4♣ – 4♦ – 4NT – 5♣ – 5♦ – 6♦ – 6NT

The 2NT bid shows 25+ points. Partner bids a two under slam try 4♣ and partner accepts with a cue bid of 4♦. Partner does a quick check for keycards and decides 6NT is a better contract.

c) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 2NT – All Pass

The 2NT bid shows 23-24points.

d) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 3NT – 4♠

The 2NT bid shows 23-24 points. 3♣ is muppet stayman, 3♥ denies a 4 card major, 3NT shows a 5 card major and partner bids 4♠.

The kokish relay is a useful system for keeping the bidding at 2NT when you have these 25+ point holding allowing partner to investigate major holdings below the 3NT level. The disadvantage of this system is in order to agree hearts you can end up bidding 4H…

2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 3♥ – ? harder to agree hearts without signing off in 4♥

Where the bidding previously may have preceded with…

2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 3♥ – now can look for a slam in hearts more comfortably

So it’s up to you if you want to play the Kokish relay system…how often do you pick up 25 counts?

Kokish has some more complex bids – but as far as I know – most people don’t play these bids or have even discussed them…

After 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ then:

3♣: 5+ hearts and 4+ clubs
3♦: 5+ hearts and 4+ diamonds
3♥: 6+ hearts
3♠: 5+hearts and 4+ spades

Now if you were to bid 2nt and show a 5 card heart suit (after puppet/muppet) – partner should know you are 5332 shape

Multi Landy

By John Stell

On 16 June 2020

In Conventions

Multi-Landy is a convention used after the opponents open 1NT. It gets its name from the use of the Landy 2♣ overcall and the Multi 2♦ convention. One purpose is to more precisely identify major-suit fits.

The conventional calls over 1NT are as follows.

Bids	Meaning
Double	Penalty 15+points (particularly against a weak 1NT). Against a Strong NT it shows a 4-card major with a longer minor. Double after passing shows a 4-card major with a longer minor.
2♣	At least 5-4 or 4-5 in hearts and spades. This is the Landy part of the convention. 8-15 points
2♦	5+ hearts or 5+ spades (no side suit). This is the Multi part of the convention. 8-15 points
2♥	At least 5-4 in hearts and a minor. 8-15 points
2♠	At least 5-4 in spades and a minor. 8-15 points
2NT	At least 5-5 in clubs and diamonds. 8-15 points

Minimum points usually at favourable vulnerability or/and when 55 or 6 card suits…don’t bid vulnerable with garbage!

Some example hands that might use this convention are:

1)	2)	3)	4)
♠ AQ102 ♥ K10963 ♦ 4 ♣ K75	♠ KQ10942 ♥ A8 ♦ 842 ♣ 75	♠ 6 ♥ KQ1063 ♦ AJ1085 ♣ Q7	♠ KJ763 ♥ 8 ♦ AQ109 ♣ Q76
5)	6)
♠ 9 ♥ 84 ♦ AQ1085 ♣ KJ763	♠ AQ ♥ K98 ♦ QJ1095 ♣ KJ8

Hand 1 would bid 2♣ showing at least 5-4 in the majors
Hand 2 would bid 2♦ showing a 5+ major without a second suit.
Hand 3 would bid 2♥ showing 5 hearts and a minor suit.
Hand 4 would bid 2♠ showing 5 spades and a minor suit.
Hand 5 would bid 2NT showing 5-5the minors
Hand 6 would simply double against a weak NT for penalties

Responses to the Double showing a minor and a major

Response	Meaning
2♣	Shows club tolerance and willingness to play in clubs. Partner can pass with long clubs, or bid 2♦ without clubs.
2♦	Shows diamond tolerance and willingness to play in diamonds. Partner can pass with long diamonds, or bid 2M without diamonds.
2♥	Natural, 4+ hearts, non-forcing.
2♠	Natural, 6+ spades, non-forcing.
2NT	Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their major holding.
	3♣ – Shows 4 hearts, max strength.
	3♦ – Shows 4 spades, max strength.
	3♥ – Shows 4 hearts, min strength.
	3♠ – Shows 4 spades, min strength.
3♣	Natural, 6+ good clubs, non-forcing.
3♦	Natural, 6+ good diamonds, non-forcing.
3♥	Pre-emptive or Good suit maybe 7 card suit.
3♠	Pre-emptive or Good suit maybe 7 card suit.
3NT	To play

Responses to the 2♣ Overcall

The 2♣ overcall shows at least 5-4 in the majors.

Response	Meaning
Pass	Natural, 6+ good clubs
2♦	An artificial bid asks partner to bid their major suit.
2♥	Natural sign-off, showing a preference for hearts even if partner is 5-4.
2♠	Natural sign-off, showing a preference for spades even if partner is 5-4.
2NT	Artificial, forcing. Asks the over-caller to clarify their major holding.
	3♣ – Shows 4+ hearts, max strength.
	3♦ – Shows 4+ spades, max strength.
	3♥ – Shows 4+ hearts, min strength.
	3♠ – Shows 4+ spades, min strength.
3♣	Natural, 6+ good clubs, non-forcing.
3♦	Natural, 6+ good diamonds, non-forcing.
3♥	Pre-emptive
3♠	Pre-emptive
3NT	To play

Responses to the 2♦ Overcall

The 2♦ overcall shows a single-suited major.

Response	Meaning
2♦	Natural, 6+ good diamonds
2♥	Natural signoff if over caller has hearts. However, this bid may also be made with game-invitational values in spades. If the over caller corrects to 2♠, then partner is allowed to raise or bid something else to show a good raise in spades.
2♠	Natural signoff if over caller has spades. However, this also shows a good raise in hearts. If the over caller has hearts they bid 3♥ with a minimum and bid a feature with a maximum…or can bid 4♥ direct.
2NT	Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their major holding.
	3♣ – Shows 5 hearts, max strength.
	3♦ – Shows 5 spades, max strength.
	3♥ – Shows 5 hearts, min strength.
	3♠ – Shows 5 spades, min strength.
3♣	Natural, 6+ good clubs, non-forcing.
3♦	Natural, 6+ good diamonds, non-forcing.
3♥	Natural, 6+ good hearts, non-forcing.
3♠	Natural, 6+ good spades, non-forcing.
3NT	To play

Responses to the 2♥ Overcall

2♥ shows a 5 card major and at least a four-card minor.

Response	Meaning
Pass	This is where we play
2♠	Natural, 5+ good spades, no heart support, non-forcing.
2NT	Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their minor holding.
	3♣ – Shows 4+ clubs, min strength.
	3♦ – Shows 4+ diamonds, min strength.
	3♥ – Shows 4+ clubs, max strength.
	3♠ – Shows 4+ diamonds, max strength.
3♣	Asks partner to pass or correct to 3♦
3♦	Good raise in hearts
3♥	Pre-emptive raise
3♠	Natural, 6+ good spades, non-forcing.
3NT	To Play
4♥	To Play
4♠	To Play

Responses to the 2♠ Overcall

2♠ shows 5 spades and at least a 4-card minor.

Response	Meaning
Pass	This is where we play
2NT	Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their minor holding.
	3♣ – Shows 4+ clubs, min strength.
	3♦ – Shows 4+ diamonds, min strength.
	3♥ – Shows 4+ clubs, max strength.
	3♠ – Shows 4+ diamonds, max strength.
3♣	Asks partner to pass or correct to 3♦
3♦	Good raise in spades
3♥	Natural, 6+ good hearts, non-forcing.
3♠	Pre-emptive raise
3NT	To Play
4♥	To Play
4♠	To Play

Responses to the 2NT Overcall

Shows 5/5 in the minors.

Bids	Meaning
Pass	This is where we play
3♣	A weak hand with tolerance for clubs.
3♦	A weak hand with tolerance for diamonds
3♥	Natural, 6+ good hearts, non-forcing.
3♠	Natural, 6+ good spades, non-forcing.
3NT	To Play
4♣ / ♦	Invitational
4♥ / ♠	4♥ / ♠
5♣ / ♦	To Play

Please note that these notes are merely ideas on how to play this convention…but you can change them how you want. That is one of the main points about complex bridge conventions…you can change them to how you want to play them…as long as you agree to them with your partner…that is the crucial point.

In Competition

Obviously, when you overcall 2♣, the opposition might double this contract which might show clubs, they might bid diamonds…so it’s important you have an agreement on what double, re-double, or 2♦ means from partner?

I would suggest over 2♣ double, Redouble asks for the longer major and 2♦ is now natural.

Over a 2♦ bid double asks partner to bid their longer major.

Support Double

By John Stell

On 15 June 2020

In Conventions

The support double is a double, as the name suggests, which shows just 3 card support for partners bid MAJOR suit. Most partnerships just play this up to the 2 level.

Also if a double is made of partners suit then a re-double by partner also shows 3 card support.

If you are playing support doubles it means that bids of partners suit show 4 card support.

Let’s look at some examples

All of these are example of support doubles.

Auction 1

1♣ – P – 1♥ – 1♠
D*

Shows 3 card heart support

Auction 2

1♣ – 1♦ – 1♥ – 2♦
D*

Shows 3 card heart support

Auction 3

1♣ – P – 1♠ – 2♦
D*

Shows 3 card spade support

Auction 4

1♣ – P – 1♠ – 2♦
2♠

This now shows 4 card support because you didn’t double.

Auction 5

1♣ – P – 1♠ – D
RD

The RD doesn’t show extra points it just shows you have an opening hand and you’ve got 3 spades in your hand.

Frivolous 3NT

By John Stell

On 14 June 2020

In Conventions

I like to call it the frivolous 3NT – but many people will call this convention non-serious 3NT. If we start with an auction with no intervening bidding such as:-

1♠ – 2♣
2♠ – 3♠
?

If we have agreed an 8 card fit in the majors then most of the time it’s going to play better in 4♠, therefore if we give up the 3NT bid as a natural bid, we can use it for something more constructive….The Frivolous 3NT.

Based on the principal of fast arrival 3♠ here can show a better hand. We can now use 3NT as the more useful Frivolous 3NT conventional bid.

So what are the kinds of hand that would bid 3NT, cue bid, or just bid 4♠?

Hands that would bid the Frivolous 3NT

a)	b)	c)	d) We open 1♣
♠ AQ10863 ♥ A62 ♦ K84 ♣ 7	♠ KQ10754 ♥ KQ8 ♦ 3 ♣ K65	♠ AKJ1072 ♥ 108 ♦ K2 ♣ QJ10	♠ KJ876 ♥ K2 ♦ K106 ♣ KJ7

All these Hands bid the Frivolous 3NT

Hands that would Cue Bid

a)	b)	c)	d) We open 1♣
♠ AQ10863 ♥ AKQ ♦ Q72 ♣ 7	♠ KQ10754 ♥ Q8 ♦ A72 ♣ A5	♠ QJ10972 ♥ AK ♦ AQ ♣ Q72	♠ KQJ86 ♥ AJ2 ♦ K106 ♣ A7

All these Hands would cue bid at the lowest available level

Hands that would bid straight to game

a)	b)We open 1♣	c)We open 1♣	d)
♠ KJ10863 ♥ KJ ♦ KJ ♣ 732	♠ KQ754 ♥ KQ8 ♦ Q2 ♣ J72	♠ K10972 ♥ AK7 ♦ Q7 ♣ 972	♠ K987432 ♥ KQ ♦ QJ ♣ 94

All these Hands would bid straight to game

Which auctions are Frivolous 3NT?

So in all the following Frivolous 3NT applies….

Auction 1

1♠ – 2♣
2♠ – 3♠
3NT

Okay if you cannot spot this as frivolous 3NT you’re in trouble!

Auction 2

1♠ – 2♥
3♥ – 3NT

The Frivolous 3NT convention may be used by either partner as this is a 2/1 game forcing auction.

Auction 3

1♠ – 2♥
3♥ – 3♠
3NT

Frivolous 3NT may be used after an intervening cue bid.

Auction 4

1♠ – 2♣
3♣ – 3♠
3NT

Frivolous 3NT may be used after an intervening raise of responder.

Auction 5

1♠ – 2♦
2NT – 3♠
3NT

Frivolous 3NT applies even if opener rebid a natural 2NT as long as the major is raised.

Auction 6

1♠ – 2NT
3♣ – 3♦
3♠ – 3NT

Frivolous 3NT applies after any game forcing raise of a major, even without a 2/1. Here the responses are to Swedish Jacoby.

What Auctions aren’t frivolous 3NT?

Auction 1

1♠ – 2♣
2♠ – 2NT
3♣ – 3♠
3NT?

Here the 3♠ bid only shows 2 card support so the 3NT can be natural.

Auction 2

1♠ – 2♣
2♥ – 2♠
3NT?

Jumps to 3NT aren’t frivolous…you can simply cue-bid over 2♠ or bid 3♠

Auction 3

1♠ – 2♣
2♥ – 3♠
3NT?

3♠ is a strong picture jump raise therefore the Frivolous 3NT is not needed when the partnership is already known to be in the slam zone. This could be a case of wanting partner to cue bid 4♣ before you bid 4♦

Auction 4

1♠ – 2♦
3♠ – 3NT

The 3♠ bid is similar to the last auction is a strong picture jump suit rebid setting the suit.
Frivolous 3NT is not needed since the partnership is already known to be in the slam zone.

Auction 5

1♠ – 1NT
2♣ – 3♠
3NT

Since the 3♠ is a 3-card limit raise. Here the Frivolous 3NT is off since responder’s 3♠ raise did not create a game force.

Well I hope that wets your appetite!

Picture Jumps

By John Stell

On 14 June 2020

In Conventions

Picture jumps are used in the 2/1 bidding system.

Alternatively you can watch a picture jumps video instead.

If we start with an auction, with no intervening bidding such as:-

1♠-2♣
2♥ -?

So here we can bid 2♠ / 3♠ / 4♠ to show different kinds of holdings.

Firstly 2♠

A hand such as:

♠ K107
♥ K5
♦ K76
♣ KJ973

The two spade bid shows 3 card spade support but also denies holding a good 5 card club suit and good spades now making slam less likely.

Secondly 3♠

A hand such as:

♠ KQ7
♥ A5
♦ 876
♣ AKJxx

This raise shows good trump support, a good club suit and an outside control in one of the red suits.

And Finally 4♠

A hand such as:

♠ KQ7
♥ 65
♦ J76
♣ AKJxx

This shows excellent trump support and a great club support but no controls in the other suits.

By having all these different bids set in stone opener is more likely to know whether to go for a slam or not.

RKC Minorwood

By John Stell

On 13 June 2020

In Conventions

RKC Minorwood is a bridge convention which looks for all the keycards in a minor suit at a lower level that the normal 4NT RKCB

If you play inverted minors for example then the sequences will fit into this system:

1♣-2♣-4♣

So here 4♣ is RKC minorwood and the responses are:-

4♦ – 1/4 Keycards
4♥ – 0/3 Keycards
4♠ – 2 Keycards
4NT – 2Keycards + Queen of clubs

It’s also possible to play 4♦ as – no you tell me about your keycards and you can play the responses starting at 4♥ instead. But let’s not confuse things!

If the Queen of trumps has not been shown or denied,
then the cheapest non-trump suit becomes the Queen ask, and the next cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings specifically.
If the Queen has been shown, the cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings.

4NT / 5♣ bids are sign off.

When replying to the queen ask : The 5NT bid response would show the queen + 2 kings.

1♦-2♦-4♦

So here 4♦ is RKC minorwood

4♥ – 1/4 Keycards
4♠ – 0/3 Keycards
4NT – 2 Keycards
5♣ – 2Keycards + Queen of diamonds

It’s also possible to play 4♥ as – no you tell me about your keycards and you can play the responses starting at 4♠ instead. But let’s not confuse things!

If the Queen of trumps has not been shown or denied,
then the cheapest non-trump suit becomes the Queen ask, and the next cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings.
If the Queen has been shown, the cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings.

4NT / 5♦ bids are sign off.

When replying to the queen ask : The 5NT bid response would show the queen + 2 kings.

Spotting Minorwood?

When is Minorwood minorwood?

The 4m bid cannot be construed as competitive.
The partnership is in a GF auction, has reached game (i.e. 3NT), or bypassed any effort to check for 3NT (which covers the 1m (2m/3m) 4m case).
The minor suit fit is explicitly established, implied (e.g. auction started 1♣ 1NT), or one partner has bid the minor enough times that partner’s 4m should imply support (at least Hx or xxx).